In our top story: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing fallout from the resignation of Gov. Gen. Julie Payette. Payette had been accused of creating a toxic work environment, resulting in an independent review that came to what sources told Global News was a “scathing” conclusion. Trudeau handpicked the former astronaut for the job in 2017. He’s not expressing regret for the decision and insists there was a proper vetting process. But as David Akin explains, the Governor General’s resignation is again raising questions about Canada’s connections to the Crown.
Trudeau also spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden today. The call is significant as it’s one of Biden’s first with a foreign leader since his inauguration. It’s a chance for the two leaders to renew the Canada-U.S. relationship after four tumultuous years of Donald Trump. It’s not without its own hardships though, after Biden revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, raising concerns in some western Canadian provinces over job losses. Eric Sorensen explains.
A push to restrict interprovincial travel has hit a roadblock in one Canadian province. After mulling the possibility of banning people from entering B.C., Premier John Horgan says they legally can’t do it. But as Abigail Bimman reports, not everyone agrees.
Canada is not alone in struggling with a COVID-19 vaccine supply. South of the border, at least a dozen states are reporting shortages. Solving that problem falls to the new Biden administration – its first major challenge. Mike Armstrong explains.
The now-cancelled Keystone XL pipeline has highlighted the need for economic diversification in Alberta. The province wants to attract new investment in metallurgic coal mining, the kind used to make steel. There are rich deposits of this coal in the southwest part of the province. An Australian mining company could get its “Grassy Mountain” project green-lit by the end of this year. But it’s the province’s move to quietly open the region to further exploration last spring that’s sparking outrage. As Heather Yourex-West explains, ranchers, municipal leaders and even some country music singers are coming together for the cause.
Ontario is preparing to launch up to 60 vaccination sites as part of the second phase of its campaign this spring. Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, who leads the province’s task force, told Global News that the province would be teaming up with pharmacies and family physicians. Carolyn Jarvis looks a closer look at the missteps, successes and lessons learned in the first phase.
The world of baseball is looking back at the life of a true champion. Hank Aaron – a Hall of Famer – chased down and broke Babe Ruth’s home-run record. It’s not just how he played the game, but how he stood up to racism. As Mike Drolet reports, that combination made him an all-rounder.
