Afternoon Front Page: Carney Makes Louise Arbour His Choice for GG; Ontario Pre-Teen Girl Banned from Nudist Resorts
It is Tuesday, May 5, and here are the top stories we are following today. Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour, who spent decades prosecuting war criminals and defending human rights, to serve as Canada's next governor general. Columnist Chris Selley writes that the 79-year-old is "starting the job in a hole the government had no reason to dig." Arbour becomes the 31st governor general, and interestingly, Canadian actress Wendy Crewson once portrayed her in a film.
In Ontario, an 11-year-old girl whose mother had been taking her to a nude resort with maternal grandparents for six years, without the father's knowledge, will not be attending such places this summer after a judge granted a temporary ban. The father opposed the outings, leading to the court ruling.
Meanwhile, British Columbia's $221 million investment in nine hotels for low-barrier homeless shelters has hit a snag. One property, a former Howard Johnson renamed the Luugat, was closed last fall and is now described as an unsalvageable biohazard, raising questions about the province's approach.
Canadians are increasingly avoiding U.S. travel, with domestic passenger numbers at eight major airports rising 10% year-over-year in March. Three cities in particular—Halifax, Montreal, and Calgary—are benefiting from this shift as travelers opt for local destinations.
In Markham, Ontario, a plan to unlock nearly $60 million in federal housing funds faced months of public backlash and political delays, leading Ottawa to withdraw millions due to failed commitments. Scott Stinson examines how this suburb became a case study in housing challenges.
Anne Golden, in an excerpt from Saving Toronto: 10 City Builders Tell Us How, warns that Toronto is at a tipping point, citing congestion, unaffordable housing, and infrastructure woes. She calls for urgent action to restore the city's former glory.
Finally, Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Jordan Station, Ontario, has been named Canada's best restaurant for the second consecutive year by Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list. Chef-owners Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson are praised for their extraordinary attention to detail.
