Seven stories in the news today, April 7

Seven stories in the news today from The Canadian Press:

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PM TO VISIT SUDBURY, SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to northern Ontario today as he continues to talk up his government’s infrastructure spending plans. Trudeau is expected to make an announcement in Liberal-friendly Sudbury, where city officials have been hoping for federal funding to match a $26.7 million Ontario government commitment to an $80-million road construction project.

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A LOOK AT LIBERALS’ SURPRISE $2B CAMPUS FUND

The Liberal government has launched one of the most expensive items in last month’s federal budget — a $2-billion post-secondary infrastructure fund that wasn’t even mentioned in the party’s election platform. In a budget that left out a number of marquee Liberal election promises, how did a big-ticket upgrade to university campuses elbow its way into the fiscal plan in only a few months?

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MPs TO REVIEW SECURITY ON MILITARY BASES

The House of Commons defence committee will hold closed-door hearings on the state of security at Canadian military bases, The Canadian Press has learned. Conservative MP James Bezan, the party’s defence critic, proposed the idea, which was recently accepted by the all-party committee, although a date for the investigation has yet to be scheduled.

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VANCOUVER POT ACTIVIST IN CUSTODY IN CALGARY

Vancouver marijuana activist Dana Larsen was taken away by Calgary police after a rally and pot seed give-away at a city hotel Wednesday night. Larsen is in the city as part of his campaign to hand out pot seeds to be planted in public places. After the rally, officers escorted Larsen to a police car and he told the crowd he and another man were being placed in custody. Police said a man had been arrested and charges were pending but did not say if that man was Larsen.

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STUCKLESS SENTENCING HEARING CONTINUES

Gordon Stuckless’s lawyer is expected to tell a Toronto court today what sentence he believes his client deserves for sexually abusing 18 boys over three decades. Ari Goldkind has previously said Stuckless — who has pleaded guilty to 100 charges and been convicted of two more — should not be sentenced “simply on fear.”

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CALLS FOR TRANSPARENT FOOD LABELS IN CANADA

Two Canadian business leaders want the country’s food industry to use more transparent labels so Canadians know just how much sugar they’re consuming. Indigo’s CEO and the former CEO of Lululemon are making sugar one of their main targets as they fight to change industry standards.

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B.C. TOWN TOSSES STRAWS TO QUENCH THIRST FOR PLASTICS

Some businesses in an ocean-side town on Vancouver Island are eliminating plastic drinking straws, taking a first slug against plastic waste. Businesses in the tourist destination of Tofino have been asked to stop routinely handing out straws and to provide biodegradable options on request, said Michelle Hall, co-chair of a non-profit group that’s spearheading the campaign.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Manitoba’s three major party leaders will take part in a debate hosted by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

— Alberta Premier Rachel Notley will address the province in a pre-recorded television address.

— Statistics Canada will update the building permits figures for February.

— Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. will release its latest report on foreign ownership in Canada’s housing market.

— Finance Minister Bill Morneau will tour a company in Kitchener, Ont., and visit the University of Waterloo.