In the news today, June 14

Five stories in the news for Friday, June 14

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RAPTORS WIN FIRST NBA TITLE IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

The Toronto Raptors, a team whose magical playoff run sparked civic pride and raucous enthusiasm across Canada, sent fans into fits of unbridled joy Thursday as they beat the reigning champ Golden State Warriors in a see-saw thriller to win the NBA championship. Thousands of spectators who jammed Jurassic Park erupted in a roar as the final buzzer sounded. It’s the first time in NBA history that a team based outside of the United States has won the league’s title. The title also ends a 26-year drought since a Canadian team has won one of the big four North American professional sports championships. The last team to do it was the Toronto Blue Jays, who won the 1993 World Series.

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LIBERALS SEE IMPROVEMENT AFTER SNC-LAVALIN AFFAIR: POLL

A new poll suggests the federal Liberals have stopped the bleeding from the beating they took in the SNC-Lavalin furor. The Leger poll suggests the Liberals have closed the gap slightly with the front-running Conservatives since April and dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government has eased a bit. More significantly, the poll also suggests the Liberals have opened up a 14-point lead over the Conservatives when it comes to which of the two main parties Canadians would prefer to see form government after the Oct. 21 vote. At the same time, however, the poll suggests more Canadians are worried about the prospect of four more years of Trudeau’s Liberals than they are about the Conservatives regaining power.

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RURUAL IMMIGRATION PILOT COMMUNITIES ANNOUNCED

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen says 11 communities the federal government is choosing for a new rural immigration program will gain new workers and citizens that are badly needed to boost dwindling economies. Hussen is announcing the communities chosen for a program that will give rural employers the ability to directly select immigrants to hire and will also give immigrants the ability to choose one of these 11 communities to make their permanent residence. The selected communities are Thunder Bay, Sault-Ste-Marie, Sudbury, Timmins and North Bay in Ontario; Gretna-Rhineland-Altona-Plum Coulee and Brandon in Manitoba; Moose Jaw, Sask., Claresholm, Alta., and West Kootenay and Vernon, B.C.

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VICTORIA COUNCIL TO FUND REMEMBRANCE DAY COSTS

Victoria council dropped its plan Thursday to seek federal funds to cover Remembrance Day ceremony costs, deciding apologies to veterans and those currently serving in Canada’s Armed Forces were in order. A council committee voted last week to approach the Defence Department and Veterans Affairs Canada about helping with policing costs for Remembrance Day events, but the move provoked widespread criticism from veterans and Canadians who said it was disrespectful to the military and the sacrifices made by those who serve. Council decided instead to mend fences, voting unanimously to provide $135,500 from its contingency fund to help with policing costs for Canada Day, Remembrance Day and other events.

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ST. JOHN’S REMEMBERS HISTORIC TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT

St. John’s today commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, which took off from Newfoundland. British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown started their historic voyage on June 14, 1919. They departed from what is now St. John’s and flew 16 hours through harsh conditions before landing in Ireland. Gary Hebbard, who writes on aviation history, says the flight shaped international air travel as it is known today. Museum exhibits, re-enactments and aircraft displays began in St. John’s in May to celebrate the pair’s achievement and the province’s aviation history.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:

— Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will make an announces today in Laval, Que., about the completion of an initiative in Canada’s defence policy.

— Health Canada officials will hold a media technical briefing regarding the next steps in the legalization and regulation of cannabis.

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will deliver remarks tonight at a Liberal fundraising event in Toronto.

— Indigenous leaders from across British Columbia will gather in a call today to save a sacred and important First Nations burial site.

— People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier present the parties candidates in multiple Quebec ridings for the 2019 federal election.

— The case of Jamie Bacon, charged with counselling to commit murder, returns to court in Vancouver.

The Canadian Press