Thursday, January 1, 2026
ADVT 
National

Harper hosts EU leaders today for Canada-Europe summit

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 26 Sep, 2014 11:48 AM

    OTTAWA - Prime Minister Harper will host a summit with two top leaders from the European Union today in Ottawa.

    He'll meet with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

    One reason for the summit is to celebrate the end of Canada's free trade talks with the E-U, but there are still some shoals to navigate.

    The Canadian Press has learned there is persistent concern that two unhappy eastern European countries could still derail the deal.

    Canada requires a visa for travellers from Romania and Bulgaria and some diplomats fear one or both of the countries could block ratification of the agreement if the requirement is not lifted.

    Canada imposed the visa on the two countries as well as the Czech Republic to stop an influx of bogus refugee claimants among ethnic Roma applicants.

    The Czech visa requirement ended last year, but the Romanian and Bulgarian ones remain in force.

    Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has expressed concern over human smuggling and organized criminal gangs.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    New Westminster: Police Investigate Suspicious Death By River Bank

    New Westminster: Police Investigate Suspicious Death By River Bank
    Sgt. Elmario Cahambing says police found a dead man on a river bank in the Sapperton landing area.

    New Westminster: Police Investigate Suspicious Death By River Bank

    B.C.: Three Children Accused Of Starting Fire At Salmon Arm Elementary School

    B.C.: Three Children Accused Of Starting Fire At Salmon Arm Elementary School
    Firefighters in Salmon Arm, B.C., made quick work of an early morning arson fire in a school in that Shuswap-area city, but officials are still stunned by the trio alleged to have started the blaze.

    B.C.: Three Children Accused Of Starting Fire At Salmon Arm Elementary School

    Brief Court Appearance For Alberta Man Accused In Deaths Of Parents And Sister

    Brief Court Appearance For Alberta Man Accused In Deaths Of Parents And Sister
    Jason Klaus, who is 38, was charged on the weekend in the slayings of his parents, Gordon and Sandra Klaus, and his sister Monica Klaus.

    Brief Court Appearance For Alberta Man Accused In Deaths Of Parents And Sister

    New Brunswick legislature to dissolve Thursday ahead of Sept. 22 election

    New Brunswick legislature to dissolve Thursday ahead of Sept. 22 election
    FREDERICTON - New Brunswick Premier David Alward says the province's lieutenant-governor has granted his request to dissolve the legislative assembly Thursday ahead of next month's election.

    New Brunswick legislature to dissolve Thursday ahead of Sept. 22 election

    Tailings Pond Breach : B.C. announces independent investigation panel

    Tailings Pond Breach : B.C. announces independent investigation panel
    VANCOUVER - The B.C. government has appointed a three-member panel to conduct an independent investigation of a massive tailings pond breach at a gold and copper mine.

    Tailings Pond Breach : B.C. announces independent investigation panel

    Health Canada changing labels on controlled release opioids; stressing risks

    Health Canada changing labels on controlled release opioids; stressing risks
    Health Canada has changed the labelling for controlled release opioids in a bid to make clear the risks and safety concerns of the pain medications.

    Health Canada changing labels on controlled release opioids; stressing risks