Military action in Libya not inevitable, but Canada watching closely: Vance
OTTAWA—Canada’s top general says military intervention in Libya is not inevitable.
Gen. Jonathan Vance says he’s not advocating one way or another for Canada to join a possible western military coalition in Libya. He says it is not inevitable that a new military mission will be needed to get rid of Islamic militants in Libya, but he’s keeping a close watch so he can advise the government.
Vance says the foothold gained by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Libya’s port city of Sirte remains a serious impediment to stabilizing the country. But he says simply throwing military assets at the situation is not a solution on its own.
Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie has terminal cancer but cleared to tour
TORONTO—The Tragically Hip has said its lead singer, Gord Downie, has terminal brain cancer. Downie found out about the illness in December and has been undergoing treatment, according to a statement on the band’s website.
However, the band will go on tour once more, which “feels like the right thing to do now, for Gord and for all of us,” the statement said.
Downie’s doctor told reporters on May 24 that the 52-year-old father of four has been cleared for the tour, but will be closely monitored to avoid exhaustion on other health issues that could emerge on the road.
Cooler weather in B.C. allows province to send crews to Alberta, Ontario
KAMLOOPS, B.C.—A steep decline in fire activity in British Columbia is allowing the province to loan out two teams of firefighters to Alberta and Ontario.
The BC Wildfire Service is sending about 100 firefighters plus support personnel to each province to help fight fires around Fort McMurray and northern Ontario. The crews can be recalled at any time if the fire conditions change in B.C.
Wildfires in northeastern B.C. this spring have kept fire crews extremely busy and hundreds of people were chased out of their homes as fires approached in Peace region. Cooler weather and several centimetres of snow in the area prompted the turnaround.
Saskatchewan pair pleads not guilty in alleged plot to murder their spouses
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask.—The father of Vancouver Canucks forward Linden Vey and his alleged lover have pleaded not guilty to charges that they plotted to murder their spouses in Saskatchewan.
The trial has started for Curtis Vey and Angela Nicholson, who each face two charges of conspiracy to commit murder.
The court heard that in July 2013, Vey’s wife, Brigette, hid her iPod under the kitchen table and set it to record when she went to work. The recording confirmed Brigette Vey’s fears of an affair and also revealed the alleged murder plot.
The couple’s plan was to kill Brigette Vey in a house fire and Nicholson’s husband by overdose.
Trudeau will ‘explore next steps’ if Toronto decides to bid for Expo 2025
TORONTO—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says if Toronto city council decides to make a bid to host Expo 2025, the federal government will explore the possibility.
Trudeau made his remarks in a written response to Mayor John Tory and others who signed a letter about the potential bid.
Those in favour of the bid say it would boost the city’s reputation and makes more economic sense than hosting the Olympics, which Tory decided to not bid on hosting the 2024 Summer Games.
A letter to Trudeau from a group of private sector leaders says that the cost of pavilions will be shared jointly by participating countries.
Calgary man found not criminally responsible in stabbing rampage
CALGARY—A Calgary man has been found not criminally responsible for killing five people in a stabbing rampage two years ago.
Justice Eric Macklin of Court of Queen’s Bench delivered the verdict May 25 in the first-degree murder trial of Matthew de Grood. Macklin said he accepted findings from psychiatric experts who testified that de Grood did not appreciate his actions were morally wrong.
The finding means de Grood will be kept in a secure psychiatric facility pending assessment by the Alberta Review Board.
The 24-year-old son of a police officer admits he killed five people at a Calgary house party on April 15, 2014.
Canada’s Snowbirds fly over Washington in the name of friendship
WASHINGTON— A formation of Canadian military jets streaked over the U.S. capital on Tuesday, May 24, making passes along the National Mall in the name of friendship.
The Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds aerobatics team flew low and fast over Washington at midday. The nine Canadair CT-114 Tutor jets made passes in close formation, trailing white smoke.
The flyover was a friendship salute highlighting the relationship between Canada and the United States.
The team also appeared Wednesday at the Smithsonian Institution’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport, where visitors got a close look at the aircraft and met the pilots.
With files from The Canadian Press
