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New data puts Canadian wildlife population declines in focus

A new report shows Canada's wildlife populations, such as the snowy owl, are declining.

Environmental advocacy group WWF has updated its Living Planet Index for Canada and found that downward trends in monitored wildlife populations are becoming more pronounced – a sign that federal and provincial policies are inadequate to the task of protecting species at risk across the country or improving their chances of recovery.

In a report released on Monday, the organization found that 53 per cent of the Canadian species it measures are decreasing in abundance, with an average decrease of 10 per cent since 1970 (a point in time from which wildlife population data were sufficient to allow for reliable estimates). Among those species already listed as threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, 43 per cent showed population declines, including the boreal caribou.

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U.S. right-wing commentator Chris Sanders offers to house B.C. ostriches facing cull order

A sign calling for the protection of ostriches at the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., in May.

An ostrich farm in the B.C. Interior has got further support from right-wing American influencers when another online commentator added his voice, saying he would like to “help the ostriches out there in Canada” and relocate them to Texas.

The Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C., has been calling on supporters to gather at the property to save about 400 ostriches at the farm after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the cull of the birds following an outbreak of avian flu last December.

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Interest from U.S. doctors looking to work in Canada has spiked but few have made the move

Phil Martin, CEO of Canadian recruiting firm Physicians For You, has seen a flood of inquiries from U.S doctors about working north of the border. Mr. Martin is pictured at the Silver Star Mountain Resort near Vernon, B.C., on Sept. 15, 2025.

The passing thought of moving to Canada from the United States because of its political climate became an active idea for physician Libby Fleming when, in 2022, the constitutional right to abortion was overturned south of the border.

She had a planned trip to Costa Rica later that summer but cancelled it, booking a plane ticket to Nova Scotia instead. The Atlantic province was a bucket-list destination for her. It was also actively recruiting foreign physicians to address a country-wide shortage of doctors.

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Smith defends Alberta’s possible use of notwithstanding clause on transgender issues

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith addresses the chamber of commerce in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.Jeff McIntosh for The Globe and Mail

Alberta’s premier says her government might invoke the notwithstanding clause to defend laws affecting transgender people because courts may take “years and years and years” to resolve the issue, and she wants to “protect kids.”

Smith, who made the comments Saturday on her provincewide radio call-in program, was responding to news that an internal memo from her government, obtained by The Canadian Press, says it plans to apply the clause this fall to its three laws that police school pronouns, female sports and gender-affirming health care.

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Protests across Canada challenge aspects of Carney’s agenda

Protestors take part in a ‘'Draw the Line' climate change protest in Toronto, on Saturday.

Canadians in several major cities demonstrated Saturday against elements of the Liberal government’s agenda, including Prime Minister Mark Carney’s support for new fossil fuel projects and expected public service cuts.

Hundreds who took part in “Draw the Line” protests in Toronto marched from downtown to the provincial legislature building, carrying signs that included messages advocating full immigration status for all, ending trade with Israel, Indigenous rights and a revolution against billionaires.

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Champagne says Canada could be key exporter of critical minerals, energy to Europe

The Finance minister said defence and security were a major theme at this week’s meeting, and pointed to key assets that Canada brings to the table. François-Philippe Champagne on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 17, 2025.

Canada’s finance minister says the country could be a “supplier of choice” for European markets looking to bolster energy security and defence capabilities.

Following a meeting in Denmark with European Union finance ministers, François-Philippe Champagne said Saturday that Canadian critical mineral and energy exports could help European economies become more resilient while diversifying Canada’s trade relationships.

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