Canada's Agriculture Minister expected to chair international conference

Marie-Claude Bibeau, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, is in Italy to take part in the biennial conference of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.

During her outreach, she's also working with stakeholders to advance Canadian agriculture and agri-food trade and promote the safety and quality of Canadian exports.

The FAO was formally established almost 78 years ago during a meeting in Quebec City, headed by future prime minister Lester Pearson as a specialized UN agency to lead international efforts in the fight against global hunger.

Redwater golf course receives strong public support after thefts

The Redwater golf course is feeling the love after the community rallied around it following some overnight thefts. 

On the night of June 21, vandals broke into the course and stole all but two of the course's custom-made hole signs, all of the sponsor signs, and all the course flags as well. 

"The vandals came in the middle of the night and they basically ripped the wooden signs out," said Byron Gray, the president of non-profit society. "They took eight of the wooden signs." 

CN Rail monitoring BC Port situation closely

Concern continues to grow with the labor dispute at BC ports between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the BC Maritime Employers Association.

Union workers hit the picket lines on Saturday, while the BCMEA released a statement Monday saying it had gone as far as possible on its core issues.

David Przednowek, the assistant vice president of grain for CN Rail, says they are monitoring the situation closely, adding they're hoping for a positive outcome. 

Now is the time to get out and scout for wheat midge! 

Wheat midge are small, orange, fragile-looking flies that attack members of the grass family including barley, couch grass, wheat grass, triticale, and spring rye, though their preferred host is wheat.  

Adults emerge from mid-June through mid-July and typically coincide with wheat head development and flowering. Wheat midge remain in the humid crop canopy throughout the day and emerge on calm, warm evenings to mate and lay eggs. Eggs are laid singly or in groups of three to five on wheat kernels prior to flowering.  

'Imagine what we can do': Astronaut Jeremy Hansen sees great potential for Canada

As Jeremy Hansen prepares for his mission around the moon, the Ontario-born astronaut is thinking about the ways Canada could help tackle some of the world's most pressing problems. 

The 47-year-old colonel and CF-18 pilot is to become the first Canadian to travel to the moon as part of the Artemis II mission, which could launch as early as November next year. 

The 10-day mission involves slingshotting into deep space for a figure-8 manoeuvre around the far side of the moon. It would mark the first time any human has ventured so far from Earth. 

Masai Ujiri, Dan Levy and Kent Monkman appointed to Order of Canada

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, actor and writer Dan Levy and Cree artist Kent Monkman are among the dozens of people newly named to Canada's highest civilian honour.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced 85 people who have been awarded the Order of Canada on Friday, including two new companions, 22 officers, 60 members and one promotion within the order.

Ujiri was named an officer to the Order of Canada for his "contributions on and off the basketball court," as both president of an NBA team and as a humanitarian. 

Update: Three buildings affected by fire in downtown Redwater

Three buildings were affected by a fire in downtown Redwater on Sunday (July 2) evening. 

The fire broke out late in the afternoon near the old Home Hardware location by Satellite News and Confectionary on 49 Street. 

"The fire was being fanned by strong winds and there is damage to at least three buildings at this time," said the Town of Redwater in a release. "We have not been advised of any injuries as a result of the fire, however, there may be several residents of nearby homes that will have to be relocated at least overnight." 

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972

Statistics Canada says the country welcomed more than 145,000 immigrants during the first three months of the year.

That's the highest number for a single quarter on record, since comparable data became available in 1972.

The federal agency released its quarterly population estimates today, showing Canada continues to grow rapidly.

The pace of population growth was the fastest on record for a first quarter as well, with 98 per cent of the growth coming from immigration.