Good morning. A First Nation in Alberta has launched a lawsuit in connection with a provincially funded construction project. More on that below, along with wildfire updates and a change in home prices.
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The Calgary Courts Centre is pictured in Calgary, 2024.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
TOP STORIES
Tsuut’ina Nation says recovery centre project has been marred by ‘red flags’
A First Nation in Alberta is suing its former lawyer over alleged irregularities in the procurement of a provincially funded addiction recovery centre, saying that he worked with Edmonton businessman Sam Mraiche and a former chief to sole-source a $35-million contract for the facility.
The lawsuit: The Tsuut’ina Nation, a Dene community with roughly 2,500 citizens located near Calgary, filed a lawsuit against former general counsel Terry Braun alleging negligence, breaches of contract and fiduciary duties, and other wrongdoing in connection with the construction project.
The allegations: Tsuut’ina says its recovery centre, which was being built by contractor Melewka Homes Ltd., has been marred by “red flags,” including circumvented procurement processes, overpayments and duplicated invoices. It also alleges that former nation chief Roy Whitney and his family stood to personally benefit from the project.
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Ships are docked along a pier at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on July 14.-/AFP/Getty Images
Iran threatens to block more vital seaways
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to close “all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies,” Iranian media reported, after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Fighting continues: The latest threat to global shipping comes a day after the U.S. military said it began a fresh round of strikes. Iran has recently attacked ships moving through the strait on a route overseen by the U.S. military that is outside Tehran’s control, setting off tit-for-tat strikes.
Freighters stay: A Canadian shipping firm has had to postpone plans to exit two commercial vessels from the strait after nearly five months of being trapped in the Persian Gulf.
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Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium.David Ramos/Getty Images
Spain advances to World Cup final
Thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, Spain has powered its way to the team’s first World Cup final since 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France. A day after his 19th birthday, Spain’s Lamine Yamal was denied a goal on a close offside call, but it was his smart play against a veteran defender that put Spain in the lead.
The take: Spain has to do two things now. Play on Sunday as it did on Tuesday, and resist at all costs the obvious conclusion by many millions of experts that there is now no way it can be beaten.
Today: England faces Argentina at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Plus, if your World Cup team has been eliminated, here’s who you should you root for now.
A first of its kind interprovincial trade dispute
A Canadian internal trade panel has convened in Fredericton after an Ontario contractor alleged the Government of New Brunswick breached the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. It’s the first interprovincial trade dispute of its kind to reach the tribunal under the country’s free-trade agreement.
The context: Based in Acton, Ont., Julmac Contracting Ltd. alleges the New Brunswick government unfairly discriminated against out-of-province contractors in favour of local companies. The province says this is actually a simple matter of the contractor defaulting on its projects.
Quebec gets drone-testing facility
Ottawa is establishing a new secure facility based in Mirabel, Que, for industry to test and experiment with uncrewed defence systems. The hub is part of the federal effort to accelerate the development of key defence technologies so the country can be less reliant on the U.S. for gear.
A national network: The Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub is the second in this network to be established, after a maritime hub was launched as a pilot in November, in Dartmouth, N.S. Not to be confused with Ottawa’s Drone Innovation Hub also in Mirabel, this new facility will focus on developing technologies based upon the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Take
Many in the party have seen enough. I talked to one prominent Conservative donor in recent days who told me he is done with Mr. Poilievre. He doesn’t believe he’s capable of changing. Worse, he believes Mr. Poilievre doesn’t think he has to change.
— Globe columnist Gary Mason
A COVID-19 vaccine inquiry? What’s next? A probe into who killed the Canadian penny? Gary Mason writes that federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is ill-equipped to run a serious political party.
The Shot
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Cynthia Toushan, stage manager for both Guys and Dolls and Something Rotten!, looks over notes in the calling booth during a Stratford Festival musical double header performance day.Nick Iwanyshyn/The Globe and Mail
At Stratford Festival, pulling off two musicals on one stage is a monumental task. Here’s how the cast, crew and stages transform in just 180 minutes.
The callout
What’s happening with the housing market? Ask our real estate reporters on Thursday, July 16 at 1 p.m. ET. Click here to leave a question or send an e-mail to audience@globeandmail.com.
The Wrap
What else we’re following
At home: Wildland firefighters in British Columbia are fighting to prevent an out-of-control blaze near Boston Bar from moving east toward Merritt.
Abroad: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement suspended vehicle stops after ICE agents fatally shot two men during stops in Texas and Maine.
Expansion: Five First Nations will pay up to $1-billion for a majority equity stake in LNG Canada’s planned storage tank if the terminal in Kitimat, B.C. moves ahead with expansion.
Contracting: Here are three cities where home prices are changing fast, and why these markets (outside of Ontario and B.C.) are stalling.
Verification: Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell’s proof-of-life photo doesn’t have the internet very convinced.