By Canadian Press

In the news today, July 2

Jul 2, 2019 | 2:16 AM

Five stories in the news for Tuesday, July 2

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CANADA CELEBRATES 152ND BIRTHDAY

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a campaign-style speech focused on his Liberal government’s successes over the last four years as he delivered his Canada Day remarks on Parliament Hill on the country’s 152nd birthday. Speaking to a jovial crowd clad in red and white gathered under a hot sun, Trudeau reminded the assembled masses about last year, when he skipped the festivities in the nation’s capital and instead visited communities impacted by steel and aluminum tariffs that had been imposed as part of a trade dispute with the United States. In those communities, Trudeau said he saw people helping and supporting one another — a key Canadian quality to celebrate, he said. But he also dropped a not-so-subtle reminder of how his government was able to renegotiate a new free trade agreement with the United States and Mexico, and eventually got the U.S. tariffs lifted.

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NATURAL GAS RUINING GREEN EFFORTS: REPORT

The Global Energy Monitor says an international boom in liquefied natural gas exports is undermining global efforts to stop climate change and Canada is one of the industry’s biggest players. The report, released on Canada Day, says there are projects in development globally that by 2030 would increase natural gas supply to 806 million tonnes above what they are now. Just over one-third of that development, 35 per cent, is in Canada. Only the United States, at 39 per cent, has more new natural gas exports in the works, the report says. The Global Energy Monitor is an international non-governmental organization that catalogues fossil-fuel infrastructure.

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UKRAINE’S COMEDIAN-TURNED-PRESIDENT IN CANADA

Ukraine’s new president makes his North American debut in Toronto later today — more than a month before he is to visit the United States — and the country’s envoy says that’s no mistake. Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada, says that’s an indication of just how important President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sees the ties between the two countries that have grown in the last 28 years. Zelenskiy, a popular actor and comedian with no previous political experience, is to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a major international conference on his future that opens today, and that Canada is hosting.

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CANNABIS USE ROSE IN CANADA AHEAD OF LEGALIZATION: UN

The United Nations’ latest world drug report shows more Canadians started using cannabis each year in the lead-up to the drug’s legalization for recreational use. The report says there was a 40 per cent increase in usage of the drug between 2013 and 2017, which it attributes to a decrease in the perception of risk around cannabis use and the national debate around legalization. It says the increase in Canada during this time was more pronounced in adults aged 20 or older, while it declined among young people aged 19 or younger.

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KEANU’S EXCELLENT YEAR AFTER DECADES OF UPS AND DOWNS

Overexposure can dim the brightest Hollywood star — except, it seems, Keanu Reeves. The prolific Toronto-bred action hero is riding high on a dizzying array of film and TV roles while internet memes and tributes have exploded in recent months with unified adoration. The so-called Keanuaissance is sweet justice for devotees of the heartthrob, who has weathered decades of critical pans that often dismiss his acting as little more than wooden portrayals of himself. Most notably, the 54-year-old is dominating the box office with “John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum,” which pushed the cult franchise into the mainstream when it debuted at #1 mid-May, and appears in last weekend’s #1 film, “Toy Story 4,” as the voice of bombastic Canuck stuntman Duke Caboom.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Defence and Crown lawyers plan to set a trial date for former IWK Health Centre CEO Tracy Kitch. The Crown has said it’s expected Kitch would also formally enter her not guilty plea at this hearing.

— St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube brings home the Stanley Cup for a parade and other festivities.

— Sentencing for Brett Overby, convicted of second-degree murder.

— Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer attends a community barbecue and delivers remarks.

— Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman, Chief Clarence Louie and Chief Keith Crow make an announcement on the proposed national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. The event will be held outside and will be followed by a short hike.

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The Canadian Press