A murder charge will proceed in the Nova Scotia courts against a man who's been found not criminally responsible for previous acts of violence. Mohamed Issak, 32, was charged with second-degree murder in December.

Statistics Canada reports that as of Jan.1, Newfoundland and Labrador’s population had decreased by 0.1 per cent — a loss of 301 people — following several years of growth.

The Trump administration and its attitude towards Canada is reanimating a crucial question for the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA): Can a cross-border church hold together when its two branches are at odds politically?

On March 10, Canadian members of the CRCNA sent a letter with 733 signatures to denominational leaders, calling them to account for not taking U.S. threats to Canadian sovereignty seriously. The CRCNA is a small Reformed denomination with roots in the Netherlands and 183,000 members spread out across Canada and the U.S. The letter, which also said President Trump’s “evil” actions are undermining U.S. democracy and global stability, was addressed to three people in denominational leadership positions: the general secretary, the executive-director Canada, and the director of U.S. ministry operations.

While as of this writing the letter has not yet received a response, Canadian concerns over annexation are not matched — anecdotally at least — by most Americans. In a joint online forum called CRC-Voices, many U.S. pastors were dismissive of the protest letter, describing it as “silliness,” a “lame, predictable and irrelevant partisan voice” and a “preening, sanctimonious statement.” One commenter suggested that “these political activist Canadians” pay extra taxes to “replace the funds no longer provided by USAID.”

With 38,185 members, Canadians represent just 20 percent of the CRCNA — and its governance system is weighted accordingly. The Council of Delegates ratio – one-quarter Canadian and three-quarters American – matches membership numbers, but makes it difficult for issues of Canadian concern to take precedence.

Want to join the Broadview community and make sure you don’t miss a story? Sign up for one of our newsletters.

Over the past 30 years, this frustration has motivated many attempts, mostly fruitless, to establish greater independence for the Canadian CRC while remaining binational partners. Nothing in my memory, however, has felt as tense or tenuous as the current moment for the CRCNA’s Canadian side. Cracks that began a decade ago with human sexuality debates are now fracturing even faster than expected – often along national lines.

As editor of Christian Courier (CC), an independent Canadian publication in the same Reformed tradition, I’ve been following the tension closely. On Jan. 22, CC sent out a survey to every Canadian CRC member to measure support for a distinct Christian Reformed Church in Canada. Just over half of our 1,199 respondents – 56 percent – said ‘yes’ to independence in some form, compared to 34 percent in favour of remaining binational. One quarter of the ‘yes’ comments referenced Canadian identity and a “worry about U.S. influence in Canadian churches,” with a dozen specifically critical of the current U.S. president.

In addition to our data, 3,800 comments were added by respondents to optional fill-in-the-blank questions, a number that indicates “high levels of emotion,” according to a sociology professor I spoke with. Hundreds of Canadians described themselves as “anxious” and “concerned” about the future of the Christian Reformed Church in this country — a sentiment echoed by the March 10 protest letter. “I want to distance ourselves from the political environment in the United States,” one survey respondent said, “but I also fear being a weaker body if we separate.”

On the CRC-Voices forum, none of the U.S. commenters directly addressed the fact that the United States is solely instigating the current conflict. Even when a Canadian pastor pointed out how a healthy binational church could alleviate tension if churches south of the border “speak up against threats to a sovereign nation, stand up against violations of good-faith trade agreements and speak out against lies and deceit,” there was little follow up on CRC-Voices.

More on Broadview:

• Anglican Church of Canada mulls big changes amid dwindling membership, finances
• Whose Christianity does Trump want to protect?
• U.S. House response to Mariann Budde’s sermon shows just how deeply Trump’s allies missed her point

Instead, the non-partisan card was played again: “The CRC has enough division [without] praising or condemning the differing positions taken by the many politicians and parties involved in governmental politics,” which, to be fair, relates to the concern about survival that came up many times among CC’ssurvey of Canadians. But it also reflects a deep-seated difference between a Reformed understanding of politics in Canada and in the United States, specifically whether calling governments to account is part of the church’s role or not. At least 733 Canadian signatories of the March 10 letter, along with many survey respondents, believe that it is.

“The CRC in Canada and in the United States have different histories, different contexts and face different cultural situations,” one Christian Courier survey respondent said. “This conversation is not a new one,” another person concluded. “Let’s focus on what a distinct Canadian CRC could do to build God’s kingdom here on Canadian soil.”

***

Angela Reitsma Bick is editor of Christian Courier and co-author, with Peter Schuurman, of Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada (New Leaf, 2024).

Thanks for reading!

Did you know Broadview is the only media organization in Canada dedicated to covering progressive Christian news and views?

We are also a registered charity and rely on subscriptions and tax-deductible donations to keep our trustworthy, independent and award-winning journalism alive.

Please help us continue to share stories that open minds, inspire meaningful action and foster a world of compassion. Don’t wait. We can’t do it without you.

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Donate 
• Subscribe 
• Give a Gift Subscription

Thank you so very much for your generous support! Together, we can make a difference.

Jocelyn Bell, Editor/Publisher, CEO and Trisha Elliott, Executive Director

The post The Christian Reformed Church is deeply divided over Trump appeared first on Broadview Magazine.

Julmac Contracting Ltd. is seeking an injunction that would allow employees to return to work on three bridge projects they were removed from by the province.

What better day than World Poetry Day (and the Spring Equinox) to kick off a spring a sale! All individual subscriptions are $10 off from now until March 31^st!

Click here to go to the subscription page!

The post Spring Sale! $10 off Individual Subscriptions! appeared first on Prairie Fire.

The Farmers’ Market in St. John’s is getting close to $400,000 from the provincial government to diversify revenue streams and support its role as a hub for small businesses and community events.

Some 300 commercial entities operate out of the market each week, with over 200,000 visitors annually. The market also has rental space for large and small venues, and a commercial kitchen.

The minister of immigration, population growth and skills says the initiative also supports the Buy Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada campaign by helping to ensure the availability of market and event space.

Minister Sarah Stoodley says the market is one of her favourite places.

They will “ring the bell” to open the market at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Stoodley looks forward to some of her favourite artisans including Harricott Farms, Oliver’s Farm, the Jewish Deli, Fatima’s Indian Food, the Ukrainian Bakery”

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro says it's moving forward on proposed plans to expand its resources as power demand grows, pitching nearly $2 billion in developments to the Public Utilities Board.

From it’s beginning in 1989 at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, with founder Alain Baird Stitch it has grown to a national company with over 50 outlets across Canada. Stitch continues its commitment to filling a clear market need: offering professional tailoring services where clothes are purchased.

In those early days, the concept of a tailoring service within a mall faced skepticism. However, Stitch Its tagline service, “Pant Hems Done While You Wait,” quickly became a sensation. Customers lined up down the hallways, proving the demand for accessible, quality alterations. This success led to partnerships with major retailers, allowing Stitch It to grow rapidly. Over the next decade, the company expanded its footprint, acquiring competitors and growing its presence across Canada and the United States.

Today, Stitch It, with its national headquarters in Burlington, is proud to be Canada’s leading clothing alteration brand. continuing to deliver expert tailoring services with a customer-first approach. From perfecting fit to ensuring every garment meets the highest standards, our team of over 450 Fit and Sew Experts is at the heart of everything we do.

Led by President and CEO Taimoor Jamil, Stitch It combines decades of experience with a fresh vision for the future. Our focus remains on providing a seamless and personalized experience for every customer, ensuring we remain the trusted choice for alterations and dry cleaning.

Stitch It and “Buy Canada”

These days, “Buy Canada” buzz is growing louder, and it’s about time we all got on board. People across the country are choosing homegrown businesses over big foreign names, and Stitch It Alterations and Dry Cleaning is right at the heart of it. This Canadian gem isn’t just keeping our clothes in top shape, it’s giving a leg up to our favorite local fashion brands, too.

You’ve probably seen the stats floating around. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says 68% of us are now more likely to shop local if it means supporting Canadian jobs. That’s up 12% from a couple of years back, and it’s starting to hit U.S.-based companies where it hurts. *The Globe and Mail* has been all over this trend, pointing out how folks are waking up to the power of keeping cash in our own backyard. Stitch It, with its killer tailoring and green dry-cleaning game, fits right into this shift.

Started in Ontario more than 30 years ago, Stitch It has spread its wings across Canada, all while sticking to a simple goal: help us look good and keep our communities thriving. They’ve got a team of talented locals, think seamstresses, tailors, and friendly staff – plus they grab materials from Canadian suppliers whenever they can. “It’s not just about fixing clothes,” says CEO Taimoor Jamil. “It’s about building something stronger right here at home.”

Now, let’s talk fashion. Canoe recently dropped a list of Canada’s coolest brands, Roots with those comfy sweaters, Canada Goose and its legendary parkas, you name it. These labels scream quality and Canadian pride, but even the toughest threads need some love eventually. That’s where Stitch It comes in clutch. Got a Frank and Oak dress with a wonky hem? They’ll fix it up like new. A Joe Fresh jacket that’s feeling a bit dated? They’ll tailor it to fit just right. And those Canada Goose coats we all treasure? Stitch It’s eco-friendly dry cleaning keeps them fresh without wrecking the planet.

It’s more than just a quick fix, though. Bring your Kotn tee or Arc’teryx fleece to Stitch It, and you’re putting money back into Canada. About 80% of what you spend there stays in the country, compared to a measly 40% with a lot of those big overseas chains. That’s cash going straight to the folks sewing your seams and the suppliers keeping the shelves stocked.

Then there’s the green angle. Brands like Encircled and Matt & Nat are all about sustainability, and Stitch It’s right there with them. They use biodegradable stuff for dry cleaning and energy-smart machines. “I feel good dropping off my Tentree hoodie knowing it’s cleaned green and I’m supporting a Canadian crew,” says Liam Chen from Vancouver. Every piece they spruce up means one less trip to the fast-fashion bin, which is a win for the “Buy Canada” vibe.

The impact’s bigger than you’d think. Every job at Stitch It props up about 1.5 more in other local gigs – textile makers, equipment folks, you get the picture. It’s the opposite of that old offshoring mess that used to bleed our towns dry. Picking Stitch It means you’re keeping your Lezé loungewear or Stanfield’s basics alive while stitching our economy back together.

The “Buy Canada” thing isn’t just some catchy hashtag, it’s a real chance to back what lasts. Stitch It Alterations and Dry Cleaning is all in, making sure your Canadian-made gear stays sharp, green, and local. So next time your Smash + Tess romper needs a tweak or your Herschel bag’s crying for a touch-up, ditch the global giants. With Stitch It, you’re not just looking good, you’re doing right by Canada.

Stitch it has dozens of locations in the Hamilton Burlington area and  across Canada. Find the nearest outlet HERE

Cedar LNG project, on B.C.'s North Coast, is set to be the largest majority Indigenous-owned project in Canada.

The tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump have upended decades of free trade in North America, causing chaos on both sides of the border.

The swinging pendulum of the president’s off-again, on-again threats has also stirred confusion. We asked Globe readers what questions they had about tariffs, and there were many centred around politics.

Screen Nova Scotia will be ready to start TV and movie productions in Mount Uniacke, N.S., later this summer. Two buildings at the site will be used as sound stages.

Canola farmers are bracing for impact as China looks to impose hefty tariffs on their industry in response to Canadian tariffs on the country’s electric vehicle exports.

Just mere weeks away from when farmers plant their first seeds, China is to enact a 100 per cent levy on Canadian canola oil and meal, plus a 25 per cent duty on seafood and pork.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will cancel the proposed hike to the amount of capital gains that are subject to tax introduced by Justin Trudeau's government.

Subscribe now

The provincial coroner’s office says it’s holding an inquest next month into the 2023 death of a man it says was in police custody at the time, but it turns out he was under the control of provincial peace officers.

The New Brunswick coroner’s office announced Friday that an inquest will be held April 23 to 25 at the Wu Conference Centre on the University of New Brunswick campus in Fredericton.

The subject of the inquest is the death of Lonnie Dellas Carr, 59, in the spring of 2023.

“Carr died in police custody in Fredericton on April 9, 2023, due to combined drug toxicity,” a government news release said.

Read more

Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne will host a news conference and media availability after meeting with provincial and territorial finance ministers.

A study has found nearly half of the landslides, debris flows and washouts that occurred during British Columbia’s atmospheric river disaster in November 2021 originated in areas that had been logged or burned by wildfire.

The sentencing of a Pangnirtung man found guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl has been paused so that he can mount a constitutional challenge to the mandatory minimum sentences for his convictions.

Mark Mosesee was found guilty March 14 on charges of sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual solicitation of a person under the age of 18, in relation to an incident that happened Oct. 21, 2023.

He was charged Nov. 1, 2023, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. George Henrie in an email to Nunatsiaq News.

The victim’s identity is protected by a court-ordered publication ban.

At a hearing for Mosesee in Iqaluit on Tuesday, Chief Justice Susan Cooper said that if the sentence had not been challenged, Mosesee would have been handed the mandatory minimum of one year in custody for the first two charges and six months for the third, to be served concurrently.

Defence plans to argue the mandatory minimum sentences in this case contravene Section 12 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which deals with cruel and unusual punishment.

Mosesee’s lawyer Sharon Sabourin will ask Cooper to consider Mosesee’s sentence would hypothetically be considered a breach of the Charter.

“The challenge corresponds with similar challenges in other provinces and territories that asks the court to strike down the mandatory minimum punishments set out in the criminal code,” Sabourin said in an email.

“If she accedes to the request [it] would be binding on other courts below in the territory of Nunavut,” she said.

Mosesee has 395 days’ credit for time served in pre-trial custody and would have been released with a probation order after his sentencing. This means the Charter challenge will have no effect on the sentence Mosesee serves.

“He was released pending the sentencing as he is likely in a time-served position,” Crown lawyer Jessika Withers said in an email to Nunatsiaq News. “This will ultimately be the judge’s decision but he is currently out on release.”

Mosesee is under an order to reside at his mother’s home in Pangnirtung.

He is prohibited from contacting the victim and coming into contact with anyone under the age of 16 without another sober adult present.

Cooper’s written decision, released Monday by the Nunavut Court of Justice, says that during Mosesee’s March 7 trial, the victim testified that she was playing with two other children at their home on the day of the assault.

They were in a bedroom watching TV at around 11:30 p.m. when they fell asleep. The door to the bedroom was locked by one of the children prior to them falling asleep.

“The complainant told police that during the night, the accused dragged her by her legs out of the bedroom and across the hall, into his room. He said to her that he wanted to ‘touch her’ for $40 and showed her a $20 bill,” Cooper said in her decision.

The girl managed to escape and sneaked out of the home with one of the other children.

In a videotaped statement to police a few days after the incident, the girl said Mosesee wanted to touch her “private parts,” said Cooper in her decision.

“He wanted to touch me for $40 but I didn’t, I said no,” the girl testified.

The defence argued that while there was an assault, the evidence didn’t clearly show that it was sexual in nature, the decision read.

Cooper rejected the defence’s suggestion that the request to “touch” the girl could have been for an innocent purpose.

“The words uttered, accompanied by the physical dragging of the complainant into a separate bedroom where the two of them were alone, leads me to the conclusion that the only reasonable inference is that the accused intended to have sexual contact with the complainant,” Cooper wrote.

Mosesee’s next court date is to be determined.

The University of British Columbia has banned Chinese AI tool DeepSeek’s applications from being used or installed on university-owned devices and networks, citing “a high degree of privacy and security risk.”

The university said it reached the decision after a review of public information and third-party assessments of DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence applications.

“While popular, DeepSeek’s applications raise privacy and security concerns, particularly regarding extensive data collection and sharing, including personal information and the right to log keystrokes, along with weak encryption and security practices,” UBC says on its “privacy matters” website.

Halton police have laid charges against a Burlington man and woman in a Taylor Swift ticket scam who already face a host of fraud charges from Toronto police. 

Calgary-based WestJet is considering the use TFWs to fly its planes but the union representing pilots at the airline says it wasn't consulted by either the WestJet or the federal government about the move.

Investigators say a 60-year-old homeless man who died outside a University of Toronto building was the victim of a random, unprovoked attack three hours before police were called.

Police, who initially said they didn’t believe the man’s death was suspicious, now say Mario Ferreira died from blunt force trauma to his upper body after Thursday morning’s alleged attack.

Investigators say they have video of a man who allegedly used debris, possibly from a dumpster or construction site, to repeatedly attack the 60-year-old while he was lying on a bench around 5:20 a.m. outside the University of Toronto pharmacy building.

Entering details on types of burning and your civic address provides information on burn restrictions.

The post Halifax releases new ‘Before You Burn’ website detailing burning restrictions appeared first on Halifax Examiner.

In an 11-page court document filed Thursday, the former CEO of Alberta Health Services alleges the province’s health minister and AHS have crafted a narrative about her that is “completely unfounded, entirely fictitious, malicious” and replete with “bad faith allegations.”

The Season 2 finale of the dark and dystopian Apple+ show Severance dropped last night. Here's everything we know about what happened.... and the next season.