In the news today, Feb. 5

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CAROLINE MULRONEY JOINS ONTARIO PC LEADERSHIP RACE

Caroline Mulroney, the Toronto lawyer and daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, is in the race to become the next leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party. She confirmed it on Sunday. The 43-year-old mother of four said despite the turmoil within the party after the sudden resignation of former leader Patrick Brown, the Tories can come together and win Ontario’s June 7 election. Toronto politician Doug Ford, brother of the city’s late former mayor Rob Ford, is also in the leadership contest, which will be decided on March 10.

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TORIES UPDATE VETTING IN WAKE OF DYKSTRA

The federal Conservatives are now ready to ask potential candidates specifically whether they have ever been accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour. Cory Hann, a spokesman for the party, says the questionnaire that anyone seeking to join a nomination contest must complete was updated Jan. 31. That was the same day Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer promised an independent, third-party investigation into how party brass handled allegations of sexual misconduct against former Conservative MP Rick Dykstra.

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CONSERVATIVES TO PITCH MORE TAX CHANGES

The federal Tories will keep rolling out policy this week, with the latest move in their playbook — a new approach to disabilities benefits — expected to be detailed later today. The pitch will come in the form of a private member’s bill sponsored by Tory finance critic Pierre Poilievre. A Conservative source tells The Canadian Press the idea is to ensure people with disabilities aren’t at risk of losing their benefits if they seek to work longer hours or for higher pay than allowed.

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TORONTO COMMUNITY MOURNS LGBTQ DEATHS

Toronto’s LGBTQ community gathered at an emotional candlelight vigil last night to remember the alleged victims of a serial killer as members of the community — and not just victims. It was held at the Metropolitan Community Church, a venue known for being one of the first institutions to marry same sex couples. The ceremony was organized after police charged Bruce McArthur, a 66-year-old landscaper, with first-degree murder in the deaths of five men, and said they believe there are more victims.

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SASKATCHEWAN MURDER TRIAL TO HEAR DEFENCE ARGUMENTS

The jury in the murder trial of a Saskatchewan farmer charged in the death of an Indigenous man will hear from the defence this week. Gerald Stanley, 56, is on trial for second-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Colten Boushie near Biggar, Sask., on Aug. 9, 2016. Boushie was sitting in the driver’s seat of an SUV when he was shot to death on Stanley’s farm. The Crown wrapped up its case last week.

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B.C. AUTHOR PLANS BOOK ON HISTORIC WILDFIRES

Countless stories of heroism and compassion emerged from British Columbia’s historic wildfire season, and one author now plans to document those experiences in a new book. Award-winning, B.C.-based author Claudia Cornwall says her family experienced first-hand the fear of losing their cabin near 100 Mile House, as one of the largest fires of the season burned its way to their doorstep. The so called Elephant Hill fire, ignited on July 6 and charred more than 1,910 square kilometres.

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DEVICE MAINTAINS DONOR KIDNEYS OUTSIDE BODY

Toronto Dr. Markus Selzner has just come from surgery, and he’s excited to show off his new baby. The configuration of fluid-filled tubing, pumps and other mechanical components isn’t the prettiest baby, but it’s one Selzner and his team hope will revolutionize kidney transplants by boosting the number of available donor organs. The “ex-vivo” machine, five years in development, preserves and rejuvenates less-than-ideal kidneys by mimicking the conditions inside the body prior to transplant.

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NEW HUB TO RESEARCH DISABILITIES, MENTAL ILLNESS

One of Canada’s highest profile mental health treatment centres is opening a new research hub that will focus on the needs of people with both developmental disabilities and psychiatric conditions. Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says the hub is the first in Canada to tackle the needs of a population that has long been ignored. Statistics suggest incidents of mental illness are considerably higher among those with autism, Down syndrome or other neurodevelopmental disabilities than among the general population.

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MICHELLE OBAMA TO SPEAK IN MONTREAL

Months after her husband delivered a speech to a sold-out crowd, it’s former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s turn to visit Montreal. She’ll deliver a speech this evening and participate in a discussion with Sevrine Labelle, the president of an organization that supports female entrepreneurs. The event is organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. Tickets for the event range from about $60 for the most distant seats to more than $520 for the best ones.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Members of Parliament from all political parties hold a press conference to discuss child abuse and its impact.

— Official ceremony to mark the appointment of Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada.

— Alberta and Saskatchewan renewable energy summit begins in Calgary.

— Winnipeg trial continues for Raymond Cormier, accused of killing Tina Fontaine.

— Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth will make an announcement about non-medical cannabis regulation in B.C.

— CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie holds a public forum in Toronto as part of a cross-country tour to visit every CFL market.

— Sentencing hearing in Halifax for sailboat captain caught with 250 kilograms of cocaine.

— International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau travels to Senegal and Benin to meet with women leaders, government officials and representatives of La Froncophonie.

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The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, Feb. 5

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