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Sunday, November 10, 2019

Western alienation, climate change challenge new Canadian government


   Canada column for Sunday, Nov. 10/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT
   (c) By Jim Fox

   Long-simmering anger over “western alienation” and climate change confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new Liberal minority government.
   As he met with his team, including those defeated in the election, he said there’s “a lot of work to do to make sure that we’re governing for the entire country.”
   That was in response to what Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister called mounting frustration in the western provinces with deep regional rifts.
      Pallister said he gave Trudeau some “friendly advice” on how to proceed with great frustration over the lack of progress on pipeline expansion and things such as flood protection measures.
   No Liberals were elected in Alberta and Saskatchewan while Trudeau said giving those provinces a voice is a “significant” challenge.
   The new cabinet will be sworn in on Nov. 20 while missing from Ottawa will be Elizabeth May who has quit as leader of the Green party that had three members elected.
   May, 65, cited a family promise to quit and appointed deputy leader Jo-Ann Roberts to be her successor.


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   A national survey suggests more Canadians are planning to attend Remembrance Day services on Monday to salute to the remaining veterans of the Second World War.
   The Historica Canada poll said those who plan to go to events jumped to 41 percent.
   It also found that 88 percent of Canadians feel it’s important to attend such ceremonies.
   Canadians also show their respect by wearing red poppies, the official symbol of remembrance in the two weeks before Nov. 11.
   It’s been a tradition since 1921 and adopted by the Royal Canadian Legion.

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   News in brief:
   - A Chinese ban on Canadian pork and beef products that cost farmers $100 million in lost business has been lifted. Prime Minister Trudeau called it “good news” that came during an ongoing diplomatic feud between the two countries. China suspended meat imports in June, saying there were traces of a restricted feed additive in pork products and forged veterinary health certificates.
   - The separatist Bloc Quebecois party has conceded defeat after a vote recount in Quebec City. Liberal Families Minister Jean-Yves Duclos was confirmed the winner by 325 votes over Bloc candidate Christiane Gagnon. The Liberals won in 35 ridings in Quebec while another recount gave Liberal Soraya Martinez Ferrada the win over the Bloc in Montreal.

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   Facts and figures:
   The Canadian dollar is lower at 75.6 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.32 Canadian before bank exchange fees.
   The Bank of Canada’s key interest is steady at 1.75 percent while the prime-lending rate is 3.95 percent.
   Canadian stock markets are mixed with the Toronto exchange index up at 16,877 points and the TSX Venture index lower at 536 points.
   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.137 a liter or $4.32 (Canadian) for a U.S. gallon.
   Lotto Max: (Nov. 5) 5, 7, 15, 18, 35, 37 and 45; bonus 47. (Nov. 1) 10, 20, 24, 25, 32, 39 and 46; bonus 15.
   Lotto 6/49: (Nov. 6) 6, 8, 13, 14, 35 and 40; bonus 26. (Nov. 2) 8, 16, 19, 20, 39 and 43; bonus 28.

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   Regional briefs:
   - It’s now confirmed that a dinosaur species roamed British Columbia 67-million years ago. This is the result of a geologist’s discovery of a claw in rocks along a rail line north of Smithers 50 years ago. Bones found were from the species Ferrisaurus sustutensis, the iron lizard from the Sustut River, said Victoria Arbour, the Royal B.C. Museum’s curator of paleontology.
   - A rogue goose has been identified for attacking an 87-year-old Nova Scotian woman. Willow Webb was knocked to the ground and pecked, leaving her with a broken pelvis and elbow. The angry snow-white goose is a newcomer to the flock that’s a beloved symbol of Dartmouth. The flock for now has been removed to a wildlife center for the winter.

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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com

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