In the news today, Feb. 8

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PM TRUDEAU DISCUSSES NAFTA IN CHICAGO

During his visit to Chicago on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada won’t settle for “any old deal” in the continuing NAFTA negotiations. He told an audience at the University of Chicago that U.S. President Trump’s threat to tear up the trade pact would cause economic suffering in the United States and would also be terrible politics.

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RCMP WON’T APPEAL LABOUR CODE CONVICTION

The RCMP says it won’t appeal a Labour Code conviction related to a 2014 shooting in Moncton, N.B., that left three officers dead and two others injured. The force was convicted in September of failing to provide members with the appropriate training and equipment to deal with an active shooter event. It was sentenced last month to pay $550,000, including a $100,000 fine and $450,000 in charitable donations.

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NDP TO FORCE VOTE TODAY ON TAX LOOPHOLE

The federal NDP plans to table a motion today calling on the Trudeau government to make good in the coming budget on its promise to crack down on a controversial tax loophole dealing with stock-option deductions. The motion is aimed at pinning pin the Liberals down on whether they plan to follow through on the promise made in the last election.

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CHOPPER SALE TO PHILIPPINES UNDER REVIEW

The Trudeau government is taking a fresh look at plans to sell 16 helicopters to the Philippine military as concerns mount about how they would be used. The government has said the Montreal-built Bell helicopters would be used for search-and-rescue missions and disaster relief. But International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne ordered a review after a top member of the Philippine military said the aircraft would also be used in “internal security operations.”

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SUNCOR EARNINGS RISE, DIVIDEND HIKED

Suncor Energy Inc. has announced a 12.5 per cent increase in its dividend to 36 cents a share as it reported fourth-quarter income that beat expectations. Canada’s largest energy company by market capitalization reported operating earnings of $1.3 billion or 79 cents per share in the last three months of 2017, compared with $636 million or 38 cents a year ago, thanks to stronger oil prices and other factors.

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CANADA KICKS OFF WINTER GAMES WITH CURLING LOSS

The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics don’t officially open until Friday but a couple of Canadians were in competition earlier today. Doubles curlers John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes opened the Games with a 9-6 loss to Norway. Also today, Canadian skier Manuel Osborne-Paradis posted the top time in a downhill training session. The race for the medals is on Sunday.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Environment Minister Catherine McKenna will announce new environmental and regulatory reviews related to major projects.

— Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante will discuss a light rail project.

— B.C. Premier John Horgan and Labour Minister Harry Bains will make an announcement about minimum wage.

— Statistics Canada will release the new housing price index for December.

— The Alberta Party will hold a leadership debate in Calgary.

— Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Justin Cox to appear in a Regina court on a charge of assault.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, Feb. 8

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