Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on recent events...

Fear of Mental Health Stigma After Festival Attack

A British Columbia advocate voices concerns over the potential backlash against individuals with mental illness following a tragic incident at a festival in Vancouver that resulted in the deaths of 11 people. The suspect, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, was reportedly under the care of a mental health team and on "extended leave," a term often associated with involuntary care, at the time of the attack. Jonny Morris, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association's B.C. division, expressed worries that reactive measures could exacerbate the stigma surrounding mental health rather than help address the root issues stemming from the incident at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu festival.

Retired Businessman Defeats Poilievre in Election

In a surprising turn of events, Bruce Fanjoy defeated high-profile Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the recent election within their shared riding. Fanjoy, who has dedicated significant time and effort to his campaign, noted the importance of engaging with voters directly. “We’ve been at this for a long time,” he stated, having knocked on over 15,000 doors in the area during his two-year campaign. He felt optimistic about his chances as the preliminary results on election night appeared promising.

Hockey Players’ Sexual Assault Trial Continues

The sexual assault trial involving five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team is set to continue as testimony from NHL player Taylor Raddysh is expected. Raddysh testified remotely from Arlington, Virginia, while the accused—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote—have all pleaded not guilty to charges related to an incident that occurred in a London, Ontario hotel room in June 2018. Notably, McLeod faces an additional charge related to being a party to the offence.

Victim Impact Statements in Montreal Daycare Bus Crash Case

Families affected by a tragic bus crash at a Montreal-area daycare in February 2023 are scheduled to read victim impact statements in court today. Earlier this week, a Quebec Superior Court judge accepted a joint recommendation from the Crown and defense, declaring Pierre Ny St-Amand not criminally responsible for the incident due to a state of psychosis that rendered him unable to discern right from wrong. The crash claimed the lives of four-year-old Jacob Gauthier and another five-year-old girl, whose family name is under a publication ban at their request.

Peaceful Elver Fishing Efforts Prove Successful

In a positive development, some Mi’kmaq harvesters report a calmer atmosphere during elver fishing this year, thanks to adherence to Ottawa’s quotas for the controversial baby eel fishery. Harvesters like Jay Pennell have experienced a noticeable absence of past confrontations while working in the Gold River, a stark contrast to previous years. “It’s very peaceful,” Pennell remarked, highlighting the cooperative spirit among harvesters this season as they work within the allocated quota provided by the Kwilmu’kkw Maw-klusuaqn, the administrative body of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs.

Canadian Musicians Navigating U.S. Tours Amid Political Climate

Canadian country singer Robert Adam has chosen to forgo a U.S. promotional tour for their recently recorded album in Nashville due to the political climate under U.S. President Donald Trump. The Calgary-based non-binary artist deliberated for months over the decision, considering both past negative experiences as a queer person in the U.S. and the significance of the U.S. market for emerging musicians. After reflecting on the challenges faced by some transgender musicians in acquiring U.S. working visas, Adam ultimately decided that skipping the country was the right choice for their upcoming tour.