Canadian astronaut to head to space station in 2018
After a five-year lull, a Canadian astronaut will finally head back into space, with David Saint-Jacques scheduled to blast off for a long-term visit to the International Space Station in November 2018.The last time a Canadian visited the orbiting space laboratory was in 2013 when Chris Hadfield completed a stay that lasted almost five months.
Construction to go ahead on Site C dam, but cost soars
The B.C. government had no choice but to complete the Site C hydroelectric dam rather than absorb a $4 billion hit to its bottom line by cancelling the project, Premier John Horgan said Dec. 11.The price tag for Site C is rising, with the $8.3 billion dam on the Peace River in northeast B.C. now estimated to cost $10.7 billion.
Doctors call on Ottawa to exempt medicinal marijuana from taxes
Ottawa must withdraw its plan to charge tax on medicinal marijuana or risk having an adverse effect on patients, a group of more than 50 doctors warned Dec. 11.The doctors say applying a sales or excise tax to medicinal pot would impose a financial barrier for those who use the drug to manage their symptoms, compared to patients who take other medication.
Birders flock to NB tree after rare bird spotted
A European mistle thrush arrived in Miramichi, New Brunswick, on Dec. 9, and decided to stay. The man who found it says it’s the first record of a European mistle thrush being spotted in North America.Peter Gadd says the small bird has taken up residence in a mountain ash tree on his lawn and has drawn birders from across Canada and as far away as Tennessee and Iowa to see it.
Lyft arrives in Toronto, marking first expansion outside US
As of Dec. 12, Torontonians can download the app for ride-hailing service Lyft and begin ordering rides in the city.The company’s arrival in Toronto marks the first time it has expanded outside the United States.
The move comes five years after the Toronto launch of Lyft’s rival Uber sparked protests by taxi drivers. Toronto city council introduced rules to allow Uber to operate legally last year.