Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre during day two of the Liberal cabinet retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Eight stories in the news for Thursday, Aug. 23

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PM FIDDLING WHILE B.C. BURNS, SAY PROTESTERS

Justin Trudeau's goals of reducing carbon emissions and building a pipeline to carry oilsands bitumen to the coast have collided in a province ravaged by wildfires. Hundreds of pipeline protesters gathered in Vancouver where Trudeau and his ministers held a cabinet retreat amid the smell of smoke from the B.C. wildfires. They questioned how Trudeau can claim to be concerned about climate change while paying $4.5 billion to Kinder Morgan to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline to carry Alberta oil to B.C.'s coast.

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CONSERVATIVE ROBOCALL TIED TO LIBERAL MP'S CANCER

A member of a Conservative riding association in Toronto made a robocall this year that tried to pitch party memberships by citing a Liberal MP’s cancer diagnosis. CTV News says it has audio of the call in which a man who says he's the vice president of the riding association asks supporters to join the party, stating Salma Zahid was "very ill" and "there may be a need for a byelection." Chris Mellor confirmed he made the call and told CTV he does not regret it, saying it was appropriate in terms of election readiness.

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ALL EYES ON SCHEER AS TORIES MEET IN HALIFAX

After a week of internal squabbles, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer will try to refocus the spotlight this week on trying to convince Canadians his party is a government-in-waiting. Party members from across the country are in Halifax for a three-day policy convention — the party's first since Scheer was elected leader last year. Party membership has approved 74 resolutions for consideration at the convention.

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QUEBEC PARTIES KICK OFF THEIR CAMPAIGNS

Quebec's political parties kick of the provincial election campaign today ahead of the Oct. 1 election. Except for a 19-month Parti Quebecois minority government between 2012 and 2014, the Liberals have been in power since 2003. Philippe Couillard is seeking his second mandate as premier after winning a majority in April 2014.

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NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF

The New Brunswick provincial election campaign is now underway. Chief Electoral Officer Kimberly Poffenroth signed the writs yesterday to set the wheels in motion for the vote set for Sept. 24. The economy, energy, trade, and health care are expected to be among the major issues debated door to door as candidates vie for the 49 seats in the provincial legislature.

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SASK. GOVERNMENT, PROTESTERS TO MEET IN COURT

The Saskatchewan government and protesters camped outside the legislature for six months are set to square off today in a Regina courtroom. The government filed an application in July asking the court to order members from the Justice of Our Stolen Children camp to leave. They are protesting what they say is racial injustice and the disproportionate number of Indigenous children apprehended by child-welfare workers.

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OTTAWA SETTLES WITH TWO MEN SWITCHED AT BIRTH

The federal government has reached a financial settlement with two of four Indigenous men from northern Manitoba who were switched at birth and only found out about the mixup 40 years later. Neither Ottawa or the lawyer who represents Luke Monias and Norman Barkman would reveal how much money the men are receiving. A federal spokeswoman would only say the men are also being offered support services.

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BROOKE HENDERSON LEADS CANADIANS AT CP OPEN

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., headlines a list of 16 Canadians in the field for today's opening round of the CP Women's Open at the Wascana Country Club in Region. The world No. 14 has one victory and eight top-10 finishes this season on the LPGA Tour. Jocelyne Bourassa was the last Canadian to win this tournament, in 1973. The Canadian contenders also include Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Lorie Kane of Charlottetown making her record-tying 28th appearance.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Statistics Canada will release employment insurance figures for June.

— CIBC will release its third-quarter results.

— Trans Mountain pipeline protesters plan to hold a rally at a federal Liberal fundraiser in Vancouver.

— Ontario Opposition leader Andrea Horwath will announce NDP critic roles.

— Shannon Dawn Rayner, a 39-year-old Charlottetown woman, returns to court on two counts of infanticide.

— Professional wrestling icon Bret Hart to receive a Blackfoot name in a private ceremony in Calgary.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2018