Six stories in the news today, June 4

Six stories in the news today, June 4, from The Canadian Press:

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MONCTON MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF RCMP SHOOTINGS TODAY.

One year ago today the peace of a spring evening in a Moncton, N.B., neighbourhood turned to terror when a gunman opened fire on police officers, leaving three Mounties dead and two injured. Today the final design of a memorial to Constables David Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Doug Larche will be unveiled during a noon-hour ceremony in front of Moncton City Hall.

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BRIAN MULRONEY CALLS SENATE ‘DYSFUNCTIONAL,’ OFFERS SOLUTIONS

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney took his turn Wednesday night to criticize the Senate, calling it dysfunctional and badly in need of reform — but he also offered solutions. Mulroney is one of many present and past politicians to call for changes to the upper house of Parliament in light of the ongoing Senate expense scandal.

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TRAVELLERS NEEDING VISAS TO ENTER CANADA TO UNDERGO BIOMETRIC SCREENING

Canada is about to add another layer of security for travellers who need visas to enter the country — biometric screening. The Canadian Press has learned that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to announce the new security measures on Thursday.

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INFO CZAR QUESTIONS WHETHER GUN REGISTRY GONE

Federal information commissioner Suzanne Legault says gun owners may never know if their registration records have been secreted away by the RCMP once the Conservative government creates what she calls a legislative “black hole.”Legault filed a preservation order in Federal Court on Wednesday in an effort to keep the government from destroying more contested gun registry data.

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MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE HEATS UP IN ALBERTA

John Batas, the owner of Michael’s Restaurant & Pizza in Calgary, is blunt in his assessment of the Alberta government’s plan to raise the hourly minimum wage by nearly four dollars in three years. Batas calls it “ridiculous,” saying the move would result in higher prices and possibly fewer hours for staff or even layoffs. The plan would increase the minimum wage from the current $10.20, to $15 by 2018.

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CROWN CONTINUES TO MAKE CASE AS DUFFY TRIAL ENTERS DAY 26

The trial of Mike Duffy is hearing about trips the Senator took to various events across the country. Justice Charles Vaillancourt has heard it cost to $10,652 for Duffy to travel to Vancouver Island for a charity event organized by local Conservatives. Duffy has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery in connection with his Senate travel, living and office expenses.

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