The Liberal government says measures to monitor and assess foreign interference threats will be part of all future federal byelections, not just general elections. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Monday the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force (SITE) will be watching for signs of meddling in two September byelections: one in Quebec, … Read more
Groups representing minority communities are warning that a recently introduced law giving Canada’s intelligence agency and the federal government new powers to counter foreign interference is open to abuse. Bill C-70 received royal assent on June 20. The law introduces new criminal provisions against “deceptive or surreptitious acts” done “for the benefit of or in association … Read more
Several major brands have recalled certain heat pump models in Canada because they can switch from air conditioning to heating mode following a power interruption. The recall affects Daikin, Amana and Goodman brands. The recall doesn’t affect heat pumps installed for free through a P.E.I. government program for low-income homeowners, according to the province’s Department of Environment, Energy … Read more
Swedish EV battery manufacturer Northvolt says construction on its $7-billion plant on Montreal’s South Shore will continue, even as the company undergoes a “strategic review” of its activities. The review comes as global demand for electric vehicles has slowed, with both Ford and General Motors saying they would scale back their production of electric vehicles. … Read more
Chiquita Brands International must pay $38.3 million US in damages to the families of eight Colombian men killed by a paramilitary group in that country, a Florida jury said on Monday. In 2007, Chiquita was ordered by a U.S. court to pay a $25-million fine to settle criminal charges that it did business with the United … Read more
Canada’s leading research universities warn that a proposed foreign influence transparency registry could have an unintended “chilling effect” on international partnerships, meaning Canada misses out on cutting-edge opportunities. The U15 Canada universities are among several concerned voices urging MPs to adopt changes to the planned registry, a centrepiece of legislation being whisked through a House … Read more
Quirks and Quarks11:40Killer whales are likely ramming boats because they’re bored and having fun When Renaud de Stephanis sees killer whales surround his boat off the coast of Spain, he isn’t afraid — he’s excited because it’s a chance to get some research done. When asked how often his boats have been hit by the … Read more
Natalie Sansone and her family are “not usually bug people” but the family has welcomed a rare pink grasshopper into their northeast London, Ont., home after finding it hopping across their driveway. Sansone and her husband, Ryan Seed, were walking home from school with their 3-year-old and 5-year-old on Tuesday afternoon when Seed spotted the pink … Read more
Claiming they destroyed his career to score political points after he was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, Lt.-Gen. Steven Whelan is suing his accuser, the federal government, Canada’s top soldier and other military officials for $10 million in damages. Military prosecutors withdrew the service offence charges against Whelan last year. He was accused by … Read more
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away a Canadian former Guantanamo Bay detainee’s bid to vacate his convictions for the 2002 murder of an American soldier in Afghanistan and other crimes he committed at age 15 to which he later pleaded guilty. The justices declined to hear an appeal by Omar Khadr, 37, of a … Read more
