Canada column for Sunday, May 15/16
THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By Jim Fox
Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau has pledged support in the rebuilding effort for those affected
in wildfire-devastated Fort McMurray, Alberta.
The massive
wildfire, nicknamed “the beast,” roared into the oil-producing city, destroying
neighborhoods and forcing 94,000 people to flee on short notice.
It burned through
2,400 houses and businesses and the deaths of two people in a car crash as they
fled the city were blamed on the wildfire.
The Liberal government
has formed a special cabinet committee to co-ordinate Fort McMurray aid and
reconstruction efforts, Trudeau said during a visit on Friday.
As well, the
government is “fast tracking” claims for unemployment insurance by
displaced workers.
The Alberta
government is giving residents and families immediate emergency financial
support and the Red Cross has started distributing the $87 million donated so
far and matched by the government.
Municipal Affairs
Minister Danielle Larivee said it isn’t yet known when people can return as
workers are restoring power, inspecting properties and working to repair the
hospital.
The fire, which now
covers about 10,000 square miles, has moved away from the city and is expected
to burn in forested areas for several more weeks.
---
Canada’s “first
lady” Sophie Gregoire, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, says she is
“overwhelmed” managing her official duties and is asking for help.
The couple is
seeking to hire a second assistant to help manage the many requests for her to
make public appearances, while caring for their three young children.
Government House
Leader Dominic LeBlanc said it’s the tradition for the prime minister’s wife to
receive such support as she is asked to attend “an enormous number” of events.
Opposition
politicians weren’t impressed as Conservative Candice Bergen said that former
prime minister Stephen Harper’s wife, Laureen, managed with just one aide.
“Harpers paid for
babysitters, not taxpayers, and they didn't inherit millions – nor did Laureen
whinge about it,” said Conservative Jason Kenney.
---
News in brief:
- The Canadian
government has approved the sale of Rona Inc., based in Quebec, to U.S. home
improvement retailer Lowe’s Companies Inc. Economic Development Minister
Navdeep Bains said he believes the sale will benefit Canadian product
suppliers. Lowe’s, which has 42 stores in Canada, will acquire Rona’s 496
stores for $3.2 billion and plans to keep the headquarters in Boucherville, a
Montreal suburb.
- Rain and cooler
weather are helping firefighters control two wildfires on the Manitoba-Ontario
boundary near Caddy and Beresford lakes. People were told to leave Wallace Lake
and the Beresford cottage subdivision in Nopiming Provincial Park as the fires
advanced. A cabin was destroyed at North Cross Lake and the historic train
station at Winnitoba was lost.
---
Facts and figures:
The Canadian dollar
is slightly lower at 77.37 cents while the U.S. dollar returns $1.292 in
Canadian funds, before bank exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s
key interest rate is steady at 0.5 percent while the prime-lending rate is 2.7
percent.
Markets are higher,
with the Toronto Stock Exchange index at 13,791 points and the TSX Venture
index 677 points.
The average price for
gas nationally has risen to $1.025 a liter or $3.89 (Canadian) for a U.S.
gallon.
Lotto 6/49: (May 11)
4, 23, 25, 36, 47 and 48; bonus 3. (May 7) 6, 8, 25, 31, 32 and 33; bonus 1. Lotto
Max: (May 6) 1, 8, 10, 24, 26, 37 and 45; bonus 47.
---
Regional briefs:
- Atlantic Canada cities
are looking for ways to fight aggressive panhandling before the busy summer
tourist season. Charlottetown city council has amended its nuisance bylaw to
stop panhandlers from blocking pedestrians. Halifax is reviewing its laws as panhandling
isn’t an illegal act. Some Fredericton and Charlottetown businesses are trying to
help the homeless by asking for donations to soup kitchens, food banks and the Salvation
Army.
- An Ontario woman
needs to update her GPS after following directions that took her for a plunge
in Little Tub Harbour on Lake Huron. Police said the 23-year-old Kitchener
woman had been following the instructions on a foggy night. She was able to get
out of the car and swim in the frigid water to shore without injury.
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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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