Page 8 - Us-canada

US-Canada border human smuggling case: Indian testifies during trial

An Indian national who survived a treacherous trek across the US-Canada border in blizzard conditions has testified that he got separated from a family of four shortly before they froze to death. Yash Patel took the stand on Wednesday on the third day of the trial of Indian national Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, and Steve Shand, 50, of Florida. Prosecutors say they put financial profit over human life when they attempted to smuggle Indian migrants across the border into Minnesota over a five-week period in December 2021 and January 2022. They say Patel ran part of the smuggling scheme and recruited Shand as a driver. Both men have pleaded not guilty to four counts related to human smuggling. Federal prosecutors say a family of four 39-year-old Jagdish Patel; his wife, Vaishaliben, who was in her mid-30s; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and 3-year-old son, Dharmik froze to death on January 19, 2022. Patel is a common Indian surname and the victims were not related to Harshk

Indian family froze crossing Canada-US border; perilous trips on rise

On the last night of their lives, Jagdish Patel, his wife and their two young children tried to slip into the US across a near-empty stretch of the Canadian border. Wind chills reached minus 36 Fahrenheit (minus 38 Celsius) that night in January 2022 as the family from India set out on foot to meet a waiting van. They walked amid vast farm fields and bulky snowdrifts, navigating in the black of an almost-moonless night. The driver, waiting in northern Minnesota, messaged his boss: Make sure everyone is dressed for the blizzard conditions, please. Coordinating things in Canada, federal prosecutors say, was Harshkumar Patel, an experienced smuggler nicknamed Dirty Harry. On the US side was Steve Shand, the driver recently recruited by Patel at a casino near their Florida homes, prosecutors say. The two men, whose trial is scheduled to start Monday, are accused of being part of a sophisticated human smuggling operation feeding a fast-growing population of Indians living illegally in

Donald Trump's deportation plan key focus for Canada's Cabinet committee

President-elect Donald Trump's promise to launch a mass deportation of millions of undocumented people is a top focus for Canada, its deputy prime minister said Friday, as the country plans to deal with a possible influx north. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau re-established a special Cabinet committee on Canada-U.S relations to address his administration's concerns about another Trump presidency this week. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is chair of the revived committee, said what Trump's deportation plan would mean for Canada is a key priority for the committee. "I do want Canadians to know it is one of our two central points of focus," Freeland said after the group met for the first time since Trump's first term in office. Freeland said controlling Canada's border is fundamental. Canadians are right to be concerned about it, she said. Freeland said Canada has a plan, but she did not share any details. She said she spoke to the leaders of Canada's provinces about the

Trudeau revives Cabinet-level panel to address concerns of Trump presidency

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday he is re-establishing a special Cabinet committee on Canada-US relations to address his administration's concerns about another Donald Trump presidency. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is also the country's finance minister, will chair the committee, which also will include other top officials including ministers of foreign affairs, public safety and industry. Following the election of President Donald Trump for a second term, the Cabinet Committee will focus on critical Canada-US issues, Trudeau's office said in a statement Thursday. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 75 per cent of Canada's exports go to the US. During Trump's first time, his move to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and reports that he was considering a 25 per cent tariff on the auto sector were considered an existential threat in Canada at the time. Trudeau called Trump on Wednesday

Canada's WestJet's union ends strike after reaching deal with carrier

Canadian labour minister had urged the union and the airline to resolve their differences and reach an agreement

Suspect in Nijjar killing says he entered Canada using 'study permit'

The accused, Karan Brar, in a video posted online in 2019, said he applied for a student visa through EthicWorks Immigration Services in Bathinda, in the Indian state of Punjab

'Glorification of violence': India slams Canada over pro-Khalistan rally

India on Tuesday accused the Canadian government of allowing "celebration and glorification" of violence and called on Ottawa to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven in Canada after a parade in Ontario's Malton displayed pro-Khalistan sentiments. In its reaction to the 'Nagar Kirtan' parade that featured a controversial "float", India called upon the Justin Trudeau government to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a "safe haven" and political space in Canada. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India continued to remain concerned about the security of its diplomatic representatives in Canada and expect Ottawa to ensure that they are able to carry out their responsibilities without fear. The controversial parade was organised on Sunday. "As you are aware, we have repeatedly raised our strong concerns regarding the violent imagery being used by extremist elements in Canada against our political leadership," he said. "La

Crash kills 2 at Niagara Fall's Rainbow border bridge, no sign of terrorism

A vehicle speeding toward a US-Canada bridge from the American side crashed and exploded at a checkpoint in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, killing two people and prompting the closing of multiple border crossings for hours. Authorities weren't sure what spurred the wreck but said there were no signs it was a terror attack. Much remained unclear about the incident at the Rainbow Bridge, which stirred concerns on both sides of the border as the US headed into the Thanksgiving holiday. Both US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were briefed soon afterward, and Trudeau excused himself from Question Period in the House of Commons to get further information, saying officials were "taking this extraordinarily seriously". A few hours later, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and western New York's US attorney, Trini Ross, both sought to ease fears, while cautioning that the investigation was in the early stages. "Based on what we know at this moment," Hochul said at a .

It's critical Canada's probe proceeds, perpetrators brought to justice: US

The United States has said Canada's investigation into the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar must proceed and the perpetrators brought to justice. Canada has alleged that Indian authorities were behind Nijjar's killing. New Delhi has strongly denied the allegations as baseless. "We are deeply concerned by the allegations referenced by (Canadian) Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau. We remain in close contact with our Canadian partners," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference. "We believe it's critical that Canada's investigation proceeds and that the perpetrators be brought to justice. And we have publicly and privately urged the Indian government to cooperate in the Canadian investigation," Miller said in response to a question.

Canadian govt recruiting skilled foreigners in US to move to Canada instead

The Canadian government is recruiting high-skilled foreigners working in the United States to move to Canada instead, and the program has been so successful that it met its target of 10,000 applicants within the first day. The government this week launched a special work permit for foreign workers who already have obtained an H-1B visa in the US, who number nearly 600,000 and come mostly from India and China. The program's 10,000 quota was filled in the first day of the week, Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told The Associated Press. Fraser said his government saw an opportunity with the recent mass layoffs in the US tech sector. "We wanted to capitalize on the opportunity," Fraser said. "The H1-B visa has a unique feature built into it that says if you don't find alternative arrangements for work within 60 days you are not permitted to remain in the United States." Each year, up to 85,000 people are selected for H-1B visas in the US, a mainstay for technology giants such

Canada rolls red carpet for H-1B visa holders, Indians likely to benefit

Canada has launched an open work permit stream to permit 10,000 H1-B visa holders from the US to arrive and work in the nation and Indians comprise almost 75% of that number

Indians, children among 8 migrants found dead near US-Canada border

The two children - one below the age of three who had a Canadian passport, and another an infant who was also a Canadian citizen

Canada finalises agreement to buy 88 US F-35 fighter jets for $15 bn

Canada will spend billions to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp. in a deal announced Monday that aims to end years of deliberations over its aging fleet and fulfill obligations to defend North America's air space. The first four aircraft are anticipated to be delivered in 2026 with full operational capacity for the fleet expected between 2032 and 2034. The government has budgeted about $19 billion Canadian (US$15 billion) for the purchase in what is the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years. Each jet costs about US$85 million. The full life cycle of the program is expected to cost $70 billion (US$52 billion). Canada has a close defense relationship with the United States, which includes joint missions over North American air space. Canada also has obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The announcement comes as Trudeau is set to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the North American Leaders' Summit in ...

'It is unacceptable': Investors react to 40-minute Toronto Exchange Outage

A 40-minute outage across three stock exchanges stalled equity trading in Canada, leaving some investors frustrated and others refusing to place orders even after it reopened.

Why do Indians prefer Canada over the US? Here's all you need to know

Out of the 405,303 new permanent residents in Canada, which were granted in 2021, at least one-third of the residents were Indians.

Indians surpass US job seekers for Canadian job postings: Indeed

STEM-related postings get higher shares of interest from outside of Canada than other fields, led by software development, which this February received 22% of clicks from outside Canada

Protesters continue blocking Canada-US border bridge as ruling takes effect

Anti-covid mandate protesters continue to block Ambassador Bridge after a court-ordered injunction took effect in the evening.

Trucker blockade knocks out Ford, Toyota and General Motors plants

General Motors, joining the list of impacted automakers, said on Thursday it was forced to cancel two production shifts at a plant in Michigan

Canada's Covid-19 protests threaten border trade with US: Report

Protesters have also closed another important US Canada border crossing in Coutts, Alberta

Trump closes Canada border to check coronavirus, seeks funds from Congress

Trump said details on the move would be announced later but that it would not affect trade between the two countries