Michel Ruest, a senior director of Sport Canada, says the federal organization was made aware of an alleged sexual assault involving members of Team Canada's world junior hockey team in late June 2018, but did not follow up with Hockey Canada at the time. Under questioning at a House of Commons committee today, Ruest also tells MPs that Sport Canada, a branch of Canadian Heritage, did not make then-sport minister Kirsty Duncan's office aware of the allegations. Current Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge has said she did not know of the allegations until this year. Sport Canada officials have been

Priests, deacons and volunteers meted out communion wafers to tens of thousands of people at a public mass led by Pope Francis in Edmonton. Francis highlighted the importance of parents and grandparents as he delivered his homily to a packed Commonwealth Stadium. He says people should treasure and honour their elders and make sure they are not cast aside or treated with indifference. Pope Francis, who has been using a wheelchair, presided over a large public mass in Edmonton from a specially designed chair. Pope Francis is on a six-day tour of Canada aimed at reconciliation with Indigenous Pe

Pope Francis gave an address about reconciliation at Edmonton's Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples and received several gifts. Francis said he is happy to visit an Edmonton church that welcomes Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. He issued an apology earlier in the day in Maskwacis, Alberta, for the church's role in residential schools in Canada. Francis said in his apology that memories of the children who never returned from residential schools has left him with a sense of sorrow, indignation and shame.

MASKWACIS — Pope Francis says he is in Canada to express his sorrow and ask for forgiveness for residential schools. The Pope is giving an address before residential school survivors and elders in Maskwacis, Alta., where the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School was one of the largest institutions in the country. Francis says he feels sorrow, indignation and shame. He says the memory of children who attended the schools is painful and every child should be treated with love, honour and respect. An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Hockey Canada needs to do an "awful lot" to regain Canadians' trust. The national federation says it will no longer use a fund maintained by membership fees collected across the country to settle sexual assault claims. Speaking at an unrelated announcement in Nova Scotia this morning, Trudeau said that's only a step in the right direction. Hockey Canada has been under intense scrutiny since May when it emerged the organization quietly settled a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges she was assaulted while intoxicated by eight unnamed players, including members

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced new details about the federal government’s $3.5-billion plan to protect the oceans. In its most recent budget, the government pledged to add $2 billion over nine years to the $1.5 billion already set aside for ocean protection.Speaking at a press conference in British Columbia, Trudeau says the government has now launched an extended version of the plan.The program has so far funded projects including coast guard search and rescue stations, restoring coastal aquatic habitats, disposing of abandoned boats, and partnering with Indigenous and coastal

Canadian cyclist Hugo Houle claimed an emotional first-ever grand tour stage victory after a tough 16th stage of the Tour de France. Houle attacked on the approach to the final climb and finished one minute, 10 seconds ahead of Valentin Madouas and fellow Canadian Michael Woods. Houle dedicated the win to his brother, Pierrick, who was killed 10 years ago by a drunk-driver while out running. Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard maintained his overall lead.

Alberta Emergency Alert says a storm has caused damage to homes and vehicles in the southeastern corner of the province. It initially called it a tornado, but now says it was a storm with dangerous and damaging winds around Highway 523, which is west of Medicine Hat, Alta. RCMP say they received reports of a possible tornado touching down on Highway 3, which runs southwest of the city, overturning a motorhome, but they say there are no reports of injuries or missing people. Police say several road closures remain in place throughout Cypress County and motorists and the public are asked to avo

Canada's Camryn Rogers unleashed a hammer throw yesterday that soared straight into the history books. The 23 year old from Richmond, BC, threw 75.52 metres to win silver at the world track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon. It was not only Canada's first world medal in women's hammer, but the country's first women's podium finish in a field event. American Brooke Andersen won the gold and Janee Kassanavoid of the U.S. claimed bronze. Jillian Weir of Kingston, Ont., was fifth with a throw of 72.41.