In the news today, Aug. 21

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TRUDEAU: “I WILL ALWAYS CALL OUT ‘HATE SPEECH’”

Hate speech and the politics of division are creating a “dangerous path” for Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday as he vowed to keep calling out those who rely on “extremist” methods to make their voices heard. Trudeau made the comments when asked whether he went too far in accusing a Quebec woman of racism and intolerance as she heckled him last week during a rally in Quebec. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said Trudeau is using personal attacks to shut down criticism of his government.

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MONTREAL COUNCIL ADOPTS GUN BAN MOTION

Montreal’s city council has unanimously adopted a motion calling for the federal government to ban the possession of handguns and so-called assault weapons across the country — except for members of security forces and other authorities mandated to posses firearms. The resolution follows a similar motion passed by Toronto city council in July after a gunman killed two people in the city’s Greektown district. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said his government is “listening attentively” to council motions from the nation’s two largest cities.

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SMOKE FROM B.C. WILDFIRES AFFECTING HEALTH

Thick smoke blanketing B.C. communities could be particularly harmful for children and seniors but anyone with poor health should take precautions, says a senior scientist. Sarah Henderson of the B.C. Centre for Disease Control said children’s lungs don’t fully develop until about age 10 and are therefore more sensitive so it’s best for them to stay indoors when air quality is poor. About 550 wildfires continue to burn in the province.

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NOVA SCOTIA REPORT TO EXAMINE FORESTRY PRACTICES

A long-anticipated review of Nova Scotia’s forestry practices is to be released today in Halifax. University of King’s College president Bill Lahey had a broad mandate for the review — including the ability to examine clear cutting. About 90 per cent of wood harvested in Nova Scotia is clear cut, according to federal figures.

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ONTARIO PARTNERS WITH MORE THAN TWO DOZEN POT PRODUCERS

The Ontario Cannabis Store says it has partnered with 26 licensed producers for its online retail platform. Ontario’s sole online retailer says it will sell a variety of products, including dried flower, cannabis oil and cannabis seeds, to customers 19 and older when recreational pot becomes legal on Oct. 17. Brick-and-mortar store sales won’t begin in the province until April 2019.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Court appearance in Melfort, Sask., for truck driver Jaskirat Sidhu, charged in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

— B.C. Premier John Horgan will hold a news conference in Prince George about the wildfire situation.

— Statistics Canada will release June data on wholesale trade and travel between Canada and other countries.

— New Brunswick Green party Leader David Coon will launch the party’s election campaign in Fredericton.

— New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant will make a campaign platform announcement in Renous.

— Coalition Avenir Quebec Leader Francois Legault will introduce a star candidate in the Montreal-area riding of Vachon.

— Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard announces the party’s candidate in the Montreal riding of Nelligan.

— The Canadian Medical Association will hold a conference in Winnipeg on innovation and technology in health care.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, Aug. 21

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