By Canadian Press

In the news today, July 19

Jul 19, 2019 | 2:17 AM

Five stories in the news for Friday, July 19

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SCHEER’S FOOD GUIDE PLEDGE UNDER SCRUTINY

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer faced strong criticism from nutrition experts on Thursday after he pledged to review the new Canada Food Guide should the Tories win power this fall. Scheer, who spoke at an annual meeting of the Dairy Farmers of Canada in Saskatoon on Wednesday, said the process to craft the new version of the document released in January was “flawed” and that the guide needs to reflect what “science tells us.” The overhauled document did away with traditional food groups and portion sizes and focused instead on broader guidelines, including eating more plant-based protein and drinking more water. At the Wednesday event, Scheer faced a question from a woman who identified herself as a dairy producer from British Columbia who asked for his stance was on the existing healthy-eating strategy and what dairy farmers can expect in terms of food policy in Canada.

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CHIEFS HONOUR INDIGENOUS LEADER HANGED IN 1865

Chiefs who gathered in New Westminster, B.C., to commemorate an Indigenous leader’s wrongful trial and execution 154 years ago say they see signs of reconciliation from the federal government but their struggle for recognition continues in the courts. Chief Ahan was hanged in the city’s downtown on July 18, 1865, and a ceremony memorializing his exoneration was held on Thursday at a high school where the Tsilhqot’in Nation believes its ancestor could have been reburied after his remains were transferred from the courthouse square decades ago. Members of the Tsilhqot’in have gathered in New Westminster every year since Ahan was killed but Thursday’s event was hosted for the first by the City of New Westminster. Chief Joe Alphonse, tribal chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, said that gesture is part of the partnership the nation is building with the city, which removed a statue earlier this month of Judge Matthew Begbie.

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OTTAWA OPEN TO PROPOSALS FOR B.C. REFINERY: PM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa is open to proposals from the private sector for a refinery in British Columbia, as a public inquiry into the province’s soaring gas prices reviews possible solutions. The prime minister says he knows residents of the province are struggling and the federal government is always open to hearing businesses cases and working with people to find solutions so they can pay their bills. He made the comments in Victoria today following a joint announcement with Premier John Horgan of $79 million to support 118 new transit buses across the province. Horgan says that while the province wants a transition away from fossil fuel dependence, that transition should be aided by more refined product to give B.C. residents relief.

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COMPANIES KNOW LITTLE ABOUT TRADE DEALS: SURVEY

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged European partners this week to finalize Canada’s trade deal with the EU, a push that came with his government facing a tough sales job at home: getting domestic firms to use it. A recent government survey suggests the vast majority of small and medium-sized exporters, which are positioned to benefit from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, could very well be asking: CETA who? The survey said only seven per cent of the surveyed businesses were familiar with details of the Canada-EU deal, while fewer than three quarters had even heard of it. Only nine per cent said they took advantage of CETA and 17 per cent planned to use it. The survey, commissioned by the Foreign Affairs Department, asked questions of 507 exporting companies online in March and April, and also involved 40 “in-depth” telephone interviews.

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CROWN CONCLUDES CASE IN BOYLE ASSAULT TRIAL

Caitlan Coleman says she gave interviews to media outlets in the middle of her estranged husband’s trial for allegedly assaulting her because she wanted to provide hope to other women. Under questioning at the proceedings Thursday against her spouse Joshua Boyle, Coleman said she felt that “speaking out” would create awareness about domestic violence and give women the courage to leave abusive relationships. Boyle’s lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, raised concerns earlier this month about the appropriateness of the interviews, prompting fresh procedural questions in a case that has already had its share of legal quandaries. Boyle, 35, has pleaded not guilty in Ontario court to offences against Coleman, 33, including assault, sexual assault and unlawful confinement.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks on special milestone of lives saved because of organ transplants. Transplant recipients and donor family members will also attend.

— Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan will discuss how the government of Canada is improving the Canada Child Benefit to help middle-class families.

— Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath holds media availability to discuss access to clean water on First Nations. Horwath will also speak to the actions necessary to preserve jobs at the Thunder Bay Bombardier facility.

— Justice Terrence Morrison to deliver verdict in the second degree murder retrial of Dennis Oland.

— National Resources Minister Diane Lebouthillier participates in naming and dedication to service ceremony for the CCGS Baie de Plaisance.

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The Canadian Press