B.C. church group, caught between Israel-Hamas war, struggles to get home

A group from a British Columbia church that had been touring historical sites in Israel when Hamas fighters began killing civilians is struggling to find a way home with the confusion of the war and a lack of support from the Canadian government. 

Paul Olson, an executive pastor at the SouthRidge Fellowship Church in Langley, said he woke Saturday to a ton of messages from church members on the tour saying they were safe. 

Canada to airlift citizens, permanent residents out of Israel in 'coming days': Joly

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed Tuesday that Ottawa is planning to airlift Canadians out of Tel Aviv in "the coming days," as conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates. 

Joly said the government aims to conduct the evacuation using aircraft from the Canadian Armed Forces, and it is working on additional options for people who are unable to reach the airport in Tel Aviv.

Montreal man among those killed in attack on Israel by Hamas militants, family says

A man from Montreal is believed to be among the victims of an attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend, according to his family.

Alain Haim Look said in a social media post that his son Alexandre Look was killed in Israel on Saturday while trying to save those around them.

"Like a real warrior, he left like a hero in wanting to protect the people he was with," the father wrote on Facebook. 

"Alex was a force of nature, endowed with a unique charisma and unparalleled generosity. The world will never be the same without you."

Canadians stuck in Israel as flights are cancelled, embassy closed for Thanksgiving

Some Canadians said they were stuck in Israel amid deadly fighting Sunday, as airlines cancelled flights out of the country and reaching the Canadian Embassy on a holiday weekend proved difficult.

Global Affairs Canada, meanwhile, said in a statement Sunday afternoon that it was aware of reports of one Canadian who has died amid the fighting and two others who are missing.

No further information about the identity of the Canadian who reportedly died, or the others who were missing, was included in the statement. 

Canadian politicians condemn deadly surprise Hamas attack on Israel

Canadian politicians condemned an unprecedented Saturday attack Hamas militants waged on Israel that is being called the deadliest in the country in years.

Hours after the militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters to infiltrate the heavily fortified border by air, land and sea, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada strongly condemns the attacks and called for civilian life to be protected. 

Ottawa puts more money toward studying possible Winnipeg landfill search

The federal government is putting $740,000 toward further assessing the feasibility of searching a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two First Nations women.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Wednesday that more research is needed to figure out how a search could be done.

An initial feasibility, also funded by the federal government, found that a search would be possible but that toxic materials could pose a risk to workers. He said that meant more issues needed addressing.

Incoming Manitoba premier Wab Kinew says focus turns to fixing health care

Incoming Manitoba premier Wab Kinew says the hard work begins now as his New Democrats work to fulfil their campaign promise to fix health care in the province.

Kinew says that work includes adding front-line health staff while building new emergency rooms and a cancer care facility.

Kinew is set to become Canada’s first First Nations provincial premier.

His party defeated the Progressive Conservatives on Tuesday to form a majority government.

The result led to the resignation of the other two main party leaders, including PC Premier Heather Stefanson.

Funeral for B.C. Mountie Rick O'Brien, 51, killed while serving search warrant

A regimental funeral, including a procession and final salute, will be held for RCMP Const. Rick O'Brien today in Langley, B.C.

O'Brien, who was 51, died Sept. 22 while he and other officers were executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam. 

He was shot and died at the scene, while two other officers and the suspect were injured.

O'Brien came to the Mounties late in life, joining in 2016 after a career of working with at-risk children, but it wasn't long before he was decorated for bravery for helping to rescue victims from a home invasion. 

Some reaction to Manitoba NDP election win and first First Nations provincial premier

Manitobans elected the NDP into government on Tuesday, and Leader Wab Kinew is set to become the first First Nations premier of a province in Canada.

Here is some of the reaction:

"I was given a second chance in life. And I would like to think that I have made good on that opportunity. And you can do the same." — Manitoba's incoming premier and NDP Leader Wab Kinew

---