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Via Rail CEO calls for rail passenger bill of rights

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

MONTREAL — The head of Via Rail says the federal government should consider a passenger bill of rights comparable to the one now in place for air travellers.In an interview, CEO Mario Péloquin says the federal government should move toward a charter that would ensure train passengers receive compensation for long delays.If the reason for the disruption stems from one of Canada’s two main freight railways — whose tracks Via runs on — he says they would be the ones to pay up, further incentivizing smooth operations along the line.Péloquin, who stepped into the top job at Via in June, is also calling for rules that would give the Crown corporation’s trains formal right of way over freight trains, a privilege Amtrak passenger cars enjoy in the U.S.Former transport minister Omar Alghabra said over the summer he was looking into measures to improve travellers’ experience amid Via’s shaky performance, including through a bill of rights.In the quarter ended June 30, ...

Blair expected to face questions about Canada’s evidence on Gaza hospital strike

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

OTTAWA — Defence Minister Bill Blair is expected to face further questions today about the evidence Canada has gathered to determine a rocket blast at a hospital in Gaza City did not originate in Israel.Blair made the statement Saturday night, five days after the attack at the al-Ahli Arab hospital.The blast came nine days after a renewed conflict in the region following an assault by Hamas militants in Israel and retaliation by Israel in the Gaza Strip.Blair says the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command did its own analysis of evidence and reached a conclusion that aligns with findings of the United States and France.Israel has said satellite evidence and intercepted communications show the rocket was fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and French authorities say the size of the rocket itself points to Palestinian not Israeli sources. Canada did not provide details on what evidence it used to reach its conclusion.A weekend conference in Egypt seeking a route to peace left more q...

Hamilton stair master Walter Decker, 99, completes CN Tower climb for 3rd time

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

TORONTO — A 99-year-old Hamilton man climbed 1,776 steps to the top of the CN Tower over the weekend, his third time pulling off the accomplishment in support of charity.Walter Decker was joined by his son, grandson and two great-grandsons at the United Way ClimbUP on Saturday, where he raised more than $3,000 for people struggling to meet basic needs from housing and food to mental health supports.Decker, who turned 99 last week, said he first began stair climbing more than 10 years ago as a distraction from his grief after his wife passed away, which he said made him “lost.”“It took my mind off the grieving process,” he said in an interview. “A lot of people grieve in different ways and they cope with it in different ways.”Since then, Decker has been climbing up the steps of the Hamilton Escarpment three times a week, which he said amounts to between 700 and 1,200 steps. He also does 30 to 50 pushups each morning when he wakes up.“Other th...

‘Adding some weirdness’ to their day, Vancouver woman surprises drivers with costumes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

VANCOUVER — Some people love golfing, others like to hike, but Anne Bruinn’s hobby is about “adding a little bit of spice” to other people’s day by wearing a costume at the end of her driveway and entertaining passersby.The would-be Mrs. Dressup likes to call herself the “queen of the cosplay corner,” referencing the joy of costume play, a performance art where people dress up as a variety of characters. Bruinn said she has been surprising her drive-by audiences as everything from a “Star Wars” stormtrooper to “Beetlejuice.”“I have a captive audience because there’s nothing else to look at … I am the star of the show even though it’s anonymous attention,” said Bruinn, who regularly dresses up to greet people from a busy corner on South West Marine Drive in Vancouver.“I know it’s boring between here and wherever you’re going. So, hopefully I can make your day a little more interestin...

‘I have no fixed address’: A look at encampments for homeless across Canada

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Federal housing advocate Marie-Josée Houle has called the spread of homeless encampments in cities across Canada a human rights crisis.“People living in encampments face some of the most vulnerable circumstances of any member of Canadian society … they have experienced a history of human rights violations and are at heightened risk of further violations,” her office wrote in an interim report on encampments published this month.Alexandra Flynn, an associate law professor at the University of British Columbia who researches housing issues, says it’s difficult to pin down how many people have no place to live across Canada and how many of those are left sheltering in tents or sleeping outdoors.But going by reports from those working on the front lines, homelessness is increasing across the country, she said in a recent interview, and so is the number of encampments.“It’s a huge deal,” Flynn said. “What’s also new is the degree to w...

Live updates | Israeli warplanes strike targets ahead of expected ground offensive in Gaza

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Israeli warplanes are striking targets across Gaza ahead of an expected ground offensive in the besieged Hamas-ruled territory. Fears of a widening war have grown as Israel struck targets in the occupied West Bank, Syria and Lebanon and traded fire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.Two aid convoys arrived in the Gaza Strip over the weekend through the Rafah crossing from Egypt. Israel said the trucks carried food, water and medical supplies. Israel has not allowed in fuel, which is critically needed for water and sanitation systems and hospitals.The war, in its 17th day Monday, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 4,651 people have been killed and 14,254 wounded in the territory. In the occupied West Bank, 96 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 wounded in violence and Israeli raids since Oct. 7.More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas rampa...

Daily horoscope for October 23, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution: Avoid shopping or important decisions after 3 p.m. EDT today (12 noon PDT). The Moon is in Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023:You are charming, enthusiastic and energetic. You want your life to be interesting! Simplicity is the key to life this year. Take charge of your health. Physical exercise will be important. Focus on work, and at the same time stay grounded and levelheaded. Get stuff done!ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★Today the Sun moves into Scorpio, ushering in four weeks of increased intensity and secrecy. Specifically, your focus on shared property, inheritances, wills and the wealth and resources of others will become more important. Your sex drive will also be amped. Tonight: New friends.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★Today the Sun moves opposite your sign to stay for four weeks. This happens only once a year, and when it does, it heightens your focus on partners and close friends. It will give you more objectivity to see your role in your cl...

Commissioner Schmit kicks-off European Vocational Skills Week to raise awareness of the key role of skills in responding to economic and social challenges

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Today (23 October), Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit will be in Seville, Spain, to kick off the European Vocational Skills Week 2023. The Commissioner will open a conference on the automatic mutual recognition of vocational training qualifications, organised by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event will gather representatives of the Commission, the Spanish government for the presidency, social partners, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Labour Organization, as well as other parties interested in vocational education and training (VET).   During the European Vocational Skills Week, partners active in VET organise a series of events across Europe at European, national, regional and local level. The aim is to raise awareness of the key role that VET plays in responding to economic and social challenges, including to accompany the green and digital transitions. This year's Vocational Skills Week...

Miss Manners: The bride’s dress code for wedding guests strikes me as pretentious

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have been invited to the wedding of a couple in their mid-20s. I’m irked at the dress code stated on the details card.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I tried to take the edge off her short-notice cancellation, and she blew up at me Advice | Miss Manners: A stranger sent a letter blasting me. Must I respond? Advice | Miss Manners: How do I bring up the problem of the neighbor’s cats? Advice | Miss Manners: The bride hung up on me, and her mother was rude, too. Was I in the wrong? Advice | Miss Manners: This lady at church got stuck, and I accidentally laughed out loud I have no issue with the “semiformal attire” request, but it goes on to say, “neutrals/earth tones encouraged.”The couple has a rather large wedding party, and I’m sure the attendants will all be dressed according to the bride’s preferred color scheme....

Dear Abby: My friend sold my teen a Taylor Swift ticket, and I can’t help resenting her

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

DEAR ABBY: A very good friend and neighbor sold a Taylor Swift ticket to my 15-year-old daughter for $900. I should mention, my daughter would have given her right arm for the chance to go to the show.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My wife isn’t happy about what I put in my obituary Advice | Dear Abby: I’ve been told to shut up about this sweet woman’s risky behavior Advice | Dear Abby: My neighbor doesn’t know what my camera captures every morning Advice | Dear Abby: I’m hurt he didn’t make time for me amid his family crisis Advice | Dear Abby: She stages these embarrassing displays, and I can’t deal with it anymore The original ticket was purchased for $300, including fees. Initially, my friend wanted to sell it for $1,000, but she offered a “discount” because my daughter’s 16th birthday was coming up.I can appreciate the value of the hot...