Category: National News

• Trudeau’s Chief Of Staff To Testify – The Liberals have agreed to allow Justin Trudeau’s chief of staff, Katie Telford, to answer questions about foreign interference at a House of Commons committee next month. However, Trudeau believes that a foreign interference investigation by the appointed special rapporteur, David Johnston, is still the best way to proceed and he has asked Johnston to decide by May 23 if a full public inquiry is needed. (Canadian Press)
• Ford’s Housing Plan Could Be Stopped – The Federal Minister of Environment said that Ford’s plans to build housing near a national park could be shut down if a study shows a negative impact on biodiversity and at-risk species. However, Ford said the proposed homes are adjacent to the park and his government will continue moving forward with the plan to build 1.5 million homes over 10 years. (CP24)
• Trump Encourages Supportes To Protest – In preparation for the possible indictment of Donald Trump for his role in a hush money payment to a porn star, law enforcement officials are making security plans as some of Trump’s supporters have indicated that they intend to protest. Trump posted on social media Saturday morning “PROTEST,”….“TAKE OUR NATION BACK!” (NY Times)

• Trump Expects To Be Arrested – Donald Trump said in a social media post that he expects to be arrested in connection with an investigation into hush money involving Stormy Daniels and called on his supporters to protest any such move. Trump did not specify why he expects to be arrested but also wrote: “Protest, take our nation back.” (CNN)
• Standardized Testing For Doctors And Nurses – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is proposing standardized testing that would allow qualified health-care professionals to work in any province or territory that volunteers to be part of the program. Poilievre believes a countrywide standardized testing process would speed up licence approvals for doctors and nurses. (Canadian Press)
• Biden To Visit Canada – U.S. President Joe Biden will make his first official in-person visit to Canada on Thursday and Friday this week. It is expected that Biden will discuss defence, migration, economic development and the situation in Haiti. (CBC News)

• Former Governor General Named Special Rapporteur – Former governor general David Johnston has been picked to advise Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whether he should call a public inquiry into foreign elections interference. However, the Toronto Star is reporting that several Liberals said anything less than a public inquiry would not satisfy growing Canadian concerns about Chinese interference. (Toronto Star)
• Ontario Records Darkest Winter – Ontario has just went through one of the darkest winters in more than 80 years. According to solar energy data, parts of Ontario saw lower levels of solar energy between December 2022 and February 2023 than previously recorded in the last 83 years, with the worst month being January. (CP24)
• Conflicting Stories Regarding Downed Drone – U.S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has spoken to his Russian counterpart following this week’s downing of a U.S. drone over the Black Sea. While the U.S. has said Russian jets spilled fuel on the drone before hitting it, Russia is maintaining that no contact was made and instead the U.S. drone went down during a “sharp manoeuver”. (Aljazeera)

• New Rules Benefit Remote Workers – The Ontario government is proposing changes that will allow remote workers to be eligible for eight weeks minimum notice of termination or pay-in-lieu. Currently, when 50 or more employees at an “establishment” are terminated within a four-week period, the employees are entitled to between 8 – 16 weeks notice but remote workers are not protected because they are not recognized in Ontario’s current labour laws. (CTV News)
• Two Dead, Nine Injured After Truck Jumps Sidewalk – Two men have died and nine other pedestrians were injured after they were hit by a truck on Monday in the town of Amqui, north of Quebec City. A 38-year-old man has been arrested and police are looking into whether the incident was deliberate. Witnesses said the truck hit several people on a sidewalk before continuing for another 400 to 500 metres along the road, hitting more people. (The Guardian)
• U.S. Approves Willow Oil Drilling In Alaska – President Joe Biden is approving the major Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope, despite condemnation from environmentalists who say it flies in the face of the Democratic president’s climate pledges. The oil drilling will likely not start for some time as the decision is expected to be challenged in court by environmental groups. (CBC News)

• Long Covid Inflicts Harm On Individuals and Economy – A report released Thursday said that long COVID inflicts significant harm on individuals, their families and potentially the country’s economy. Dr. Mona Nemer said about 10% to 20% of people with COVID-19 develop long COVID and have a variety of symptoms ranging from high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, chronic fatigue, brain fog, muscle pain and blurred vision. (CTV News)
• China Accused Of Running Police Stations In Quebec – The RCMP said they are looking at two Montreal-area sites believed to be operating on behalf of China. Human rights groups have accused China of using the “police service stations” to threaten and monitor Chinese nationals abroad but China has denied running the stations, calling them “service centres” for its nationals overseas. (BBC)
• Online Streaming Act Remains Controversial – The controversial Online Streaming Act, which would require online streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix and Spotify to contribute to Canadian content, is back in the House of Commons. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said he intends to reject a Senate amendment that is aimed at supporting creators who upload videos on YouTube but YouTube said the amendment is needed to protect the livelihoods of digital creators. (CBC News)
• Russia Missiles Hit Critical Infrastructure – More than 80 Russian missiles and a number of exploding drones have hit residential buildings and critical infrastructure across Ukraine, killing six people and leaving many without heat or electricity. Russia said the strikes were in retaliation for a recent incursion into the Bryansk region of western Russia by what Moscow claimed were Ukrainian saboteurs. (Aljazeera)