Articles by Will LeRoy

Apr 25 2019 — Globe and Mail — A secret meeting between Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer and oil-industry executives is concerning because Canadians need full transparency from political parties leading up to next fall’s federal election, Minister for Democratic Institutions Karina Gould said on Thursday.The Liberal government has passed an election law that prohibits political parties from co-ordinating their campaign strategy with […]

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — “The Simpsons” consulting producer Tim Long grew up in Ontario and has always sensed something secretly Canadian about Lisa, the middle child and most critically-minded member of the enduring American animated family. “She’s the one who’s had the most barbed critiques of the United States,” Long, a writer-producer who was raised in Exeter, Ont., said […]

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency over flooding along the Ottawa River and other waterways. In the declaration, the mayor’s office says the water levels pose “an ongoing threat” to property, health and safety of nearby residents. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement forecasting up to 35 millimetres of […]

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — The federal government can’t guarantee it will have a decision on the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion prior to the next election, Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said. The deadline was pushed back to June 18 from May 22 on the recommendation of Indigenous communities and former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci, who is advising […]

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ontario and other provinces trying to block the federal carbon tax are shortsighted and irresponsible. Trudeau gave a speech to an environmental conference in Montreal today during which he slammed Ontario’s constitutional challenge to the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick are all either […]

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — The United States is crediting tighter rules in the new North American free-trade deal for its decision to move Canada off a list of countries that it says are the worst violators of intellectual-property rights. Not that Canada is completely in the clear, however: the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is keeping Canada on […]

Apr 25 2019 — Global News — After teasing fans with a series of cryptic images throughout the week, Bruce Springsteen announced a brand new studio album on Thursday morning — his first in more than five years.

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — Canada’s budget watchdog says revenues from the federal carbon price will be more than $2.6 billion this year and exceed $6 billion a year within five years. The new analysis by the parliamentary budget office, which includes both the high-profile fuel tax applied in four provinces and a separate pricing system for big industrial emitters, […]

Apr 25 2019 — Globe and Mail — Top Conservative politicians met with oil-industry executives at a private conference to map out strategy for ousting Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in a sign of growing collaboration between the Alberta-based sector and its political backers ahead of the federal election this fall.The closed-door event reflects the deep ties between federal Conservatives and more activist elements of […]

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — The oil and gas industry has worn out its welcome in Canadian marine conservation areas. Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson today is announcing a total ban on oil and gas work, as well as mining, waste-dumping and bottom-trawling, in all of Canada’s marine protected areas. Wilkinson is at an international nature summit in Montreal where Canada […]

Apr 25 2019 — CTV News — Hate crimes appear to be on the rise in Alberta with the province becoming home to a number of extremist movements, according to a draft report obtained by CTV News. The federally funded 92-page report from the Organization for the Prevention of Violence examines six types of extremist groups currently active in Alberta, ranging from […]

Apr 25 2019 — NPR — After months of oscillating speculation, followed by a long ramp up that drew out uncomfortable reassessments of his long public career, former Vice President Joe Biden has announced that he will run for president in 2020. Biden made the announcement in a video released on Thursday. He’s expected to head to Pittsburgh, Pa., for a […]

Apr 25 2019 — The Canadian Press — Ontario is cancelling a tree planting program, with those involved warning the move will lead to the loss of jobs and environmental benefits that forests provide. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry told Forests Ontario the day after the Progressive Conservative government delivered its budget this month that the 50 Million Tree Program was […]

Apr 25 2019 — CTV News — A town located in the heart of central Ontario’s cottage country has declared a state of emergency due to rising water levels and widespread flooding. On Tuesday, Mayor Graydon Smith announced the town of Bracebridge, Ont., located nearly a two-hour drive north of Toronto, would activate its emergency plan. The town cited concerning waters levels […]

Apr 25 2019 — Burnaby Now — Abbotsford business man wants political party name stripped from Maxime Bernier. The Federal Court of Canada will hear a case on Friday that could see rights to the “People’s Party of Canada” name taken away from former Conservative cabinet minister Maxime Bernier. The Quebec MP is the registered owner of the party but Satinder Dhillon […]