The Canadian Press provides a summary of important news today, highlighting key events and developments across the nation.
King Charles and Queen Camilla's Royal Visit to Canada
Today marks the arrival of King Charles and Queen Camilla in Ottawa, commencing a historic royal tour. This visit is significant as it is their first trip to Canada since the King’s coronation two years ago. Following their arrival this afternoon, the royal couple will head to Lansdowne Park, a prominent events location in downtown Ottawa, to engage with community members. After the community meeting, they will proceed to Rideau Hall where they are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, the Crown's representative in Canada. Prime Minister Carney has invited the King to deliver the speech from the throne on Tuesday, outlining the government's objectives for the upcoming legislative session.
House of Commons Speaker Vote
In a key parliamentary event, newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will cast their votes today via secret ballot to select the next Speaker of the House of Commons. The previous Speaker, Liberal MP Greg Fergus, is seeking to reclaim his role but has faced some criticism regarding his perceived partisanship during the last Parliament. He will compete against several contenders, including former deputy Speaker and Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont, as well as former deputy government House leader and Liberal MP Sherry Romanado. The role of Speaker is crucial for maintaining order in the Legislature, particularly in minority parliaments where tensions can escalate rapidly and challenge the government's agenda.
Community Mourning in Walkerton
In central Ontario, the community of Walkerton is returning to school today following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of four students and a coach. Matt Eckert, 33, along with four teenage girls, died in a collision involving their SUV and a transport truck while returning from a sporting event. As the community processes this profound loss, schools are providing increased mental health resources. A vigil held on Sunday evening drew hundreds to remember the victims, with attendees lighting candles and leaving flowers outside the school. While the Ontario Provincial Police and the school board have not released the names of the deceased students, it has been reported that two were aged 16 and two were 17.
Support for Vancouver Festival Victims
One month after the devastating attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival, fundraising efforts to aid the victims' families and those injured continue. The tragic incident, described as the "darkest day" in the city’s history, involved an SUV ramming into the crowd, resulting in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. Multiple fundraising events were organized over the weekend to provide financial support. Suspect Adam Kai-Ji Lo currently faces eight counts of second-degree murder, with additional charges anticipated as the investigation continues.
Employment Opportunities for Hudson's Bay Workers
As Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue Canada prepare for liquidation, many of their employees are being recruited by other retailers. Holt Renfrew, a luxury department store, has reported adding numerous employees from the Bay and Saks to its teams, with more hires expected. Additionally, talent acquisition teams at Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall are actively seeking to attract former Bay and Saks staff through social media outreach. Retail consultant Lanita Layton noted that these workers possess valuable sales skills and a strong understanding of the Canadian retail landscape, making them highly desirable candidates as more than 9,300 Bay and Saks employees are set to lose their jobs by the end of the month.
Sentencing for Theft of Churchill Portrait Expected
A man from Ontario, Jeffrey Wood, is anticipated to receive sentencing today for the theft of a famous portrait of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Wood pleaded guilty earlier this year to stealing the portrait from the Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa and to committing forgery by creating a false document. The iconic portrait, taken by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1941, was reportedly stolen sometime between December 25, 2021, and January 6, 2022, and was replaced with a counterfeit version by the thief.
