In the news today, May 4

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TRUDEAU: LIBERALS WON’T STALL LEGALIZED POT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isn’t backing down from his timeline for legalizing marijuana, despite calls from senators, Indigenous leaders and others to delay the plan for up to a year. Trudeau says the plan to make recreational pot legal by this summer will go ahead without delay. There was some talk that he was open to slowing down the process, following a Senate committee report calling for more consultation with First Nations on taxation, education materials and addictions treatment.

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FEDS TO INTERVENE IN PIPELINE CHALLENGE

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says the federal government will intervene in British Columbia’s reference case over the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. The case before the B.C. Court of Appeal asks if the province has jurisdiction to regulate the transport of oil through its territory, a key question in the political battle over the project. Ottawa wants the expansion to proceed and Wilson-Raybould said that view will prevail.

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EXPELLED MP VOWS TO CLEAR NAME

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has kicked Saskatchewan MP Erin Weir out of his party’s caucus. The move follows a three-month investigation that began when fellow caucus member Christine Moore reported hearing second-hand allegations that Weir had harassed several women. Weir vows to keep fighting to clear his name of what he has characterized as a politically motivated and unjustified smear campaign from within his own party.

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FIRST NATIONS SAY CHURCHILL RAIL LINE DEAL IN THE WORKS

A group of Manitoba First Nations says it has formed a partnership with a private company that will lead to the reopening of the rail line to Churchill. Severe flooding damaged the rail line in May, severing the only land link to the south for about 900 people. The partnership, called iChurchill Inc., says it hopes to conclude an agreement by mid-June so the rail line can be repaired before the fall.

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UCP POLICY TO START TAKING SHAPE

Alberta’s United Conservatives gather in Red Deer starting today to hash out policy at their founding convention. Party members are expected to debate proposals ranging from returning to the 10 per cent flat income tax to expanding private service delivery in the public health system. Party Leader Jason Kenney says approved resolutions will form the basis of further talks before the party finalizes its platform ahead of the provincial election next spring.

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RIDEAU HALL TAKING SECOND LOOK AT SCHEDULE

Rideau Hall is conducting a sweeping review of the hundreds of events organized and hosted by the Governor General each year to determine which ones will stay, which ones will go, and which ones will be done differently. A typical year for the Governor General involves more than 500 events — a pace that is blistering for the Queen’s representative and their 150-strong support staff.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto.

— The prime minister will also meet with the Portugal’s prime minister, Antonio Costa.

— MP Scott Brison will make an announcement about high-speed internet service in Nova Scotia.

— Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer addresses the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the United Conservative Party meeting.

— Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson will announce a city investment in non-market housing.

— Unveiling of a monument in Esquimalt, B.C. dedicated to the establishment of the Canadian Naval Service in 1910.

— Change of Command of the RCAF. Lt.-Gen. Mike Hood passes the command to Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, May 4

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