Five stories in the news today, Dec. 6

Five stories in the news for Tuesday, Dec. 6

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FAMILIES TO SPEND UP TO $420 ON FOOD: STUDY 

The typical Canadian family will spend up to $420 more on groceries and dining out next year, getting little relief from a recent drop in the cost of food, suggests a new report. Researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax estimate food prices overall are expected to rise between three and five per cent, with meat (especially chicken and pork), vegetables, fish and other seafood among those projected to jump by four to six per cent.

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CITIZEN PANEL CALLS FOR UNIVERSAL PHARMACARE

A group of Canadians looking into access to prescription drugs is recommending the federal government adopt a national, publicly funded pharmacare plan in concert with the country's universal health-care system. Representatives of the Citizens' Reference Panel on Pharmacare in __canada will deliver their recommendations today to a the Commons Standing Committee on Health.

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SECURITY SHOULDN'T TRUMP PRIVACY: WATCHDOGS 

Privacy commissioners from across the country will tell the Trudeau government today to make respect for personal information a cornerstone of its revamped national security policy. Federal privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien and his provincial and territorial counterparts are signing a joint submission to the government's security review.

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GOOGLE, B.C. COMPANY BATTLE IN HIGH COURT 

A legal fight between Google and a B.C. technology company unfolds today in the Supreme Court of Canada, where they will duel over competing free speech and copyright infringement issues. At issue is whether Canadian courts have the jurisdiction to make sweeping orders to block access to content on the Internet beyond Canada's borders.

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DEFENCE'S TURN IN TRIAL INVOLVING POLYGAMOUS SECT

A defence lawyer in a trial involving three people with ties to a B.C. polygamous community is expected to deliver closing arguments today. John Gustafson represents Brandon Blackmore, who is accused of taking a 13-year-old girl into the United States for a sexual purpose in 2004. The two other accused face the same charge but have chosen not to hire legal counsel.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Contenders for the federal Conservative leadership will stage a bilingual debate in Moncton, N.B.

— The Assembly of First Nations will convene its annual December Assembly in Gatineau, Quebec.

— A gathering will be held in Montreal to mark the 27th anniversary of the Polytechnique Massacre in the city.

— A ceremony will be held to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion in 1917.

— Quarterly results are due today from BMO Financial Group, Laurentian Bank, Hudson's Bay Co., Transcontinental Inc.

— Statistics Canada will release international merchandise trade figures for October and the November field crop report.