Vancouver Island University sues Gaza protesters as deadline to leave expires
By: Nono Shen
NANAIMO, B.C. (CP) – Vancouver Island University says it has “regrettably” launched legal action against pro-Palestinian protesters, who it says ignored a trespass notice and a deadline to leave their encampment at the campus in Nanaimo, B.C.
The university says in a statement that it has retained external counsel and filed a notice of civil claim in the B.C. Supreme Court, seeking an injunction against the camp and damages from the protesters.
The move comes after the university last Thursday issued a trespass notice, saying legal action would be launched if the camp that has been in place since May 1 was not dismantled by 8 a.m. Monday.
The university says the encampment’s “continued presence” left them disappointed and forced them to take action to ensure the safety and well-being of the campus community.
The protesters say in a post on social media platform Instagram that they remain “steadfast” and that by issuing the deadline the university chose to put students at risk, “to villainize them and punish them for using their right to protest.”
They say the university is “supposed to encourage critical thoughts” but is instead threatening students.
CBC/Radio-Canada board approves bonuses for 2023-24, but will review performance pay
By: Mickey Djuric
OTTAWA (CP) – The board of directors for CBC and Radio-Canada has approved bonuses for some staff for work they did in the most recent fiscal year, despite members of Parliament saying it would be inappropriate to do so after hundreds of jobs were eliminated.
The decision was posted on the public broadcaster’s website last month following a meeting of the board of directors.
CBC would not disclose how much money was paid out to the 1,194 eligible employees for the 2023-24 fiscal year, with spokesman Leon Mar saying in a statement that the information is part of “internal financial operations.”
The public broadcaster has said the money is performance pay and counts toward some employees’ total compensation, as stipulated by contracts that promise payouts when certain company goals are met.
Nonetheless, its board acknowledged the optics of giving bonuses for the same fiscal year that saw 141 employees laid off and 205 vacant positions eliminated.
As a result, the board said it would launch a review of its compensation regime, including performance pay, for future years.
Trump shooting: Legault rectifies remarks that Quebec has no political violence
HALIFAX (CP) – Premier François Legault was forced to clarify remarks he made Monday when he appeared to forget recent history in asserting that Quebec politicians didn’t face political violence similar to the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters at the Council of the Federation meeting in Halifax, Legault said what happened over the weekend to Trump “is worrying for democracy in the United States” but “we don’t have that — violence against politicians, in Quebec.”
Legault’s comments had the leader of the Parti Québécois inviting the premier to brush up on the province’s history.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon noted that PQ leaders have twice been the targets of fatal attacks — in 1984 and most recently during the 2012 provincial election night.
Canada drops $9M on NYC luxury condo for consul general’s official residence
OTTWA (CP) – Canada has spent $9 million for a luxury condo in Manhattan to be used as the official residence for its consul general in New York.
Global Affairs Canada says a previous New York City residence purchased in 1961 isn’t up to code and doesn’t meet the department’s standards, but won’t say what is being done with it.
The deed to the new condo shows it was listed for more than $6.6 million USD and was sold last month to “His Majesty the King in right of Canada.”
The title of the buyer sparked a lively discussion in New York real estate circles about whether King Charles himself had bought the luxury home.
A listing for the unit in Steinway Tower, a building near the southern edge of Central Park known as the world’s thinnest skyscraper, shows it has three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms.
It boasts a wet bar, a powder room finished in jewel onyx and — as Canadian officials ramp up their entreaties ahead of the upcoming U.S. election — plenty of space for entertaining.
TC Energy’s US$15B Keystone XL claim thrown out by trade tribunal
By: Amanda Stephenson
CALGARY (CP) – TC Energy Corp.’s ill-fated Keystone XL pipeline has suffered a major blow after a trade tribunal decision that tossed out its claim to US$15 billion in damages.
The Calgary-based company launched the claim in 2021 to seek compensation after its proposed Keystone XL pipeline project was scuttled by U.S. President Joe Biden.
The claim was made under the legacy rules tied to the old North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, because of what TC Energy said was the U.S. government’s breach of its free trade obligations.
Keystone XL was a proposed crude oil transportation pipeline which would have carried oil from the oilsands of northern Alberta to the major U.S. crude storage hub at Cushing, Okla. and then on to Gulf Coast refineries.
But the project became a lightning rod for controversy and environmental and Indigenous activism, in addition to being subject to government flip-flops.
‘Balaclava rapist’ Larry Takahashi gets full parole more than 40 years after attacks
ABBOTSFORD (CP) – A serial sex offender known as the “balaclava rapist” for attacking 23 women in Edmonton more than 40 years ago has been granted full parole while he continues to serve three concurrent life sentences.
The Parole Board of Canada says 71-year-old Larry Takahashi has demonstrated prolonged stability at the home where he lives and he is “highly motivated to reintegrate safely back into society.”
He gained his nickname for wearing a ski mask during a series of attacks on women over several years in Edmonton before his arrest in 1983, which led to a guilty plea on 14 charges.
The board’s decision, made in Abbotsford, B.C., on June 25 but released to the media Monday, says Takahashi’s psychological assessment concludes his risk to reoffend either sexually or violently is “relatively low or well below average.”
It says that he has completed all recommended prison and community programs, has met regularly with a psychologist and remains open to counselling, if recommended.
His plan for full parole includes living in a home he has rented in a location not disclosed in the decision, and that he is able to support himself financially.