Across Canada

Canada grows only by immigration

OTTAWA - Statistics Canada says the country's population reached 30,572,544 this past fall, a growth of 252,200, or 0.83 per cent, over a year earlier - but it failed to note that the only reason the population didn't drop was immigration. Other recent reports noted that Canada's fertility rates are at a historic low, well below replacement levels. All provinces and territories experienced population increases except for Newfoundland, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. Nunavut had the largest increase at 2.4 per cent, followed by Alberta at 1.7 per cent and Ontario at 1.2 per cent. "Interprovincial migration was the most important factor in different growth rates among the provinces and territories," the agency said.

Warrant out for Kopp

WINNIPEG - A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for James Charles Kopp, who is now wanted in connection with the attempted murder of an Ontario abortionist. Hugh Short was struck in the elbow by a bullet fired from a high-calibre rifle while watching television in his suburban Hamilton, Ont. home in November 1995. Winnipeg police Inspector Keith McCaskill, a spokesman for a joint Canada-U.S. task force on the shooting of abortionists, made the announcement, but refused to discuss "specific evidence" and didn't comment on the fact that Kopp requires eyeglasses and walks with a limp. DNA evidence and witness statements - but not that of eyewitnesses to the shooting - are said to be involved.

Newfoundland population down

ST. JOHN'S - Newfoundland's population is shrinking faster than Ontario's is growing, reflecting the province's low birth rate, a continuing exodus of its young people and the lowest life expectancy in Canada. Statistics Canada noted that Newfoundland's population has been dropping more than one per cent each year since 1995. This is despite having Canada's fastest-growing economy for two years running. Last year, the province lost 35 out of every 1,000 of its people, by far the highest loss rate in the country, said Statistics Canada. The Maritime provinces as a whole are approaching an annual growth rate in the area of zero.

Child prostitution worsens

REGINA - Social services officials say children as young as eight are prostituting themselves on the streets of Saskatchewan, while police have observed men trying to buy sex from four and five year olds. Laura Bourassa, Crown counsel for the Justice Department, estimated that as many as 220 children work the streets of Saskatchewan's two major cities, while as many as 85 are in Prince Albert. Regina police question the figures, noting that they deal with 180 prostitutes, adult and underage, each year. Still, children and youth workers said the situation is worse than it's ever been. "It's a sick situation," said one. "It doesn't matter if it's a seven year old or a 12 year old - a child is a child. We should be shocked about this."

Trinity Western fights for its rights

LANGLEY, B.C. - Trinity Western University has launched a $125,000 campaign to rally public support for its fight to preserve a student code of conduct that bans such activities as premarital and homosexual sex. The university is currently engaged in a court battle with the B.C. College of Teachers in an attempt to obtain accreditation for its five-year teacher training program. A Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for the spring. "We're gearing up for the final phase," said TWU spokesman Randy Schmidt. "We're trying to be more proactive about getting the message out." More than 200 information packages have been mailed out to media across the country. The university's executive vice-president said the battle is about protecting fundamental religious and civil freedoms.

Nursing home residents neglected