Canada
column for Sunday, Oct. 12/14
THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By
Jim Fox
Canadian fighter jets and surveillance planes are being prepared to head
into battle against Middle East militants to assist with a U.S.-led coalition.
Canada’s move – approved by the Conservative majority in the Commons – was
praised by former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton who spoke to a
gathering of 1,200 people in the capital, Ottawa.
“I
think military action is critical – in fact, I would say essential,” she said.
To assist with the coalition against the Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant, Canada is pledging to commit the planes and support
personnel initially for up to six months.
The involvement by Canada faced opposition
from the New Democrats and the Liberals.
“Across
the world, it isn't just Conservatives – it’s Liberals and social democrats
that have understood that this is a threat that needs to be countered and needs
to be countered in many ways, including militarily,” Prime Minister Stephen
Harper said.
---
Tanker
cars that derailed and caught fire near Clair, Saskatchewan are the same old type
being replaced as those in the Lac Megantic disaster last year.
Twenty-six cars on the CN freight derailed and two of them carried
petroleum distillate and caught fire. There were no injuries.
In
Quebec, the deaths of 47 people in a runaway oil-tanker train explosion could
have been avoided, a coroner has ruled.
Dr. Martin Clavet recommended that the federal government review its
regulations about train brakes and ensure those carrying dangerous materials
have proper supervision.
The unattended train parked on a steep grade rolled into the town,
crashed and burned.
Engineer Tom Harding and two managers with the now-defunct Montreal,
Maine & Atlantic Railway face 47 counts of criminal negligence causing
death.
---
News in brief:
-
Canada is preparing to send up to 100,000 doses of experimental Ebola vaccine
to the World Health Organization for possible use in Africa. The donated vaccine
was developed by scientists with the Public Health Agency of Canada. Clinical
tests are to start on the vaccine, called VSV-EBOV. As well, 28 Canadians
doctors have volunteered so far to go to Africa to help.
-
Canadian Tire, one of Canada’s oldest retailers founded in the 1920s, is
shifting gears to attract younger shoppers. Incoming chief executive Michael
Medline said it will focus on targeting 30-to 49-year-old shoppers in chasing a
“generational shift.” The company has 1,700 automotive retail and gasoline
outlets, Mark’s clothing chain and sports stores including SportChek.
---
Facts and figures:
Canada’s jobless rate at 6.8 percent is the lowest in nearly six years
after the creation of 74,100 net new jobs last month, according to Statistics
Canada.
The
dollar is higher at 89.33 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.1194 in
Canadian funds, before bank exchange fees.
The
Bank of Canada’s key interest rate remains at 1 percent while the prime-lending
rate is unchanged at 3 percent.
Stock
markets are lower, with the Toronto exchange index at 14,371 points and the TSX
Venture index 829 points.
The average price of a liter of gasoline is lower at $1.2547 (Canadian).
Lotto 6-49: (Oct. 8) 9, 12, 15, 17, 42 and 49; bonus 34. (Oct. 4) 8, 13,
27, 35, 45 and 49; bonus 9. Lotto Max: (Oct. 3) 7, 15, 24, 25, 27, 43 and 47;
bonus 22.
---
Regional briefs:
-
Canada is increasing its screening at six airports in an effort to try to
prevent an Ebola importation, Health Minister Rona Ambrose said. Additional
steps include “taking targeted temperature screens” even though there are no
direct flights to Canada from the affected West African countries. Quarantine
officers are being stationed at airports in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver,
Halifax, Ottawa and Calgary.
-
Mountie Corporal Ron Francis, known for smoking medical marijuana while in
uniform, has died. The 21-year veteran had been on medical leave from the
force’s division in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He was found dead at his home
on the Kingsclear First Nation reserve. The cause of death was not
disclosed.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment