Read this news report on Canada from Jenna B.
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In-the-News: Canada
Jenna B.
“Air Canada deal avoids shutdown, brings relief to passengers and business groups”
Air Canada and the union representing thousands of its pilots negotiated a new labor deal and avoided an air travel shutdown nationwide. This tentative 4-year collective agreement was made with the Air Line Pilots Association after more than a year of contract negotiations and ended the possibility of 5,200 Air Canada pilots being locked out of their jobs. This raised concerns for many business groups, passengers, and the prime minister. Many passengers booked these flights months in advance and did not have back up plans. The new deal expresses the contributions and professionalism of Air Canada’s pilot group and provides a framework for future growth. There was also progress on key issues such as compensation, retirement, and work rules. This deal averted travel disruptions for the 670 average daily flights and the travel of more than 110,000 passengers.
“What Lies Beneath Canada’s Former Indigenous School Sites Fuels a Debate”
Two hundred and fifteen unmarked graves were found using ground-penetrating radars at a former residential school in British Columbia that used to be run by the Catholic Church when the government had once assimilated Indigenous children. It is now 3 years later and no remains have been exhumed and identified. Many communities are struggling if the sites should either be left alone and made into memorial grounds, or if the remains should be exhumed and identified to be returned to their communities. There is a general consensus in Canada that children were taken from their families and died in these schools, but a small portion of people question the existence and evidence of these unmarked graves. The Canadian government and Pope Francis have apologized for the gruesome treatment of Indigenous people and for the residential schools where children suffered. This is a very difficult process to go about and it will take some time to figure out if they should be exhumed or not.
“Canada announces $151 million for polio eradication, after outbreak in Gaza Strip”
Canada is setting aside $151 million to fight polio as the first cases of polio in 25 years appeared in the Gaza Strip. International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced the news at a Rotary International conference in Toronto. This funding will support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which provides vaccines to children worldwide. Hussen’s office says this will help the most vulnerable populations such as girls in conflict situations where there is limited health care access. Over the last 24 years, various Canadian governments have spent $1 billion on this effort.
“Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says”
Pressing issues of climate change and food security join the list of Canada’s intelligence priorities. Every two years the Canadian government revises these priorities based on recommendations from national security advisers and the intelligence community. These priorities will be reviewed and approved by the federal cabinet and then key ministers will issue directives to federal agencies. Among these priorities are the security of global health, food, water, and biodiversity, as well as the issues of climate change and global sustainability. This new list also influenced foreign interference, cyber threats, infrastructure security, border integrity, and transnational organized crime.
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