In the news today: Freedom Convoy trial resumes and GM workers launch strike

Videos played by both the Crown and the defence show appeals by Barber and Lich to keep the protest peaceful, calling it a movement motivated by love and thanking police for ensuring public safety as they demonstrated against COVID-19 public health measures.

The videos also show Lich and Barber call for people to come to Ottawa and “hold the line,” even as police ordered protesters to leave downtown streets.

The Crown is expected to lay out how the evidence supports its theory at the end of the trial.

The trial was initially scheduled to last only 16 days but, with only three days left to go, the Crown seems nowhere near the conclusion of its case.

Unifor members strike at four Ontario GM plants

Unifor workers have kicked off strike action at General Motors.

In a message on the union’s website, Unifor National President, Lana Payne says the bargaining team announced the move, affecting all unionized GM members at the Oshawa Assembly Complex and CCA Stamped Products, the St. Catharines Powertrain Plant and the Woodstock Parts Distribution Centre.

Her statement goes on to blame the strike on the company’s unwillingness to agree on the union’s pattern-bargaining demands on pensions and other supports for those retiring. She says there are also unresolved differences when it comes to making sure temporary part-time workers are given a clear path to permanent employment.

The strike includes approximately 4,280 autoworkers from Locals 222, 199 and 636.

General Motors issued an early morning statement via social media, saying “While we have made very positive progress on several key priorities,” “we are disappointed that we were not able to achieve a new collective agreement.” The statement also notes GM’s willingness to stay at the bargaining table.

Questions remain about CPA Canada split

Chartered Professional Accountants in Quebec and Ontario are still looking for answers about how the decision for their provincial oversight bodies to split from CPA Canada was made and what it means for the future of their profession.

In June, CPA Ontario and the Quebec CPA Order announced they would be exiting their agreement with CPA Canada, triggering an 18-month countdown to a split for which there’s no precedent.

The two departing organizations say the unification of the accounting profession will not be undone, and that they’re doing what’s best for their members, but CPA Canada says the decision puts the profession at risk.

“It makes me feel that there’s politics involved, and we’re just … pawns in this chess game,” said Ryan Lazanis, founder of Future Firm and a member of the Quebec CPA Order.

Lazanis said he’s cautiously optimistic. He agreed with some of the concerns raised by the provincial bodies, particularly the talk of helping the profession be more competitive and nimble. But he still has questions.

Saskatchewan legislature resumes over pronouns

The Saskatchewan Party government is prepared to introduce legislation this afternoon and invoke the notwithstanding clause over its pronoun policy in schools.

Premier Scott Moe has said the government’s legislation is to prevent those under the age of 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without parental consent.

He says using the notwithstanding clause of the Charter ensures the policy remains in place even though a judge granted an injunction to pause it.

Elected officials are to arrive at the legislature today to debate the government’s bill.

The Opposition NDP has said it may filibuster by sharing letters from people affected by the policy and what it calls Charter attacks.

Inside the battle over the Ring of Fire

On a rock-covered beach in the heart of the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario, Alex Moonias gazes east, then north. All he sees is undisturbed land, water and air.

Some 100kilometres from where he stands, the province plans to build a road as part of its pledge to mine the area, which is said to be rich in metals needed for electric vehicle batteries.

Moonias, an elder from Neskantaga First Nation, and many in his community see the provincial government’s ambitions for the Ring of Fire as an existential threat to their way of life.

“Mother Earth is hurting,” the 70-year-old says. “If a big needle is pushing into your body, how would you feel?”

The survivor of a residential school and, later, alcohol addiction, has heard government promises of prosperity related to developing the territory before. And he’s not convinced.

“The government has to come and see the land, or at least spend time with us,” he says, breathing in the morning air as water laps the rocky shoreline. “The gift the Creator gave us is to protect the land.”

P.E.I. piping plover numbers see a small increase

Post-tropical storm Fiona brought changes with it to Prince Edward Island’s beaches and shorelines, lending a helping hand to a tiny bird: the piping plover.

Parks Canada spokeswoman Lily McLaine says the number of piping plover chicks has seen a small increase this year.

She says there were 17 chicks born from 10 breeding pairs on the shores of P-E-I National Park this year.

While some of the beaches traditionally used by piping plovers as habitat were destroyed as Fiona swept through Prince Edward Island last year, she says other areas opened up because of shifting woody debris, stones and shells, creating suitable pockets for the birds to nest.

But the birds also face an ongoing threat from climate change.

McLaine says climate change has also brought about an increase in saltwater flooding on the beaches, which in turn could wash away nests and the birds’ ability to find food.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2023

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today: Freedom Convoy trial resumes and GM workers launch strike

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