Seven stories in the news today, Feb. 24

Seven stories in the news today, Feb. 24, from The Canadian Press:

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MUZZO EXPECTED TO SPEAK AT SENTENCING HEARING

A drunk driver who killed three children and their grandfather is expected to address an Ontario court today as his sentencing hearing resumes. Marco Muzzo has not spoken publicly about the crash last Sept. 27, although his family has issued a statement expressing their regrets and condolences.

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COURT TO DECIDE WHO CAN GROW MEDICAL CANNABIS

A Federal Court judge is expected to release a decision today on whether medical marijuana patients have the right to grow their own cannabis. The constitutional challenge was launched by four British Columbia residents who argued that legislation introduced by the previous Conservative government violated their charter rights.

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VETS CONTEST DENIAL OF DISABILITY BENEFITS

Some military veterans are gearing up for another legal fight with Ottawa — this time over long-term benefits related to PTSD. Stephane Hebert, who served in the military for 21 years before being medically released in 2007, says he will be in Federal Court today in Halifax for a certification hearing on a proposed class action suit against the federal government.

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DEPOSING TALIBAN A MISTAKE, FORMER GENERAL

A former Canadian military commander says the West made a mistake deposing the Taliban regime in the aftermath of 9/11 and should have simply trained its guns on al-Qaida. Retired major-general Dave Fraser commanded both the Canadian task force and the military alliance’s expanded mission to extend the authority of former Afghan president Hamid Karzai beyond the capital of Kabul in 2006.

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MANITOBA LEGISLATURE MEETS AS ELECTION LOOMS

Manitoba’s troubled NDP government will face the opposition in the legislature for a short winter sitting starting today, as the province’s April 19 election looms ever closer. Premier Greg Selinger will continue to stress his plans for the economy, the environment and social justice. He has shown no signs of deviating from his message despite a two-year slump in opinion polls.

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ALBERTA TO RELEASE THIRD-QUARTER BUDGET NUMBERS

Albertans may receive more bad news today when the provincial government releases its third-quarter budget update. The province is on track to rack up a $6.1-billion deficit this year due to the collapse in oil prices. However, in recent weeks Finance Minister Joe Ceci has declined to confirm the province will still be able to meet that deficit figure.

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CANADIAN RECORD LOTTERY CHEQUE TO BE PRESENTED

The winner of Canada’s largest lottery jackpot is to be revealed today in Toronto. The largest outstanding jackpot on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming website is a $64 million prize from a Lotto 649 draw last Oct. 17. That winning ticket was sold in Mississauga, Ont.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— The Senate Liberals will hold an open caucus meeting and panel discussion on the legalization of marijuana.

— The case against two former aides to ex-Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty returns to a Toronto court today.

— Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will appear today at the Senate question period.

— The Royal Bank is among numerous companies set to report their latest financial results today. They also include Thompson Creek Metals, Imax Corp, Sleep Country Canada Holdings, Centerra Gold, Encana Corp., and Taseko Mines Ltd.