By Canadian Press

In the news today, Nov. 30

Nov 30, 2018 | 3:52 AM

Five stories in the news for Friday, Nov. 30

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CANADA TO SIGN ON TO USMCA IN ARGENTINA 

Canada will sign the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement today in Buenos Aires, on the sidelines of the high-profile G20 summit. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will join U.S. President Donald Trump and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to formally sign the trade agreement early this morning. The signing of the trade agreement is largely ceremonial, because it will still need to be ratified by all three countries before it can formally take effect.

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Meaningful Mementos

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Seasonal Sorrow

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Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

TWO INVESTIGATIONS INTO NIAGARA POLICE ‘ALTERCATION’

Two separate investigations are underway into an altercation between two Niagara regional police officers that sent one to hospital in critical condition. Provincial police and Ontario’s police watchdog are investigating the incident Thursday at a rural intersection in Pelham, Ont., about 20 kilometres west of Niagara Falls. The Special Investigations Unit says the two officers were investigating a prior collision when they became involved in an “altercation” around noon on Thursday. Spokeswoman Monica Hudon told reporters Thursday evening that a firearm was discharged and one officer was hit.

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HARPER’S OK NEEDED TO RELEASE NORMAN DOCS

Former prime minister Stephen Harper could be dragged into the criminal case against Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, as the suspended military officer’s lawyers seek access to thousands of secret government documents. Last month, Norman’s lawyers gave the court a list of records they say are needed to ensure their client receives a fair trial. Many of the records that Norman’s lawyers requested — including many deemed cabinet secrets or “confidences” — were created while Harper was prime minister, and federal officials say he is the only one who can authorize their release.

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SKI RESORT TO BE SENTENCED FOR CUTTING DOWN TREES

A Calgary judge is to sentence a world-renowned Alberta ski resort today for cutting down endangered trees five years ago. The Lake Louise resort in Banff National Park pleaded guilty last December to removing a stand of trees, including some whitebark pine, along a ski run in 2013. The resort will be sentenced on two charges — one under the Species At Risk Act and the other under the Canada National Parks Act. A total of 132 trees were removed, but the actual number of whitebark pine is being disputed.

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SHOVELLING APP INSPIRED BY WINNIPEG’S WINTER WEATHER

The developers of a new app inspired by Winnipeg’s wintry weather are calling it the Uber of snow removal. OnTheStep connects homeowners with people who will shovel their driveways. It was founded by Buhle Mwanza, a computer science student, and a group of his classmates. Mwanza says he decided to embrace the “Winter-peg” identity and develop the app to make snow fun. The app was launched earlier this month but was really put to test during the giant snow dump in Winnipeg this week.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Gov. Gen. Julie Payette starts a two-day visit today to Mexico to attend the inauguration of the country’s new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

— Sukhmander Singh, owner of the trucking company involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, will appear in court today to face non-compliance charges under federal and provincial safety regulations.

— Statistics Canada will release its gross domestic product figures by industry for September.

— The retrial of Dennis Oland, who is accused of killing his multimillionaire father, continues today.

— Officials from the Department of National Defence will make an announcement regarding military spousal employment opportunities.

The Canadian Press