News
Here is an update to our earlier report about a missing Hasting-Quinte paramedic in BC. A source to Quinte News says Kayla Boisvert has been found in B.C. No other details are known, other than that she is being treated in hospital.
WESTJET
For those of you planning travel with WestJet , a work stoppage looms for 4,400 flight attendants at Canada’s second-largest air carrier after their union issued a 72-hour strike notice early yesterday. WestJet responded to the union’s move by issuing a 72-hour lockout notice.
The flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have signalled the intent to go on strike. That means the union could be in a strike or lockout position by Sunday morning. Both sides are continuing to negotiate actively during the notice period.
WestJet said that in the coming days it will communicate with ticket-holders in advance of changes or cancellations to their flights. Travellers booked on its regional WestJet Encore service or code-share flights run by an airline partner will not be affected by a strike.
Ahead of the potential strike, WestJet has been allowing passengers travelling between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation with no fees. If delays or cancellations occur, the airline said affected passengers will be refunded, credited or re-accommodated based on the type of fare and destination.
SPAIN
In Spain, about 60,000 migrants have entered Spain’s Ceuta from Morocco in the past 24 hours. Ceuta is autonomous Spanish city that borders Morocco on the North African coast. That is equivalent to 70 per cent of the city’s regular population.
At least 34 migrants have died attempting the crossing. Most who died had drowned, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at an urban beach near a border checkpoint with Morocco.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ceuta today and condemned the border breach which he described as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity. He blamed human smugglers for the crisis, saying they “deceive so many young people, and ultimately lead many of them to their deaths.
Spain’s interior ministry added that half had already returned to Morocco, and shared footage of migrants walking back through a border fence door. The border crisis boiled over with security forces clashing with migrants on the Moroccan side of the border. Further video footage of the border early today showed hundreds of migrants gathered on a hill overlooking Ceuta being dispersed with tear gas by Moroccan forces, while others continued to swim to the Spanish territory.
And finally, here are some tidbits about the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge this week ahead of the long weekend vacation travel.
Gordie Howe’s family were in the first passenger vehicle to go across the new international border span on Monday. Howe’s grandson, also named Gordie, was in the Windsor-built Dodge Charger that made its way across. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer drove across the bridge in the opposite direction in a Ford Mustang, built in Michigan, to mark the opening.
Here are some facts about the bridge. The 2.5 km span provides a connection between Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s Interstate-75 — with six traffic lanes (3 in each direction), 16 Canadian toll lanes and 60 Canada and U.S. inspection lanes. 7,500 vehicles crossed in the first 12 hours on Monday
The standard passenger vehicle toll will be $8 ($5.75 US) to cross and $12 ($8.75) per axle for commercial trucks, oversized vehicles and larger passenger vehicles.
You will be able to walk or cycle across the bridge starting August 5th.
Sports
BASEBALL
On the baseball diamond, the Toronto Blue Jays are at home for a weekend stand against the National League St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch is at 7:07 tonight. The Jays will be looking to build on their win last night see if they can climb out of the cellar in th American League East Division.
FOOTBALL
In CFL action tonight, the Montreal Alouettes are in Ottawa to take on the Red Blacks. Ottawa will be hoping to turn around their winless 0-6 season. It could be tough as Montreal is 6-1.
Tomorrow the Edmonton Elks welcome the Saskatchewan Roughriders to Commonwealth Stadium. The Hamilton Tiger Cats are also out west to face the Calgary Stampeders.
SOCCER
In the soccer scene, Major League Soccer resumes today after the all-star break. Toronto FC is in New York tonight starting at 7:00 pm. The Montreal FC will be in Boston tomorrow to battle the New England Revolution. Both Canadian teams will be looking to improve on their season so far as they sit in 12th and 13th position in the MLS East Division
Tomorrow, the Vancouver Whitecaps are home to the LA Football Club at 4:30 p.m. at BC Place. Vancouver sits atop the MLS West Division
