Four stories in the news today, Aug. 22

Four stories in the news today from The Canadian Press

OLEKSIAK CARRIES FLAG FOR CANADA

Penny Oleksiak led Canada to the podium four times at the Rio Olympics — so it was only fitting that she led the Canadian delegation into Maracana Stadium for the closing ceremony of the Summer Games. On a wet and windy night, the 16 year old swimming phenom from Toronto carried the Maple Leaf ahead of a Canadian contingent that surpassed its goal of a top 12 finish in Rio.Canada won 22 medals — four more than in London in 2012 — and good for 10th place in the overall medal standings.

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TRUDEAU CABINET RETREAT IN DAY 2

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet are continuing to talk about the fall Parliamentary session at their retreat at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ont. The Liberal cabinet ministers are roughing it by bunking in student dorms, something the Prime Minister’s Office has said is aimed at reminding them about how the average Canadian lives. The retreat wraps up later today.

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DOCTORS SEEKING FUNDING TO CARE FOR AGING CANADIANS

The president of the Canadian Medical Association says doctors are already seeing the effects of an aging population, and those issues will only accelerate in the years ahead. Dr. Cindy Forbes says the CMA is working hard on a strategy to care for aging seniors, and wants to ensure that sufficient funding to do the job is in a future health accord between Ottawa and the provinces. The CMA is recommending more funding for provinces with larger populations of seniors, prescription drug coverage, and funding for long-term care, home care and for caregivers.

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DUCK FARMERS EYE GROWING DEMAND

Growing consumer demand for duck has Canadian farmers looking to increase the number of birds they raise. The reopening of the Mexican market and a young generation sampling Asian dishes are among the reasons for the growing demand.Although pricier than chicken, the red meat protein is increasingly being selected as an alternative to beef, which has experienced steep price increases.

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