Canada in Brief, Jan. 4-10

Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan at Legends Row outside the Air Canada Centre following the passing of Canadian hockey legend Johnny Bower, in Toronto on Dec. 27, 2017. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov

Hockey royalty pay tribute to Johnny Bower

Some of hockey’s biggest names gathered at Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Jan. 3 to pay tribute to beloved Hall of Fame goaltender Johnny Bower, who died Dec. 26 at age 93.

Those in attendance included NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Team Canada hero Paul Henderson, Canadiens great Yvon Cournoyer, and Leafs icons Red Kelly, Darryl Sittler, Doug Gilmour, and Rick Vaive.

The entire current Leafs team was also there to honour one of the franchise’s most beloved players.

Bower spent 11 seasons with the Maple Leafs and led them to four Stanley Cup titles, including their last in 1967. The Toronto icon hung up his skates in 1970 but remained a beloved face of the franchise and a symbol of past glory days.

Joshua Boyle, former Afghan captive, appears in court

Joshua Boyle, who in October was freed with his wife and children after they were held hostage for years in Afghanistan, made a brief court appearance Jan. 3 in connection with a number of charges, including sexual assault.

Boyle, 34, was arrested in Ottawa and court documents say he faces 15 charges, including eight counts of assault, two of sexual assault, and two of unlawful confinement. There is also a charge of uttering a death threat and another of misleading a police officer.

A publication ban prohibits the disclosure of details that could identify the victims. The acts allegedly occurred between Oct. 14 and Dec. 30.

Ottawa spending $27M to bring internet to homes in remote NL

The federal government is spending $27 million to bring high-speed internet to around 1,500 households in 70 rural and remote communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Federal cabinet minister Seamus O'Regan says spreading internet access to remote communities has been a priority of the Liberal government because it allows people to thrive no matter where they are.

The Newfoundland MP was joined in St. John’s by Premier Dwight Ball Jan. 2 for the announcement. Ball said the improved internet access will allow residents “to become more engaged in the digital economy, seize new business opportunities, and connect with friends and family around the world.”

With files from The Canadian Press