Work begins to fix problem spots on Calgary water main; restrictions to last weeks
CALGARY (CP) – Calgary’s mayor says work begins today to fix more problem spots on a major water main.
Jyoti Gondek says engineers and hydrologists used a robot last week to complete an inspection of the pipe that burst 12 days ago and discovered more “hot spots” in need of repair.
Gondek says the ruptured area has been fixed and work to repair the other spots could take three to five weeks.
The city declared a state of local emergency Saturday after the other problems were detected.
Gondek is repeating her pleas for Calgary’s 1.6 million residents and those in surrounding communities to limit their water use by 25 per cent to prevent the taps from running dry.
She says she’s grateful for support offered during the crisis from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Safety board says unregistered submersibles still operating since Titan
ST. JOHN’S (CP) – The Transportation Safety Board says other unregistered submersibles have been operating within Canadian waters since the Titan made its doomed descent to view the Titanic wreck one year ago.
The independent agency made the comments in a safety letter issued last week to Transport Canada, saying it’s unclear whether the vessels have been subject to proper oversight.
The letter to Transport Canada is part of an update the safety board released today on its investigation into the June 18, 2023, dive by the Titan submersible in the waters southeast of Newfoundland that killed all five people on board.
Titan was not registered or certified in Canada or elsewhere to ensure that it met safety standards, and marine engineers had warned that the “experimental” approach taken by the vessel’s owner — OceanGate — could have catastrophic consequences.
The safety board says that before and after June 2023, a number of submersibles with people on board have operated in Canadian waters and that some are registered in Canada or another country and some are not.
The board says it issued the June 13 letter to Transport Canada “for whatever followup action is deemed appropriate,” adding it would like to be advised about how the federal government responds to the issue.
Trudeau says Russia needs to be accountable for ‘genocide’ of taking Ukrainian kids
By: Nojoud Al Mallees
BURGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND (CP) – Russia must be held accountable for “an element of genocide” it’s perpetrating by taking thousands of Ukrainian children from their homes and trying to erase their Ukrainian identity, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday at the end of a global summit focused on restoring peace between the two countries.
More than 90 nations attended the two-day weekend summit, which aimed to spark discussions of a path toward ending the war that has dragged on since February 2022.
A joint statement signed by the bulk of participants called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement, but Trudeau’s primary focus was on Ukrainian children caught up in the conflict.
“Regardless of what a given person or a given country around the world might think of the causes of the war, or the responsibility that Russia wields, everyone can agree that taking kids away from their families, trying to erase their language, their culture — that’s an element of genocide,” Trudeau told reporters on Sunday morning.
“That’s pure colonialism. These are things that Russia needs to be accountable for.”
Trudeau stopped short of using the term when he was asked about allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Before departing, Trudeau participated in the closing news conference alongside Swiss President Viola Amherd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Trudeau still mum on whether Liberals among “witting” MPs who helped foreign states
SAVELLETRI DI FASANO (CP) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would not say Saturday whether Liberal MPs are among those accused in a recent spy watchdog report of helping foreign states.
The refusal comes after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May have both offered new, though somewhat conflicting insight into the findings of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.
The intelligence watchdog, composed of MPs and senators, said in a public report last week that some parliamentarians are “semi-witting or witting” participants in the efforts of foreign states to meddle in Canadian politics.
May says there is no suggestion that sitting MPs have put the interest of foreign states over Canada, but Singh says a number of members have provided help to foreign governments.
“I will allow Mr. Singh and Ms. May to speak for themselves,” Trudeau said when asked why the prime minister could not shed similar light on the unredacted findings.
Singh said previously that if the full report showed any New Democrat MP knowingly took part in meddling, he would remove them from caucus. He indicated Thursday, after reading it, that he would not be taking such action.
Trudeau was asked about whether any members of his party are named in the report, but would only say that concerns raised in the report have been referred to a national inquiry into foreign interference.
“I think it’s important that Canadians have confidence in our ability, collectively as a democracy, to defend the institutions and the processes around our elections and our democracy. That is why officials are engaging with the foreign interference inquiry to see how they can follow up on the NSICOP report,” Trudeau said.
Dangerously high temperatures coming to much of Ontario: Environment Canada
ONTARIO (CP) – A heat wave descending on parts of Ontario this week is expected to bring dangerously high temperatures and humidex values, Environment Canada warns.
The weather agency issued a heat warning starting Monday for an area that spans London to Ottawa, stretching up to Sault Ste. Marie and as far north as Fort Albany.
Temperatures in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa could feel as hot as 45 C with the humidity. Regions further north are also forecast to see humidex values that could feel like the low to mid 40s, Environment Canada said.
The high temperatures are made twice as likely due to ongoing effects of climate change, Climate Central, a U.S.-based non-profit group of scientists and communicators, wrote in a statement.
Meanwhile, the province’s Independent Electricity System Operator said Monday there will be enough electricity supply to meet the additional demand created by the heat wave.
Environment Canada said the hot air will move eastward later in the week, and has issued a special weather statement starting Wednesday for much of southern Quebec.
The agency is also forecasting a period of “very hot” and humid weather across most of New Brunswick beginning Tuesday, with temperatures that could reach 33 C and humidex values of about 40 C.
It said the health risks associated with heat illness are greater for older adults, infants and young children and other vulnerable groups.
‘Reminder of the people:’ Monument unveiled honouring victims of Manitoba crash
By: Brittany Hobson
DAUPHIN, MAN. (CP) – Mourners, dignitaries and first responders flocked to a western Manitoba park on Saturday afternoon for the unveiling of a monument commemorating the victims and survivors of a deadly bus crash that took place one year ago.
More than 200 people — including Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew — were on hand for the official unveiling in the city of Dauphin, with many setting up lawn chairs in CN park and others embracing under overcast skies.
Family members of the 17 victims spearheaded efforts to create a dedicated space where the public can pay their respects to those who died, as well as the seven seniors who survived.
“(The monument) celebrates some of the recoveries happening. We want to acknowledge that they were apart of the (crash),” said Lavonne Tyschinski, whose mother Shirley Novalkowski, 76, died at the scene of the collision.
The large, black monument bears a written description of the events of June 15, 2023, along with a list of the people killed and those who survived. A large grey heart with two sketches of clasped hands accompanies the written text. The space also includes a black bench inscribed with the victims’ names.
The bus was carrying 25 seniors from Dauphin to a casino near Carberry when it collided with a semi-trailer. The bus was on Highway 5 and crossing the Trans-Canada Highway at the time.
