Feb 12

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HEIGHT= 26147 ><NOBR><div> <B> <A NAME="top_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="5e4a5c200.png" border=0 width="92" height="32" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </B></FONT><B>Past Articles:</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="626" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FFCC80" BORDERCOLORDARK="#CC9900" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" 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12"><U><B>Feb/12</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1194.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jan 12"><U><B>Jan/12</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1193.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dec 11"><U><B>Dec/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1192.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nov 11"><U><B>Nov/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1191.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oct 11"><U><B>Oct/11</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1190.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sep 11"><U><B>Sep/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1185.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aug 11"><U><B>Aug/11</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1184.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jul 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TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dec 07"><U><B>Dec/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1037.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nov 07"><U><B>Nov/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1032.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oct 07"><U><B>Oct/07</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1026.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sep 07"><U><B>Sep/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1025.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aug 07"><U><B>Aug/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1020.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jul 07"><U><B>Jul/07</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1015.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jun 07"><U><B>Jun/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id1009.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May 07"><U><B>May/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33 WIDTH="50"><div> <A HREF="id1007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Apr 07"><U><B>Apr/07</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id986.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mar 07"><U><B>Mar/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id979.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feb 07"><U><B>Feb/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC33><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id978.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jan 07"><U><B>Jan/07</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>These "Articles" a</B><B>re dated from </B><B>February 1st, 2012 - February 29th, 2012</B><B>.</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="420" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#29" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>North Korea agrees to suspend uranium enrichment</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 29/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#28" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>5 arrests in Quebec in connection with child porn investigation</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 28/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#27" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Black box recovered from wreckage of train derailment</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 27/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#26" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>B.C. man ordered to stand trial on bestiality charge</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 26/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#25" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Rae accuses Tories of 'dirty tricks' in robocall scandal</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 25/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#24" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Jupiter, Venus, moon promise brilliant show this weekend</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 24/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#23" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>E</B><B>U</B></FONT><B> committee makes no decision on Canadian oilsands</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 23/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#22" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Burlington, Ont. as hotbed for cybercrimes</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 22/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#21" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Beware opening door to online surveillance, critics say</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 21/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="370"><div> <B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>  Not Applicable</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 20/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#19" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Cape Breton digging out from major snowfall</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 19/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#18" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>New Brunswick teen leaves province to escape bullying</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 18/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="370"><div> <A HREF="#17" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Feds to close same-sex marriage loophole</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 17/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#16" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Greenpeace, aboriginal groups seen as 'extremist' threats</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 16/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#15" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Trudeau faces controversy over separation remarks</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 15/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#14" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Dead bullied boy's testimony sets precedent: dad</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 14/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#13" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Greeks clean up damage after riots engulf Athens</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 13/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#12" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Houston's body taken to morgue; autopsy planned</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 12/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#11" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Gay-friendly cards in Manitoba school spark outcry</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 11/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#10" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>CAW boss accuses Caterpillar of breaking the rules</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 10/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#09" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Three Canadian sailors rescued off coast of Hawaii</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 09/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#08" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Slate of deals spurs Canada-China relations ahead</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 08/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#07" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>11 killed when truck collides with van in Ontario</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 07/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#06" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Skurka's Spin: Can the death penalty return to Canada?</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 06/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="370"><div> <A HREF="#05" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Oil on the agenda for Harper's China trip</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 05/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#04" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Canadian rocker and economist protest B.C. pipeline</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 04/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#03" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Ethanol rules driving up beef prices, damaging industry</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 03/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="370"><div> <A HREF="#02" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Dozens charged in major child porn bust</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 02/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#01" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><B><IMG SRC="f1f0b0d0.png" border=0 width="11" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><B>Audio expert purports to debunk 'strange noises' mystery</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 01/02/12</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> =======================</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="705" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="707"><div>  <A NAME="29"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 254 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>North Korea agrees to suspend uranium enrichment</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Feb. 29 2012  09:41  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 29th, 2012</div> <div> <B>WASHINGTON — The United States says North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment and agreed to a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests.</B></div> <bR> <div> State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland also said today that the North has agreed to allow International Atomic Energy inspectors to verify and monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment and confirm disablement of its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.</div> <bR> <div> Her statement says the U.S. will meet with North Korea to finalize details for a proposed package of 240,000 tonnes of food aid.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="1036fa06b0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="107" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> South Korean navy ships are seen at a floating base near South Korea's western Yeonpyong Island near the disputed sea border with North Korea, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. (AP/Yonhap, Bae Jung-hyun)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="28"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 96 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>5 arrests in Quebec in connection with child porn investigation</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Feb. 28 2012  11:37  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 28th, 2012</div> <div> <B>MONTREAL — Five Quebecers are facing charges in connection with a notorious international child pornography investigation.</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1036ba05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 311 WIDTH="707"><div> Provincial police say they made arrests earlier today and the five are expected to appear in court later in the day.</div> <bR> <div> The charges stem from a massive investigation that originated in Amsterdam in 2010, with the arrest of a daycare worker in connection with an international child-porn ring.</div> <bR> <div> Robert Mikelsons' computers were analyzed by Dutch police and information on it allegedly led back to five Quebecers.</div> <bR> <div> Quebec provincial police began investigating in this country, in December 2011.</div> <bR> <div> Provincial and municipal police made arrests today and executed warrants in five locations in five cities including Montreal, Quebec City and Gatineau.</div> <bR> <div> Four men, aged between 29 and 60, face charges of producing, possessing and distributing child pornography.</div> <bR> <div> Police say another man remains on the lam.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="27"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 167 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Black box recovered from wreckage of train derailment</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Feb. 27 2012  09:26  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 27th, 2012</div> <div> <B>The three engineers who died in a train crash on Sunday night were all male and from Ontario, Via Rail announced Monday.</B></div> <bR> <div> Patrick Robinson, a 40-year-old engineer in training, was from Cornwall, Ont.</div> <bR> <div> The other two engineers were Peter Snarr, 52, and Ken Simmonds, 56, of Toronto.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10342a05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Emergency crews work at the scene of the derailment, as seen in this aerial view from the CTV News helicopter, in Burlington, Ont., Monday, Feb. 27, 2012.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 548 WIDTH="707"><div> Michelle Lamarche, a spokesperson for Via Rail, said Robinson was observing when the locomotive flew off the tracks in Burlington, Ont. on Sunday, killing three people and injuring 46.</div> <bR> <div> Of the 46 injured, nine remained in hospital on Monday morning, Lamarche said.</div> <bR> <div> On Monday, investigators from the Transportation Safety Board said they had recovered the black box from the train.</div> <bR> <div> Tom Griffith, the TSB's investigator-in-charge, told CTV's Canada AM on Monday morning that the all-important black box was removed from the train in damaged condition.</div> <bR> <div> "Because of the extensive damage that occurred during the derailment, the black box was damaged. We have since removed it from the locomotive and we've taken it to a place to have it downloaded and to glean the information from it," Griffith said from the scene of the accident Monday morning.</div> <bR> <div> "If not damaged beyond repair we should have that sometime today."</div> <bR> <div> Griffith said the black box should tell investigators exactly what was happening on the locomotive in the moments leading up to the crash -- crucial information in piecing together what went wrong.</div> <bR> <div> "The speed, brake pressure, whether the brakes were put on, whether they were blowing the whistle -- it will tell us everything that was going on with that locomotive," Griffiths said.</div> <bR> <div> However, the black box does not include a voice recorder, so investigators will likely be unable to determine what was being said by engineers just before the crash.</div> <bR> <div> The investigation could take up to nine months.</div> <bR> <div> The derailment occurred around 3:30 p.m. in an industrial area near Aldershot station, about 60 kilometres west of Toronto. One of the six derailed train cars crashed into a small building near the train tracks, flipping on its side.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 541 WIDTH="707"><div> Via train 92 was travelling eastbound from Niagara Falls to Toronto with 75 passengers and four crew members on board.</div> <bR> <div> About 60 passengers were initially trapped in the wreckage, as dozens of police officers, firefighters and paramedics worked frantically to free them. Some were carried away on stretchers while others walked away shaken, but unharmed.</div> <bR> <div> By 6:30 p.m., everyone was out of the train and all passengers had received some type of medical attention, Via Rail spokesperson Michelle Lamarche said.</div> <bR> <div> One passenger described feeling a slight bump, followed by immediate chaos as the train derailed and terrified passengers began scrambling to find a way out of the train. One person described it as a "war zone."</div> <bR> <div> CTV's John Vennavally-Rao said six TSB officials were on the scene Monday morning attempting to piece together what happened.</div> <bR> <div> One of their first challenges, he said, will be to remove the jack-knifed cars from the tracks so train traffic can once again resume on the busy corridor.</div> <bR> <div> "Obviously then the hard work will be underway to try and figure out what led to this train flying off the tracks," Vennavally-Rao said.</div> <bR> <div> Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring said he was at home relaxing with his wife on Sunday night when he got a call letting him know about the deadly accident.</div> <bR> <div> He confirmed another accident occurred in roughly the same area four years ago when a freight train crashed, but said it was too early to speculate whether there was any connection between the incidents.</div> <bR> <div> "Obviously there is going to be some questions around that and I can't speculate as to any relationship between what happened four years ago and last night. I'm sure they inevitably will be looking at that," he told Canada AM from the crash site.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 414 WIDTH="707"><div> Goldring said it will be a top priority to clear the tracks Monday morning to allow traffic to resume on what he said is one of the busiest rail routes in Canada.</div> <bR> <div> A statement Monday morning from GO Transit -- a local commuter railway that shuttles passengers from the fringes of the Greater Toronto Area into the city's core -- said trains would be operating almost as normal on Monday morning.</div> <bR> <div> "For Lakeshore West customers, trains will be unable to serve the Aldershot GO Station, but will originate and terminate at the Burlington GO Station due to the VIA train derailment east of Aldershot GO," said the statement.</div> <bR> <div> "We will have a shuttle bus service to/from Burlington to connect with the train."</div> <bR> <div> Passengers could experience delays of up to 10 minutes due to track reductions through the Aldershot area, the statement said.</div> <bR> <div> Express bus service is also being provided between Hamilton and Union Station where the trains terminate in downtown Toronto.</div> <bR> <div> Passengers were encouraged to consider using the Appleby station as opposed to the Burlington station.</div> <bR> <div> "We anticipate to have busy trains tomorrow morning and encourage passengers if possible to consider other alternative travel options to work this morning," said the statement issued Sunday night.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="26"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 173 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>B.C. man ordered to stand trial on bestiality charge</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sun. Feb. 26 2012  10:17  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 26th, 2012</div> <div> <B>A British Columbia man has been ordered to stand trial over allegations he performed sexual acts with his pet dog.</B></div> <bR> <div> The BC SPCA began investigating Brian Cutteridge two years ago after a veterinarian alerted the animal welfare agency to an infection the man's dog had. The organization seized three of Cutteridge's dogs and some home videos.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="1032aa06e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="110" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Brian Cutteridge, 38, of Vancouver has been charged with bestiality. Feb. 25, 2012. (CTV)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 505 WIDTH="707"><div> This week, a judge ruled that there is enough evidence to send the 38-year-old Vancouver man to trial on the rare charge of bestiality, which refers to sexual activity between a person and an animal.</div> <bR> <div> Marcie Moriarty, who leads the BC SPCA's Cruelty Investigations Department, noted that this is the agency's first bestiality case.</div> <bR> <div> "Unfortunately, bestiality is more common than we'd like to think but it's sometimes hard to find evidence and get a conviction," she said.</div> <bR> <div> The society claims that Cutteridge's alleged offences date back to 1998. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in jail.</div> <bR> <div> "In this particular case we're hopeful that we will get a conviction," said Moriarty. "He could argue it's his lifestyle choice and his right, but in Canada it is an illegal act."</div> <bR> <div> The BC SPCA said Cutteridge wrote a paper contesting the prohibition of zoophilia, otherwise known as a sexual relationship between humans and animals.</div> <bR> <div> CTV News found a posting online by a Brian Anthony Cutteridge titled "For the Love of Dog: On the Legal Prohibition of Zoophilia in Canada and the United States."</div> <bR> <div> The author of the paper argues that the laws that prohibit zoophilia in both countries are contradictory and unfair.</div> <bR> <div> "Laws which criminalize zoophilia based on societal abhorrence of such acts rather than any real harm caused by such acts are an unjust and constitutional infringement on individual liberty," wrote the author.</div> <bR> <div> CTV News has been unable to reach Cutteridge, who is expected to appear before a judge next month to set a trial date.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with from</I><I> CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="25"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 258 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Rae accuses Tories of 'dirty tricks' in robocall scandal</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Feb. 25 2012  17:30  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 25th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae said he has "no doubt" that misleading phone calls to voters during the last federal election contributed to the defeat of some of his party's candidates, and accused the Conservatives of "dirty tricks" to suppress Liberal and NDP votes.</B></div> <bR> <div> Speaking to reporters in Toronto Saturday, Rae said the Liberals now have evidence that voters in up to 27 ridings received automated calls on election day instructing them to go to the incorrect polling station.</div> <bR> <div> "These are not just isolated incidents," Rae said, pointing to what he calls a "troubling pattern" of voter suppression and intimidation.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10321a07e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae speaks to the media during a press conference over so-called robocalls that have attracted the attention of Elections Canada in last year's federal election in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 484 WIDTH="707"><div> If there is enough evidence of systemic voter deception, the Liberals will call for by-elections in affected ridings and the party will consider legal action, Rae said.</div> <bR> <div> Elections Canada and police are looking into reports of "robocalls" in as many as 18 ridings. Rae is calling for a full investigation and will ask for an emergency debate in Parliament on Monday.</div> <bR> <div> Interim NDP leader Nycole Turmel also called on Elections Canada and the RCMP to investigate the calls, "so this doesn't happen again."</div> <bR> <div> Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro joined calls for a thorough probe Saturday, saying his own campaign in Peterborough was a target of "dirty tricks" and aggressive phone calls leading up to the May 2, 2011 election.</div> <bR> <div> Del Mastro told CTV News Channel his Conservative supporters and campaign office volunteers were harassed with "aggressive" phone calls, often late at night.</div> <bR> <div> He said he didn't publicly complain about the calls until the "robocall" scandal broke because he didn't realize the problem was so widespread and thought it was just another hazard of political campaigning.</div> <bR> <div> Del Mastro said he will now be forwarding information about abusive phone calls in his riding to Elections Canada.</div> <bR> <div> Rae maintained that Conservatives were trying to manipulate votes in ridings where races were tight.</div> <bR> <div> He accused Prime Minster Stephen Harper, who has denied any knowledge of the phony calls, of creating "a culture of antagonism" that encourages "dirty tricks."</div> <bR> <div> "Dirty tricks are not permissible at any time," Rae said while campaigning with the Liberal candidate who is running in the upcoming by-election in the Toronto-Danforth riding.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 608 WIDTH="707"><div> The automated calls have been traced to Racknine Inc., an Edmonton-based company that worked for the Conservative Party's national campaign and at least nine other Conservative candidates, including the prime minister.</div> <bR> <div> While the Conservative Party has denied any involvement, some media reports linked a 23-year-old Tory staffer, Michael Sona, to robocalls made in Guelph. Although there is no evidence Sona was behind the calls, he resigned from the office of Toronto-area MP Eve Adams on Thursday night.</div> <bR> <div> The notion that one rogue Tory is responsible for "thousands" of robocalls in various ridings "defies all credibility," Rae said.</div> <bR> <div> "This could not have been done by one person," he said, calling on all members of the Conservative Party -- "including the prime minister" -- who have information about the calls' origins to come forward.</div> <bR> <div> Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show another grievance from Waterloo, Ont., where a voter complained she had received a telephone call instructing her to vote at the wrong polling station.</div> <bR> <div> Unlike similar calls made in nearby Guelph, the documents say the Conservatives have "belatedly admitted that they were responsible for the call, describing it as an error."</div> <bR> <div> An anonymous caller reportedly told voter Carolyn Siopiolosz that her polling station had been moved and asked if she wanted a ride to the new poll.</div> <bR> <div> "She became suspicious because her original poll was to be immediately across the street from where she lived and she had not heard of any official change," said a complaint to Elections Canada from Joe Nowak, president of the Kitchener-Conestoga federal Liberal association.</div> <bR> <div> Responding to the complaint, Elections Canada investigator Al Mathews said the Conservatives took responsibility for the misleading telephone call and chalked it up to an innocuous error.</div> <bR> <div> Documents obtained by CP show Elections Canada dropped the Waterloo investigation after Siopiolosz said she didn't want to explore the incident further.</div> <bR> <div> Mathews is now leading an investigation into similar phone calls made in Guelph.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 297 ><NOBR><div> <B>Jupiter, Venus, moon promise brilliant show this weekend</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Feb. 24 2012  08:32  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 24th, 2012</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="10315bcd90.jpg" border=0 width="700" height="217" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Venus and Jupiter converging over Hawaii on Nov. 19, 2008. (Stephen O'Meara)</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 538 WIDTH="707"><div> <B>Jupiter, Venus and the moon will gather over the weekend to put on an impressive show in the celestial night sky.</B></div> <bR> <div> Known as a triple conjunction, the two planets will be visible to the naked eye and easy to spot as they move close to the moon.</div> <bR> <div> Denise Chow, of <B><U>Space.com</U></B>, said Venus will be closest to the moon on Saturday, while Jupiter will move closer on Sunday night. But all three will be visible on both nights.</div> <bR> <div> Chow said stargazers should go outside at twilight or shortly after dark and locate the moon, which will appear as a thin sliver in the sky.</div> <bR> <div> On Saturday, Venus will appear as the bright light closest to the moon. On Sunday night, Venus will have shifted slightly further away, while Jupiter will appear closest to the moon.</div> <bR> <div> "These things happen based on orbits of planets so every so often two planets will line up and the moon will line up with one of the planets," Chow told CTV's Canada AM.</div> <bR> <div> "They're not as rare as a total solar eclipse but they are really neat. Anytime you can go out and pick up planets with the naked eye and not have to use binoculars or a telescope that's an interesting and rare thing."</div> <bR> <div> She said people who watch the phenomenon on both nights will get a sense of just how much the moon moves in the sky over the course of 24 hours.</div> <bR> <div> Jupiter and Venus have been moving closer to each other in recent weeks, and will pass in the night sky on March 13.</div> <bR> <div> The event will be broadcast live from the online <B><U>Slooh Space Camera</U></B> at <U>http://events.slooh.com/</U>, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="23"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 222 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>EU committee makes no decision on Canadian oilsands</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Feb. 23 2012  08:06  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 23rd, 2012</div> <div> <B>A European Union proposal to classify Canadian oilsands crude oil as dirtier than other forms of fuel has hit a stalemate, with not enough countries voting to push the legislation to the next stage.</B></div> <bR> <div> A spokesman for EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said the proposal will now go to the European Council — representatives of the EU's 27 member countries.</div> <bR> <div> Canada had threatened to take the EU to the World Trade Organization if it singled out oilsands as dirty. But the European Commission contends that science justifies the proposal.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="1030ba05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This aerial photo shows a tar sands mine facility near Fort McMurray, in Alberta, Canada. Alberta has the world's third-largest oil reserves after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela - more than 170 billion barrels. (Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 501 WIDTH="707"><div> The Associated Press reported that the EU committee vote was 54 for the proposal, 128 against and 128 abstaining. However, other reports recorded 89 votes in favour of the plan.</div> <bR> <div> The vote was by a so-called qualified majority, a system in which larger countries have more votes than smaller ones, and 255 votes were needed for the committee to approve or reject the proposal.</div> <bR> <div> The EU's proposed Fuel Quality Directive, which aims to curb emissions from transport fuels by 10 per cent, classifies oilsands fuel as dirtier than conventional oil.</div> <bR> <div> Another vote is planned for later this spring.</div> <bR> <div> Canada has threatened to take the matter to the World Trade Organization, the world's top trading body, if the plan is approved.</div> <bR> <div> Europe doesn't import much Canadian oil, but Canada is concerned that a vote against oilsands crude could prompt other regions to follow suit, potentially reducing markets.</div> <bR> <div> CTV's London Correspondent Ben O'Hara-Byrne told CTV's Canada AM that the EU vote, had it passed, might have prompted other regions to follow suit.</div> <bR> <div> "What I think Canada wants to avoid here is having oilsands oil deemed dirtier than other forms of oil by a body as important and as influential as the European Union," O'Hara-Byrne said.</div> <bR> <div> "The EU is obviously a trailblazer in many of these issues when it comes to standards. If they determine that oilsands oil is more carbon intensive than conventional oil . . . and they give it a set standard, it's a standard the rest of the world may start looking at. That could include U.S. states. It could include other parts of the world as well."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="22"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 166 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Burlington, Ont. as hotbed for cybercrimes</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Feb. 22 2012  08:21  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 22nd, 2012</div> <div> <B>For the second year in a row, Burlington, Ont. has been deemed the riskiest city for cybercrime in the country.</B></div> <bR> <div> The report, commissioned by Symantec, the makers of the Norton anti-virus protection software, highlights the potential risk factors that make consumers potentially vulnerable to cybercrime.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10303a05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Burlington, Ont. is seen as the riskiest city for online activity.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 683 WIDTH="707"><div> The annual study looked at several factors including actual cybercrimes that took place in the city including attempted malware infections, attempted web attacks, attempted spamming and attempted bots that run automated tasks over the Internet.</div> <bR> <div> It also studied social factors such as how much money people spend on PCs, the number of Wi-Fi hotspots in the city, prevalence of social networking within the population and access to the Internet.</div> <bR> <div> The 10 riskiest cities are:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Burlington, Ont.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Port Coquitlam, B.C.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Vancouver, B.C.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Langley, B.C.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Calgary, Alta.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Fredericton, N.B.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Toronto, Ont.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- New Westminster, B.C.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Edmonton, Alta.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">- Victoria, B.C.</div> <bR> <div> "It's important to understand that you are not going to get a virus as soon as you walk into Burlington, but there are social factors that make you more at risk and those are the things that consumers need to be aware of," said Lynn Hargrove, director of customer solutions at Symantec Canada, told CTV's Canada AM. "Basically the best practice is to be surf safe."</div> <bR> <div> Burlington was a prime candidate for the online risks due to its growth and affluence, Hargrove said. Residents are spending money on PCs, they have numerous devices connected to the Internet and they are tech savvy. This increased activity inevitably puts them in the riskier category.</div> <bR> <div> The growing reliance on smartphones has also caused a problem for cybercrime, Hargrove said.</div> <bR> <div> "The explosion of smartphones, Internet use, instant messaging has changed the landscape. People don't understand that the things that are on your smartphone are pretty much the same as their PC and they need to protect that smartphone. They need to make sure that they can lock it down."</div> <bR> <div> And the burgeoning use of free Wi-Fi has also proven to be a hotbed for criminal activity as most have poor security and do not encrypt the data before its passes through cyberspace. This makes it easy for hackers to steal personal information, Hargrove said.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from ctvtoronto.ca</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="21"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 194 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Beware opening door to online surveillance, critics say</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Feb. 21 2012  08:05  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 21st, 2012</div> <div> <B>OTTAWA — Opponents of the government's online surveillance bill say Canada should look to its allies for cautionary tales before pushing ahead with measures that would erode Internet freedom.</B></div> <bR> <div> Experiences in other jurisdictions such as the United States and Britain show no evidence of improved crime-fighting ability and "overwhelming evidence of increased surveillance," said Micheal Vonn of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10300a05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Computer hard drives, from closed criminal cases, sit on a shelf waiting to be wiped of information at the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center in Linthicum, Maryland, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. (AP / Cliff Owen)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 989 WIDTH="707"><div> The Canadian legislation would allow police, intelligence and competition bureau officers access to Internet subscriber information -- including name, address, telephone number, email address and Internet Protocol address -- without a warrant. An IP address is the numeric label assigned to a computer on the Internet.</div> <bR> <div> It would also require telecommunication service providers to have the technical capability to enable police and spies to intercept messages and conversations.</div> <bR> <div> The government says its proposed legislation is consistent with that of the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.</div> <bR> <div> The international examples demonstrate that when authorities are given more powers to keep an eye on Internet surfers, they definitely use them, said Vonn.</div> <bR> <div> "If you build it, they will come," she said.</div> <bR> <div> The government insists the bill will improve Canada's ability to work with its international partners to fight crime and terrorism.</div> <bR> <div> But critics question the rationale for the legislation altogether, saying no one has made a strong case that the current system -- based on voluntary compliance and warrants -- isn't working well.</div> <bR> <div> "We're not seeing a very strong need for these bills, and we're seeing an expansion of surveillance powers that basically begs for abuse," said Lindsey Pinto, a spokeswoman for OpenMedia.ca, which has helped lead opposition to the measures.</div> <bR> <div> Some warn that legislation without strong oversight and other protections will invite problems of the kind seen abroad.</div> <bR> <div> Inappropriate access to the sort of transactional data -- not the content, but all of a message's identifiers -- that Canadian authorities seek under the bill is a "common problem" in both Britain and the United States, says a research paper by Christopher Parsons, a University of Victoria doctoral student who has studied the issue.</div> <bR> <div> "In the U.S. the problem is far more significant," he writes. "The U.S. suffers from endemic inappropriate surveillance."</div> <bR> <div> The U.S. National Security Agency eavesdropping service ran a warrantless wiretapping system with the assistance of major telecommunications providers, while the FBI has repeatedly strayed over the line when collecting information, he notes.</div> <bR> <div> The American experience shows law enforcement agencies tend to access communications data inappropriately when there is unclear -- or no --judicial oversight, he adds.</div> <bR> <div> Research in Britain indicates people have been placed under surveillance for minor infractions such as littering and smoking in a public place.</div> <bR> <div> The Canadian government cites safeguards in its bill, including record-keeping requirements and regular internal audits to ensure the powers aren't abused.</div> <bR> <div> But it's not yet clear how they would work.</div> <bR> <div> "We do need to make sure that there is clear oversight and really meaningful deterrence from abuse," said Pinto.</div> <bR> <div> Being slower than its key allies to implement such legislation, Canada is in the ideal position take a different approach, said Vonn.</div> <bR> <div> "As usual we're being told we're way behind and we have to do exactly the same thing."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="19"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 153 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Cape Breton digging out from major snowfall</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sun. Feb. 19 2012  17:51  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 19th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Cape Bretoners spent Sunday digging out from the aftermath of a major winter storm that hit the island this weekend.</B></div> <bR> <div> Snow fell throughout Saturday, blanketing the area in 20 to 30 cm of snow and bringing the island to a virtual standstill.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102ffa05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Twenty to 30 centimetres of snow fell in Nova Scotia over the weekend, forcing many businesses to close early.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 323 WIDTH="707"><div> The bad weather kept residents stuck inside, causing many businesses in Sydney, N.S. to close early.</div> <bR> <div> "We had to go into the bedroom and go through the patio doors in order to get out because the snow was so high up against the backdoors," one resident told CTV Atlantic.</div> <bR> <div> Sydney Police said there weren't an unusually high number of car accidents Saturday, with slippery roads causing only one or two collisions.</div> <bR> <div> But one accident was a major inconvenience to motorists. On Saturday evening, an 18-wheeler jack-knifed, blocking the entrance to the Canso Causeway, a road that links the island to the Nova Scotia peninsula.</div> <bR> <div> About 200 travellers were given temporary shelter at nearby fire halls in Auids Cove and Port Hastings. The road reopened about five hours later.</div> <bR> <div> Prior to the winter dump, islanders had been enjoying spring-like weather. But more of the snow is expected before it turns to rain later in the week as the temperature rises.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from </I><I>CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="18"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 58 ><NOBR><div> <B>New Brunswick teen leaves province to escape bullying</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Feb. 18 2012  23:17  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 18th, 2012</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="58" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="165" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 592 WIDTH="707"><div> <B>BURTTS CORNER, NB - Bullying has pushed one New Brunswick teen to his breaking point. Sixteen-year-old Brenden Annis is leaving his Fredericton high school for a Nova Scotia one, with hopes of a brighter future.</B></div> <bR> <div> "I believe that it's just kind of time for me to get away from everything and focus just on me," says Brenden.</div> <bR> <div> Brenden and his family say threats and harassments have been constant since October - communicated in person, over the phone and online.</div> <bR> <div> His parents have made arrangements for Brenden to stay with friends while studying at his new school but won't disclose where in Nova Scotia that will be.</div> <bR> <div> "Something has to change," says Carolyn Annis, Brenden's mother, "our son needs more than what he's getting here from the school and we're just wanting him to do what's best for him."</div> <bR> <div> "We're hoping that by fall, maybe he'll be able to come back to Leo Hayes," says Brenden's dad, Fred Annis, "that's his school, that's where his friends and supporters are and that's where he wants to be."</div> <bR> <div> Reached by email, the school district's superintendent declined our request for an interview, but did indicate that an outside investigator will look into the investigation.</div> <bR> <div> Police are involved but no charges have been laid. A human rights complaint has also been filed.</div> <bR> <div> "This is as extreme as it gets," says Rob Frunette, the executive director of Bullying Canada. He believes anti-bullying legislation, which is said to be introduced in the Spring, will help people avoid such drastic measures.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm looking for some support for students who are experiencing bullying, bullying themselves and seeing bullying," says Frunette, "so we're looking on the support aspect of it versus the actual suspensions part, but definitely, this will be a help, for sure."</div> <bR> <div> In the wake of his departure, Brenden's friends are planning a rally at what is now his old school. They're hoping it prompts action and his return.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from </I><I>CTV's Andy Campbell & CTV Atlantic</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="17"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 222 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Feds to close same-sex marriage loophole</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Feb. 17 2012  09:10  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 17th, 2012</div> <div> <B>The federal government will introduce changes Friday to close a legal loophole that could have undermined scores of gay marriages around the world.</B></div> <bR> <div> Changes to the Civil Marriage Act were prompted by an Ontario divorce case involving a gay couple.</div> <bR> <div> The federal government had filed documents in the case that stated even though the couple was married in Canada, they couldn't be considered legally married because it wasn't recognized in their U.S. and U.K. home countries.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102f6a05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The federal government is expected to take steps today to close a legal loophole that could have undermined thousands of gay marriages around the world. (Jonathan Hayward / THE CANADIAN PRESS)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 161 WIDTH="707"><div> The governing Tories faced a backlash when gay activists and opposition parties accused them of trying to rewrite same-sex marriage laws.</div> <bR> <div> But the government quickly backtracked and said the marriages were valid and it didn't want to reopen the definition of marriage debate.</div> <bR> <div> A government spokesman said changes to the law will fix the problem.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="16"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 180 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Greenpeace, aboriginal groups seen as 'extremist' threats</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Feb. 16 2012  12:42  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 16th, 2012</div> <div> <B>CSIS and the RCMP classify some animal rights, environmental and aboriginal activists alongside terrorists that pose a threat to national security, reveal documents obtained by two Canadian academics.</B></div> <bR> <div> The documents were acquired by Queen's University's Jeffrey Monaghan and University of Victoria's Kevin Walby through Access to Information requests. The two sociologists analyzed the documents in a recent paper, "Making up ‘Terror Identities.'"</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102f4a05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Members of Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, Keepers of the Athabasca and Occupy Edmonton united for a rally at the Alberta Legislature on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 438 WIDTH="707"><div> Issued between 2005 and 2010, the documents describe surveillance undertaken before the Vancouver Olympics, the G8 and G20 meetings in Toronto, and a cancelled North American leaders' summit; all planned for the year 2010.</div> <bR> <div> The documents single out People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Greenpeace as among worrisome "multi issue extremist" groups, a category "described as activist groups, indigenous groups, environmentalists and others who are publicly critical of government policy."</div> <bR> <div> As the group mentioned most often in the obtained documents, the paper says Greenpeace activists were among those targeting "critical infrastructure," a definition that expanded over time from energy production facilities to corporate symbols such as the Royal Bank of Canada.</div> <bR> <div> "Domestic extremists maintain the intent and capability to carry out attacks against property in Canada," said the intelligence documents. "Given the use of direct action tactics by domestic extremists, the threat of serious violence cannot be discounted."</div> <bR> <div> The research paper notes many left-wing groups that use direct-action tactics -- such as protests and publicity stunts -- came to be seen as potential threats.</div> <bR> <div> "Intelligence agencies have blurred the categories of terrorism, extremism and activism into an aggregate threat matrix," they wrote, noting the expanded definition allows intelligence agencies to engage in broader surveillance than they would legally be able to otherwise.</div> <bR> <div> Monaghan and Walby say the development of the "multi issue extremism" category represents a shift in Canadian intelligence gathering that began around 2007. Previously, the focus had been on "Al Qaeda inspired terror groups," their report states.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 318 WIDTH="707"><div> "Mission creep within Canadian agencies was extensive and, over five years, transformed from abstract concerns around Al Qaeda terrorist groups to intensive surveillance of political opponents that publicly criticized a myriad of issues associated with hosting the Olympic Games."</div> <bR> <div> The paper, published in the journal "Policing and Society," said targets were increasingly defined on the basis of suspicion, as opposed to concrete evidence. Infiltration of such groups was a key tactic, according to the security agencies' documents, a method that has come under fire by groups involved the G20 protests.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, the documents obtained by the research team also reveal ongoing rifts between the intelligence agencies themselves. Monaghan and Walby's paper describes a "longstanding animosity between the RCMP and CSIS."</div> <bR> <div> In recent debates surrounding the Keystone XL and Northern Gateway pipeline projects, the Conservative government has criticized environmental groups who receive foreign support, often labelling them "extremists."</div> <bR> <div> That designation, along with recently introduced-legislation to give police access to Canadians' Internet information, would make it even easier for police to spy on those involved in such protest movements, critics say.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a repo</I><I>rt from </I><I>Saira Peesker</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="15"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 222 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Trudeau faces controversy over separation remarks</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Feb. 14 2012  22:41  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 15th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Liberal MP Justin Trudeau is facing a barrage of criticism for suggestions that Quebec separation could be deemed acceptable given the politics of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.</B></div> <bR> <div> Trudeau made the comments during a weekend radio interview in Quebec, and he's been trying to clarify the statement ever since.</div> <bR> <div> The Quebec MP first went to Twitter to dispel criticisms over his remarks, but on Tuesday, he gave reporters a fiery speech about his love for a united Canada.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102dfa07e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Liberal MP Justin Trudeau talks to reporters outside the House of Commons, in Ottawa, Wednesday Feb. 8. 2012. (Fred Chartrand / THE CANADIAN PRESS)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 517 WIDTH="707"><div> "I live this country in my bones, every breath I take and I'm not going to stand here and somehow defend that I actually do love Canada because we know I love Canada," he said outside of Parliament.</div> <bR> <div> During the radio chat, Trudeau said he could support Quebec's separation if the majority of Canadians in English-speaking provinces shared Harper's ideals.</div> <bR> <div> It's believed that Trudeau was referencing the fact that despite winning a majority government, the Conservatives only took approximately 40 per cent of the popular vote.</div> <bR> <div> "There is a way of viewing social responsibility, openness to others, a cultural pride here in Quebec that is necessary to Canada," he said during a talk with host Franco Nuovo, who is a well-known nationalist writer in Quebec.</div> <bR> <div> "And I always say that if I ever believed Canada was really the Canada of Stephen Harper and we were going against abortion and going against gay marriage, and we were going backward in 10,000 different ways, maybe I'd think of wanting to make Quebec a country."</div> <bR> <div> During the talk show, when Nuovo expressed some surprise at Trudeau's remarks, the parliamentarian added: "Oh yes, absolutely. If I no longer recognized Canada, I know my own values."</div> <bR> <div> When the comments spread from Quebec to a national audience over the next 48 hours, Trudeau attempted to tamp down the smouldering controversy on Twitter by stating he would never be okay with Quebec leaving confederation.</div> <bR> <div> Trudeau tweeted: "Canada needs (Quebec) to balance out Harper's vision that I (and many) don't support."</div> <bR> <div> But the Conservatives were quick to seize on Trudeau's remarks, as well as refer to his father, the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau.</div> <bR> <div> "(Trudeau) grew up hearing about a strong, united Canada, but just last week he said he would favour Quebec independence," Tory MP Merv Tweed said in Parliament, adding that Trudeau should recant or further clarify his comments.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 509 WIDTH="707"><div> Meanwhile, Interim NDP Leader Nicole Turmel used the occasion to talk about her own federalism.</div> <bR> <div> "I will let (Trudeau) choose his party, if he wants to go to Quebec, but for me and for the (New Democratic) party we are clear: we're a federalist party and we represent all Canadians," she said.</div> <bR> <div> Turmel faced some controversy when it was revealed last year that she once held membership in the Bloc Quebecois.</div> <bR> <div> For their part, the Bloc also pounced on Trudeau and attempted to welcome him into the fold.</div> <bR> <div> "Good news!" said Bloc member Maria Mourani.</div> <bR> <div> "Finally, he has understood," said another Bloc member, Andre Bellavance.</div> <bR> <div> Still, Trudeau's boss, Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae, supported his MP, and said that he believes in a strong and united Canada.</div> <bR> <div> He also questioned Harper's politics and tactics in the Prime Minister's Office.</div> <bR> <div> "Mr. Harper is the interim prime minister," Rae said. "He's here today, he'll be gone tomorrow. You should never confuse one man with the whole country. The country is much bigger and much greater than any one person."</div> <bR> <div> In an interview with CTV's National Affairs, former Quebec opposition and ADQ leader Mario Dumont said that Trudeau's comments could come back to haunt him, especially if he has plans on running for the Liberal leadership one day.</div> <bR> <div> He also suspected that Trudeau wanted to appear sympathetic to Quebec while demonizing Harper, but ended up sounding like it's "more important for him to be on the left than to be Canadian."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="14"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 182 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Dead bullied boy's testimony sets precedent: dad</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Tue. Feb. 14 2012  08:50  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 14th, 2012</div> <div> <B>An Ontario father on an anti-bullying crusade since his son committed suicide hopes the decision to allow the boy's testimony in court sets the stage for future bullying cases in Canada.</B></div> <bR> <div> Mitchell Wilson, an 11-year-old from Pickering, Ont., had been subpoenaed to testify against a boy accused of attacking and robbing him. But a day after receiving the subpoena last September, he committed suicide.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102c7a07e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Mitchell Wilson, who suffered from muscular dystrophy, seen in an undated image.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 720 WIDTH="707"><div> Father Craig Wilson said his son, who had muscular dystrophy, had been terrified of having to testify against the accused boy, who is charged with robbery and assault causing bodily harm.</div> <bR> <div> Without Wilson to testify, there had been concerns the Crown would have to drop the case. But on Monday a judge ruled that statements that Wilson gave to police, and to his stepmother, Tiffany Usher, could be entered into evidence.</div> <bR> <div> "This could happen somewhere else where the same situation has happened. It sets precedent so that (alleged) criminal will not just walk free. It is groundbreaking," Craig Wilson told CTV's Canada AM on Tuesday.</div> <bR> <div> Wilson said he was grateful Justice Mary Theresa Devlin allowed his son to be heard. While the defence argued that the testimony should not be allowed because he could not be cross-examined, Devlin ruled that Mitchell Wilson's statements about the attack were credible.</div> <bR> <div> In the statements, Mitchell identifies the 13-year-old as one of the two boys who jumped and robbed him of his dad's iPhone while he was out walking in his neighbourhood in November, 2010.</div> <bR> <div> One of the officers who took a statement from Wilson has already testified that he identified the boy out of class photos and told him he was "100 per cent" certain he'd picked the right suspect.</div> <bR> <div> In one statement, Wilson says he and his mother ran into the accused at school.</div> <bR> <div> The accused "looked at me and then looked at my mom and went the other way," Wilson said. "We went into the office and I told my mom (he robbed me.)"</div> <bR> <div> It is unusual for the Crown to use "hearsay" statements from a witness who can't testify and can't be cross-examined.</div> <bR> <div> But Justice Devlin concluded the Crown established on a balance of probabilities that the statements can be admitted under a "principled exception to the hearsay rule."</div> <bR> <div> Although the judge has accepted the statement into evidence, that does not mean that she accepts the statement to be true.</div> <bR> <div> Wilson killed himself on Sept. 6, 2011, the day he was set to return to school after summer break.</div> <bR> <div> His family told the court last November that Mitchell never recovered psychologically from the assault and regularly suffered from anxiety attacks.</div> <bR> <div> Wilson hung himself by tying a plastic bag around his neck.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="13"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 155 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Greeks clean up damage after riots engulf Athens</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Feb. 13 2012  08:00  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 13th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Tensions are running high in Greece today, after the passage of a new round of austerity measures sparked some of the worst violence in months.</B></div> <bR> <div> Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos appealed for calm Monday, as firefighters continued to douse the smouldering remains of burned-out buildings in the country's historic capital.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102c4a06a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="106" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A man clears up a burned store in central Athens, Monday Feb. 13, 2012. (AP / Petros Giannakouris)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 571 WIDTH="707"><div> At least 45 buildings were burned and dozens of other businesses looted across Athens Sunday, as protesters took to the streets ahead of a Parliamentary vote on the debt-ridden country's latest round of austerity measures.</div> <bR> <div> The Athens stock index was nevertheless up on Monday morning, indicating investors' approval of the bill passing in a 199-74 vote.</div> <bR> <div> But the violent reaction of protesters made the country's angry disapproval of impending government spending cuts resoundingly clear.</div> <bR> <div> By the time the dust settled on the streets of Athens Sunday, police said more than 120 people had been hurt in the riots, at least 67 protesters were arrested and at least 70 were also hospitalized.</div> <bR> <div> Reacting to the vote in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesperson Steffen Seibert expressed cautious optimism.</div> <bR> <div> "These decisions show the will and readiness of the Greeks to make great efforts of their own ... to put the country on the right track," he said.</div> <bR> <div> "These measures, and we really have to note this, are not just saving for the sake of saving, they are not cutting for the sake of cutting -- this is about reforms in every political area. These are measures that are meant to restore step by step the financial room for manoeuvre that the country needs for new jobs and new growth to emerge."</div> <bR> <div> The vote opens the door for Greece's creditors to release $172 billion USD in new rescue loans aimed at averting national bankurptcy and its feared ripple effects on its eurozone partners.</div> <bR> <div> If it is approved by eurozone finance ministers when they meet Wednesday the deal will also come with a bond swap aimed at wiping out half of Greece's private debt, as well as a series of cutbacks that include slashing the minimum wage and eliminating one in five public sector jobs.</div> <bR> <div> Despite feeling the sting of deep spending cuts for two years, Greeks are still seeing their economy fail to meet its debt and deficit reduction targets. Now in its fifth year of recession, the country is struggling with a 20 per cent unemployment rate.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="12"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 378 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Houston's body taken to morgue; autopsy planned</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sun. Feb. 12 2012  12:13  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 12th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Whitney Houston's body has been taken to a morgue in Los Angeles where an autopsy on the pop diva is planned, but not scheduled yet.</B></div> <bR> <div> The 48-year-old songstress was found dead in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton Hotel late Saturday afternoon. Police said foul play is not suspected.</div> <bR> <div> Investigators are holding off on an autopsy until they receive additional information, a coroner's official told The Associated Press.</div> <bR> <div> Houston, who built a larger-than-life music career amid drug use and a troubled marriage, died on the eve of the Grammy Awards. The megastar had been expected at an annual pre-Grammy party on the night of her death.</div> <bR> <div> Now, there are plans to honour the life of one of music's biggest divas on what is largely considered music's biggest night. Grammy organizers say Houston, a six-time trophy winner herself, will be remembered in a tribute by singer Jennifer Hudson.</div> <bR> <div> High-profile tributes to Houston began rolling in hours after her publicist confirmed her death.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102c1a0ab0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="171" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="102c2a07e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The body of Whitney Houston is removed from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills Calif., early Sunday Feb. 12, 2012. (AP /Jae C. Hong)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 517 WIDTH="707"><div> Renowned producer and mentor Clive Davis decided to go on with a concert planned at the Beverly Hilton, dedicating the evening to Houston. At one point, he paused his performance and asked for a moment of silence. All was quiet as audience members looked at a projected image of Houston gazing towards the sky.</div> <bR> <div> Baptist minister and media personality Rev. Al Sharpton said he would honour Houston by calling for a national day of prayer on Sunday.</div> <bR> <div> Friends and family say Houston was in good spirits in the days leading up to her death. She appeared with singer Kelly Price at a Hollywood club on Thursday, singing the gospel hymn "Yes, Jesus Loves Me."</div> <bR> <div> "She was happy," Price told the Associated Press. "She was the Whitney I always knew."</div> <bR> <div> Though Houston was a portrait of strength on stage and on-screen, the details of her personal life reveal a much more fragile woman. She grappled with a dependence on cocaine, marijuana and other drugs. The destructive behaviour seemed to escalate when her marriage to fellow singer Bobby Brown fell apart amid abuse allegations.</div> <bR> <div> "The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy," Houston told ABC's Diane Sawyer in a 2002 interview.</div> <bR> <div> Decades after Houston topped the charts with "Saving All My Love for You" and starred In "The Bodyguard" alongside Kevin Costner, onlookers began to wonder if the diva's fabled voice and energy was fading.</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday, Houston attended a rehearsal for a pre-Grammy event to coach singers Brandy and Monica. An unnamed event attendee told The Associated Press said the songstress was sweating profusely and smelled of cigarettes and liquour.</div> <bR> <div> Hours after her death, Houston's estranged husband Bobby Brown took to a stage in Beverly Hills visibly upset. He professed his love for his late ex-wife before performing hits such as "My Prerogative" and "Mr. Telephone Man."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Associated Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="11"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 312 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Gay-friendly cards in Manitoba school spark outcry</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Feb. 11 2012  22:28  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 11th, 2012</div> <div> <B>A few gay-friendly cards, tacked to classroom walls in Manitoba's Bible belt, have sparked an angry debate about whether elementary schools are the place to teach young students about homophobia and tolerance.</B></div> <bR> <div> The dispute flared in Altona, Man., a largely Mennonite community south of Winnipeg, when parents took issue with the cards that pledged support for students who are gay, bisexual or transgendered.</div> <bR> <div> Two Grade 5 teachers at West Park School pasted the cards in their classrooms after they underwent sensitivity training at the Winnipeg Rainbow Resource Centre.</div> <bR> <div> Many Altona parents were furious, saying elementary school children are too young to learn about sexual issues, especially sexual orientation.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102c09f6b0.jpg" border=0 width="159" height="107" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="102bea07e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Many Altona parents were furious, saying elementary school children are too young to learn about sexual issues, especially sexual orientation.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 608 WIDTH="707"><div> "The major issue we have as parents . . . is that it just speaks well and above over their head," parent Corey Wall told CTV News.</div> <bR> <div> "And it also opens up a bit of a can of worms because many of these kids haven't received sex education and wouldn't be able to maturely understand the terms used on the card."</div> <bR> <div> Other parents went further, saying they don't want teachers to broach homosexuality at all with their kids.</div> <bR> <div> "(It is) very arrogant and very prideful on their behalf to present something to our children . . . that would not be found to be acceptable and they did it anyway," parent Wes Martens told CTV.</div> <bR> <div> The teachers first erected the cards last fall, and they went unnoticed for months. But when parents got wind of the gay-friendly messages they demanded the cards be removed. School officials deleted the wording but left the rainbow logo on classroom walls.</div> <bR> <div> The resource centre that trained the Altona teachers said the cards promote tolerance for gay and transgendered young people.</div> <bR> <div> "We're giving them some sensitivity training and we're asking (teachers) to challenge homophobia when they hear it in the hallways, when they hear it in the classroom," the centre's Chad Smith told CTV.</div> <bR> <div> Provincial school officials have backed the Altona teachers, saying gay themes and tolerance are taught in other public schools across the province.</div> <bR> <div> "Teachers create a safe environment for all students and not just those who come from a majority cultural or demographic group," Manitoba Teachers' Society spokesperson Paul Olson told CTV.</div> <bR> <div> The Border Land School Division has not decided if the cards can stay or go.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, the debate has prompted parents to demand a greater say over future issues raised with their kids at school. Some want to be warned before sexual issues are broached with their children and they want the option to have their kids opt out of those discussions.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from</I><I> CTV's Winnipeg Bureau Chief Jill Macyshon</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="10"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 185 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>CAW boss accuses Caterpillar of breaking the rules</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Feb. 10 2012  12:38  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 10th, 2012</div> <div> <B>TORONTO — The head of the Canadian Auto Workers union is accusing Caterpillar Inc. of not following the rules in its 2010 takeover of a London, Ont. locomotive plant it has decided to shut down.</B></div> <bR> <div> CAW national president Ken Lewenza has written a letter to Industry Minister Christian Paradis, calling on him to release the financial details of Caterpillar's takeover of Electro-Motive Canada.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102b2a06d0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="109" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Electro-Motive workers chat outside the London, Ont. Caterpillar-owned plant on Friday Feb. 3, 2012. (Mark Spowart / THE CANADIAN PRESS)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 232 WIDTH="707"><div> The federal government has said that the takeover was never looked at by Investment Canada because it fell under the $300-million threshold.</div> <bR> <div> But Lewenza says no public, independently verifiable data supports that claim and Caterpillar's own financial statement reported US$1.3 billion in assets associated with the takeover.</div> <bR> <div> The American-based heavy equipment maker announced last week that it will close its Electro-Motive plant in London, Ont., a month after it locked out about 450 workers.</div> <bR> <div> Lewenza says if the data associated with Caterpillar's purchase of Electro-Motive turns out to be inaccurate, the government can impose penalties, including annulling the acquisition.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="09"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 169 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Three Canadian sailors rescued off coast of Hawaii</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Feb. 09 2012  11:08  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 9th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Three Canadians are relieved to be back on dry land after their sailboat became stranded and sank in a storm in the Pacific Ocean Tuesday night.</B></div> <bR> <div> Mitchell James, 29, his brother Bradley James, 32, and Bradley's nine-year-old son, Wesley, arrived in Honolulu Thursday morning after being rescued by the crew of a container ship in the wee hours of Wednesday.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102b19f5d0.jpg" border=0 width="159" height="93" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Left to right: Mitchell, 29, West, 9, and Bradley James, 32, address media following their rescue off the coast of Hawaii, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 463 WIDTH="707"><div> The trio from Alberta had been on a four-week journey, sailing from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Hilo, Hawaii, when they ran into a vicious storm Tuesday night some 450 kilometres off the coast of Hawaii.</div> <bR> <div> The storm's winds destroyed the sail of their 11-metre boat. When they attempted to rig a makeshift sail, their boat's mast broke off completely. Then, their boat's engine died after becoming overheated.</div> <bR> <div> The three used their satellite phone to issue a call for help to the U.S. Coast Guard around 5:30 p.m. local time Tuesday night and waited for rescue.</div> <bR> <div> The Coast Guard called on the crew of a large container ship named the Horizon Reliance, about 240 kilometres away. The ship is owned by Horizon Lines, which is a member of a voluntary program that provides assistance to boats and ships that become stranded at sea.</div> <bR> <div> "Capt. James Kelleher and the crew of the 893-ft. Horizon Reliance container ship were directed by the U.S. Coast Guard to alter course at full speed to assist the 33-ft. sailboat and its crew of three," Horizon Lines said in a news release.</div> <bR> <div> Shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday, the ship located the trio, bobbing aboard their boat in the dark waters.</div> <bR> <div> "Weather conditions were poor, with southwesterly winds gusting to 40 knots and sea swells in the 20-ft. (6-metre) range," Horizon Lines said.</div> <bR> <div> But just as the rescue began, the waves dashed the men's sailboat up against the massive tanker, badly damaging the sailboat and causing it to take on water.</div> <bR> <div> Within minutes, the boat went down, throwing the trio into the sea. Thankfully, the men were wearing lifejackets with strobe lights, which enabled rescuers to keep them in sight in the dark.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 488 WIDTH="707"><div> The crew of the Horizon Reliance dropped a rope ladder over the side of the ship and threw a life ring in the water. They were able to pull Mitchell James over so that he could climb up.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, the waves had pushed Bradley James and his son around to the other side of the ship.</div> <bR> <div> "While they were dealing with Mitch, we just got further and further away," Bradley James told reporters in Honolulu Thursday.</div> <bR> <div> While the ship tried to maneouvre around, James' son, Wesley, started to suffer the effects of the cold water.</div> <bR> <div> "It didn't help that he'd done all these Cub Scout things and had learned about hypothermia and so he knew what was happening to him and he was a little bit worried," James said, choking back tears.</div> <bR> <div> "But I just kept saying, ‘You're fine.'"</div> <bR> <div> After close to another hour, the crew of the tanker was finally able to pull James and his son from the water. James said the entire crew of the ship was there to greet them aboard.</div> <bR> <div> "It was just a gauntlet of happiness. It was all grown men and most of us had tears in our eyes," he said, again choking back his own tears.</div> <bR> <div> The crew gave the trio warm blankets, a place to sleep, and a hearty breakfast the next morning.</div> <bR> <div> James said they likely won't be doing any more sailing anytime soon, but are looking forward to raising enough money to buy another boat one day.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a rep</I><I>ort from </I><I>Angela Mulholland</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="08"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 240 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Slate of deals spurs Canada-China relations ahead</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Feb. 08 2012  06:12  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 8th, 2012</div> <div> <B>BEIJING — Nearly 20 years of negotiations on an investment protection deal for Chinese and Canadian investors has come to a close.</B></div> <bR> <div> The prime minister says negotiations on a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement between the two countries are over.</div> <bR> <div> The deal still needs to be legally reviewed and ratified by the Canadian and Chinese governments before it can come into force.</div> <bR> <div> In Canada, that will include debate in the House of Commons.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="102a6a07a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="122" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, right, invites Prime Minister Stephen Harper to review an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. (AP / Alexander F. Yuan)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 468 WIDTH="707"><div> A FIPA, as it is known, gives foreign investors equal footing with domestic businesses in either country and business groups had been urging Harper to wrap up talks with China in order to spur greater investment between the two countries.</div> <bR> <div> Canada and China had been negotiating a FIPA since 1994, and by January 2010, a dozen rounds of talks had failed to produce an agreement.</div> <bR> <div> By the end of 2010, Canadian investment in China increased by 38 per cent over 2009 levels. That same year, Chinese investment in Canada totalled $14 billion, an increase of nine per cent.</div> <bR> <div> The announcement was part of a slate of deals signed between Canada and China at the end of Stephen Harper's first day of a four-day tour through the country.</div> <bR> <div> They include agreements to co-operate on energy, natural resources, education, science and technology, and agriculture.</div> <bR> <div> Some of the deals are new, while others -- including a memorandum of understanding on energy -- are continuations of existing agreements.</div> <bR> <div> "The rapidly increasing commercial, cultural and scholastic ties between our two countries are creating new jobs and economic growth that are benefiting Canadian families, businesses and communities," Harper said in a statement.</div> <bR> <div> "The agreements being signed today, in such a wide range of areas, are further testimony that we are taking relations to the next level and further strengthening our strategic partnership."</div> <bR> <div> The deals were signed following a meeting between Harper and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.</div> <bR> <div> Wen said Harper's visit in 2009 had turned a page on bilateral relations and he hoped this visit could elevate the relationship.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 515 WIDTH="707"><div> "At present, the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes," Jiabao said, through a translator.</div> <bR> <div> "Strengthening communication and co-operation is our shared aspiration and also serves the fundamental interests of our two countries."</div> <bR> <div> Harper told Wen that he looked forward to discussing a range of topics, including consular issues and human rights.</div> <bR> <div> "Together Canada and China enjoy a strategic partnership based on respect and admiration," he said.</div> <bR> <div> The prime minister began his three-city tour of China with a little piece of home.</div> <bR> <div> The mascot for the Calgary Stampede tried Wednesday to teach a cluster of Chinese youth clad in white cowboy hats the traditional greeting of the summer festival.</div> <bR> <div> They couldn't quite muster the "yahoo," but Harper's message was that Canada is more than ready to welcome the Chinese with their official greeting of nihao.</div> <bR> <div> He helped launch a new tourism campaign for Canada at the China Youth Services Travel bureau, one of several national agencies now allowed to market Canada as an official tourist destination since Beijing gave Canada Approved Destination Status in 2009.</div> <bR> <div> Since then, tourism to Canada has increased by 25 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> "It is one of the few industries in the world whose raw material is goodwill and whose finished product is friendship," Harper said Wednesday in speech to a crowd that was a mix of Chinese officials and the Canadian delegation.</div> <bR> <div> "And I think the world needs all the friendship and goodwill it can get."</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 547 WIDTH="707"><div> The head of CYTS said the Chinese are already impressed with Canada's landscape and citizens.</div> <bR> <div> "Travel is the best way to build bridges between people and countries," said Zhang Li Jun, through a translator.</div> <bR> <div> Strolling out of Beijing's Temple of Heaven complex after a tour earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper remarked on the magnificence of the buildings.</div> <bR> <div> Centuries ago, they were used by emperors to pray for good harvests.</div> <bR> <div> And it's fitting metaphor for the prime minister's goal on this trip: harvesting more of China's wealth via it's tourism, business and education sectors.</div> <bR> <div> At an event Wednesday afternoon in Beijing, Harper sat down with Canadian executives from Air Canada, Bombardier, Shell and SNC Lavalin, as well as the heads of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Western University.</div> <bR> <div> He said the economy remains his government's number one priority.</div> <bR> <div> "We like to say the short hand for our approach to creating jobs and economic growth is trade, training taxes," Harper said.</div> <bR> <div> "The first two we want to go up and the third we want to go down," he said.</div> <bR> <div> In an editorial, a Chinese state newspaper says Harper's visit comes at an important moment in bilateral relations.</div> <bR> <div> But in order to develop them, both sides need to treat each other with respect and appropriately handle sensitive issues, The China Daily said.</div> <bR> <div> "It is hoped the two countries can make their relationship a model for relations between countries of different social systems and modes of development."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="07"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 222 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>11 killed when truck collides with van in Ontario</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Feb. 06 2012  23:10  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 7th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Eleven people, including a group of migrant workers, are dead after a horrific two-vehicle crash northeast of Stratford, Ont.</B></div> <bR> <div> The OPP said a flatbed truck and a passenger van collided shortly before 5 p.m. Monday at Perth Road 107 and Line 47 in a rural hamlet of Hampstead.</div> <bR> <div> The driver of the truck is dead, along with 10 people in the van who police say were likely migrant workers. Three people survived the crash and were rushed to hospitals in Stratford and Hamilton.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="1029da05e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="94" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Ontario Provincial Police and emergency crews investigate a multiple fatal motor vehicle accident near Hampstead, Ontario, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. Police say 11 people died in the crash. (Dave Chidley / THE CANADIAN PRESS)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 575 WIDTH="707"><div> Witnesses said the southbound truck, operated by Speedy Transport, hit the side of the westbound white passenger van carrying 13 people. The impact of the crash slammed the van into the side of a nearby house.</div> <bR> <div> "I've been on the job for 28 years and I've never seen anything quite like this collision tonight," OPP Insp. Steve Porter told reporters on the scene Monday night.</div> <bR> <div> Porter said police don't know yet which country the workers were from. At least some of them were wearing their seatbelts and firefighters had to cut them off as they scrambled to free the victims.</div> <bR> <div> Police said it's not clear whether the van obeyed a stop sign at the intersection. They are not ruling out any possible crash causes, including speed and alcohol.</div> <bR> <div> The speed limit on that stretch of Perth Road 107 is 80 kilometres an hour. The weather was good and the roads were clear at the time of the crash.</div> <bR> <div> CTV Southwestern Ontario reporter Meghan Furman reported that a man working in his tool shed across the street was the first witness on the scene who called 911.</div> <bR> <div> The man heard a loud crash and ran outside to see the mangled van against the side of a house. He tried to speak to some moaning passengers, but there was a language barrier, Furman reported.</div> <bR> <div> In a statement, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty offered condolences to the families of those who died "and our most sincere prayers for those taken to hospital."</div> <bR> <div> He also thanked first responders for providing swift emergency care "under very difficult circumstances."</div> <bR> <div> "I know Ontarians will pull together to support the victims' family and friends during this difficult time," McGuinty said.</div> <bR> <div> Police will remain on the scene throughout the night, examining what's left of the vehicles and the debris strewn around. The coroner is also on scene.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from The Canadian Press</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="06"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 200 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Skurka's Spin: Can the death penalty return to Canada?</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Mon. Feb. 06 2012  06:06  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 6th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Fifty years have passed since the last person was executed in Canada.</B></div> <bR> <div> A debate about restoring the death penalty was renewed last week after a Conservative senator suggested that murderers should have ropes placed in their cells to decide whether to kill themselves. He did add, however, that he objected to the death penalty.</div> <bR> <div> The Senator apologized for the comment, but later noted that he was simply expressing an opinion shared by a number of Canadians.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="10295a0b30.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="179" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Legal Analyst Steven Skurka.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 454 WIDTH="707"><div> The episode spurred one <I>National Post</I> columnist to argue that bringing back the death penalty was a worthy topic of debate in this country. He pointed to a 2010 Angus Reid survey that found that almost two-thirds of Canadians supported capital punishment for homicide.</div> <bR> <div> If the political will existed, could legislation be introduced by the government to reintroduce the death penalty to Canada?</div> <bR> <div> In order to answer this question, the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in 2001 in the case of Sebastian Burns and Atif Rafay needs to be revisited.</div> <bR> <div> Burns and Rafay were eighteen-year-old Canadian citizens who were wanted to face trial for multiple counts of first-degree murder in the state of Washington. Both young men were facing the prospect of the death penalty if convicted.</div> <bR> <div> Rafay's parents and sister were found bludgeoned to death at the family home. The key pieces of evidence against Burns and Rafay were alleged confessions to an undercover RCMP officer posing as a crime boss. There were admissions that Burns killed the three victims with a baseball bat while Rafay observed. The motive alleged for the horrific crime was that Rafay would inherit his parents' assets and receive the proceeds of a life insurance policy that would be shared with Burns.</div> <bR> <div> Burns and Rafay returned to Canada and American authorities sought to extradite them to the state of Washington for their joint trial. The Canadian justice minister ordered their extradition without seeking assurances that Burns and Rafay wouldn't suffer the death penalty. The B.C. Court of Appeal set aside the ministerial decision and directed the Canadian government to seek such assurances as a condition of surrender. An appeal was subsequently launched to the Supreme Court of Canada.</div> <bR> <div> The nation's highest court reached a unanimous decision. The Supreme Court recognized that Canada's legal system is fallible and that a fair trial doesn't always guarantee a safe verdict. However, in cases of capital punishment, there is no correction possible. The final outcome could be the killing of innocent people.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 363 WIDTH="707"><div> The Supreme Court of Canada highlighted that largely because of the progress made in forensic testing, including DNA testing, a few instances of wrongful convictions for murder had been documented in Canada. The names of Donald Marshall Jr., David Milgaard, Guy Paul Morin, Thomas Sophonow and Greg Parsons were examples provided by the court. It should be noted that David Milgaard languished in a prison cell for almost 23 years as an innocent man. It doesn't require much imagination to speculate about the tragic result if a rope had been slid through his prison bars.</div> <bR> <div> The Supreme Court of Canada held the death penalty was final, irreversible and its deterrent value was questionable. The imposition of the death penalty had been described as arbitrary and its implementation led to psychological and physical suffering. The Supreme Court accepted that capital punishment engaged the underlying values of the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment set out in the Charter of Rights.</div> <bR> <div> Ultimately, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the decision of the B.C. Court of Appeal. The court accepted that it wasn't in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice under the Charter if assurances relating to the death penalty weren't sought as a condition of surrender for Burns and Rafay.</div> <bR> <div> The legacy of this landmark decision is that the death penalty will most assuredly be held to be unconstitutional if it is ever enacted as legislation by any government of Canada. The notwithstanding clause is in place to override the Charter infringement but no federal government has ever relied on the provision. The potential for the clause to be invoked by any government for capital punishment appears extremely remote.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from Legal Analyst Steven Skurka</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 233 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Oil on the agenda for Harper's China trip</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sun. Feb. 05 2012  14:24  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 5th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Chinese investment in the Canadian energy sector is helping create jobs, but that doesn't mean the country is willing to put its sovereignty up for sale, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says.</B></div> <bR> <div> Baird and Prime Minister Stephen Harper head to China Monday on a visit that will cover a wide range of economic topics, including shipping Canadian oil to the energy-thirsty Asian giant.</div> <bR> <div> "We should be very clear we don't want anyone to own all of a Canadian commodity, all of a Canadian natural resource," Baird told CTV's Question Period Sunday when asked about billions of Chinese investment in the oil sands.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10294a06d0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="109" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces he will visit China in early February as Chinese Ambassador Zhang Junsai looks on at his office in Ottawa, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 952 WIDTH="707"><div> "We think it's been beneficial . . . but at the same time I think you can always count on the Government of Canada to stand up for Canadian values and stand up for Canadian sovereignty," he said in the interview from Tel Aviv.</div> <bR> <div> Although meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao will focus on oil and other economic opportunities, Harper and Baird will also raise China's dismal human rights record and its veto of a UN Security Council resolution on Syria.</div> <bR> <div> "There are many areas where we have a very good relationship with China. Obviously, we have some profound disagreements and we'll certainly take the opportunity to have a good dialogue with them on those issues," Baird said.</div> <bR> <div> A top federal official confirmed Sunday that Syria will be on the agenda as well as Iran and its nuclear program.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>China: Good investment?</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Two experts on China also appeared on Question Period Sunday offering reasons for and against increasing economic ties with the Middle Kingdom.</div> <bR> <div> Wenran Jiang, founder of the University of Alberta's China Institute and a government adviser, said China represents about 40 per cent of the world's energy demand and Canada is long overdue getting into that market.</div> <bR> <div> "The trip to China is an important one, other than the energy area, there is broader, bigger markets in other sectors that Canada has not explored," he said.</div> <bR> <div> With rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline that would have delivered Canadian oil to the United States, it's time to open new markets for the country's resources, Jiang said.</div> <bR> <div> But Gordon Chang, a contributor to Forbes and author of "The Coming Collapse of China", said Canada should tread carefully because China is heading for economic decline.</div> <bR> <div> "You have plunging property prices, stagnant vehicle sales, accelerating capital flight, collapsing industrial orders and this is not just a short-term phenomenon," he said in an interview from New York.</div> <bR> <div> China has enjoyed 35 years of uninterrupted growth and is now on a long-term downward path, he said, suggesting Canada will be able to sell some oil there but not as much as Canadians believe.</div> <bR> <div> Jiang agreed China has problems, but said its economic fundamentals are strong, including lower debt levels compared with other industrialized nations, the world's largest foreign currency reserve and strong revenues.</div> <bR> <div> "China has made a tremendous amount of progress in the past three decades. China is a complexity. China is struggling with itself in its political reform path," Jiang said.</div> <bR> <div> But there's no imminent collapse in its future, he said.</div> <bR> <div> Jiang also said the Chinese have a more relaxed attitude with regard to Canadian investment, pumping more than $15 billion into the energy sector in the last two years.</div> <bR> <div> If the Northern Gateway pipeline to the west coast is delayed due to opposition, China can sell its oil production to the U.S. and buy additional crude on the open market, he said.</div> <bR> <div> It's also unlikely the Americans will be upset about any new energy deals Canada strikes with China because the Keystone pipeline will eventually be approved, moving oil sands crude south, Chang added.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from John Size</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="04"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 185 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Canadian rocker and economist protest B.C. pipeline</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Sat. Feb. 04 2012  23:17  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 4th, 2012</div> <div> <B>Hundreds of Northern Gateway pipeline opponents who marched en masse through the streets of Prince Rupert, B.C. on Saturday were joined by Canadian punk rock star Bif Naked.</B></div> <bR> <div> The proposed oil pipeline has attracted heated international debate. It would run from the Alberta oil sands to Kitimat, B.C. where crude oil would be loaded onto super tankers bound for Asia.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10292a06d0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="109" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Canadian punk rock star Bif Naked joined a protest against the Enbridge pipeline in Prince Rupert, B.C. on Saturday. Feb. 4, 2012. (CTV)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 666 WIDTH="707"><div> The Canadian artist voiced her concern for the people who reside near the site of the planned oil line.</div> <bR> <div> "Obviously, I think it's important to protect the area and to protect the interests of the people who live here and who call it home," Bif Naked told CTV News.</div> <bR> <div> But John Winter of the BC Chamber of Commerce says the pipeline proposed by Enbridge Inc. would be a huge economy boost for the county and as a result benefit Canadians.</div> <bR> <div> "Canada has the need to continue to grow its wealth, to grow job creation. The oil sands and all of our natural resources are part of that," Winter said.</div> <bR> <div> He added that by taking advantage of Canada's oil the country could fulfill the demands for better health care and education.</div> <bR> <div> "As an export country we need to get our resources to the markets we send them to. That's what this is really about," Winter said.</div> <bR> <div> Economist Robyn Allan, who authored a report on the Northern Gateway pipeline, disagrees.</div> <bR> <div> "The intent of the Northern Gateway project is to raise the price of oil two to three dollars a barrel on every barrel of oil that's produced in Canada, every year for the next thirty years," Allan told CTV News.</div> <bR> <div> Allan explains her reasoning is based on the theory of supply and demand. She said if the pipeline is built, crude that used to be sent to Eastern Canada would be redirected to Asia, causing prices to increase domestically as Canada's supply decreases.</div> <bR> <div> Winter is skeptical of Allan's report on the Northern Gateway pipeline.</div> <bR> <div> "As we know about economic reports, they can be developed to propose an outcome. And I've read economic reports on this particular project that are diametrically opposed to it," he said.</div> <bR> <div> Winter added his positive opinion is being overshadowed by a vocal and celebrity-endorsed opposition that is dominating energy board hearings.</div> <bR> <div> "What they really need is the other perspective coming forward of why some of those concerns are not necessarily justified," he said.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff <I>with a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson </I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="03"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 166 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Ethanol rules driving up beef prices, damaging industry</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Fri. Feb. 03 2012  10:39  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 3rd, 2012</div> <div> <B>Beef and pork prices have risen dramatically in recent years and meat lovers can expect to pay even more for their favourite choice cuts as ethanol policies and rising export demands put pressure on the market.</B></div> <bR> <div> Over the past 10 years, beef prices have risen by roughly 26 per cent, and pork prices have gone up by 14 per cent, said Al Mussell, a senior research associate at the George Morris </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10289a05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Over the past 10 years, beef prices have risen by roughly 26 per cent, and pork prices have gone up by 14 per cent.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 451 WIDTH="707"><div> Centre in Guelph and president of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.</div> <bR> <div> Mussell, who has co-authored a new report on the subject, said a number of factors have contributed to drive up the price.</div> <bR> <div> "There's been a lot of growth in export demand, especially demand in Southeast Asia, general inflation, and one of the things we focused on which has been very important is the increase to grain costs to feed the animals, so that's been a big factor," he told CTV's Canada AM.</div> <bR> <div> The price of animal feed has gone up, he said, largely due to the demand for corn and wheat to make ethanol.</div> <bR> <div> In recent years governments have mandated that gasoline must be blended with a certain percentage of ethanol in order to reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.</div> <bR> <div> In the U.S., 40 per cent of the nation's corn crop is now being used for ethanol production. In Ontario that number is 30 per cent -- an increase of 10 per cent from a decade ago, Mussell said.</div> <bR> <div> Mussell said the U.S. requires a 10 per cent blend of ethanol in its gasoline, while Canada requires 5 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> The measure has created a drain on the corn and wheat supply in North America, which in turn has driven up feed costs for ranchers.</div> <bR> <div> It's simple supply and demand, Mussell said.</div> <bR> <div> "When we create policy that creates this new demand for corn to make ethanol it increases the price of corn over time. That increases the farmer's cost, they have to cut back on production to meet that, and as a result we get higher meat prices."</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 393 WIDTH="707"><div> In his report, Mussell said government ethanol policies have effectively created an entirely new market for feed grains -- to the detriment of the beef and pork industries.</div> <bR> <div> He estimates the Canadian industry, which employs 100,000 people, is losing roughly $130 million per year as a result of the policies.</div> <bR> <div> "In the U.S. for example, in the mid- to late 2000s, the U.S. government increased the mandated use of ethanol to 10 per cent from 5 per cent," states Mussell's report.</div> <bR> <div> "The near immediate impact was a surge in U.S. grain corn prices from a long-term normal level of $2 to $3 per bushel to between $5 and $7 per bushel from 2007-2011."</div> <bR> <div> Corn also increased in price by roughly $2 per bushel or about 40 per cent, the report said.</div> <bR> <div> "Given that corn is the primary feedstock of the livestock industry, this eventually helped to contribute to soaring meat prices as well as dramatic increases in other foods such as vegetables."</div> <bR> <div> Unless the ethanol content required in gasoline changes in Canada and the U.S., Mussell said meat prices can be expected to continue to rise in the coming years -- particularly if ethanol blending requirements rise to 10 per cent in Canada, as some advocates hope. </div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="02"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 153 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Dozens charged in major child porn bust</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Thu. Feb. 02 2012  10:28  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 2nd, 2012</div> <div> <B>Sixty people have been charged with child pornography charges in what the Ontario Provincial Police said is the largest bust of its kind in Canadian history.</B></div> <bR> <div> The OPP said Thursday more than 200 charges were laid against the suspects from across the province. One suspect is also under arrest in the United States.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="10287a05a0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Police across Ontario gather for a press conference about a major child porn bust in Vaughan, Ont., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 252 WIDTH="707"><div> In total 76 search warrants were executed, resulting in 213 charges against 60 persons, including three young offenders.</div> <bR> <div> The charges include sexual assault, child luring, possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and accessing child pornography.</div> <bR> <div> Additional arrests are pending.</div> <bR> <div> "The provincial strategy to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation on the Internet has worked collectively to identify a large number of people who have been preying on the most vulnerable people in society; that is our children," said OPP Acting Commissioner Scott Tod.</div> <bR> <div> Police said 22 victims have been identified but expect more to come forward in the future.</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="707"><div> =======================</div> <div>  <A NAME="01"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 233 WIDTH="540"><div> <B>Audio expert purports to debunk 'strange noises' mystery</B></div> <div> Web Posted | Last Updated Wed. Feb. 01 2012  10:02  ET</div> <div> Giant Dwarf Posted: February 1st, 2012</div> <div> <B>Online videos featuring strange sounds emanating from the heavens are attracting a lot of attention, but an audio engineer says they're easy to fake.</B></div> <bR> <div> Richard Dolmat of the Digital Sound Magic Recording Studios in Vancouver applied his professional ear to several popular "strange sounds" videos that were recently broadcast on CTV's Canada AM.</div> <bR> <div> For his analysis, Dolmat says he started by looking for obvious signs the soundtracks didn't match the videos. The sound of birds chirping in the nighttime video of The Pas, Man., for example, raised his suspicion.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <IMG SRC="1027da07e0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Richard Dolman, an audio engineer with Digital Sound Magic Recording Studio appears on Canada AM, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 704 WIDTH="707"><div> "I know that in Canadian winters, you don't get that many bird active in the snow in the middle of the night," he said.</div> <bR> <div> But that wasn't the most striking clue.</div> <bR> <div> Comparing The Pas video to one depicting strange sounds over Conklin, Alta., Dolmat said they both feature "the exact same birds with the exact same rhythm pattern timing."</div> <bR> <div> Lining the videos up for a back-to-back digital comparison, he found that "they are exactly the same sound."</div> <bR> <div> Comparing his professionally-tuned ear to the palate of a chef who can tell you what goes into a dish just by tasting it, Dolmat said he was able to determine the components of the ominous soundtrack.</div> <bR> <div> "I broke the original YouTube video sounds down to an alligator roar, two lion roars, some white noise, a stone dragging on concrete and three waterphones," he said in an interview from Vancouver on Wednesday.</div> <bR> <div> "They've all been pitched down with a ton of reverb and compressed and that's what you get," explaining that's an audio engineer's favourite method of coming up with scary sounds. "Fade in, fade out and you're done."</div> <bR> <div> Dolmat's explanation could indeed account for the host of videos that have sprouted up online, the most popular of which is a 12-minute video featuring strange sounds supposedly heard in Kyiv, Ukraine.</div> <bR> <div> That video has had more than 2 million hits since it was posted on YouTube in August, 2011.</div> <bR> <div> The strange sounds video from Conklin, Alta. has also racked up nearly 2 million views since it went online in mid-January of this year.</div> <bR> <div> Even if these videos are what Dolmat believes are a "textbook viral marketing ploy," his debunking does nothing to explain the mystery sound phenomenon for those who have heard them first hand.</div> <bR> <div> In recent days, residents of Windsor, Ont. have been complaining about the resurgence of an annoying, and in some cases sickening, airborne noise.</div> <bR> <div> A seismic investigation has narrowed the source of the so-called 'Windsor Hum' to a one-square kilometre area of the heavily industrialized Zug Island across the U.S. border in Rouge River, Michigan.</div> <bR> <div> Another recent spate of strange sounds reported from North Battleford to Saskatoon, Sask. was explained by a University of Saskatchewan professor as a naturally-occurring "electromagnetic noise."</div> <bR> <div> Written by CTV.ca News Staff </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="#top_1" TITLE="Feb 12"><U><IMG SRC="16243f0d0.png" border=0 width="63" height="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>