Mark Carney is poised to launch his campaign for the Liberal leadership today in Edmonton, marking the end of nearly a decade of speculation regarding his political aspirations. Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, has long been regarded as a potential candidate. Alongside him, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and government House leader Karina Gould are also anticipated to announce their candidacies in the coming days. The deadline for declaring a candidacy is set for January 23, with candidates required to pay an entrance fee of $350,000. The new leader will be elected on March 9, effectively signaling the conclusion of the Trudeau era for the Liberal Party.
In another story, Duncan Martin, a resident of East Vancouver, shares his experiences as an urban poultry enthusiast amid concerns regarding H5N1 avian influenza. His beloved chicken, Lumpy Eye, is currently kept in isolation to prevent any potential contact with wild birds, given the serious outbreak of avian flu affecting commercial flocks across British Columbia. Martin emphasizes the importance of protecting his small flock, as over 8.5 million birds have already been culled in the province due to the virus. The community of chicken keepers in Vancouver is taking precautions to ensure their birds remain safe and healthy during this health crisis.
Health Canada has addressed public concerns regarding a synthetic dye known as Red 3, which has been recently banned from the U.S. food supply. The federal agency has stated that, as of now, the dye does not pose a health risk to Canadians and will not impose a ban unless new information comes to light. The agency's confidence stems from a 2018 safety evaluation conducted by a joint committee from the United Nations and World Health Organization, which found no safety concerns associated with the additive when used in foods.
In the realm of music, Canadian rapper Drake has filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, citing new details related to a shooting incident that injured a security guard outside his Toronto residence. The lawsuit emerged following Kendrick Lamar's diss track, “Not Like Us.” According to the legal documents, a group of armed assailants approached Drake's home in the affluent Bridle Path area late at night, resulting in gunfire. One bullet struck a security guard and friend of Drake’s, leading to a chaotic scene as Drake and his associates attempted to assist the injured man while awaiting an ambulance.
On the sports front, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Jari Kurri to become the second all-time leader in points within the franchise's history. McDavid recorded two goals and an assist during the Oilers' recent 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild, bringing his career total to 1,044 points in just ten seasons. He now trails only Wayne Gretzky, who amassed 1,669 points during his nine-year tenure in Edmonton. The incident on the ice that involved a collision with Minnesota forward Marcus Johansson did not result in a penalty call, but it drew notable discontent from the opposing team.
This collection of stories highlights significant developments across various sectors, from politics and health to music and sports, demonstrating the dynamic nature of Canadian news as of January 16, 2025.
