Canada in Brief, June 29 - July 4

Saskatchewan Energy Minister Dustin Duncan scrums with reporters at the provincial legislature in Regina on Nov. 17, 2016. A study by the University of Regina says the federal carbon tax could potentially reduce Saskatchewan’s gross domestic product by almost $16 billion between 2019 and the end of 2030. (The Canadian Press/Jennifer Graham)

Carbon tax could pose costly drain on Saskatchewan economy

A study by the University of Regina says the federal carbon tax could potentially reduce Saskatchewan’s gross domestic product by almost $16 billion between 2019 and the end of 2030.

The study says even the most conservative scenario shows a carbon tax of $50 per tonne would reduce provincial GDP by 2.43 percent, or $1.8 billion annually.

The province says in a statement that the analysis shows the tax would only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by less than one megatonne, or about 1.25 percent of Saskatchewan’s total GHG emissions.

It also says in addition to the effects on the provincial and national GDP, research done at the University of Calgary shows that a federal carbon tax will cost an average Saskatchewan household more than $1,000 per year.

Facebook to reduce spread of fake Canadian news stories

Facebook Canada will launch a third-party, fact-checking program to root out fake news and provide users with more context on articles they read on the platform.

The program is a collaboration with newswire service Agence France-Presse, which will have fact-checkers in Canada to review stories from local news outlets and rate their accuracy.

Pages that repeatedly share fake news will see their ability to monetize and advertise removed after several offences.

Facebook has long been the subject of complaints around fake news, which some say the platform has allowed to spread.

Ford invites public to outdoor ceremony after swearing-in

Doug Ford is set to officially become Ontario’s premier on June 29 and he’s inviting the public to come watch.

A ceremony is scheduled to take place on the steps of the legislature after the Progressive Conservative leader and his cabinet are sworn in inside Queen’s Park.

Ford has made several major announcements, including a pledge to scrap the province’s cap-and-trade system immediately once the legislature resumes.

He has also placed the public service under a hiring freeze and ordered that all discretionary spending be put on hold.

Two men guilty of polygamy given conditional sentences

Two men convicted of practising polygamy in British Columbia have been given conditional sentences to be served in the community.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge gave Winston Blackmore a six-month conditional sentence followed by a year of probation. He will be under house arrest, with allowances to go to work and attend to medical emergencies.

James Oler was handed a three-month conditional sentence to be served under house arrest, followed by 12 months of probation. Both men must also perform community service.

Blackmore was found guilty last July of having two dozen wives, while the court found Oler married five women.

Michael Buble among 2019 Walk of Fame honourees

Canadian crooner Michael Buble will be getting his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year.

The singer from Burnaby, British Columbia, is one of the entertainers named by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the honour. Others in the class of 2019 include actors Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, and Daniel Craig.

Buble hosted the Juno Awards in Vancouver in March, where he announced that his wife, Luisana Lopilato, is expecting their third child.

Other accolades under the singer’s belt include two Grammys, a Canadian Screen Award, and Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

With files from The Canadian Press