Nova Scotia judge upholds fisheries minister’s right to impose licence moratorium

CALGARY – Global oil prices leaped Tuesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East sparked worries of energy market disruptions.

The price of a barrel of U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose close to five per cent to top US$71 as of midday as Israel’s military said Iran has fired missiles into the country.

A senior U.S. administration official earlier on Tuesday warned of “severe consequences” should a ballistic missile attack take place.

Oil prices have been weighed down this fall by lower-than-expected Chinese demand and uncertainty around OPEC’s (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) plans.

But at a major energy sector conference in Calgary on Tuesday, the potential for conflict in the Middle East to disrupt global economies hung over the event.

Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland, told delegates at the conference that there is more unrest to come in the Middle East and there is “no normal to go back to” when it comes to the geopolitical environment.

— With files from The Associated Press

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

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CHARLOTTETOWN – Ferry service between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia has been delayed until Oct. 19.

Northumberland Ferries said today problems persist with the MV Saaremaa’s engines and the vessel is not ready to return to its route between Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I.

The company estimates the ferry will be back in service by Oct. 19, pending further inspections and certifications.

Northumberland says the MV Confederation, which transports people along the same route, won’t be ready for service until at least Dec. 9.

Ferry service between the provinces was halted last week when the MV Saaremaa began experiencing technical issues, not long after the MV Confederation ran into a wharf and was taken out of service.

The company says it has contacted other ferry operators to see if their ships could take on the route, but found none available.

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

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the MV Caribou transported people between Nova Scotia and P.E.I.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

OTTAWA – The Liberal government has survived a second non-confidence vote in as many weeks, putting at bay once again the possibility Canada would be plunged into an immediate election campaign.

Members of Parliament voted on a Conservative motion this afternoon that called for MPs to declare they have lost faith in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his nine-year-old government.

The Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois voted against the motion, as they did with a similar motion last week.

Last month, the NDP ended a supply-and-confidence agreement that had stabilized the minority government for more than two years.

Earlier in the day the Bloc forced a debate in the House of Commons about increasing old age security payments for all seniors, something that party says is key to earning its support.

Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet has given the government until Oct. 29 to green-light the pension bill, which is estimated to cost about $16 billion over five years.

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

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.