Canada column for
Sunday, April 16/17
THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By Jim Fox
The Liberal
government – as promised during the 2015 election campaign – is moving ahead
with legalizing recreational marijuana use for those 18 and older.
It’s being called a
“bold and risky social experiment” by many and would include tough laws against
illicit dealers and those who break them.
Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau said legalizing pot is the best way to keep the drug from being
used by younger, impressionable children.
The law change
would become effective in July of next year and end the prohibition on marijuana
use that Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said has been an “abject failure.”
Police forces are
spending billions of dollars and countless resources dealing with drug use
while dealers are profiting by up to $8 billion a year, he said.
Liberal politician
Bill Blair, former Toronto police chief, said this will promote the “safe,
socially responsible use” of marijuana while at the same time rigidly enforcing
impaired driving whether by drugs or alcohol.
The Conservative
party called the legalization a bad idea while the socialist New Democrats wanted
it sooner.
---
Airlines operating
in Canada won’t be forcibly removing passengers from overbooked planes, says
Transport Minister Marc Garneau.
In fact, there will
be a new air passenger bill of rights within weeks to set out clear requirements
for compensation when flights are oversold or luggage is lost.
Such bumping as the
incident in Chicago when a doctor was dragged off a United Airlines flight and
injured will not be tolerated, he said.
Garneau said he was
“disturbed” over the incident and told airlines “such an incident would be
unacceptable in Canada.”
The Canadian government
has also imposed tighter security measures on some Canada-bound flights “from
certain countries” that weren’t named publicly.
---
News in brief:
- Canada’s national
parks are open for free to visitors to mark the country’s 150th birthday this
year. A Discovery Pass, allowing entry to the parks, marine conservation areas
and national historic sites, is good for singles, couples and groups traveling
together. Meanwhile, VIA Rail’s $150 youth passes for unlimited travel across Canada
in July, were quickly sold out.
- Mark Wainberg, a
leading Canadian HIV researcher and patient advocate, has drowned while
swimming in rough waters off Bal Harbour, Fla. Wainberg, 71, was part of the
medical team that discovered the first antiviral drug to treat patients with
HIV. He also was director of the McGill University AIDS Center in Montreal and
an Officer of the Order of Canada.
---
Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar has
advanced to 75.07 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.332 Canadian,
before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate remains
at 0.5 percent while the prime-lending rate is 2.7 percent.
Stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto
exchange index down at 15,535 points while the TSX Venture index is higher at 834
points.
The average price for gas in Canada has jumped
to $1.174 a liter or $4.46 (Canadian) for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto 6/49: (April 12) 7, 19, 37, 38, 41 and 42; bonus
11. (April 8) 4, 9, 10, 15, 38 and 39; bonus 49. Lotto Max: (April 7) 8, 12,
14, 34, 37, 44 and 48; bonus 45.
---
Regional briefs:
- Climate scientist
Andrew Weaver, leader of British Columbia’s Green party, wants voters in the
May 9 provincial election to consider his “dark horse” candidates. Prime
Minister Trudeau, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and
even President Donald Trump defied the odds to win, he said. There is a need
for “other viable options,” as the Liberals have been in power since 2001, he
said.
- An icebreaker has
escorted the Apollo ferry to port after being stranded near Blanc-Sablon, Quebec
for more than 24 hours. Crews were assisting the Newfoundland and Labrador
ferry that was stuck in the ice-choked waters in the Strait of Belle Isle. On
what was normally a two-hour voyage, Labrador Marine said the 70 passengers on
board were safe, food was available and there were cabins to spend the night.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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