Americans hold ‘friendship flotilla' to support Canada
Residents of Ogdensburg, N.Y. gathered to show their support for Canada through a 'Friendship Flotilla.' CTV's Jack Richardson reports.
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CBC
36 minutes ago
- CBC
News anchor Travis Dhanraj says he was pushed out of CBC for highlighting systemic issues, editorial imbalance
Former CBC News reporter and anchor Travis Dhanraj said he had no choice but to resign from the broadcaster after he says he raised systemic issues in its newsroom related to lack of diversity of opinion and editorial independence and was stonewalled by his employer. His lawyer says he intends to sue the public broadcaster. In an internal note to fellow CBC staff sent out Monday morning, Dhanraj said he felt he had no choice but to leave the broadcaster after his questioning of some of the CBC's editorial decisions and the "gap between CBC's stated values and its internal reality" was met with resistance. "When I pushed for honest conversations about systemic issues and editorial imbalance, I was shut out. Sidelined. Silenced. And ultimately, erased," Dhanraj wrote in the email sent to various CBC group email addresses from his CBC account. He accused his employer of "tokenism masquerading as diversity, problematic political coverage protocols, and the erosion of editorial independence," and said he had to "navigate a workplace culture defined by retaliation, exclusion, and psychological harm." CBC 'categorically rejects' allegations In an emailed statement, CBC spokesperson Kerry Kelly said the Crown corporation "categorically rejects" Dhanraj's allegations about what led to his departure, including his claim that his decision to leave was not voluntary and that he was "forced to resign." Kelly did not elaborate on Dhanraj's resignation or the reason he went on leave earlier this year; nor did she comment on his specific claims about editorial independence and newsroom culture at CBC. "We are saddened to see this public attack on the integrity of CBC News," she said. Dhanraj also posted a Google form on the social media site X earlier Monday in which he asked people to leave their contact information so he could keep them informed about the case. "When the time is right, I'll pull the curtain back," he wrote. "I'll share everything…I'll tell you what is really happening inside the walls of your CBC." The post was later removed. When CBC News reached out to Dhanraj's Toronto-based lawyer, Kathryn Marshall, to ask if he intends to sue the broadcaster, she responded with a one-word answer: "Yes." She also told the Toronto Star that Dhanraj plans to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Previously worked at CP24, CTV, Global Born in Alberta, Dhanraj was a general assignment reporter for CBC Edmonton and CBC Toronto before leaving for positions at CP24, Global News and CTV News. He returned to CBC in 2021 as a senior parliamentary reporter and later hosted Marketplace and Canada Tonight. Speculation began swirling in February when Dhanraj was abruptly no longer appearing on air, and Canada Tonight was replaced by Ian Hanomansing's Hanomansing Tonight. CBC confirmed at the time that Dhanraj was on leave but did not provide additional details. Dhanraj's lawyer said the leave was due to "ongoing systemic issues" at the broadcaster. The first public sign of tension surfaced a few months earlier when Dhanraj posted on X in April 2024 that he had requested an interview with then CBC president Catherine Tait when new funding for the public broadcaster was announced in the federal budget. According to a copy of his resignation letter published by the Toronto Sun, Dhanraj said CBC launched an investigation over that post and asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which he said he refused to do.
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Anand heads for Malaysia, Japan as part of Carney's Indo-Pacific trade, defence strategy
OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is headed off to Japan and Malaysia as the Carney government shapes its diplomatic and trade approach to the Indo-Pacific region. Article content Anand will meet with her Japanese counterpart in Tokyo this week as the two finalize an agreement on sharing defence information and boosting trade. Article content Article content On Thursday and Friday, Anand will take part in a meeting with the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in Malaysia. Article content Canada is looking to sign a trade deal with the ASEAN bloc this year, and in 2023 entered into a strategic partnership with the bloc that's expected to lead to business expansion, educational exchanges and projects combating biological threats. Article content Article content Carney has largely focused on defence, security and trade ties with European nations in his first months in office, though he did sign a deal with Australia for an Arctic radar system. Article content Former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government launched an Indo-Pacific strategy in 2022, seeking more trade and defence ties as a means to counter dependence on China. Article content In a report on the strategy's implementation published last week, Global Affairs Canada says it has posted more than 70 new diplomats across the region since the strategy was launched. Article content Kai Ostwald, a University of British Columbia political scientist, wrote in a recent analysis that Canada is building its brand in Southeast Asia through visits by the prime minister and a series of educational and trade delegations. Article content Article content He wrote for the Asia Pacific Foundation that interest in Canada has been boosted by U.S. President Donald Trump pushing away from multilateralism and international trade. Article content Article content 'Even if Canada cannot offer clarity on the path ahead, many in the region want it at the table as an interlocutor and sounding board while they navigate the turbulence,' Ostwald wrote. Article content
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Developers want Alberta government to intervene on Canmore vacancy tax
Mt. Rundle rises behind homes being constructed in Canmore, Alta., in April 2023. An Alberta property developer association wants the province to review Canmore's vacant home tax. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh) The Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Alberta Association is asking the Government of Alberta to review Canmore's vacancy tax bylaw , citing concerns about the precedent it would establish, according to the provincial lobbying registry. The Town of Canmore passed a bylaw in August 2024 that divided residential properties into five sub-classes and allows the administration to set different tax rates for primary residences, tourist homes and vacant properties. This is the first time a municipality has used its power to establish a higher tax bracket for vacant homes. In April, a Court of King's Bench judge ruled the bylaw was valid after it was challenged by a group of individuals and real estate management companies. Located about 20 minutes east of Banff National Park, Canmore's housing crisis is very different from other Alberta municipalities, and the administration required an equally unique solution, according to Mayor Sean Krausert. 'Like many mountain destinations before us, our limited footprint combined with global desirability leads to housing prices that are out of reach of the average person, and certainly beyond the means of many people who will need to make a living in the community,' Krausert told the IJF. The town has estimated that about 26 per cent of properties in Canmore are second homes that are not occupied by full-time residents. It's aiming to collect $12 million from these vacant properties through the Livability Tax Program. All revenue from the additional tax will be used to support the development of 2,000 non-market housing units. BILD Alberta is also lobbying the province for 'clearer definitions of municipal taxation authorities' and to consider intervention if a municipality's use of its powers 'deviates from their intended purpose.' Krausert said the province encourages municipalities to address their own respective issues where possible, and that 'given the great need and unique circumstances in Canmore, which will not be satisfied in another manner, I have significant concern with potential intervention by the province on our Livability Tax Program.' BILD Alberta did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
