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(Liberal-Leadership)
Finance Minister and New Brunswick M-P Dominic LeBlanc says he will not be running in the Liberal party leadership race.
In a statement released today, LeBlanc says he will keep his full attention on making the case against the “unjust application” of tariffs on Canadian business by the U-S.
He says Canada is at “a critical juncture in its relationship with its most important ally and trading partner.”
LeBlanc has met with incoming U-S president Donald Trump twice in Florida since the former president was elected again in November.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Cooke-Lawsuit)
A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit against Saint John, New Brunswick-based Cooke Inc.
The lawsuit had alleged the seafood firm attempted to deceive the U-S government by creating shell companies to operate the fishery of small baitfish used to make fishmeal, fish oil and other products.
U.S. District Court Judge Jesse M. Furman dismissed the case because he found the plaintiffs didn’t prove foreign ownership beyond a doubt, and he ruled the fish and fishing licences acquisition didn’t meet legal definitions as property when it comes to alleged fraud.
The plaintiffs told C-B-C news they’re considering their options for an appeal.
(CBC News)
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(NL-Que-Churchill-Falls)
Newfoundland and Labrador Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham called on Premier Andrew Furey today to suspend a vote on the draft Churchill Falls deal until independent experts have reviewed it.
The Progressive Conservative leader made the demand in the provincial legislature on the third day of a four-day debate over a memorandum of understanding between the province’s and Quebec’s public utility companies.
Wakeham says an independent review would fulfill recommendations from a public inquiry into the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project that was completed in Labrador two years ago after years of delays and billions of dollars in cost overruns.
Liberal House Leader John Hogan responded by saying any projects in the Churchill Falls agreement affecting ratepayers would be reviewed by the province’s utility board — something that didn’t happen for Muskrat Falls.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Cougar Helicopters)
Investigations have been launched into a suspected lightning strike that happened while a Cougar Helicopter was in flight carrying 13 people off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board reported the incident today, saying the Cougar Flight 881 was at an altitude of five-thousand feet on Friday when the crew heard a loud bang before seeing a flash of light.
The company says no injuries were reported and the flight was escorted back to St. John’s by a search and rescue team and landed safely.
Cenovus and Cougar will carry out the investigation that will be monitored by the C-N-L-O-P-B.
(VOCM)
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(MUSIC-East-Coast-Music-Awards)
A clash over the future of the East Coast Music Awards has led the board of directors to part ways with chief executive Blanche Israël.
A statement by the East Coast Music Association says Israël left her role Monday following “a thorough review of our leadership and operations” ahead of the next awards show in St. John’s this spring.
The shakeup comes after an online petition launched late last year with some members calling for “transparency and stability” amid an array of changes that affected the awards and its associated festival.
The petition said local members felt “uneasy and confused” by a lack of clarity and consultation on several matters, including “significant modifications” to the awards application process.
(The Canadian Press)
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(P-E-I-Blue-Lights)
Ambulances and fire trucks in P-E-I are now able to use flashing blue lights in emergencies.
They’ll join police, snowplows and highway maintenance vehicles in the province that already use blue lights in emergencies.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson says the change is about improving safety and “the province is glad to support it.”
Studies have shown that blue lights dramatically improve safety and increase visibility for first responders while responding to emergencies.
(The Canadian Press)
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(Atlantic Update by Lisa Laporte)
