CTVN - Friday, May 24, 2024 - 12:00 a.m. (ET) - Segment #9

a picture of what they say it will be like if the conservatives win the next election, as polls show they would if the election were held tomorrow. Is the message punching through? Poilievre continues to lead in public opinion polling with the conservatives enjoying a 16-point lead over the liberals, according to this latest poll from abacus data and it seems there's some anticipation of what his policies would be, some examples from that recent abacus survey reported by the toronto star shows 63% of respondents say poilievre would probably or definitely welcome fewer immigrants to canada and 60% are expecting him to cut the carbon tax. Let's bring back the front bench to talk about that, christy clark, john tory and tom mulcair. Criesy, I will start with you. I notice that this was -- the reason I want to talk about it is because at almost every press conference, no matter the subject, the minister or the mp in question, like, would turn it very quickly to we're talking about this now and here's what poilievre will take away. Do you think as an overall strategy that will be effective in the short-term or the long-term? >> I think it will be -- if it's going to be effective, it will be effective in the long-term, they're just going to keep hammering away at it. The thing is, the challenge that Mr. Poilievre has is that, you know, he wants to get the budget in order. He wants to balance the budget. Well, there's a $40 billion budget deficit. He wants to try and assure canadians that, you know, the programs that they love and the new ones like dental care and some of the pharmacare stuff are going to stay or child care, people like that. But program spending has grown by 30% almost under the liberals. So you've got a $40 billion deficit. He's got 30 billion or got 30% growth in government spending that's going to have to be restrained, it is a very difficult circle to square. And, I mean, let's just talk about nato funding, that $14.5 billion more that you will have to find to do that. So no wonder he's not saying what he would do with this or that because I mean the reality is when you, you know, when you replace a government that has spent the country into, you know, into poverty, it is a very difficult thing to do to turn it around. And I don't think Mr. Poilievre wants to talk about that. Instead, I think he will talk about housing, he will talk about some of the -- maybe immigration, those things that really do appeal to lots of voters as discreet issues and if he can avoid talking about what's going to happen with dental care and the nato target, I'm going to get that it's exactly what he will do. >> Vassy: I guess the question jumping off of that, john, is whether he will be able to. Because I think the double-edged sword of being so far ahead of the tories -- rather of the liberals in the polls is scrutiny turns your way, right? Like, the focuses of the media and others, all of a sudden those questions become -- they are being asked with more frequency. >> Well, and we've discussed before right here on the front bench that, you know, when you are at 42% in the polls whatever, the 20 point lead, you only have one direction to g you can stay where you are but that's hard and there's only one other direction to g you don't go to 46 or 47 in our system anyway. But if I were the liberals I would take encourage from this. Whether it's short-term or long-term, what you see here is certainly a plurality of people who support the policies that they have, but a big group, sometimes even bigger group who say they are not sure and then you have a lot of other people, most people solid majority saying they don't want abortion messed with, they don't want dental care taken away and so on. And so what the liberals have to do is exactly what they are doing, whether it works or not is a different question because as a pollster, I repeated here a week or two ago said it's about them, meaning the government and the people and the prime minister, but they have to raise the risk and the second thing they have to do and we've talked about this often as well is they have to actually make these programs real, so that if it actually becomes your grandmother or your daughter or your son or somebody who's in these programs, child care, dental care and so on, then the risk of it being cancelled becomes more real than if it's just some program that nobody really feels exists. So I don't think by any means we are seeing the end of this. It is a year and a bit away from the election, so time is wasting, but I think there's some very interesting things in this poll that, you know, mean that strategy is probably the right thing to try for now. >> I think the other sort of -- and john reference, this tom, the other thing that will be really interesting to be able to assess whether it's working is the -- the strategy coming up against the issue of -- and actually both christie and john mentioned, this the momentum for change, the feeling for change, when you think back to the kathleen wynne versus doug ford round wonderings the appetite for change was so great that it didn't matter that doug ford didn't answer any of those questions and put out like a one page platform, right? It ultimately superseded any of the vulnerabilities that he and that party had or that perhaps in this case poilievre had. >> Yeah, and some elements of

what the liberals are putting out there are true. I think that it's quite obvious that poilievre would go after things like dental care. I'm not a -- I'm not 100% convinced he will go after child care simply because it's good for the economy and that's been proven time and again. But some parts of the attack are going to fall n and to hear mark miller say to have this rule, this complicated rule about when your children can acquire canadian citizenship when you were not born here and are still outside of the country, guess what, the liberals were here for 9 years if was that dastardly and horrible why haven't they changed it for 9 years, it's transparently political and partisan and it has to do on the moment. And on the question of abortion, a woman's right to choose, I have to say that I found that poilievre was crystal clear. He tried to skirt the issue, he tried to dance around it, when he was there on the stage, he was fighting off -- and he came straight out and said I am pro-choice. Now, you can believe it or not, but he said it in front of his crowd in his leadership race. I think he should get credit for that. Because it's -- it definitely is different from what we got from scheer, a bit different from what we got from o'toole. I don't remember a conservative leader being that clear on this issue. So to try to go around that, but aren't there members of your caucus who might think or believe this? No, no, no, that's -- I think that's the type of thing that the average canadians can say, whoa, you know, have your fights, pick your fights, choose your issues, but don't try to say that poilievre hasn't been super clear that he is pro-choice, I don't think that that's fair. >> Vassy: I think the interesting part there is, christy, that he has been very clear, but it true that there are members of his caucus who would like to see a government if they formed it go in a different direction. And that's where I think the liberals see the vulnerability coupled with, and I think we referenced this a few weeks ago, coupled with what's happening in the united states where a lot of people there also heard promises of these rights aren't going to be taken away and then they were. >> Yeah, I think that -- I mean, I think what's going on in the united states for sure has an impact here, no doubt about that. But, you know, the liberals have had a lot of pro-life people in their caucus over the years too. >> Exactly. Exactly. >> People are allowed to bring these issues to -- you know, to the discussion, I guess, but, I mean, poilievre has been totally clear about it. And they are not going to mess with abortion. They just aren't. And, you know, vassy, as a woman in canada, I really am fed up with politicians using this kind of scare tactic, really aimed at me and women, to try and get us to vote a certain way when we know it is just a political trick. It's unfair to drag this issue that is of such incredible personal importance to each of us into the political realm and just treat it like it's just another ploy that they are pulling out of the sack. Now, I just want to go back for a second though and just remind you and anyone who's -- any of our viewers here, that, you know, none of them are running against, you know, jesus christ here. Like, there's none of these people are perfect. And so when you walk into the polls and you have to make a choice between, am I going to vote for the trudeau team, the poilievre team, or the singh team, you are going to recognize that they are all flawed, and it will be just a few issues that really shape your decision. And I would argue poilievre really has the upper hand there, because the trudeau government has engineered us into a really slow economy, people are very concerned about the cost of living, they're concerned about trying to find housing, and I think poilievre really has the upper hand on both of those very primary issues for people. >> Vassy: last word to you, john, and I'm -- I'm now happy to report jesus is not on the ballot. >> The things stephen harper does, and we can discuss this another day is he also said he would not have his caucus members bring things forward so the issue department come up and he was very very effective at policing that so the issue department come up and I think he handled it perfectly in that regard whatever his personal views are and I still don't even know what they were. So I think maybe poilievre has that to do with because people are afraid of some of the elements in that party. With respect to what christy just said, she's right, but this strategy we're discussing here is meant to raise the risk associated with that. Yes, we are kind of looking for change, and, yes, the economy's slow and we think these guyless do better, but if you can raise the risk successfully, you are going to affect that voting decision potentially and we even see in this very poll where they ask the questions a tiny bit of movement. It's not the five points that we were told we should watch for by july but it's a tiny movement away from the liberals and in favour of the conservatives. And it happens slowlily, especially when you are in a hole that deep. We have to watch over the next couple of months to see if this continues or not. >> And we will be watching. I can promise you. Thank you very much, everyone, appreciate the discussion. Our front bench, john tory, tom

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[ ] ] [ ] >> Todd: tonight, live nation in the hot seat, accused of an illegal monopoly. [ ] the U.S. justice department suing. >> That conduct is anti-competitive and illegal. >> Todd: what it means for artists and for fans. >> Welcome to the w. >> Todd: plus courting women's basketball. Toronto nets a wnba team. >> We're so excited for the girls and women of canada. >> Todd: and a medical breakthrough, ai helps make a rare diagnosis. >> We're not replacing the doctors. We're helping them with some of these digital tools. >> Todd: dress code in québec. Going to great lengths to wear shorts. [ Chanting ] >> Todd: and a hero's home coming. >> Emotions are overwhelming. The event is overwhelming. >> Todd: the unknown soldier returning to newfoundland and labrador. [ ] >> Announcer: "ctv national news" with omar sachedina. Reporting tonight, todd van der hayden. >> Todd: good evening. If you've ever been to a concert you know how expensive ticket prices can be and in recent years, costs have skyrocketed. Now a major lawsuit against the world's biggest concert promoter live nation. Which is ticketmaster's parent company. It puts on concerts for top names in music, but the U.S. government wants to break up. Saying the company has illegally maintained a monopoly, unfairly dominated the live entertainment industry pressuring artists and threatening rivals. The result, higher ticket prices, stifled competition. That's according to the U.S. department of justice. Live nation is canada's top concert promoter, so the implications could be huge. Our washington bureau chief joy malbon has more for us. >> Reporter: call it the taylor swift effect... [ ] after the ticketing crash that kicked off her 2022 eras tour left fans fuming... [ Crying ] >> I didn't get tickets to the taylor swift concert. >> Reporter: that led to a congressional investigation a year ago. Now the U.S. justice department and 30 states are suing. Accusing ticketmaster and live nation, the concert promoter, of illegally abusing its monopoly power by suffocating competition and gouging consumers. >> We allege that live nation has illegally monopolized markets across the live concert industry in the united states for far too long. It is time to break it up. >> Reporter: after a merger in 2010, live nation and ticketmaster have had a lock on artists and music venues, controlling 60% of concert promotions at 265 venues in north america. The lawsuit refers to a ticketmaster tax, you know, that long list of added fees? >> Convenience fees, platinum fees, price master fees. >> No price gouging! >> Reporter: fans have complained for years. Just ask teresa caldwell, a swiftie, who flew to sweden with her friends to see their idol. It was simply cheaper. >> Toronto prices are insane. In the nose bleeds was three grand. In sweden, we got tickets, floor seats, for $500 canadian. >> Reporter: she welcomes the U.S. legal action and while canada's competition bureau says it's aware of the lawsuit, it won't confirm it's investigating. >> We always know that more competition is more choice for canadians. We're going to be taking a very focused look on that. >> Reporter: live nation calls the accusations baseless and absurd. >> We fundamentally disagree with all of these allegations. >> Reporter: live nation blames ticket prices on rising production costs and online ticket scalping. But the justice department is determined to break up the company in a legal battle that will likely take years. Todd? >> Todd: ctv's joy malbon in washington.

>>> An update tonight from vancouver on major pharmacy chain london drugs targeted by cybercriminals. The chain says hackers have followed through on a threat to release confidential information after london drugs refused to pay a ransom. Our bc bureau chief andrew johnson joins me now. Andrew? >> Reporter: todd, the deadline came and went today for london drugs to pay ransomware hackers lockbit millions of dollars. Now they've released personal information onto the dark web. The data was stolen in a cyberattack last month that forced the clo of all 79 london drugs locations. Lockbit claimed responsibility this week and demanded $25 million. London drugs said it was unwilling and unable to pay and in a statement today adds we acknowledge that some of these files may contain some employee information. This is deeply distressing and london drugs is taking all available steps to mitigate any impacts from the criminal acts. The retailer says it does not believe customer information was compromised. >> It could be things like salary information, disciplinary proceedings. Drug testing in some cases where that's been carried out. >> Reporter: london drugs is offering employees two years of identity theft protection and says it will be notifying those affected to inform them what personal information of theirs may no longer be private. Todd? >> Todd: ctv's andrew johnson. >>> Big news from the world of women's basketball. Canada will be getting its very own wnba team, toronto making it official today after teasing the news for the past two weeks. It will be the first franchise outside of the U.S. that will be playing in about two years. And while the team still needs a name, there is already tons of excitement. Ctv's mike walker has more. >> Toronto, welcome to the w. >> Reporter: after much anticipation, it's official. The wnba is coming to toronto. >> This team is canada's team. >> Reporter: gilmour sports ventures has been awarded the 14th franchise. Tannenbaum, also the chairman and minority owner of maple leaf sports and entertainment paid $115 million U.S. for the team. >> Our team will complete the pathway for women in this country. They can see that the sport they play as girls and as women is just as important and worth investing in. >> Reporter: toronto has been on the wnba's radar since the raptors 2019 championship run. Last year, the league sold out scotiabank arena for a preseason game. >> I attended our toronto game and lots of people coming up to me and saying thank you for making my dreams come true by bringing a wnba game here. That's when I knew that this is the right place as we're thinking about expansion. >> Reporter: starting in 2026, the home court will be at the coca cola coliseum with occasional games at scotiabank arena and in montréal and vancouver. >> We want to use the team to elevate basketball in canada. >> Reporter: teresa resch who spent a decade with the raptors serving as vice president operations and player development named the team's president today. >> The wnba has never had a team internationally and comes with very difficult details to work through that there's no precedent for. So it's not easy, but it's worth it. >> Reporter: women's sports are gaining momentum. The pwhl inaugural season saw huge success with three canadian teams. The wnba is tipping off its 28th season. >> I think it's amazing that like now like female athletes are actually being recognized. >> I feel like so many young girls and athletes can relate and feel inspired. >> Reporter: a sentiment echoed by two time olympian tamara tatham who coaches national youth baseball teams. >> Young athletes will have role models in your country. I mean we've -- we haven't had that in so long. It's something that you dream of and finally coming true. >> Reporter: mike walker, ctv news, toronto. >> Todd: the buzz about artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. How it's going to re-shape many industries and that includes medicine. Doctors at one leading children's hospital in ontario are now using ai to help identify kids who may have rare diseases. Ctv's judy trinh has a closer look. >> Reporter: for years, the wistaff family searched for the cause of developmental delays in their 10-year-old son anthony. >> His balance is very poor. As well as being able to retain information and grasp everyday small tasks and knowledge was very challenging. >> Reporter: doctors initially thought the delays were due to complications from surgery anthony had as a baby. He was born with excessive fluid around his brain. After more than 100 visits to a hospital and being bounced from one specialist to another, anthony was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. >> There's about only 400 people in the world known with this disease right now as we speak.

anthony's actually the first one diagnosed with this disease in north america. >> Reporter: there are 6,000 rare genetic diseases. Anthony may not have been diagnosed if he wasn't flagged for testing through cheo's ai algorithm called think rare. It took a team of researchers three years to develop. >> It's kind of a nudge. It's not -- we're not replacing the doctor. We're kind of helping them with some of these digital tools. >> Reporter: for this pilot project, researchers use the algorithm to analyze 10 years of data consisting of more than 250,000 patient records. Of that number, 15 people were flagged as having potential rare genetic diseases. Ai is allowing cheo doctors to diagnose rare disorders in kids much earlier so families can get help faster. >> You don't have a specific diagnostic code attached to you in the educational system, you're often not given enough. >> Reporter: cheo doesn't want to profit off its technology but wants to share the ai algorithm with other children's hospitals for free. Judy trinh, ctv news, ottawa. >> Todd: a political rally in mexico turned deadly. Nine people were killed including a child after a stage set up at the event collapsed. Witnesses say it happened in seconds with video showing people running away or climbing out from under debris. The event was held in support of a presidential candidate ahead of elections next month. More than 120 people were injured. It's believed heavy winds may have been the cause. And that same storm system in mexico may have caused widespread destruction in central texas. >> Get in the house! >> Todd: the city of temple declared a local emergency after a twister ripped up a hotel, shopping mall and other buildings. There are no reports, fortunately, of any serious injuries. >> Nope, right there. >> Todd: some surreal scenes in alliston, ontario north of toronto last night as a massive funnel cloud was spotted during a major storm. Environment canada issued warnings as hail and lightning hit parts of the province.

>>> And forecasters arrning of a very active upcoming hurricane season in the atlantic ocean. >> The combination of record water temperatures in the atlantic and the developing la niña is really lining up to be an active season in the atlantic. >> Todd: between 17 and 25 major storms are expected. Eight to 13 could become hurricanes. After fiona's extensive damage in 2022, nova scotia says it's preparing for the upcome season which runs from june to november. >>> To québec now, and the question how short is too short when it comes to shorts? Students at a high school in laval, north of montréal, are angry. Dozens of female students were suspended for wearing shorts the school said violated the dress code. Our québec bureau chief genevieve beauchmin has the story. [ Chanting ] >> Reporter: leave the shorts they chant. They can't. Students skipping class at cure-antoine-labelle. They say it's so much more than short shorts. >> I'm fighting for equality. We're in 2024. Boys and girls are supposed to be equal. >> Reporter: the school board says the rule is all students' shorts must be knee length or just above. When warmer temperatures hit, temperatures soared, the school began a crackdown. >> The shorts I was wearing, some lady told me they were too short. >> Reporter: the majority of girls were told to go home or find ways to cover up exposed knees. >> She said your shorts give space for imagination. What adult comments on a child's body? >> Reporter: the school sent a letter home reminding parents and students it was developed with the collaboration of the school community and the rules aim to ensure harmony at school. The protesters say female students are unfairly targeted by the rule and its application. >> Our education is what matters before anything else. Right? And they're here suspending girls? >> Reporter: from the days of bans, generations of students challenged the sexism of dress codes and several students say the reasons teachers gave them were inappropriate. >> The boys can find your knees attractive. You have to change. >> Reporter: the students say there's only a few weeks left so they don't understand why the crackdown is happening now. The school board says it's reminded staff that applying the rules must be done respectfully. But the director general says rules are applied to both girls and boys equally. And prepare them for life in society at large. He also says that if students feel the rules need to be updated they can address their concerns to the school committee. The students say by any measure this rule is far from one size fits all. Genevieve beauchmin, ctv news, laval, québec. >> Todd: canada's defence minister admits there's more work to be done to boost defence spending. It comes in response to top U.S. senators calling on the trudeau government to step up. >> To be able to ensure those concerns that canada will be a ready and capable ally. >> Todd: the letter signed by 23 senators, both democrat and republican, saying they're profoundly disappointed. Canada is supposed to spend 2% of gdp on the military as part of our membership in nato but canada never reached that level and is in fact near the bottom compared to other nato countries.

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