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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Laos today to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. The visit marks the Liberal government’s latest effort to strengthen Canada’s ties in a region with strong Chinese influence. It’s also the third consecutive time Trudeau has attended the ASEAN Summit, and one year since Canada established a strategic partnership with the regional bloc. Government officials say Canada is increasing its presence in the region to build credibility as a reliable economic partner, noting ASEAN is one of the fastest-growing economic regions.

Grim listening in B.C. party leaders' debate

The leaders of the three main political parties in British Columbia have faced off in the only televised debate of this provincial election campaign. NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau covered topics from health care to housing as well as the overdose crisis and the province's relationship with Indigenous people. There were grim anecdotes from Rustad, who described seeing a man dead on the streets of Vancouver on his way to the debate, and told of a woman "covered in blood" after miscarrying in a hospital washroom as he criticized the state of B.C. health care. Eby spent a significant amount of time criticizing Rustad and his slate of candidates describing Rustad as an "anti-vaxxer" who was "embarrassing" the province, while Furstenau said Eby and Rustad were near-look-alikes on health care, the overdose crisis and subsidizing the fossil fuel industry.

Here's what else we're watching...

Probe finds DFO officers face high-powered weapons

A labour investigator has agreed with federal fishery officers that heavily armed criminals pose a threat to their lives and has ordered managers to take steps immediately to reduce the danger. In a report issued Friday to the fisheries department, the federal labour program's compliance unit concludes "protective equipment and tactical protocols" currently used during fisheries investigations are inadequate. The finding by the senior investigator — obtained by ¹ú²úÓÕ»ó¸£Àû — comes in response to fisheries department enforcement officers filing refusal to work applications under provisions of the Canada Labour Code.

National security adviser to appear at inquiry

Nathalie Drouin, the prime minister's national security and intelligence adviser, is scheduled to appear today at a federal inquiry into foreign interference. The commission of inquiry will also hear from Privy Council clerk John Hannaford, the country's top public servant. They will testify alongside senior Privy Council official Daniel Rogers, former Privy Council clerk Janice Charette and former national security adviser Jody Thomas. Later in the day, Zita Astravas, who was once chief of staff to the public safety minister, is expected to appear.

Condo supply up ahead of expected rebound: report

A new report says condo inventory is on the rise in most major Canadian markets as more sellers are listing their properties in anticipation of growing demand from buyers. The report by Re/Max Canada, which examined condominium activity from January to August of this year, found B.C.'s Fraser Valley led year-over-year inventory growth at 58.7 per cent, followed by the Greater Toronto Area at 52.8 per cent and Calgary at 52.4 per cent. While most regions saw sales decline from last year over the eight-month period, Edmonton posted a 36.7 per cent sales increase, with 3,351 properties changing hands. The GTA, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley each recorded sales declines of more than eight per cent.

Another beluga whale dies at Marineland

Another beluga whale has died at Marineland -- the fourth to die at the Niagara Falls, Ontario, park since November. Sixteen belugas and one killer whale have died at the park since 2019. Ontario's Animal Welfare Services, which is part of the Ministry of the Solicitor General, has been investigating Marineland since 2020. A spokesperson for Solicitor General Michael Kerzner says animal welfare inspectors have been at the park 200 times. The minister's office wouldn't answer follow-up questions about what is happening during those visits.

This report by ¹ú²úÓÕ»ó¸£Àû was first published Oct. 9, 2024.