Lebanese Canadians say Canada needs to do more the help end Gaza war before conflict escalates in Middle East
Lebanese Canadians are raising concerns over the Liberal government’s stance on the Gaza war after Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly urged Canadians in Lebanon to fly home. Several airlines have already suspended service to Beirut as fears over a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified. “If tensions escalate, the situation on the ground may not allow us to...
![Canadian border checkpoint on the north side of Rue Canusa. [Photo: Jonathan Got © 2021]](https://capitalcurrent.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Stanstead_Canusa3-585x329.jpeg)
Words matter: Seeking asylum in Canada is not illegal
Earlier in June, U.S. President Joe Biden announced measures on migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border that allow authorities to deport or turn them back to Mexico without having the chance to claim asylum. One of Donald Trump’s main campaign agendas is to deport millions of undocumented migrants and prevent others from crossing borders. In recent years, tensions over Quebec’s Roxham Road...
Two-time Palestinian Olympian and Carleton alumnus says Paris games will be his last
The two-time Palestinian Olympian and Carleton University alum Yazan Al Bawwab says the Paris 2024 Olympics will be his last. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Dubai, the son of a Palestinian refugee, Rashad Al Bawwab, achieved his father’s dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer to represent his country. “I am delighted to be here to represent Palestine and...
Letter demands removal of Liberal MP as point person on Jewish community and antisemitism
A letter signed by hundreds of Canadians is demanding the prime minister replace Anthony Housefather as the federal government’s special advisor on Jewish community relations and antisemitism. The letter accuses the Montreal MP of pushing “anti-Palestinian racist and Islamophobic narratives” for months. Addressed to MPs and Senators, the letter asks for a full re-assessment and evaluation of the appointment. and...
Transit advocates in Ottawa alarmed by OC Transpo’s pattern of “cutting services”
Community organizations, workers and residents are raising concerns over a pattern of service cuts after OC Transpo announced its plan to reduce LRT frequency during off-peak hours and accusing the city of ruining Ottawa’s public transit system. OC Transpo says, starting Aug. 26, Line 1 will run every 10 minutes at stations between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays...
In wake of changes to alcohol market, Ottawa brewers urge province to consider dedicated shelves for their beer, incentives and tax cuts
In the wake of the LCBO strike settlement, Ottawa breweries say they welcome Ontario’s plan to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails, saying it is an encouraging, but long orverdue move for the local market. But without financial incentives for small breweries, dedicated shelves for local products in sales outlets and a re-evaluation of...
One in 11 people worldwide face hunger: UN report
The global food security has remained stubbornly poor for three straight years, according to a new UN report. Published by five United Nations specialized agencies, the new State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report has found nearly 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, equivalent to one in 11 people on the planet. The total is about...
Faculty for Palestine urges uOttawa to respect ruling by International Court of Justice
The uOttawa chapter of Faculty for Palestine (F4P) is urging the school to honour the recently released advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that found Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories violates international law. In a statement, F4P uOttawa called on the university to divest from all corporations directly involved in the occupation and cut ties with...
Most Canadians fear Trump re-election: poll
A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) shows two-thirds of Canadians dread another term in the White House for Donald Trump. Some 28 per cent polled say another four years of Trump would be “terrible news” for Canada, while 38 per cent say a Trump win would be “bad.” Fifteen per cent say it would be good or...
Convenience store owner praises liberalizing alcohol market in Ontario
When Premier Doug Ford announced plans to allow Ontario convenience stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails, Biruk G. Medhin received the news with enthusiasm and optimism. For 30 years, Medhin has run the A&M Confectionary in Ottawa’s Heron Park neighbourhood. He told Capital Current he had worked closely with community members in the past to sign a petition...
WHO says low vaccination rate driving measles outbreaks
Global childhood immunization against deadly diseases such as measles declined in 2023, leaving millions of children at risk, according to data published this week by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The data shows low vaccination rate against measles last year left nearly 35 million children with no or partial protection. About 83 per cent of children worldwide received their...
The silence is damaging: Society’s denial and ignorance of sexual assaults on men and boys only enabling the abusers
In one of our calls, Dr. Kelli Palfy told me about a personal and professional frustration she has endured for years. Once people find out that she helps sexually abused men, they change the conversation, or avoid the details. Palfy is an Edmonton-based therapist works with male survivors. She retired from the RCMP, as an officer who specialized in sex...