Author: SKEENA NEWS
OTTAWA, ON – Canada is preparing for a significant evolution of its Express Entry immigration system in 2026, with major changes targeting critical labour shortages, including healthcare, and reinforcing national strategic priorities. These updates, driven by the federal government’s annual review process, will affect how highly skilled workers qualify for permanent residency (PR). 1. Dedicated Express Entry Stream for Physicians The first major change is the formal launch of a new, targeted category for physicians, announced by Immigration Minister Lena Diab on December 8. This new stream differs from the existing healthcare category in its criteria: Draws under this new…
OTTAWA – The Bank of Canada (BoC) held its key policy rate steady at 2.25% on Wednesday, concluding its final monetary policy decision of 2025. This widely expected move comes as Governor Tiff Macklem stated the Canadian economy is proving to be “resilient overall” to the disruptive effects of U.S. trade measures. Despite tariffs between 25% and 50% on critical sectors like cars, lumber, aluminum, and steel, recent data has surprised to the upside: “It’s been a difficult year for Canadians and Canadian businesses. But as the year is closing, it’s looking better than it looked in the spring, in the summer,”…
Skeena News – Seabridge Gold today announced further robust results from its 2025 drilling program at the Snip North Deposit, part of the company’s wholly-owned Iskut project in British Columbia’s mineral-rich Golden Triangle. The continuous gold and copper grades intersected in the latest holes confirm the existence of a massive porphyry copper-gold system, a significant development for the region. Mineralization at the deposit, which is located near Seabridge’s flagship KSM project, is now defined over a substantial area: Seabridge Gold Chair and CEO Rudi Fronk commented on the results: “Snip North continues to evolve as a large porphyry mineral system. Intensity and scale of the deposit give…
TORONTO, ON – Rogers Communications announced the commercial launch of Rogers Satellite on Tuesday, a direct satellite-to-mobile service designed to keep users connected in the vast, remote areas of Canada. The company touts the service as a Canadian first, expanding its coverage to three times the square kilometres of any other wireless service provider. The launch of Rogers Satellite follows a successful beta trial and is aimed at attracting customers as the company contends with major rivals BCE and Telus. Apps and Services for Remote Areas The service utilizes SpaceX’s Starlink low-earth orbit satellites and Rogers’ national wireless spectrum to automatically connect compatible smartphones…
TORONTO, ON – The Government of Canada has announced significant new immigration measures aimed at filling critical labour gaps and providing stability to the health care system by making the path to permanent residence simpler and faster for international doctors. The announcement, made today by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, is part of the commitment laid out in Budget 2025 to attract high-skilled talent. Minister Diab emphasized that the goal is to attract and retain medical professionals who are already contributing to the system. “Many of…
JUNEAU, Alaska – A powerful, magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck in a remote wilderness area near the border between Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon on Saturday. The shallow quake, which struck at a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers), was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks. Officials immediately confirmed there was no tsunami warning and no immediate reports of damage or injury. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicenter approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest of Juneau, Alaska, and 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Whitehorse, Yukon. Shaking Felt Across Yukon Despite the remote location of the epicenter, the tremor was…
MONTREAL, QC – Air Transat is moving to gradually suspend all flights between Monday, December 8, and Tuesday, December 9, following a 72-hour strike notice issued by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the company’s 700 pilots. The strike could begin as early as 3:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, December 10, right as the busy holiday travel season is ramping up. Transat AT, the leisure carrier’s parent company, stated that the full suspension is necessary to prevent passengers and crews from being stranded abroad if the strike occurs. Negotiations and Compensation Demands The pilots’ union, whose members voted 99% in…
A lack of water — not land, not industry interest, and not political will — may be the single biggest barrier preventing Terrace from becoming a long-term industrial hub for Northwest B.C. That’s why Mayor Sean Bujtas and Kitselas First Nation Chief Glenn Bennett travelled to Ottawa last week, pushing for federal funding for the Skeena Industrial Park water system — a project they say could permanently change Terrace’s economic future. The Skeena Industrial Park is a joint venture between the City of Terrace and Kitselas First Nation. It was created to attract long-term industrial tenants — including manufacturing, logistics,…
Canadians are redefining their winter travel plans, and British Columbia is emerging as the country’s top destination for seasonal getaways. A strong national desire for diverse experiences has propelled four B.C. cities—Vancouver, Whistler, Ucluelet, and Victoria—to the forefront of domestic travel preferences. The province’s prominence reflects a shifting national trend, where travelers are increasingly seeking destinations that balance outdoor adventure with cultural depth and varied landscapes. The North and South Coast Demand Vancouver and Whistler remain two of the most in-demand options for domestic winter travel. For travelers seeking quieter, coastal escapes, Ucluelet and Victoria have risen quickly in popularity, landing among the country’s…
VANCOUVER, B.C. – British Columbia’s horse racing industry has been thrown into “immediate jeopardy” following the provincial government’s decision to end all slot-machine revenue that supports the sector, effective January 31, 2026. The announcement, delivered in a letter from the provincial government on Tuesday, November 25, has sent shockwaves through the industry. The severity of the decision was immediately evident on Friday, December 5, when Hastings Racecourse announced the end of live thoroughbred racing at the Vancouver oval, effective immediately. Loss of Revenue Threatens Thousands of Jobs Harness Racing British Columbia (HRBC) has launched an urgent, province-wide letter-writing campaign, urging all members and supporters to…