Canada column for
Sunday, Dec. 24/17
THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By Jim Fox
Liberal Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau has been found to have violated conflict-of-interest
rules by accepting family vacations from an Islamic leader.
Federal ethics
commissioner Mary Dawson said this concerns vacations at Bells Cay, a private
Bahamian island owned by Imam Aga Khan, last Christmas and in March 2016.
Dawson said it can
be seen as a gift to influence Trudeau with the billionaire philanthropist and
spiritual leader and his charitable foundation.
The commissioner also
said Trudeau didn’t recuse himself in 2016 from private meetings about the Aga
Khan and a $15-million grant to his endowment fund of the Global Center for
Pluralism.
“I’ve always
considered the Aga Khan a close family friend, which is why I didn’t clear this
family trip in the first place,” Trudeau said.
At the same time, John
Kerry, then U.S. Secretary of State, was also a guest on the island.
Dawson said a
monetary penalty was “not relevant” for Trudeau who will be spending the
holidays in Canada this Christmas.
---
Grocer Loblaw
Companies Ltd. has admitted to taking part in a 14-year bread price-fixing deal
and is offering customers a $25 gift card as a goodwill gesture.
By acknowledging a
part in the price-fixing deal, Loblaw and parent company George Westin Ltd.
were given immunity as the Competition Bureau investigates seven other
companies including bakeries.
“This conduct
should never have happened,” said company head Galen Weston.
Major grocers Metro
and Sobeys said they didn’t violate the Competition Act.
Up to six-million customers
are expected to go online to LoblawCard.ca to register for the rebate card.
---
News in brief:
- Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau was among 7,000 mourners at the funeral of billionaire
philanthropists Barry and Honey Sherman who died mysteriously in their Toronto
home. Barry Sherman, 75, was the founder of generic drug firm Apotex and he and
his wife were found hanging beside their indoor pool. Police have said only the
deaths are “suspicious” with speculation it was a murder-suicide.
- Investigators say
an improperly secured tool bag hit the rear rotor of a helicopter causing it to
crash, killing four Hydro One powerline workers. The Transportation Safety
Board has issued a warning on the risks of unsecured cargo after the crash near
Tweed, Ontario. The bag had been carried on a platform outside the helicopter
and blew loose during flight.
- Canada’s annual
inflation rate climbed to 2.1 percent last month – its highest level in nearly
a year – that could lead to an interest rate increase next month. Statistics
Canada said higher costs for gasoline and air transportation were major factors
that pushed the rate higher than the Bank of Canada’s ideal target of 2 percent.
---
Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar has
advanced to 78.62 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.271 in Canadian
funds before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady
at 1 percent while the prime-lending rate is 3.2 percent.
Stock markets are higher, with the Toronto
exchange index 16,165 points while the TSX Venture index is 810 points.
The average price for gas in Canada has risen
to $1.165 a liter or $4.42 (Canadian) for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto 6/49: (Dec. 20) 3, 4, 28, 30, 34 and 41; bonus 31.
(Dec. 16) 2, 13, 24, 26, 31 and 41; bonus 40. Lotto Max (Dec. 15) 8, 14, 17, 27,
28, 30 and 48; bonus 37.
---
Regional briefs:
- People in Ontario
and Eastern Canada are being advised to consider avoiding romaine lettuce
because of an E. coli outbreak linked to one death and 40 illnesses. The Public
Health Agency of Canada gave the warning as the cases appear to be associated with
the type of lettuce. Quebec and Newfoundland/Labrador have each reported 13
cases, Ontario has had 8, New Brunswick, 5, and Nova Scotia, 1.
- It appears likely
it will be a white Christmas in many parts of the country, including often
“balmy” Vancouver and Victoria. Toronto and southern Ontario as well as other
areas received several inches of snow on Friday. Weather watchers warn of
another winter storm heading for Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver by
Sunday.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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