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Good morning, readers.
In advance of tomorrow’s celebrations, we’d like to wish all our U.S. friends and neighbours, a happy Fourth of July.
Now, to today’s news.
The Conservatives are asking the federal procurement ombudsman to review the circumstances around several sole-sourced contracts between the Liberal government and WE Charity. That arrangement includes the deal that will see the Toronto-based youth organization manage a $900-million federal program for student volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Tories write in their letter to ombudsman Alexander Jeglic that “the Liberal government’s pattern of providing untendered and sole-sourced contracts to an organization with close personal ties to the prime minister, who is head of the government, is deeply concerning to many Canadians.”
The Canadian Press has this story.
The armed Canadian Armed Forces member who was arrested by RCMP after gaining access to the grounds at Rideau Hall early Thursday morning has been identified.
The suspect has been identified as Corey Hurren of Bowsman, Man. He is a Canadian Ranger and ran a business called GrindHouse Fine Foods, which makes meat products. In promotional material for his business, Hurren is described as a Royal Canadian Artillery veteran who recently rejoined the military as a Canadian Ranger.
The man “breached the main pedestrian entrance” at 1 Sussex Drive at around 6:30 a.m. ET with his vehicle, the RCMP said in a statement.
When the impact disabled his truck, the man headed to the Rideau Hall greenhouse, where he was intercepted by nearby RCMP members, the force said. He was apprehended shortly before 8:30 a.m. without incident and taken into custody for questioning, the RCMP said.
In Other Headlines
WE Charity saw resignations, departures from senior ranks before getting $900M government contract (CBC News)
Supreme Court dismisses Indigenous appeal of Trans Mountain approval (Canadian Press)
Canada to ban ‘nuisance seals’ killing to keep access to U.S. market (CBC News)
ICYMI from iPolitics
The feds are missing an opportunity to use the agriculture and agri-food industry to drive Canada’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery by not prioritizing the sector.
That’s the message from industry representatives and a federal opposition critic on agriculture as the COVID-19 pandemic forces dairy and egg farmers to toss products, livestock producers to cull herds and many farmers to take on more debt.
Hill Movers: Power joins Bains’ office as senior comms and media relations advisor
Around the World
Ukraine is set to lead negotiations with Iran over compensation for the families of victims of the crash of Flight PS752, according to Global Affairs Canada. Fifty-five Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents were aboard the flight, which Iran admitted one of its air-defence batteries accidentally shot down in January, killing all 176 people on the plane. The federal government said Canada, Afghanistan, Sweden and the United Kingdom have agreed that Ukraine will be their spokesperson in talks over compensation. (Canadian Press)
China’s contentious new national security law extending Beijing’s control over Hong Kong takes aim not only at pro-democracy protesters but also non-residents, foreign governments, non-governmental organizations and international media. It subjects all persons in Hong Kong to strict bans on political activities that Beijing deems to endanger national security as the central government flexes its muscle over the former British territory. An English translation of the new law, published Thursday, outlined a 39-page list of drastic new executive, police, prosecutorial and judicial powers. (Toronto Star)
A U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite has detected a fire from a centrifuge production plant above Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Analysts say the facility was damaged by fire and an explosion around 2 a.m. Thursday. (New York Daily News)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is ordering masks to be worn in public as COVID-19 cases rocket in the state. The directive applies to counties with 20 or more COVID-19, cases, which covers most of Texas’ 254 counties. Texas hit a record of more than 8,000 virus cases in a day on Wednesday, up from about 2,400 two weeks ago. (BBC News)
Cartoon of the Day
The Kicker
Looks like we finally have our answer:
Have a great weekend.
