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The Monday news briefing: An at-a-glance survey of some top stories

Dec 12, 2016 | 3:45 PM

Highlights from the news file for Monday, Dec. 12

 

FEDS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ESTABLISH SAFE INJECTION SITES: The federal government is making it easier to set up supervised drug injection sites in Canada while cracking down on illicit shipments of fentanyl. Health Minister Jane Philpott and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced the proposed changes to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act after question period Monday. Philpott says the new law would make it easier for injection sites to be established, provided they can demonstrate a compelling public health need and a lack of risk to public safety. The new legislation would also lift a restriction that prevents border guards from inspecting packages that are under 30 grams in weight, provided they have reason to believe the packages contain illegal drugs.

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PM ADMITS HE GETS LOBBIED BY DONORS: Justin Trudeau admits he gets lobbied on government business when he’s the featured draw at Liberal party fundraisers. The prime minister says wherever he goes, he’s approached by people who want to talk about issues that matter to them, but he says he doesn’t let anything donors say to him influence government decisions. Trudeau has been under fire for weeks over so-called cash-for-access fundraising events that feature him or one of his ministers. He insists federal political donations are subject to the most stringent rules in the country and the Liberal party follows all the rules.

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SON OF COUPLE KILLED BY TRAVIS VADER SPEAKS OUT: As he awaits the sentencing of his parents’ killer, the son of an Alberta couple whose bodies have never been found has spoken about a horrifying recurring nightmare. Bret McCann says it involves Travis Vader making one parent look on as he kills the other. Vader was found guilty in September of second-degree murder in the 2010 deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann, but that conviction was later changed to manslaughter because the judge used an outdated section of the Criminal Code in his reasoning. Vader’s defence lawyer is asking for four to six years in prison, while the Crown is asking for a life sentence.

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TRUDEAU SAYS DEATHS OF CANADIANS IN PHILIPPINES LOW POINT THIS YEAR: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the deaths of two Canadian hostages in the Philippines was a low point for him in the last year. The militant group Abu Sayyaf killed Robert Hall and John Ridsdel after a ransom deadline lapsed. Trudeau says the situation was personally difficult because he had the responsibility of directing and articulating Canada’s position as well as the opportunity to speak with the families of the two men killed. Canada maintains it does not pay ransom to terrorists. Trudeau says Canadians understand any other position would provide a source of “significant funds” to violent terrorists intent on causing harm.

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U.S. CONGRESS TO PROBE REPORTS OF RUSSIAN HELPING TRUMP WIN ELECTION: The top Senate Republican said Monday that Congress will investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the election on behalf of Donald Trump, an intelligence conclusion that the incoming commander in chief has called “ridiculous.” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that an inquiry would be conducted by the Senate intelligence panel. Two key Senate Republicans — John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Trump critic — have joined with two Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlin’s activities during the election. After McConnell spoke, House Speaker Paul Ryan released a written statement saying a House Intelligence Committee probe of cyber threats by other countries and terrorist groups “will continue and has my support.”

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WHITE HOUSE SLAMS TRUMP OVER TAIWAN COMMENTS: The White House says the U.S. relationship with Taiwan should not be used as a bargaining chip to increase leverage with China over trade and other issues. Over the weekend, president-elect Donald Trump told “Fox News Sunday” that he wouldn’t feel “bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.” White House spokesman Josh Earnest says that adhering to a policy of one China has allowed for a close trading partner in Taiwan and a “constructive relationship” with China. Earnest says efforts to curb global warming and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon could not have occurred without China’s help.

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OPTIMISM IN CANADIAN OILPATCH: A dramatic jump in oil prices linked to the promise of lower global production is fuelling hope that the Canadian oil sector may soon recover from a two-year slump. Crescent Point Energy CEO Scott Saxberg says his Calgary-based company is ready to increase spending beyond its recently announced $1.45-billion budget for 2017 if oil prices continue to strengthen. Precision Drilling CEO Kevin Neveu says North American drilling budgets are starting to rise, adding his company now has 72 drilling rigs working in Canada, up from about 60 at this time last year, which translates into about 250 more jobs. Observers say they’re optimistic that Saudi Arabia, the top exporter in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is committed to cut exports to reduce a global oil glut.

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DAYCARE FEES OUTPACING INFLATION, STUDY FINDS: A new study suggests that the cost of child care fees in some of Canada’s biggest cities has skyrocketed over the last three years, rising an average of more than twice the rate of inflation over the same period. In a study to be released Monday, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the average monthly cost for full-time child care has gone up by more than eight per cent across the country over the last three years. Much of that is the result of Quebec’s decision to introduce a sliding scale for fees based on income in 2015, which saw average prices jump by 18 per cent, but still remain by far the lowest in the country. Taking Quebec out of the equation, costs across the country have increased by more than six per cent, more than double the average rate of inflation of 2.5 per cent over that time, the study shows.

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CANADIAN ACTORS GOSLING, REYNOLDS SCORE GOLDEN GLOBE NODS: It was a tale of two Ryans during Monday’s Golden Globe nominations announcement, with Canadians Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds both making the cut in the same category. Gosling of London, Ont., got a nod for best performance by an actor in a motion picture — musical or comedy — for his starring role in “La La Land.” He plays a jazz musician alongside Emma Stone as a struggling actress in the dreamy film by Damien Chazelle. Reynolds, who hails from Vancouver, was nominated for playing a crass superhero in the Marvel comedy “Deadpool.” He stars as a mercenary who goes through a rogue medical experiment that cures his cancer but leaves him disfigured.

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AFTER 21 HOURS, SKIERS CAUGHT IN AVALANCHE RESCUED: Two skiers who were forced to stay overnight on a West Vancouver mountain after being caught in an avalanche have been rescued. North Shore Search and Rescue says the search for the two men had to be called off Sunday due to a high avalanche risk in the area. Search manager Doug Pope says the men had reported by text message that they were safe where they were and it appears they’re in “pretty good” condition — although they will likely be taken to hospital. The men were caught in the avalanche while skiing in an out of bounds area and Pope says the frightening situation should be a warning to other skiers.

 

The Canadian Press