February 2005 in Canada

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Deaths 23 – Tom Patterson, 84 Ongoing events Equalization payments National Hockey League labour dispute Same-sex marriage debate Judy Sgro controversy/"Strippergate" Sponsorship scandal Holidays February 21: Family Day (Alberta)

Events in Canada

This page deals with current events in Canada, of interest to Canada and/or involving Canadians.

February 28, 2005

• Studies on polygamy will be done by Status of Women Canada for the federal government to address concerns that same-sex marriage will be a step towards it. The results will be published in December or January. (CTV)
• The five-year battle to live in Canada ended for Sanja Pecelj's as she arrived in Halifax. Having spent 441 days in a church basement for sanctuary from being deported to Kosovo where her house had been destroyed in the conflict. In order for Nova Scotia to sponsor her immigration application, which had broad community support, she had to leave temporarily. Sanja lived with her sister in Mexico for six months during the process. (CBC)

February 27, 2005

• Scott Tournament of Hearts: An incredible final shot by Jennifer Jones of Team Manitoba in the last end of play resulted in four points, defeating the Jenn Hanna four-some of Team Ontario. Jones down by two at this point was forced to make an in-off of a rock sittout side the rings to hit an other-wise secure Ontario rock sitting on the button. She made the shot, winning the game 8–6. (CBC sports)
• In Langley, B.C. there is a push by a Conservative MP to extend compassionate care benefits to siblings. This comes as a result of a woman dying of cancer who's immediate family is her sister, and she was denied federal benefits because of a gap in the law. (CBC)
• Fateh Kamel an Algerian-Canadian convicted in 2001 in France of assisting terrorists with passports arrived in Montreal after being released four years into his eight-year sentence for good behavior. Deputy Conservative leader Peter MacKay wants further investigation into Fateh's crimes, but authorities stress they want to balance security and the rights of Canadian citizens. (CBC)
• There was a fire in Palais Montcalm a landmark in Quebec City. The damage is estimated at $100,000 and may delay restoration work which was in progress. (CBC)

February 26, 2005

• Maher Arar inquiry: Estimated cost is now at $23 million and growing, which is double initial cost estimates. (CTV) (Globe&Mail)
• 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts: Ontario's Jenn Hanna rink advance to the finals against Manitoba as they defeated British Columbia's Kelly Scott rink 9-7 in the semi-final. (CBC Sports)

February 25, 2005

• A federal court ruled that neo-Nazi activist and Holocaust-denier Ernst Zündel could be deported from Canada. He has been jailed in Toronto for the past two years under post 9/11 legislation to assess whether he posed a risk to Canadian society. Zündel will be arrested and face charges in Germany for his activities if he is deported. (Haaretz)
• Missile defense: Prime Minister Paul Martin stipulated that despite not joining America's missile defence program he expected to be consulted if a missile was to be intercepted in Canadian airspace. (CBC)
• Manitoba is joining British Columbia's lawsuit against North American and foreign-based tobacco companies. B.C. is seeking $10 billion in compensation from tobacco companies for related health-care costs. (CTV)
• 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts: Defending Scott champion Colleen Jones fails to make it 5 championship wins in a row, as she was ousted by Sandy Comeau's rink from New Brunswick in the morning tie-breaker. Comeau would then play Jenn Hanna's Ontario rink who had beaten Alberta's Cathy King rink in the other morning tie-breaker. Hanna would go on to win the final tie-breaker which determined the last playoff spot. In the evening, the page-playoffs began with Hanna once again winning, defeating Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton rink in the 3–4 game for the right to go to the semi-final on Saturday. In the other playoff game, Manitoba's Jennifer Jones rink defeats British Columbia's Kelly Scott rink in the 1–2 game, forcing Scott to play in the semi-final on Saturday and giving Jones a bye to the final on Sunday. (CBC sports)

February 24, 2005

• Missile defense: The Canadian government formally announced it would not be joining the controversial missile defense program. United States ambassador Paul Cellucci stated he did not understand why Canada would give up its position in deciding its own defence if a missile flew into its airspace. (CBC)
• 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts – In the last day of the round robin, Manitoba's Jennifer Jones wins both of her games to finish first at 9–2. She will face British Columbia's Kelly Scott, who finished second at 8–3 in the "1–2" match-up, where the winner gets a bye to the final, and the loser must play in the semi-final. Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton finished in third place with a 7–4 record and awaits the winner out of a massive tie for 6-5 which involves Ontario's Jenn Hanna, Alberta's Cathy King, defending champion Colleen Jones and New Brunswick's Sandy Comeau. 3 Tie-breaker games will be played to determine the winner, who will play Lawton in the "3–4" game. (CBC sports)

February 23, 2005

• Finance Minister Ralph Goodale presents the federal budget to the Canadian House of Commons. (CTV)
  • The budget includes a modest tax break, a substantial increase in defence spending, and increased funding for some social programs, such as day care.
  • The Canadian dollar declined in after-hours trading after it was revealed that foreign content restrictions on Registered Retirement Savings Plans will be eliminated immediately.
  • Conservative leader Stephen Harper immediately pledged his party's support for the budget, all but eliminating the possibility that the Liberal government would fall on a vote of no confidence and diminishing the possibility that there will be a federal election in 2005.
  • The Bloc Québécois announce they will vote against the budget, while the New Democratic Party is undecided.
• In Vancouver police have released samples of graphic letters being left in public places since 1992 in an effort to catch the perpetrator. (CBC)
• 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts: On the second last day of the round robin, Jennifer Jones' Manitoba rink pulls out of her first place tie with Saskatchewan, only needing one win against Alberta as Lawton lost both of hers. Jones has a 7–2 record while Lawton, along with Team Canada's Colleen Jones and British Columbia's Kelly Scott sit in second place at a 6–3 record. The top 4 teams in the tournament make the playoffs. (CBC sports)

February 22, 2005

• Federal budget: Opposition parties accuse the Liberal government of once again underestimating the budget surplus in order to divert funds to national debt repayment. They will release their own figures Tuesday they claim will prove it. (CBC)
• Judy Sgro: Harjit Singh was sued for $750,000 by Sgro for defamation. Singh has countersued for $1.25 million. (CBC)
• According to Radio-Canada, Prime Minister Paul Martin is to officially announce on February 24, that Canada is not participating in the US missile defense project. (CBC)
• In Bromont, Quebec a small plane crash-landed east of Montreal Monday night. Transport Canada is investigating as there are indications the runway lights were out. (CBC)
• Scott Tournament of Hearts: The defending champion Colleen Jones rink defeats the previously undefeated Saskatchewan rink skipped by Stefanie Lawton. Jones also won her other game against Nova Scotia and sits at 4–3, while Saskatchewan drops into a tie with Manitoba's Jennifer Jones at 6–1. Jennifer Jones has been on a roll as well, only losing to British Columbia's Kelly Scott in Draw 6. (CBC sports)

February 21, 2005

• A new record for a continuous hockey game, which started on Feb. 11 and was achieved by 40 hockey players near Edmonton in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The new record is 240 hours (previously 203 hours) helped to raise $200,000 for children's cancer research. (CBC)
• Smoking ban: There were protests in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in support of bar owner Rob Joyal who faces charges of violating the ban at the Royal Hotel. Complicating matters First Nations casinos are exempt from the ban, although negotiations are ongoing. (CBC)
• Reena Virk's murder: The third trial of Kelly Ellard in the British Columbia Supreme Court has started. The first one ended with a successful appeal, and the second trial ended with a hung jury. (CBC)
• Scott Tournament of Hearts: Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton remains undefeated at 5–0 after beating Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. Defending champions Colleen Jones falls to New Brunswick's Sandy Comeau but defeats Alberta and sits tied in sixth place at 2–3. (CBC sports)
• Smaller high-tech companies are concerned with the Liberal government seeking to reduce government costs by consolidating contracts with larger firms. (CBC)
• A politician in Halifax wants a new holiday on the third Monday in February, which is already Family Day in Alberta and Presidents' Day in the United States. The goal is to provide Canadians a break from the harsh winter season. (CBC)

February 20, 2005

• Sponsorship Scandal: The cost of the inquiry headed by Justice John Gomery has increased by $20 million, which could raise the overall cost to $80 million. (CBC)
• World Pond Hockey Championship: In Plaster Rock, New Brunswick a team from Boston, which has four Canadian expatriates became the first team to bag the tournament twice.
• 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts: Manitoba's Jennifer Jones and Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton remain the only teams to be undefeated as Jones won both of her games and Lawton her game. Both teams are 3–0. Defending champions, Team Canada skipped by Colleen Jones continues her rough start by losing to Manitoba in their morning draw but rebounding with a win over Newfoundland and Labrador's Heather Strong. Team Canada sits at 1–2. (CBC Sports)

February 19, 2005

• Famous Players will no longer run "issue-driven advertising" and has cancelled the same-sex advertising sponsored by Canadians for Equal Marriage. This decision came after a boycott of theaters and death threats were received by staff. Vice-president of corporate affairs Nuria Bronfman stated the ads were at the end of their run and Famous Players was "not succumbing to threats or boycotts." (CTV)
• The 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Canada's national curling championship for women begins play at Mile One Stadium in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Team Canada's Colleen Jones, the defending champion is upset by Jenn Hanna of team Ontario. Elsewhere, former Scott champion Cathy King of Alberta loses both her games. British Columbia's Kelly Scott and Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton both are undefeated at 2–0 while Manitoba's Jennifer Jones, Nova Scotia's Kay Zinck, New Brunswick's Sandy Comeau in addition to Hanna are at 1–0. (CBC)
• Adil Charkaoui, a suspected sleeper terrorist, was released after 21 months detention and $50,000 bail. He is required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and has significant restrictions on his movement, computer use and contacts. (National Post)

February 18, 2005

• Quebec Premier Jean Charest reshuffles his cabinet in an attempt to restore confidence in his liberal government after losing popularity as a result of flip-flops and indecision. (Globe and Mail)
• Kyoto Protocol: The current budget for meeting Kyoto goals is estimated to be $5–6 billion in next week's budget. Almost half of this funding is recycling unspent funds from previous programs. It's believed by some the funding is aimed at increasing support for the federal liberals in British Columbia, Quebec and traditional NDP voters. (Globe and Mail)
• Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh will ask the public for input into the benefits and risks of prescription drugs at public hearings in the next few weeks. (TheStar)

February 17, 2005

• Same-sex marriage: Conservative leader Stephen Harper's proposed amendment to Bill C-38 would make common-law marriage between "one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others", but would allow provinces to grant civil unions. Justice Minister Irwin Cotler clarified that despite Conservative assertions to the contrary the notwithstanding clause would have to be used in order to reverse same-sex marriage if it became law. No federal government has ever utilized the clause. (CBC) (Calgary CBC)
• The political activist who hit Alberta Premier Ralph Klein in the face with a banana cream pie at the 2003 Calgary Stampede will spend 30 days in jail and 40 hours of community service. (CBC)

February 16, 2005

• Same-sex marriage: In Ottawa, Prime Minister Paul Martin criticized opponents of legalizing gay marriage as being "disingenuous" when they implied it could be easily undone in the future. At the same time some Conservatives opposed to same-sex marriage have suggested it could lead to the legalization of polygamy. (Reuters)
• A security review of Hydro-Québec facilities is underway after Radio-Canada reporters were able to gain access to dams and critical control panels unimpeded. Regulation for Hydro-Québec falls to the province because it is a private company. (CTV)
• Kyoto Protocol: Prime Minister Paul Martin said Canada would help countries outside of the protocol reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. The Prime Minister was then attacked by critics who noted Ottawa had yet to clarify how it could meet its own commitments more than 10 years after signing on to Kyoto. Greenpeace activists, some dressed as polar bears, protested at Parliament Hill for Canada to do more. (Reuters)
• 2005 Budget: Stephen Harper warned the liberal government it should not expect automatic support for its budget. Since liberal have only 125 seats compared to the combined 150 seats of the Conservative, Bloc Québécois and New Democratic Party. Although it has been hinted some Conservatives will miss the vote to avoid a re-election. (CBC)

February 15, 2005

• In Ottawa, Sheila Fraser reveals in her latest report that of the $9 billion given to 15 private foundations, which the federal government cannot hold accountable, $7.7 billion is unspent gathering interest. (CBC)
• Health Canada might introduce measures similar to Australia in warning of the potential dangers of painkillers known as Cox-2 inhibitors. Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh is considering creating an independent drug agency to monitor drugs on the market. This follows high profile drugs such as Vioxx being pulled from the market after health complications arose. (Canada)
• The 40th anniversary of the Canadian flag designed by George F.G. Stanley. Prime Minister Paul Martin thanked John Matheson for his role in the multi-party parliamentary committee that selected the flag, and presented him with the flag flown at Parliament Hill on February 15, 1965. (CTV) (CBC)
• 2004 tsunami: The Canadian death toll is increased from 9 (Feb. 10) to 12, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Eight people are still considered to be missing in tsunami disaster zones in Thailand. (CBC)
• Equalization payments: Ontario is demanding $5 billion more from the federal government and P.E.I. wants to renegotiate its deal too. (CBC)

February 14, 2005

• In Ottawa, Conservative leader Stephen Harper was on the defensive for asking to see his MPs' speeches on same-sex marriage before being read in the House of Commons. (CTV)
• DART: A planeload of personnel arrived at 23:45 at CFB Trenton. The remainder of the 200-member team are expected back from Sri Lanka's Ampara district on February 24. (CTV)
• The latest report by Auditor General Sheila Fraser on the sponsorship scandal is to be released tomorrow. It will take a broader look at misused funds and could be bad news for Paul Martin's minority government. (CTV)
• In Regina, Teresa Langan was jailed for 48 hours because of 140 unpaid parking tickets. (CBC)

February 13, 2005

• Wal-Mart appeals a provincial decision to unionize the store in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. This follows the decision to close the only unionized store in North America located in Jonquière, Quebec. (CBC)

February 12, 2005

• The government of Ontario criticized anesthesiologists for being "greedy" and were holding patients "hostage" with their one-day protest on February 11. The anesthesiologist chair of the Ontario Medical Association responded that unless action was taken by the government wait times would continue to increase as overworked, underpaid anesthesiologists left Ontario or retired. (TheStar)

February 11, 2005

• Anesthesiologists had a one-day "study session" in Toronto forcing approximately 70% of elective procedures in Ontario to be cancelled. The protest was in response to longer patient waiting times as a result of government not acting to deal with shortages in medical personnel. (Canada)
• Dalton McGuinty seeks a new deal with the federal government over equalization payments since Atlantic provinces have struck a deal to get royalties from off-shore oil, while Ontario is running at a deficit. (CBC)
• The final report by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on the third case of BSE in Canada concluded contaminated cattle feed could have been the cause. (Reuters)

February 10, 2005

• Sponsorship Scandal: In Ottawa, Prime Minister Paul Martin was testifying he had no control over funding was spent. (CBC)
• Two boys abducted by their father were found in Lafayette, Louisiana after not being returned from a visit to their mother in Moncton, New Brunswick. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is arranging to bring the father back to Canada where he will face charges. (CBC)
• The total number of Canadians killed in the 2004 tsunami increased by three to a total of nine. "Another 11 Canadians are missing and 13 are unaccounted for." (CBC)

February 9, 2005

• Despite playing most of the game with 10 men, the Canadian national men's soccer team upsets Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast. Despite the fact it was an upset, Canada has never lost to Northern Ireland in 3 matches all-time. (Rogers Sportsnet)
• Edmonton police chief Fred Rayner is fired. Rayner was under intense criticism for his handling of an incident on November 18, 2004 where several police officers staked out the Overtime nightclub – radio transcripts revealed that the officers were deliberately trying to arrest Edmonton Sun municipal affairs columnist Kerry Diotte for drunk driving. The attempt had absolutely no chance of success because Diotte, who had been critical of the police force, had taken a cab to the nightclub. (Edmonton Sun)
• Albertan Premier Ralph Klein announces that he favours declaring a one-time statutory holiday on Centennial Day (September 1, 2005). The Albertan government also confirms that it will soon raise the minimum wage to seven dollars per hour. (CFCN)

February 8, 2005

• Former Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien testifies in front of the Gomery inquiry on Canada's sponsorship scandal in Quebec. Mr. Chrétien regrets mistakes, but defends Canadian unity. (Globe and Mail) (Toronto Star)

February 7, 2005

• In Toronto, Bob Rae released a report which concluded Ontario needs to spend more than $1.5 billion on post-secondary education to improve quality and accessibility to low-income people. (CBC)

February 6, 2005

• U.S. Missile Defence: At a major conference in Harriman, New York, Ottawa is urged to stop debating the issue and sign up to the project. Moving forward is seen as important to addressing other issues of maritime defence and trans-border planning. (CBC)

February 5, 2005

• The University of Calgary is about to introduce a new computer science course teaching students how write programs that create e-mail spam as well as spyware. The idea being knowing how to write the software will improve ones ability to combat it. Security on the program will be tight and students will be required to sign waivers. (CBC)

February 4, 2005

• A Montreal-based telemarketing scam with more than 100,000 United States victims and stole over $45 million was raided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Seniors were offered non-existent loans and credit cards for a $250 sign-up fee, so far, 28 people have been arrested. (CBC)
• Canadian flag pins given to federal politicians to give out to visitors and constituents will no longer be made in China after New Democrat Member of Parliament Charlie Angus protested. (CBC)
• There is a winter smog warning in southern Quebec, Ontario as a result of pollution and unusually warm weather. (CBC)
• In Whistler, British Columbia thieves steal over $200,000 of vintage wine. (CBC)

February 3, 2005

• Canada's tsunami response was characterized as "amateur" by John Watson, president and chief executive of CARE Canada. Sending the DART with expensive overhead (e.g. leasing transport planes) was not only inefficient but requires slow political decision making. Mr. Watson proposes NGO's create a "unified aid delivery system, based on the British model." (CBC)

February 2, 2005

• Police investigate the vandalism of a controversial nude statue in Penticton, British Columbia. (CBC)

February 1, 2005

• The Federal Court of Canada upholds a deportation order against pizzeria owner Harjit Singh, who had said former Immigration Minister Judy Sgro promised to help him stay in Canada if he supplied pizza to her re-election campaign. Singh, who currently faces a defamation suit from Sgro, is to be flown to New Delhi on Wednesday. (CBC)
• Shareholders of Coors overwhelmingly approve their company's proposed merger with Molson. The merger had already been approved by Molson shareholders last week. The two brewers are expected to finalize the merger by February 9, creating Molson Coors Brewing Company. (AP)
• Justice minister Irwin Cotler presents Bill C-38, an act to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, to the House of Commons. (CBC)

News collections and sources

• Wikipedia:News collections and sources.
• Wikipedia:News sources – This has much of the same material organised in a hierarchical manner to help encourage NPOV in our news reporting.