The Morning Update newsletter will pause on Friday for Easter, but will return on Monday.
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The Ontario Court of Appeal has strongly criticized a ruling made by the newest member of the Supreme Court when she was a judge on a lower court.
Two years ago, Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin threw out an acquittal and ordered a new trial in an alleged sexual assault saying in her ruling that the judge who had originally decided the case used “myth-based reasoning” – specifically, for saying that sexual assault is something that happens in private, not public.
But a panel of the Ontario Court of Appeal said yesterday that the judge had not engaged in myth-based reasoning at all, and never said sexual assault happens only in private. The court also listed a half-dozen major errors it said Justice O’Bonsawin had made in her ruling.
Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin delivers a speech as she is welcomed during a ceremony at the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov 28, 2022.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
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Ottawa didn’t disclose large contract to consulting firm for loan program
New figures show that the federal government’s contract with consulting firm Accenture Inc. on the Canada Emergency Business Account program has cost a total of $146-million.
The Globe and Mail obtained this information through an access-to-information request with Export Development Canada after both the government and Accenture would not provide a complete value of the contract.
The contract is one of the government’s largest with a major consulting firm, and is raising renewed concerns about why it was never publicly disclosed.
Key Teck shareholder rebuffs Glencore’s takeover strategy
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., a major shareholder of Teck Resources Ltd., is refusing to meet with Glencore PLC to discuss a takeover proposal for Teck. Glencore CEO Gary Nagle said that he hoped to talk to Sumitomo to back its US$23.1-billion deal for Teck.
Sumitomo and the Keevil family together control Teck’s Class A shares, and both parties would need to agree to a deal before any takeover discussions would take place.
Earlier in the week, Keevil family patriarch Norman B. Keevil told The Globe and Mail that he had no interest in allowing the Vancouver-based company to be sold to Glencore, no matter what the price.
As jihadist attacks intensify in West Africa, troops train with Canadian soldiers
Heavily armed troops from Niger storm into a hotel and launch an operation to root out the terrorists who have taken over the building. Nearby, more soldiers take aim at a series of targets through their sniper scopes. Close by, a military medical unit is executing emergency-aid procedures.
These counterterrorism exercises are being conducted under the palm trees of a lush training site near the Gulf of Guinea, and under the watchful eyes of Canadian soldiers.
As countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso face continuous threats from Islamist militants, Canada has joined a U.S.-led campaign to halt the rapid expansion of the radical militias in West Africa.
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Also on our radar
Trump case likely to go into 2024: Donald Trump’s legal battle is almost certain to stretch into the 2024 presidential election season, leading to the possibility that the former U.S. president could be sitting in a courtroom at the same time as he’s trying to get back to the White House.
Former Scottish leader’s husband arrested in finance probe: The husband of Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister was arrested yesterday as part of a police investigation into the Scottish National Party’s finances. Police carried out an extensive search of the couple’s home in Glasgow, including looking through garbage cans and sections of the garden.
Vancouver authorities clear street encampment: Police and city staff in Vancouver removed the last remaining tents along East Hastings Street yesterday. City officials acknowledged that there are not enough spaces in homeless shelters, but the street encampment needed to be removed for safety reasons.
Wet, wintry weather hit parts of Canada: Snow, rain and ice storms sweeping through central and eastern Canada have left hundreds of thousands without power. Meanwhile, Environment Canada warned of nickel-sized hail in Niagara, Windsor and Hamilton, and said Winnipeg could see a dumping of 15 to 25 centimetres of snow.
Britain looks to Canada on hostage diplomacy: British lawmakers have pointed to Canada’s experience with China in freeing the “two Michaels” as a successful method in dealing with hostage diplomacy. The foreign affairs committee applauded Canada’s “radical approach” of working with the detained citizens’ families to bring international attention to the cases.
Trudeau leaving fate of 24 Sussex to commission: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said yesterday discussions about the fate of 24 Sussex Dr. are continuing within the National Capital Commission, which is responsible for official residences. The comments came after published documents from the commission say the residence has been overwhelmed with a rodent infestation that is so severe that the walls, attic and basement are filled with carcasses and excrement.
Morning markets
Markets cautious: Global stocks drifted on Thursday as traders awaited crucial U.S. jobs data that may add to mounting evidence of a U.S. slowdown and the likelihood of a global recession. Just after 5:30 a.m. ET, Britain’s FTSE 100 was up 0.42 per cent. Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 added 0.12 per cent and 0.11 per cent, respectively. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei closed down 1.22 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.28 per cent. New York futures were little changed. The Canadian dollar was lower at 74.16 US cents.
What everyone’s talking about
Lawrence Martin: “While this case might not go far, it was evident from Mr. Trump’s self-pitying diatribe at Mar-a-Lago after the arraignment that he knows and he fears that the worst is yet to come.”
Rob Carrick: “You should get one if you plan to buy your first home, but don’t expect much. FHSAs are symbolic of government impotence in doing anything to improve housing affordability that doesn’t result in prices surging higher.”
Today’s editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon by Brian GableIllustration by Brian Gable
Living better
Podcast: Fertility treatments can be a massive, unexpected cost. Here’s what you should know
Having a baby can be a huge physical, emotional and financial stress for those couples who deal with infertility. In this episode of the Stress Test podcast, personal finance editor Roma Luciw speaks to Dr. Tamara Abraham about the IVF process. Plus, we hear from several Canadians who are undergoing fertility treatments on things to consider now if you’re interested in having kids one day.
Moment in time: April 6, 1968
Pierre Trudeau waves to the crowd of supporters after winning the Liberal Leadership, April 6, 1968.CHUCK MITCHELL/The Canadian Press
Pierre Trudeau elected leader of the Liberal Party
When Prime Minister Lester Pearson announced in December, 1967, that he was retiring, many pundits didn’t even include Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau in the list of possible successors. That soon changed. Canada’s political class was largely composed of old, dull, pudgy men with moustaches. Mr. Trudeau was svelte, clean-shaven, intellectual, attractive – those cheekbones! – and 48. He championed social justice, sexual freedom, bilingualism and national unity – a heady brew in the Swinging Sixties. The press began talking about Trudeaumania. But many in the party’s establishment thought he hadn’t paid his dues. Robert Winters, a business-friendly cabinet minister, might have won had he entered the race earlier. But at the April 6 leadership convention, other candidates refused to drop out, fracturing the Anyone But Trudeau vote. “Paul, don’t let that bastard win it,” a microphone caught cabinet minister Judy LaMarsh begging candidate Paul Hellyer. “Paul, he isn’t even a Liberal.” But Mr. Hellyer stayed in. Mr. Trudeau won on the fourth ballot and went on to sweep the June election. Trudeaumania would wane with changing times, but in those months the connection was magical. – John Ibbitson
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