In the news today: Walz and Vance to face off during VP debate

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Walz and Vance to face off during VP debate

Tim Walz and JD Vance will face off on the debate stage tonight in a matchup political experts say is likely to focus on who’s too weird for the White House.

Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, and Vance, the Republican senator from Ohio, will exchange barbs during the only debate for vice-presidential hopefuls ahead of November’s election.

Walz made it to national prominence by labelling the Republican ticket “weird,” particularly pointing to his rival’s comments about abortion and so-called childless cat ladies.

Todd Graham, a professor of debate at Southern Illinois University, says both have three objectives: defend the top of their ticket, attack the top of the other ticket and prove they are capable of being president if they had to step in.

Political experts have said Vice-President Kamala Harris dominated the presidential debate last month by prodding Donald Trump into tirades far from the his intended goals of focusing on immigration and the economy.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Bloc puts pension pact up for vote in the House

The Bloc Québécois will try and put the squeeze on the Liberals today by calling for a debate in the House of Commons about increasing old age pension payments for all seniors.

Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet has given the government until Oct. 29 to green-light the estimated $16-billion cost of his party’s pension bill, or else he will begin talks with other opposition parties to bring down the government.

Acquiescing to the Bloc’s demands, however, will only buy the government a few months of support.

The Bloc plans to use its opposition day motion to call on the government to support the pension bill as soon as possible, and it’s asking the other parties to support that call.

The vote is expected later this week and it may shed light on whether the government plans to agree to the Bloc’s terms.

Saskatchewan election campaign to begin today

The race to elect a new government in Saskatchewan begins today.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has said he will be asking Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty today to dissolve the house to launch the provincial general election, with voting day set for Oct. 28.

Moe confirmed the plan in a post Monday on the social media platform X.

His Saskatchewan Party is seeking a fifth straight majority after spending 17 years in office.

Moe says he’s running on his record of growing the economy while making investments in education and health care.

NDP Leader Carla Beck says it’s time for change

Defence set to begin case in Hoggard trial

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial is set to resume in a northeastern Ontario court today, with the defence expected to lay out its case.

The complainant who accuses Hoggard of raping her after a concert eight years ago finished her testimony on Friday.

The woman, whose name is protected by a publication ban, says the Hedley singer choked, slapped and urinated on her during the alleged assault in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

Hoggard pleaded not guilty at the beginning of the trial taking place in the nearby community of Haileybury.

His defence counsel repeatedly accused the complainant of fabricating her story during a laboured three-day cross-examination last week.

Ontario politicians trek to rural expo

Ontario politicians are set to make their annual pilgrimage to the International Plowing Match today.

The expo will be held in Lindsay, Ont., this year and is a yearly celebration of rural and agricultural life.

With the spectre of a possible early election – Premier Doug Ford has not ruled one out – the event gives politicians the chance to mingle with members of those communities.

Ford will give a speech at the opening ceremonies and will participate in a parade.

He is also set to hop on a tractor along with the leaders of the other political parties in a challenge to see who can plow the straightest furrow.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 1, 2024.

The Canadian Press