Category: National News

• Trump Pleads Not Guilty – Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges of falsifying business records in Manhattan criminal court Tuesday. Prosecutors alleged that Trump sought to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election through a hush money scheme with payments made to women who claimed they had extramarital affairs with Trump. The next in-person hearing date for Trump’s case is set for December 4. (CNN)
• Trump Jr Posts Photo Of Judge’s Daughter – Donald Trump’s son shared a picture of Judge Juan Merchan’s daughter on social media as he claimed that his father was being subjected to a “hand-picked Democrat show trial.” Donald Trump also attacked the judge and his family during his Tuesday night speech pointing out how his daughter worked for Vice President Kamala Harris. (Independent)
• Body Found In Landfill – The body of an Indigenous mother of four has been found in a Winnipeg landfill. The landfill is on an operational pause as police investigate but police believe the body was only in the landfill for a couple of hours before being discovered. (CTV News)
• PM’s Official Residence Full Of Rodents – A rodent infestation in the official residence of Canada’s prime minister is so severe that the walls, attic and basement are filled with carcasses and excrement. The building has been the official residence of Canada’s prime minister since 1951, with Stephen Harper being the last leader to live there. The federal government must now make a decision on the future of 24 Sussex Drive, which would cost $37 million to repair. (CP24)

• Bodies Found In River Identified – The eight bodies found in the St. Lawrence River consisted of two families, one of Romanian and another of Indian descent. They were allegedly attempting to illegally cross into the United States from Canada through Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. Police are also searching for a local man whose boat was near where the bodies were found. (Canadian Press)
• Trump To Speak Tuesday – Donald Trump will speak Tuesday night after his scheduled arraignment in New York on charges related to hush money payments. Trump will hold the event at his Mar-a-Lago club after returning from Manhattan, where he is expected to voluntarily turn himself in. (CP24)
• McDonalds Laying Off Staff – McDonald’s Corp is temporarily closing its U.S. offices this week and asking staff to work from home from Monday through Wednesday so it can deliver staffing decisions virtually. It is unclear how many employees might be laid off but the company has previously stated that they will review corporate staffing levels as part of an updated business strategy. (Toronto Sun)
• Russia Putting Nuclear Weapons in Belarus – Russia is expected to place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus near its ally’s borders with NATO countries. Russian ambassador to Belarus said the weapons would be moved to the country’s western border as part of moves to “ensure security”. Belarus borders Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, all of which are members of NATO. (Aljazeera)

• Budget Omits Pharmacare Plan – Yesterday’s federal budget had no mention on a national pharmacare plan. According to the the confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and NDP that allows the minority Liberals to remain in power, the government must table legislation on a pharmacare framework by the end of 2023. (Canadian Press)
• Victoria Reduces Speed Limit – The City of Victoria is reducing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in all neighbourhoods. The decreased speed limit will increase the safety on residential roads and reduce the risk of people being seriously injured. (Victoria Buzz)
• Trump Indictment Vote Delayed – A vote on whether or not to indict Donald Trump over a hush money payment likely won’t come until late April at the earliest. The grand jury is scheduled to consider other matters next week before taking a two-week break. (Associated Press)

• CEO Says Walmart Not Profiting From Inflation – Walmart Canada president and CEO Gonzalo Gebara told a parliamentary committee that they are not trying to profit from food inflation as the company’s gross profit rate for its food business declined last year. Gebara said Walmart Canada strives to maintain a price gap between its products and those sold by its competitors and that the retailer is doing everything it can to fight inflation. (Canadian Press)
• Federal Budget Will Address Affordability – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday’s federal budget will address affordability as the government will spend $2.4 billion to help low and middle income households with the high cost of living. There will also be billions more to expand dental care and health transfer payments to the provinces will increase by $46.2 billion over 10 years. (Toronto Star)
• Ontario Modifies Free Eye Exam – Ontario has announced that they are ending the plan that allows hospitals and doctors to bill the government for “medically necessary” treatments provided to patients without OHIP coverage. As well, Doug Ford’s government is also changing the free OHIP-covered eye tests for those 65 and over from annually to every 18 months and seniors will also be restricted to two free minor follow-up assessments per year with an optometrist. (Toronto Star)
• Several Dead In Nashville School Shooting – Three children and three adults were killed in a shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville on Monday. The 28-year-old shooter, who was killed by police, identified as transgender and is believed to be a former student of the school. No motive has been provided but the suspect left behind a manifesto and other writings that police are examining. (Reuters)

• Budget To Look At Reducing Junk Fees – The coming budget is expected to contain details on how the Liberals plan to go after hidden or unexpected consumer fees. These “junk fees,” are often tacked on to the initial price of a product or service and inflate the total cost. The Liberals plan to work with regulatory agencies, provinces and territories to cut down such fees. (Canadian Press)
• NDP Won’t Trigger Election – The NDP say they are not willing to force a federal election over foreign interference in Canadian elections and are instead continuing to push for a public inquiry. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he wants people to feel comfortable voting and make sure people are not being influenced in their votes. However, he said those goals will not be achieved by triggering an election. (CP24)
• Trudeau Lays Out China Approach – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out a plan of engagement, competition and confrontation with China on Thursday, hours before meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. Trudeau said that in areas like climate change, Canada aims to “engage constructively” with China, while still challenging China’s approach to human rights and security. (CNN)