News

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Canada Post says it has received a strike notice from the union representing some 55,000 postal workers, with operations poised to shut down by the end of the week — for the second time in six months. The union informed management that employees plan to hit the picket line starting Friday morning at midnight, the Crown corporation said. A work stoppage would affect millions of residents and businesses who typically receive more than two billion letters and roughly 300 million parcels a year via the service.

Canada, the United Kingdom and France issued a forceful condemnation of Israel’s expansion of military operations and other actions in Gaza and the West Bank, threatening in a joint statement Monday to take concrete actions, including sanctions.

The statement issued by the countries’ three prime ministers called Sunday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza “wholly inadequate” and said the level of human suffering is “intolerable.” The statement said the three countries have always supported Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism and said Israel suffered a “heinous” attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, but called the proposed escalation disproportionate. It called on Hamas to immediately release the remaining hostages seized during the attack. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Eden Bar Tal said the country accepted United States special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff’s proposal for ceasefire and the release of the hostages over the weekend, but alleged Hamas rejected it. Tal said that forced Israel to resume it’s military action.

Meanwhile Israeli airstrikes killed at least 50 Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, local health authorities said, as Israel continues its bombardment despite mounting international pressure to stop military operations and allow aid into Gaza unimpeded. The attacks were carried out on two homes, where women and children were among the 18 dead, and a school housing displaced families, among other areas, according to Gaza medics. Israel’s military, which on Monday warned those in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis to evacuate to the coast as it prepared for an “unprecedented attack,” had no immediate comment.

The Solicitor General of Ontario Michael Kerzner visited Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue headquarters in Picton over the weekend. The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for overseeing corrections, police, fire, and the coroner’s office. County Fire Chief Chad Brown says Minister Kerzner is a true champion for the fire service and played a key role in creating the first-ever provincial fire service grant. With that program, the county fire department was able to purchase an equipment decontamination machine, powered air purifying respirators, and SCBA face pieces. The grant program runs for three years.

United Way Hastings & Prince Edward is launching a targeted Hygiene Product Drive from May 20 to June 6, to help restock urgently needed items for nine local food banks and service organizations. Running for its second year, this effort responds to a shared concern from frontline organizations about the lack of basic hygiene products – ones that are in high demand but rarely donated. Hygiene products like toothpaste, tampons, men’s deodorant, and body wash are among the most requested items at food banks but are often overlooked in donations. These essentials are expensive, and many families and individuals struggling with poverty turn to community agencies for help. Feed Ontario’s 2024 Hunger Report. Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, over 1 million people accessed food banks in Ontario, marking a 25% increase over the previous year and an 86% increase since 2019–2020.

Sports

Eeli Tolvanen scored the shootout winner as Finland edged Canada 2-1 on Monday to hand the Canadians their first loss at the men’s world hockey championship.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Nick Jensen underwent surgery for a lower-body injury that he played through during the second half of the season, There is reportedly no timeline for Jensen’s recovery but the blueliner is hopeful he will be ready for the start of training camp.

It was a good day at the office for Canada’s Bianca Andreescu. The 24-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., cruised past Xinxin Yao 6-0, 6-0 during the opening round of French Open qualifying Monday. Andreescu needed just 57 minutes to complete the first double-bagel victory of her pro career. She accomplished the feat once previously during the Junior Billie Jean King Cup in 2016