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

FAULTY PART MAY HAVE PUT EXHAUST INTO TEEN’S CAR: Alberta RCMP say a faulty part may have caused exhaust fumes to enter a car where two teens were found unconscious and later died. Mounties found the two teens early last Thursday in Drayton Valley while patrolling an area. Shaina Lynn Ridenour, who was 16, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Driver Gage Bogart, who was 17, died in an Edmonton hospital on Christmas Day. When the teens were found last week, RCMP said there was a strong odour of exhaust fumes in the Volkswagen Jetta. Mounties say the official cause of death has not been determined but RCMP have concluded the police investigation.

———

INQUIRY ANNOUNCED INTO DESMOND MURDER-SUICIDES: The Nova Scotia government says it will call an inquiry into the deaths of a former soldier and his family, nearly 12 months after the horrific murder-suicides sent shock waves across the country. Dr. Matthew Bowes, the province’s chief medical examiner, recommended the fatality inquiry on Thursday, calling the deaths in rural Nova Scotia an “unimaginable tragedy.” On Jan. 3, 2017, retired corporal Lionel Desmond shot his wife Shanna, 31, their 10-year-daughter Aaliyah and his 52-year-old mother Brenda, before turning the gun on himself. Desmond had been diagnosed with PTSD and post-concussion disorder after completing two difficult tours in Afghanistan in 2007. In a letter to Justice Minister Mark Furey, Bowes said the inquiry is necessary to “compel evidence and make recommendations for change.” A spokesman for the Justice Department said the minister has committed to holding the judicial inquiry, with the terms of reference and the judge set to be announced in the new year.

———

JONES OFFICIALLY DECLARED WINNER OVER ROY MOORE: Democrat Doug Jones’ historic victory over Republican Roy Moore was declared official Thursday as Alabama election officials certified him the winner of the special Senate election, despite Moore’s last-minute lawsuit claiming voter fraud. Jones defeated Moore on Dec. 12 by 21,924 votes in a stunning victory in a traditionally red state, becoming the first Alabama Democrat elected to the Senate victory in a quarter-century. The win came after Moore, best known for stands against gay marriage and the public display of the Ten Commandments, was dogged by accusations of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls that occurred decades ago. Jones said in a statement that he looked forward to going to work for the people of Alabama in the new year.

———

MAN JAILED FOR USING NUDE PHOTOS TO EXTORT EX: A 22-year-old man who used nude photos to extort his ex-girlfriend has been sentenced to nine months in prison — a longer term than even prosecutors sought. Kyle Stephen Hunt threatened to post nude photos of the woman, and photos of them having sex, to Facebook after she broke up with him. Judge Wayne Gorman said he imposed a tougher sentence on Hunt because of the reach of social media, and the impact such extortion can have on victims. The judge also banned Hunt from accessing his ex-girlfriend’s Facebook page, or posting anything about her on any social media website.

———

FIRST NATIONS HOPE FOR ECONOMIC HIGH FROM POT: Canada’s marijuana industry is expanding rapidly and some First Nations are looking to cash in on the emerging economic opportunities. Phil Fontaine, an Indigenous politician turned marijuana executive, has spent the last year travelling the country and talking to First Nations about jobs, wealth and training opportunities the burgeoning marijuana business could bring. Fontaine is the CEO of Indigenous Roots, a medical marijuana company operated by and for First Nations across Canada. The company is a joint venture with Cronos Group, a medial-marijuana grower licensed by Health Canada. Once Indigenous Roots is operating, its profits will be split evenly between partner First Nations and Cronos. Though recreational marijuana is set to become legal this summer, Indigenous Roots will focus on supplying prescription pot to First Nations communities, which Fontaine said have traditionally had lower access to the drug.

———

B.C. CITY DROPS LAWSUIT AGAINST MAYOR: A Vancouver Island city has dropped a lawsuit against its mayor, who councillors have accused of leaking confidential information to an employee. The City of Nanaimo said in a statement released Wednesday that council voted to discontinue legal proceedings against Bill McKay, in part because of concerns over delays. The city filed the lawsuit a year ago and said it would have needed to act within 12 months. The lawsuit alleged the mayor obstructed city staff and did not act in the best interests of the municipality. McKay, who is serving his first term as mayor, has denied any wrongdoing and expressed his disappointment Thursday that he won’t have the chance to defend himself in court. He said he hopes council can get back to running the city.

———

FEDS TO DECIDE FATE OF BENEFITS TRIBUNAL: Some disabled Canadians fighting for government benefits are being forced by a federal tribunal to hire lawyers, a move that has baffled advocates and appears to fly in the face of Liberal plans for the appeals body. Members of the social security tribunal, who are also members of provincial law societies, aren’t allowing non-lawyers to represent people navigating the tribunal system. Federal legislation guiding the tribunal — the last bastion of appeals for Canadians disputing benefits decisions — is silent about who appellants need to hire if they don’t want to represent themselves. But a spokeswoman said adjudicators rely on provincial law society rules that only lawyers can provide legal services, including representing parties before tribunals.

———

TRASH IS A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS TRADITION: Canadians will send 100,000 elephants worth of wrapping paper to the dump this year and Christmas presents are a big culprit. Zero Waste Canada, a Vancouver-based advocacy group, estimates each Canadians tosses about 50 kilograms of garbage over the holidays, 25 per cent more than the rest of the year, thanks to the purchases of 3,000 tonnes of foil, 2.6 billion Christmas cards and six millions rolls of tape. Altogether, 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and gift bags are thrown out each year. Gift bags, tape and ribbon can’t be recycled. Some cities, like Toronto, will recycle plain paper gift wrap but anything with glitter or velvet or foil on it has to be plucked out.

———

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

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

Our Community