Former Parkland MP Backs Marijuana Legalization
A former Manitoba Conservative MP has lent his name to a national campaign urging right-wing politicians to legalize pot.
Inky Mark, who represented the riding of Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette for 17 years before resigning in 2010, is a spokesman for the Canadian Conservatives for Legal Marijuana.
The group's website lists three current Conservative MPs and several former ones, including prime ministers Joe Clark and Kim Campbell, along with quotes from them supporting the idea of legalizing marijuana.
It also points to numerous efforts in the U.S. where right-wing politicians are on side with legalizing pot.
Mark wants to run again in his old riding, but this time as an Independent.
The president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods says he has a great deal of confidence in Manitoba's pork industry.
Michael McCain addressed producers and industry representatives in Winnipeg last week at Manitoba Pork's annual meeting.
McCain talked about bringing balance to the pork industry.
He says right now their facility in Brandon is short 20,000 hogs per week or a million pigs per year.
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Wheat Board Emergency Debate Request Denied
The Speaker of the House of Commons rejected a request to have an emergency debate on the pending sale of the Canadian Wheat Board.
Winnipeg NDP MP Pat Martin made his pitch following question period yesterday, but Andrew Scheer said the issue doesn't rise ``to the level for the need of an emergency debate.''
He told Scheer it is not only the right of Parliamentarians to be able to debate such a major sale, it is their duty.
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Fed Budget Comes Down Today
We find out today what goodies or grief the Harper Conservatives have in store for Canadians as Finance Minister Joe Oliver delivers a balanced budget.
A federal source tells The Canadian Press one item will see newcomers get access to federal loans to help get their professional training up to Canadian standards.
The ``foreign credential recognition loan'' program is set to be made permanent.
The pilot program dates back to the 2011 election campaign, when the Tories promised to better help internationally-trained workers find jobs in their field once they arrived in Canada.
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Reservist Misdiagnosis Not Covered By Military
A 24-year-old reservist says the Canadian military is refusing to accept responsibility for misdiagnosing her brain tumour and won't pay the tab for her continuing care.
Leading Seaman Robyn Young from Windsor, Ontario went to a military doctor complaining of headaches and double vision.
Despite presenting for four years with symptoms of a brain tumour, Young was sent for corrective eye surgery.
Civilian doctors say that surgery was unnecessary and contributes to her persistent double vision and vomiting.
A toonie-sized tumour was found and removed last June.
