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Within the first week of protests gridlocking Ottawa last winter, Attorney-General David Lametti was already raising the idea of invoking the Emergencies Act and said the Canadian Armed Forces might be “necessary” to end the protests.
Mr. Lametti’s views were revealed in texts presented during his testimony yesterday at the inquiry studying the act’s use. His appearance ended with Lametti telling Justice Paul Rouleau he would have to trust that federal officials acted in good faith when they invoked the act because the government is not releasing the legal advice behind its decision.
- Alberta urges Ottawa to fire RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki
- Lawrence Martin: Don’t bet on the Emergencies Act inquiry hurting Trudeau
Texts about using military during convoy protests were a joke, Justice Minister David Lametti said.
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Russian missiles hit water, power infrastructure, leaving much of Ukraine freezing and in the dark
Electricity, heating and water systems were knocked out across Ukraine yesterday as Russia launched another barrage of attacks on the country’s civilian infrastructure, attempting to turn winter into a weapon in this nine-month-old war.
The entire Kyiv region, home to almost five million people, had only sporadic power and running water as night fell and temperatures dropped below freezing in the snow-coated city. Earlier in the day, air-raid sirens were heard in the capital, followed by a series of explosions.
Almost every major centre – from Kharkiv in the east to Odesa in the south and Lviv in the west – reported power outages and water services being cut off. Russia has been pounding Ukrainian infrastructure systems since the start of the war and has escalated that campaign with weekly barrages of missiles and explosive drones since early October.
Canada falls to Belgium, and to the bottom of its World Cup group with 1-0 loss
Canada showed it belonged at the World Cup. But there is work to do in putting its opponent away.
While the Canadian men shone in their return to the soccer showcase after a 36-year absence yesterday, they failed to convert a slew of chances in a 1-0 loss to Belgium.
The fact they pushed the second-ranked team to the limit is something to celebrate. But they now find themselves in a position where they will be eliminated from knockout-round contention if they lose Sunday against No. 12 Croatia, which tied No. 22 Morocco 0-0 earlier Wednesday in Group F play.
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Also on our radar
Barrick Gold faces lawsuit for alleged killings: Two law firms have filed suit against Barrick Gold Corp. in Ontario Superior Court on behalf of 21 Tanzanians who allege that they or their family members were killed, injured or tortured by police guarding a Barrick gold mine.
Experts criticize Canada on access to information: Experts told a House of Commons committee that Canada used to be a world leader in access to information, but has fallen behind because of complacency, leading to a “dysfunctional system.”
Former Laurentian faculty, staff want accountability: Faculty and staff who lost their jobs as a result of Laurentian University’s insolvency want to know whether anyone will be held accountable for the disastrous decisions that pushed the university into creditor protection.
Scottish independence referendum denied: Britain’s highest court ruled unanimously yesterday that the Scottish Parliament cannot hold a second independence referendum – without the consent of the British government – citing grounds that the Scots are no more oppressed than Quebeckers.
New guidelines released for children’s screen time: According to new guidelines from the Canadian Paediatric Society released today, screen time is not recommended for children under age 2, apart from video-chatting with caring adults. For two- to five-year-olds, the society recommends limiting sedentary screen time to an hour or less per day, ensuring it is not a routine part of child care, and avoiding screens at least an hour before bedtime.
Retailers offer better Black Friday deals: Excess inventory and fears of a looming recession are leading retailers to offer bigger and longer-than-usual Black Friday deals across North America. After struggling to keep the shelves stocked because of global supply chain snags during last year’s holiday season, the retail industry has swung to the other extreme, with warehouses now piled high with merchandise.
Morning markets
Global stocks advance: World shares touched a two-month high and the U.S. dollar swooped towards a three-month low on Thursday, after Federal Reserve meeting minutes pointed to a slower pace of U.S. interest rate rises. Around 5:30 a.m. ET, Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.28 per cent. Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 were up 0.83 per cent and 0.67 per cent, respectively. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei closed up 0.95 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.78 per cent. U.S. markets are closed Thursday. The Canadian dollar was slightly higher at 74.91 US cents.
What everyone’s talking about
Editorial: “Canadians want solutions to the many problems the country is facing. Some problems pass with time. ... Other problems will need intelligent political leadership to fix. Is that too much to hope for?”
Today’s editorial cartoon
Brian Gable/The Globe and Mail
Living better
‘Tis the season to get creative with your charitable donations
In case you’re not aware, next Tuesday, Nov. 29, is Giving Tuesday – the world’s largest generosity movement. There’s still time to make a difference this year by giving help to those in need. But let’s face it, we’re experiencing an affordability crisis and economic uncertainty, so giving isn’t easy. Here are some ideas that could make giving this year not only possible, but more meaningful.
Moment in time: Nov. 24, 1991
Freddie Mercury and the rock band Queen in concert at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, August 2, 1982.Thomas Szlukovenyi/The Globe and Mail
Freddie Mercury dies
On this day in 1991, Queen singer Freddie Mercury, at the age of 45, died at his home, Garden Lodge, in Kensington, an upscale area of London. One day earlier, he had finally commented on his health, a topic of speculation for years. “Following enormous conjecture in the press, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV-positive and have AIDS,” the flamboyant rock star said in a death-bed statement. At a time when there was no treatment for AIDS and homosexuality was stigmatized, Mercury’s statement, which urged a worldwide fight against the “terrible disease,” was praised. He had given his final performance with Queen, the flashy rock band he had co-founded in 1970, on Aug. 9, 1986. Theatrical, androgynous and over the top, Mercury and Queen playfully lived up to the band’s moniker. Signature songs including Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites the Dust, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions created a global fan base and helped the band sell millions of albums. People still visit Mercury’s former home to pay their respects. Brad Wheeler
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