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Year in Review: 2004

© David Newman

JANUARY Tests confirm that an American cow that had B.S.E was in fact born in Canada. Six Toronto Police Officers are charged with corruption. The Government of Canada, already having referred three questions to the Supreme Court concerning Equal Marriage refer another question, concerning the constitutionality of the opposite-sex only question, despite the fact the question had already been answered at Provincial courts and had not been appealed by the Government.

FEBRUARY PM Paul Martin grants G.S.T. rebates to the country's municipalities. Auditor-General Sheila Fraser releases her report on the sponsorship programme, which states that the Liberal governments have mishandled millions in taxpayer monies on liberal-friendly firms in Quebec. Canada sends aid to Haiti and pressures President Aristide - later a Coup d'Etat takes place under the watch of Canada, France and the United States. The Maritime Provinces are hit with storms that cause much damage.

MARCH Quebec courts grant same-sex couples equal right to marry. Todd Bertuzzi is suspended for the remainder of the playoffs for a cheap-shot hit on Colorado's Steve Moore. Pol Mitchell Sharp, who was cabinet minister under Trudeau and advisor to Jean Chretien died at the age of 92. Stephen Harper defeats Belinda Stronach and Tony Clement for the leadership of the united Conservative Party of Canada.

APRIL Canada's Women win the Hockey World Championship for the eighth straight time. A Montreal Jewish school suffers anti-semetic attacks, in which the library is burnt down. BC New Democratic Party Member of Parliament, Svend Robinson admits to theft of a ring and takes stress leaves. He later pleads guilty to charges. Tibetan Buddhism's leader, the Dalai Lama speaks to a crowd at the SkyDome in Toronto, preaching a message of peace.

MAY Canadian Naji Al-Kuwaiti, is taken hostage in Iraq. Canada's Men's Hockey team defend their World Championship Title by defeating Sweden. Canada sends aid to Haiti after huge floods, due to hurricanes, causes a humanitarian crisis. Former Prime Minister of Canada and Independant Conservative MP Joe Clark retires. Prime Minister Paul Martin calls an Election for June 28. A land claim settlement grants a self-government region to Labrador Inuit.

JUNE During the Arar Inquiry, top agent at CSIS says he knew about sending terror suspects to foreign countries for 'questioning'. Vancouver Canuck Todd Bertuzzi is charged with Assault. The Calgary Flames make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, the first Canadian team to make it there since the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Rangers in 1994. The Flames lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Paul Martin's liberals form a minority government as the Liberals lose ground, mainly in Quebec to the Bloc Quebecois, and in Ontario to the Conservatives and the New Democrats.

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