Canada report

Conservatives lead in new poll

Canada's governing Liberals are on the attack after a poll gives the edge in the June 28 election to the new Conservatives.

Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberals have launched "attack ads" trying to sway moderate Canadians, especially women, away from the Conservatives.

The latest national poll gives the Conservatives 34 percent support of decided voters compared with 30 percent for the third-term Liberals. The socialist New Democrats have 19 percent, while the Bloc Quebecois has 12 percent.

The Liberals responded to their fading fortunes by rolling out hard-hitting TV ads. They suggest the Conservatives would scrap the Kyoto climate-change protocol, not protect women's rights to have abortions and sacrifice social programs for tax cuts.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper dismissed the move as a desperation tactic and accused the Liberals of distorting the truth.

"To treat the electorate as if they're imbeciles is a strategy that will backfire," Harper said.

Martin will use the upcoming televised election debates to say the Liberals are protectors of Canadian values while the Conservatives can't be trusted to protect social programs.

Niagara Falls, known as the "Honeymoon Capital of the World," now has a $1-billion casino resort overlooking the rushing waters.

The Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, which opened Thursday, is the largest privately financed construction project in Canada.

Called the "cornerstone of revitalization" for the Ontario city, the complex overlooks the Horseshoe and American falls.

The 2.5-million-square-foot complex includes a casino with 150 gaming tables and 3,000 slot machines, 30-story luxury hotel, health and fitness spa, an expansive shopping Galleria, 1,500-seat ballroom for Las Vegas-style acts and 10 dining spots.

It's a project of Falls Management Co., a North American consortium of five partners, and operated by the Ontario government. The company also manages the nearby Casino Niagara that will remain open.

Canadians will be able to learn election results at the same time for the first time. Canada's chief electoral officer overturned restrictions on broadcasting or transmitting results on election night. The change means results can be publicized as soon as they are available June 28. Elections Canada bowed to a British Columbia court decision challenging the blackout rules concerning areas in time zones where polls are still open.

Each Canadian taxpayer owes $180,421 in federal, provincial and municipal liabilities that total $2.7-trillion, the Fraser Institute says. The conservative think tank warned that "achieving and maintaining a balanced budget is only the first step toward fiscal responsibility," and debt reduction is essential to Canada's economic health.

The union representing British Columbia hospital employees was fined $150,000 for an illegal strike. The union's job action forced the cancellation of thousands of surgeries in April. The fine was among the highest ever levied against a union in Canada.

Prospects of higher U.S. interest rates pulled down the value of Canada's dollar to 73.39 U.S. cents Friday, while the U.S. dollar returned $1.3625 Canadian before bank exchange fees.

The dollar was lower even though Statistics Canada reported a surge in exports led to the Canadian trade balance hitting its second-highest level in April.

The Bank of Canada's key interest rate remains unchanged at 2 percent, while the prime lending rate is 3.75 percent.

Stock markets were mixed Friday with the Toronto exchange index higher at 8,350 points and the Canadian Venture Exchange lower at 1,554 points.

Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 7, 23, 24, 27, 41 and 42; bonus 49. (June 5) 12, 13, 17, 26, 43 and 45; bonus 11.

Floodway gates were raised to prevent the rain-swollen Red River from swamping Winnipeg's sewer system. The emergency measure drowned crops on about 55 farms near the city. Authorities said there could have been "tens of millions of dollars" in potential property damage, while farmers affected could apply for compensation.

The British Columbia government wants to resurrect an expensive rapid transit project that would link downtown Vancouver to the international airport in Richmond. Municipal politicians voted to kill the so-called RAV line over concerns about cost overruns. Premier Gordon Campbell has offered to have the provincial government take on all the risk and responsibility for the project.

Perhaps not just in Quebec anymore, diners might soon be able to bring their own wine to restaurants in Ontario, too. The provincial government uncorked its plan to aid restaurants with the international flair of letting wine-lovers bring their own bottles to dinner.

Diners would pay an "uncorking fee" and also be able to take home unfinished bottles of wine if the legislation passes.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright