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G7 Foreign Ministers Meet in Niagara to Hear Ukraine’s Plea Amid Escalating War

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven (G7) nations gathered in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario , for high-stakes talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister as Russia intensifies its assault on Ukraine’s power grid. The meeting, hosted by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand , comes at a critical moment as rolling blackouts sweep across Ukraine ahead of winter. Foreign ministers from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union posed for a family photo before beginning discussions. Ukraine’s foreign minister is expected to brief the group on the humanitarian and security consequences of Russia’s latest attacks, which have left millions vulnerable to freezing temperatures. The summit is not limited to Ukraine. Ministers are also addressing broader geopolitical challenges, including instability in the Middle East and shifting trade relationships. Still, Ukraine remains the centerpiece of the agenda, with G7 leaders reaffirming ...

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Alberta’s Private-School Funding Sparks Debate as Teachers’ Strike Escalates

Thousands take part in a rally in support of teachers and public education outside the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.                        


Alberta’s historic province-wide teachers’ strike has reignited a long-simmering debate over the government’s funding of private schools. With more than 51,000 teachers off the job and over 730,000 students affected, attention is turning to how education dollars are allocated.

Currently, Alberta provides up to 70 per cent of per-student funding to accredited private schools — the highest proportion in Canada. Critics argue this diverts much-needed resources from public classrooms, which already face overcrowding and underfunding. A citizen-led initiative, recently approved by Elections Alberta, is pushing for a referendum on whether taxpayer dollars should continue flowing to private institutions.

Supporters of the initiative, including parent groups and education advocates, say public funds should remain within the public system — which includes public, Catholic, and francophone schools open to all students without tuition fees. They argue that redirecting money back into public classrooms would help address shortages in staffing, resources, and supports.

Private-school advocates counter that many families who choose independent schools are middle- or low-income, and that these institutions often serve students with specialized learning needs. Removing funding, they warn, could limit access and place additional strain on the public system.

As the strike continues, the funding debate has become a flashpoint in Alberta’s broader struggle over the future of education — one that may soon be decided not just in the legislature, but at the ballot box.


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