Beyond Local

OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed Thursday that Canada denied a diplomatic visa request from a Chinese political operative last fall due to concerns about foreign interference — and said she wouldn't hesitate to expel diplomats for the same reason.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is minimizing the effect of two large releases of oilsands tailings water, two area First Nations leaders said Wednesday.

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have taken a relatively limited toll on overall global mental health, Canadian researchers say in a new study published in the British Medical Journal.

OTTAWA — Canada's intelligence service warns that technological innovations adopted by municipalities could be exploited by adversaries such as the Chinese government to harvest sensitive data, target diaspora communities and interfere in elections.

YELLOWKNIFE — Two national housing groups are calling on the Northwest Territories to declare a state of emergency for housing Indigenous people, particularly women and girls.

Alberta's nine-month silence over two releases of toxic oilsands tailings water is "worrisome," said federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government says the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will lead a probe into allegations of historic misconduct by members of the Prince George RCMP detachment, and the failure of the force to act on the complaints.

OTTAWA — Defence Minister Anita Anand has promised to fast-track the delivery of new anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-drone weapons to Canadian soldiers in Europe, as Ottawa moves to address several glaring gaps in Canada's military capabilities.

MONTREAL — Quebec RCMP say they are investigating two alleged secret police stations operated by Chinese authorities in the province.

EDMONTON — The Alberta NDP Opposition says it would follow British Columbia in making prescription contraception free to residents if the party is elected in the spring.