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    • Power Play's picks for the five power players of 2022

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    The 2022 political year saw federal leaders grapple with both unprecedented protests at home and how to respond to wartime needs abroad. It also saw some top politicians take on new positions of power, while Indigenous leaders took their calls for accountability directly to the Vatican.

    Here are Â鶹´«Ã½ Channel Power Play's picks for the top five political power players of the year, in no particular order.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

    In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office and posted on Facebook, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seen during his visit to Kherson, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP, File)

    In February, the little-known leader of Ukraine was thrust into the global spotlight as he defended his country from Russia’s invasion and delivered chilling speeches from the heart of Kyiv as his homeland was withstanding constant bombardment.

    For 10 months, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has managed to rally support from NATO countries despite Ukraine not being a member nation. His resolve has reflected his nation’s resistance in the face of Vladimir Putin’s attempted annexation of the entire country.

    When the war first broke out and the United States offered to airlift Zelenskyy out of Ukraine, he famously responded: "I need ammunition, not a ride."

    His consistent calls for nations to do more has led to Canada contributing more than $3.4 billion in assistance to Ukraine in both military and humanitarian aid. The war in Ukriane also put renewed focus on Canada's NATO spending commitments, seeing an increase become a key feature of the 2022 federal budget, with the target still not met.

    His straightforward and emotional virtual address to Parliament in March brought the realities of war onto the floor of the House of Commons, while at home Zelenskyy’s nightly addresses to his people have been essential to keeping Ukrainians informed amid a world of disinformation. 

    In an interview on Power Play, Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, Yulia Kovaliv, said those speeches have been crucially important.

    "Every single evening he is telling Ukrainians what is happening, what we've done to get the support of our partners, what has been done inside the country to repair the [power] grids to warm up the people," said Kovaliv.

    NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh

    NDP leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

    In March, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made the ultimate power play of the year in striking a supply-and-confidence agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The agreement is slated to last until 2025 if, and only if, the Liberals keep up their end of the bargain by delivering on key policy planks. 

    In the first year of the deal, the NDP has forced the government to start what for now is a stop-gap dental benefit program for children under the age of 12 from low-income households, but is supposed to soon evolve into a more comprehensive national dental plan.

    Two other wins for the NDP were the doubling of the GST tax credit and the one-time $500 top-up of the Canada Housing Benefit.

    But as the health-care system continues to fray, the deal is showing to not be iron-clad. 

    "There might be a moment where after we've exhausted fighting and we've pushed as much as we can and there's no more this government's willing to do for people and the prime minister is no longer willing to listen to us or to be forced to do what's right, and at that point we'll make a decision," said Singh in an interview.

    Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre

    Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre asks a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

    After a seven-month leadership campaign that saw intense attacks against his fellow candidates, Pierre Poilievre walked away with an easy first ballot victory. When the results were announced in September, the long-time Tory managed to secure 68 per cent of the available electoral points and came in as the first choice in nearly all of the country’s 338 ridings. 

    The decisive victory followed a divisive campaign, and that sentiment continued as Poilievre took his seat in the House of Commons opposite Trudeau.

    With the cost-of-living crunch and inflation top issues for most Canadians, Poilievre and the Conservatives have hammered the Liberals in question period, claiming the pandemic spending has created the current economic climate. Firing back, Trudeau has repeatedly called out Poilievre's controversial views on using crypto-currency and his claim that he'd fire the Governor of the Bank of Canada.

    Internally, Poilievre has managed to rally the Conservatives after two disappointing election results in 2021 and 2019, calling for his caucus to head into the new year standing on the side of "common people." 

    Emergencies Act Inquiry Commissioner Paul Rouleau

    Commissioner Paul Rouleau speaks with Freedom Corp. counsel Brendan Miller before asking security to remove the lawyer from the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

    Making history as the first person to lead a national Public Order Emergency Commission as prescribed in the Emergencies Act, Paul Rouleau had a mammoth task ahead of him even before an unforeseen surgery delayed his work. 

    Ultimately, he and his team of commission counsel lawyers had six weeks to question more than 70 witnesses and parse through thousands of pages of documentation related to the federal government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act to bring an end to the "Freedom Convoy" protests.

    Despite the tall task, Rouleau managed to keep the commission's public hearings on track, even when the marathon hearings' cross-examinations became adversarial or conspiratorial.

    While the fact-finding portion of the commission's work is now complete, Rouleau is facing down a February 2023 deadline to distill it all down and report back to Parliament. His findings are sure to be consequential, and any recommended changes will prompt interesting political debates ahead. 

    Indigenous leaders' push towards reconciliation

    Gerald Antoine, center, First Nations NWT Regional Chief, is flanked by Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami delegation, left, and Cassidy Caron, President of the Metis community, as they meet reporters in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, after their meeting with Pope Francis, Friday, April 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

    This year, a delegation of Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors travelled to the Vatican. A week of meetings culminated in the Pope apologizing to Indigenous delegates at a public audience.

    Then, history was made as the Pope travelled to this country and made an apology on Canadian soil. The six-day visit took the Pope to Alberta, Quebec and the territory of Nunavut, and focused on publicly addressing the Catholic Church's role in Canada's residential school system.

    Last month, the House of Commons unanimously agreed to recognize what unfolded inside residential schools was a genocide.

    But, Indigenous leaders in this country have been clear: the apology and recognition of the wrongs done is only the start, not the end when it comes to what the responsibilities of federal government and institutions like the Catholic Church.

    And, as a new report from the , Canada still has a long way to go when it comes to reconciliation. The report found that of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action, just 13 have been completed to-date, two of which got done this year.

    "At this rate, it will take 42 years, or until 2065, to complete all the calls to action," it states. 

    Metis National Council President Cassidy Caron and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed both travelled to Rome and were with survivors when the Pope came to Canada. In an interview, the two Indigenous leaders spoke about how the apology was a “culmination of decades of work,†that meant something different to each person.

    Now, they said, Canadian officials need to keep pushing down the road to reconciliation.

    "From a systemic perspective, and from a relationships perspective, it also unlocks the potential to do more work together," Obed said. 

    IN DEPTH

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    Canada

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    • The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.

    World

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    • Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

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    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

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      Thousands of people are gathered in downtown Vancouver to observe the city’s 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • A suspect was arrested for allegedly brandishing a knife outside a Vancouver elementary school on Friday – just as the young students were heading home for the day.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada’s largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • A man believed to be in his 40s has been rushed to a trauma centre following a stabbing in downtown Toronto.

    • Calgarians will be observing Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

    • July 2025 may seem like it’s in the distant future, but for the St. Luke playground committee time is ticking to fundraise the $340,000 they still need to build a new playground.

    • Getting out to the mountains is even easier with a new bus route from a growing Germany-based service.

    • Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats to a woman is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.

    • With fewer interments and rising maintenance fees, the money for Canada's largest military cemetery will run out in three to four years.

    • Montreal Metro passengers can now flag a safety concern by texting a new phone number launched by the STM.

    • LIVE @ 10:45 A.M. MT

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      Monday is Remembrance Day, a time to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

    • WEATHER

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      This is shaping up to be one of the warmest Remembrance Days in the past decade, at least, for temperatures.

    • Many Maritimers turned out in wet and windy weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother’s death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Remembrance Day is today, and a number of ceremonies are taking place around the province to honour those who gave their lives to serve our country.

    • A pillar in Canada’s history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.

    • There will be two ceremonies taking place in Regina for Remembrance Day, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book ‘War Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.’

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • A Barrie man is at the centre of an alleged $2.2 million stolen used car scheme.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • Barrie residents gathered on Monday to honour Canada’s veterans and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the country.

    • Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • Windsor Paralympic champion, Danielle Campo, has been crowned the number one Inspirational Speaker of the Year for 2024 at the Inspirational Speaking Finals.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year’s host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • It was just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down when the Shaft Bottom Boys of Sudbury broke a world record for 'Deepest Concert Underground.' Now, more than four years later, a Timmins band is looking to take the title.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

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