Canada
column for Sunday, Oct. 5/14
THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By
Jim Fox
The Liberal Party is opposing Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s
bid to join the combat mission in the Middle East.
Harper’s proposal for a six-month air combat mission to fight Islamic
jihadists is partly in response to a request by U.S. President Barack Obama for
Canada to join the effort.
In
an usual move, Harper is putting the issue to a vote by members of the House of
Commons on Monday.
Insurgents known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria intend to
“launch a terrorist jihad not merely against the region, but on a global
basis,” Harper said.
“Indeed,
it has specifically targeted Canada and Canadians, urging supporters to attack
'disbelieving Canadians in any manner,'” he added.
The
plan calls for no Canadian ground troops but Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said
the party “cannot and will not support” going to war.
Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair of the New Democratic Party said
he wants more information while he believes humanitarian aid and diplomatic
measures should come before a military assault.
---
Ford Motor Company will hire an additional 1,000 workers at its assembly
plant in Oakville, Ontario to produce the 2015 Ford Edge crossover utility
vehicle.
The hiring at the Toronto-area plant will increase employment to more
than 4,000 by the end of the year after a jump of 300 jobs last year.
Ford said it is investing $700 million to upgrade the plant to produce
the next generation of the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles.
The Oakville Assembly also produces the Lincoln MKT and Ford also has an
engine plant in Windsor, Ontario.
---
News in brief:
-
Statistics Canada said weaker exports of cars and crude oil caused the
country’s merchandise trade balance to slide to a deficit of $610 million in August.
During the month, merchandise imports rose 3.9 percent while exports fell 2.5
percent. Export Development Canada chief economist Peter Hall said even though
the trade number have taken a one-month hit, it’s just a “pause in a very strong
trend.”
-
Six legendary National Hockey League defensemen from the Original Six teams are
being honored on Canadian postage stamps. This includes Tim Horton, Bobby Orr,
Pierre Pilote, Red Kelly, Doug Harvey and Harry Howell. The stamps also feature
Canada’s NHL teams and the Zamboni ice resurfacer. “It’s a real thrill,” said
Boston’s Orr.
---
Facts and figures:
Canada’s
dollar has slipped to 88.86 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.1253 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 14,792 points and the TSX
Venture index at 879 points.
The average price of a liter of gasoline in Canada is higher at $1.2909 (Canadian).
Lotto 6-49: (Oct. 1) 17, 21, 27, 37, 48 and 49; bonus 11. (Sept. 27) 2,
18, 22, 27, 44 and 45; bonus 49. Lotto Max: (Sept. 26) 2, 3, 5, 18, 37, 38 and
46; bonus 33.
---
Regional briefs:
-
New Brunswick’s new Premier Brian Gallant and his Liberal government will be sworn
into office on Tuesday. Voters defeated past premier David Alward’s Conservatives
and he has quit as party leader but remains a member of the Legislature. The
Liberals won in 27 ridings and the Conservatives in 21 while Green Party Leader
David Coon was also elected.
-
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Alberta Premier Jim Prentice are
opposed to the federal government’s restrictions on temporary foreign workers,
saying it’s causing labor shortages. Clark called it a “tragically misdirected”
policy that limits the number of workers and tightens workplace inspections.
The program should be called “Potential new
Canadians,” because they're coming here to help us build our country,
Clark said.
- An
undisclosed settlement has been reached in a $50-million lottery dispute during
a civil trial in Toronto. Christopher
Bates was suing for a $2-million share of the jackpot claimed by 24 of his
fellow Bombardier aircraft workers. He was on vacation the week the group won
and hadn’t put in $5 for his share but the winners said it was a casual “no pay,
no play” arrangement.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment