Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon sworn in as labour minister, replacing O’Regan
OTTAWA (CP) – The federal Liberals’ new minister for labour and seniors is Steven MacKinnon, who most recently served as government House leader.
The Gatineau, Que., MP was sworn in at Rideau Hall on Friday morning alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon.
Outgoing labour minister Seamus O’Regan announced Thursday he was resigning from cabinet for family reasons, though he is staying on as a Newfoundland MP until the next federal election.
The modest tweak to Trudeau’s cabinet comes as questions swirl around the Liberals’ political future, following a surprising byelection loss in a long-held Toronto riding last month and speculation over whether a broader change-up is necessary.
MacKinnon acknowledged that the government needs to do a better job communicating its message to Canadians.
The full cabinet was expected to hold a brief virtual meeting on Friday for the first time since the byelection loss, which triggered some calls for Trudeau to step down.
MacKinnon was unequivocal when asked whether Trudeau should take time over the summer to consider if it’s time to quit.
More than 250 wildfires in B.C. as hot and dry weather persists
B.C. (CP) – More than 250 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as much of the province continues to bake under a heat wave that is expected to last into next week.
Cliff Chapman with the BC Wildfire Service said Thursday the province appeared to be “on the precipice of a very challenging 72 hours” with hot and dry weather, dry lightning and strong winds forecast.
Scores of new fires have started since Thursday.
The out-of-control Shetland Creek fire in the southern Interior is currently the only blaze considered a “wildfire of note,” meaning it is highly visible or poses a potential threat to public safety or infrastructure.
The blaze spans more than 57 kilometres square, up from about 50 on Thursday.
The surge in wildfire activity comes as Environment Canada maintains 29 heat warnings spanning most of the southern Interior and stretching up through central B.C. into the northeast, along with inland sections of the north and central coasts.
The weather office says much of the Interior is expected to see temperatures in the 30s over the coming days, along with overnight lows in the mid-teens.
‘Plane was just in flames’: Two dead, one hurt in crash at Tofino, B.C. airport
By: Darryl Greer
TOFINO, B.C. (CP) – Derek Michaels was walking along Long Beach in Tofino, B.C., when he saw a small plane appearing to struggle after takeoff, making sharp turns with a plume of smoke trailing behind one of its engines.
He said it then took a nosedive and disappeared behind a tree line, before “a big puff of smoke” rose from where the plane appeared to go down.
RCMP said in a statement that two people died and a third person was seriously injured in the crash at Tofino’s Long Beach Airport, next to the beach on Thursday.
Tofino RCMP said they were called to the scene at 12:48 p.m. and information is limited but it appears the six-seat aircraft may have suffered an engine fire during takeoff.
Police said in a news release the injured person was pulled from the plane after it crashed on the runway and was taken to hospital.
The other two occupants died at the scene.
Federal government announces $89 million for conservation projects across Canada
WEST VANCOUVER (CP) – The federal government is spending $89 million to fund 10 greenhouse gas emission reduction projects as the government works toward the goal of conserving 30 per cent of the country’s land and water by 2030.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault made the announcement in British Columbia on Thursday, where he said the “evidence of climate change is striking,” referencing extreme weather events including flooding, drought and “devastating” wildfire seasons.
He added that the projects are also aiding in the fight against climate change.
Guilbeault told the conference in West Vancouver that about $50 million of the funding is slated for major projects in the province. He later noted that some projects have been in the works for some time and have already put that money to use.
Other projects being funded through the federal Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund will take place in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.
Two men shot dead in Montreal, the city’s 19th and 20th homicides in 2024
MONTREAL (CP) – Montreal police have opened a homicide investigation after two men in their 30s were gunned down early Friday in the city’s St-Michel neighbourhood.
Police were alerted to gunshots on 25th Avenue near Robert Boulevard around 1:50 a.m.
Officers found two men at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both men were transported in critical condition to hospital where the pair, aged 33 and 34, were declared dead.
The major crimes unit is leading the investigation and forensic teams and investigators were on site today.
No arrests have been made in the killings — the 19th and 20th homicides reported in Montreal in 2024.
Top court says government can be held liable for making unconstitutional laws
OTTAWA (CP) – The Supreme Court of Canada says governments can be required to pay damages for making unconstitutional laws.
In a new ruling, a majority of the top court says governments have a limited liability for drafting and passing laws that are later found to violate the Charter.
The decision paves the way for a New Brunswick man to take the federal government to court over two laws passed by the former Conservative government in 2010 and 2012.
Joseph Power was convicted of two offences in the 1990s and applied for a pardon in 2013, but was denied and lost his job as a result of the convictions.
Elements of the laws that prevented him from getting a pardon were later declared unconstitutional and he’s now seeking a remedy.
The court’s ruling says governments can be held liable for laws that are clearly unconstitutional, were in bad faith or are an abuse of power.