Vancouver's Hootsuite Targeted in Anti-ICE Protest as Pattison Developments Nixes Controversial Deal
After days of intense public backlash, the Jimmy Pattison conglomerate has reversed its decision and will not proceed with the sale of a Virginia warehouse to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move comes as Vancouver-based social media management company Hootsuite becomes a focal point for anti-ICE protests, highlighting growing activism against immigration enforcement policies.
National News Roundup: Key Stories from Across Canada
In other significant developments, a Canadian Armed Forces member from Hamilton, Ontario, has died while serving in Latvia. Meanwhile, the entertainment world mourns the loss of Toronto-born actor Catherine O'Hara, celebrated for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt's Creek, who passed away at age 71.
Environmental and Safety Incidents
Emergency responders on Vancouver Island have rescued stranded individuals and sheep amid rising floodwaters, with evacuation orders declared in some districts. In Alberta, central and northern regions are bracing for rain and freezing rain tonight, adding to weather-related challenges.
A Delta, British Columbia, teacher has issued a warning to pet owners after her dog ingested cocaine during a walk, underscoring public safety concerns. Additionally, an investigation into a fatal carbon monoxide incident in Manitoba has determined it was caused by a boiler failure.
Political and Social Developments
On the political front, Alberta separatists claim that members of Premier Danielle Smith's caucus have signed a referendum petition, while a Barrie poll indicates strong public support for the city's approach to homelessness and encampments. Federal job cuts are also in the news, with over 8,000 positions slated for elimination across 24 departments.
Legal and Criminal Cases
Several legal matters have emerged, including a former New Brunswick RCMP officer charged with child pornography and sex offences involving minors. In Winnipeg, police allege that a man hired for home renovations groomed and sexually assaulted a teenage son, while Saskatoon men have been sentenced to 10 years in the killing of 'Ed' Swift.
Business and Economic Updates
The business sector faces turbulence as the TSX loses over 1,000 points, driven by declines in gold and mining stocks, with U.S. markets also down. Peloton has announced an 11% staff reduction in a cost-cutting push, and questions linger about how U.S. tariffs against Bombardier could impact Quebec's economy.
Health and Lifestyle Trends
Health news includes a family urging advocacy after a mother's death following ER delays, with men now getting twice as much plastic surgery according to new data. Research into genetics provides estimates on their influence on lifespan, while Quebec expands its paid caregiver program, though too late for some recipients.
Sports and Entertainment Highlights
In sports, the WNBA and players' union are set to resume CBA negotiations, and Patrick Reed climbed the leaderboard in Bahrain. Entertainment tributes flow for Catherine O'Hara, with the Sundance Film Festival awarding top honors to Channing Tatum's drama Josephine.
Climate and Technology Advances
Environmentally, extreme cold weather is expected to persist across Canada, while Florida braces for frost and possible snow flurries. In a positive note, polar bears in Norway's Arctic are reported to be getting fatter and healthier despite melting sea ice.
Technologically, Ottawa has won a Federal Court appeal allowing its single-use plastics ban to stand, scientists have discovered a molecule in space hinting at the origin of life, and NASA has delayed the first Artemis moonshot with astronauts due to extreme cold at the launch site.
