Seven stories in the news today, Oct. 27

Seven stories in the news today, Oct. 27, from The Canadian Press:

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WHALE-WATCHING ACCIDENTS RARE: INDUSTRY HEAD

The whale-watching ship that sank off Vancouver Island and is now at the centre of multiple investigations was inspected annually since 1998 and certified to carry 46 passengers, a Transport Canada official said.Five people died and another person is missing after the 20-metre long Leviathan II went down near the tourist town of Tofino, B.C., late Sunday afternoon.

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ALBERTA TO RELEASE HISTORIC RED INK BUDGET

It’s budget day in Alberta, but the bad news is already in. The NDP government has already announced this year’s budget will have a record deficit just under $6.5 billion. Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the province is dealing with low oil prices, a growing population and an infrastructure deficit.

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FIGHT OVER RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL STORIES IN COURT

Ontario’s top court today begins hearing a dispute over what to do with sensitive records from Indian residential schools. The records are of the stories told by thousands of survivors who sought compensation for sexual and other abuse. One side argues the material should be destroyed to preserve confidentiality, while others say the historical record is too important to lose.

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TRUDEAU TO MEET WITH ONTARIO PREMIER WYNNE TODAY

Justin Trudeau is showing how dramatically the federal government’s relationship with Ontario has changed. He’s making his first meeting with a premier since last week’s Liberal election victory today in Kathleen Wynne’s office. The Ontario premier campaigned frequently alongside Trudeau and other Liberal candidates in Ontario throughout the federal campaign.

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FUNERAL TODAY FOR EX-DIPLOMAT KEN TAYLOR

A funeral is to be held today in Toronto for Canada’s former ambassador to Iran, Ken Taylor. Taylor garnered international fame for helping six Americans escape Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis. The 81-year-old Taylor died of cancer 10 days ago in New York. Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau will be among those in attendance.

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SNEAKY SNOWBIRDS COULD HAVE WINGS CLIPPED

Snowbirds beware: The federal government will use its planned border exit-tracking system to avoid paying hundreds of millions of dollars in social benefits now going to people who shouldn’t receive them due to absences from Canada.Newly obtained memos say the Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada expect to save between about $194 million and $319 million over five years once the long-anticipated system is fully in place.

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LOONIE TAKING BITE OUT OF CROSS-BORDER FLYING

The weak Canadian dollar isn’t just hurting cross-border shopping.U.S. airports that enjoyed a surge in the number of Canadian passenger levels when the loonie was valued higher than the American dollar are now seeing the flip side of currency swings.

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