S&P/TSX composite flat Friday, U.S. markets mixed as Dow posts new record

HALIFAX – The fall sitting of the Nova Scotia legislature concluded Friday after just 10 sitting days, but the government says that was enough time to get important work done.

The quick wrap-up came after the governing Progressive Conservatives had called the House of Assembly back earlier than usual on Sept. 5, adding fuel to early election speculation.

But Premier Tim Houston downplayed the significance of the short sitting when asked about it by reporters.

“I don’t look at the length of time, I just look at what we are trying to accomplish,” Houston said. “What I’m really concerned about is the impact on Nova Scotians and I think the legislation that was passed during the session will have a significant impact.”

However, the sitting was characterized as a “nothing burger” by Opposition Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, who noted that the premier seemed more preoccupied with fighting the federal government because “he thinks it’s in his political interest.”

In fact, Houston was quick to lay out a list of grievances against the federal Liberals on several occasions, both inside and outside of the legislative chamber. In particular, the premier rankled over what he said were impending plans by Ottawa to force his province to resettle about 6,000 asylum seekers — a move he characterized as “simply unacceptable.”

Houston also got into a war of words with federal ministers over his province’s attempts to get Ottawa to pay the entire cost for the expensive work needed to protect the Chignecto Isthmus, the low-lying land link between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia that is increasingly prone to flooding. The federal government has refused, and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have brought the issue before the courts.

Lori Turnbull, a Dalhousie University political scientist, wonders whether the attacks coupled with the short sitting portend an early election. Also in June, Houston himself cast doubt on whether he would adhere to the fixed provincial election date his party passed into law soon after coming to power, setting the vote for July 15, 2025.

“Many premiers want to blame Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as much as they can,” Turnbull said in an interview. “Lots of people don’t like Trudeau so it’s kind of a sweet spot to be in.”

As for the short legislature sitting, she said it’s not unusual in a province that has a history of short sessions.

This year’s spring sitting was only 20 days long and in general most sessions run for at least a month or more. Nova Scotia doesn’t have a legislative calendar — members are called into a house session at the direction of the governing party.

Turnbull said there’s usually “little to no (public) outcry” over the situation.

“The public are not particularly tuned into legislative proceedings so I am not sure they really notice when they are cut short,” she said, adding that voters tend to care more about outcomes. “This is understandable, especially when parliamentary debate is filled with toxic exchanges and personal insults.”

Churchill said he believes the public does expect politicians to spend more time in the legislature. “It’s the most important work that we do … because this is where we pass laws and this is where budgets are formed.”

NDP Leader Claudia Chender said short sittings effectively cut off the opposition’s ability to ask the government questions about its policies.

“They (government) are going to enact their plans from the premier’s office and they aren’t interested in feedback, and I don’t think that’s how responsible government is supposed to work,” Chender said.

The government passed six pieces of legislation, including one that extends its five per cent cap on rent increases until the end of 2027, and another giving workers up to 27 weeks of unpaid time off if they develop a serious illness or are severely hurt on the job.

A bill introduced by the NDP declaring domestic violence an epidemic in the province was also passed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

With an ownership stake in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Quebec’s Allrem Sports & Entertainment has a vested interest in seeing the promotion flourish in Canada.

BKFC has held two cards to date in Canada, both at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Enoch, Alta. — an Indigenous-owned venue on Treaty 6 territory. But it has to convince provincial regulatory bodies elsewhere to sanction the sport.

And that’s where Allrem comes in.

Allrem president Erik de Pokomandy is targeting first Quebec and then Ontario, saying there have already been discussions with Quebec’s Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux, the provincial regulatory board overseeing combat sports.

“Typically the UFC paved the way for amending regulations,” de Pokomandy said in an interview. “Since BKFC is more relatable to boxing, we think it’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of time.”

The UFC followed a similar path with Marc Ratner, a former executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission who is now the UFC’s senior vice-president of regulatory affairs, leading the fight for mixed martial arts to secure official sanctioning from local commissions.

“Our goal is to work with all the provinces, to make sure that we comply with the regulations. We know it’s a journey. We’re aware of that,” said de Pokomandy. “They’re doing their job.”

“We believe we have a good case,” he added, saying he expects progress in eight months to a year.

Allrem is working with a consultant who previously helped the UFC open up Canadian jurisdictions to MMA.

Clearly there is work to do, as shown by this statement from the Office of the Athletics Commissioner, which oversees pro combat sports in Ontario, when asked about the status of bare-knuckle fighting.

“There are only three professional combative sports regulated under the Athletics Control Act by the Office of the Athletics Commissioner — boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts,” said the statement, provided to The Canadian Press. “Currently, bare-knuckle boxing is illegal in Ontario.”

BKFC has held shows in 17 states, including California and New York, as well as Canada, England, Mexico, Bulgaria and Thailand.

And BKFC is on the move, having staged 23 shows already this year. Next up is an Oct. 12 card in Marbella Spain, with BKFC 67 to follow Oct. 25 in Denver.

BKFC bouts are contested in a ring with five two-minute rounds. Fighters are permitted to wrap and tape the wrist, thumb and mid-hand, but no gauze or tape can be within 2.5 centimetres of the knuckles. Punches are the only strike allowed.

Without the benefit of gloves, cuts are common. And they can lead to doctor-mandated stoppages, which prevent the losing fighter from taking more damage.

Both Canadian cards to date, in March and August, were so-called “Prospect” shows featuring new talent, although the March event featured Quebec’s Jade Masson-Wong, the No. 1 contender in the flyweight division who lost a decision to champion Christine (Misfit) Ferea earlier this month at BKFC 65 in Salt Lake City.

In August, Edmonton welterweight Drew (Wild Boy) Stuve defeated Sonny (The Savage) Smith, a former member of the United Kingdom Special Forces,by second-round TKO in the main event.

“There’s a lot of BKFC fans in Canada and they want to see it live,” said de Pokomandy.

Based in the Montreal area, Allrem is also involved in the NASCAR Canada Series, Nissan Sentra Cup, zMax CARS Tour, and has an investment in Les Pétroliers de Laval of the North American Hockey League (LNAH), a semi-pro circuit known for its pugilistic nature.

“The fan is the same,” said de Pokomandy. “The demographic of the fan is the same in NASCAR Canada, is the same in BKFC — and is the same in NASCAR U.S. — as well and is the same as the North American Hockey League.”

“We call it our eco-system of sports properties,” he added.

Evirum, a sister company involved in waste management and recycling, is a presenting partners, along with Pinty’s, of the NASCAR Canada Series.

Allrem has already began cross-promotion with the BKFC logo on the hood of its NASCAR Canada entry, which he says has proved to be popular with fans.

“Funnily enough, they want to take a picture not with the car or the driver, they want to take a picture with the hood,” said de Pokomandy.

Triller, a social media company that expanded into fight promotion, acquired a “majority stake” in BKFC in early 2022. McGregor Sports and Entertainment, run by former UFC champion Conor McGregor, subsequently became a part-owner.

In a February interview, BKFC founder and president David Feldman said viewership numbers in Canada have been “really good,” with BKFC looking to strike a deal for a bigger platform (a three-year worldwide broadcast deal was announced with the DAZN streaming service last week, slated to kick off with next month’s show in Spain).

“Canada’s a great market,” he said. “I think that bare-knuckle fighting can really resonate with Canadians, really probably more than anyone — I said this from when I started it — because of the hockey, because of the hockey culture. Throwing off the gloves and getting into good old-fashioned bare-knuckle fights.”

—

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024

MONTREAL – Martin St. Louis knows Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach can be difference-makers on the Montreal Canadiens’ second line.

The Canadiens head coach says his job now is to preach patience as the two towering forwards return to the ice from lengthy absences.

“It’s been a while since they’ve played, and it’s not easy to play in the NHL. When you’ve lost time, it’s hard to come back,” St. Louis said Friday, the third day of training camp at CN Sports Complex. “They’re players who have high expectations of themselves, so I’ve got to manage that day-to-day and remind them to relax, be patient.

“We all know what they can do – with time, repetition, you’ll see their game improve.”

The six-foot-five Laine, acquired a month ago from the Columbus Blue Jackets, hasn’t played since breaking his clavicle on Dec. 14. The former 40-goal scorer entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Jan. 28 for mental health reasons and was cleared to return on July 26.

After a strong training camp last year, the six-foot-four Dach’s season was over only four periods into the season when the 23-year-old from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee after a hit from Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Jarred Tinordi.

Laine and Dach have formed a second line with Alex Newhook and could have the responsibility of backing up Montreal’s well-oiled top trio of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky to start the 2024-25 campaign.

St. Louis highlighted Laine’s blistering shot, Dach’s ability to carry the puck – not to mention their size – and Newhook’s speed as reasons he sees the line meshing.

“I feel like they have great elements to complement each other,” St. Louis said.

Laine scored a career-high 44 goals in 2017-18, his second season, but has only reached the 30-goal plateau once since. The Finnish winger expressed during the off-season that he wants to return to a “40, 50” goal scorer this season.

And Dach and Newhook say they’re excited to line up next to a pure scorer who once buried 18 goals in 12 games in November 2018.

“Patty’s a world-class shooter, and he’s got a lot of high-end skill and can make plays,” Dach said. “Newy’s speed and my speed will open up a lot of lanes for Patty to get open and be able to shoot pucks.”

The newly formed line showed some rust from the first shift on Friday as Team White lost 6-3 to Team Red in a scrimmage.

Off the opening faceoff, Laine turned the puck over on a rush, leading to a goal by Joel Armia for Team Red. The line had the puck a lot but struggled to create dangerous chances, other than a Laine breakaway that was fended off by goalie prospect Hunter Jones.

“Now (the key) is to get in more reps, as they’ve missed a lot of time,” St. Louis said. “Just to jump right back in it at this level, I think I’ve got to be patient a little bit.”

Suzuki led the Canadiens with 77 points last season, ahead of Caufield (65), defenceman Mike Matheson (62) and Slafkovsky (50). Newhook had 34 points in 55 games, and the next-best player was Brendan Gallagher with 31 in 77.

The Canadiens are hoping the addition of Laine and the return of Dach go a long way in boosting their secondary scoring for a team that ranked 26th in goals last season.

HIGH PRAISE FOR ROY

Joshua Roy is a rookie, but St. Louis said his game is full of maturity.

The 21-year-old forward produced four goals and five assists in 23 games last season and is lined up on the projected third line with Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak at camp.

“He’s always ready for what’s next, he’s a very intelligent player, but not just with the puck. Without the puck he’s very smart,” St. Louis said. “He doesn’t kill the play, he’s playing the game. If it’s time to chip a puck up to speed, he’ll do that. He’s got poise to buy a little time and hit the guy who was going to be free. He lets the play evolve.

“When I saw him last year, I felt, ‘you know what, he’s a hockey player.’”

MARTY’S WAY

Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella is famous for physically intense training camps, with players skating around the ice in gruelling drills. St. Louis, who won a Stanley Cup while playing for Tortorella on the Tampa Bay Lighting in 2004, has a different approach than his former head coach.

“I try not to just ‘work hard’. You can work hard, but I think we’ve evolved,” St. Louis said. “I know Torts’s camps were every difficult physically, but I think in the last 10-15 years, guys are showing up to camp in great shape. It’s not how it was.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.