Canada in Brief, May 17-23

Get tough with BC over Trans Mountain, Saskatchewan tells Ottawa

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to get tough with British Columbia over its opposition to the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion.

He said it has been a month since Trudeau met with B.C. Premier John Horgan and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley in Ottawa and the federal government has not introduced legislation to help get the project built.

“The Prime Minister can act now and make use of tools available to his government, like withholding of infrastructure funding to British Columbia to get this pipeline built,” he said.

Moe made the remarks on his Facebook page and later expanded on them at the legislature in Regina.

Moore says family hit hard by allegations of impropriety

New Democrat MP Christine Moore says she and her family have been left reeling after a former soldier accused her last week of sexual impropriety.

A visibly worn Moore made the comments during a news conference May 15, where she responded directly to retired corporal Glen Kirkland’s allegations that she abused her power as an MP in pursuing an unwanted relationship with him in 2013.

Moore, who is married with two young children, said she loved Kirkland and that they were in a consensual relationship.

She said the allegations have been very hard on her husband as well as her health and that she is still struggling to understand why Kirkland is now accusing her of misconduct.

Air Canada bows to pressure, lists Taipei as part of China

Air Canada has listed the capital of Taiwan as a part of China on its booking website, joining a growing list of air carriers that have bowed to Chinese pressure to isolate the self-ruled island.

The Chinese government has been increasingly assertive about its claims to Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province and has threatened to use military force to bring it under its control.

The White House has condemned China’s efforts to control how U.S. airlines refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, saying the push to make them comply with Chinese standards is “Orwellian nonsense.”

Prosecutor wants jail time for two men in polygamy case

A special prosecutor is recommending two men who were leaders of a religious sect in British Columbia serve time in jail after being found guilty of polygamy.

Peter Wilson is asking for a sentence of between 90 days and six months in jail for Winston Blackmore, and a term of one month to 90 days for James Oler.

Wilson told Justice Sheri Ann Donegan of the British Columbia Supreme Court that both men are hard-working and honest citizens, but the sentences must denounce their crimes and deter others.

Donegan found Blackmore guilty last July of marrying two dozen women, while Oler was found to have married five women.

New trial ordered for parents of boy dead of meningitis

The Supreme Court of Canada has ordered a new trial for a couple who used homemade remedies instead of seeking medical attention for their son who died of bacterial meningitis.

David Stephan and his wife, Collet, were found guilty in 2016 of failing to provide the necessaries of life to 19-month-old Ezekiel in 2012.

“We’re grateful because this is a move in the right direction and we now have the opportunity to bring the whole truth forward,” Stephan said outside the Supreme Court on May 15.

With files from The Canadian Press