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Nova Scotia man’s double murder trial hears from gunman in January 2010 slayings

MONTREAL — The jury at the trial of a Nova Scotia man charged with two counts of first-degree murder in a 2010 Montreal double slaying heard more testimony on Tuesday from another man who actually pulled the trigger.

Leslie Greenwood, 45, is accused of being the getaway driver in murders which another Nova Scotia native, Robert Simpson, has admitted to committing.

Simpson, 53, is serving a life sentence for gunning down Kirk (Cowboy) Murray and Antonio Onesi in a McDonald's parking lot in Montreal in January 2010.

Now a co-operating Crown witness, Simpson continued his expletive-peppered testimony as he outlined how he and Greenwood were sent to Montreal to kill Murray at the behest of Jeffrey Albert Lynds, a former full-patch Nomad from the Hells Angels Ontario chapter who lived in Nova Scotia.

The witness said Greenwood knew their trip was to "take out Cowboy" and that he was supposed to "get Bobby back in one piece," he said, referring to himself. Simpson said he brought his brother Timothy as backup.

Simpson said they had a 30-minute conversation at a "fleabag motel" near the scene, brainstorming on how to pull off the hit.

He alleged Greenwood suggested the murder be committed at the motel and be followed by dismemberment and setting the room on fire.

The double murder, the jury has heard, was part of a complicated settling of accounts. Murray was killed in part because of a botched hit involving another Montreal drug trafficker.

"That's a big, big no-no, you're not supposed to miss," said Simpson, who on Monday admitted to being the author of several murders himself.

Lynds had also promised Murray a place in the Hells, a pledge he couldn't keep since he too was no longer in good standing with the criminal organization after a fallout with a trafficker.

Murray was lured to the scene under the guise of being paid $9,000 in drug money, but Simpson said he put 14 bullets in Murray and Onesi before hopping into a car driven by Greenwood and returning East.

Simpson testified that upon returning to Nova Scotia, he considered killing Greenwood, but Lynds convinced him to let it drop.

"He's a loose link to me and to the crime," Simpson told the jury. "It was one less person to link me to that crime."

Simpson said he agreed to kill Murray and Onesi for $40,000, but relations began to sour with Lynds when no money materialized.

Simpson said he met Lynds in 2009 after unlawfully fleeing a halfway house and was hired as a bodyguard.

In his line of work, Simpson said he was always suspicious.

"It's a pretty double-cross world and I was always worried I was going to do a contract and I was the contract," Simpson said.

The killer told the jury he returned to Montreal not long after the double killing in a search of money and killed another drug dealer named Mark Stewart as part of a robbery, with his brother disposing of the body in the bushes.

Simpson recounted that he and Lynds ended up having a burger at the very same fast-food restaurant where the first double slaying took place.

Simpson and Lynds were arrested in Truro, N.S., on Feb. 12, 2010. 

He told the court on the day of his arrest that he had decided to kill Lynds and was armed, waiting for the opportune moment.

The trial is expected to continues for several more weeks.

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press

Fort St. John is getting greener with Waste Reduction Week and recycling collection coming up

Despite poor run, Whitecaps still could finish tops in Western Conference

VANCOUVER — Even when his team was flying high, Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson cautioned the regular season would come down to the wire.

A 2-4-1 stretch since the middle of August will do that, but with just three games to go on the schedule Vancouver still controls its own destiny in Major League Soccer's Western Conference, beginning with a crucial home-and-home series with FC Dallas that begins Wednesday.

"The league is very tight," said Robinson, whose team can clinch a playoff spot with a point. "You've got to concentrate on yourselves. When you slip up someone else tends to slip up, when you take care of business other teams take care of business. No one's run away with it."

Two victories over Dallas and another against the Houston Dynamo in their finale would guarantee the Whitecaps first place in the West and also put Vancouver in position to possibly win the Supporters' Shield for the league's best record.

"Everything's still on the line," said Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. "It's still all in our hands and we still believe we have the quality in this team to end up on top."

Vancouver (15-12-4, 49 points) and Dallas (15-10-5, 50 points) have played some feisty matches over the years, including last season's first-round playoff encounter that saw the Whitecaps eliminated in Texas.

"These teams have a little bit of an edge towards each other," said Ousted. "It only makes for great games and it makes for intensity throughout these 180 minutes we're going to play."

Vancouver can retake top spot in the West and the overall standings with a victory at B.C. Place Stadium on Wednesday after getting some help over the weekend. The Whitecaps picked up a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes, but the Los Angeles Galaxy (14-9-9, 51 points) could only manage the same scoreline thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer by the Seattle Sounders.

L.A. has two games remaining and can finish with a maximum 57 points, while Vancouver could finish with 58. Dallas, which has four game left on its schedule could also get to 58, but the Whitecaps have other ideas.

"We want to make sure we take care of business," said Vancouver rookie defender Tim Parker. "We want to make the playoffs, but there's more to achieve as well."

The Whitecaps will be shorthanded on Wednesday, especially in defence. Kendall Waston is away on international duty with Costa Rica, while Steven Beitashour is suspended for yellow card accumulation.

Add to that a trio of Canadian international call ups (defender Sam Adekugbe, and midfielders Kianz Froese and Marco Bustos) as well as the uncertain injury status of captain Pedro Morales and fellow midfielder Nicolas Mezquida, and the Whitecaps could be stretched.

"We can't focus on the guys we haven't got," said Robinson. "I won't do that because we've got enough quality that we believe can go out and win that game. If you worry about who's missing then you lose your focus.

"No point in crying over spilled milk. We've got to deal with it."

Notes: The top two teams in each conference get byes to the second round of the playoffs, while No. 3 plays No.6 and No. 4 plays No. 5 in single elimination games. ... Vancouver visits Dallas on Oct. 14 before wrapping up the season on Oct. 25 at home against Houston. ... The Whitecaps also have to play a meaningless CONCACAF Champions League game in Honduras versus C.D. Olimpia on Oct. 22. Vancouver was eliminated by Seattle from the competition last month.

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Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press

$860 million sunrise gas plant near Dawson Creek gets approval

Price, Stroman to open for Jays against Rangers in first two games of ALDS

Toronto ace David Price will face Texas' Yovani Gallardo in Game 1 of the American League Division Series while Marcus Stroman takes on Cole Hamels in Game 2.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister announced only his first two starters.

Toronto manager John Gibbons had already confirmed Price would start Game 1 at the Rogers Centre on Thursday. Stroman used social media to fill in the gap for Game 2 Friday.

"Tore my ACL, finished my degree from @DukeU, rehabbed my knee in 5 months, and now pitching in Game 2 of the #ALDS. Crazy excited!" he tweeted Tuesday.

Hamels, the Rangers' marquee pitcher, threw a complete game Sunday in Texas' regular-season finale, a 9-2 win over the Angels that clinched the AL West title.

The Rangers have won their past 10 games started by Hamels, who is 7-1 in 12 starts since being acquired from Philadelphia in late July.

The two Texas pitchers have fared differently against the Jays in a limited number of meetings

Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA) won both of his starts this season against Toronto, pitching 13 2/3 scoreless innings. Toronto managed just six hits while batting 136 against him.

Gallardo is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA all-time against the Jays.

Hamels is 0-2 with a career 6.97 ERA in four starts against the Jays. On the plus side, his post-season ERA is 3.09 against all-teams.

 

The Canadian Press

Canada loses two players to injury ahead of Ghana soccer friendly

ORLANDO, Fla. — Defender David Edgar and midfielder Kyle Bekker have dropped out of Canada's roster for next week's friendly against Ghana due to injury.

The Canadian Soccer Association says Charlie Trafford, a newcomer to the Canadian program, will replace Bekker, who plays for the Montreal Impact. Edgar, currently on loan with England's Sheffield United, is not being replaced.

Trafford plays in Finland for Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS).

Canada, ranked 104th in the world, meets No. 25 Ghana at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 13. The team is currently in camp in Florida.

The Canadian Press

Impact looks to solidify playoff position against first place Red Bulls

MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact make up a game in hand on the teams chasing them for a Major League Soccer playoff spot Wednesday night against the New York Red Bulls, and things could get nervy in the last three weeks of the regular season if they don't come away with at least a point.

A chance to clinch a playoff spot was wasted on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat in Orlando. The Lions, as they are known, moved to only one point behind Montreal but with two more games played.

If Orlando wins its final two games, the Impact have to win at least two of their last four matches, three of them on the road where they are 2-8-4 this season.

"I hope we can respond," said Mauro Biello, who lost for the first time in seven games since replacing Frank Klopas as head coach. "We had a difficult performance last game and now it's about bouncing back.

"Good teams are able to do that."

After facing Red Bulls in Harrison, N.J., the Impact play Saturday at high altitude against in Colorado, their third game in eight days, even if the Rapids are last in the Western Conference.

The Impact (12-12-6) are up against the first place team in the Eastern Conference in the Red Bulls (15-9-6), who are 10-3-2 at home.

But New York was also caught in Orlando's recent surge, losing 5-2 at home to them on Sept. 25 before rallying with a 2-1 victory over Columbus on the weekend.

The team run by Jesse Marsch, the Impact's first coach in MLS in 2012, no longer has big name stars like Thierry Henry in its lineup, but has been playing winning soccer all season.

"To me, it's one of the most consistent teams in the league," said Biello. "They're a high-tempo team, a team that presses high.

"We expect them to be ready for us and we need to be ready for them."

Now it is Montreal that has the big name player in Didier Drogba, who played only the final 31 minutes against Orlando because he has trouble dealing with artificial turf.

That won't be a problem against New York, and the former Chelsea striker, averaging a goal per game in his first seven MLS matches, is available to start.

Montreal will also have its top midfielder Ignacio Piatti back after missing three games to attend to a family matter, but has lost midfielder Johan Venegas (Costa Rica) and fullback Ambroise Oyongo (Cameroon) to international duty. Canadian Maxim Tissot is also away with the national team.

Having starters in and out of the lineup has become routine for the Impact in the last month and they are 4-1-2 in that span.

"When you're missing players who play regularly it's not easy but this team's depth has been tested and has shown it's true colours," said captain Patrice Bernier. "People have responded well.

"We have to keep doing that."

They caught a break when Belgium agreed not to call up Montreal's best defender Laurent Ciman.

"Normally I wouldn't be here," said Ciman, who finds it "bizarre" that MLS doesn't shut down for regularly scheduled international breaks as leagues in other countries do. "Most of the teams are losing their best players and the teams have to deal with that."

Midfielder Kyle Bekker was also called up by Canada but stayed back due to an undisclosed injury.

Seldom-used midfielder Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare was loaned to the Ottawa Fury of the NASL for the remainder of its regular season and playoffs. Gagnon-Lapare is currently with Canada's under-23 team, which is trying to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press

Quebec company looks at setting up cigarette plant in southern Alberta

EDMONTON — A company registered on a Mohawk reserve in Quebec says it is looking at setting up a cigarette manufacturing plant in southern Alberta.

Representatives of Four Winds Tobacco Products Inc. appeared before Newell County council last month about a possible location in Brooks, about 190 kilometres southeast of Calgary.

Tom O'Connell, a company consultant, said Four Winds wants to produce cigarettes for export and for three wholesalers in Ontario.

There is no immediate plan to sell in Alberta, but Four Winds may eventually try to market cigarettes on First Nations reserves in Western Canada, he said.

"If it is sold on First Nation reserves, we will only sell to registered wholesalers with the Canadian government," O'Connell said. 

"And those cigarettes cannot be sold outside of the reserves. They are strictly for sale on the reserves."

Four Winds is listed as a registered corporation with Industry Canada. It has an office and directors in Kahnawake, Que., a Mohawk community just south of Montreal.

The company is looking at Alberta because Quebec has put a moratorium on new tobacco manufacturing, he said.

O'Connell said Four Winds will apply for the required federal and provincial permits if it hears no objections from neighbouring businesses and gets written approval from the county.

Brian de Jong, deputy reeve of the County of Newell, said a cigarette manufacturing facility would not contravene the municipality's land-use bylaw.

"As long as they follow the rules with the legalities of that, then there should be no issue," he said.

O'Connell said the tobacco, cigarette papers and machinery for the plant would be imported from the United States initially, but the company would eventually seek Canadian suppliers.

Most Canadian tobacco is grown in Ontario.

The company would also encourage Alberta farmers to grow tobacco, O'Connell said.

"If you can grow tomatoes, you can grow tobacco."

Earlier this year, the president of a tobacco company from Kahnawake was found not guilty of importing millions of cigarettes without a licence for resale to a central Alberta reserve.

Robbie Dickson of Rainbow Tobacco G.P. was convicted in provincial court of two other charges under Alberta's Tobacco Tax Act for possessing tobacco not marked for tax sale and for having more than 1,000 cigarettes.

O'Connell said Four Winds is not affiliated with Rainbow Tobacco in any way.

He said its proposed plant would be open to federal, provincial and municipal inspections and would conform to all tax-stamping and other laws associated with cigarette manufacturing. 

"This is not kicking the tires. Our No. 1 priority is that location in Brooks."

 

John Cotter, The Canadian Press

Vlaicu lands late penalty as Romania stuns Canada 17-15 with comeback win in RWC Pool D match

LEICESTER, England — Romania produced an inspired second-half performance to rally from a 15-point deficit and beat Canada 17-15 in a Rugby World Cup Pool D match on Tuesday, clinching a dramatic victory with a nerveless late penalty from centre Florin Vlaicu.

Canada was in control when left winger DTH Van Der Merwe scored late in the first half — his fourth try of the tournament — and right winger Jeff Hassler crossed four minutes after halftime.

But Romania's bold decision to forsake penalty kicks for attacking lineouts and scrums paid off.

Canada played the last eight minutes with a man down after flanker Jebb Sinclair was sin-binned, and paid a serious price for it. Four missed shots at goal and too many wasted attacking chances also cost the Canadians.

"We said if we could stay within 14 points going into the last 20 minutes we knew we'd get the chance," Romania coach Lynn Howells said. "We saw that — Canada's wide game fell apart in the last 20."

Still, it needed an inspired individual performance to get them going and captain Captain Mihai Macovei delivered it for Romania with two tries, the No. 8 bundling over the line for his second with five minutes left.

"He's a captain that leads by example, even when we did struggle he was able to pull everyone together," Howells said.

Canada's players appealed for a double-movement on the second try, but referee Wayne Barnes — standing close by — awarded it after asking for a television referral. Vlaicu — who missed two first-half penalty attempts — added the extras and there was just one point in it.

After Canada's scrum was penalized in the 78th Vlaicu calmly slotted his kick cleanly through the posts to send the Romania fans into delirious celebrations.

"He's the top points scorer in Romanian rugby and he deserves that," Howells said.

Romania has four points and can still finish in third place in the group — assuring automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup — if it beats Italy next weekend.

Canada has played some great attacking rugby at this tournament, but it has also thrown away game-winning positions, having led 10-0 against Italy before losing 23-18.

"We did some pretty naive things in the last 30 minutes," Canada coach Kieran Crowley said. "Romania deserved to win."

Van Der Merwe showed his clinical finishing skills, side-stepping left and then cutting back right for his fourth try of the tournament and 20th in tests to make it 8-0 after 33 minutes. Van Der Merwe has scored in every pool game and only New Zealand's Julian Savea has more with five tries.

Hassler, too, showed great strength to break two tackles and hold off fullback Catalin Fercu's desperate lunge to make it 15-0 five minutes into the second half. The Canadians were no doubt thinking at that stage of pushing for a bonus-point win, and an outside shot at third place.

Then it all went wrong.

"We got a try straight after halftime and then the wheels fell off," Crowley said. "We're just not good enough in the final plays. We just have to get better."

Scrumhalf Gordon McRorie landed only one of three penalties and missed a conversion in the first half. Flyhalf Nathan Hirayama took kicking duties after the break, and although he converted the second try he also missed a penalty.

It was a scrappy early on, not helped by the wet conditions caused by a downpour before kickoff.

The Oaks got their first chance for points when Canada collapsed the scrum but Vlaicu's effort from near halfway fell short. His next long-range effort missed, too, but he was saving his best for last.

Howells said the players would celebrate in moderation.

"They've earned the right," he said. "They'll have a beer but it won't be to any great extent."

For now.

The celebrations promise to be wilder if Romania beats Italy.

Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press

Canadian Olympic Committee unaware of harassment, says interim president

CALGARY — The interim president of the Canadian Olympic Committee says the organization's board did not know of harassment complaints against former president Marcel Aubut.

Aubut resigned after women accused him of sexual comments and unwanted touching.

Interim president Tricia Smith told reporters on a conference call the COC board was unaware of specific instances of harassment.

The COC has hired a Canadian employment lawyer and human resource expert to conduct an independent review.

The Canadian Press

From homeless to hospital patients: how people will vote in the federal election

Millions of Canadians will cast ballots in typical fashion for the Oct. 19 federal election — at polling stations in local school gymnasiums or community centres. But special voting rules have also been established for some groups, who can't do that. Here's a look at some of those rules:  

Inmates — People in provincial jails and federal prisons can apply to vote by mail or register to vote at advance polls set up inside institutions Oct. 9. Inmates vote for candidates in their home riding, or the riding of a relative, the place of their arrest or the court where they were convicted and sentenced.

Homeless — People with no home address vote in the riding of the shelter they stay in or the agency or soup kitchen where they receive services. They must show identification with their name on it, such as a library card or prescription container, as well as proof of their home address in a letter from the shelter or soup kitchen administrator. They can also take an oath, if they are accompanied by someone they know who lives in the area and can attest to the address.

Expats — Canadians who have lived outside the country for less than five consecutive years and intend to move back to Canada can vote by mail. Their home address is considered to be the last address they had before leaving, or the home of a relative or person they would be living with if not out of the country. Government workers, staff with international organizations and military members — and the people who live with them — are exempt from the five-year rule.

Military — Members of the Canadian Forces, along with teachers and staff of Canadian Forces schools outside Canada, can vote by mail or at polling stations set up in their units, whether they are at home or abroad.

Students — Post-secondary students who live in two places — one while at school and the other while not in school — can choose which they consider to be their home address. Those who live on campus are allowed to vote at polls set up there. All students are eligible to vote Oct. 5-8 at Elections Canada offices on 39 campuses.

Patients — People in some hospitals and long-term care facilities have the extra option of voting at mobile polling stations. Elections Canada staff can carry ballot boxes from room to room if needed. Election workers also provide in-home voting for people unable to leave home because of a disability.

Oilsands workers — During the last election, kiosks were set up at six remote work camps around Fort McMurray, Alta., since the areas had limited access to postal services. About 14 per cent of 8,285 workers at the locations cast ballots; many didn't have proof of their home addresses and couldn't vote. Elections Canada says it's not continuing the program this year because it was too expensive and logistically complex.

(Source: Elections Canada)

The Canadian Press

Corrado hopes to stick in NHL as Maple Leafs claim him off waivers from Canucks

TORONTO — Frankie Corrado was at his grandmother's house in Woodbridge, Ont., when he found out the Toronto Maple Leafs had claimed him off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks.

"We just started jumping around and hugging each other," Corrado said. "It's as good as it gets."

The 22-year-old defenceman wasn't as thrilled to find out he hadn't made the Canucks, but he hopes to stick in the NHL with the team he grew up rooting for.

"In my head I thought I was good enough to play and had done well enough (in Canucks camp)," Corrado said. "Just by the decision they made they clearly thought that it wasn't good enough. That's their decision, and they have a lot of good defencemen there who can play. It's over now and I'm here now and I just want to make the best of this opportunity."

Corrado will soon get that opportunity, potentially on the third defensive pairing alongside Jake Gardiner. Scott Harrington, who was in that spot for the past two days of practice, was sent to American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies on Tuesday to get the Leafs to the 23-man roster limit by the deadline.

Coach Mike Babcock watched tape of Corrado on Monday and did some background work on who he was as a player. He came away with a strong impression.

"Right-hand shot, young guy, skates, moves the puck," Babcock said. "I thought he played well in the games I saw with Vancouver when I was watching him yesterday. We can help him on his puck retrievals and his exits as well, but another young guy trying to make our club better."

Babcock said making the Leafs better was the reason they put winger Richard Panik on waivers Tuesday. Toronto got Panik off waivers a year ago from the Tampa Bay Lightning, and it's hard to see him clearing as a 24-year-old who scored 11 goals last season.

"What you do is you say, 'Can we improve our roster in any way?'" Babcock said. "Richie's a good man who worked hard and tried hard and we were just in a position we feel that we can help our back end, so we're going to try it."

Corrado didn't know if he'd be in the lineup opening night against the Montreal Canadiens, and he was lucky to already be in the area. Once Vancouver waived him, he flew home so he could prepare to get his car to drive to of the AHL if he wasn't claimed and wound up sticking around.

After a "roller-coaster" 24 hours, now he hopes to show the Leafs they made the right call and the Canucks the wrong one. He described himself as a "mobile, smart, two-way defencemen who's defence first" but knows it'll be on the coaching staff and management to judge.

"It's my job to show you with my play," Corrado said.

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Stephen Whyno, The Canadian Press

Harvest likely to continue for October, despite rainfall

Site C and Northern Gateway projects face more backlash from protestors

Former Fort St. John woman awarded for brave rescue in Mexico

Blue Jays featured on Sports Illustrated cover for first time since 2005

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have made the cover of Sports Illustrated for the first time since 2005.

The Jays are on the front of the magazine's annual MLB playoff preview with designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, pitcher David Price, catcher Russell Martin, right-fielder Jose Bautista and third baseman Josh Donaldson flanking manager John Gibbons under the headline "The New Jacks."

The issue hits newstands on Wednesday.

Being on the Sports Illustrated cover has been seen as a jinx for some although Michael Jordan did OK with his 50 covers.

Cleveland, Seattle, Kansas City and Washington were featured on SI's baseball season preview issue. Only the Royals made it to the post-season.

The Canadian Press

Harper touts landmark deal as opponents call for more details on compensation

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper hit the hustings Tuesday morning touting a landmark trade deal, and new money to pay for any ill effects the agreement will have on the domestic auto sector.

The Conservative leader announced a $1-billion package to help the auto industry cope with the repercussions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, following a $4.3-billion package for dairy farmers.

The $1 billion Harper pledged would be spread in equal $100 million annual payments for 10 years, and is contingent on the Conservatives getting re-elected on Oct. 19. The dairy farmer pledge is for that funding to be spread over 15 years.

Under the program announced Tuesday, grants would be offered to companies that make firm commitments to build new auto assembly plants.

"The programs we have here are not compensation programs," Harper said. "They are incentive programs to attract this kind of investment into the sector and keep this kind of investment in the sector."

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the money is being used to "buy off favoured sectors" and "simply punish taxpayers" with unneeded spending.

The signing of the 12-country Pacific Rim pact dominated talk on the election trail Tuesday, as Harper's opponents raised questions about the deal, while auto workers protested outside Harper's event in Whitby, Ont.

Statistics Canada showed the country's trade deficit grew to $2.5 billion in August as exports posted their biggest decline since 2012 due to a sharp drop in oil prices.

However, exports of motor vehicles and parts rose 3.1 per cent to $7.8 billion due to a 4.5 per cent increase in exports of passenger cars and light trucks.  

The International Monetary Fund cut its growth outlook for the Canadian economy on Tuesday to just 1.0 per cent for the year, due to the drop in oil prices and reduced investment in the energy sector.

The forecast is down from the IMF's expectation in July for Canadian growth of 1.5 per cent. The organization also lowered its Canadian outlook for 2016 to 1.7 per cent from 2.1 per cent.

Harper said the deal would be a much needed boost to the Canadian economy, and ultimately help the auto sector in the long-term by opening up international demand for locally-made products.

Speaking in Surrey, B.C., NDP Leader Tom Mulcair called on Harper to release the full text of the agreement before Canadians go to the polls on Oct. 19 so they can see how many jobs are at risk because of the trade deal. He called the deal a "Trojan Horse" to the Canadian dairy sector that would erode government protections on market access by foreign producers.

He said the money the Conservatives are promising to give to the auto sector was an admission that there will be job losses as a result of the trade deal.

"The best form of evidence is an admission," Mulcair said. "So what Stephen Harper is doing there is that he's admitting that he's going to be killing off tens of thousands of jobs in the auto sector. He's just admitted it by talking about that sort of compensation."

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said he wanted more information on the compensation packages designed to ease the transition for the auto sector to the deal's new tariff structure.

He also said Harper hadn't properly explained to Canadians how they would benefit from the trade deal.

"We have a prime minister that is happy to sign trade deals, but hasn't done a very good job on talking to Canadians about the kinds of benefits that come from trade," he said in Montreal.

Jordan Press, The Canadian Press

Northern BC-based fracking doc ‘Fractured Land’ wins Best BC Film at VIFF

Ottawa QB Burris, Lions teammates Jennings and Brooks named CFL top players for Week 15

TORONTO — Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris, B.C quarterback Jonathon Jennings, and Lions defensive tackle Mic’hael Brooks are the CFL's top performers for Week 15.

Burris set a CFL record for pass completions in a single game on Thursday, when he threw 45-of-53 for 504 yards in a 39-17 home win over Montreal.

Burris eclipsed the previous record of 44 set by former Montreal Anthony Calvillo in 2008.

The win was Burris' 110th in the league, putting him in fourth place all-time among CFL quarterbacks.

Jennings scored five total touchdowns in the Lions' 46-20 home win over Saskatchewan on Saturday.

Jennings threw for a career-high 364 yards and tossed four touchdown passes to three different receivers. He also caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Austin Collie.

Brooks led the Lions defensively, recording two sacks, resulting in a total of 21 yards lost, and adding an interception.

The Canadian Press