In the news today, May 7

A UN report that concludes a million species are threatened with extinction and that “fundamental, structural change” is required to halt a steep decline in the natural environment has lessons for Canada, says one of its authors. Kai Chan, a University of British Columbia professor, says the current fight that Canada is having between provinces and the feds around oilsands, pipelines, climate change and local environmental impacts “is not actually a fight that we should be having.” Chan helped write the report from the International Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. That report was released Monday after a three-year effort by hundreds of scientists from 50 countries.

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CLIMATE CHANGE EXAM QUESTION ANGERS STUDENTS

A Quebec high school French exam question that asked students about adapting to climate change has drawn a torrent of online criticism, as teens used memes and videos to denounce what they see as government inaction on climate issues. The question on last week’s ministry exam for Grade 11 students asked: “Can we adapt to climate change?” It quickly drew the ire of students like 17-year-old Francis Claude, who feels the way the question was phrased suggests the government has accepted climate change.

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HUMAN SOUND NOTED AS THREAT TO WHALE SPECIES

Canadian scientists say human-made sounds in the ocean are a key factor contributing to the threatened status of three types of whales off the east coast. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has released its findings on the sei whale, fin whale and Sowerby’s beaked whale following a gathering of 43 scientists in St. John’s, N.L., over the weekend. Researchers who study marine mammal populations say that the continuing low numbers of the sei whale in the aftermath of decades of whaling led them to ask for an endangered designation. They also found that the fin whales and the Sowerby’s beaked whales should continue to be designated as species “of special concern.”

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CANADA WELCOMES U.S. HELP ON CHINA: MINISTER

A Nova Scotia cabinet minister says the federal government would welcome any help the United States could offer in helping Canada in its ongoing dispute with China. Rural Economic Development Minister Bernadette Jordan tells The Canadian Press that American influence could make a difference as tensions between the countries escalate. China has suspended Canadian imports of pork and canola from two Canadian companies each, following the December arrest of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant alleging she committed fraud. A senior Canadian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the issue, said Canada is working with all allies, including the U.S., to pressure China.

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QUESTIONS ABOUND WITH BIRTH OF ROYAL BABY

The much-anticipated child of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has arrived, igniting a flurry of baby fever and speculation on all manner of royal gossip. Questions abound for crown watchers and celebrity friends: When will we see pictures of the baby? Who will his godparents be? What country will the new family visit first? Will Meghan ever get to enjoy Mother’s Day with her son’s birthday so close to her special day? Does England even celebrate Mother’s Day? For some of these and other pressing matters, The Canadian Press turned to monarchy experts to weigh in.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— International Trade Minister Jim Carr discusses Canada’s global trade agenda and World Trade Organization reform at the 49th Washington Conference on the Americas hosted by the Council of the Americas.

— Five cabinet ministers — Joyce Murray, Jean-Yves Duclos, Ahmed Hussen, Ralph Goodale, and Diane Lebouthillier — respond to various chapters of the auditor general spring reports and answer questions from the media.

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the National Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony and delivers remarks.

— Environment and Climate Change Canada research scientist Chris Derksen presents highlights from the recently released Canada’s Changing Climate Report, and answers questions from the media.

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The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, May 7

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