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Good morning, iPolitics readers.
— Another discovery at former B.C. residential school: This story will be distressing to some readers. The Penelakut Tribe on B.C.’s Penelakut Island, formerly Kuper Island, says it has confirmed more than 160 “undocumented and unmarked” graves have been found at the site of the former Kuper Island Industrial School, which was operated by the Roman Catholic Church and later the federal government. Deaths at the school have previously been documented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.
“It’s even hard to call it a school,” said one former student. “It’s really an institution that did everything (it) could to take away absolutely everything we had.”
— Kady O’Malley looks ahead to the rest of the day in politics with iPolitics AM: “After embarking on his first extended in-person tour of Western Canada in well over a year last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is heading back out on the virtual hustings this morning as he joins Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin via webcam to share the details of a new deal to boost funding for ‘early learning and child care.’”
— Green Party brass want to block campaign funds for Paul: Some Green Party executives have attempted to withhold $250,000 previously earmarked for Leader Annamie Paul’s campaign to win the Toronto Centre seat in a likely election later this year, The Canadian Press reports. A motion was tabled to block the funds, but it has yet to pass.
— Canada won’t halt aid to Afghanistan after U.S. withdrawal: Ottawa will not stop ongoing humanitarian and development assistance to Afghanistan once U.S. and NATO troops withdraw, according to International Development Minister Karina Gould. But experts wonder how much good Canada’s aid — much of which goes to supporting women and girls — will do if the Taliban continues to spread its influence and control.
— Feds to donate some AstraZeneca shots, keep mRNA vaccines for boosters: Canada, which is on track to fully vaccinate most of the population by the end of the month, has announced it will donate 17.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to poorer countries. The government will not, however, donate its excess supply of mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer’s and Moderna’s, but rather hold onto those for potential booster shots.
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AROUND THE WORLD
— France fines Google over news publishers: France’s antitrust watchdog fined Google €500 million for failing to comply with orders related to compensating news publishers. Now, the tech giant must come up with proposals for compensation within the next two months, or face additional fines of €900,000 per day.
— Cuba blames protests on the U.S.: Cuba’s president said recent protests, in which thousands of people took to the streets to denounce the government, were part of an American plot to “fracture” the Communist party. Dozens of people have been arrested.
— Elsewhere: EU Commissioner for Home Affairs calls on Greece to stop illegal deportation of migrants. Scuffles in Georgia parliament over cameraman death. Iraq hospital ward fire kills 60. A U.S. delegation visits Haiti. France makes vaccinations mandatory for all health workers. U.K. police investigate racist abuse of England football players on social media.
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THE KICKER
Dubai, already home to the tallest skyscraper, now has the world’s deepest swimming pool, too. Deep Dive Dubai reaches 196 feet below ground. Would you go for a dip?
