Six stories in the news today, June 24:
CSIS WANTED SHARING TWEAKS, NOT AN OVERHAUL
OTTAWA — The Conservative government alarmed privacy advocates by overhauling the law to give Canada’s spy agency easier access to federal data, even though the spies themselves said greater information-sharing could be done under existing laws, newly released documents show. In a presentation to federal deputy ministers last year, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said “significant improvements” to the sharing of national-security information were possible within the “existing legislative framework.”
HARPER HOSTS SOLDIERS, FAMILIES AT 24 SUSSEX
In the morning, Stephen Harper visited with families who lost loved ones in terrorist attacks. In the evening, he hosted the families of soldiers who are fighting to prevent such attacks in the future. What was supposed to be the prime minister’s annual garden party for the Conservative caucus Tuesday was replaced by an evening for soldiers and their families.
SOURCE: MOBILICITY ACCEPTS BUYOUT OFFER
Struggling wireless company Mobilicity has accepted a buyout offer, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The source refused to identify the purchasing company or provide any other details, including the price. The Globe and Mail, citing three unnamed sources it said were familiar with the negotiations, reported late Tuesday that Mobilicity has accepted an offer from Rogers Communications.
23 HURT, FOUR SERIOUSLY, IN ONTARIO BUS CRASH
A collision between a bus and a tractor-trailer Tuesday in eastern Ontario left 23 people injured. Four of them suffered serious injuries, including a woman who was airlifted to hospital. About 45 passengers were on the Megabus travelling along Highway 401 near the Ontario-Quebec border at the time of the crash. Police have so far refused to speculate on the cause of the crash.
FIVE-YEAR DEAL TO MARK TSILHQOT’IN ANNIVERSARY
A horse-drawn wagon train carrying aboriginal youths and elders is slowly rolling toward the Williams Lake Stampede from central British Columbia’s Nemiah Valley. It’s an annual rite of passage, but this year’s 200-kilometre trek falls on the one-year anniversary of a Supreme Court decision granting the Tsilhqot’in aboriginal title to more than 1,750 square kilometres of land in the Nemiah Valley.
CELEBRITIES TO JUDGE DUELLING DONUTS
One lucky Canadian will be able to add their dream doughnut to the Tim Hortons menu and walk away with $10,000 as winner of the Duelling Donuts contest, launched Wednesday by the coffee chain. Home chefs have until July 21 to concoct a unique doughnut idea inspired by a family recipe. Eight quarter-finalists will present their creations to a celebrity panel, including musicians Deadmau5 and Jann Arden and actress Sophie Tweed-Simmons, the daughter of actress-model Shannon Tweed.
ALSO IN THE NEWS
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau take part in various Fete nationale activities in Montreal area.
Closing statements at inquest into the death of Heather Brenan, who died shortly after being sent home from hospital by cab.
A verdict is expected in Halifax at the trial of Christopher Phillips, who is accused of threatening police with a dangerous chemical.
Verdict expected in judge-only trial in Kentville, N.S., of former paramedic James Duncan Keats, charged with two counts of sexual assault and breach of trust in alleged attacks against a 71-year-old woman.