Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 May, 2023 04:35 PM
The federal government has tweaked its verified traveller program in order to speed up the process of clearing security at airports.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says the government will launch dedicated security screening lines at six of the country's biggest airports between June 7th and 21st.
When going through airport security with the new Verified Traveller Program, eligible Canadians will: ✅be able to keep electronics and liquid in their bags; ✅no longer have to remove shoes or belts; ✅and, be able to bring kids under 17 and adults over 75 with them. pic.twitter.com/EXiOJPQJsO
Eligible passengers, including Nexus members, won't have to take their shoes off and can keep their laptops and liquids in their bags instead of putting them onto the X-ray conveyor belt.
Sheila Malcolmson, the minister of mental health and addictions, says it's a “historic expansion” of services for youth and the programs will be supported by about 130 new health-care workers.
Drivers reported being stuck on New Westminster's Queensborough Bridge and Highway 91 on Tuesday night for hours along with a group of volunteers from Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar. The group made their way to the Gurdwara, which was adjacent to the bridge on the Queensborough side, and came back with hot tea and packed snacks for the stranded motorists.
Instead of meeting U.S. and Canadian agents at the same time, applicants are interviewed first in Canada before crossing the border for a second interview with American officials.
As of Dec. 31, workers who have been continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to three paid sick days. Workers will then get a fourth sick day as of Feb. 1, and will accumulate one additional day at the start of every month up to a maximum of 10 days per year.
The benefit, to be used toward dental services, is available for children under 12 in families that earn less than $90,000 a year and ranges from $260 to $650 per child depending on net income.
It's a record that will likely be beaten more than once in the coming years, as a Canadian federal immigration plan released earlier this month aims to admit 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023 and 500,000 a year by 2025, with a particular focus on bringing in people with needed skills and experience.