Elizabeth May Farewell, Data Scandal, Carney, Polling

Grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let’s get caught up on the biggest stories from across the country.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino following the collapse of a controversial proposal that would have sold a stake in the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup.

Infantino’s plan would have created a new company to manage FIFA’s biggest tournaments, including the World Cup, and then sold roughly 20 per cent of that company to private investors for US$4.2 billion, valuing the business at approximately US$20 billion.

Supporters argued the deal would provide FIFA with billions of dollars to invest in growing the sport around the world.

Critics, however, said the proposal would have handed private investors a permanent share of one of the world’s most valuable sporting events while giving them greater influence over the future of football.

The proposal quickly fell apart after UEFA’s 55 member associations threatened to boycott the World Cup, arguing they had not been properly consulted.

Carney called the lack of consultation a “fatal” governance failure, while one of Infantino’s senior advisers resigned, describing the entire process as a “sad and reproachable series of events.”

A Canadian man has pleaded guilty to his role in one of the largest corporate hacking cases in recent years.

Connor Moucka, a 26-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario, admitted in a U.S. federal court to computer fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy for his role in the massive Snowflake data breach.

The hacking operation targeted 165 organizations, including AT&T, Ticketmaster and Santander Bank.

According to court documents, the group stole sensitive customer information before demanding ransom payments or attempting to sell the stolen data on cybercrime forums.

Prosecutors say the group extorted at least 36 Bitcoin, worth roughly US$2.5 million at the time, while Moucka personally received nearly US$500,000.

Investigators also allege he developed software that automatically searched stolen databases for valuable information, allowing the group to identify organizations most likely to pay a ransom.

Canada’s Green Party leadership race is beginning to take shape.

Former Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice has officially entered the race to replace longtime Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, joining Ottawa organizer Nira Dookeran as the second approved candidate.

May announced last year that she would step down, triggering a five-month leadership contest.

To remain in the race, candidates must recruit 200 new Green Party members and raise at least $15,000 by the end of September.

Party members will vote in November, with the new leader set to be announced on November 14.

The federal government is investing $2.7 billion to support the construction of more than 5,600 new rental homes across Toronto over the next three years.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced the funding on Wednesday as the city continues to struggle with rising housing costs and aging public housing.

Of those new homes, at least 1,800 are expected to be affordable or rent-controlled.

The announcement also comes as Ontario continues to fall behind its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.

For context, the federal investment works out to an average of roughly $482,000 per planned rental unit, although that figure includes much more than construction costs alone, including land, infrastructure and other project expenses.

The wildfire situation in British Columbia continues to worsen.

Authorities now estimate that approximately 8,000 people have been forced from their homes as multiple large wildfires continue to burn across the province.

Near Clinton, officials say structures have been destroyed on roughly 120 properties.

Around Vernon, the Bradley Creek wildfire has destroyed approximately 30 homes belonging to members of the Okanagan Indian Band along with roughly 200 additional homes on reserve lands.

Meanwhile, the massive Pear Lake wildfire has grown to approximately 1,250 square kilometres and continues to display extreme fire behaviour.

The wildfire burning near Okanagan Lake also remains out of control, with evacuation orders and alerts continuing for nearby communities.

To everyone who has been forced from their homes, and to the firefighters and emergency crews working around the clock, we’re thinking of you. Please stay safe.

New polling from Abacus Data suggests Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s approval rating has slipped into negative territory.

According to the survey, 35 per cent of Ontarians approve of Ford’s performance, while 43 per cent disapprove.

The same poll found Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles is currently the province’s most popular party leader with a +9 net approval rating.

A new poll from Research Co. suggests Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim remains the favourite heading into this fall’s municipal election.

The survey indicates Sim currently leads the field as he seeks another term as mayor.

That’s your nightly roundup.

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Have a great night, and I’ll see you tomorrow.