National News

As wildfires from coast to coast scorch large swaths of forest, sometimes changing it irreversibly, experts have zeroed in on an often overlooked casualty of the blazes: wildlife.

Spring fires, such as the ones now burning across the country, are unusual and will possibly affect several species, said Karen Hodges, a biology professor at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus.

There's some concern about the loss of competition in the grain sector with the proposed merger of two mega rivals in the grain industry.

The announcement of a merger between U.S. based Bunge and Viterra would create a global agribusiness worth about U.S. $34 billion.

Bunge's purchase offer of U.S. $8.2 billion dollars will see Viterra shareholders receive 65.6 million shares of Bunge stock (valued at U.S. $6.2 billion) and U.S. $2 billion in cash.

U.S.-based Bunge has signed a deal to merge with Viterra in a stock and cash transaction.

The deal will create a global agribusiness company estimated to be worth over U.S $30 billion including debt.

The press release notes that under the terms of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of Bunge and Viterra, Viterra shareholders would receive approximately 65.6 million shares of Bunge stock, with an aggregate value of approximately U.S .$6.2 billion, and approximately U.S. $2 billion in cash.

Canada is experiencing its worst wildfire season of the 21st century.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair announced the grim milestone Monday, saying more than 47,000 square kilometres have burned so far this year, with 431 wildfires currently burning across Canada. 

One of those continues to threaten the Alberta community of Edson, where 8,400 residents remain under an evacuation order issued Friday.

If members of Parliament do not avoid the dangers of "performance politics" and chasing "likes" on social media, future Canadians will look back on the current moment as the start of the country's decline, Erin O'Toole warned Monday. 

The former Conservative leader and Ontario MP used his last address to the House of Commons to issue a call to colleagues to focus on what he said should be figuring out the country's national purpose.

Instead of debating that he said, "too many of us are often chasing algorithms down a sinkhole of diversion and division."

Wildfires are burning dangerously close to a central Albertan town in what federal officials say is an "unprecedented" fire season across Canada. Here's a look at developments Sunday:

Central Alberta wildfires continue to grow

An official in Yellowhead County west of Edmonton says wildfires threatening the area continued to grow overnight but got no closer to evacuated communities.

That includes the town of Edson, Alta., where about 8,400 people were ordered to leave late Friday.

Canada has partnered with a non-profit to seek out LGBTQ people fleeing violence all over the world and refer them to Canada as government-assisted refugees. 

Rainbow Railroad is based in North America and aims to help people facing persecution from systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia all over the world.

Until now, the agency has done that by offering emergency relocation, crisis response and cash assistance to people in danger. 

The techniques used to put out the wildfires that are burning across Canada vary somewhat depending on geography, but ultimately they depend on people on the ground with hoses and shovels digging out hot spots one by one, experts say.

As of midday Thursday, there were 430 fires burning across Canada, including 235 that were out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Weather maps hang on the walls and precipitation reports flash across screens in the Winnipeg office where major decisions about Canada’s battle against an unprecedented wildfire season are made. 

Inside the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre headquarters in Manitoba’s capital, just east of the exact longitudinal centre of Canada, there are discussions on how best to battle blazes from coast to coast.

“It's definitely an unprecedented season," Jennifer Kamau, communications manager for the centre, said Tuesday.

The season for pool parties, beach excursions and trips to the cottage has begun. Sadly, some of these events turn tragic each year and drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10 years old in Canada. 

Here are some tips from the Lifesaving Society of Canada on how to keep your kids — and yourself — safe:  

When kids are in the water, they should always be within arm's reach of an adult. It only takes seconds for a child to drown.