Advocates encouraged by Ottawa’s plan to reopen prison farms
Advocates for Canada’s old prison farm system say they are encouraged by federal government plans to get part of it up and running again.The Feb. 27 budget contained word that Ottawa was planning to reopen two farms near Kingston, Ont., where prisoners raised livestock and learned other farming skills.
The Joyceville and Collins Bay farms were among six that operated in Canada until the Conservative government of the day closed them in 2010.
Seven Bloc Quebecois caucus members quit over leader’s style
Seven of the 10 Bloc Quebecois MPs quit Feb. 28 because of Martine Ouellet’s leadership style, leaving the once-powerful party in complete disarray.The seven, who will sit as Independents, made the announcement after a Bloc caucus meeting in Ottawa.
The party caucus is divided into two camps: those who support Ouellet as leader and the seven who accuse her of being intransigent and authoritarian.
Courtroom erupts with cheers after men sentenced for Babcock murder
A packed Toronto courtroom erupted with cheers and a standing ovation Feb. 26 after the judge announced two men convicted of murdering a young woman would not be eligible for parole for 50 years.Millard, 32, of Toronto, and Smich, 30, of Oakville, Ont., were convicted in December of murdering Laura Babcock, 23, in the summer of 2012 and burning her body in an animal incinerator. Her body was never found.
Alberta to invest $1B on bitumen upgrading projects
Alberta is investing $1 billion in oilsands bitumen upgrading to get a bigger bang for the buck on its oil.Premier Rachel Notley announced Feb. 26 that the money will be used for loan guarantees and grants to attract anywhere from two to five partial oil upgrading facilities resulting in $5 billion in private investment.
Winnipeg man credited with inventing Pizza Pop dies
The man credited with inventing the Pizza Pop has died. The family of Paul Faraci says he died Feb. 6 in Vernon, B.C., at the age of 89.In the 1960s, Faraci owned a Winnipeg restaurant and came up with a twist on the traditional calzone—making it smaller and easier to handle.
His nephew, Chris Faraci, says his uncle started selling the treat wholesale and then sold his interest in the business to two partners, who in turn sold it to Pillsbury.
Faraci says the original recipe may soon be revived by a food truck a family member owns.
Friends Read Free