3 d. ago AI used to speed up Canadian immigration draws warning from experts

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has adopted technology to speed up application processing, but experts warn it may be creating more problems than it solves.Mario Bellissimo, an immigration lawyer and founder of Bellissimo Law Group PC, described the IRCC's use of AI as an "inevitable" and "commendable development.""The principal advantage lies in efficiency. Processing times have been reduced, routine cases are triaged more effectively, and officers are able to concentrate their efforts on more complex matters," he said. "For example, automation in spousal sponsorships and temporary resident visa applications has significantly decreased assessment times."But although automation has helped reduce processing times, these gains raise issues about fairness and potential bias in decision-making.Efficiency vs. fairnessHowever, Bellissimo points to some serious issues, such as an over-reliance on technology.&quo...

Other

3 d. ago Ontario border struggles all week as outages back up trucks and airport kiosks

Ontario's border has been a mess all week, to say the least, as drivers and travellers continue to face long delays caused by repeated system outages at Canadian customs and border inspections kiosks. On Thursday, commercial truck drivers entering Canada at the Blue Water Bridge just outside of Sarnia reported waits of several hours due to a system outage that was confirmed by the Michigan Department of Transportation. Although the outage has since been resolved, videos of the resulting gridlock quickly spread on social media. In a statement, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed that while the outage has since been resolved, "commercial drivers continue to experience delays" as normal processing resumes and the agency works to clear a backlog of requests that were received during the outage. #BORDER: Six Hour Delay Entering Canada At📍Blue Water Bridge. 🇨🇦🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/kYpJKmGLXv— 401_da_sarpanch (@401_da_sarpanch) October 2, 202...

Transport

3 d. ago Canadians warned of travel delays at some airports as border agency reports second outage in a week

'The outage has been resolved. Travellers may continue to experience delays in the short term as we resume normal processing operations,' CBSA said

Other

3 d. ago Montreal's Trudeau airport impacted after Canada’s border kiosks crash again

The inspection kiosks are down nationwide. By early afternoon, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport said kiosks at the airport were gradually coming back online.

Politics

3 d. ago Trudeau airport affected after Canada’s border kiosks crash again

The inspection kiosks were down nationwide. By early afternoon, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport said kiosks at the airport were gradually coming back online.

Politics

3 d. ago CBSA resolves outage at Canadian airport inspection kiosks, 2nd this week

Airports in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary appear to have been affected by the outage, which led to delays at customs checkpoints for international arrivals.

Other

3 d. ago Spy watchdog flags risk of bias in Canada Revenue Agency audits tied to terrorism

OTTAWA — A national spy watchdog has found “a lack of rigour” in the way the Canada Revenue Agency selects charities for audits over terrorism concerns, saying the process introduces risks of bias and discrimination. In a newly released report, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency says the Review and Analysis Division of the […]

Other

3 d. ago Canada issues urgent update to advisory for travellers headed to U.S.

People in Canada who have trips to the U.S. scheduled may want to check the travel advisory from the federal government.Canada's latest advisory update may impact visa holders and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals planning to travel to the U.S. in the near future.Under the visa section of the notice, the Government of Canada explains that while Canadian visitors can usually stay in the U.S. for six months without a visa, there are some exceptions.It warns those who need a visa about the heightened scrutiny they may face when they arrive at the U.S. border."If you do need a visa, be aware that U.S. authorities may periodically review already-issued visas," reads the travel advisory.According to the notice, visas can be terminated for a variety of reasons, including a violation of admission terms and reassessment of eligibility, such as due to previous criminal convictions.It also warns Canadians who are U.S. permanent residents about the possibility of their status being terminated ...

Other

4 d. ago U.S. government shutdown: Canadians should expect delays and long wait times at airports, experts warn

'For Canadians already in the U.S., it's probably best to return home sooner rather than later. Driving is probably the better bet to air travel,' says political science fellow Lewis Krashinsky

Politics

1 week ago Optus Says Outage Cut Off 480 Emergency Callers as Review Starts

Australian phone company Optus said last week’s network outage left some 480 customers unable to reach emergency services, as the Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.-owned business started an independent review into the fatal failure.

Culture

1 week ago Canadian government issues serious travel warning for these destinations in Asia

A tropical cyclone, Typhoon Ragasa, has prompted the Government of Canada to issue a serious warning for travellers headed to Asia.The Japan Meteorological Agency describes Typhoon Ragasa as a "large" and "violent" storm, with a maximum wind gust speed of up to 288 km/h. The storm has prompted mass evacuations and widespread flight cancellations. If you're travelling to the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macao, make sure to read the latest travel advisory, as the government is urging Canadians to exercise caution while abroad."Travel Advice and Advisories give you official Government of Canada information and advice on situations that may affect your safety and well-being when you are travelling or living outside Canada," reads the website. The government adds that it regularly monitors incidents and world events that may affect Canadians travelling or living abroad.According to the National Oceanic a...

Politics

2 w. ago Navy still struggling to fill recruitment gaps throughout the service: Vice

OTTAWA — Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says the Royal Canadian Navy is “not out of the woods” yet on its recruitment crisis and the next four to five years are going to be “really hard.” It’s been two years since Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, posted a video online warning that recruitment was in […]

Events

2 w. ago Canada issues serious warning in updated Jamaica travel advisory

Canadians with upcoming travel plans to Jamaica may want to read up on the government's travel advisory for the popular beach destination.Ottawa updated the travel advisory for the Caribbean island nation on Monday, warning Canadians to "exercise a high degree of caution" due to the high level of violent crime."Violent crime, including armed robbery and murder, is a problem in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity," reads the advisory.It says the widespread availability of firearms, which are involved in most violent drug and gang-related crimes, could put visitors at risk of being the victims of crossfire in certain areas.The advisory lists the following areas in Jamaica for having a significant gang population and high incidences of violent crime:Greater KingstonArnett GardensAugust TownBalmagieCassava PieceDelacree ParkDenham TownDrewslandFelstead PenFou...

Other

2 w. ago ‘Gut punch’: Canadians diagnosed with cancer in emergency sent home without treatment, study finds

Researchers have warned that, with one in five Canadians without a regular doctor and long wait times for tests, getting a cancer diagnosis in emergency is becoming ‘routine’

Economics

2 w. ago 11 hospitalized, 79 sickened in salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios

Eleven people have been hospitalized, and almost 80 salmonella cases have been reported after an outbreak of infections linked to certain brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products. Dozens of recall warnings have been issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency over the last couple months for various brands of pistachio products, from bulk nuts to […]

Science

2 w. ago Canada Post workers have stopped delivering flyers amid labour dispute

The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses is warning of a 'significant' impact on small businesses that rely on flyers for marketing as fears of another strike loom.

Society

3 w. ago Energy Secretary Disbands Group Behind Contrarian Climate Report

The report by the agency’s Climate Working Group downplayed the severity of global warming, prompting pushback from other scientists.

Politics

3 w. ago Labor Department watchdog to audit jobs and inflation reports from embattled BLS

WASHINGTON (AP) — A government watchdog says it will review how a Labor Department agency compiles and reports some of the nation’s highest profile economic data, just two days after the agency made a sharp downward revision in its estimate of the number of jobs. A spokesperson for the department’s Office of the Inspector General […]

Economics

3 w. ago Obese surpass undernourished youths for first time, UN warns

United Nations (United States) (AFP) — Obesity has skyrocketed among children and adolescents bombarded by “unethical” marketing of junk food, outpacing undernourishment to become the leading form of malnutrition worldwide for the first time among those age five to 19, UNICEF warned Tuesday. In a dire report, the United Nations children’s agency projected that nearly […]

Other

3 w. ago Federal government says it has found almost 500 ways to cut red tape

OTTAWA — The federal government says it has found almost 500 ways to streamline regulations and cut costs following a 60-day red tape review exercise. Departments and agencies have published reports identifying measures to make them more efficient and eliminate complicated or redundant regulations or processes. Examples include a Canada Border Services Agency proposal to […]

Politics