Canada column for Sunday, June 27/21
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
The grim reality of Canada’s sordid past continues with the discovery of another 751 unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.
This discovery comes about a month after the finding of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves at Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia.
Under investigation now is Canada’s residential school system of boarding schools for Indigenous children with the goal of assimilating them into society.
Marieval operated from 1898 to 1996 and was run by the Roman Catholic Church until Cowessess First Nation took over in 1981.
Chief Cadmus Delorme said the findings from ground penetrating radar could include adults in graves with the headstones removed.
The network of 132 schools was funded by the federal Department of Indian Affairs and administered by Christian churches and housed150, 000 children taken from their parents between 1857 and 1996.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a “shameful reminder of the systemic racism, discrimination and injustice that Indigenous peoples have faced, and continue to face, in this country.”
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Provinces across Canada are lifting pandemic rules including Ontario heading into a Stage 2 strategy several days ahead of schedule.
People will once again be able to host indoor gatherings of up to five people, meet with up to 25 outdoors and finally book personal care services such as haircuts.
Outdoor performances and team sports can resume and outdoor attractions such as water parks, including Canada’s Wonderland theme park, are also allowed to reopen.
Premier Doug Ford credited the “tireless work of our health care heroes and the record-setting success of our vaccine rollout.”
Outdoor dining and essential retail are expanded in the stage while Waterloo Region stays in the current limits due to outbreaks.
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News in brief:
- A world-wide search is on to find a life-saving stem cell transplant for Leia Fallico, 3, of Toronto. She was diagnosed with Dyskeratosis congenita, a rare genetic form of bone marrow failure. Her mixed ethnicity of Persian and European has made finding her a donor challenging. Eligible donors can register through Canadian Blood Services at www.blood.ca/en
- Canada’s largest lottery jackpot of $70 million, tax free, has been split between two ticket holders in Toronto and British Columbia. The winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 28, 33, 44, 49 and 10 (bonus). There were also six Encore prizes worth $100,000 each and 30 $1-million Maxmillion winners on a $5 ticket. The top prize for the next draw was reset at $50 million.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is steady at 81 cents U.S. and a U.S. dollar returns $1.23 in Canadian funds before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada key interest rate is steady at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.
Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 20,215 points and the TSX Venture index 950 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.34 a liter (Canadian) or $5.09 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (June 22) 7, 11, 22, 28, 33, 44 and 49; bonus 10. (June 18) 11, 14, 15, 24, 34, 43 and 47; bonus 36.
Lotto 6/49: (June 23) 9, 17, 20, 22, 34 and 40; bonus 48. (June 19) 13, 15, 17, 25, 34 and 45; bonus 5.
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Regional briefs:
- Several people were arrested by Mounties clearing a blockade of the Trans-Canada Highway near the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border. The protest was over restrictions imposed by Nova Scotia on travelers coming from New Brunswick to self-isolate.
- Tropical storm Claudette roared into Atlantic Canada, dumping heavy rain on parts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. There was localized flooding as the storm was losing strength. In British Columbia, Environment Canada is warning of extreme heat reaching 38C (101F) this weekend. The agency said it will be “dangerously hot” until Tuesday with “little relief at night.”
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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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