News

12 countries including Canada reach tentative Trans-Pacific trade deal

ATLANTA — Twelve countries, including Canada, have agreed to create the world's largest regional trade zone.

After five days of marathon, around-the-clock negotiations, a deal has been reached to create the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would cover 40 per cent of the world's economy.

The proposed agreement reduces or eliminates barriers in a wide range of sectors and could lead to more Canadian exports of pork, beef, canola, high-tech machinery and a variety of other products.

It also entrenches new international trade standards in Asia, setting a template should any other countries in that fast-growing region — like China — want to join someday.

Other parts will be controversial in Canada.  Cars will be allowed without tariffs, as long as they have 45-per-cent content from the TPP region — lower than the 62.5 per cent regional-content provision under NAFTA.

Canada's protected dairy sector remains mostly intact, with a modest increase in permitted imports for supply-managed sectors. Farmers will be compensated for losses through a multibillion-dollar series of programs. 

The deal needs to be ratified in national parliaments — and the NDP's recent opposition to the TPP process is an early example of the political challenges in could face, in several countries.

But voters can't yet see the fine print. The actual text of the deal is undergoing a legal review, and it's not clear when it will be available.

The Canadian Press

Tulowitzki returns with 2 hits, AL East champion Blue Jays rally past Rays 8-4

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Troy Tulowitzki doubled and singled in his return to the Toronto lineup after missing three weeks with injuries, and the AL East champion Blue Jays rallied past the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 Friday night.

Tulowitzki went 2 for 5. The star shortstop also scored a run.

Edwin Encarnacion and Russell Martin homered for the Blue Jays, who started the day tied with Kansas City in the race for the AL's best record and home-field advantage throughout the post-season.

Mark Buehrle (15-7) gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings. He is two innings away from reaching 200 for the 15th consecutive season.

Tampa Bay starter Erasmo Ramirez allowed four runs and 10 hits over 5 1-3 innings. Enny Romero (0-2) took the loss.

Mark Didtler, The Associated Press

Mulcair tries to shore up NDP’s social democratic position in final debate

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Tom Mulcair was out to shore up his credentials as a social democrat Friday in a French-language debate that's likely the last time voters will see political leaders square off before the Oct. 19 election.

The debate, perhaps the most important of the campaign for the New Democrats, comes amid recent polls that suggest the party's support in its home base of Quebec has been steadily eroding.

Still the presumed front-runner in the province, Mulcair set about reassuring the large francophone audience in hopes of plugging what are believed to be growing leaks in the made-in-Quebec hull of the NDP ship.

Mulcair used the early portion of the debate to instigate a chippy exchange with Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, accusing the prime minister of giving tax-relief "gifts" to large companies and committing to raising the age of retirement age to 67 from 65.

"You gave $50 billion worth of gifts to these big companies, and the result? 300,000 more people out of work than when the crisis hit in 2008," Mulcair said.

Harper responded by accusing Mulcair's party of planning to raise taxes.

"It's the same song again for the NDP: They will increase taxes to balance the budget and it will destroy jobs in Ontario and in British Columbia. We'll lose a quarter of a million jobs."

The tension of the first half of the debate was punctuated by some strange moments.

Duceppe twice mistakenly referred to Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, as the actor Art Carney — Ed Norton on "The Honeymooners" — before he was gently corrected by Trudeau.

Trudeau went on to make a red-faced stumble of his own, calling the separatist leader "mon amour" before correcting the phrase to "mon ami."

Outside of that, the debate was devoid of levity. Early on, Mulcair battled at length with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau for voting in support of Conservative budgets.

"Mr. Trudeau, in my family, we've always said that actions speak louder than words," Mulcair said. "I'm going to tell you that you're talking about Harper budgets you supported by voting in favour of numerous Harper budgets."

Despite the "failure" of Harper's economic policy, the NDP would balance the Conservative budget, said Trudeau — "which means you can't invest in families, you can't lower taxes for those who need it, you don't have the capacity to give, immediately, help to municipalities and regions that need it."

Mulcair, the leader with the most to lose in the debate, was under pressure Friday to shield the NDP, which won 59 of Quebec's 75 seats four years ago, from bleeding support to the Tories in the Quebec City area, the Liberals in Montreal and the Bloc Quebecois in some of the province's rural regions.

He aimed to sell viewers on the social democratic positions of the NDP as a way to reverse the party's fortunes in Quebec, where they appear to lost ground to the contentious dispute over whether citizenship applicants should be banned from wearing the niqab while taking the oath.

Quebec has seen explosive debates in recent years over the accommodation of religious minorities.

Mulcair has said while he understands its an emotional issue for many people, he supports the existing rule that states anyone seeking citizenship must uncover their face to identify themselves before swearing the oath.

The NDP position differs from the stances held by Harper and Duceppe, who have both called for niqab-wearing women to show their faces during the actual ceremonies.

Like Mulcair, Trudeau says women should be able to choose how they dress. But unlike the NDP, the Liberals aren't counting on much support from the voters who have expressed the most concern over the so-called niqab debate: Quebec nationalists.

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Andy Blatchford, The Canadian Press

Toronto-born Joseph poised to grab opportunity with his hometown team

VANCOUVER — Days after Cory Joseph signed with the Toronto Raptors, Drake celebrated the news by wearing Joseph's jersey on the stage at his OVO Fest.

The Toronto rapper even mentioned him in a song.

But four days into Raptors training camp, the talk about Joseph being Canadian on Canada's lone NBA squad has all but fizzled out. That's because when Toronto signed the point guard to a four-year, $30 million deal, it was a basketball decision, with almost nothing to do with what passport he carries. The fact he was born in Toronto was a bonus.

Now the 24-year-old, who averaged 18 minutes a game with San Antonio last season as Tony Parker's backup, is poised to grab a massive opportunity the Raptors are presenting.

"(His minutes should increase) just because of our needs and trying to keep the load off of Kyle a little bit, that will be huge," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "And also the opportunity to play those two together."

Lowry shone for the first half of the season, earning a spot in the NBA all-star game. But he all but disappeared down the stretch.

"A lot of it was the wear-out factor, we rode him hard after DeMar (DeRozan) went down (with a serious groin injury), and his minutes ramped up, and with that came a lot of nicks and bumps and bangs throughout the year," Casey said.

Joseph has improved in virtually every statistical column in each of his four years in the league since he was drafted by San Antonio — 29th overall — in 2011. It's a point he takes great pride in.

"I feel I put a lot of time into working on my craft, work on my game, I think it goes hand in hand with opportunity, just working hard, staying ready," said Joseph, who averaged 6.8 points and 2.4 assists a night last season while shooting a career-best 50.4 per cent from the field.

Playing for Canada's national team over the summer, he said, helped him get ready for camp. The six-foot-three guard didn't play at the Pan Am Games in Toronto, but sat courtside at the men's final. He joined the team for the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament, and his buzzer-beater against Mexico assured Canada the bronze medal.

Joseph was thrilled when he signed in July with the team he grew up watching. 

He announced the news on his Twitter account, writing "#WeTheNorth here I come!!!!!" He posted a picture himself on Instagram, pen and contract in hand, over the words "There's no place like home #WeTheNorth."

He promptly changed his jersey number to six, in recognition of Toronto's area code, a reference made popular by Drake.

The Toronto rapper mentions Joseph in his song "Charged Up" — "I get a ring and I bring it home like I'm Cory Joe."

Jamaal Magloire was the first Canadian to sign with the Raptors, playing one season before retiring. He remains a member of the Raptors' staff.

But Joseph is the first Canadian player the Raptors have signed in their prime. The Raptors also acquired Toronto native Anthony Bennett last week.

Joseph, who took the Larry O'Brien Trophy — the NBA's championship trophy — up Toronto's CN Tower after the Spurs won it in 2014, admits it is cool to represent Canada on the squad.

"For sure, we're the only team in Canada," he said. "I've heard about the atmosphere. I've never experienced it but I hear the atmosphere in crazy."

He added about teaming up with Bennett: "Two guys from Toronto, from Canada, we're going to represent the city. We don't only play for the Raptors and represent them in the NBA but for the national team, too, they see familiar faces."

Joseph admits it still feels surreal being in camp with Toronto, although "it's starting to settle down a little bit.

"I think it will feel more emotional when I put on that jersey and go out to play."

 

 

Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press

Manitoba conservation working on new zebra mussel laws after big infestation

WINNIPEG — Manitoba's conservation minister says the province is working of new zebra mussel laws that will be the toughest in the country.

Gord Mackintosh says a huge infestation has occurred in Lake Winnipeg, along with the Red River.

Dean Thorkelsson, manager of Lake Agassi Marine, says zebra mussels have grown in numbers in the province like they've never seen before.

Every boat taken off the lake is now driven to an offsite gravel pad to be washed thoroughly with hot water to make sure the invasive species doesn't make it back into any other body of water.

The freshwater mussels, which are not native to western Canada, have been spreading around the world.

They clog pipes at water treatment plants and can also increase algae blooms in lakes, which can kill fish and wildlife.

They're being found on boats along beaches and on infrastructure such as swimming buoys, docks and ladders.

They've also been found at the St. Andrews lock and dam.

In June 2014, Manitoba declared victory over zebra mussels after a unique experiment which doused four infested harbours with liquid potash. The harbours were initially declared mussel free, but they soon came back.

Boaters found possessing zebra mussels may be fined or prosecuted under the federal Fisheries Act.

Experts have suggested zebra mussels would devastate Manitoba's $500-million commercial and recreational fishery if they take hold, and could have a $75 million impact in Alberta and $28 million in B.C.

A conference in Richmond, B.C., heard earlier this year suggestions that the mussels may be coming in with Canadian snowbirds towing pleasure boats back to Western provinces from winter getaways in the United States.

Mackintosh reminds boat owners of the province's slogan and campaign: "Don't move a mussel."

(CTV Winnipeg)

The Canadian Press

Northern Gateway talks excluded issue of First Nations’ governance

VANCOUVER — First Nations waging a court battle to overturn approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline project say federal officials refused to discuss their claim of decision-making power over ancestral lands.

Lawyer Cheryl Sharvit told the Federal Court of Appeal in Vancouver that the Nadleh Whut'en and Nak'azdli are not declaring the right to veto resource projects on traditional territories in British Columbia's Central Interior.

But she said the bands' asserted authority to govern their lands should have at least been considered by the Crown during consultations on the $7-billion pipeline proposal by Calgary-based Enbridge (TSX:ENB).

"The scale of the potential harm from Northern Gateway in their territory is unprecedented. They have never faced a risk this great, from their perspective, from a single project," Sharvit said.

Sharvit said the Crown's refusal to discuss governance rights with the First Nations "does serious damage to the goal of reconciliation and protection of aboriginal rights."

The Crown excluded the issue from the talks because it decided the question of First Nations' title and governance would be better dealt with in the treaty process, she said.

Eight aboriginal bands are in the court to argue Canada violated its legal duty to consult with and accommodate First Nations before approving Northern Gateway. More than 200 conditions were attached to the approval.

The 1,200-kilometre twin pipeline would carry diluted bitumen from Alberta's oilsands to the coastal district of Kitimat, B.C., for overseas shipping.

The court is considering a total of 18 legal challenges during the hearing, which is set to conclude Oct. 8. Its outcome could have far-reaching implications for aboriginal authority over oil and gas projects.

Many First Nations in B.C. have not signed treaties and have unresolved land claims. But they argue a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling in June 2014 giving the Tsilhqot'in Nation title to its territory means Ottawa must seek consent from First Nations to approve developments on their lands.

Michael Lee Ross, a lawyer for the Gitga'at on B.C.'s north coast, said the Crown must make a "good faith" effort to win First Nations approval even if their title has not been recognized by a court.

He argued Canada's failure to seek agreement with the Gitga'at represents a failure to "uphold the honour of the Crown" and promote reconciliation.

Speaking for another coastal nation, the Gitxaala, lawyer Robert Janes said the Crown offered absolutely no consultation on aboriginal title.

"It just mouthed the words that it was giving it 'deep consultation.' It gave it no consultation."

Janes's submissions drew applause from a packed overflow courtroom of First Nations people, some of whom have travelled from across B.C. to watch the hearing.

Amnesty International, an intervener in the challenges, is asking the three-judge panel to consider international human rights law in their interpretation of Canadian law.

Lawyer Justin Safayeni said the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples sets important standards for First Nations' consent, regardless of the fact that Canada only endorsed it on a qualified basis and called it an "aspirational document."

Northern Gateway and the federal government will make legal arguments next week.

Billions of dollars in gross domestic product, tax and royalty revenues are at stake. The company estimates the pipeline will boost Canada's GDP by $300 billion over 30 years.

Spokesman Ivan Giesbrecht has said Northern Gateway accepts First Nations' traditional land use rights and remains committed to working with aboriginal communities.

— Follow @ellekane on Twitter.

Laura Kane, The Canadian Press

Humber College varsity rugby programs suspended pending investigation

TORONTO — An Ontario college has suspended its men's and women's varsity rugby programs after alleged violations of the school's code of expectations.

Humber College says an internal investigation is underway into alleged misconduct, and players and coaches were told of the suspension on Friday afternoon.

The school's code of expectations includes guidance on dress codes, hazing, alcohol and drug use, among other areas.

Humber wouldn't provide details of the alleged misconduct, only saying that it was not in keeping with its institutional values related to athletics and student life.

Humber says all its varsity team players are told that "conduct detrimental to the team is not permitted and that any team not following the rules may be suspended."

It says the teams are suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

"This was not an easy decision to come by," said director of communications Andrew Leopold. "We take matters of our athletics, of our students, we take all this very seriously."

Leopold noted that the investigation was looking at the actions of both the men's and women's teams.

He added that the college would try to be as "efficient and effective" as possible in conducting its investigation.

The school also says it has informed the Ontario College Athletics Association and representatives from the other teams in their division of the suspension.

Humber has campuses in Toronto and Orangeville, Ont.

 

The Canadian Press

After a return to the playoffs, Canucks want to show last season was no fluke

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks want to prove last year wasn't a fluke.

Not expected to be a playoff team by many observers after one disastrous campaign under John Tortorella, Vancouver finished a surprising second in the Pacific Division in 2014-15 with 101 points before losing out in the first round to the Calgary Flames in a tight six-game series.

That step forward aside, there's a similar negative feeling surrounding the Canucks heading into this season — a sentiment that, not surprisingly, isn't shared inside the locker-room.

"No one gives us credit and no one thinks we're going to make the playoffs," veteran winger Chris Higgins said recently. "Staying together as a team and just worrying about ourselves and not what's being talked about our team is going to be key."

Despite last season's success, the Canucks are a franchise of two minds — wanting to compete for a playoff spot while also bringing younger players into the fold to compliment a veteran core led by Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

General manager Jim Benning added forwards Brandon Sutter and Brandon Prust in the off-season with an eye towards physicality and speed while saying goodbye to forwards Zack Kassian and Nick Bonino, defenceman Kevin Bieksa and goalie Eddie Lack.

"Last year when I watched our team, I felt like we were a little bit in between," said Benning. "We weren't fast enough to get in on the forecheck and we didn't spend enough time in the other team's end."

Head coach Willie Desjardins said he's especially excited to have Sutter, who signed a five-year extension with the Canucks after coming over in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the fold as his likely No. 2 centre.

"He's a player that wins. He finds ways to win," said Desjardins. "He's not super flashy. He's not a guy that you rave about offensively, but he's a guy you can win games with."

Bo Horvat should have an increased role in his second year, likely centring the third line and getting time on the power play. Vancouver could also to keep one or both of its 2014 first-round picks, Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann, for at least nine-game auditions before having to decide whether or not to send them back to junior.

Brendan Gaunce, a 2012 first rounder, has also made a strong case at training camp to be a part of Desjardins' plans when the season starts Oct. 7 in Calgary, while Sven Baertschi looks to be locked into a spot up front. 

"When you hear people talking about us getting younger and looking at that as a negative, I think it's a positive for us," said Henrik Sedin. "(There's) a lot of excitement. A lot of players have upside."

Ryan Miller is back as the Canucks' No. 1 goalie after missing most of the second half of last season with a knee injury. Jacob Markstrom will serve as the backup following a strong campaign in the AHL that convinced the Canucks they could afford to part with Lack.

Meanwhile on defence, Matt Bartkowski was signed in free agency to add some speed to a unit that still includes Dan Hamhuis, Alexander Edler, Christopher Tanev, Luca Sbisa and Yannick Weber.

And while Benning said he believes he's improved his roster, the same can be said for many of Vancouver's closest rivals.

Calgary added forward Michael Frolik and defenceman Dougie Hamilton, the Los Angeles Kings acquired forward Milan Lucic and will be rested and restless after missing the playoffs last season, while the Edmonton Oilers grabbed generational talent Connor McDavid with the first pick in the draft.

"I think our team is better now than it was last year," said Benning. "But we're dealing with all the other teams in our division getting better, too."

---

Follow @JClipperton_CP on Twitter

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press

Louisville investigating allegations by escort that former staffer arranged sex for recruits

Louisville said Friday it has launched an investigation into allegations that former Cardinals staffer Andre McGee paid an escort service to provide sex for recruits.

The allegations by Katina Powell are in an upcoming book, "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen" from a publishing arm of the Indianapolis Business Journal. Some details of the book were published on the Journal's website, and said that McGee hired Powell to provide strippers and prostitutes for recruits and some of their fathers during a four-year period.

Louisville issued a statement saying it learned of the allegations in August and immediately notified the NCAA. McGee left Louisville in 2014 to become an assistant at Missouri-Kansas City. The school did not immediately comment Friday evening.

Cardinals coach Rick Pitino said the situation caused sleeplessness when he first found out and said that he tried to conduct his own investigation before being rebuffed by the school's compliance office.

He said McGee denied the allegations in a brief conversation.

Louisville retained Chuck Smrt of the Compliance Group, which assists schools in NCAA cases, to review the claims.

"We're an open book. We want to get to the bottom of it," said Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich.

The Journal's summary of the book said that Powell brought women to 22 parties from 2010 to 2014 at Billy Minardi Hall, which houses Cardinals basketball players.

The woman said that she and three of her daughters, along with other women, danced and stripped for Louisville recruits and players and performed sex acts with them, according to the book.

McGee played for Louisville from 2005-09 and started 57 games during his career. He played professionally in Europe before becoming a program assistant in 2010 and was promoted to director of basketball operations in 2012.

Both Jurich and Pitino said they believe that money was the woman's motivation for writing the book. Powell was paid for the book, but said in an interview with the Journal that she felt it was important to tell the story. The publishing company said it paid investigators and Pultizer-Prize winning reporter Dick Cady to vet Powell's story, and based much of it on journal entries, photos and text messages.

The allegations come on the eve of Louisville's first Red-White scrimmage. The Cardinals reached the NCAA West Region final last season.

____

Indianapolis Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1MP1Jju

Gary B. Graves, The Associated Press

Hope Solo may again face assault case after appeals court decision

U.S. national team goalkeeper Hope Solo could again face assault charges stemming from an altercation last year with family members after a Washington state appeals court on Friday reversed a lower court's dismissal of the case.

The case stems from a dispute between Solo and her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew during a party in June 2014. Solo was charged with two misdemeanour counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault. She pleaded not guilty.

A municipal judge dismissed the case in January, but prosecutors — in a rare move — appealed that decision. The appeals court sent it back to the lower court on Friday.

"We are shocked and disappointed by the judge's ruling this morning. However, we maintain our position that the charges in this case should have never been filed, that the original trial court's dismissal of the case was correct, and we plan to file an appeal of today's decision with the Court of Appeals," Solo's attorney, Todd Maybrown, said in a statement.

Solo was on the U.S. team that won the Women's World Cup in Canada this summer. The 34-year-old Washington native was named the Golden Glove winner as the tournament's best goalkeeper, allowing just three goals overall with five shutouts and going for a record 540-minute span without conceding a goal.

She is a 15-year veteran of the senior national team, holding U.S. records for most wins (138) and shutouts (89) over 180 appearances.

Following her arrest in 2014, there was an outcry over U.S. Soccer's decision to allow her to remain on the team while the assault case played itself out.

Solo has always claimed that she was defending herself against her 17-year-old nephew, who is 6-foot-9 and weighs 280 pounds, according to court documents. Solo's relatives have maintained that she instigated the assault.

Solo was later suspended from the U.S. team for 30 days in January after her husband, former Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens, was arrested in Southern California for driving under the influence in a U.S. Soccer team van. Solo was his lone passenger.

Solo, who plays at the club level for the National Women's Soccer League's Seattle Reign, was in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday night for the league's championship match between the Reign and FC Kansas City.

Kansas City won the match 1-0.

___

Associated Press Writer Donna Blankenship in Seattle contributed to this report.

Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press

Investigation forces Senate ethics officer to put Meredith review on hold

OTTAWA — An ethics investigation into Sen. Don Meredith, a former member of the Conservative caucus, is on hold while other authorities investigate allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a teenager. 

Senate ethics officer Lyse Ricard says she has suspended her review of Meredith because she believes it is in the public interest that she not interfere with an ongoing investigation.

Ricard doesn't say what other "authority" is looking into Meredith, but the clause in the Senate ethics code cited by Ricard only kicks in when police ask the ethics officer to put a review on hold.

Meredith quit the Conservative caucus in June after the Toronto Star reported that Meredith had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old.

The woman told the Toronto Star that Meredith initially believed her to be 18, but she told him her true age within six weeks of the pair's first meeting at a Black History Month event at a church in Ottawa.

The Star report said the woman, who is now 18, had sexually explicit online chats with Meredith and that the relationship progressed to kissing and touching before she turned 18.

She said the pair had intercourse twice after she turned 18 before the 50-year-old Meredith, a married Pentecostal minister who is a father of two, broke off the relationship earlier this year.

The allegations against Meredith remain unproven, and no formal complaint against Meredith has been filed with the Senate.

The Canadian Press

Blue Bombers receiver Cone to make first CFL start against Eskimos

WINNIPEG — Receiver Kevin Cone hadn't seen a three-down football game until he watched Winnipeg's loss to Calgary last week.

Now the native of Stone Mountain, Ga., who signed with the Blue Bombers on Sept. 22, will make his first CFL start Saturday against Edmonton and its stingy, top-ranked defence.

"I'm a quick learner," Cone said after the team's walkthrough Friday. "I feel like I'm really comfortable with the offence now. I think my size and my speed can definitely help on the outside. I plan to use it."

The six-foot-two receiver brings some NFL experience to his new job. He played 29 games — mostly in special-team roles — over three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. 

The Bombers are starting four import receivers this week after shuffling Canadian Kris Bastien to a backup role. Winnipeg (4-9) remains in the playoff hunt after recent losses by B.C. (4-8) and Montreal (5-8).

"We've got to stop talking about other people helping us and help ourselves," Bombers head coach Mike O' Shea said.

Guard Selvish Capers is making his debut for Winnipeg against the team that traded him last month, while Derrell Johnson will replace injured defensive lineman Greg Peach (lower body).

The 9-4 Eskimos are on a three-game winning streak and have history on their side against the Bombers.

They've won the last five head-to-head matchups and held Winnipeg to nine points or less over the last three meetings. Edmonton crushed Winnipeg 32-3 back on July 25.

If the Bombers are seeking an edge, it may come from quarterback Matt Nichols. Edmonton traded him to Winnipeg on Sept. 2 after five seasons.

So how does he lead the Winnipeg offence against Edmonton's stellar defence, which has given up the league's fewest points (238 for an average of 18.3 per game)?

"They have a lot of moving parts," Nichols said. "They try to pressure you different ways and disguise coverages. I think it's just not panicking and just going through your reads."

He has heard from a few of his former teammates this week and received a text from receiver Nate Coehoorn that said, "We're coming for you."

There's a dinner planned, but that friendliness won't extend to the field.

"Once the game starts, it's going to be nameless faces to me," Nichols said. "I don't care who they are. We're going to go out and run our stuff and try to be successful and take care of the football."

While Nichols knows Edmonton's defence, the Eskimos know the quarterback's style as well. 

"Everyone's going to try to use that to their advantage," said Edmonton linebacker J.C. Sherritt, who trains with Nichols in the off-season. "But at the end of the day, like every week, if we line up and we execute what we've been taught and play our fundamentals we'll be fine."

In its past two wins, Edmonton has had to engineer comebacks.

"So far, I think the biggest factor in stopping us has been ourselves," Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly said. "Thankfully we haven't stopped ourselves enough to lose the football game, but if we get out of our own way we'll be just fine."

Edmonton is making some roster changes as well. Defensive lineman Eddie Steele is back after missing two games with an injury.

Receiver Shamawd Chambers is making his season debut now that he's recovered from a torn knee ligament and Sederrik Cunningham will replace injured kick returner Kendial Lawrence.

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

Ontario soldier not criminally responsible for murder, defence says

OTTAWA — The trial of a Canadian soldier who has pleaded not guilty in the fatal 2013 stabbing of his wife heard Friday from a restaurant employee who discovered the victim's vehicle after she was reported missing.

Howard Richmond, a warrant officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 28-year-old wife Melissa. Crown lawyers say he was upset that she was having an affair.

Richmond's defence team is arguing he should not be held criminally responsible due to post-traumatic stress disorder, the result of multiple deployments in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Bruce Sass testified in Ontario Superior Court that he immediately contacted police when he spotted the missing woman's car in the parking lot of the Denny's restaurant in south Ottawa where he worked.

After her body was discovered in a nearby ravine, Sass found himself exchanging Facebook messages with the man who would ultimately be charged in her death.

"I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am," Richmond said in the message. "Without you, she still might not be found."

Richmond, clad in a light blue dress shirt, betrayed little emotion as he listened to the proceedings from the prisoner's box.

Sass described how the accused even offered to set up a meeting in order to thank him for locating the vehicle.

"I would like to give you a piece of Melissa's jewelry for your daughter so she knows how you have touched the hearts of my family," Richmond wrote.

In his Facebook reply, Sass described being heartbroken to learn about her death.

"I grieve alongside you," Sass said.

"I want justice served ... I am going to try to attend the candlelight vigil in Winchester ... tears are welling up big time."

Richmond later admitted to killing his wife with a knife and a screwdriver, but has pleaded not guilty in the death.

The trial has yet to explore psychiatric evidence, but Richmond's lawyers are expected to focus on his psychological condition. He was first diagnosed with PTSD in 2011.

The trial is expected to last for several weeks.

Kristy Kirkup, The Canadian Press

TPP: Huge trade deal is now close, and for Canada the last big issue is dairy

ATLANTA — Negotiators have taken a big step toward an historic agreement that would knock down trade barriers on four continents while opening important sectors to greater foreign competition.

A Trans-Pacific Partnership deal could be announced Saturday if negotiators clear the final hurdles including the tallest remaining one involving Canada: dairy import limits.

The broad contours of a deal are mostly sketched out. Canadian exporters of beef, pork, canola, grains, machinery, medical devices, minerals, seafood, aeronautics and other products would have greater tariff-free access to 11 countries including Japan, Vietnam, Australia and Peru.

Now those countries are knocking on Canada's door.

They've demanded a greater presence in two areas that have historically supported good-paying jobs: the auto sector, and dairy. A deal on auto parts is mostly done, according to various stakeholder groups watching the negotiations. The final fight turns to Canada's grocery shelves, where importers want more than the meager 10-per-cent space set aside for foreign milk and cheese.

That politically sensitive issue remains one of the few obstacles to completing a pact that would cover 40 per cent of the world's GDP, including some fast-growing economies and additional countries already angling to join.

"I'm pretty optimistic it will come together (this weekend) — 80-20," said Alan Wolff, a former U.S. negotiator who now leads the American National Foreign Trade Council, a commercial association.

"But because it's a negotiation there could always be a holdup."

That's exactly what happened at the last round in Maui. Canadian and Mexican negotiators were blindsided by a Japan-U.S. deal that would have doubled the allowance for cheaper car parts without tariffs from Japanese suppliers in non-TPP countries like China and Thailand.

Those differences appear to have been settled.

The hallway chatter from industry lobbyists at the convention site suggested the percentages for import thresholds might not differ significantly from the Maui offer — with perhaps a five-per-cent change for parts. But it's expected that new exceptions will be built into the agreement for different types of parts, limiting the scope of the change.

Canada's envoy to the talks wouldn't talk percentages. He also said some details still must be worked out. But International Trade Minister Ed Fast confirmed Friday that major moves had been made.

"There's still some work left to be done," said Fast. 

"But we're optimistic that issue can be solved and we'll have an outcome that will support our Canadian auto sector and ensure its long-term viability in Canada."

The autoworkers' union fears the loss of middle-class jobs. But some Canadian parts manufacturers are enthusiastic about the opportunity to grow an international presence.

Fast used more guarded language on dairy. Of that, he said: "There's still lots of work to be done."

The Canadian government faces domestic pressure from dairy-producing provinces, who are not at the negotiating table but have provincial representatives in Atlanta pushing against any opening to foreign milk and cheese.

Canada isn't the only country with domestic pressure: the American delegation has received a public letter from influential lawmakers urging it to walk away unless it can secure certain gains for American businesses.

But the biggest U.S. business lobby is urging a deal now.

It says the decade-long TPP project could be destroyed by domestic politics if it doesn't happen immediately, with elections in Canada, then the U.S., Japan and Peru next year and governments under pressure to protect individual sectors.

"If we miss this opportunity I believe we may lose it forever," said Tami Overby, vice-president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"We have the Canadian election. No one knows what that outcome's going to be. We also get closer to the U.S. 2016 (presidential race) — that gets harder. So from my perspective nothing gets better. But the risk increases, and in some cases quite significantly as time goes by."

As if to underscore her point, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair announced Friday that he wouldn't consider himself bound to ratify any deal reached during the election campaign.

Overby encouraged all countries to put some of the proverbial water in their wine.

For Canada, that wine comes with a little more foreign cheese.

She said New Zealand hasn't asked for much. But it helped spearhead the TPP project years ago, with its one major demand being access to dairy markets.

Other Canadian industries are thrilled at the prospect of a deal.

The head of Canada's pro-free-market agriculture group said he expects a nine-per-cent increase in canola exports alone, with big gains for other industries including pork, beef and barley.

"We're extremely optimistic for our sector," said Brian Innes of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, and vice-president of the Canola Council.

"We face significant trade barriers, this is the most ambitious deal in decades, and it could have a major impact on our ability to export."

Alexander Panetta, The Canadian Press

Northern Gateway talks excluded question of First Nations’ governance rights

VANCOUVER — Two First Nations waging a court battle to overturn approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline project say federal officials refused to discuss their claim of decision-making power over ancestral lands.

Lawyer Cheryl Sharvit said the Nadleh Whut'en and Nak'azdli are not declaring the right to veto resource projects on traditional territories in British Columbia's Central Interior.

But she said the bands' asserted authority to govern their lands should have at least been considered by the Crown during consultations on the $7-billion proposal by Calgary-based Enbridge (TSX:ENB).

"The scale of the potential harm from Northern Gateway in their territory is unprecedented. They have never faced a risk this great from their perspective from a single project," Sharvit said.

She said the Crown's refusal to first negotiate with the Nadleh and Nak'azdli "does serious damage to the goal of reconciliation and protection of aboriginal rights."

The Crown excluded the issue from the talks because it decided the question of control over First Nations' territories would be better dealt with in the treaty process, Sharvit said.

Eight aboriginal bands are in the Federal Court of Appeal in Vancouver to argue Canada violated its legal duty to consult with and accommodate First Nations before approving Northern Gateway. More than 200 conditions were attached.

The 1,200-kilometre twin pipeline would carry diluted bitumen from Alberta's oilsands to the coastal district of Kitimat, B.C., where tankers would ship it overseas.

The court is considering a total of 18 legal challenges during the hearing, which is set to conclude Oct. 8. Its outcome could have far-reaching implications for aboriginal authority over oil and gas projects.

Many First Nations in B.C. have not signed treaties and have unresolved land claims. But they argue a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling in June 2014 giving the Tsilhqot'in Nation title to its territory means Ottawa must seek consent from First Nations to approve developments on their lands.

Michael Lee Ross, a lawyer for the Gitga'at on B.C.'s northwest coast, said the Crown must make a "good faith" effort to win First Nations approval even if their title has not been recognized by a court.

"We're not talking about a situation where if you fail to get agreement, it's a show stopper, which can happen in the case of title," he said.

He argued Canada's failure to seek agreement with the Gitga'at represents a failure to "uphold the honour of the Crown" and promote reconciliation.

Northern Gateway and the federal government are set to make their arguments next week.

Billions of dollars in gross domestic product, tax and royalty revenues are at stake. The company estimates the pipeline will boost Canada's GDP by $300 billion over 30 years.

Spokesman Ivan Giesbrecht has said Northern Gateway accepts First Nations' traditional land use rights and remains committed to working with aboriginal communities.

— Follow @ellekane on Twitter.

Laura Kane, The Canadian Press

Speedy outfielder Dalton Pompey could steal a spot on Blue Jays’ playoff roster

As the Toronto Blue Jays set their sights on what it takes to win in the playoffs, there may be a place on the post-season roster for speedster Dalton Pompey.

Even though the 24-year-old outfielder has only appeared in 33 games for the Blue Jays this season, he could be a valuable asset as a pinch-running specialist.

"I think every team needs one of those guys," manager John Gibbons said Thursday in Baltimore. "We got some guys in the lineup that you need to run for. Yeah, he's been perfect with it, stole a few bases. Every time he gets on, he seems to score, so it's worked pretty good."

Gibbons praised Pompey's instincts on the base paths and for good reason. The Mississauga, Ont., native has five stolen bases in six chances this season. Including his career in the minors, Pompey has stolen 151 bases on 184 tries, an 82-per-cent success rate.

Part of that, Gibbons said, is Pompey's ability to read pitchers well. He knows when to take chances, something that could be just as important as his raw speed late in a playoff game.

"He's got a great first step and he can fly," Gibbons said. "Shoot, he's been great. He's helped win us a couple games."

Assuming Toronto goes with a playoff rotation of David Price, Marcus Stroman, Marco Estrada and R.A. Dickey, they could have a seven- or eight-man bullpen. If it's seven, there's a great chance of Pompey making it, even if he's the fifth outfielder, joined on the bench by Ezequiel Carrera.

Pompey and Carrera played in the second half of the Blue Jays' doubleheader Wednesday and again Thursday as Gibbons gave his regulars a rest. Pompey was particularly impressive at the plate Thursday, going 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

"It was a good day for me offensively," Pompey said afterwards. "It's nice to be able to get in there after such a long layover. Credit to these guys making it happen, winning the AL East and giving me a chance to play. Hopefully I can make the most of it."

Pompey is likely the subject of great discussion in the organization for the role he could play in the post-season. But he said he hasn't thought about it.

"Actually not at all," Pompey said. "After (Wednesday) celebrating getting into the post-season for the first time in 20 years winning the AL East, that's huge. But then after we did that I knew we had another game after and I was going to play so I kind of had no time to really focus on anything else but playing the game and that's what I'm going to continue to do."

---

Follow @SWhyno on Twitter

Stephen Whyno, The Canadian Press

FIFA President Sepp Blatter defies calls from FIFA sponsors to quit immediately

ZURICH — Sepp Blatter defied calls from FIFA sponsors Budweiser, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Visa on Friday to quit immediately as president of world soccer's governing body rather than clinging on until the emergency election in February.

The interventions from the long-standing sponsors come a week after the 79-year-old Blatter was placed under criminal investigation by Swiss authorities for alleged financial wrongdoing at FIFA, which he has led since 1998.

The 79-year-old Blatter "respectfully disagrees" with the sponsors' demands, the president's lawyer, Richard Cullen, said in a statement.

"(He) believes firmly that his leaving office now would not be in the best interest of FIFA nor would it advance the process of reform and therefore, he will not resign," Cullen said.

Coca-Cola, which has advertised in stadiums at every World Cup since 1950, was the first of the sponsors on Friday to demand Blatter's resignation.

"For the benefit of the game, The Coca-Cola Company is calling for FIFA President Joseph Blatter to step down immediately so that a credible and sustainable reform process can begin in earnest," Coca-Cola said in a statement. "Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish. FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach."

That call was echoed by McDonald's, which has been a World Cup sponsor since 1994.

"The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership," the fast food giant said in a statement. "We believe it would be in the best interest of the game for FIFA President Sepp Blatter to step down immediately so that the reform process can proceed with the credibility that is needed."

A further blow came from Visa, which has a FIFA deal through the 2022 World Cup.

"We believe no meaningful reform can be made under FIFA's existing leadership," Visa said. "And given the events of last week, it's clear it would be in the best interest of FIFA and the sport for Sepp Blatter to step down immediately."

The fourth statement was delivered by brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev, whose Budweiser branding has appeared on hoardings in World Cup stadiums since 1986 and the current deal runs until 2022.

"It would be appropriate for Mr. Blatter to step down as we believe his continued presence to be an obstacle in the reform process," the beer maker said in a statement.

Blatter's own position has been weakened as lawyers oversee key decisions at scandal-battered FIFA and he waits to hear whether he will be suspended by the ethics committee.

English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke called the strong intervention from sponsors "a game changer" that should prevent Blatter from staying until the Feb. 26 election.

"It doesn't matter what Mr. Blatter says now, if the people who pay for FIFA want a change they will get a change," Dyke said. "What is important is that it isn't just about Mr. Blatter standing down, it's about making sure there is a comprehensive and effective reform programme.

"So for those of us who want fundamental change this is good news."

___

Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports

(This story has been corrected to show that Blatter is not standing in the Feb. 26 election.)

Rob Harris, The Associated Press

Unicyclist makes his way through the Peace Region

TPP: Negotiators close in on auto deal, approaching 12-country trade pact

ATLANTA — Negotiators are closing in on a major 12-country trade agreement after clearing a logjam on automobiles, with the possibility of a Trans-Pacific Partnership deal being announced as early as Saturday.

Details have filtered out to stakeholders gathered in Atlanta for negotiations and multiple groups described having heard the broad outlines of a Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Japan agreement on autos.

The agreement would likely allow significantly more car parts from cheaper foreign suppliers than under the North American Free Trade Agreement, but would be more multi-layered than the old NAFTA standard.

International Trade Minister Ed Fast confirmed he was optimistic the issue could be solved. But he said talks were still underway, and would not confirm figures and percentages.

"We are making good progress in trying to conclude those negotiations," Fast told Canadian reporters Friday.

"There's still some work left to be done. But we're optimistic that issue can be solved and we'll have an outcome that will support our Canadian auto sector and ensure its long-term viability in Canada."

It now appears that the final hurdle to a deal, from a Canadian standpoint, is one of the country's sectors most-sheltered from foreign competition: dairy. Only 10 per cent of what Canadians consume is produced outside the country, and the government is involved in a tug-of-war over what percentage to add.

"There's still lots of work to be done," Fast said of the dairy talks..

The Canadian government faces domestic pressure at the Atlanta meeting: representatives from dairy-producing provinces, who are not at the negotiating table. They are there pushing against any opening to foreign milk and cheese.

Fast says he's met with 20 Canadian stakeholder groups, and has met with those provincial ministers in Atlanta.

Canada isn't the only country with domestic pressure: the U.S. side has received a public letter from influential lawmakers urging it to walk away unless it can secure certain gains for American businesses.

One official from the biggest U.S. business lobby present at the talks, however, said it's urgent to get a deal now — because she said failure in Atlanta could permanently doom the decade-long initiative.

Canada's election is only the first of several over the coming year that could play havoc with attempts to ratify a deal.

Tami Overby of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce described dairy as crucial to New Zealand, which helped spearhead the TPP project years ago largely in the hope of increasing exports.

Alexander Panetta, The Canadian Press