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Harper criticized over AIDS meeting

By JIM FOX
Published August 20, 2006

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was roundly criticized for not attending the International AIDS Conference in Toronto or making any announcements to expand initiatives.

The weeklong conference attracted 24,000 delegates and notables including former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.

Harper called the conference too "politicized" and not the right place or time to make announcements.

The government is providing significant funding for research into preventing and treating HIV-AIDS, with more to be revealed soon, he said.

There was also no word whether the new Conservative government will continue to support North America's only safe-injection site for drug users in Vancouver.

Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham slammed Harper for not announcing measures to show Canada is committed to dealing with the AIDS pandemic.

"The government of Canada is strongly committed to the fight against HIV-AIDS and continues to commit a significant amount of money to this issue," a government news release said.

Carry-on ban may be eased

Transport Canada is considering relaxing new airline security rules that have caused chaos for duty-free shop operators.

Canada and other countries have banned most liquids and gels from carry-on baggage since Aug. 10 after British authorities thwarted an alleged terrorist attack.

Airports receive revenue from duty-free sales of alcohol, cosmetics and perfumes, now under the carry-on ban.

The ban has resulted in a sharp drop in sales and the closing of some duty-free stores in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Calgary.

A plan is being considered to have staff hand duty-free purchases to passengers just before their flight.

News in brief

- Quebec has been ordered to pay $13-million Canadian to cover the full costs for abortions for 45,000 women named in a civil suit. Superior Court Judge Nicole Benard said the government didn't follow its own Medicare law to cover the costs of the procedure at numerous women's health centers and private clinics between 1999 and 2005.

- The cutback by Ford Motor Co. in North American production will result in 350 jobs lost in Windsor, Ontario, across the border from Detroit. An undetermined number of jobs will be cut at the St. Thomas, Ontario, assembly plant.

- A fire at a Quebec coatings plant released a toxic cloud of chemicals forcing 1,500 people from their homes and jobs for seven hours Tuesday. Firefighters from nine communities battled the blaze at Polyval Coatings Inc. in Boisbriand, north of Montreal.

Facts and figures

The Canadian dollar is unchanged from a week ago at 88.95 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.1242 in Canadian funds before bank exchange fees.

The Bank of Canada's key interest rate remains at 4.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 6 percent.

Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto exchange index higher at 11,973 points and the Canadian Venture Exchange down at 2,593 points.

Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 3, 4, 8, 25, 41 and 48; bonus 22. (Aug. 12) 3, 10, 21, 23, 33 and 44; bonus 43. The $43-million, tax-free cash jackpot had four winning tickets.

Regional briefs

- Alberta Premier Ralph Klein says he will give his retirement notice by Sept. 16, leading to the selection of his successor in October or November. Klein plans to leave politics entirely and will no longer be a Calgary Conservative member of the Legislature. The latest of eight politicians in the race to succeed Klein is Cabinet minister Victor Doerksen, of Red Deer.

- British Columbia's government has given a $133-million (Canadian) contract to a German company to build a replacement for the 40-year-old Queen of Prince Rupert ferry. The vessel, to hold 600 passengers and 130 vehicles, will be built by Flensburger Schiffbau Gesellschaft. It will begin service between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert in 2009.

Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com.

[Last modified August 20, 2006, 01:16:53]