Six stories in the news today, April 15

Six stories in the news today from The Canadian Press:

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OVERDOSE DEATHS PROMPT EMERGENCY IN B.C.

British Columbia has become the first province in Canada to declare a public health emergency after a dramatic increase in the number of overdose deaths from illicit drugs such as fentanyl. Medical health officer Dr. Perry Kendall said 201 overdose deaths were recorded in the first three months of 2016 and that 64 of them involved fentanyl. Fentanyl is an opioid-based pain killer roughly 100 times stronger than morphine.

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MORNEAU: CANADA PLANS TAX-EVASION PUSH

The Canadian government promises a multi-front fight against tax evasion amid widespread frustration following the leak of offshore account details in the so-called Panama Papers. Finance Minister Bill Morneau promises to make it an issue at home and abroad — first at this week’s international summit in Washington, and later with his provincial counterparts.

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POLICE OFFICER WHO ORDERED G20 ARRESTS TO BE SENTENCED IN JUNE

A sentencing hearing has wrapped up for a Toronto police officer who gave illegal arrest orders during the G20 summit six years ago.The prosecution has called for a year-long demotion of Supt. David (Mark) Fenton, but his lawyer said that would be too harsh and would cost his client up to $45,000 in lost wages and pension. Fenton will be sentenced on June 15.

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ALBERTA OPTS TO SPEND BIG DESPITE RED INK

The Alberta government, with oil prices taking massive bites out of its bottom line, blew past its own spending safeguards Thursday to deliver a budget that forecasts almost $58 billion in debt within three years. Finance Minister Joe Ceci confirmed that this year’s deficit will be $10.4 billion and said there is no expectation of balancing the books before 2024.

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FAMILIES LAUNCH SUITS AGAINST U.S. SPERM BANK

Three Ontario families have launched lawsuits against a U.S.-based sperm bank and its Canadian distributor, alleging they were misled about their sperm donor’s medical and social history, which included a criminal record and mental illness. The families, who used the same donor, have brought three separate suits against Georgia-based Xytex Corp and Ontario-based Outreach Health Services.

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SYRIANS TELL MP OF BARRIERS TO JOBS, LANGUAGE

They might not yet be able to vote but that’s not stopping Syrians from taking part in one element of Canadian political life — giving their MP an earful. Over two dozen Syrians who’ve arrived in Canada since the fall were in Ottawa Thursday to get a tour, thanks to their member of Parliament Melanie Joly. Many complained about the difficulty in finding a job. Joly said the government is doing what it can.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues a visit to southern Ontario, with stops in Cambridge and Waterloo.

— Alberta Premier Rachel Notley will give a post-budget speech in Edmonton.

—Finance Minister Bill Morneau will participate in several events during his visit to Washington, including a G20 finance meeting.

— A preliminary inquiry begins in Dartmouth, N.S., for four members of the Royal Navy accused of sexual assault causing bodily harm.

— Statistics Canada will release manufacturing data for February and non-residential construction investment figures.

— The Canadian Real Estate Association will release statistics for March.