The Tuesday news briefing: An at-a-glance survey of some top stories

MORNEAU LAMENTS SLIDING GLOBAL GROWTH: Facing dismal economic data at home, Canada’s finance minister is pointing out that the global growth outlook has been downgraded about seven times since the federal Liberals took office last year. Speaking in Sudbury, Ont., Bill Morneau made his first public comments since Statistics Canada said Canada lost 31,200 jobs in July, while its trade deficit with the world swelled to a record level of $3.6 billion in June. Morneau did not mention any of these figures to his small audience of business people in Sudbury, but he did note that weak growth has been a serious challenge for the Canadian and world economies.

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TRUMP SURPRISES WITH CRACK ON GUNS: After suggesting for days that the election might be stolen from him, Donald Trump appeared to joke Tuesday about armed citizens stopping his opponent Hillary Clinton. Democrats called his language dangerous. Trump said his remarks at a rally were misinterpreted. Trump was lamenting to supporters about what might happen if his opponent won and reshaped the Supreme Court with liberal judges, who would then undo constitutional gun rights: “If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks.” He then referred to one possible way Clinton might be stopped: “Although (with) the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

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DOCUMENTS: CUTS JEOPARDIZING HEALTH, SAFETY IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS: Public Services Minister Judy Foote was warned late last year that without a significant boost in repair funds, some federal buildings could become unfit for workers by jeopardizing health and safety. Briefing material prepared for Foote says her department was so cash-strapped that it could no longer pay for building inspections used to uncover health and safety risks and identify required repairs. The Liberals set aside $248 million for repairs and maintenance to federal buildings so far this fiscal year, which would be $100 million short of what officials estimated is needed to maintain aging buildings.

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DUFFY SAYS SENATE APPROVED HOUSING CLAIMS: Sen. Mike Duffy says the Senate has approved his latest housing expenses. The latest round of quarterly expense reports show Duffy claimed $1,691.59 for living expenses and $627.85 in regular travel. The report marks the first time in more than two years that Duffy has been able to file claims with the upper chamber. Duffy landed in trouble with the Senate in late 2012 when questions were first raised about housing expenses claimed against a home Duffy had lived in for years before former prime minister Stephen Harper appointed him to the Senate in 2009.

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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS STOP SITE C WORK: Amnesty International is calling for a stop work order on British Columbia’s $8.8-billion Site C hydroelectric dam, saying the mega project on the Peace River threatens the human rights of indigenous peoples. The independent human rights advocate released a report Tuesday calling on the federal and provincial governments to immediately suspend or rescind all construction approvals and permits related to the project in northeast B.C.

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EVIDENCE COMPLETE AT TRIAL OF ACCUSED ELECTION-NIGHT SHOOTER: Jurors heard the final evidence Tuesday at the first-degree murder trial of the man charged in Quebec’s election-night shooting four years ago and were told they’ll begin deliberations by week’s end. Prosecutor Dennis Galiatsatos and defence lawyer Alan Guttman will make their final arguments at Richard Henry Bain’s trial Thursday. Bain has pleaded not guilty to six charges, including first-degree murder, and is arguing he’s not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.

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NEW ALBERTA LAW ALLOWS ABUSE SURVIVORS TO END LEASES EARLY: The Alberta government has passed legislation to make it easier for people to escape domestic abuse. They can now end their leases early without financial penalty. Calgary MLA Deborah Drever, who says she too survived violence at home growing up, put forward a private member’s bill last fall. Applicants must submit a protection order, peace bond or statement from a certified professional to a landlord.

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NEW ANIMAL RIGHTS LAW COURSE MAY BE SIGN OF CHANGING TIMES: A new course being taught this fall at the University of Ottawa could indicate a shift in attitudes about animal rights. The course, called Animals and the Law, will be offered to students at the university’s faculty of civil law and will examine the most current legislation governing animal rights. It includes study of a recent Quebec bill that granted animals the status of sentient beings.

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FAMILY OF SLAIN CANADIAN PROFESSOR TO BE PAID $40K: The family of a Canadian legal scholar gunned down in his Florida garage will be paid $40,000 by an agency that handles 911 calls. The dispatch agency for Tallahassee and Leon County agreed to pay that amount to the estate of Daniel Markel, who was born in Toronto and was well known in national and international legal circles. The Consolidated Dispatch Agency conceded that “human and technical errors” delayed authorities from showing up promptly to his home after a neighbour of Markel’s called for help.

The Canadian Press