In the news today, March 14

A 72-year-old Toronto man was the latest Canadian victim identified after a plane crash in Ethiopia killed all 157 people on board. The Ismaili Centre said Wednesday that Ameen Noormohamed was on the Ethiopian Airlines plane that went down on Sunday moments after takeoff from Addis Ababa. Noormohamed, who lived in the Toronto area, was one of 18 Canadians who died in the crash. The youngest was a nine-month-old baby girl — the only Canadian citizen in her family — who was travelling with her mother, grandmother and two older siblings to meet her grandfather in Kenya for the first time. Rubi Paul’s grandfather said he was struggling to accept the devastating loss of much of his family.

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BUDGET EXPECTED TO HAVE MORE WIGGLE ROOM

An improved economy is expected to give the Trudeau government more fiscal room than anticipated in next week’s pre-election budget, but a wobbly economic finish to 2018 means conditions could look much different as the October vote approaches. Last week, the Bank of Canada predicted a weaker economic performance through the first half of 2019, compared to its previous forecast of just a short slump. Still, the economy posted solid numbers for much of last year and employment has remained particularly strong. With extra money, hints of tougher times ahead and an election just months away, the government is expected to use up all that space based on the argument the economy will need stimulative investments.

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INDIGENOUS GUARDIAN MOVEMENT GROWING

A movement to establish a national network of Indigenous guardians is growing in Canada as the effects of climate change are felt in remote First Nations communities. More than 40 Indigenous communities have launched guardian programs, which employ local members to monitor the ecosystem and protect sensitive species. Terry Teegee, regional chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, says First Nations are often the first to notice and be affected by climate change. Environment and Climate Change Canada has supported the Indigenous guardians movement with a 25-million dollar investment in a four-year pilot program.

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NEW FOOD GUIDE DIFFICULT FOR MOST CANADIANS: REPORT

A new report suggests more than half of Canadians can’t easily follow Canada’s new official food guide. Researchers at Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph found more than 52 per cent of consumers surveyed said they face barriers in adopting the recommendations of the food guide released earlier this year. More than 26 per cent of people found affordability a major barrier and others cited taste preferences, lack of free time and dietary restrictions. The survey also showed most people rely on nutrition advice from friends, family, social media and cookbooks before Canada’s Food Guide.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and Chief Leroy Denny of Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey are scheduled to make an announcement in Darthmouth, N.S.

— Statistics Canada is expected to release data for the national balance sheet and financial flow accounts for the fourth quarter of 2018 and the new housing price index for January.

— Gov. Gen. Julie Payette invests 40 recipients into the Order of Canada.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today, March 14

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