By Canadian Press

In the news today, March 26

Mar 26, 2018 | 2:45 AM

Four stories in the news for Monday, March 26

———

FEDS READY TO RUSH DEMOCRATIC REFORM BILLS

After more than two years riding the brakes on a raft of promised reforms to election laws, the Trudeau government is preparing to put the pedal to the metal to get them in place in time for the 2019 election. With Elections Canada generally needing a year to implement changes to election rules, that leaves the government with just seven months to pass at least three bills — one of which hasn’t even been introduced yet, and another that’s been parked at the introductory stage for 16 months.

———

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

11h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

17h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU TO EXONERATE CHIEFS IN PARLIAMENT  

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to exonerate six First Nations chiefs who were executed by B.C.’s colonial government more than 150 years ago. The exoneration will happen in the House of Commons this afternoon. The chiefs were hanged after a deadly confrontation with white road builders during the so-called “Chilcotin War of 1864.” The Tsilhqot’in have long disputed the government’s authority to execute the chiefs as criminals, arguing the confrontation was an altercation between warring nations.

———

STUDY LOOKS AT CHANGES TO ALBERTA’S BOREAL FOREST

A new study suggests half of Alberta’s boreal forest could disappear in just over 80 years due to wildfires and climate change. The research, published today in the journal Ecosphere, looks at how vegetation could change based on the current rate of carbon emissions and climate change. It simulated wildfire using a model from Natural Resources Canada and data from the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute to determine what vegetation might grow back under future climates.  

———

JUNO AWARDS TAKE UPBEAT TONE IN VANCOUVER  

It was a night of positivity at the Juno Awards as the stars of Canadian music focused on celebrating the upsides of life. Host Michael Buble set the tone by announcing his wife’s third pregnancy — but other performers were quick to grab the tide of optimism. Gord Downie’s brothers accepted a posthumous award for the singer. And the Barenaked Ladies, who were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, performed with former bandmate Steven Page for the first time in nearly a decade.

———

ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Trent Butt goes on trial in St. John’s for the first-degree murder of his five-year-old daughter Quinn.

— Federal innovation and employment minister participate in a question-and-answer session with students and entrepreneurs in Montreal.

— Joshua Boyle, who was held hostage in Afghanistan, is to appear in Ottawa court, via video link, on sexual assault and other charges.

— The Senate national security committee hears witnesses on Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act as it relates to Canada’s borders.

— Women on the Hill gathering and reception in honour of International Women’s Day.

— Police hold gun amnesty news conference in Regina.

— Alberta government to announce funding to support women and children fleeing family violence.

— Provincial court criminal trial continues over the MV Marathassa bunker fuel spill in Vancouver’s English Bay in April 2015.

———

The Canadian Press