Seven stories in the news for Friday, Oct. 21
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ONTARIO, QUEBEC TO SIGN ELECTRICITY DEAL
Ontario and Quebec will sign a new seven-year electricity agreement today when the two governments hold a joint cabinet meeting in Toronto. The Canadian Press has learned that the deal will see Ontario import up to two terawatt hours of electricity from Quebec each year, enough to power a city the size of Kitchener. It’s also expected to save Ontario’s electricity system about $70 million in costs over the seven years.
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DEADLINE LOOMING FOR CANADA-EU TRADE PACT
Efforts continue to get the Belgian region of Wallonia to sign on to the Canada-EU trade pact. The small region objects to the deal and has the power to torpedo it under Belgium’s constitution. International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland was planning to meet with Wallonia’s leaders today in Brussels to try to get the deal signed, after talks on Thursday with Belgium’s foreign minister.
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YOUNG MOTHER FIGHTING DEPORTATION TO U.K.
A young mother facing deportation to the U.K. after spending much of her life in Canada has issued a plea to be allowed to stay in the country she considers home. Fliss Cramman — who is recovering from surgery — was born in England but left at the age of eight when her parents moved to Ontario. A hearing on Cramman’s fate will be held today in Dartmouth, N.S.
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CANADIANS BECOMING LESS RELIANT ON BANKS: SURVEY
A new survey from EY suggests Canadians are becoming less dependent upon their banks as the main providers of financial services. The business consultancy firm says a quarter of those polled agreed with the statement, “I’m less reliant on established (financial services) companies and banks these days, as there are more options to self-manage my finances.”
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FEDS URGED TO SPEND MORE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING
A new report on homelessness proposes nearly doubling federal spending on affordable housing over the next 10 years to about $43.8 billion. Two groups — the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness — say that would effectively make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.
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SUPPLY SHIP OFFICIALLY RETIRED
The Canadian navy’s supply ship HMCS Preserver will be formally retired today in Halifax. The vessel has provided support for Canadian warships for more than 45 years and also helped with recovery efforts after the Swissair crash off Nova Scotia in 1998. Canada is currently leasing support ships from Spain and Chile as the navy waits for replacements for its aging supply ships.
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RANCH TO HELP SUFFERERS OF PTSD
A ranch property in Kamloops, B.C. will soon provide treatment and a refuge for military personnel, veterans and first responders struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. Honour Ranch will give a new affordable treatment option for personnel struggling with the psychological disorders that can result from the trauma and stress that comes with the job.
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ALSO IN THE NEWS:
— The Liberal Party of Canada begins a two-day meeting in Niagara Falls, Ont. Prime Minister Trudeau will deliver opening remarks.
— Statistics Canada will release retail trade figures for August and the consumer price index for September.
— Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould will make an announcement in Ottawa regarding victim surcharge legislation.
— Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr gives a keynote address on the final day of the Canadian Climate Forum Symposium.
