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Canada report
By JIM FOX Chretien tells supporters he has no plans to quit postCanadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien vows to "keep going," despite facing allegations of government corruption and an unpopular decision to dump Paul Martin as finance minister. At a Liberal fundraising dinner in Toronto, Chretien took solace in a quote from Winston Churchill: "When you're going through hell, just keep going." A third-term prime minister, Chretien, 68, made it clear he has no intention of retiring. "Well, my friends, I can tell you one thing -- I'm going to keep going," he said. Facing a leadership challenge from Martin, Chretien told 1,200 party supporters he'll "spend the weeks, months and years ahead working on the Liberal agenda, earning your trust, your support and your confidence." Polls show Canadians believe it's time for a change and most people don't agree with his swift move to fire Martin for his leadership aspirations. Chretien promised tax breaks for families with children, more money for research, reforms to native government, efforts to meet tougher environmental standards and financial aid for Western Canadian farmers. Airline industry turning aroundCanada's financially troubled airline industry is again flying high, encountering a turnaround with more domestic competition. Transport Minister David Collenette said that while Air Canada still has nearly 80 percent of the domestic airline market, WestJet Airlines and other smaller carriers are filling the void left by the collapse of Canada 3000. He previously criticized Air Canada's move into the discount-fare segment but said he isn't concerned there's virtually no choice for business travelers wanting full-fare service. It's possible one of the new competitors will do what Canada 3000 did before it went bankrupt and add larger seats and enhanced service for the business market, he said. In briefThere are more water woes for the Ontario government as officials knew for almost three weeks that hundreds of thousands of people could have been at risk of E. coli poisoning, but didn't alert the public. Environment Minister Chris Stockwell said a private laboratory testing water for 67 communities had failed to test properly for E. coli. There were no reports of illness. Two years ago seven people died from contaminated drinking water in Walkerton, Ontario. Support for the monarchy is alive and well in of all places Quebec. Several hundred people celebrated Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee by sipping tea and pocketing a new 50-cent coin in Quebec City. Tea parties are being held in several provincial capitals. The coin features a profile of the queen used in 1953 on a coronation medallion and the Canadian Coat of Arms. The separatist Parti Quebecois government said it is not officially taking part in any celebration of the Jubilee. Facts and figuresCanada's inflation rate had the slowest advance in five months because of sharp drops in gasoline and natural gas prices. Statistics Canada said the rate was 1.0 percent last month compared with 1.7 percent in April. The Canadian dollar fell to 64.70 U.S. cents Friday while the U.S. dollar returned $1.5455 Canadian, before bank exchange fees. The Bank of Canada key interest rate remains 2.5 percent while the prime-lending rate is 4.25 percent. Stock markets were lower Friday, with the Toronto exchange index at 7,249 points while the Canadian Venture Exchange was 1,196 points. Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 3, 4, 15, 18, 34 and 47; bonus 45. (June 8) 2, 12, 19, 38, 43 and 48; bonus 13. Regional briefsMoney is starting to roll in to support the rightwing Canadian Alliance party and its newest leader, Stephen Harper. About 1,000 people paid a total of $375,000 to attend a dinner in Calgary. Harper said it's important to prove to Canadians the Alliance can be a real alternative rather than focusing on which Liberal survives their "internal slaughter." Students missed final exams to fill sandbags and farmers herded livestock to higher ground as the Roseau River continued to rise in southern Manitoba. The river is expected to crest in the next week in Stuartburn, just north of the Minnesota border. Heavy rain in southern Alberta has swollen rivers, forcing some people from their homes. In Lethbridge, residents had to conserve water because rain overwhelmed the water treatment plant. Under the watchful eye of a boa snake, rustlers stole two yellow-footed tortoises from the Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton, New Brunswick. The thieves had to enter the snake's cage to get to the door to the tortoises from South America. Also missing are two African leopard tortoises. The reptiles are valued at $3,000 each to collectors.
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