The NATO Summit is underway in Wales, and Canada is contributing a modest $4 million to assist against Russian aggression – $1 million to helping Ukraine build up its command and control capacity, and the rest to be distributed among three NATO trusts to help strengthen capacities in the Baltic region. Aside from that, it remains unclear what kind of a role Canada will play in the region, and if we will contribute troops to a rapid response force in the area. As for the ISIS threat, the US and UK are discussing potential bombing campaigns, but we’ll see what comes from discussions, though word has it we may be offering military advisors to help Iraqis counter ISIS. The end of the Afghan mission has also been under discussion at the summit.
A group of eminent Canadians has come together to create a partnership to engage the First Nations issue, including former prime ministers Paul Martin and Joe Clark, along with former Auditor General Sheila Fraser, former AFN national chief Ovide Mercredi, former Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami leader Mary Simon, former N.W.T. premier Stephen Kakfwi and Justice Murray Sinclair, who led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They’re hoping to achieve better living conditions, educational outcomes and economic opportunities for aboriginal groups across the country, and they hope that they can better engage with the current government.
Day two of John Baird’s trip to Iraq – along with Paul Dewar and Marc Garneau – and they ventured to the front lines of the conflict with ISIS where they met with Kurdish fighters and leaders. The Kurds say they need heavy weapons to fight ISIS with, but so far Canada is providing things like helmets and body armour, and other logistical support including airlifting the weapons provided by other governments – but we’re not providing any weapons of our own for now.
Laura Payton looks at the ways in which libraries and access to books are being scaled back in federal prisons, which makes it harder for inmates to improve literacy skills and aid in reintegration. One would think that this would be something that Corrections and the government would be encouraging, but apparently this is another casualty of budget cuts.
The RCMP are launching a programme to help identify youth at risk of becoming radicalised and steering them toward more positive influences in the hopes of heading off more home-grown terrorists or extremists who head off to fight in places like Syria.
A new report said that Canada now leads the world in forest decline. Yay! We’re number one! Oh, wait…
Joe Oliver says that Nova Scotia banning fracking in the province is a lost opportunity for that province that their government will have to address.
The Transportation Safety Board is warning that dangerous forms of crude oil may still be in rail tanker cars because they have been misclassified, especially if different forms have been blended before being loaded into tankers.
Delays and continued consultations mean that the Northern Gateway pipeline may be delayed to 2018 or later (if it ever gets off the ground).
Sources tell Reuters that the fighter jet procurement is down to a choice between the F-35s and the Super Hornets, which are nearly as capable as the F-35s and are also way cheaper. (Also: two engines, which is a big deal given our vast territory and coastlines).
Changes on the way cable packages work will soon mean that some specialty channels may find their very existence threatened, as the CRTC moves toward mandating pick-and-pay packages and removing some genre protections.
Clerk of the Commons Audrey O’Brien is taking extended leave after emergency surgery. Deputy Clerk Marc Bosc – who is pretty impressive and a really nice guy – is filling in for her in the interim.
The Crown made its closing arguments in the Dean Del Mastro trial, saying that the evidence against him is overwhelming, that much of his testimony didn’t make any sense, and that he wasn’t a credible witness in his own defence. The verdict is expected on October 31st.
Peter Kent talks about his treatment for stage 4 throat and tongue cancer, which he says has been beaten and he’s now cancer free. Kent says the experience has turned him into an advocate for vaccination against HPV in both girls and boys, as it was the source of his cancer.
Aaron Wherry gives some thought to the mandatory voting question. (Note: My own op-ed on the topic will run in the Ottawa Citizen early next week).
And it’s not politics, but a great comedian, Joan Rivers, died yesterday at the age of 81, and it’s a tremendous loss. Maclean’s has reflections from Jaime Weinman, Anne Kingston, and seven Rivers moments you should see. If you haven’t yet, go watch her documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, which CBC has on their site for free.