Why India and Canada are in an escalating rift, with each expelling diplomats

Ottawa's decision Monday to expel India's top envoy and five other diplomats is just the latest development in tensions that have simmered for months between the two countries.

Here's a look at what's driving the chill between Canada and India.

Why is India mad at Canada?

India is a staunch opponent to the Khalistan separatist movement, in which some Sikhs advocate for an independent state called Khalistan to be carved out of Indian territory.

A timeline of recent Canada-India tensions, as both countries expel diplomats

Monday's announced expulsion of six Indian diplomats from Canada comes after months of tensions between the two countries, which came to a head after the assassination of B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegedly at the behest of the Indian government.

Here is a timeline related to the killing, which triggered the ongoing diplomatic rift between Canada and India.

2023

June 18 — Hardeep Singh Nijjar is shot dead outside the Guru Nanak Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C.

Allegations of murder, extortion, coercion by India spark diplomatic retaliations

Accusations of widespread murder, extortion and coercion across Canada linked to agents of the government of India sparked an escalation of already strained diplomatic tensions Monday, as each country expelled six diplomats.

Canada declared six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, persona non grata after RCMP and other government officials told India its diplomats were persons of interest in several investigations into violent crimes in Canada. 

India swiftly retaliated by ordering six Canadian diplomats to leave the country by Saturday.

Main Street Project looking to collect 30,000 new pairs of socks for people experiencing homelessness

With cooler temperatures on the horizon, one Winnipeg organization is asking for a helping hand.

Main Street Project, a shelter that offers programming and services to help community members build stability, is hosting its 7th annual sock drive called Socktober. 

"Essentially we collect donated new socks during October, hence the name Socktober," said Main Street Project Communications Manager, Cindy Titus. "The goal is to collect 30,000 pairs of new socks for the community we support here."

St. Mary's Road down to one lane following collision Tuesday morning

Traffic is slow going along St. Mary's Rd., following an early morning collision that knocked out a hydro pole.

The crash completely shut down Northbound St. Mary's Road at Vivian Ave. for a few hours. One lane has since reopened.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and find another route. 

There is no word on injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Bill Vigars, campaign manager for Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, dies at 78

Bill Vigars, who led the promotion of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope in 1980, has died at the age of 78. 

His wife, Sherry MacDonald, confirmed the news in an interview, saying Vigars died of congestive heart failure on Thursday surrounded by loved ones at a hospital in White Rock, B.C. She said he fought a "long, tough battle" that began when he had a heart attack in June. 

Vigars is survived by his wife, two children, a stepson and one grandson. He will be honoured at a private ceremony of life early next year, MacDonald said.

Trade minister says she is 'disappointed' by report of caucus revolt to oust Trudeau

A growing number of Liberal MPs are banding together to convince Prime Minister Justin Trudeau it's time to step down, although he appears to retain support from his cabinet.

Trade Minister Mary Ng said Friday she had full confidence in Trudeau as word began to spread about a growing revolt. Ng was travelling back to Canada with Trudeau from Laos, where they were attending a summit of southeast Asian countries.

Gruelling days and gratitude for Canadian line workers helping with hurricane outages

Stéphan Perreault and his team have been helping restore power in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene hit in late September, and they don't expect to be heading home any time soon.

They are some of the hundreds — possibly thousands — of Canadian line workers who have been called into service to help rebuild power grids after Helene and now Hurricane Milton have left millions of Americans in the dark.