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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he was “as shocked as” British Columbia Premier David Eby after a agency obtained Well being Canada licence amendments to supply and promote cocaine.
Mr. Trudeau mentioned Friday that the federal authorities was “working in a short time” with Adastra Labs of Langley, B.C., “to appropriate the misunderstanding” brought on by the corporate’s assertion saying it was commercializing cocaine as a part of its enterprise mannequin.
Throughout a information convention in Winnipeg, Mr. Trudeau mentioned Adastra didn’t have permission to promote cocaine on the “open market,” whereas Well being Canada mentioned the agency may solely promote to different licence holders.
Mr. Trudeau mentioned commercializing decriminalized cocaine “shouldn’t be one thing that this authorities is furthering.”
“I used to be as shocked because the premier of British Columbia was to see that an organization was speaking about promoting cocaine on the open market or commercializing it,” he mentioned, including that Adastra’s licence was “not a permission to promote it commercially or to offer it on an open market.”
The general public uproar started after B.C. Opposition chief Kevin Falcon raised the difficulty throughout Query Interval within the provincial legislature on Thursday.
In response, Mr. Eby mentioned he was “astonished” by the information, and the province had not been notified or consulted by Well being Canada on the matter.
The Canadian Press studies right here.
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TODAY’S HEADLINES
CERB AUDIT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RECIPIENTS – An inner Canada Income Company audit of greater than $5-billion in CERB and different emergency funds through the pandemic has decided that about 65 per cent went to ineligible recipients who should pay again the cash. Story right here.
GANG VS. JOLY AT G20 MEETING – China’s Overseas Minister, Qin Gang, took his Canadian counterpart, Mélanie Joly, to activity throughout a G20 assembly this week over allegations his nation interfered in Canadian politics, as lawmakers in Ottawa proceed to push for a public inquiry that might be deeply embarrassing for Beijing. Story right here.
CSIS SEEKING THOSE WHO LEAKED INFORMATION ON CHINA’S ELECTION INTERFERENCE – The pinnacle of Canada’s spy service says an investigation is beneath solution to discover those that leaked extremely categorized info on Chinese language election interference, and advised the whistleblowers might have been annoyed by the federal authorities’s dealing with of Beijing’s intrusion into the democratic course of. Story right here.
POILIEVRE ATTACK ON ANDERSON RISKS HELPFUL SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATIVE LEADER, SAYS MEETING ORGANIZER – Federal Conservative Chief Pierre Poilievre dangers shedding the backing of trucker convoy supporters for criticizing a controversial German politician thought-about a folks hero of the motion, says one of many organizers of a lunch with the politician attended by three Tory MPs. Story right here.
KEY FISHERY SURVEY CANCELLED – A “good storm” of provide chain delays and the breakdown of a decrepit Coast Guard science vessel has led to the cancellation of a key industrial fish-stock survey that helps Newfoundland and Labrador’s $1-billion fishery. Story right here.
LACK OF CANADIAN CORONATION PLANS TROUBLES MONARCHISTS – Monarchists in Canada say they’re troubled by the truth that the federal authorities hasn’t mentioned but how the nation will have a good time King Charles’s coronation – a historic occasion for the top of state that’s simply two months away. Story right here from CBC.
ONTARIO LIBERALS REGROUP? – As Ontario’s embattled provincial Liberals ready to fulfill this weekend in Hamilton, The Agenda on TVO right here convenes a panel to contemplate what renewal may seem like for a celebration that has, in six years, gone from authorities to 3rd place within the provincial legislature.
THE STORY OF ROXHAM ROAD – Asylum seekers face an extended journey to freedom alongside Roxham Highway, however, whereas it may possibly really feel like a end line, in reality it’s one more starting – the lengthy and drawn-out, years-long technique of a refugee claimant in Canada. Story right here.
LUCKI DROPS PLANS TO SPEAK AT CONFERENCE – The retiring head of Canada’s nationwide police pressure will now not converse at an upcoming policing convention in Dubai. Story right here from CTV.
TOEWS MUM ON CONTINUING IN POLITICS – Travis Toews, the one finance minister that Alberta’s United Conservatives have ever had, save for a handful of months when the first-term politician stepped apart to problem for the management of the social gathering, is remaining mum on whether or not he’ll run in Alberta’s spring election. Story right here.
THIS AND THAT
ON A BREAK – Each Parliament and the Senate are on breaks, with the Home of Commons returning on March 6 and the Senate on March 7.
MINISTERS ON THE ROAD –Official Languages Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, in Vancouver, participated in a information convention with B.C. Training Minister Rachna Singh at which they introduced greater than $13.5-million in funding to assist prepare, recruit, and retain French lecturers in British Columbia. Psychological Well being Minister Carolyn Bennett and Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino, in Toronto, introduced funding for packages that may assist the psychological well being of these most affected by COVID-19 in Ontario. Worldwide Commerce Minister Mary Ng, in Markham, Ont., introduced the subsequent steps of the CAN Well being Community, together with its nationwide enlargement. Indigenous Providers Minister Patty Hajdu, in Thunder Bay, Ont., made an announcement about enhancing high-speed Web entry in rural Ontario.
TIKTOK AT BROADBENT INSTITUTE CONFERENCE – Amid authorities and political issues about TikTok, the Broadbent Institute is continuing with plans for the app operation to sponsor proceedings at their annual convention, the 2023 Progress Summit, in Ottawa subsequent week. Jen Hassum, govt director of the institute, mentioned on Friday that TikTok will observe by way of on a January dedication and sponsor the opening-night reception for the progressive assume tank based by former federal NDP Chief Ed Broadbent, who sits on its board. She declined to reveal the greenback quantity of the sponsorship. Their logos can even be displayed on the gathering in an Ottawa lodge.
All of this comes amidst the federal authorities asserting TikTok might be banned from government-issued cellular units in response to privateness and safety issues. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Quebec have all enacted comparable bans. There’s a Globe and Mail Explainer right here. Federal Conservative Chief Pierre Poilievre and NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh have additionally paused their use of TikTok. However Ms. Hassum mentioned the Broadbent Institute is taking a wait-and-see strategy, following developments carefully and authorities suggestions. “Definitely if there may be new info or directives, we’ll reply appropriately,” she mentioned.
PRIME MINISTER’S DAY
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in Winnipeg, together with Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, met with mother and father to debate youngster care. Mr. Trudeau and Ms. Stefanson then introduced Manitoba will obtain a mean of $10-a-day regulated youngster care on April 2, 2023. Story right here. Mr. Trudeau then visited well being care employees at a neighborhood hospital. Within the morning, an interview with Mr. Trudeau aired on Radio-Canada Manitoba’s 6 à 9 with Patricia Bitu Tshikudi in addition to on CBC Radio One Winnipeg’s Info Radio with Marcy Markusa.
LEADERS
Bloc Québécois Chief Yves-François Blanchet continued a tour of the Magdalen Islands scheduled to run by way of to Sunday for the 2023 Rendez-vous Loup-Marin or seal pageant.
Inexperienced Celebration Chief Elizabeth Might and Deputy Chief Jonathan Pedneault, in Winnipeg, participated in a Fridays For Future – International Local weather Strike climate-change occasion on the Manitoba legislature, and visited the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, in addition to the Louis Riel Monument. They had been scheduled to fulfill with supporters and the contestants for the management of the Manitoba Inexperienced Celebration.
NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh, within the Vancouver area, together with NDP MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby), meets with Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley.
Federal Conservative Chief Pierre Poilievre, in London, Ont., was scheduled to attend a meet-and-greet occasion with supporters.
THE DECIBEL
On Friday’s version of The Globe and Mail podcast, well being reporter Kelly Grant explains why docs are speaking about cystic fibrosis, which as soon as meant an early dying for sufferers, as a illness in transition. She additionally talks about the hope of a brand new future for hundreds of sufferers. This week, Cystic Fibrosis Canada launched its annual information report this week for 2021. A brand new drug, Trikafta, is preserving sufferers out of hospitals and off of transplant lists. The Decibel is right here.
OPINION
The Globe and Mail Editorial Board on Ottawa’s sounds of silence on election meddling: “The primary line of defence is to inform Canadians there’s nothing to see; the second, that there’s nothing that may be mentioned. They each miss the purpose that transparency is required – now – to keep away from eroding Canadians’ religion within the electoral course of. The Liberals, in fact, tried to painting this week’s report from the Vital Election Incident Public Protocol panel as proof all the pieces was hunky-dory within the 2021 vote. Certainly, the panel did conclude that whereas there have been makes an attempt at overseas interference, these efforts didn’t meet its (intentionally excessive) threshold of impairing election integrity. For the unschooled, that may translate as “hunky-dory.” However the panel’s report goes on to say the panel interpreted the protocol to imply that solely incidents that threatened the “integrity of the whole election” crossed the brink. Issues inside a using or ridings wouldn’t.”
Andrew Coyne (The Globe and Mail) on why we don’t want a public inquiry into overseas interference in Canadian elections : “We don’t, then, want a public inquiry into overseas interference in Canadian elections. What we’d like a public inquiry to look into is home complicity in overseas interference. An election in Canada shouldn’t be one thing that’s simply interfered with. You’ll be able to’t simply flip a change or hack into a pc. Hundreds of thousands of paper ballots forged in secret and counted by hand in many alternative areas with a number of layers of scrutiny imply the alternatives for interfering with the precise vote are severely restricted.”
John Ibbitson and Darrell Bricker (The Globe and Mail) on how inhabitants lower is irreversible so how will we handle the decline of humanity?: “As we speak, although completely different analysts provide completely different projections, the best-researched research predict that the planet’s inhabitants will begin to decline a while round or quickly after mid-century. The revelation that China, the world’s most populous nation, began shedding individuals final yr introduced the difficulty into sharper focus. In Empty Planet we wrote: “Inhabitants decline shouldn’t be a very good factor or a nasty factor. However it’s a huge factor.” 4 years on, we’ve modified our minds. We consider that inhabitants decline is a really dangerous factor, one that would outline our future. If, that’s, we’ve got a lot of a future left.”
Adrienne Clarkson (Contributed to The Globe and Mail) on how if Canada loses its citizenship ceremonies, we threat shedding ourselves: “Now, there are studies that as a way to do away with an administrative backlog, new residents might be given the choice to take their oath on-line, slightly than in a bodily ceremony. Frankly, I’m horrified by this. I consider that folks need ceremonies to mark necessary passages of their lives. I believe welcoming individuals in individual is the least we will do as a rustic. I really feel that the individuals who work on the ministry perceive that, and that they do put a human face on it as a lot as they’ll.”
Kirsty Duncan (Contributed to The Globe and Mail) on some leaders working for the hills as some athletes name for a nationwide sport inquiry: That is the time for management. We’re seeing it from athletes and from courageous sport leaders who’re taking a stand. However we must be seeing it from everybody. Management entails a willingness to face uncomfortable truths. It additionally means dealing with the truth that the system is outdated and in determined want of revamping in relation to secure sport, funding and governance. With out a nationwide inquiry, our strategy to resolving hurt towards athletes will stay targeted on symbolic compliance, avoiding authorized legal responsibility, and defending reputations and legacies.”
Michael Wolfson (Contributed to The Globe and Mail) on how a lot cash does Canada’s well being system actually need?: “The provinces have additionally argued that they want more cash as a result of well being care is so costly. However with out significant accountability measures, Canadians have no idea whether or not the provinces are spending on well being care prices in an environment friendly method. Certainly, proof suggests they aren’t: Internationally, Canada spends extra per capita on well being care than many different OECD international locations, however performs very poorly.”
Shachi Kurl (The Ottawa Citizen) on why Canadians want actual solutions on allegations of election meddling by China: “There’s a sincerity that’s been missing in a lot of the official response we’ve heard over the previous few weeks. Most Canadians don’t deny the end result of the final two elections. That doesn’t, nonetheless, imply they don’t have critical questions on what might need been tried, or what may be tried subsequent. Dismissing these questions as outdated hat or as overwrought concern shouldn’t be respectful. The safety of our democracy is simply too necessary to not demand accountability and transparency. Any actor not on board with that — political or institutional — dangers engendering additional mistrust in democracy’s most elementary tenet: elections.”
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