By Canadian Press

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

Sep 13, 2016 | 2:45 PM

Highlights from the news file for Tuesday, Sept. 13

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AMBROSE CALLS FOR UNITY AS TORY RACE HEATS UP: The Conservative leadership race is picking up steam after heavyweight would-be contender Peter MacKay decided to bow out, clearing the way for others to make their intentions known. Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer took one big step closer to throwing his hat into the ring, resigning his post as Opposition House leader as the Conservative caucus gathered in Halifax for their summer caucus retreat. Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose, meanwhile, called for unity as leadership contestants stake out their positions on controversial topics, saying the party has no desire to return to its divided days of the past.

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INDIGENOUS LIBERAL MP BREAKS RANKS ON SITE C: An indigenous member of the federal Liberal caucus is breaking ranks with his colleagues on British Columbia’s controversial Site C project, saying he is not convinced that two First Nations were properly consulted about the multibillion-dollar hydroelectric project. Robert-Falcon Ouellette, MP for Winnipeg Centre, said Tuesday he still has questions about a July decision by the Fisheries and Oceans Department authorizing construction of the dam on the Peace River. Ouellette said he plans to raise the issue with Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc when Parliament resumes next week.

whale rescue

Killer whale calf trapped in B.C. swims out of lagoon

1h ago

permanent home

'We're hugely grateful:' Nanaimo Men's Shed group finds a place to call home

5h ago

Making an impact

Nanaimo woman publishes books to open awareness of neurodiverse children

17h ago

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ALBERTA MINIMUM WAGE GOING TO $15 AN HOUR BY 2018: It’s now on the books and in effect: Alberta’s minimum wage will be $15 an hour by 2018. Labour Minister Christina Gray says cabinet has passed the required regulation to not only raise the rate to $12.20 an hour this October, but also to boost it by $1.40 an hour again in October 2017 and finally in October 2018. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says her government has had extensive discussions with stakeholders and economists, and believes the increases are sustainable and will not lead to job losses. 

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JUDGE SAYS OK TO CAMERA IN COURT FOR VADER MURDER VERDICT: A judge is allowing a news camera to broadcast his verdict in the murder trial of a man accused of killing two Alberta seniors. Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Denny Thomas says it will increase the public’s confidence in the judicial system, but he adds it’s a one-time ruling. Travis Vader has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the 2010 deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann, who vanished on a camping trip.

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RCMP GETTING NALOXONE KITS TO DEAL WITH FENTANYL: RCMP officers will soon be carrying naloxone nasal spray to protect themselves against accidental contact with opioids such as potentially deadly fentanyl. Commissioner Bob Paulson says the danger of the drug that has led to thousands of deaths across Canada cannot be overstated and anyone who even comes near fentanyl can become sick from inhaling it in its powder form or when it’s absorbed through the skin. The RCMP says it will begin distributing naloxone kits to officers so they can use the drug on themselves or others in medical distress to reduce or reverse the effects of opioids.

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LIBERALS TO PICK NEW PIPELINE REVIEW PANEL: Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says the independent assessment of the proposed Energy East pipeline could be “modestly” delayed by the decision to replace the review panel board. The National Energy Board last week recused all three panellists assigned to conduct months of public hearings on the 4,500-kilometre project due to an apprehension of bias, and Carr says it will be up to the Liberal government to appoint and assign new reviewers as soon as possible. Carr says they may assign more than three people to the task, and that it’s important to include linguistic, regional and indigenous perspectives.

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WAITER WON’T FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR SERVING SALMON TO ALLERGIC CUSTOMER: A Quebec server who gave a client salmon tartare instead of beef tartare will not face criminal charges. Crown spokesman Rene Verret says an investigation has determined there was no criminal conduct. The incident took place in a Sherbrooke restaurant last May. Simon-Pierre Canuel, 34, of Gatineau, Que., filed a criminal complaint over the salmon tartare. He said he ordered beef tartare and repeatedly told the server he was severely allergic to seafood.

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ACTIVIST BONO SAYS TRUMP WOULD BE A CHALLENGE: U2 lead singer and activist Bono says working with a Trump administration to fight extreme poverty would be his biggest challenge — “by far.” Bono has developed close partnerships with Republicans in the past, including George W. Bush, but he told The Canadian Press he’s still trying to figure out how he would deal with the party’s current nominee, Donald Trump. On Saturday, Bono will appear at a Montreal event alongside Trudeau, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, actress Danai Gurira and others to discuss how poverty disproportionately affects women and girls.

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OLAND BAIL APPEAL COULD SET LEGAL PRECEDENT: Convicted murderer Dennis Oland’s bid for bail at the Supreme Court of Canada could set an important legal precedent nationally, and several provinces are arguing such releases may not be in the public interest. Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have filed motions for leave to intervene in Oland’s appeal to the top court. Ontario’s Attorney General says Canadians expect sentences for murder and other serious crimes to be enforced, and bail should only be considered when there are “very strong” grounds of appeal. Oland, 48, was sentenced in February to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years, after being found guilty of second-degree murder in death of his multimillionaire father.

The Canadian Press