Canada
Friction among regional spies, shadowy CSIS HQ unit a challenge for new intelligence boss
David Vigneault’s surprise retirement as CSIS director came just weeks after tensions were revealed. Whoever gets his job will have more than foreign interference to face.
Canada's railways halt more shipments ahead of work stoppage
Canada's two main freight railways are reportedly refusing container imports from specific ports as they brace for a potential historic work stoppage. Negotiations are ongoing, but there is still a considerable gap to bridge in order to reach an agreement. Mackenzie Gray reports.
Conservative seeking Saint John nomination says he's stepping aside for 'parachute candidate'
A doctor hoping to run for the Conservative Party of Canada in Saint John-Kennebecasis says he's suspending his campaign because higher-ups in the party have already chosen the candidate. Liberal incumbent Wayne Long -- a bit of an independent firebrand within his own caucus -- is not seeking re-election. But even with an incumbent running, the Liberals would be facing long odds in English majority ridings in NB, like SJ-K and, given the current state of polling, my model has this swinging to CPC. Good reason, one assumes, for CPC HQ to take a keen interest in its candidate here as that candidate is likely to notch an easy win -- likely by 15 points.
Le député libéral René Arseneault ne se représentera pas
À quelques mois de la prochaine élection fédérale, Justin Trudeau perd un autre joueur : le député du Nouveau-Brunswick René Arseneault a annoncé vendredi qu’il ne solliciterait pas un nouveau mandat. The last time the Conservatives won this riding was during the Conservative majority sweep of 2011. And while the Conservatives appear right now to be headed towarded another majority, my model has the next Liberal candidate here holding on by a thread -- by 2 points or 600 votes. So put this French-speaking majority riding in northern New Brunswick in the toss-up category.
Broke and broken: Canada’s public transit in critical funding state, report says
The analysis looked at the budgets, revenue sources and long-term plans for transit in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
The Provinces
Doug Ford unveils new education minister, weeks after naming her predecessor
Former Ontario education minister Todd Smith announced he had resigned from Doug Ford's PC government 'effective immediately' on Friday morning.
BC NDP leads by 5 over BC Conservatives as Falcon's tax cut pledge fails to deliver bounce so far
The BC NDP has the support of 42% of committed voters, a two point increase from May. The BC Conservatives are second with 37%, up 3 while the official opposition BC United is at 10%, down 3. The BC Greens are at 10%, changed from our last survey.
Smith, Nenshi tied in popularity, little support for leaving CPP: poll
"All Alberta provincial party leaders have experienced a net negative change in opinion over the past six months, though the magnitude of this change varies greatly by leader,” the pollster notes.
Media
Bloc leader says he is shocked by millions in 'juicy' bonuses awarded to CBC execs
"The juicy bonuses given under the pretext that without them we aren't competitive in the market — well, we've been hearing that for decades .... Negotiate yourself a salary," Blanchet told reporters in the lobby of the House of Commons.
Funny/Unfunny: The Archival Comedy Issue
Do jokes express our otherwise taboo wishes? Or does everyone just need a pie in the face?
Science and tech
How to Make a Nation of Meat Eaters Crave the Humble Bean
When it comes to food, pleasure is what changes the world.
Issued this day ...
This stamp was issued to mark the centennial of the first ship -- the Canadian Royal William - to make it across the Atlantic entirely powered by steam. More on this ship from Canada Post in a statement when the stamp was issued:
"This ship was designed by James Goudie and built at Quebec by John S. Campbell and George Black. The first seagoing steamship built in Canada, the Royal William was steam-propelled, with sails as a secondary means of propulsion. It was launched on 29th April, 1831. When she visited Boston on 17th June, 1832, the Royal William was the first seagoing steamer to fly the British flag in a United States port. In addition, it was the first steamship built for fostering intercolonial trade between ports in British North America. It crossed the Atlantic in 1833. Eventually Spanish interests purchased the ship but it came to an inglorious end at Bordeaux, France, in 1840, when her engines were removed."