In the news today, July 25

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AFN SET TO ELECT NEW NATIONAL CHIEF

Chiefs from 634 First Nations communities are in Vancouver to vote for a new national chief to lead the Assembly of First Nations. Five people are vying for the job — incumbent Perry Bellegarde, Russ Diablo, Sheila North, Miles Richardson, and Katherine Whitecloud. Bellegarde has defended record of securing billions of dollars in new funding for Indigenous issues over the last three budgets but has been criticized by other candidates for being too cosy with the feds.

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SURVEY: ONTARIO STUDENTS LESS VIOLENT, ANTI-SOCIAL

Violence and other anti-social behaviour among Grade 7 to Grade 12 students in Ontario has dropped significantly over the past two decades, according to the latest Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. It also shows a sharp overall drop in bullying, although cyberbullying remains a consistent problem. Among concerning trends, the survey indicates a growing number of the students — particularly girls — have symptoms of depression and anxiety.

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FATE OF ONTARIO SAFE INJECTION SITES IN LIMBO

The fate of Ontario’s safe injection and overdose prevention sites is in limbo as the province’s new Progressive Conservative government weighs whether to continue funding the facilities authorized by its Liberal predecessors. Health Minister Christine Elliott says the government is reviewing evidence on the sites to see if they “have merit” and are worth continuing. She says the province will make a decision in the coming weeks on some sites that need their funding and approval renewed in order to stay open.

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CAMPFIRE BANS EXPAND AS TEMPERATURES RISE IN B.C.

More campfire bans are being imposed as the fire danger rating rises along with temperatures in British Columbia. Starting Thursday, campfires will be prohibited in the Kamloops Fire Centre, where most of B.C.’s wildfires are burning. The province is also limiting burning on Haida Gwaii to small fires no more than half a metre high, as the archipelago experiences uncommonly dry conditions.

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SENTENCING EXPECTED IN KNOWLEDGE HOUSE CASE

Two of Nova Scotia’s most notorious white-collar criminals are expected to be sentenced today. Former Knowledge House president and CEO Daniel Potter and lawyer Blois Colpitts were found guilty in March of carrying out fraudulent activities in a regulated securities market. Federal Crown prosecutors have argued for a sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Grocery and pharmacy giant Loblaw Companies Ltd. will release its second-quarter results.

— Agnico Eagle Mines, Barrick Gold and Lundin Mining will also release second-quarter results.

— Athletes who will represent Canada at the 2018 Invictus Games in Australia will be announced in Halifax.

— Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains will make a funding announcement related high-speed internet service in rural areas.

— Employment Minister Patty Hajdu will announce funding to support skills training for First Nations people.

— N.L. Lt.-Gov. Judy Foote will host the annual Garden Party on the grounds of Government House.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, July 25

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