Police have confirmed the body of an employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax over the weekend was found in a walk-in oven.
Rufus Wainwright calls Trump's use of 'Hallelujah' cover the 'height of blasphemy'
Rufus Wainwright says he was "horrified" to learn that Donald Trump played his cover version of "Hallelujah" during a presidential campaign event in Pennsylvania on Monday.
The Canadian singer issued a statement saying Trump's decision to use the Leonard Cohen classic was the "height of blasphemy."
Wainwright's representatives noted that the publishing company for Cohen's estate also sent a cease-and-desist order to Trump's campaign.
"Hallelujah" was one of many songs played during the former U.S. president's town hall meeting in Oaks, near Philadelphia.
High temperatures in the room led to two medical emergencies and organizers paused the discussion for about half an hour of music.
Wainwright, a vocal supporter of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, joins a long list of musicians who've objected to Trump playing their music at his rallies.
Neither the Trump campaign nor Wainwright responded to requests for comment.
In August, Celine Dion issued a statement saying she never authorized Trump's use of a video featuring her performing "My Heart Will Go On" during a gathering of his supporters while Beyonce demanded his team pull down a video that used her song "Freedom," which she has authorized for the Harris campaign.
Wainwright had a close relationship with Cohen before his death in 2016. The musician and Cohen's daughter Lorca had a child together via artificial insemination, and raised their daughter jointly with Wainwright's husband.
Wainwright described "Hallelujah" as "an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth."
"I've been supremely honoured over the years to be connected with this ode to tolerance," he said in his statement.
"Witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy. Of course, I in no way condone this and was mortified, but the good in me hopes that perhaps in inhabiting and really listening to the lyrics of Cohen's masterpiece, Donald Trump just might experience a hint of remorse over what he's caused. I'm not holding my breath."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man charged after attempting to force his way into the House of Commons: police
On the tenth anniversary of the shooting on Parliament Hill, a man was arrested and charged with trespassing as he attempted to push past security guards into the House of Commons.
'We all got through it': Canadian family stuck in Cuba recalls ordeal amid massive blackout
Ellen Francis says she and her family were having a great time at one of Cuba's famously stunning beaches and exploring the popular tourist town of Varadero when the situation turned into something like a scary movie.
Cooldown expected across Canada before above-seasonal temperatures return
Canada is getting served a smorgasbord of weather this week. The West saw its first sign of winter, while the eastern half of Canada experienced summer-like temperatures on Tuesday.
One dead in multistate E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald's Quarter Pounders, CDC says
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert Tuesday regarding an E. coli outbreak that it says is linked with McDonald鈥檚 Quarter Pounders.
Kevin Vickers says 'not a day that goes by' he doesn't think about Parliament Hill shooting
On the 10-year anniversary of the deadly Parliament Hill shooting, former sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers says there's 'not a day that goes by' where he doesn't think about it.
A father and his two children who suffered severe burns in a Springfield, Ont. house fire have undergone surgery.
No Canadians in Cuba have requested consular assistance, Global Affairs says
None of the more than 1,600 Canadians currently registered in Cuba have requested consular assistance in returning to Canada, Global Affairs Canada confirmed to CTVNews.ca.
Former Conservative leader says Trudeau 'should move on' amid efforts to oust him
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'should move on,' as he faces growing inner-caucus turmoil.
Local Spotlight
Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.
A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.
Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.
Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.
The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.
A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.
A Nova Scotia man crossing Canada on foot is passing through southwestern Ontario. Trevor Redmond is perhaps better known as the 鈥楩ellow in Yellow.鈥