Canada column for Sunday, May 29/22
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
More stringent gun controls are coming for Canadians, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said after expressing the condolences of the country to Texans after the horrific school murders.
The shooting deaths of 19 students and two teachers was “an incredibly senseless, violent act,” Trudeau said vowing to “move forward on doing even more” with updated gun laws.
In the coming weeks, the Canadian government will announce new steps related to gun control, he said.
No details were given or whether it would include a handgun ban across the country.
Trudeau said there has been less pressure from some mayors and gun control advocates.
“We understand there is a range of opinions and views,” along with unity “in wanting to see less gun violence and fewer deaths from gun violence across the country.”
The government currently allows cities and provinces to determine their own gun laws.
During the last election, the Liberal government planned to give $1 billion to provinces that instituted a handgun ban.
There has also been a ban on many assault-style rifles and stricter background checks on weapon buyers.
As well, the owners of some of the 1,500 gun types were given a two-year amnesty period.
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A man with a rifle in the area of several schools in east-end Toronto was shot to death by police.
The man was seen carrying a rifle or gun and police were called to Scarborough, Ontario after there were lockdowns of multiple schools in the area.
He was shot and killed in a confrontation with the police but few details were given.
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer said he cannot comment while the provincial watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is investigating the case.
It is known that two police officers fired their weapons at the suspect and a long barrel firearm was recovered.
In brief:
- Environment Canada has determined that a tornado was part of deadly Ontario storm with high winds and a series of thunderstorms that killed eight people, mostly from fallen trees. The twister touched down in Uxbridge, east of Toronto, as the weather system moved through Ontario. Known officially as a decrecho, it tore apart houses and knocked out power to thousands as far away as Ottawa. The storm developed around Sarnia near the U.S. border and moved northeastward over southern Ontario and into Toronto and Ottawa.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is steady at 78 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.28 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is unchanged at 1 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 3.2 percent or more.
Canadian stock markets are down, with the Toronto index at 20,532 points while the TSX Venture index is at 714 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.96 a liter or $7.44 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.
Lotto Max: (May 24) 12, 26, 30, 31, 35,39 and 45; bonus 22. (May 20) 5, 6, 20, 29,42,44 and 47; bonus 14.
Lotto 6/49: (May 25) 14, 15, 22, 35, 36 and 47; bonus 19. (May 21) 4, 5, 26, 33, 35 and 44; bonus 30.
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Regional briefs:
Voters continue to favor Premier Doug Ford and his Conservatives to win in the June 2 Ontario elections. A survey by Ipsos says 45 percent of respondents said they believe Ford’s Conservatives will be re-elected. Next are Steven Del Duca and the Liberals with 14 percent, with 10 percent for Andrea Horwath and the Ontario New Democratic Party. One voter in three or 32 percent had no opinion.
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canadareport.blogspot.com
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