A former president of Dairy Farmers of Québec, Daniel Gobeil, last night claimed an upset Liberal win in Chicoutimi on unusually high turnout in a federal byelection, 41.5 percent. Liberals easily held two other safe seats to retain a narrow majority in the Commons: ‘We produce less milk than the state of Wisconsin and without supply management, dairy producers would see their farm gate price drop.’

Indigenous Canadians under forest fire evacuation orders have been mistreated by federal and local authorities, says Federal Housing Advocate Marie-Josée Houle. Complaints ranged from being denied access to hotel swimming pools to falling prey to local gangs: ‘Some of them were leaving their communities for the first time experienced trauma and uncertainty.’

Canadians are divided over billions in new military spending, says in-house Privy Council research. “Reactions were mixed,” said a federal focus group report: “A number expressed concern about the scale of the investment, $81.8 billion.”

Dominic Barton, former managing director of the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, yesterday was named chair of the federal agency Invest in Canada. The appointment came two years after investigators said McKinsey benefited from favouritism in winning $200 million worth of federal contracts: “I have no interest in making money.”

The typical postsecondary student in Canada will spend $31,700 getting an education this school year including tuition and expenses, the nation’s Chief Actuary said yesterday. Student loans this year will average $8,285: “More students have a need that exceeds the loan limit.”