Tag: asks

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India asks Canada to ensure security at Independence Day celebration events

India asks Canada to ensure security at Independence Day celebration events

TORONTO: For the first time ever, the Indian government has called upon Canada to ensure adequate security during Independence Day celebrations at missions in the country but to also prevent the disruption of events organised by the Indo-Canadian community.

This was conveyed by India’s high commission in Ottawa to Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign ministry, in a diplomatic communique. It came as the community prepares to observe August 15 with public in-person events for the first time since 2019 as Covid-19 related restrictions ease.

A senior Indian official confirmed that this was the first time India has broadened its security request for Independence Day from enhanced measures at its diplomatic premises in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, to guarding “Indian interests” related to community events across the country.

The official clarified that such celebrations were organised by Canadian citizens but the “broader” concern was due to the large presence of Indian citizens including students and children. “We recognise this is an internal matter for Canada, but we encourage Canadian authorities to ensure their safety as well,” the official said.

Indian officials said there was information that pro-Khalistan and pro-Pakistan Kashmiri outfits were “planning to disrupt” such events.

Last year, the non-profit Panorama India organised an event for August 15 in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga but there were disturbances caused by protesters reported at the time.

Similarly, organisers of a Tiranga Rally in Vancouver to mark Republic Day in 2021 faced protesters at their workplaces following the event. That came after India’s consulate in Vancouver was blockaded by protesters on January 26 that year, amid pro-Khalistan speeches and slogans.

The showpiece event this year will be the India Day parade in Toronto, organised by Panorama India, which will include floats from various states and community groups. It will culminate at a public celebration in downtown Toronto. In 2019, this event had attracted over 50,000 people of Indian origin. In British Columbia, Indo-Canadian groups are planning a large car rally from the town of Surrey in the Metro Vancouver region.


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RDEK asks for cooperation during emergency events after bin fire in Canal Flats – The Free Press

RDEK asks for cooperation during emergency events after bin fire in Canal Flats - The Free Press


(File Photo)

(File Photo)

RDEK asks for cooperation during emergency events after bin fire in Canal Flats

Fire quickly dealt with, members of the public went past barriers to try and dispose of garbage




Staff from the Regional District of East Kootenay and members of the Canal Flats Fire Department quickly worked to extinguish a bin fire at the Canal Flats Transfer Station on Thursday, March 31, the RDEK reports.

It took just one hour from the time the fire was discovered until the bins were once again fully accessible.

RDEK Solid Waste Superintendent Jim Penson thanked the Canal Flats firefighters for their assistance wetting down the bin, and making sure the fire was fully out.

“There was a large load of pine needles in the bin that were smouldering and burning. Once it was fully wet-down, the load was taken off site by our contractor so we could spread it out and ensure there were no hot spots,” he said.

While firefighters were working to put the fire out, several members of the public attempted to throw their garbage in the bins, the RDEK said in a press release.

The RDEK adds that this is the second time in the last month that members of the public “have tried to dispose of their waste while there is clearly an emergency underway.”

Residents are asked to respect boundaries that are put in place for a reason.

“Not only could this pose a safety concern, it inhibits our ability to respond to the incident when the public goes around barriers and tries to dispose of their waste,” said Penson. “While we appreciate it can be very frustrating to get to the transfer station and find it temporarily inaccessible, we are asking the public’s understanding and cooperation in respecting the boundaries – especially in a situation where there is fire.”