5 at 5: Conservatives lose refugee health care case
Here are five of the top stories making headlines this afternoon:
Federal Court rules against Conservatives in refugee health care case. The government’s 2012 decision to reduce health-care benefits for failed refugee claimants is “cruel and unusual” and should be struck down, a Federal Court judge said today. Currently, the law does not permit doctors to provide care for failed refugee claimants, or those from countries the government deems “safe,” unless they pose a danger to public health. Some provinces have set up up their own care plans in the wake of the 2012 changes. The government, for its part, argues the new law prevents abuse of the system. Today’s court case was brought forward by a coalition of doctors and refugee lawyers. The federal government is expected to appeal the decision.
Milos Raonic loses in Wimbledon semifinals. Canada will have only one player to cheer for in the Wimbledon singles finals after Ranoic lost his semifinal match to verteran tennis star Roger Federer Friday. Even though Ranoic lost today, it’s his best-ever finish at Wimbledon and his overall ranking is expected to jump to No. 6 after this tournament. On Thursday, Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard made history when she beat Romania’s Simona Halep in the semifinals, becoming not only the first Canadian woman to advance to the Wimbledon finals, but also the first Canadian to advance to any Grand Slam singles final. Bouchard, who was ranked No. 13 in the world going into this tournament, faces off against 2011 champion Petra Kvitova on Saturday.
Warnings in place as hurricane Arthur advances on Maritimes. Hurricane Arthur is expected to make landfall in Nova Scotia Saturday morning and even though the hurricane will likely be downgraded to a tropical storm by then, it’s still expected to pack a punch. Wind warnings are in place for much of Nova Scotia, while New Brunswick is expected to get the most rain. The storm has already caused some U.S. east-coast communities to cancel planned 4th of July celebrations due to safety concerns.
Police look for green F-150 truck in case of missing Calgary boy, grandparents. Police are releasing more information about five-year-old Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents, Alvin and Kathy Liknes, who have not been seen since Sunday. Today, police asked for anyone who saw a green Ford F-150 pickup truck from the ’80s or ’90s in the neighbourhood to come forward. The truck was seen several times on Sunday evening, police said. Police also said, for the first time, that they found enough blood in the home to indicate evidence of violence where the three were last seen.
Hotdog eating champ wins 4th of July competition, proposes to girlfriend. Happy Independence Day to our neighbours to the south. While those not in the path of Hurricane Arthur are celebrating with barbeques, red-white-and-blue desserts and fireworks, it was an extra special holiday for competitive eater Joey Chestnut. The seven-time Nathan’s Hot Dog eating champion chowed down on 61 hotdogs at the annual Coney Island competition today, which was enough to earn him an eighth win. If that wasn’t enough glory, Chestnut dropped to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend Neslie Ricasa after the win. She said yes.