Canada report

Security tightened along U.S.-Canadian border

It's known as the world's longest undefended border, but the line between Canada and the United States might no longer be the same.

As part of the response to the 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States is stepping up surveillance in the air and on the water.

It starts with a high-tech unit in Bellingham, Wash., just across from the Vancouver area, as the first of five new initiatives along the border to Plattsburg, N.Y.

Gary Bracken of the Office of Air and Marine Operations acknowledged that thwarting the smuggling of marijuana - so-called "B.C. (British Columbia) bud" - is a prime consideration for establishing the first unit in the Pacific Northwest.

There's also the smuggling of migrants, weapons and currency, as well as the possibility of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction crossing the border using traditional smuggling routes, he said.

U.S. officials also say Canadians might not always be exempt from contentious new security screenings of visitors, although there's no intention to change their preferred status right now.

Citizens from 27 countries that don't require visas to visit the United States will be fingerprinted and photographed when they enter the country starting Sept. 30.

The step is being taken because the countries don't yet have counterfeit-proof biometric passports with identification features.

Canadians who own property in Florida were being advised to stay home until they are cleared to visit to check on damage after Hurricane Charley.

The Canadian Snowbird Association says some people have been turned back at the border after saying they planned to check their properties in the storm-ravaged state.

An estimated 500,000 Canadians own property in Florida, and they might not be eligible for property damage compensation, said association spokesman Colin Ellis.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it "will not provide relief for seasonal property owners," Ellis said.

The Mounties have launched an investigation into alleged accounting irregularities by Nortel Networks Corp. Canada's largest technology company, meanwhile, is cutting 3,500 employees, 10 percent of the work force, and firing seven finance executives. Most of the cuts are from administrative and research-and-development functions in North America.

The Ontario government is moving toward eliminating mandatory retirement at age 65. Labor Minister Chris Bentley said the province plans to hold public consultations to determine the best way to eliminate the mandatory age without jeopardizing the rights of older employees.

Lyse Lemieux, chief justice of the Quebec Superior Court, says she will quit after being arrested for drunken driving involving a crash with a parked piece of road equipment.

Jack Marshall, a former member of Parliament from Newfoundland and a retired senator, died at age 84 in Morrisburg, Ontario.

Canada's dollar is on the rise again, reaching 77.05 U.S. cents, while the U.S. dollar returns $1.2978 Canadian, before bank exchange fees.

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

Stock markets were higher, with the Toronto exchange index at 8,293 points and the Canadian Venture Exchange at 1,500 points.

Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 3, 4, 13, 21, 27 and 29; bonus 19. (Aug. 14) 13, 29, 31, 36, 37 and 42; bonus 25.

A first for Winnipeg was snow falling in August. Environment Canada said the white stuff Wednesday wasn't hail but snow pellets caused by a "very cold air mass from the north." There was also frost - another August first - in outlying areas overnight.

Quebec must lower its taxes to be competitive in North America and keep its workers, Premier Jean Charest says. As planned, his Liberal government will give families payments four times a year starting in January to return $1-billion in taxes.

Tests were to begin today of an unmanned surveillance aircraft over the Atlantic and Arctic. The gangly Altair could one day be used to patrol Canada's sprawling coastline. It's a plan to modernize the Canadian military, Gen. Ray Henault said.

Andrea Mottu, a bar waiter who refused to stuff herself into a skimpy bikini top and flog beer in a Hawaiian-themed promotion, was awarded nearly $6,000 for "injury to her feelings." She told the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal she was disgusted at being ordered to strip down at the Barfly pub in New Westminster.

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