Protesters voice their opposition to Charles and Camilla visiting Quebec

MONTREAL — About 100 demonstrators, some waving Fleur-de-lis flags, gathered in downtown Montreal on Tuesday to voice their opposition to Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, setting foot in Quebec.

"I'm here to support democracy," Normand Cossette said in an interview. "I think a monarch is an obsolete institution and it's not democratic.

"I'm here to speak in favour of democracy, republics and power to the people, not power to the monarchy."

The protesters were milled near the headquarters of the Black Watch, where Charles was to arrive later to present new colours to the regiment and meet with recent Afghan veterans.

Some waved signs bearing the following slogans: Down With the Monarchy, Ottawa Leave Quebec, and Cultural Genocide, R.I.P.

Another demonstrator, who identified himself as Max Hydrogen, said it is "ridiculous" that the monarchy still exists in Canada.

"It's time that we get rid of it and replace it with a republic and have an elected Senate and an elected president."

Earlier in the day, the royal couple faced a friendlier audience when they met with Premier Jean Charest and his wife, Michele Dionne.

In his fluent French, Charles thanked the premier for the gift of an Inuit sculpture and a collection of Quebec films on DVD. Charest pointed to one film in particular - "La Grande seduction" - as his favourite. The film is about a small remote Quebec community trying to get a doctor.

A heavy police presence geared up to ensure the royal couple's safety. Several dozen cops on motorcycles rolled in to stand guard outside Charest's office.

But the crowd outside consisted almost exclusively of well-wishers and star-gazers. Several dozen people, many of them toting cameras, excitedly waited outside in anticipation of snapping a photo of the arriving couple.

They cheered heartily when the prince arrived.

"I'm here to see the show - that's all," said Claudine Lefort, who works up the street at McGill University. She was walking by on her lunch break and decided to wait for the visitors.

There was one lone protester at the first event: one man, holding up a Quebec flag, with a T-shirt that said: Quebec Un Pays (Quebec A Country). He got into a heated exchange with a journalist from Toronto when the reporter tried asking questions in English - and he refused to answer.

The couple's next activity was a trip to the Cirque du soleil headquarters where they attended a brief performance by acrobats, chatted with performers and took a whirlwind tour of workshops where costumes and props are made.

The royal couple chatted quietly with artisans, often smiling and asking questions about their work.

Charles and Camilla seemed particularly impressed with a selection of masks on display as they entered one workshop.

After the performance, they stopped by a studio for a few minutes where they watched a couple of performers having their makeup applied.

The duchess quizzed the makeup artists, asking how long it took to apply the intricate designs.

The couple were greeted with smiles, large groups of workers and often cheers as they toured.

Charles and Camilla arrived in Quebec after a morning in Ottawa where Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean offered Charles a glimpse of the normalcy she strives for at Rideau Hall.

The Prince of Wales was staying on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the usual residence of the royals while in Ottawa, and commented on seeing Jean's husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, walking the dog that morning.

Jean, who wore a light blue wool suit, confided in the Prince that she sends her daughter Marie-Eden to public school in the area. The two met together for a half-hour with their spouses in Jean's personal office.

Later, the royal couple met Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen in the sunlit, large drawing room at Rideau Hall.

Four Canadian Rangers stood guard in their trademark red sweaters as the two couples chatted. There are 4,200 rangers in Canada, who help watch over some of the country's most remote northern communities. They are often aboriginals who respond to local disasters.

Harper handed the prince two Ranger caps and sweatshirts for his sons.

"Your Highness, as you know we're very proud of our rangers and our rangers program . . . a great group of people who patrol our vast Arctic territory," Harper said.

"Princes William and Harry are becoming honorary members, so we present this to you as a symbol of their honorary membership."

"I hope they fit," the prince chuckled.

"One-size fits all," Laureen Harper replied.

The prince later met Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. The two posed before a phalanx of photographers in the drawing room.

The royal tour is scheduled to be in Petawawa, Ont., and Ottawa on Wednesday for Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Buffy Sainte-Marie given lifetime award at Aboriginal Peoples' Choice Awards

WINNIPEG — Buffy Sainte-Marie was given a lifetime achievement award and a special tribute Friday night at the Aboriginal Peoples' Choice Music Awards.

It's the latest in a long list of accolades for the Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter, who has previously been inducted into the Juno and Canadian Country Music halls of fame; been made an officer of the Order of Canada; and received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

Sainte-Marie, who currently resides in the United States, also took home the folk or acoustic prize for her CD "Running For the Drum."

Inez, from Chilliwack, B.C., won three awards for best new artist; best pop CD for "Singsoulgirl;" and single of the year for "Breathe."

Eagle and Hawk of Winnipeg took the group or duo award and also scored the prize for rock CD for their "Sirensong," but were beat out for entertainer of the year by Crystal Shawanda of Wikwemikong, Ont.

Other winners included Sierra Noble of Winnipeg for best country CD; the Whitefish Bay Singer of Whitefish Bay, Ont., for contemporary pow-wow CD; and Tracy Bone of Winnipeg for songwriter of the year.

Brown Eagle of Winnipeg and Red Bull of the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan tied for best traditional pow-wow CD.

The awards, which were held at Winnipeg's MTS Centre, were hosted by "Corner Gas" star Lorne Cardinal and were televised live on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and Bell Express Vu.

NB Power deal finds little public support, Keir admits

Energy Minister Jack Keir acknowledges the immediate public reaction from the provincial government's plan to sell NB Power to Hydro-Québec has been negative.

Keir said on Monday that the reaction does not surprise him, but he believes once people learn more about the deal opinions will change.

"I haven't lost one second of sleep on the business deal itself. I believe in my heart this is a great decision, a great business case for New Brunswick moving forward," Keir said.

"I've lost lots of sleep on the political side."

The New Brunswick government reached a memorandum of understanding with the Quebec government over the Hydro-Québec purchase of the majority of NB Power's assets for $4.8 billion, which would immediately erase the New Brunswick utility's debt.

Hydro-Québec would freeze residential rates for five years and then only increase them by the rate of inflation. Large industrial customers would have their rates reduced to the prices paid by Quebec's largest users, but those rates would not be frozen.

The rate savings contained in the deal are estimated to be worth $5 billion.

Since the Oct. 29 announcement, the reaction has been swift and negative.

An anti-NB Power takeover group on Facebook was started and already has more than 14,000 members, while one supporting the sale of the public utility has more than 200 members.

Answering questions

Premier Shawn Graham addressed many critical questions on a provincewide CBC News call-in show on Tuesday morning.

Graham was asked to explain why he decided to put NB Power up for sale after promising in the 2006 election campaign that he'd keep the utility in the public's hands.

"As a New Brunswicker today and as a premier, I did change my opinion. I'll be totally frank with you because this opportunity was too good of an opportunity to pass by our province for future generations," Graham said.

"You know, if your children are there in your home today, that means they're no longer responsible for $4.7 billion of debt that they did not build themselves."

In another attempt to explain some of questions about the proposed sale, the province released a statement on Monday offering a more detailed explanation of parts of the deal. Keir spent 20 minutes fielding questions from reporters on the subject.

Hydro-Québec won't pay taxes in New Brunswick after it takes over most of NB Power's assets, something Keir said was a trade-off that the government made as it negotiated the deal.

"What we've said is they're a Crown corporation very similar to NB Power and NB Power never paid taxes. And we could have charged taxes, there's no question about that. But that would have taken away from the less-expensive rates that residents and industry would have got," Keir said

"And it was a give and take, and we said, instead of that revenue going to the provincial government, let's keep it in the pockets of New Brunswickers."

Keir said he'll tour the province to promote the deal and continue to answer any questions about the deal.

But Keir only has about two weeks to do that full-time before the legislature convenes on Nov. 17.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives have vowed to slow down the proposed legislative changes that would allow the utility's sale.

Charles calls for climate change leadership on first day of royal visit

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Prince Charles began his first visit to Canada with the Duchess of Cornwall on Monday by making an impassioned appeal for global leadership on climate change.

"We are at a defining moment for our civilization," Charles told a warm welcoming ceremony that included Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams.

"Unless we can all, both individually and collectively, take the actions which we now know are necessary, the future is going to be very bleak indeed."

Charles made the comments as he and Camilla embarked on an 11-day tour that includes a jammed itinerary in Newfoundland, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.

Charles, a green advocate long before it became stylish, praised the sort of Canadian innovation that's on display at the eco-friendly Whistler Olympic village in B.C. for the 2010 Winter Games.

"Water harvesting, recycling, efficient and renewable energy usage and even solar powered garbage cans," he said.

"These and other measures are, if I may say so, of the greatest possible importance."

And then Charles commented on an issue that has been at the centre of domestic debate.

"The leadership and innovation they represent is going to be needed on a huge scale to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren."

The Harper government has been derided by critics at home and internationally for a climate change plan that has been blasted as too little, too late.

Harper most recently drew the ire of environmental activists when he skipped out in September on a United Nations meeting of 100 world leaders who gathered to talk about climate change.

The welcome for Charles and Camilla had all the pageantry and pomp befitting a royal visit - even if most Canadians think the throne should skip a generation.

A Canadian Press/Harris-Decima poll, released Monday, asked 1,000 Canadians about their thoughts on the Royal Family.

Forty-one per cent said they would rather see Prince Charles pass off the throne to his son, Prince William, rather than succeed Queen Elizabeth himself, while 31 per cent believed Charles should be King.

But Charles spoke of Canadians in glowing terms.

He recalled the Queen Mother's affection for "dear Canada," as she called it, a country that through history has punched above its weight in conflicts ranging from the First World War to Afghanistan, he said.

Charles said he was "deeply touched" by the warmth of Monday's reception as he and Camilla start their first tour together in the country, adding that he was eager to meet Canadians.

"I cannot tell you how delighted I am to have this opportunity to pay, I can hardly believe, my 15th visit to these shores, and that is by any measure something rather special," he told the rapt but not exactly capacity crowd at Mile One Centre.

"More special still ... is the opportunity to introduce my wife to Canada for her first-ever visit."

Charles also recognized the Canadian military for "serving with the greatest possible distinction in Afghanistan."

"In all cases, Canadians are bringing the light of freedom and justice to the darker corners of the world," he said.

"I need hardly say, therefore, how much my heart goes out to the family of Pte. Steven Marshall, who was killed in action only last week and who will make his final journey home to Canada tomorrow, taking his place among those who have made the ultimate sacrifice."

Harper said many people are anticipating a chance to see the couple.

"Given our long attachment to the royal family, these visits have always been regarded as homecomings by many Canadians," Harper said.

"Our home is your home."

Williams said it was fitting that the couple would launch the trip in his province, a place celebrated for its vibrant people and thriving cultural scene.

"Given your great love of the arts, I can think of no better place for your Royal Highnesses to begin your Canadian journey."

Charles and Camilla arrived earlier in the day at the St. John's International Airport in clear, cold weather and under a full moon rising.

They came down the stairs of an Airbus jet separately, with Charles leading the way, and were greeted by national and provincial politicians as Camilla leaned down to receive a bouquet of flowers from a little girl.

A 21-gun salute from atop Signal Hill also marked the royal visit's official beginning.

The couple will be in the province until Wednesday before heading to Toronto and Hamilton, Ont., where Camilla will have a chance to explore her Canadian roots.

Her great, great, great maternal grandfather was Sir Alan Napier MacNab of Hamilton, Ont., the premier of Upper Canada from 1854 to 1856. MacNab's wife was a descendant of 17th century French immigrants to Quebec.

They will wrap their tour Nov. 12 in Ottawa.

Kevin MacLeod, a federal spokesman for the royal visit, told reporters Monday that growing concerns about swine flu have inspired "no deviation from normal procedures."

"There will be a lot of handshaking."

That said, Charles and Camilla will not be offended if well-wishers don't extend their hands on this trip, he said.

Charles was last in Canada in 2001 when he spent six days touring Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.

Itinerary for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on tour of Canada

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began an 11-day royal tour of Canada on Monday. Here's the itinerary for the rest of their trip:

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Nov. 3 - Morning visit to Cupids, N.L., to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2010; afternoon visit to Brigus, N.L., including the home of Arctic explorer Capt. Bob Bartlett; opening of new housing project in St. John's; late afternoon visit to Marine Institute at Memorial University; evening reception hosted by Williams at The Rooms (Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum).

Nov. 4 - Morning tree planting at Government House in St. John's, N.L., with Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie; wreath-laying at National War Memorial; meeting with volunteers at the Association for New Canadians.

Ontario:

Nov. 4 - Afternoon arrival at Toronto's Pearson International Airport and meeting with Premier Dalton McGuinty; Prince Charles meets members of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visits the Royal Conservatory of Music at the University of Toronto.

Nov. 5 - Morning visit to Dundern Castle in Hamilton, Ont.; visit to national historic site HMCS Haida; tour of Niagara College Teaching Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.; presentation of new colours to the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.

Nov. 6 - Morning opening and tour of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto; Prince Charles visits the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto.

British Columbia:

Nov. 6 - Afternoon arrival at Victoria International Airport; greetings by Premier Gordon Campbell at the legislature and public walkabout.

Nov. 7 - Morning tour of Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Village; Charles has afternoon meeting in Vancouver with Canadian Youth Business Foundation, visit to cancer care clinic Inspire Health and seminar on sustainable development at Simon Fraser University; Camilla visits VanDusen Botanical Garden, followed by visit to Osteoporosis Mobility Unit; evening reception in Victoria hosted by Lt.-Gov. Steven Point.

Nov. 8 - Morning church service at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria; private program for remainder of day.

Nov. 9 - Morning inspection of Guard of Honour at CFB Esquimalt, raising of centennial banner and sailpast.

Eastern Ontario-Quebec:

Nov. 9 - Evening arrival at Canada Reception Centre, Ottawa International Airport.

Nov. 10 - Morning meetings with Jean, Harper and Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff; afternoon arrival at Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, followed by meeting with Premier Jean Charest; visit to Cirque du Soleil; tour of Biodome; presentation of colours to the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment, including meeting with recent Afghanistan veterans.

Nov. 11 - Morning service at the National War Memorial for Remembrance Day with Harper; afternoon visit to CFB Petawawa to meet soldiers and their families; evening reception at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Nov. 12 - Morning tree planting at Rideau Hall; official departure from Canada Reception Centre, Ottawa International Airport.

Take more extremists to court: RCMP boss

OTTAWA — Canada's top Mountie says more criminal prosecutions are needed to help fight the scourge of terrorism.

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott told a security conference Friday it's time for police to step up their activities in the realm of national security.

"We need greater capacity to put terrorism cases before the courts and more terrorists in jail," he said at the annual gathering of the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies.

At issue is the longstanding tension between spies who prefer to toil quietly in the shadows and police who arrest suspects with the expectation they will be tried in open court.

Elliott suggested intelligence agency efforts to spy on extremists have overshadowed the role of police in charging them with crimes.

He said to protect Canadians security officials must sometimes disrupt terrorist plans before sufficient evidence can be gathered to justify criminal charges.

"However, counter-terrorism measures based exclusively on intelligence that falls short of the evidentiary threshold are fraught with danger and difficulty,"

Security agencies will now have to make tough choices as to what they are willing to reveal in open court, he said.

"Intelligence should always be gathered with one eye on the problem of how to turn it into admissible evidence before a judge in a criminal court."

He said terrorism cases are often seen as overly lengthy and complex and there's a perception that they seldom result in criminal convictions."

But he pointed out there have been seven convictions under the Anti-Terrorism Act since its 2001 passage.

"I note that there are more cases before the courts, and there are more coming where we will recommend criminal charges."

He said a boost in criminal prosecutions would rob terrorists of legitimacy and enhance Canada's security relations with the United States.

Canada still suffers from a U.S. perception as a safe haven for extremists, Elliott said.

And the threat of terrorism has not abated, he warned.

The RCMP boss said Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network remains a serious danger and serves to inspire violent extremists worldwide - including in Canada.

"Al-Qaida is both a brand and an ideology."

Elliott said Hezbollah's hatred of Israel endangers allies of that country, and he warned that the desperate conflict in Somalia may help radicalize young Canadians.

There's a possibility of Somali-Canadians travelling to the African country to fight, returning to Canada "imbued with both extremist ideology and the skills necessary to translate this into direct action," he said.

He noted there has been speculation the commission of inquiry into the 1985 Air India bombing will recommend creation of a national intelligence czar.

"I am personally not convinced that this is necessary."

But he allowed that police and intelligence officials must work together more closely to help ensure more prosecutions take place.

"What is required is closer collaboration between intelligence agencies and law enforcement, so that as operations are planned and intelligence is gathered, the requirements for disclosure and the admissibility of evidence are duly considered and, to the extent possible, put in place."

Elliott became the first civilian commissioner of the RCMP two years ago after serving as a national security adviser. He was chosen to oversee sweeping changes to a force widely seen as stuck in the past.

Canada, Greenland to set up polar bear commission

Canada and Greenland are setting up a polar bear commission that will ensure bear populations that are shared between both nations will be protected and managed properly, Environment Minister Jim Prentice said Friday.

Speaking to reporters from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, where he signed a memorandum of understanding with his counterparts in Greenland and Nunavut, Prentice said the joint commission will have representatives from all three governments.

The commission will come up with appropriate polar bear hunting quotas — known as total allowable harvests — for parts of the Arctic that are shared by the two regions.

"That joint commission will establish the total allowable harvest for the Kane Basin and the Baffin Bay, and these are the two management units that we co-manage," Prentice said.

"That information will then be referred to user working groups, they will have a period of time to then deal with how the total allowable harvest is to be split between Canada and Greenland, and we'll proceed on that basis."

Two Nunavut Inuit organizations, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board, will also have members on the commission.

Nunavut Environment Minister Daniel Shewchuk, who also attended the Kangerlussuaq signing, said in a release that the memorandum of understanding opens up other opportunities for the three jurisdictions to work together on polar bear management.

"Co-ordinating our efforts with respect to research methodologies and the exchange of multiple sources of knowledge will help us make the wisest possible management decisions for our polar bear populations," Shewchuk stated in the release.

"We look forward to exploring the many ways this joint commission can work toward our shared vision for polar bear conservation."

Both Shewchuk and Prentice said the joint commission will make recommendations on hunting quotas, but not overrule the existing work of territorial governments and wildlife authorities such as the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.

All three parties have been working for months on a conservation agreement that covers the Baffin Bay and Kane Basin areas.

Polar bear hunting in those two areas by Inuit from Nunavut and Greenland has caused international controversy in recent years, with biologists arguing that the combined level of hunting is not sustainable.

Two Atlantic premiers continue verbal squabble over power deal with Quebec

FREDERICTON — A public war of words between two Atlantic premiers continues, with New Brunswick's Shawn Graham saying Danny Williams of Newfoundland is wrong about a new power deal between New Brunswick and Hydro-Quebec.

For days, Williams has warned that the sale of the assets of NB Power to Hydro-Quebec would give the Quebec utility a monopoly that could hinder power development elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, and he vows to oppose the plan.

Today, Graham says it's unfair that the Newfoundland premier started blasting the deal even before he saw any of the details.

Graham says he called Williams to explain that under the proposed $5-billion deal - announced Thursday - New Brunswick would not be giving up its sovereignty and could continue to set energy policy.

He says it's uncharacteristic of a premier in a neighbouring jurisdiction to raise the level of animosity at a time when they should be working together.

Graham says Atlantic Canadians applauded when Newfoundland and Labrador reached deals for its offshore resources, and they should question why Williams is now trying to stand in the way of success in New Brunswick.

Quebec's longtime viceroy Thibault pleads not guilty to fraud

QUEBEC — The Queen's ex-representative in Quebec is pleading not guilty to fraud.

Lise Thibault, the province's former lieutenant-governor, says she's innocent on charges on fraud, breach of trust, and falsifying documents. Her lawyer has entered the plea on her behalf today at Quebec City's courthouse.

She has denied any wrongdoing on expenses of $700,000, even though an auditor-general's report has said she claimed expenses that were not related to her functions.

Thibault was not present while the plea was submitted.

Her next court date is Dec. 1.

The role of provincial lieutenant governor is similar to the one occupied at the federal level by the governor general.

The wheelchair-bound Thibault was a provincial civil servant who, from 1997 to 2007, became the first disabled viceroy in Canada.

HMCS Fredericton sails to Somalia

HMCS Fredericton pulled out of port in Halifax Sunday morning for a six-month deployment to the Arabian Sea.

The mission is part of a long-standing NATO commitment to secure the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters off the coast of Somalia.

"The mission now is about the anti-piracy piece, which has certainly received a lot of media coverage and folks are familiar with what that is," said Cmdr. Steve Waddell, captain of the 250 men and women serving on board the ship.

"In the past, there were activities against Iraq, whether it was United Nations Security Council resolutions, or things like that, but today the emphasis is on the anti-piracy piece and that's our focus today," he said.

Friends and family of the crew members were on hand to see the ship off. Many of them said the time away from loved ones is difficult, but improvements to email service and satellite phones make the experience more bearable.

"It's difficult, it's lonely, but you pull together and you get close to your family and other family members and you go with the flow," said Jennifer Murphy, whose husband, Master Seaman Alec Murphy, had previously deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 2001, shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11.

The Fredericton is expected to reach the Arabian Sea in November.

Somali pirate activity has been rampant in and near the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest sea lanes, which connects the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

Analysts blame Somalia's nearly 20 years of lawlessness for fuelling piracy's rise off its coast.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since warlords overthrew dictator Muhammad Siad Barre in 1991. The coup sparked a number of faction-based clashes and the country has been caught between competing militias ever since.

HMCS Fredericton is a Halifax-class frigate that was laid down at Saint John Shipbuilding Ltd., in Saint John, in 1992.

The ship, named for New Brunswick's capital city, has served the Canadian Forces since 1994. Its home port is Halifax.

She has delivered humanitarian and disaster relief to Haiti, has been involved in boarding ships smuggling drugs, weapons and people, and has performed search and rescue work.

Layton pushes for pension insurance

NDP Leader Jack Layton on Thursday proposed the creation of a national pension insurance program to protect retirement savings.

Under Layton's proposal, which he spoke about at a morning press conference in Ottawa, the insurance program would be funded by employer pension plans and guarantee pensioners up to $2,500 a month in the event of bankruptcy and plan failure.

Layton also wants a national facility to adopt workplace pension plans of companies in bankruptcy or in difficulty and keep them operating.

The NDP leader also pushed the Conservative government to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement, at a cost of about $700 million a year, and to double the Canada Pension Plan to $1,817 a month.

Layton said during question period that there is an urgency "when it comes to cases like Nortel and others, and we need the government to take action now."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the issue complex and "sometimes expensive."

He said the federal government was working on the issue with provincial governments, which regulate about 90 per cent of private pensions in the country.

On Wednesday, about 2,000 people demonstrated on Parliament Hill in support of retirees from Nortel, which is in bankruptcy protection and has been selling off its assets.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said at the rally that his party was committed to changing Canadian bankruptcy laws so former employees of failed companies don't lose their pensions and disability benefits when their employer goes bust.