By Canadian Press

In the news today, June 29

Jun 29, 2018 | 2:30 AM

Five stories in the news for Friday, June 29

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DOUG FORD TO BE SWORN IN AS ONTARIO PREMIER

The Doug Ford era officially begins today in Ontario. He will be sworn in as premier about three weeks after leading his Progressive Conservatives to a sweeping victory in the provincial election. Ford is scheduled to be sworn in alongside his cabinet, then hold a second, public ceremony on the steps of the legislature during which he is expected to reaffirm his oath of office and deliver a speech.

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GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

10h ago

Imminent need

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

16h ago

International Spotlight

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

Dec 13, 2024

FEDS TO OUTLINE TARIFF STRATEGY TODAY

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland will be in Hamilton today to reveal the details of a federal plan to support steel and aluminum industries in the face of U.S. tariffs. Freeland is expected to lay out a complete and updated list of $16.6 billion dollars worth of retaliatory tariffs on American products and industries that Ottawa has said will take effect on Sunday. International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne will make a similar announcement in Quebec’s Saguenay region.

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HEALTH MINISTERS WANT HELP WITH CANNABIS, PHARMACARE

Provincial and territorial health ministers say they’d like to explore a national pharmacare program and other initiatives — but only if the federal government pays its share. At their annual meeting in Winnipeg, several health ministers called on Ottawa to put up more money if it wants pharmacare, mental-health and opioid addiction programs. Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor and Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott will join the discussion today.

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OTTAWA HEARD OF HARPER’S U.S. VISIT BY ACCIDENT

The Trudeau government only found out by accident that former prime minister Stephen Harper plans to visit the White House next week in the midst of a looming Canada-U.S. trade war. One senior official says Harper bucked convention by not informing the Canadian government. It wasn’t clear Thursday whether the meeting is still scheduled to take place Monday — a day after Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on imports of a wide range of U.S. goods are set to come into effect.

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QUEBEC FACE-COVERING LAW SUSPENDED — AGAIN

A judge has ruled that Quebec’s law banning people from covering their faces when receiving or giving a public service cannot take effect until it goes through judicial review because of the irreparable harm it will cause Muslim women. This was the second time since December that a Quebec judge has suspended the controversial section of the province’s religious neutrality law, which is being challenged in court by a national Muslim group and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Finance Minister Bill Morneau speaks at a conference in Paris about women’s and girls’ empowerment.

— Treasury Board president Scott Brison will announce a new federal funding initiative for black youth.

— Activists will travel to towns along the U.S.-Canada border to build support for migrants crossing irregularly.

— The Bank of Canada will release its summer issue of the Business Outlook Survey and the Senior Loan Officer Survey.

— Sentencing in Edmonton for Brandon James Calahoo in the death of two-month old Raelyn Supernant in 2016.

— Canada’s Walk of Fame in Halifax will unveil a plaque honouring Viola Desmond.

The Canadian Press