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In the news today, Aug. 14

Aug 14, 2018 | 2:30 AM

Seven stories in the news for Tuesday, Aug. 14

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MAXIME BERNIER SLAMS TRUDEAU ON DIVERSITY

Conservative MP Maxime Bernier is taking issue with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s oft-repeated support for diversity in Canada, calling it a form of “radical multiculturalism.” In a series of recent tweets, Bernier says he believes promoting too much diversity could have the effect of dividing Canada into ‘little tribes’ that cause division. Trudeau repeated his mantra that “differences are always a source strength in Canada,” during a speech Monday in Prince Edward Island.

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CONSULTATIONS TO BE HELD ON KEEPING OUT CHEAP STEEL

The federal government will announce the start of consultations today on how best to address concerns that cheaper foreign steel is entering the Canadian market, industry representatives say. Jesse Goldman, a lawyer representing the Canadian Coalition for Construction Steel, says the group has been told Finance Minister Bill Morneau will make the announcement today during a visit to Hamilton.

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FREDERICTON SUSPECT HAD GUN LICENCE

Police say a Fredericton man charged with killing four people on Friday had a firearms licence, and the long gun allegedly used in the deadly shooting can be legally obtained in Canada. Friday’s shooting claimed the lives of Bobbie Lee Wright, Donnie Robichaud, and responding officers Const. Robb Costello and Const. Sara Burns. A regimental funeral for the two officers will be held Saturday at the University of New Brunswick.

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MILITARY TO HELP COMBAT B.C. WILDFIRES

The federal government is offering air power and military personnel to help extinguish nearly 600 wildfires in British Columbia. About 200 troops will assist mop-up operations to contain the spread of fires, while aircraft will transport firefighting personnel and equipment, support medical evacuations and move people out of harm’s way. More than 3,400 wildfire personnel are already fighting flames in the province/

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ONTARIO TO SELL POT IN PRIVATE STORES IN 2019

Recreational cannabis will be sold online in Ontario when it is legalized this fall and in private retail stores across the province early next year. The government announcement reverses the previous administration’s plan to distribute cannabis through publicly owned outlets. The Progressive Conservatives say public safety was a top concern in drafting the new system, but critics say the new model could pose enforcement and regulation challenges.

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HEARING ON BRONCOS FUNDRAISING TO TEST LAW

A court hearing related to money raised after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash could be the real test of Saskatchewan’s efforts to regulate crowdfunding. A lawyer for the Humboldt Broncos Memorial Fund is to be in Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench on Wednesday. A GoFundMe campaign for the Broncos raised $15.2 million in donations from all over the world. The money has yet to be distributed because Saskatchewan has legislation which outlines how court-supervised payouts should proceed.

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POT INDUSTRY MAKING MARK IN WANT ADS

The growth of Canada’s soon-to-be-legal recreational pot industry is starting to create a small buzz among job hunters. The job website Indeed has released new numbers that show cannabis-related searches, while still small, were more than four times higher last month compared to the year before. The data say weed-related searches increased to 26 out of every 10,000 searches, up from six.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will release a report on Homeowners’ Debt at a Glance.

— A remand hearing will be held in Ottawa for Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, who is charged with breach of trust.

— Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna will make a clean technology announcement at Carleton University.

— Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath will address the annual meeting of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.

— A Halifax judge will deliver a decision on parole eligibility for convicted murderer Christopher Garnier.

— Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason will announce funding for green transit options.

— Syncrude Canada to appear in court on charges related to the deaths of blue herons at one of its Alberta mine sites.

 

The Canadian Press