CBCN - Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 12:00 a.m. (ET) - Segment #32

safety minister dominic LeBLANC answer that question. He said that the government is cooperating but he didn't address whether the secret cabinet documents will, in fact, be released to the commission. >> Jacqueline: great, olivia, thank you so much for this. That's cbc's olivia stefanovich in ottawa. >> We have awarded the city of toronto the 14th wnba franchise. [Cheers and Applause] >> Andrew: yes, the new cbc sports brought us two weeks ago is now official. The wnba is coming to toronto. Of course, the news is sparking a lot of excitement and we'll tell you everything that we know about the new team, plus when and where it will get underway. You're watching cbc news network. ( ) Rosa's a new mom and wants to feel confident knowing her new family is well protected, should anything happen to her. With North Cover Life Insurance, she'll be so well covered that it'd be like she's wearing a parka! And like a parka, North Cover keeps you well protected. Speaking of which, ready to change that diaper, Rosa? With North Cover Life Insurance, applying is easy. It only takes one phone call, with no medical, blood tests or forms. You're covered for death by any cause once coverage commences. It's okay, Rosa, it's supposed to look like that. Family members will receive a cash payout up to one point five million dollars. And if diagnosed with a terminal illness, one-hundred percent of the benefit can be received upfront. Well, being protected sure has its benefits. North Cover - Insurance the right way. Get a quote today. Call 1-833-680-1010 now or visit northcover.ca ( ) (Wincing) Get started for free on eharmony. Must be 18 or older to join. Get who gets you. eharmony. It's like a shower for yournose. This thing is amazing!Navage flushes salin to help clear congestionby quickly sucking out mucus, allergens, and germs. There's no other productout there like it! Navage. Clean nose,healthy life. Okay, and root beer to drink? No. [gasping] What? He didn't get root beer? I'm getting frozen root beer. Oh! Try frozen a&w root beer with sweet cream. Our hero Paul lovesto help others.But today, ...he's helping protecthimself... ...against pneumococcalpneumonia, which can put you in the hospital. He got the Prevnar 20 vaccine. Yes, even heroes... ...should think protection. Ask about Prevnar 20 today. It's odd how in an instant things can transform. Slipping out of balance into freefall. (The stock market is now down 23%). This is happening people. Where there are so few certainties... (laughing) Look around you. You deserve to know. as we navigate a future unknown. I'm glad I found stability amidst it all. Gold. Standing the test of time. >> Andrew: we know that airlines have been dealing with higher costs, even as passengers want low airfares. And to that end westjet has decided to focus on the carry-on. It's tweaking its fare categories to give travelers incentives to do without that piece of luggage. Jeannie lee is joining us with more. So, jeannie, what is westjet trying to address with this solution -- what, people are going to not travel with luggage -- and I don't know, wear the same outfit for a week or whatever? >> Jeannie: would you do that? >> Andrew: no. >> Jeannie: so you're a heavy traveler, right? You might want to check your bags but people will notice if you have flown that you just love to be what I call the carry-on warrior. They love to stuff everything into a carry-on because it's free to -- to bring. And then they jam the overhead bins and there are a lot of issues that come out of that. But this is what wet jest is westjet is doing about that issue and a couple others around this whole solution. Which amounts to taking something away but offering to give something back in return. And the whole thing is -- yes, you will have to travel lighter, if you want to qualify for lower fares. If you can actually manage without a carry-on. And you can have a personal item, maybe a smaller bag that is flexible and can be stuffed under the seat in front of you, and so for that westjet is promising the lowest fare category. And so here's what the airline

is saying about this. It says, um, we are updating the basic fare offering to better serve canadians' evolving travel needs, including overhead bin space. This fare was designed with affordability and guest choice in mind. Because, you know, right now on westjet you can bring on a carry-on, and people tend to lug the biggest carry-on that fits within the parameters of what a carry-on is supposed to be. And then several things happen after that. And here's what we mean is that those free carry-ons tend to jam up those overhead bins. How many times have you seen flight attendants trying to rearrange things just to get enough space for all of those carry-ons. And it has slowed down boarding and causing a lot of frustration among those who actually check their baggage in particular. And if there's no option for a carry-on this would cause more fees for checked luggage so that's a win for westjet. And it have the discount travelers and people love to get the lowest fare and this would appeal to them. But really the whole idea is for a lot of people will be, hey, I can avoid fees and also avoid that carousel weight so they will find this appealing. >> Andrew: so this seems to be part of a trend of more customization in fares, so how does this help the airlines? >> Jeannie: remember when there were two on a particular plane and with that you could get your snacks and your meals and your pillow and blanket, etc.. But no longer. Of course, there's all kinds of customizations and it's a way to have the airlines to make money. Just consider this -- I call this creep, because it adds up to revenue. Billion dollars for the top 20 airlines, total $118 billion in extra fees for all kinds of things. And more categories too. Premium economy, for example, and this, of course, is The Jeep No Limits Eventis here.Which means more trailsto blaze. More challenges to meet. And right now enjoyno payments for 90 days. Get into a Jeep Compass. With best-in-class horsepower. Or Jeep Grand Cherokee,the most awarded suv ever. ( ) Jeep No Limits is here. Time to test your limits. Get up to 10% off msrp for up to eighty sevenhundred dollars in discounts. And no payments for 90 days. ( ) Get that ojo Feeling with all your favourite games and no playthrough requirements, what you win is yours to keep. ( ) feel the fun play ojo Summer starts... now! The new dq Summer Blizzard Menu. New Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Party, New Picnic Peach Cobbler. And more delicious flavors. Start summer now! Only at dq. Happy tastes good. >> Announcer: We carry a world of information in our pockets. Because we want to know. Breaking news that shapes your world. >> All right. >> Announcer: Reporting from the scene onto your screens. >> Dropping the aid now. We are just approaching Gaza. >> Announcer: With local cbc Radio Onelive to connect us closer to home. It's news you can trust, delivered when you want, where you want, on theCBC Newsapp. Download for free. >> Jacqueline: canada is getting a first professional women's basketball team. Toronto has been granted an expansion franchise with the women's national basketball association out of the U.S. here's some of that announcement from this morning. >> I will never forget last year, scotiabank arena, when I attended our toronto game and lots of people coming up to me and saying thank you for making my dream comes true by bringing a wnba game here. That's when I knew that this is the right place as we're thinking about expansion. And the tens of thousands and hopefully millions of girls that were inspired that day is just something that you cannot replicate without bringing a team here to canada.

so with that, I am honoured to officially announce that we have awarded the city of toronto the 14th wnba franchise. [applause] >> Jacqueline:THE fans in vancouver and montréal will get a chance to experience some games in person. And it all begins in may of 2026. As for the name of the new team, well, that has not yet been decided. >>> The police officer who arrested the number one male golfer last week has been disciplined for not wearing a body camera during the arrest. Louisville police updated the case involving scottie chefler earlier today and she's accused of not finding traffic instructions upon entering the golf course and for striking an officer. Journalist steve futterman has the latest details from los angeles. >> Reporter: well, scottie schefler insisted this is a misunderstanding and today the louisville officials brought up one very potentially serious part of this case. The detective who arrested scottie s cfler did have body cam on him but did not have it operating when the arrest took place. And that could complicate everything. Here's the louisville police chief -- >> Detective gillis did have an encounter as we know with mr. Scottie scfeller. And it's a violation of the equipment, and he was violating the policy and 4.3.7 operation. Detective gillis did not have his body worn camera operationally ready as required by our policy. >> Reporter: without it could allow the defence attorneys to make strong arguments that the entire case should be dropped and that's what they're doing right now. Now the mayor of louisville says that he hopes that all sides can come together and to find some way to move forward. There is an arrangement scheduled for next week that scottie scheffler would have to appear in court but the mayor hopes that everyone can move forward. That sounds like a signal can we find a way to make a plea bargain agreement or find some way to have scottie scheffler continued. And right now he faces at the moment one very serious charge of felony assault charge against a police officer, that's the most serious charge. In cases like this we sometimes see a high-profile defendant make an apology, plead guilty to a minor misdemeanor charge and the case basically goes away. I think that a lot of phone calls will be taking place in the next week, obviously, scottie scheffler would like it to go away but he doesn't want to plead guilty to anything because he feels that he didn't do anything wrong. >> Jacqueline: steve futterman in los angeles. >> Andrew: you are watching cbc news network. We're back in a moment. Andrew Chang: It makes sense that they get a larger share, or does it? -Welcome to the Greenbelt. Andrew: All of this, just single detached homes? -Yes. Andrew: What do we know? I think we can explain. Announcer: About That with Andrew Chang. Watch free onCBC Gem. When Heart to Home Meals delivers my order. It takes me back to the good old days. When I don't feel like cooking, I have great tastingmeals on hand that are just right for me. And Jeff will even put themright in my freezer, if I like. He's an old soul. I simply order my favorites,like beef stew and honey garlic chicken,and there's no contracts. I just pay for what I order. Heart to Home Mealsmade for seniors. Why cook when youcan simply enjoy. I love walking, but it can be frustrating if my legs and feet are slowing me down. My pharmacy recommended revitive Medic Circulation Booster and I haven't looked back. Drug-free Revitiveis clinically proven to actively improveleg circulation, relieve achesand pains and help youwalk further. Revitive Medicis also suitable for peoplediagnosed with Osteoarthritisor Diabetes. I believe using Revitive has really helped me. Give it a go today! For latest offers on the Revitive pain range see instore or revitive.ca Happy birthday, big guy. Your old minivan? Your old minivan. It still runs? Like new! And thanks to Fountain Tire's trusted, reliable service, you'll be driving this for a loooong time. Never getting rid of this baby. Great. And of course! Quality tires. Why's that guy there? Because honey.

Wherever you go, Fountain Tire's right there with you. You finally have a friend. I have friends, Dad. Your very first buddy. ( ) How can you protect yourself from continually rising health care costs not covered by your government health insurance? With SureHealth from Green Shield Canada. My SureHealth plan helps to protect me and my family from a lot of routine medical expenses. Host: Like prescription drugs, dental care and vision care. And many unexpected expenses I could face, if I have an accident or get a serious illness. Like physiotherapists, chiropractors, home care, emergency medical travel expenses, and more. And for most plans, your acceptance is guaranteed, with no health exam and no medical questions when you apply. If you're self-employed, don't have health coverage at work, are recently retired or retiring soon, get SureHealth now and protect yourself and your family from rising health care costs not covered by your government health plan. Call or visit SureHealth.ca now for your free, personalized SureHealth info package. That's SureHealth.ca. >> What assurances can you give to Canadians watching this at home? Is that everything you needed to do, or everything you wereableto do? >> We're not going to make a decision on a budget we haven't seen yet. >> Let Canadians decide. >> Announcer: David Cochrane forPower & Politics, today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern onCBC News Network. ( ) >> Jacqueline: well, let's look at the weather conditions across the country with matt hamel at the weather network. >> Matt: well, start our national forecast across western canada, we do have the cooler temperatures continuing for parts of the prairies and a fairly quiet day for british columbia's south coast. But we could see some storms into b.c.'s interior, parts of alberta as well, for our thursday afternoon. And small hail and heavy rain and strong wind gusts could be factors if it flares up. And rain associated with that as well and not a soaker by any stretch. And tomorrow we see a threat of some storms in parts of B.C. and into alberta and now stretching into parts of southern saskatchewan. So we'll keep our eye on that for friday. And meanwhile for the prairies as a whole, we're seeing more of a soaker of a system into southern manitoba, that will be building into our friday. Maybe lingering a bit into saturday. Take a look for parts of winnipeg, and southern manitoba -- 50 plus millimetres of rain in the forecast with that system. Now warmer temperatures are on the way for the eastern prairies in particular. Take a look at this for regina, for monday, 18°, and jumping up to 24° by tuesday. So that's going to be a warm-up there. And as I mentioned fairly quiet for b.c.'s south coast, but that won't last for long as we do have wet weather building into the region in the days ahead. So we'll keep our eye on that and also a cooler temperature for vancouver on sunday, but rebounding nicely early into the work week. And meanwhile for eastern canada, that's where we have severe weather on tap for our thursday. So we tracked all of these stormy activities and even tornado warnings yesterday in ontario with the same system. Not so much the territory threat for today but severe storms are possible for a chunk of new brunswick and a small sliver of québec as well and we have seen storms this morning but it's really going to be the afternoon when thing gets going with that more severe storm potential. Across friday in atlantic canada, we have showers shifting into newfoundland. >> Announcer: the weather update is brought to you by the foe mosquito forecast. Prevention is the best protection from mosquitoes. >> Jacqueline: a look at washington, where today there will be a state dinner at the white house for the president of kenya and his wife. They will also commemorate 60 years of relations between the two countries.

>>> You are watching cbc news network. ( ) >> Andrew Chang: May is Asian Heritage Month. Join us in celebrating the many contributions that Asian Canadians make to Canada. Ram Power Days are here.The power to choose fromthe most awarded truck brand over the last five years. Like Ram Classic.As versatile as it is capable. Ram 1500, voted bestlarge pickup in Canada. Or Ram Heavy Dutywith a no-charge Cummins. And you don't pay for 90 days. The power is yours.The time is now. Get 20% off msrp on Ram Classic for up to $14,200 in discounts. Plus get 4.99% financing. Tap into BetMGM Casino and you're entering a huge library full of exclusive games. Games you won't find anywhere else. Looking for jackpots? Right this way. You'll always find someone ready to give you a hand. Or some dice. Your favorite games waiting for you... On BetMGM Casino. It's coming. Check for anyone who needs help! Will do! [scream] They found another body. Recognize him? Never seen him before. The obvious theory is that our killer used the flood to cover their tracks. I'd be careful if I were you. Woman: My grandson can choose to be anything he wants to be. Which reminds me: I've got a few choices to make of my own. Welcome to Seniors Choice. How can I help? Hi, I'd like a quick quote, please. If you're a Canadian Resident aged 50-80, you can choose the right amount of coverage for you and your family up to $250,000. That kind of money would help a lot. You can choose to apply over the phone now in just minutes, with no medicals or blood tests, just a few health and lifestyle questions. Wow. That easy? Depending on the coverage you choose, it would be as little as $14.88 a month. That's just 49 cents a day. That's less than I thought. And that money could help my family cover my funeral costs, support my husband's retirement planning or even pay off the loans. I'll do it. Seniors Choice are the #1 Direct Choice for Canadians over 50. To get a free, no-obligation quote, call one of our trusted insurance advisors today at 1-844-834-2722. Or visit seniorschoice.ca. [explosion] [dynamic] How can any of this be fair? They might think, hey, we just need more doctors, but that's not really it. Ah, Russian's came here. Shows you where it starts, where it ends. Were you really willing to risk that job? Yes. At Thunder Bay's favourite festival "Wake the Giant". Ta-da! There it is. [dramatic] Announcer:What's new? What's breaking? What's really going on? Cbc News Network.All the news. Live. Announcer:News you can trust,when you want,where you want. Download the freeCBC Newsapp. >> Andrew: hello, I'm andrew nichols. >> Jacqueline: and I'm jacqueline hansen. >> Andrew: this is cbc news network. Our top story today -- >> Contamination at grassy narrows first nation. The community has been dealing with the effects of mercury poisoning for decades and now new research suggests that the industrial pollution is still happening. We'll get reaction from the chief of that first nation. >> Jacqueline: also ahead the oilers begin their best-of-7 serious against the dallas stars tonight. We'll look at their chances with the 2006 playoff star fernando casani. >> Andrew: one of canada's worst environmental disasters is getting worse -- that's according to new research from scientists on behalf of grassy narrows first nation. It points to how the people in that community have been getting sick for three generations. The study suggests that ongoing industrial discharges from a nearby paper mill is combining with the previously leaked mercury to create an even more toxic compound -- methylmercury. In the early 1960s and 1970s, nine tonnes of mercury was dumped into the english-wabigoon river system near the manitoba border.

methylmercury accumulates in fish and poisons people who eat them and it can cause neuromuscular problems and lead to death. Cbc's meagan fitzpatrick was at the snows news conference where the study was unveiled. >> Reporter: well, the lead researcher is brian branferew, and the question is whether high concentrations of sulfate and organic matter in that river water -- whether that is contributing to enhancing the levels of methylmercury in that river. And he says that the answer is, yes. His conclusion is that the historic contamination of that river is being made worse by what is currently going on with the current mill that is operating in dryden, ontario. Different owners of the mills from the 1960s to 1970s to now, andrew, but this researcher is contributing the higher sulfate and organic matter to that mill. The researcher saying that there's no other evidence of any other source of sulfate. And he says that what is going on is that the sulfate and the organic matter released into the water by the affluent from that mill is combining with the historically contaminated riverbed, the mercury in that riverbed, to produce methylmercury. And he says that the concentrations are higher than he would have suspected. And he is saying that this kind of confirms what they were already concerned about based on previous studies that he's worked on. Here's more of what he said -- >> So we can connect the dots, right, we can draw the line directly between the increasing amount of methylmercury in the environment and in fish. So the corollary is true, if we reduce the amount of sulfate and organic matter and take those two ingredients out of the reaction, then mercury levels in fish will come down. >> Reporter: so, again, he's saying that this situation is making things worse, not better, delaying the recovery of that river water and continuing to pose a risk, obviously, to the health of the people of grassy narrows who consume fish from the river. Now he's saying that he's not an expert in remediation or in policymaking but, again, he says that it was important to get these findings out there. This was a technical report that was conducted for the council of grassy narrows first nation but he wanted to have the findings out there and releasing them publicly with their permission. Again, his main point was that if you dial down, he said dial down the heat on that process that makes methylmercury, then the mercury levels in the fish will go down. >> Andrew: so what kind of reaction is this study getting? >> Reporter: well, we have reached out to the mill. Now, again, it is under new ownership as of last august. And so they've only been operating it for less than a year. But when we reached out to them ahead of this study being released this morning, they told us they hadn't seen it yet and, therefore, couldn't comment on it. We do have comments from the chief of grassy narrows first nation, rudy turtle, who says that he is disappointed by these findings but not entirely surprised. Here's more of what he told us -- >> Our position has always been that everybody in the community should be compensated for the damages that are being done, especially with the new generation and the children that are growing up. The river should be cleaned up for them and they should be compensated because they still are taking mercury into their system. So there is a lot of work that still needs to be done in terms of compensation and in terms of health studies and whatever needs to be done. >> Reporter: and he said, you know, that fish is a staple part of the community's diet there, and it's a traditional practise for the community there. And he says that the community has long been advocating for more to be done to improve health of people there. 90% of whom it is believed that are suffering from the effects of mercury poisoning. And he says that this new study kind of confirms suspicions that they had that the situation wasn't improving in terms of the mercury levels in that river. We also have reaction -- political reaction -- from N.D.P. M.P.P.s who are calling on the ontario government to take some action, potentially stopping the wastewater from being released into the river in the first place, andrew. We have reached out to the provincial government, the federal government points to the fact that they're helping to fund a mercury care centre -- a home. That construction is set to get underway this summer that will provide some healthcare to people in grassy narrows. >> Andrew:CBC'S meagan fitzpatrick in toronto.

Copyright protected and owned by broadcaster. Your licence is limited to private, internal, non-commercial use. All reproduction, broadcast, transmission or other use of this work is strictly prohibited.

Transcripts