- April 2005 in Canada
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April 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - DecemberEvents in Canada
"This page deals with current events in
Canada , of interest to Canada and/or involving Canadians."April 30 2005 * A
United States Air Force Titan IVBrocket passes over theHibernia oil fields without incident.Newfoundland and Labrador premier Danny Williams had concerns that the rocket could cause damage to the oil platforms if it dropped any debris. The news of the launch prompted many oil companies to evacuate the platforms near the intended destination, a few kilometres from the oil fields. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/30/titan-missile050430.html (CBC)]
* Around 50 cases ofrubella (German measles) are confirmed nearLondon, Ontario . Officials are not overly concerned because most people are immunized against the disease, but warn it can have dangerous consequences for unimmunized children and pregnant women. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/30/rubella050430.html (CBC)]
* TheGrande Bibliothèque du Québec , a 33,000-m², 4-million-volumelibrary , opens inMontreal . It is the central branch of theBibliothèque nationale du Québec . [http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=248544c5-275c-4123-b14d-79e28ec9b0cc (Montreal Gazette)]April 29 2005 * A 63-year-old
Ottawa man dies during an attempt to scaleMount Everest . Dr. Sean Egan leftbase camp in order to seek medical assistance, but died during the descent, possible from acardiac arrest . Egan was an experiencedmountain climber . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/29/egan-everest050429.html (CBC)] [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/04/29/1018426-cp.html (CP)]
* The provincial governments ofManitoba andSaskatchewan both sign a deal withOttawa to further the development of a nationalchild-care program. The federal government is giving $26 million to Manitoba and $22 million to Saskatchewan. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/29/child-care050429.html (CBC)]
* The RCMP charges Gregory Alan Despres ofNew Brunswick with thefirst degree murder of Fred Fulton and Verna Decarie. The couple were found dead on Tuesday. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/29/mintocharges0429.html (CBC)]
* Two boys 12- and 15-year-old boys are charged witharson in connection to the fire at theplastics factory inCobourg, Ontario . The fire occurred on April 25/26 and caused damage to both property and life, throwing the town into a state of emergency. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/29/fire-050429.html (CBC)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050430.wxcobourg0430/BNStory/National/ Globe and Mail] [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Law/2005/04/28/1017175-cp.html (CP)]
* Polls indicate that the Liberals and Conservatives are tied inpublic opinion . This is in contrast to previous polls, which showed the Conservatives leading by a significant margin. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/29/polls050429.html (CBC)] [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/04/29/1019126-cp.html (CP)]April 28 2005 * The Albertan Utilities Consumer Advocate Advisory Council presents a report to the province illustrating the lack of success in
North America in deregulating electricity markets.Alberta plans to completely deregulate its electricity market by July 2006. [http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/04/28/1016362-sun.html (EdmontonSun)]
* U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush officially nominatesDavid Wilkins as the new Americanambassador to Canada. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/04/27/wilkins-050427.html (CBC)]
*Ontario 'scoroner investigates the death of a two-year-old boy in aToronto hospital . The boy was suffering fromdiarrhea andvomiting and died waiting inemergency room while waiting to see a doctor. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/28/coroner050428.html (CBC)]
*New Democratic Party leaderJack Layton attacks the Conservatives over their political alliance with the "Bloc Québécois " and its impact on theAtlantic Accord . Layton says that theseparatist Bloc does not support the Accord, which would allowNova Scotia and other Maritime provinces to collect millions in its offshore oilrevenue . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/28/layton-accord050428.html (CBC)]
* TheAnglican Church of Canada decides to postpone the blessing ofsame-sex union s for another two years. Seventybishop s made the decision inWindsor, Ontario . This decision comes after theAnglican Communion criticized both the Anglican Church of Canada and the U.S. Episcopal Church on the issue ofhomosexuality . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/28/anglican-moratorium050428.html (CBC)] [http://www.reuters.ca/locales/c_newsArticle.jsp;:42704854:192ebcb71f8b36c?type=topNews&localeKey=en_CA&storyID=8320057 (Reuters)]
* The Central East Correctional Centre inLindsay, Ontario prevents apriest from performing mass for prisoners when it prohibits the priest from bringing in the two ounces (59 mL) of wine. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/28/prison-mass050428.html (CBC)]
* Police are called in to control Newfoundlandcrab fishermen in theConfederation Building . The fishermen were angry over the Speaker's decision to close the legislature's gallery because of disruptions by the fishermen. Fishermen are angry over the government's introduction of crab quotas. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/28/crab-injunction050428.html (CBC)] [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/04/25/1012116-cp.html (CP)]April 27 2005 * An elderly
Alberta n woman enters day 3 of herhunger strike to raise awareness of the state of Alberta's long-term care facilities. [http://calgary.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ca-hunger-strike20050427 (CBC Calgary)]
* AlbertanPrivacy Commissioner Frank Work says Edmonton police officers illegally used computer systems to seek information about two critics of the Edmonton force, namely "Edmonton Sun " columnistKerry Diotte and formerpolice commission chairmanMartin Ignasiak . Diotte and Ignasiak were the targets of a failed policedrunk driving sting November 2004. [http://story.news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20050427/ca_pr_on_na/alta_police_sting (CP)]
*Sponsorship scandal : JusticeJohn Gomery lifts thepublication ban again after testimony fromPaul Coffin . Coffin says that he falsified bills for his firm during the sponsorship program at the request ofChuck Guité . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/27/coffin050427.html (CBC)] [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/04/27/1015380-cp.html (CP)]
* Conservative LeaderStephen Harper condemnsPaul Martin 's deal with the NDP, calling it a "deal with the devil" and accusing Martin of trying to buy more time for his Liberalminority government . Harper announces that he will attempt to push amotion of no confidence through the House of Commons at the earliest opportunity. "Bloc Québécois " leaderGilles Duceppe implies that he will support that motion. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/27/party-leaders050427.html (CBC)] [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/04/27/1015425-cp.html (CP)]
*New Democratic Party leaderJack Layton criticizesPaul Martin when the Prime Minister announces that corporatetax cut s may be introduced as legislation separate to budget. Layton previously made a deal with Martin to remove those tax cuts from the budget in return for NDP support. [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/04/27/1015484-cp.html (CP)]
*Vancouver City Council votes in favour of lobbying theInsurance Corporation of British Columbia to introduce a "pay by the kilometre" insurance scheme, suggesting it might encourage people to drive less and, thereby, reduce traffic congestion. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/27/insurance050427.html (CBC)]
* Polls inQuebec suggest that about 54% of the population would support a sovereigntyreferendum at this time. The damaging effect of the sponsorship scandal on the Quebec Liberal Party is a contributing factor. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/27/sovereignty-poll050427.html (CBC)]April 26 2005 *
Canadian federal budget, 2005 : NDP leaderJack Layton and Prime MinisterPaul Martin announce that they have reached an "agreement in principle" to ensure the NDP's support against anyvote of no confidence until after the 2005 budget is passed. The alliance may not be enough to defeat avote of no confidence since the Liberals and NDP only have 151 seats combined compared to the Conservative and "Bloc Québécois " combination of 153 seats. There are three independent MPs and one vacant seat. [http://beta.news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20050427/ca_pr_on_na/elxn_leaders (CP)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050427.wxelection27/BNStory/National/ (Globe&Mail)]
** The agreement will movetax cut s for large corporations from the budget to a separate piece of legislation and spend $4.6 billion over two years from this year's $9 billion surplus on social programs, which will likely include:
*** $1.6 billion foraffordable housing and aboriginal housing
*** $1.5 billion forpost-secondary education tuition fees
*** $900 million for energy retrofits for low income home-owners
*** $500 million for foreign aid
*** $100 million to compensate seniors who have lost pensions due to companies declaring bankruptcy
** Conservative leaderStephen Harper reacts with disdain and tells the media that the Liberals are trying to buy their way out of the corruption scandal with taxpayers' money.
* A 61-year-old handyman inCalgary known as the "Hemlock Rapist " pleads guilty to eight sex-related charges. [http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=31cd8457-4ba8-4efe-9a09-ed1ad8d49636 (CP)]
* Aclass action lawsuit is filed in Calgary against apayday loan company that charged 15000% interest on loans. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/26/payday-loan-050426.html (CBC)]
*Nortel buys an Americaninformation technology firm, PEC Solutions, for $448 million US in cash. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/04/26/nortel-050426.html (CBC)]
* The federal government pledges $25 million for a new theatre inToronto which will be home to theToronto International Film Festival . This new money matches the province ofOntario 's $25 million contribution and raises the total raised thus far to $95 million. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/04/26/Arts/torfilmcentre050426.html (CBC)]April 25 2005 * One person dies and one person is sick from the flesh-eating disease,
necrotizing fasciitis , in Manitoba. [http://www.brandonsun.com/displayad.cgi?adnum=1223 (BrandonSun)]
* At least 1700 seal carcasses, mostly young pups, wash up on the shore of Newfoundland's northern peninsula. It is believed they all died from heavy ice conditions in a storm. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/25/seals-050425.html (CBC)]
* General Motors recalls 97,000 vehicles in Canada due to a faulty seat belt design. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/04/25/gmrecall-050425.html (CBC)]
* The federal government announces a plan $75 million in new funding for the accredation of foreign-trained medical professionals. [http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=7fc2d421-669c-48bd-b40c-4c2604c75456 (CP)]
* A report fromStatsCan shows that Canadians are better educated today compared to the early-1980s but real wages have remained the same or declined. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050425.wincome0425/BNStory/National/ (Globe&Mail)]
* NDP LeaderJack Layton says that he will vote with the Liberals on amotion of confidence ifPaul Martin removes corporate tax breaks from the federal budget. [http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2005/04/24/1011304-cp.html (CP)]
* A five-day campaign known as "Drop the Pop" begins inNunavut . The campaign, aimed particularly at students and children, will promote healthier alternatives tosoft drink s, such as juice and milk, and raise awareness aboutobesity ,tooth decay , anddiabetes . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2005/04/25/nunavut-pop050425.html (CBC)]
*Same-sex marriage in Canada : four same-sex couples inNew Brunswick file suit for the right to marry under the Charter. This challenge, the first to be filed in over five months, would make New Brunswick the eighth of ten provinces to recognize same-sex marriage. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/25/same-sex-new-brunswick050425.html (CBC)]
* An economic assessment of theCanadian Forces army, navy and airforce reveals that they are over-stretched and either require higher levels or funding or a smaller role in international and domestic commitments. [http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/04/25/1011855-sun.html (CP)]April 24 2005 * Team Canada wins the silver medal at the 2005 men's under-18 hockey championship. The US wins gold and Sweden wins bronze. [http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?ID=122753&hubName=canadian_hockey (TSN)]
* A single mother of four children is shot to death at aToronto nightclub . [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050425/SHOOTING25/TPNational/Toronto (Globe&Mail)]April 22 2005 * For
Earth Day 1000 Canadian Inuit inNunavut come together to form the phrase "Arctic Warning: Listen" which could only be seen from the air. They are raising awareness of the impacts of global warming on theArctic . [http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4957329,00.html (AP)]April 21 2005 * The
Quebecor subsidiary,Vidéotron , aninternet service provider , admits to regularly giving the personal details of its customers to other companies and will identify customers, without a court order, at the request of the Canadian Recording Industry Association. [http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050421.gtcourt0421/BNStory/Technology/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20050421.gtcourt0421 (CP)]
*Sponsorship scandal : Prime MinisterPaul Martin , in a televised address to the nation, promises a general election within 30 days after the release of the Gomery Report, which will likely occur in December 2005. The opposition parties react with disdain and reserve the right to force an election before then. [http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=OBXLOBTXZKSLSCRBAELCFEY?type=topNews&storyID=8259911&pageNumber=1 (Reuters)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050421.wspeech0421/BNStory/Front (PM's Speech)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050421.wharpe0421/BNStory/National (Conservative's Speech)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050421.wlayto0421/BNStory/National (NDP's Speech)]
* In a study of 34 countries concerning obesity in youth, Canada ranks as the fourth most obese country. OnlyMalta ,United States , andEngland ranked higher. [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=23248 (MedicalNewsToday)]
* Despite objections from the city of Windsor, the federal government and the province ofOntario announce plans to impose $129 million worth of road widenings in Windsor that lead toAmbassador Bridge . [http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=c1a14628-9008-400f-93e8-d7faf47758e8 (WindsorStar)] [http://www.canada.com/travel/story.html?id=ee41d3c2-6060-4d30-94d4-89c5fc4bffdf (CP)]
* TheSupreme Court of Canada agrees to hear a charter challenge onBritish Columbia 'sBill 29 which in 2002 negatedcollective bargaining agreements with health care unions, privatized some health care services, imposed pays cuts on nurses and other government support staff, and terminated approximately 8000 health care jobs. [http://www.bcgeu.ca/2832 (BCGEU press release)] [http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=a91cbe1b-0e73-4665-a547-fed7a94ad0f3 (CP)]April 20 2005 *
Sponsorship scandal : Prime MinisterPaul Martin requests that the national networks provide him with five minutes ofairtime to speak directly to Canadians about thesponsorship scandal .CBC Newsworld andCTV Newsnet will carry the live address at 7:45 p.m.Eastern Daylight Time Thursday evening. CTV say they will immediately carry a response from Conservative leaderStephen Harper , while the CBC has not yet said if it will carry the opposition leader's response.New Democratic Party leaderJack Layton demands equal airtime on both networks. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1114028243544_81/?hub=TopStories (CTV)] [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/20/addressnation050420.html (CBC)]
* InBountiful, British Columbia , a group of women defend their lifestyle to the media and say they are not being abused. The town is populated by a fundamentalistMormon sect that practisespolygamy . [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1114047524371_109456724/?hub=Canada (CTV)]
* InOslo ,Norway , CanadianInuit leader Sheila Watt-Cloutier wins the 2005Sophie Prize for drawing attention to the impact ofclimate change and pollution on the traditional lifestyles of theArctic 's indigenous people and others. The prize will be presented on June 15 at a ceremony in Oslo. [http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/news/shownews.jsp?content=n042004A (AP)]
* InManitoba on the north shore of the Nelson River, about 500 kilometers north ofWinnipeg , a ferry operator Bobby Clarke claims to have recorded 2m 49s video of Bigfoot. Although Clarke has screened it to hundreds of locals; he is holding out for a TV network to pay for it. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050419.wsasquath20/BNStory/National (Globe&Mail)]April 19 2005 * A
multiple sclerosis painkiller,Sativex , is approved for prescription use in Canada. The drug is delivered as a spray under the tongue and each dose will carry 2.7 milligrams of THC. [http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/story.jsp?story=631217 (Independent)]
* InAlberta , the provincial government imposes a 6% reduction in auto insurance for non-high-risk drivers after only 13 of Alberta's 70 private insurance companies voluntarily lowered their rates at the request of the government. The cuts will be effective as of July 1. [http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/04/20/1004753-sun.html (EdmontonSun)]
* Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment announces plans to build a $350 million entertainment complex beside theAir Canada Centre . They expect the project to be complete by 2009. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/04/19/mlse-050419.html (CBC)]
*Air Canada andAir China are agreeing to triple the amount of direct flights between the two countries. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&sid=aq_Wf.zsXh2Y&refer=canada (Bloomberg)]April 18 2005 * The Liberals cancel an
opposition day scheduled for the Conservatives on Wednesday,April 20 in order to delay an expectedmotion of no confidence that the Tories planned to table. In response, the Tories say they will no longer co-operate in order to keep the government afloat. [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=1845&e=2&u=/cpress/20050419/ca_pr_on_na/liberals_parliament]
* The Minister of Citizenship and ImmigrationJoe Volpe announces proposed immigration reforms that include allowing international students at public post-secondary institutions to work off-campus while completing their studies, allowing students to work for two years, rather than one year, after their graduation, and spending $72 million over two years to increase processing of parent and grandparent applications and to cover integration costs once they arrive in Canada. [http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_1326876,001600060001.htm (HindustanTimes)]
*General Electric pays $1.4 billion cash and assumes $1 billion of debt fromBombardier as part of the deal for Bombardier Capital's Inventory Finance Division, whose four main units provide financing for snowmobiles, boats, trailers,recreational vehicle s andmanufactured housing . [http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid={88CF5207-1538-4E50-96D6-155CDCA565DB}&siteid=mktw&dist= (MartketWatch)]
* As part of Prince Rupert's port expansion,CN Rail is increasing its upgrades from $15 million to $30 million and acquiring $125 million in newlocomotives androlling stock . [http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/news/business/story.html?id=90fc358e-cb62-4a45-81db-929afaeca8f0 (Edmonton Journal)]
*Telus is beginning lock out measures against theTelecommunications Workers Union despite four years of negotiations which included federal conciliators and mediators. [http://www.canada.com/vancouver/story.html?id=45b97c72-838f-4b1f-801a-9994facb02a9 (CP)]April 17 2005 *
Alberta n transportation ministerLyle Oberg announces plans to require truck drivers to train as professionals. The 37-week pilot program will be run throughRed Deer College incentral Alberta . [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=737&e=5&u=/cpress/20050417/ca_pr_on_na/professional_truckers (CP)]April 16 2005 * Calgary police have begun a letter campaign which they hope will help address the increasing problem of road rage. When incidents are reported by citizens a letter is sent to the alleged offender they are still accountable for their actions. This has raised some concern over privacy and potential abuse of the system. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/16/calgary-rage-050416.html (CBC)]
April 15 2005 * In
Vancouver , an agreement on sharinggas tax revenue is signed by PMPaul Martin , BC PremierGordon Campbell and theUnion of British Columbia Municipalities . The deal will bring about $630 million to BC municipalities. However, Vancouver mayorLarry Campbell warns that the deal must first be approved by the Cabinet and the Treasury Board and a federal election might kill the deal. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1113573062790_17/?hub=Canada (CTV)] [http://www.canada.com/vancouver/story.html?id=deb2bb08-ec5c-4a78-a838-f3e39da7e117 (CP)]
*The Boston Globe retracts a story about the opening of the seal hunt on the east coast where the reporter Barbara Stewart falsely reported events of the day. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/15/sealgloberetract-050415.html (CBC)]
* InPrince Rupert, British Columbia , the federal government and provincial government are each putting $30 million towards expanding the port facilities to cope with the surge in trade withChina . The New Jersey-basedport operator will put $60 million towards the project and CN Rail will spend at least $15 million to match their facilities to the upgrades. [http://www.canada.com/vancouver/story.html?id=9675d010-658d-445b-bf6c-375db14edd14 (CP)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050416/RPORT16/TPBusiness/Canadian (Globe&Mail)]
*U.S.-Canada softwood lumber dispute :Minister of International Trade (Canada) Jim Peterson announces that the federal government will give $20 million to Canadiansoftwood lumber associations for its legal expenses in fighting its trade dispute with the United States. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/04/15/softwood-050415.html (CBC)]April 14 2005 * Influential writer
Jane Jacobs wins the fifth annual Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing from theWriters' Trust of Canada for her bookDark Age Ahead . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/04/14/Arts/jacobsprize050414.html (CBC)] [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1113443614997_55/?hub=Canada (CTV)]
* A member of Canada's elite military unitJoint Task Force 2 , who disappeared several years ago, reappeared at a Canadian embassy inBangkok . His disappearance was of special concern because of his special knowledge ofexplosives ,land mine s andbooby traps . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/14/paisleyjtf2-050414.html (CBC)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050415/SOLDIER15/TPNational/Canada (Globe&Mail)]April 13 2005 * The
Government of Alberta 's 2005 budget is tabled in theLegislative Assembly of Alberta byfinance minister Shirley McClellan . The debt-free government expects a $1.5 billion surplus in the comingfiscal year , although that could increase if energy prices reach expected levels. [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=1845&e=15&u=/cpress/20050413/ca_pr_on_na/altabudget (CP)]
* Prominentwhite supremacist and founder of theHeritage Front ,Wolfgang Droege , is shot to death in his apartment. One suspect is arrest at the scene. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1113430343180_108839543/?hub=Canada (CTV)]
* The Liberals present itsKyoto Protocol plan to the House of Commons. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/news/national/2005/04/13/kyoto050415.html (CBC)]
*David Kilgour , the LiberalMember of Parliament representing Edmonton-Beaumont quits theLiberal Party of Canada . He will sit as a Liberal-leaning Independent. [http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=c128ea7a-baf0-4466-ad5d-682c4686df9f (OttawaCitizen)]
* Through theCanadian Debt Initiative , Canada is cancelling the debt owed to it by the highly-impoverished nations ofRwanda ,Zambia andHonduras . [http://www.fin.gc.ca/news05/05-026e.html (Dept. of Finance)]
* A study published in theCanadian Medical Association Journal shows that Aboriginal Canadians are four times as likely to suffer a serious injury and twice as likely to die from them than non-native Canadians. The study considers status-only Aboriginal. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050413/ABORIGINAL13/TPHealth/ (Globe&Mail)]April 12 2005 *
Same-sex marriage in Canada : the government'sBill C-38 survives a vote, 164-132, on awrecking amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman, introduced by theConservative Party of Canada . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/12/samesexvote050412.html (CBC)] , [http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/04/041205canVote.htm (365gay.com)]
* Kelly Ellard Trial: In her third trialKelly Ellard is found guilty of second-degree murder in the 1997 death of 14-year-oldReena Virk . The court still has to decide how long she will have to serve before being eligible to apply for parole. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/12/Ellardverdict-050412.html (CBC)]
* The B.C. Supreme Court awards $130,000 in compensation to apedestrian who, while crossing at an intersection, was hit by acyclist . [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/12/bicycle-judgment050412.html (CBC)]
* A former inspector for theUnited States Department of Agriculture testifies to aCanadian House of Commons committee that officials in the U.S. are covering upmad cow disease incidences. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050412.wcoww0412/BNStory/National/ (Globe&Mail)]April 11 2005 * The roster for Team Canada at the Men's World Championship of hockey is announced. [http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?ID=121296&hubName=canadian_hockey (TSN)]
* The BC Supreme Court rules that a 14-year-old girl, who is aJehovah's Witness , cannot refuse a blood transfusion as part of her cancer treatment even if it is against her religious beliefs. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1113320951170_108730151/?hub=Canada (CTV)]
* A new Ekos poll estimates the Conservatives to have the support of 36.5% of decided voters, while the Liberals are down to 25%. TheNew Democratic Party was at 20.5% support while the "Bloc Québécois " was at 12.6%. The poll represents the lowest level of support the Liberal Party has had since taking office in1993 , and is the first time the newly-merged Conservative Party has had a statistical lead. [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050411/wl_canada_nm/canada_politics_col&e=2 (Reuters)]
* Four class-action lawsuits are being coordinated against the government ofCanada and an Australian-based feed maker seeking $7 billion on behalf of 100,000 farmers inAlberta ,Saskatchewan ,Ontario , andQuebec . The suit claims a federal monitoring system lost track of 80 imported cattle, one of which was infected withmad cow disease and later ground into feed for other cattle. The suit targets the Australian-based feed maker for selling feed that was possibly contaminated and also targets Canada for allowing the Canadian farmers to buy feed that contained ground cattle brains and spinal cords. [http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n041117A (Maclean's)] [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/11/madcow-lawsuit050411.html (CBC)]
* A Quebecshock jock is being ordered to pay $340,000 in moral damages,punitive damages , and legal fees after losing adefamation lawsuit brought on by a weather reporter who was disrespected on-air. The original lawsuit sought $750,000. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1113236946047_108646146/?hub=Canada (CTV)]April 10 2005 * After finishing in a six-way tie for first with an 8-3 record, Canada won the Men's Curling Championship with a 4-0 playoff record. Scotland placed second with Germany in third. [http://www.worldcurling.org/Curlhome/Results/2004-2005/WCC-M/ (World Curling Federation)]
* Certain 128 mLPresident's Choice Baby Foods jars are being recalled due to a problem with the seals. [http://www.halifaxlive.com/artman/publish/babyfood_100405_8787.shtml (Halifax Live)]April 9 2005 *At the
2005 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships , after going undefeated in the tournament, Canada lost the gold medal match to the United States in a shootout with a score of 3-1. The 60 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime ended scoreless 0-0 which forced the shootout. Canada had not given up a single goal before the shootout. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/04/09/Sports/cda-us_goldmedal050409.html (CBC)]April 8 2005 * After adding 4400 new jobs in March, Canada's
unemployment rate fell to a 4-year low of 6.9%. However, the new employment is almost solely part-time jobs and the drop in the overall rate is attributed to fewer people looking for employment. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/04/08/jobs-050408.html (CBC)]
* In a study of 22 national governments by Accenture Consulting, theGovernment of Canada is ranked first in terms ofcustomer service inegovernment services. [http://www.itworldcanada.com/Pages/Docbase/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=idgml-81a443a2-f6e6-4c9e-bec2-c880b35ae691&News=Daily%20ITwire&title=Canada%20achieves%20top%20e-government%20service%20ranking (itWorldCanada)] [http://www.accenture.com/xd/xd.asp?it=enweb&xd=industriesgovernmentinsightsleadership_customerservice.xml&c=gov_cusrvilc_0405&n=ghome (Accenture)]
* Aclass-action lawsuit against the federal government, the province ofOntario , and the City of Toronto is being heard. The suit seeks $600 million in damages based on the decision to lift anti-SARS measures shortly after theWorld Health Organization issued a travel advisory against the city. [http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=9048af0e-9e7d-40ae-ae97-4c65630a44fa (CP)]April 7 2005 *
Scotiabank is suingArgentina for US$650 million claiming the Argentine Central Bank discriminated against the Canadian bank during Argentina's banking crisis. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/04/07/scotia-050407.html (CBC)]
* The CBC will cease its operations withNewsworld International on July 31, 2005. The news channel was bought by a group led byAl Gore and will be rebranded to target Americans aged 18-34 years old. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/04/07/nwi-050407.html (CBC)]
* An eight year study on public health and obesity in Canada is published. It ranksVancouver as the slimmest city and Saskatoon as the most overweight city. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2005/04/07/obesity-canada050407.html (CBC)] [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050408/HOBESITY08/TPHealth/ (Globe&Mail)]
* Representatives of the government of Canada withdraw from a business conference withIran in protest of the case of deceased journalistZahra Kazemi . Kazemi died in Iranian police custody and Iranian refugee doctorShahram Azam says that she had extensive injuries and had been tortured. Iranian officials deny the charges. Canada has unsuccessfully demanded return of Kazemi's body [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1112815017379_16/?hub=Canada (CTV)] [http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=30756&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs (IranMania)] [http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=30705&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs (IranMania)] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4418907.stm (BBC)]April 6 2005 * Conservative leader
Stephen Harper says he will not join the "Bloc Québécois " andNew Democratic Party and defeat a Liberal budget bill later this month. Such a defeat would have constituted avote of no confidence and forced the39th Canadian federal election . [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=1845&e=1&u=/cpress/20050406/ca_pr_on_na/sponsorship_election (CP)]April 5 2005 * The Drug Expenditure in Canada: 1985-2004 report released today says that Canadians are spending 500% as much money on drugs today than in 1985 and 8.8% more than one year ago. About 80% of drug expenditure goes towards
prescription drugs while the other 20% is spent on non-prescription drugs. [http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2005/05/c2110.html (NewsWire Group)]
*Canadian federal budget, 2005 : ConservativeMembers of Parliament are pressuring leaderStephen Harper to join the "Bloc Québécois " andNew Democratic Party and defeat a Liberal budget bill later this month. Such a defeat would constitute avote of no confidence and force the39th Canadian federal election . [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=1845&e=6&u=/cpress/20050404/ca_pr_on_na/sponsorship_election (CP)]
* TheRoyal Canadian Geographical Society and theCanadian Geographic magazine have launched a free,bilingual , web-basedatlas ofCanada . [http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050405.gtmapp0405/BNStory/Technology/ (Globe&Mail)] [http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/intro.aspx?lang=En# (Canadian Geographic)]April 4 2005 *
Sponsorship scandal : Over the weekend testimony from Jean Brault that was under a publication ban was published on Americanblog s. Justice Gomery has no jurisdiction over these blogs, but Canadians who go so far as to publish the blog's web address could still faceprosecution and jail time. [http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2005/04/04/981723-sun.html (Winnipeg Sun)]April 3 2005 * Former immigration minister
Judy Sgro launches a new legal action against deportedpizza store ownerHarjit Singh , whose allegations of influence-peddling caused Sgro to resign and sue Singh fordefamation . Sgro is challenging Singh's right to quietly sell his upscale home to his daughter and son-in-law — she is seeking $50,000, along with a court declaration annulling the property transfer. Sgro claims the sale was afraud ulent attempt to hide Singh's assets. [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=1845&e=9&u=/cpress/20050403/ca_pr_on_na/sgro_singh_lawsuit (CP)]April 2 2005 *Quebec student strike: The government and the main student federations come to an agreement whose adoption is strongly recommended to individual associations, who will vote on during the week. [http://radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Index/nouvelles/200504/02/003-Etudiants-entente.shtml Radio-Canada(fr)]
April 1 2005 *
Cuba reopens its border to Canadian cattle after being closed for two years. [http://calgary.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ca-mad-cow-cuba20050331 (CBC Calgary)]
*Ontario andQuebec are joiningManitoba in their opposition to a water diversion project inNorth Dakota that could contaminate the north-flowing Red River. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050401.wdevil1/BNStory/National/ (Globe&Mail)]
*A man inCalgary is in a hospital with non-life threatening injuries after jumping off the roof of a 40-storey building and smashing windows on the 24th and 5th storeys on the way down. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1112393614225_107802814/?hub=Canada (CTV)]News collections and sources
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* — This has much of the same material organised in a hierarchical manner to help encourage in our news reporting.
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