Pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill’s downtown Montreal campus being dismantled
By: Joe Bongiorno
MONTREAL (CP) – Dozens of police in riot gear patrolled the gates of McGill University’s downtown Montreal campus on Wednesday as security forces began dismantling a pro-Palestinian encampment that has been on the school’s lower field since late April.
Protesters, some wearing black-and-while checkered kaffiyeh scarves around their heads, could be seen being escorted from what the university’s president called “a heavily fortified focal point for intimidation and violence, organized largely by individuals who are not part of our university community.”
In a statement, McGill president Deep Saini said the operation to clear the site began at about 4:45 a.m., when campers were warned that they would be removed from campus if they did not leave voluntarily. The university was dismantling the camp in “close collaboration” with the city and police, and through the “engagement of a qualified security firm.”
“This camp was not a peaceful protest,” Saini said.
A Montreal police spokesman said one person was arrested on Wednesday for assault on a security agent. Security escorted the person outside the campus gates where Montreal police officers made the arrest.
U.S. President Joe Biden to host world leaders for dinner at NATO summit
By: Kelly Geraldine Malone
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CP) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was set to meet with his NATO counterparts Wednesday ahead of a dinner at the White House, where the U.S. president is expected to host leaders of the defensive alliance.
Concerns over Joe Biden’s health and the possibility of a second Donald Trump presidency have already cast a shadow over the three-day leaders’ summit in Washington, D.C.
Biden delivered a clear and forceful speech at NATO’s 75th anniversary celebration Tuesday evening at a critical time for the Democratic leader and for stability in his party.
Trudeau did not answer a question from reporters Tuesday about whether he has concerns with the president’s health.
The prime minister is facing his own pressures during the summit, where Ukraine’s ongoing battle with Russia is taking top billing.
There has also been increasing pressure from American politicians, who are publicly taking note of the fact Canada is falling far short of its defence spending commitments
Hurricane Beryl’s remnants bring rainfall warnings for Ontario and Quebec
TORONTO (CP) – The remnants of Hurricane Beryl drenched Ontario in heavy rain and was moving into Quebec as Environment Canada warned of possible “torrential” downpours lasting into Thursday.
The weather agency has issued rainfall warnings for the regions, saying amounts will be variable, but some areas may see up to 80 millimetres.
It says conditions should improve by Thursday, but there could be flash floods on roads and localized flooding.
The weather pattern comes as a blistering heat wave caused by a ridge of high pressure from northern California continues to slowly roll across Western Canada.
Environment Canada issued dozens of heat warnings across most of Saskatchewan on Tuesday, saying extreme temperatures are expected to persist the rest of the week before cooling slightly over the weekend.
Fort Nelson First Nation orders remote B.C. site evacuated by boat due to wildfire
FORT NELSON, B.C. (CP) – The Fort Nelson First Nation in northeast British Columbia has issued a wildfire evacuation order for a remote riverside reserve, telling residents and visitors they must immediately leave by boat.
The First Nation said the order covered the Kahntah Reserve, which is a few kilometres south of an out-of-control fire that was discovered on Monday.
The BC Wildfire Service said on its online dashboard that the blaze, measuring five hectares in size, was believed to have been caused by lightning.
The evacuation order comes as the service announces a provincewide campfire ban, with the exception of the Haida Gwaii Forest District, which will take effect on Friday because of the increased risk of wildfire starts from current and forecasted weather conditions.
The Fort Nelson First Nation issued a state of local emergency for the Kahntah Reserve on Tuesday, saying the fire was in “close proximity” and there was an “imminent threat to life or property.”
Ontario reports 9 cases of listeriosis in outbreak linked to plant-based milk recall
By: Nicole Ireland
(CP) – Nine people in Ontario have become sick with listeriosis and five have been hospitalized in an outbreak that triggered a national recall of certain plant-based milks, the province’s top doctor said on Tuesday.
While the cases reported so far are all in Ontario, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is urging people across the country not to drink refrigerated Silk oat, almond, coconut or almond and cashew milk and Great Value almond milk with expiry dates up to and including Oct. 4., as they could be contaminated with Listeria bacteria.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said people should check their fridges for the recalled products and immediately throw them out or return them to where they were purchased.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says products contaminated with Listeria may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.
Head-on crash kills family of three, including infant, in Agassiz, B.C.
AGASSIZ, B.C. (CP) – RCMP say a family of three, including a baby, has been killed in a head-on crash with a tractor trailer in Agassiz, B.C.
Police say it happened early Tuesday morning on Lougheed Highway just outside the community.
The two adults in the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene, and the infant was airlifted to hospital but died a few hours later.
Police say alcohol or drugs are not suspected as a cause and they are working with a collision reconstruction team to determine what led to the crash.
The driver in the semi was not injured.
