`Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is disputing rumours circulating on social media that he has been less than co-operative with the investigation into a racially-charged attack in which he says two masked men beat him and wrapped a rope around his neck in downtown Chicago.
In his first public statement since the attack early Tuesday, the black and gay actor said in a news release that he has been completely honest and “consistent on every level” with the police. He also said he is grateful for the outpouring of support he’s received.

Federal efforts to address systemic issues affecting black Canadians appear to have stalled one year after the prime minister made it an issue, says the head of Parliament’s black caucus as he put words to simmering frustrations with the slow pace of change.It was a year ago that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for action to ensure equal opportunity and treatment for the more than one million black Canadians to address the “very real and unique challenges that black Canadians face,” including anti-black racism.

Ontario’s government has fined Costco more than $7 million after finding that the company accepted illegal kickbacks at 29 pharmacies in warehouses across the province.
The Ontario Ministry of Health announced Friday that it would be penalizing CWC Pharmacies (Ontario) Ltd. after it found that the company received illegal advertising payments before August 2015.
The government says the company approached the ministry for confirmation on the legality of the payments, which Costco voluntarily stopped receiving until the completion of the ministry’s review.

Police in Haldimand County have charged a 53-year-old retired teacher with a number of offences including sexual assault.
Officers say they received a report of a sex attack on Jan. 25.
The assault was alleged to have taken place at Hagersville Secondary School between 2016 and 2018.
Police have now charged a former teacher with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and criminal harassment.
They say their investigation is ongoing.

The federal government is signing a new accord with the Native Women’s Association of Canada to ensure the organization can fully participate in efforts to improve Indigenous health, housing and education.
Francyne Joe, president of the association, says the accord will ensure the voices of Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people will be heard by policy-makers developing programs, services and laws.
She says that for too long the voices of Indigenous matriarchs, knowledge-keepers and water-carriers have been left out of discussions directly affecting their communities and nations.
Joe says the accord, which is being signed today, is an important step towards reconciliation and healing.
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett says she believes policies are only good if the people affected by them are involved in setting them.
Bennett says that’s why it’s important that Indigenous women will be part of policy-making.