National News

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today...

Two Alberta First Nations have asked the federal government to examine whether a component of oilsands tailings pond water known to harm fish and other animals should be classed as toxic.

TORONTO — A unique Canadian program meant to ensure sexual-assault cases aren’t closed inappropriately by police is set to run out of federal funding at the end of the month, its national co-ordinator said.

COBOURG, Ont. — Kim Rudd, a former Liberal MP who represented a southern Ontario riding, has died. An online obituary says Rudd died of ovarian cancer on Tuesday at a hospice in Cobourg, Ont.

EDMONTON — Alberta's utilities regulator has released a report saying the province's booming renewables industry poses little threat to its agriculture or the environment.

Jason Brolund, the fire chief in West Kelowna, B.C., says he's seen thick smoke turn day to night in his years as a firefighter, but the opposite happened when a fast-moving blaze tore through his community one night last August.

VICTORIA — British Columbia millionaire Eric Peterson is preparing to do something he's never been comfortable with — ask other very rich people for money.

PENTICTON, B.C. — Farmers in British Columbia will get an extra $70 million to replant and strengthen fruit orchards and vineyards after two years of weather-related disasters, says Premier David Eby.

SASKATOON — A First Nations chief in Saskatchewan says his community needs a seat at the table after a probe into the release of a mass killer failed to include members' input.

OTTAWA — An announcement this week that Canada would provide funding for Palestinian women who have survived sexual violence drew an immediate rebuke from a senior Israeli official.