Five stories in the news for Thursday, Feb. 28
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WILSON-RAYBOULD’S PLACE IN LIBERAL PARTY AT RISK AFTER SNC-LAVALIN TESTIMONY
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s reconsidering Jody Wilson-Raybould’s future in the Liberal party after her bombshell testimony before the House of Commons justice committee. The former justice minister and attorney general accused Trudeau, his senior staff and Canada’s top civil servant of hounding her to interfere in the criminal prosecution of SNC Lavalin. She testified yesterday that she believes Trudeau shuffled her out the justice portfolio last month because she refused to give in to pressure — and even “veiled threats” — to order a halt to a criminal prosecution of SNC Lavalin.
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ANDREW SCHEER CALLS FOR JUSTIN TRUDEAU’S RESIGNATION
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is calling on Justin Trudeau to resign immediately over the SNC Lavalin scandal. He says it’s clear the prime minister has lost the moral authority to govern and that the RCMP need to open a criminal investigation into the matter. Trudeau quickly rebuffed the demand as he touted his government’s record defending jobs and “the independence of our judiciary.” Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is repeating his call for a public inquiry and an investigation by the Mounties into the SNC Lavalin affair.
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CANADIAN MP RAISES MEXICO-U.S. SIDE DEAL
Canada and Mexico are dealing with lingering hard feelings over last summer’s surprise Mexican trade deal with the United States as their new continental trade pact awaits a final stamp of political approval. Two weeks ago, the head of a visiting delegation of Canadian parliamentarians told the newly installed Mexican foreign minister his country threw Canada “under the bus” last August when it forged a bilateral trade deal with the United States during the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
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CASE OF VAN ATTACK SUSPECT DUE IN COURT
The case of a man accused killing 10 people by driving a van along a busy sidewalk in Toronto is expected in court today. Alek Minassian, of Richmond Hill, Ont., faces 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder in the attack last April. Police allege Minassian drove the van down a sidewalk on Yonge Street in the city’s north end, mowing down pedestrians.
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APPEAL DECISION FOR CALGARY COUPLE CONVICTED IN SON’S DEATH
A decision is expected today in the appeal of a Calgary couple found guilty of killing their diabetic teenage son. Emil and Rodica Radita are challenging a first-degree murder conviction two years ago in the death of 15-year-old Alexandru. Witnesses at their trial testified the boy was so neglected that he weighed just 37 pounds when he died in 2013 of complications from untreated diabetes and starvation.
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ALSO IN THE NEWS:
— Alberta Premier Rachel Notley holds Ottawa press conference after testifying before the Senate’s energy committee on Bill C-69.
— Environment Minister Catherine McKenna makes a green infrastructure announcement in Toronto
— NDP health critic Don Davies to unveil legislation to address escalating violence against health-care workers.
— Rights groups and the family of Yasser Ahmed Albaz, a 51 year-old Canadian citizen, speak in Ottawa about his detainment in Egypt
— The T-D Bank and CIBC hold conference calls to discuss first-quarter results.
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The Canadian Press
