Prime Minister Mark Carney says declaring the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline in the national interest, which starts a one-year clock before construction can begin, proves “Canada is working,” a message aimed at Albertans weighing separation in the Oct. 19 referendum.

“We came together, we looked at an opportunity, and this opportunity is unlocked by Canada as a whole,” Carney said, citing British Columbia’s co-operation as one example.

Ottawa’s backing is also essential, with federally owned Trans Mountain Corp. financing and building the line. It will spend at least $2 billion in federal tax dollars on assessment work before a final investment decision on a project that could cost up to $44 billion.

READ MORE: Feds designate Pacific Link oil pipeline under new approval process

But will it be enough to quell a separatist movement rooted in long-standing frustration over federal energy policy, pipeline delays and the sense that Alberta sends more to Ottawa than it gets back?

Aya Dufour reports. 

The government’s legislative deputy in the Senate has launched an inquiry into residential school denialism, urging her colleagues to find “meaningful consequences for retraumatizing Survivors, families and communities that have already suffered so much.”

Sen. Patti LaBoucane-Benson opened the inquiry in the Senate on Thursday with a speech in which she called for dialogue on the best options to address denialism, while also acknowledging debate over potentially criminalizing that sort of speech.

“As a country, we are beginning to consider real courses of action to address the issue of denialism. Many Indigenous communities and organizations have said that residential school denialism should be criminalized to address harmful denialist conduct and protect Survivors,” she said.

“Some legal scholars and civil libertarian organizations oppose criminalization. They argue that education, public engagement and evidence-based discussion are preferable responses. They caution that criminalization may inappropriately target some Survivors and create difficulties in distinguishing denialism from legitimate inquiry.”

Marco Vigliotti has more. 

Liberal MP Salma Zahid says she’s concerned about escalating violent rhetoric directed at MPs — including the leader of another party.

In August, a man was filmed setting vehicles on fire outside Zahid’s home in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough in what police believe was an arson attack.

Zahid says she now has 24-7 security at her home and she believes the incident could be related to rising rhetoric against her fellow MPs.

She spoke out this week about a newspaper column calling for action against NDP Leader Avi Lewis over his views on Israel, which Zahid says puts Lewis at risk.

Her comments come after two recent arrests for death threats against Prime Minister Mark Carney, incidents Zahid says are symptoms of a broader problem.

The Canadian Press has more. 

In Other Headlines

Internationally

Elsewhere, India’s youth-led Cockroach movement kicked off more nationwide protests on Friday as thousands of people gathered in Mumbai, amid mounting concerns that millions of citizens are being unfairly stripped of their vote.

The movement, which calls itself the Cockroach Janta party (CJP) and has massive support among the country’s gen Zs, returned to the streets to demand the resignation of the chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.

Kumar has become a highly contentious figure after a report in the Indian Express newspaper alleged irregularities and internal concerns about a process to revise and “purify” India’s electoral register, called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

SIR, which was overseen by Kumar, has resulted in tens of millions of people being deleted from the electoral register. Large numbers are challenging their removal.

The Guardian has more. 

During the pandemic, Thomas thought he would give DraftKings and FanDuel a try. Before long, he formed a habit.

“I could have ten drinks one night and then be fine with not drinking again for a year,” said Thomas, 35, who asked to be identified by his middle name fearing his problem gambling history could affect his career. “But sports gambling was different. It really got me.”

He never cared much for sports. Yet betting on games seemed like an easy way to make a buck. He started placing wagers on football and tennis mostly using parlays, which are difficult-to-win bets that require multiple things happening in one game in order to land an enticing payout.

Working from his home in Pennsylvania in the financial services industry, Thomas says there were few moments when he didn’t have one eye on placing a bet as he juggled work emails and meetings.

Read more from NPR. 

In Other International Headlines

The Kicker

Happy Friday, with October officially in full swing, the fall foliage will be to die for, especially at Gatineau Park this time of the year.

In fact, the park is such a big deal that Independent Senator Rosa Galvez has introduced a bill to legally establish Gatineau Park’s boundaries and prioritize its ecological integrity under the National Capital Commission.

This weekend could be an opportunity to see Senator Galvez’s vision in introducing this bill.

Here’s the bill. 

Godspeed!