Canada Calling: College promises housing to Indian students on protest, Trudeau to pull down food prices, and 17-year-old Punjabi boy attacked

The Montreal Youth Students’ Organization (MYSO), which supported the protesting students, referred to the situation as a ‘housing crisis.’The college authorities have stated that all protesters at the campus will now have housing. A spokesperson for the college, as reported by North BayToday, said, “All of the Canadore students involved in the demonstrations this week at the Commerce Court Campus are currently being housed.” The statement added, “Canadore continues to work with all students to find appropriate accommodation. We will provide a more comprehensive update next week.”

MYSO’s statement also highlighted the commitments made by the college administration: “Accommodation will be arranged for them at affordable rates, a full fee will be refunded without any deduction if students wish to transfer elsewhere, and classes will have an online option as per the rules of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).”

Trudeau puts the brakes on rising food prices

The Canadian federal government has called upon the heads of five major grocery chains, including Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro, Costco, and Walmart, to discuss strategies for stabilising food prices. This meeting in Ottawa comes as part of efforts to address affordability concerns in Canada, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasising the need for relief for Canadians struggling with the rising cost of living. Trudeau has given the grocery chains until Thanksgiving to present their plans to stabilise prices; otherwise, the government may consider further actions, including potential tax measures.

Two Indo-Canadians sentenced for targeted killing

According to a news report, two Indo-Canadian Sikhs, both 24 years old, have been sentenced for their involvement in the targeted killing of Andrew Baldwin, aged 30, in British Columbia in 2019 over a drug debt. Baldwin was fatally stabbed while watching a movie with a friend in a basement apartment on November 11, 2019.

Jagpal Singh Hothi, now 24, initially faced a first-degree murder charge but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He has been sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for approximately 3 1/2 months served during the pretrial period, as stated by Justice Martha M. Devlin in the British Columbia Supreme Court judgment.

Jasman Singh Basran, also 24, who attempted to dispose of evidence, was charged with being an accessory after the fact but pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. He has been given an 18-month sentence, to be served under conditional terms, meaning he will be under curfew in his own home.

Earlier this summer, Devlin sentenced a third individual, Jordan Bottomley, for stabbing Baldwin six times, including a fatal blow to the heart. He also pleaded guilty to manslaughter, resulting in a sentence reduction from eight years to three years and 38 days after accounting for pre-trial custody credit.

A fourth person, Munroop Hayer, who was not present during the killing, faces a first-degree murder charge and is awaiting trial.

17-year-old attacked, had come to Canada five months back

In a suspected hate crime incident, a 17-year-old Sikh high school student in the province of British Columbia, Canada, was assaulted at a bus stop after a confrontation with another teenager. The incident took place on Monday at the intersection of Rutland Road South and Robson Road East in Kelowna. According to CTV News, the student faced physical violence and was sprayed with either beer or pepper spray, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The altercation began on a public transit bus, resulting in the removal of those involved. The World Sikh Organisation of Canada claimed that the student was also attacked while still on board the bus, although specific details remain undisclosed.

Kelowna City Councillor Mohini Singh, speaking to CBC News, revealed that the student had only been living in the city for approximately five months and had limited English language proficiency. Singh strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “totally unacceptable.” She expressed concern that the student is in a state of shock and deeply traumatized by the incident.