Beyond Local

The call of a snap federal election last month put candidates into campaign overdrive during a polarizing time in world politics, and the result has shown a high occurrence of campaign signs being vandalized in the Banff-Airdrie riding.

“I knew what he was really asking. What he was saying. In that moment, I knew he wanted me to lie — to attest that what had occurred had not occurred. ... Lie to protect a Crown government acting badly; a political party; a leader who was not taking responsibility,” said Jody Wilson-Raybould.

Elections Canada said early estimates show more than 1.3 million voters cast their ballot in-person on the first day of advance polls on Friday, which is more than what was recorded during the 2019 election.

The overland evacuees are in addition to the 3,700 Canadians, Afghan refugees, and other nationals who were airlifted by Canada out of Afghanistan before American troops completed a frenzied withdrawal from the country at the end of August.

Organizers said they want to take a stand against what they call "tyrannical measures and government overreach," adding that they are not encouraging nurses to walk out on their shifts or abandon patients. 

The latest forecast models indicate the hurricane will transition to a post-tropical storm, but it could retain much of its strength as it dumps up to 50 millimetres of rain on eastern Newfoundland.

Qatari envoy Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani said another 200 passengers will leave Afghanistan today. A diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said foreigners, including Americans, will depart in the next couple of days.

The five leaders frequently talked over one another. Leaders on the receiving end of accusations or loaded questions from rivals were often given no chance to respond.

Dr. Verna Yiu, the president and CEO of Alberta Health Services, says there may be 200 potential patients that could be moved into continuing care in the next week or two.

This week’s French- and English-language debates come as opinion polls suggest the Liberals and Conservatives are stuck in a tight two-way race, with the NDP and Bloc poised to determine which of the two main parties emerges victorious.