Thousands Rally Downtown:
Thousands of people attended a rally downtown Friday, calling for an end to racial inequality, and justice for George Floyd.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the demonstration that started on Parliament Hill, even taking a knee out of respect to victims of racial violence and discrimination.
The rally will include a march to the Senate Building and the Canadian Human Rights Tribute.
At least one of the speakers acknowledged that the demonstration is taking place on unceded Algonquin Territory. A stirring moment saw those taking part sit, or take a knee, and observe a moment of silence for eight minutes and forty six seconds, which was the amount of time fired Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin dug his knee into the neck of George Floyd, who died during the arrest.
Leaders React to Fatal Police Shooting of First Nations Mother in New Brunswick:
The Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde is calling for a full, independent investigation into the police shooting of a First Nations mother in New Brunswick.
Chantel Moore was shot and killed by police after brandishing a knife as officers responded to a home in Edmunston for a wellness check. Bellegarde is insisting that an impartial third party must determine why lethal force was used, and whether race was a factor in the response.
Meanwhile, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller is speaking out against this, and another incident involving RCMP and an Indigenous person. The other incident saw police knock an Inuk man to the ground with a car door in Nunavut.
“Frankly along with many Canadians, Indigenous Peoples living in Canada, politicians in Canada, I’m pissed, I’m outraged,” Miller told a news conference in Ottawa Friday.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting 344 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, and 15 more deaths.
That brings the total in the province to 29,747, including 2,372 deaths and 23,583 cases that have been resolved.
Federal Government Working With Provinces on Re-Opening Strategy:
The federal government is offering $14-billion to the provincial and territorial governments that reach a safe-restart agreement with the federal government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the money will be spent on measures to help prevent a second wave of COVID-19, such as personal protective equipment for front-line health care workers.
Trudeau says situations vary and the provincial and territorial governments have a very clear idea of what is needed.
Short-Term Rentals Allowed Again:
Short-term rentals are allowed to resume operations in Ontario Friday, another step in the province’s reopening.
Lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and bed-and-breakfast rentals are all included. Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod asked Ontarians yesterday to support local businesses and take staycations.
Hunger Strike Over:
A hunger strike by inmates at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre is over
Inmates in the maximum security range have received assurances their food will improve, as will access to sanitary supplies.