By Canadian Press

In the news today: Canada promotes carbon pricing at UN

Sep 21, 2023 | 2:18 AM

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…

Canada showcases tragic wildfire season to promote carbon pricing initiative at UN

The federal government is hoping Canada’s devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the big draw at a UN event Wednesday aimed at encouraging countries to put a price on pollution, but two of the heroes from a fearsome summer of wildfires ended up stealing the show. 

West Kelowna fire Chief Jason Brolund’s harrowing story of a 36-hour battle to keep the flames out of his B.C. city earned a partial standing ovation. 

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And assistant Halifax fire Chief Sherry Dean described how some of her crew members pulled people to safety as their homes went up in flames. 

Trudeau used the moment to promote carbon pricing as a way for the leaders of UN member countries to stand by their first responders. 

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Here’s what else we’re watching …

B.C. First Nation to update on residential schools

A Fraser Valley, B.C., First Nation is expected to provide an update on its work into missing children and unmarked burials at three former residential school sites.

The investigation was launched after ground-penetrating radar located what are believed to be more than 200 graves at a former residential school in Kamloops in May 2021, prompting similar searches and findings in several provinces.

Stolo First Nation says its initiative focuses on St. Mary’s Residential School in Mission, Coqualeetza Industrial Institute/Residential School in Chilliwack and All Hallows School in Yale, and the Coqualeetza Indian Hospital.

It says its Taking Care of Children team has been studying archival, oral historical and on-site remote sensing work in search of identifiable unmarked graves.

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Emergency manager to testify at convoy trial

Ottawa’s emergency services manager is expected to take the stand for a third day in the criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers. 

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are co-accused for their role in the protest that blocked city streets around Parliament Hill and nearby residential areas. 

Kim Ayotte oversees city bylaw enforcement, paramedic and fire services and the department responsible for special events. 

Earlier this week he testified about some of the traffic, noise and other disruptions he witnessed during the protest. 

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Jury selection to begin in Nygard sex-assault case

Jury selection in the sexual-assault case against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard is set to begin this morning in a Toronto courtroom.

Nygard is facing five counts of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement, reduced from 11 total charges after a court heard last week that three of the eight original complainants in the case are not expected to testify.

He was previously facing eight counts of sexual assault and three forcible confinement charges.

The 82-year-old founder of a now-defunct international women’s clothing company has been accused of using his position in the fashion industry to lure women and girls.

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Alberta set to release report on future of CPP

Premier Danielle Smith is set to release a report that could lead to a vote on whether Alberta should ditch the Canada Pension Plan.

Smith, along with Finance Minister Nate Horner and panel chair Jim Dinning, are to release the report at a news conference in Calgary.

Both the United Conservative premier and her predecessor, Jason Kenney, have expressed support for the potential of a go-it-alone program, given Alberta’s wealth and comparatively young population.

The Opposition NDP says it has received leaked details of what is coming in the report and says Albertans should prepare for some flawed estimates on the benefits of quitting CPP.

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Manitoba party leaders in televised debate

Manitoba’s three main party leaders are scheduled to face each other tonight in a televised debate ahead of the Oct. 3 provincial election.

The hour-long forum comes as two opinion polls this week suggest the Opposition New Democrats have a commanding lead in public support.

The surveys by Angus Reid and Probe Research both suggest the NDP have a noticeable lead provincewide and a very big lead in Winnipeg, where most legislature seats are.

The Probe poll, commissioned by CTV and the Winnipeg Free Press, suggests the Liberals have lost a lot of support, which has gone to the NDP.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2023.

The Canadian Press