U.S. AMBASSADOR to Canada CONFIRMED by Senate

WASHINGTON — Former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new United States ambassador to Canada.

He will become America’s top diplomat in Ottawa in a fraught time in U.S.-Canada relations, with President Donald Trump hitting Canada with tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminum and continuing to hold out the threat of economy-wide fentanyl-related duties.

While Trump has repeatedly claimed Canada should become a U.S. state, Hoekstra told his confirmation hearing that Canada is a sovereign country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Hoekstra says Canada is America’s most valuable trading partner, its largest source of foreign investment and largest source of energy imports.

Hoekstra says he will work with the Canadian government to review and strengthen the trading partnership, secure borders, confront the threat of fentanyl and co-operate on national security.

Hoekstra served as ambassador to the Netherlands during the first Trump administration.

MAN CHARGED IN FIREBOMBING

MONTREAL — A 19-year-old man has been charged in the firebombing of a Montreal-area synagogue in December.

Mohamed Ilyess Akodad faces two arson-related charges, two counts of attempted arson, one count of destruction of property and one count of possession of incendiary material.

The charges relate to a Dec. 18 fire at the Congregation Beth Tikvah in a suburb of Montreal, which caused minor damage to the synagogue.

Police at the time reported broken glass and damage to the door of the synagogue, as well as smoke damage, and a smashed glass door at the nearby offices of Federation CJA, a Jewish community group.

Akodad pleaded not guilty during a virtual appearance at the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday, and is scheduled to appear again on Thursday to discuss next steps.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs welcomed news of the arrest.

Montreal police say the suspect was arrested in the Montreal borough of Anjou, and investigators seized evidence during a search of a home.

They say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is invited to contact police.

PROROGUE DECISION APPEALED

OTTAWA — Two Nova Scotia men are appealing a judge’s dismissal of their court challenge of then-prime minister Justin Trudeau’s move to prorogue Parliament earlier this year.

David MacKinnon and Aris Lavranos had asked the Federal Court to declare the suspension of Parliament illegal because there must be a “reasonable justification” for hitting the pause button.

They sought an order setting aside Trudeau’s January decision to advise Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to exercise her power to prorogue Parliament until March 24.

Federal lawyers argued that Trudeau’s advice to Simon was not subject to review by the courts and that the ultimate decision rests with the voting public.

In a ruling last month, Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton concluded that the applicants failed to demonstrate Trudeau exceeded limits established by the written Constitution, unwritten constitutional principles or any other legal limits.

MacKinnon and Lavranos recently filed a notice of appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal.

Trudeau resigned as Liberal leader on Jan. 6, the party chose Mark Carney as his replacement last month, during the prorogation.

On March 23, Carney called an election that will take place on April 28.

» The Canadian Press