News

New Brunswick woman sentenced after newborn’s remains found in snowbank

MONCTON, N.B. — A New Brunswick judge who sentenced a woman to one year in jail after the remains of her newborn baby were found on a remote logging road says she showed a high degree of callousness in her actions.

Christine Margaret Wood of Riverview was facing several charges in the death of the boy, who was found in a snowbank in 2009.

She pleaded guilty in August to neglecting to obtain assistance in childbirth, concealing the body of a child and offering an indignity to human remains. A charge of attempted murder was dropped.

The boy's body was discovered by a group of people riding dirt bikes on a logging road near Monteagle, N.B.

The baby is legally Baby Boy Doe, but became known as Baby Taylor in the weeks after his body was discovered based on the name of the road where he was found.

In court on Friday, Crown attorney Stephen Holt said Wood tried to conceal her pregnancy from friends and family, and denied her condition when asked by a neighbour.

Wood was unco-operative with police when they acted on a tip so they put her under surveillance, he said, eventually collecting DNA from two cigarette butts that proved she was the mother.

Holt said Wood became pregnant in 2008. 

"This was not a happy realization. She did not want the baby," he said.

On Dec. 13 or 14, 2008, Wood went into labour. She ran a full bath and gave birth underwater, saying she may have passed out during delivery, Holt said. 

Wood said the baby was floating in the water and was dead, Holt told the court.

He said Wood told police she put the baby's remains in a garbage bag in her room and then the trunk of her car for a few days, before putting them in a garbage can. She later went to Taylor Road, soaked the garbage can with gas, lit it and left, he said.

Holt said at one point before it was found a snowplow hit the garbage can.

He recommended a sentence of two years in prison and lengthy probation. "This is a woman who showed no remorse until she was arrested," he said.

But defence lawyer Scott Fowler asked the court for a conditional sentence, stressing it was not a case of infanticide or murder.

"There was no evidence the child was born alive," he said.

"This is a young woman who was alone and made horrible decisions."

Wood sat alone in the back of the court during the sentencing hearing and made a brief statement when offered a chance to speak.

"I would just like to say, your honour, that I am sorry and I would like to thank those who showed me compassion," she told the court.

In delivering his sentence, provincial court Judge Denis Lordon agreed that the pathologist was unable to determine if the baby was born alive but it was a full-term pregnancy.

"The degree of culpability in my estimation is very high. There is a complete concealment of the fact of pregnancy," said Lordon, who also sentenced Wood to two years' probation.

"There was absolutely no attempt to get any kind of medical intervention. There is no preparation for the birth of a baby who was going to leave that bathroom alive. And the callousness with which the matter was handled after the birth of that child is most alarming and worthy of condemnation."

Kevin Bissett, The Canadian Press

Alberta judge acquits boy of murder who shot abusive dad to protect his mother

HIGH LEVEL, Alta. — An Alberta judge has found a boy not guilty of second-degree murder after he fatally shot his abusive father to prevent the death of his mother.

The boy, known as H, was only 13 when he shot his father twice with a rifle on August 2013 near a remote community in northern Alberta.

Court heard the boy's home life was horrific and that his father was a drunk who ridiculed, demeaned and abused his wife and children.

The Crown argued that the amount of force the boy used was disproportionate to the danger his father presented. 

Tests on the man's body determined he had a blood-alcohol level more than three times over the legal limit.

In written reasons for a decision delivered last month, Justice Paul Jeffrey of Court of Queen's Bench says the boy acted to protect his mother and did not intend to kill his father.

 

 

 

 

 

   

The Canadian Press

Five Hells Angels members freed, trial cut short as judge scolds Crown

MONTREAL — Five Hells Angels on trial on murder and conspiracy charges have seen the case dismissed because of lengthy delays in the disclosure of evidence by the Crown.

The five men — all members of the biker gang's Sherbrooke chapter — were ordered released today in mid-trial by Quebec Superior Court Justice James Brunton.

Claude Berger, Yvon Tanguay, Francois Vachon, Sylvain Vachon and Michel Vallieres were arrested in 2009 under a widespread police sweep against the biker gang dubbed Operation SharQc.

Brunton was severe in his ruling, granting a defence motion for a stay of proceedings because the Crown only disclosed key information in September, while the defence had been seeking the evidence since 2011.

The Crown says it will consider appealing the decision.

Brunton is the same judge who ordered a stay of proceedings in 2011 for 31 Hells Angels members and sympathizers because of huge delays in brining them to trial.

They were facing various drug-related offences and were arrested during the same 2009 sweep.

The Crown attempted to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled that Brunton did not err in exercising his discretion to order a stay in the case.

The Canadian Press

Habs forward Byron drawing comaprisons to scrappy winger Gallagher

BROSSARD, Que. — Paul Byron is not a colossus, but the Montreal Canadiens forward is not as tiny as the NHL records would have you believe.

Listed at five-foot-seven 153 pounds, Byron is in fact at least five-foot-nine and says he is about 170 pounds, which looked about right as he met with the media in the Canadiens locker room after his first practice with his new team.

"I think that came from when I was 17," said the 26-year-old who was claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames this week after right winger Zack Kassian was put into a substance abuse program by the league.

Byron and new backup goalie Michael Condon are expected to see their first action as the Canadiens play back-to-back in Boston on Saturday and Ottawa on Sunday, followed by a game Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Coach Michel Therrien said Condon will start in Ottawa, even though he is from the Boston area. He had yet to decide which game Ottawa native Byron would play.

What he lacks in size, Byron makes up in speed and grit, drawing comparisons to Brendan Gallagher, another smaller-than-average Montreal winger. 

Defenceman Jeff Petry saw plenty of Byron when he played for the Edmonton Oilers before joining the Canadiens in a trade late last season.

"He plays much bigger than he is and he has skill and speed," said Petry. "He's a guy like Gallagher.

"He's not the biggest guy but he's got a lot of heart. He goes into the tough areas."

The Flames, who are trying to get bigger, put Byron on waivers after he missed the start of camp with a wrist injury. He was also coming off groin surgery in May. 

Byron saw mostly fourth line duty in Calgary, but also got time on the second and third units. He had seven goals and 21 points in 47 games in 2013-14 and had six goals and 19 points in 57 outings last season.

A benefit of the move is that he is closer to home.

"Growing up in Ottawa and playing for Gatineau in the Quebec (junior) league, I know what to expect," he said. "I know I have to bring some jam and effort every night."

Condon, 25, beat out Dustin Tokarski for the job as back-up to Carey Price with a solid training camp and a strong 2014-15 campaign in the AHL, where he split duties with veteran Joey MacDonald.

The Canadiens signed him an undrafted free agent out of Princeton University in 2013 and extended his contract by two years in February.

After not allowing a goal in two pre-season games, he's ready for his first real taste of NHL hockey. 

"Not to put too much pressure on myself, just play: That's been the mantra all training camp," said Condon. "All the work's been put in, so all I can do is have fun and not think too much.

"There's no thinking for me, just reacting. Shutting the brain off."

And even though he doesn't get to start in Boston, he will at least get to see one the NHL's fiercest rivalries at ice level.

"It's going to be awesome," he said. "I'm looking forward to the energy in that building.

"I've got a lot of friends and family from the area giving me heat, but this is the team that gave me my opportunity, so I love this place."

He and Price are still getting to know one another. Earlier this week, Price quipped of Condon that "at least we have one thing in common (being goalies), so we should find something to talk about."

Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press

Labatt Breweries buys craft brewer Mill Street for undisclosed amount

TORONTO — The loyalties of craft beer aficionados were put to the test Friday when the owners of Mill Street Brewery, one of Canada's leading makers of craft beers, announced plans to be swallowed by Labatt Breweries in a takeover.

Under the agreement, the privately held Toronto company will belong to the world's largest brewing group, owned by Belgian company Anheuser-Busch InBev. Those prospects didn't sit well with some of the company's longtime customers.

This is Labatt's sixth acquisition of a North American craft brewer since 2011, and the deal immediately raised questions about how to define small craft breweries in a multinational industry that's purposely making the boundaries murkier than ever.

Mill Street will continue to operate as a stand-alone company as it looks for ways to expand production and capacity, said Mill Street co-founder Steve Abrams.

Over the past few years, the craft brewer has seen average sales growth of more than 15 per cent annually.

"Many craft brewers in Ontario are experiencing this huge surge just to keep up with demand," Abrams said in an interview.

"This immediate infusion of capital will assist us in getting tanks and more equipment."

However, those aspirations may not sit well with craft beer drinkers, who pride themselves in supporting local products made in small batches.

Some of them quickly took to Twitter to express dismay over the future of the Mill Street brand.

"Goodbye to craft. Hello average," posted @Simmsation on Twitter shortly after the announcement was made.

"Oh no! What a shame, I liked Tankhouse. I need to find a new beer," added  @nfitz1, referring to one of the company's trademark brews.

Others decided to take a more creative approach, considering ways that Labatt could mesh its Labatt Blue line with the Mill Street reputation.

"Might I suggest 'Mill Street Blues' as their first hybrid ale?" said @jeremysale.

Beer drinkers were also cautious about assurances that Mill Street won't change under the rule of a global brewer with a reputation for sweeping cost reductions to stay competitive.

Labatt bought discount beermaker Lakeport Brewery in 2007 when "buck a beer" was all the rage, and then shut down its Hamilton facility three years later after deciding it was cheaper to fold production into Labatt's operations in London, Ont.

While Labatt didn't announce how much it will pay for Mill Street, it plans to invest $10 million into the company's existing brewery operations, which it says will remain open.

"We think that this partnership will really help expand awareness of craft across the country," said Charlie Angelakos, Labatt's vice-president of corporate affairs.

The popularity of craft breweries has been on the rise across Canada for years. While overall beer consumption declined by six per cent in 2014, craft beer servings grew by seven per cent, according to recent findings from data research company NPD Group.

Stephen Beaumont, an industry watcher and author on beer trends, said the takeover didn't come as a surprise because of the international buying spree for craft brewers at Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Labatt has also played in the craft brew market itself, under a relatively low profile, positioning its Shock Top line of beers in the microbrew department at liquor stores.

Despite its reputation, Mill Street isn't a stranger to corporate partnerships either.

The brewery opened a branded pub at Pearson Airport in Toronto three years ago, and paired with hotel chain Fairmont for a honey ale named after the company's Royal York Hotel, because it harvested from beehives on the building's rooftop.

"They will likely face a good deal of blow-back from the craft community, for all that relatively small percentage of the market means," Beaumont said.

"I don't think (Mill Street) will change their beers, but for a lot of people the cachet of buying craft beer will be lost."

Mill Street was started in 2002 with modest aspirations by its three founders, but its success pushed them to move its facilities to a larger space four years later that could handle rising demand.

Since then, it has amassed an variety of accolades, including Canadian brewery of the year at Canadian Brewing Awards for three consecutive years starting in 2007.

Labatt — once an independent giant in Canada's beer industry — was bought in 1995 by a Belgian group that has continued to grow by buying and merging with other companies around the world. The group, now called Anheuser-Busch InBev, is currently attempting to buy the world's second-biggest beermaker SABMiller.

The founders of Mill Street are hopeful that despite early criticism, their beers will reach new markets, starting with Quebec — the only province that currently doesn't have any distribution of the brand.

Follow @dj_friend on Twitter.

 

David Friend, The Canadian Press

Musical ride wannabes: Six RCMP foals get their names in contest for kids

OTTAWA — Six foals who could one day strut their stuff in the RCMP's musical ride have been given their names.

Maple, Maya, Mavrik, Minion, Minuit and Monark were the winning entries submitted by children from across the country.

All the names in this year's contest had to start with the letter M.

The foals were born at the RCMP breeding farm in Pakenham, Ont.

The winning entries were from kids in Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.

The youngsters will receive a framed photo of the foal they named and a certificate signed by the RCMP commissioner.

They'll also get a signed RCMP Stetson worn by a musical ride member, a set of musical ride trading cards and a horse-and-rider pin.

The Canadian Press

B.C. protesters want apology from NHL defenceman after bear killed

VANCOUVER — A British Columbia group against trophy hunting is hoping the case of an NHL player charged with killing a grizzly bear becomes a rallying cry to protect the animals.

About a dozen members of Bears Matter gathered outside provincial court in Vancouver today ahead of a court date for Anaheim Ducks defenceman Clayton Stoner.

Stoner is charged with five counts under the provincial Wildlife Act after a bear was shot on B.C.'s central coast in 2013, including two counts of knowingly making a false statement to obtain a hunting licence.

Group member Barb Murray says she hopes the case raises awareness that an increasing number of people are against killing bears.

Stoner has never denied the hunt, and Murray says she wants him to apologize for trophy hunting, pay a large fine and contribute to conservation in B.C.

The case was put over until Nov. 13, and a lawyer who appeared in court on Stoner's behalf says he does not know how the hockey player intends to plead.

The Canadian Press

Nothing ‘exclusionary’ in focus on ‘vulnerable’ would-be refugees: Harper

OTTAWA — Canadians voted at advance polls and two more party platforms were released in full Friday, but the real drama of the race to form Canada's next government continued to revolve around the three Rs — religion, race and refugees.

With 10 days to go before the Oct. 19 election, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper asserted there is nothing "exclusionary" or political about his government's decision to focus on accepting refugees from the most vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities in the Syrian and Iraqi conflict.

"The minority religious and ethnic groups in the Syria and Iraq area are in fact being targeted by ISIS (Islamic militants) and its allies for extermination," Harper said on the campaign trail in Richmond, B.C.

"And that is why we put a higher priority — it's not exclusionary — but obviously why that is an important factor in making our refugee selection decisions."

News this week that the Prime Minister's Office quietly halted some Syrian refugee processing this summer while it conducted an "audit," ostensibly for security purposes, has become the latest flashpoint in an election that's been repeatedly roiled by allegations of xenophobia and Muslim-bashing.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau angrily denounced Harper's political operatives Friday for what he characterized as partisan-motivated interference in the refugee application and approval process.

"To know that somewhere in the Prime Minister's Office, staffers were poring through their personal files to try and see whether these families, or find out which families, would be suitable for a photo op for the prime minister's re-election campaign? That's disgusting," Trudeau said in Toronto before flying to Yellowknife.

"That's not the Canada we want; that's not the Canada we need to build."

Trudeau's incendiary charge mirrored some media reports, but is being hotly denied by the Conservative campaign.

Of the 11,300 Syrian refugees the government has committed to resettling since the start of the Syrian war, the vast majority are being resettled by private groups, mostly churches. 

But the PMO audit that was carried out in June focused only on government-assisted refugee cases, including those already in Canada and those still in the queue, forcing a halt to processing those files for several weeks.

In the context of vicious Middle East factional fighting that has become an unlikely backdrop to Canada's federal election, the PMO has effectively prioritized refugees of Christian and other minority faiths over the vast bulk of displaced families who are Shia or Sunni Muslims. An estimated 90 per cent of refugees in the region identify as Muslim.

Muslims make up roughly three per cent of Canada's population.

Coming after weeks of bruising, divisive debate on Muslim face coverings at citizenship ceremonies, which in turn followed an emotionally charged allegation that a drowned Syrian toddler's refugee family had aspired to come to Canada but was rebuffed, the latest flare-up sends the campaign teams into the crucial Thanksgiving holiday weekend in fighting form.

"What we've learned in the last couple of days is that, despite his emoting when we saw the lifeless body of that child Alan Kurdi on a Turkish beach, Mr. Harper and his Prime Minister's Office were in fact intervening to ensure that the neediest on earth — those Syrian refugees — would not make it to Canada," NDP Leader Tom Mulcair charged in Montreal.

"This is the same Stephen Harper who has been playing the race card non-stop in this campaign .... He's exploiting divisions among us."

All but lost in the highly charged claims and counter claims dealing with race and religion was the release Friday of the full NDP and Conservative campaign platforms, not to mention new unemployment figures that showed Canada's jobless rate rose slightly in September to 7.1 per cent.

Management of the economy was supposed to be the ballot box question this October as Canada struggles through years of slow growth and a technical recession in the first half of 2015 sparked by plunging global oil prices.

Harper continues to push the message that the choice for voters a week from Monday is between Conservative prudence and "reckless" Liberal spending with "immediate tax hikes" and deficits.

"I think when Canadians look at the cold, hard choices, they know which way we need to go to keep our economy on track," Harper said.

 

Bruce Cheadle, The Canadian Press

‘I offer my unreserved apologies’: text of Marcel Aubut statement

MONTREAL — Marcel Aubut, the former president of the Canadian Olympic Committee who resigned after sexual-harassment allegations, read out a statement to reporters on Friday, apologizing for his behaviour.

The following is a translation by The Canadian Press of his remarks, which were delivered only in French:

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being here. I will read a statement and not take any questions.

I made the decision at noon yesterday (Thursday) to make this statement.

For the last 10 days or so, I have been living in turmoil.

The crisis brought on by my behaviour has also plunged into turmoil my family, my friends, my associates, employees and everyone who has been hurt by this behaviour.

Today, to all those people and to all the others who have been outraged by what they have seen or heard in the last several days, it is from the bottom of my heart, the bottom of my heart, and with all the sincerity I am capable of, that I offer my unreserved apologies.

In 45 years of professional life, I have always lived at 200 kilometres an hour and, this, without stopping.

And never did I question myself about about my behaviour in society. It has taken a crisis like the one I am going through and the one I am putting those close to me through to force myself to take a timeout and enter into deep reflection.

Today, the wake-up call is brutal. I have an enormous, an enormous, lots of, lots of, sorrow. I infinitely regret having hurt so many people who certainly did not deserve it. I hope that one day these people will be able to forgive me.

Today, I am taking a timeout during which I will carry out true introspection.

I have already begun consulting the best experts who will help me to change my behaviour and become a better person.

Thus, I informed my associates at the BCF law firm yesterday (Thursday) of MY decision to leave the firm. It saddens me to no end because my associates and colleagues at BCF have shown me a lot of openness and great empathy since the beginning of this crisis.

I want to thank them, sincerely, very sincerely, for this support and, especially, for their understanding.

I am convinced that the interests of the firm must come before mine. I have no doubt that BCF will continue its dazzling growth and will remain a law firm of great stature.

I especially want to thank my family, particularly my wife and three daughters who have comforted me and convinced me that the love that unites us is simply indestructible.

I also want to thank all those in the Olympic family who have supported me in my mission to boost the presence of our Olympic athletes, who, by the way, will always remain my heroes.

All throughout my career, I have worked unfailingly to carry through the projects that were close to my heart. I am proud of what I have accomplished and I intend to continue to have an active and fruitful professional life.

But I will have to do it with the determination and the energy I am known for while reminding myself that society has changed and that it demands greater respect between individuals, more specifically between men and women.

I assume full responsibilty for my actions. I have nobody else to blame but myself. Again, to all those I have hurt or disappointed, I reiterate my unreserved apologies and promise to do everything to become a better person.

Thank you.

The Canadian Press

Numerous side deals to accompany final TPP trade agreement, say officials

OTTAWA — The final text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will be accompanied by a series of side deals for Canada, potentially on a range of issues, government officials said Friday.

But those side agreements, which will take the form of letters, won't be done in time for the government's planned release of a preliminary TPP text in the coming days.

On Thursday, Trade Minister Ed Fast promised to release a provisional copy of the agreement in the next few days.

Fast also said the deal would be accompanied by at least one side letter between Canada and Japan on processed and unprocessed forestry products.

A senior government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Canada would be signing additional side letters — individual agreements between countries.

But the source said it was too early to say which specific sectors would be covered by them, and that along with the side letter on forestry, they would only be finalized when the final TPP text is completed.

The Canadian Press

U.S. senator asks US regulators to stop Montreal’s sewage-dumping plan

ALBANY, N.Y. — U.S. Senator Charles Schumer asked U.S. environmental regulators Friday to work with Canadian officials to stop the city of Montreal from dumping eight billion litres of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence River.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the weeklong sewage dumping would start Oct. 18 and is necessary as the city rebuilds a riverside expressway. The sewage will head away from New York, but it has drawn condemnation from U.S. officials.

Schumer urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to work with the Canadian government and the State Department to devise an alternative plan.

"If this plan is allowed to move forward, this sewage could severely impact the river ecosystem and wildlife, and the St. Lawrence County tourism industry on which the North Country depends," Schumer said.

The EPA released a statement Friday saying it has no regulatory authority in Canada.

"While EPA thinks it's a really bad idea to discharge 8 billion litres — over 2 billion gallons — of untreated sewage into any water body, the EPA does not have any jurisdiction over this matter because these discharges will not have an impact on U.S. waters," the agency said in a statement released by spokeswoman Mary Mears.

The St. Lawrence River flows from Lake Ontario northeast into the Gulf of Lawrence and borders the United States for 114 miles in New York state, but the river lies entirely in Canada downstream of Montreal.

The environmental group Save the River says there must be a way for the city to dispose of its sewage that's not potentially harmful to human health and wildlife.

"While our portion of the river is not downstream of where the city plans to release this massive amount of raw sewage, it is part of the river we work every day to protect," said Lee Willbanks, executive director of Save the River. "This is unacceptable and in this day and age we can and must do better."

Montreal officials say the sewage dump is needed so that workers can relocate a snow chute, a large opening that brings water from melting snow to a wastewater treatment plant.

Coderre said this week that city officials have selected the best option in terms of time and cost and believe drinking water for downstream communities won't be affected.

 

Mary Esch, The Associated Press

Man passes away after being struck by vehicle

Mock emergency exercise to be performed in Taylor Wednesday morning

Seattle Mariners fire manager Lloyd McClendon after 2 seasons in charge

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners fired manager Lloyd McClendon on Friday after two seasons as new general manager Jerry Dipoto chose to bring in his own field boss.

Seattle announced the decision less than a week after the Mariners concluded a disappointing 76-86 season. Seattle started the year with expectations of contending in the AL West and reaching the post-season, but instead finished in fourth place in the division.

Dipoto was hired to replace Jack Zduriencik the final week of the regular season and said he would take his time evaluating whether McClendon would return. McClendon was under contract for the 2016 season.

"I have a great deal of respect for Lloyd, as a person and as a manager," Dipoto said in a statement. "It is a credit to his professionalism that the team continued to play hard through the final day of the season. However, after extensive conversations it became clear to me that our baseball philosophies were not closely aligned."

The Mariners said hitting coach Edgar Martinez and infield coach Chris Woodward have been invited to remain with the Mariners staff. Pitching coach Rick Waits and coach Chris Prieto have been invited to remain with the organization in different roles. All other coaches on the major league staff will not return.

McClendon raised hopes of a turnaround in Seattle after the Mariners went 87-75 in his first season and missed the playoffs by one game. But Seattle could not sustain the success from the first season and, combined with Zduriencik's firing, McClendon's status was in doubt once Dipoto took charge.

McClendon was 163-161 in his two seasons with the Mariners and was the only black manager in baseball. Dipoto's decision means Seattle will have its 10th manager — full-time and interim — since the club's last playoff appearance in 2001.

"I look in the mirror every night and I know I gave it everything I had every day," McClendon said on the final day of the regular season. "And, I said this earlier, my players gave me everything they had every day. Some nights it was good enough, some nights it wasn't very good. But, the effort was always there."

Dipoto came to Seattle after leaving behind a rocky relationship with the Angels and manager Mike Scioscia, who was already entrenched when Dipoto was hired in Los Angeles. Rather than try to force a relationship in Seattle, Dipoto will now be able to bring in someone he wants to work with.

McClendon was well-liked by his players in Seattle, specifically Robinson Cano. But the success of the first season — when Seattle had a lacklustreoffence but outstanding pitching — couldn't carry into the second year. Seattle's bullpen regressed significantly, the offence slogged through the first half of the season led by the struggles of Cano, and the Mariners could never recover from a 2-9 homestand in late May and early June.

Seattle was McClendon's second chance as a manager. McClendon was the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001-05, going 336-446. Pittsburgh never won more than 75 games or finished higher than fourth in the NL Central during his tenure and he was fired in early September of the 2005 season.

Tim Booth, The Associated Press

Trudeau lashes out at Conservatives over PMO’s role in refugee resettlement

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is insisting that while his government's refugee policy focuses on the most vulnerable religious and ethnic groups, it does not do so at the expense of others.

Speaking at a campaign event in Richmond, B.C., Harper says Canada's resettlement policy is focused on those minorities from Syria and Iraq that are being targeted by militants in the Middle East.  

But he insists it's not exclusionary, nor biased towards Christians.

He says Muslim minorities are also being targeted by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL or ISIS.

Earlier today, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau angrily denounced the Prime Minister's Office for what he characterizes as politically motivated interference in the refugee application and approval process.

Trudeau says the PMO was making sure it could take political advantage of those families that were being accepted, something he calls "disgusting." 

He says a Liberal government would "absolutely not" prioritize religious and ethnic minorities.

The Conservative government ordered a review of some cases this summer as a result of intelligence reports that warned of possible security threats.

"We prioritize the most vulnerable people in terms of our refugee acceptance policies," Harper told a campaign event in Richmond, B.C.

"The minority religious and ethnic groups in the Syria and Iraq area are in fact being targeted by ISIS and its allies for extermination ... it's not exclusionary, but that is obviously why that is an important factor in making our refugee selection decisions."

Those minorities "are not exclusively Christian by any means," he added.

Media reports suggest the Prime Minister's Office was actively discouraging the Department of Citizenship and Immigration from accepting Sunni or Shia Muslims.

Trudeau says a Liberal government would "absolutely not" prioritize religious and ethnic minorities.

"To know that somewhere in the PMO, staffers were poring through their personal files to try and see which families would be suitable for a photo-op for the PM's re-election campaign, that's disgusting," he said.  

"That's not the Canada we want; that's not the Canada we need to build."

Of the 11,300 Syrian refugees the government has committed to resettling since the start of the Syrian war, the vast majority are being resettled by private groups, mostly churches. 

But the audit that was carried out in June focused only on government-assisted refugee cases, including those already in Canada and those still in the queue, forcing a halt to processing those files for several weeks.

The Canadian Press

US judge OKs $338 million settlement for victims of oil train disaster that killed 47

PORTLAND, Maine — A U.S. bankruptcy judge on Friday approved a $338 million settlement fund for victims of the fiery 2013 oil train derailment that claimed 47 lives in Quebec, clearing the way for payments to victims by year's end.

Judge Peter Cary announced his approval after Canadian Pacific dropped its objection to the settlement plan and after a Canadian judge gave conditional approval Thursday. He praised attorneys for working together to get a substantial settlement in place as quickly as possible.

Barring any surprises, payments could be made to victims by the end of November or by year's end at the latest, said Robert Keach, the U.S. bankruptcy trustee. About $83 million, or about $110 million in Canadian dollars, is being set aside to settle wrongful death claims.

"We don't pretend to suggest that we made up for everything that happened. But within the limits of the civil system, this is substantial compensation for the victims and they deserve it," Keach said.

A runaway train with 72 oil tankers derailed on July 6, 2013, in Lac Megantic, Quebec, setting off powerful explosions and causing fires that wiped out much of the downtown.

The disaster led to greater regulatory scrutiny of the use of trains to transport crude oil amid a production surge thanks to new technologies including hydraulic fracturing.

On Friday, the judge described the devastation from the fires as "vast and complete."

"My thoughts and good wishes go to the good town of Lac Megantic and the victims' families," Cary said after announcing he would sign the settlement.

After the fires were doused, the train's operator, Maine-based Montreal, Maine & Atlantic, filed for bankruptcy, and the settlement fund is tied to those bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. and Canada.

The fund, worth $446 million in Canadian dollars, was the product of negotiations with about two dozen companies with potential liability. In addition to settling wrongful death claims, money will be used to compensate government entities and others for destruction and environmental damage.

Canadian Pacific owned the track where the crude oil shipment originated and contended it bore no responsibility, since the train that derailed had a Montreal, Maine & Atlantic locomotive and crew and was operating on MMA rail.

But Keach argued Canadian Pacific bears some responsibility for failing to properly classify the Bakken region crude oil, which was as volatile as gasoline.

Canadian Pacific isn't contributing to the settlement fund, and the railroad had contended the plan would have hampered its ability to defend itself from lawsuits, because the agreement provided legal immunity only to companies that do contribute.

But the altered amendment calls for a "judgment reduction provision" that would take into account the full settlement paid by others if Canadian Pacific is ordered to pay damages in the future.

"Although CP was not at fault in the derailment, we have been working with the trustee for a solution that protects CP interests and allows payments to be made to victims as soon as possible," said Canadian Pacific spokesman Martin Cej.

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David Sharp, The Associated Press

Marcel Aubut apologizes for behaviour, quits law firm

MONTREAL — A seemingly repentant Marcel Aubut apologized on Friday for his behaviour amid widespread allegations he sexually harassed several women.

"For the last 10 days or so, I have been living in turmoil," he said in a statement he read out to reporters.

"The crisis brought on by my behaviour also plunged into turmoil my family, my friends, my associates, my employees and everyone who has been hurt by this behaviour.

"Today, to all those people and to all the others who have been outraged by what they have seen or heard in the last several days, it is from the bottom of my heart, the bottom of my heart and with all the sincerity I am capable of, that I offer my unreserved apologies."

Aubut, 67, stepped down as president of the Canadian Olympic Committee last weekend after women accused him of sexual comments and unwanted touching.

He also said in his statement he is leaving the BCF law firm and seeking counselling.

Interim COC president Tricia Smith said this week the organization's board was not aware of "any specific interactions that would be construed as harassment.''

La Presse and the Globe and Mail both reported a letter written to Aubut in 2011 indicated high-ranking people in the organization were uncomfortable with Aubut's conduct toward women.

Smith insisted the board did not know about the letter but said an independent body has been asked to look into the circumstances of the June 2011 letter.

An employee lodged a harassment complaint with the COC, but withdrew it with Aubut's resignation. Smith said the COC is fielding no other official complaints at this time, but other women have given interviews to Quebec media accusing Aubut of sexually harassing them.

The Canadian Press

B.C. Lions looking to keep momentum going against Winnipeg Blue Bombers

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions feel like things are finally starting to click.

After three roller-coaster months, the Lions put together their most complete performance of 2015 in last weekend's 46-20 demolition of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The offence under the direction of rookie quarterback Jonathon Jennings looked the best it has all season, while a defence that has struggled at times held an opponent to less than 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards for a third straight outing.

The Lions (5-8) will look to keep those good vibes going when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-10) on Saturday in another critical matchup in the CFL's West Division playoff race.

"The team chemistry and work ethic all year long has been really good," said B.C. head coach Jeff Tedford. "I think we've grown in a lot of phases of the game. We've grown with some of our young guys."

The most obvious example is Jennings, who was thrust into the starter's role after both Travis Lulay and John Beck went down with injuries. The 23-year-old threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns against Saskatchewan in his second professional start, while also catching another TD pass on a trick play.

"Things are starting to develop and we're starting to gain a lot of positive momentum, a lot of confidence as a team," said Lions defensive back Ryan Phillips. "We can't let a team come into our place and go ahead and disrupt that or disrupt where we're trying to go."

The Lions are currently two points up on the Blue Bombers for third place in the West with a game in hand. A victory on Saturday would give B.C. some breathing room, while a loss would tighten things up heading down the final stretch.

Winnipeg is coming off a devastating 24-23 defeat last weekend to the Edmonton Eskimos where kicker Lirim Hajrullahu missed four field goals and an extra point.

The 25-year-old will be on the roster for Saturday's game handling punting duties, but head coach Mike O'Shea said international kicker Sergio Castillo will line up for field goals.

"It didn't make sense to trot (Hajrullahu) out there again right away," O'Shea told reporters in Winnipeg this week. "Let's give him a bit of time to clear his head.

"He's still a good kicker. He had a not-so-good day."

Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols has looked more comfortable since arriving in a trade with Edmonton last month and had a 320-yard performance through the air against his former team.

"They've got a good offensive scheme in the way they use their guys," said Lions linebacker Adam Bighill. "They do it well and we just need to make sure we limit that."

The Blue Bombers — this year's Grey Cup hosts — will have three games left on their schedule after Saturday and still believe they can make a run for a playoff spot.

Any realistic chance of that happening will have to start this weekend.

"You have no choice, it's either have hope or give up," said Winnipeg slotback Nick Moore. "We're not going to give up."

Notes: Lulay, who injured his left knee in a game last month, has practised the last two weeks and will be on the active roster behind Jennings. ... Winnipeg beat B.C. 23-13 at home on July 30. ... After Saturday's game, the Blue Bombers visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Oct. 16, while the Lions travel to take on the Eskimos on Oct. 17.

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Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press

Chamber of Commerce luncheon to focus on advantages of inclusive workplaces