The Tuesday news briefing: An at-a-glance survey of some top stories
Highlights from the news file for Tuesday, March 7
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MANITOBA MP ENTERS NDP LEADERSHIP RACE: Although Niki Ashton is the only woman seeking the NDP’s top job, she says her candidacy involves much more than just her gender. Ashton, a 34-year-old bilingual MP from Manitoba, announced her second bid for the helm of the federal New Democrats on Tuesday at a space for community activists in downtown Ottawa. Gender-based politics is sadly still an issue in 2017, Ashton said, noting she made her announcement on the eve of International Women’s Day because it is important to highlight ongoing struggles for justice and equality. Ashton also took a clear stance against pipeline projects, including Energy East, and said there is a need to build a “carbon-free economy.” The campaign to replace Tom Mulcair runs until October and currently has three other contenders: B.C.’s Peter Julian, Ontario’s Charlie Angus and Quebec’s Guy Caron. The candidates are set to debate each other for the first time in Ottawa on Sunday.
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