By Canadian Press

In the news today, August 2

Aug 2, 2019 | 2:20 AM

Five stories in the news for Friday, August 2

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TORIES WOULD SEEK SAUDI RE-ENGAGEMENT

A Conservative government, if elected this fall, would work to fix Canada’s relationship with Saudi Arabia by trying to build back rapport with the kingdom in areas that it considers of mutual interest. Erin O’Toole, the Conservative critic for foreign affairs, said in an interview they would try to “win some trust” with Saudi Arabia by focusing on improving commercial ties and by offering more aid, development and refugee support in the Gulf region. The Conservatives, O’Toole said, would try to re-engage with Riyadh even though it has earned international condemnation over last fall’s killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

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SCHEER PROMISES HEALTH TRANSFER INCREASE

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is putting Canada’s money where his mouth is, promising to increase health and social transfer payments by at least three per cent every year should he become prime minister. In a letter to provincial and territorial premiers released Thursday, Scheer said he wants to spell out his commitment in writing because he anticipates his opponents will misrepresent his position on health care funding once next month’s federal election campaign gets underway. Millions of Canadians rely on the public health care system, be it for mundane check-ups or more momentous life events like the birth of a child, life-saving treatments and caring for aging parents, said Scheer, whose party has been branded with a reputation for embracing austerity at the expense of social programs.

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PM VISITS ARCTIC TO HIGHLIGHT CLIMATE POLICY

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau injected a dose of electoral politics into an announcement Thursday in Canada’s Far North, taking aim at his Conservative rival while unveiling details on two marine protected areas. Trudeau used the trip to showcase some of the most dramatic effects of climate change to promote the Liberal government’s record on climate action ahead of this fall’s federal election. Trudeau began the day by making an announcement about a now-finalized marine protected area near Arctic Bay — an Inuit hamlet on the northwest corner of Baffin Island — known as the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area. He also unveiled first steps to create a protected zone on the northwest coast of Ellesmere Island that will be known as the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area.

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ACCUSED IN QUADRUPLE HOMICIDE TO APPEAR IN COURT

The case of a man accused in an alleged quadruple homicide north of Toronto is expected back in court today. Menhaz Zaman has been in the custody ever since York Regional Police discovered the bodies of four people inside a home in Markham, Ont., on Sunday. The four people have since been identified as 70-year-old Firoza Begum, 50-year-old Momtaz Begum, 59-year-old Moniruz Zaman and 21-year-old Malesa Zaman. Police have not shared how the victims are connected to each other or the accused, but friends have confirmed that the four people who died are Menhaz Zaman’s grandmother, parents and sister. Zaman was charged with four counts of first-degree murder the day after the bodies were found.

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TINY TOADS ON THE MOVE IN WHISTLER, B.C.

Some very small creatures are forcing some big changes in a popular section of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, B.C., as an annual migration begins to peak. The municipality has closed the Lost Lake access road, a parking lot and the events lawn, and says other closures are possible as thousands of western toadlets make their trek from the lake into the surrounding forest. The dime-sized amphibians are native to British Columbia and listed as a species of special concern. They breed in the lake where tadpoles mature, then spend most of their time in the forest, meaning as many as 40,000 of the tiny toads have to hop across beaches, trails, lawns and roads during the August migration. 

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez holds a media availability to announce financial support for cultural organizations in the region.

— Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland holds a media teleconference following the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

— Nicole Cook and Shayla Orthner to appear in court charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle in the death of Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere. The Edmonton woman disappeared in mid-May and her remains were discovered by a police dog in rural Saskatchewan in mid-July. Jesse Sangster to appear on charges accessory after the fact to murder.

— Politicians, including Treasury Board President Joyce Murray and Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart, gather to make a housing announcement.

— Pre-trail hearing for Curtis Sagmoen who is accused of disguising his face with the intent to commit an offence, discharging a fire, uttering threats, possession of a weapon and other charges.

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The Canadian Press