Good morning!
Here are five need-to-know stories for your Wednesday morning read:
1. It's official: After the first two days of the Republican convention focused on "Making America Safe Again" and "Making America Work Again," Wednesday is dedicated to "Making America First Again." Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz will give speeches that could help unify the party under Donald Trump, whose candidacy for president became official after a raucous rollcall on Tuesday. Get up to date on the latest U.S. election coverage here.
2. Talking trade: Canada’s provincial and territorial leaders will gather in Whitehorse on Wednesday to discuss healthcare, climate change and put the final touches on an elusive, renewed trade pact between the provinces, territories and the federal government. The gathering will last until Friday.
3. Toddler has Parkinson's: A New Brunswick two-year-old boy has been diagnosed with the neurological disorder usually associated with older people. His mother is raising money to bring him to Toronto, where she hopes doctors can provide more answers about the surprising diagnosis.
4. Child benefit: The new non-taxable, income-tested child benefit rolls out Wednesday with the average family receiving about $2,300. Half of the country's aboriginal families living on reserve, however, could miss out on the benefits of the new program.
5. Speaking out: A Yazidi woman who was forced into sex slavery by the Islamic State is calling on the Canadian government to recognize the systematic killing of her people as genocide. Nadia Murad Basee Taha spoke at the House of Commons on Tuesday, recounting to MPs the atrocities committed against the minority group.
