By Canadian Press

In the news today, July 27

Jul 27, 2018 | 2:30 AM

Six stories in the news for Friday, July 27

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PROVINCE TO CUT TORONTO COUNCIL SEATS: REPORT

Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government is reportedly planning to slash the number of city councillors in Toronto by almost half, from 47 to 25. Sources tell the Toronto Star the legislation to do so could be introduced as early as Monday. Both Premier Doug Ford and Mayor John Tory will discuss the reported plan at separate news conferences Friday morning.

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Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

18h ago

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

U.S. TRADE REP CALLS CANADA A SECURITY THREAT

The Trump administration’s point man on trade has called Canada a national security threat. U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer made the comment while facing sharp questioning from a Senate committee about the decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum. Asked directly if Canada was a national security threat to the United States, he replied, “In the case of steel, yes.” President Donald Trump has played the national security card to justify the tariffs.

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CANADIANS TRIM SPENDING AMID RISING INTEREST RATES: POLL

A new survey from Manulife Bank says six in 10 Canadians have taken steps to prepare for rising interest rates, such as cutting back on spending on both extras and essentials. The poll showed that among those who changed their behaviour, 27 per cent pared back on entertainment, such as movies and bars, 17 per cent put more money into savings accounts, and 10 per cent spent less on essential items, such as groceries.

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B.C. BLANKETED BY AIR QUALITY AND WEATHER ADVISORIES

Environment Canada has issued a slew of air quality alerts as wildfires continue to burn in British Columbia, at the same time as a heat wave is striking the coast. While the largest wildfires are in the south-central part of B.C., 36 air quality statements have been issued across the province as far north as Atlin, 150 kilometres north of Juneau, Alaska, because of the smoke.

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QUEBEC DENTISTS FILE WITHDRAWAL NOTICE

Vowing to maintain public dental services in the province, Quebec’s health minister says he will sign a decree to block dentists from withdrawing from the public health system amid a bitter standoff over contract negotiations. Gaetan Barrette’s announcement came shortly after some 2,000 dentists filed paperwork to withdraw from the public system. The escalation comes as the two sides remain locked in a dispute that has the dentists threatening to pull out of the system if a new agreement can’t be reached.

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SIDNEY CROSBY NAMED ALL-TIME TOP N.S. ATHLETE

NHL superstar Sidney Crosby has scored another accolade. He was honoured as the top Nova Scotia athlete of all time at a gala dinner Thursday night. The Cole Harbour native took first place among the province’s top 15 athletes compiled by the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has won three Stanley Cups with the team.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Calgary police will issue a formal apology to gender and sexually diverse Calgarians.

— Manitoba RCMP will discuss a large drug seizure made on the Trans-Canada Highway.

— National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier will makes an infrastructure announcement in Quebec.

— Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi will release the results of the annual civic census covering.

— Imperial Oil will release second-quarter results prior to markets opening.

The Canadian Press