Six stories in the news today, Dec. 7

Six stories in the news for Wednesday, Dec. 7

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EQUIFAX: CONSUMER DEBT AND DELINQUENCY RATES RISE IN Q3

A new Equifax Canada report says low interest rates and falling oil prices drove up consumer debt and delinquency rates in the third quarter. The credit reporting agency found that average debt increased by 3.6 per cent to $22,081 in the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared to the same period last year. As of the third quarter, Canadian consumers owed $1.702 trillion compared to $1.587 trillion a year earlier.

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Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

2h ago

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

2h ago

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

5h ago

CENTRAL BANK TO ANNOUNCE INTEREST RATE 

The Bank of Canada is set to make its final interest rate announcement of the year today. The central bank is widely expected to keep its interest rate target set at 0.5 per cent, where it has been sitting since July 2015.

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TORY LEADERSHIP HOPEFULS SPARE IN MONCTON DEBATE

The 14 candidates in the race to be crowned the next leader of the federal Conservatives crowded a Moncton stage last night for their second official debate. The controversial Energy East pipeline project was a prime topic, with the candidates making arguments for and against it. Lisa Raitt said Energy East construction should have already begun and blamed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the delays.

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NOTLEY: “LOCK HER UP” CHANT SHOULD BE A CONCERN

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says chants of “Lock her up” at a rally protesting her plans for a carbon tax reflect the views of extreme groups of people who have migrated to both conservative parties in the province. Notley says that should be concerning to both the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties because people who are democratically elected shouldn’t be confronted with threats of being jailed.

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NEW BRUNSWICK CREATING INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

The New Brunswick government will table legislation today to create the new position of integrity commissioner — compressing a number of watchdog roles into one office. The person hired for the post will be responsible for the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act and the Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act.

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ADVISER TO ADDRESS TRIAL INVOLVING POLYGAMOUS SECT 

A lawyer appointed to act as an impartial adviser is expected to make brief closing submissions today in the trial for three people connected to a British Columbia polygamous community. Brandon Blackmore, Gail Blackmore and James Oler are accused of removing girls, aged 13 and 15, from Canada for a sexual purpose.

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The Canadian Press