Canadian host and comedian Mike Bullard dies at 67

Reduce article font size Increase the font size of the article Canadian comedian and former talk show host Mike Bullard died at the age of 67. His family confirmed to Global News that Bullard was found dead of a suspected heart attack. Bullard got his start in comedy doing live stand-up in comedy clubs across Ontario, before moving to television thanks to his success with stand-up. He rose to prominence in 1997 as host of the late-night talk show “Open Mike With Mike Bullard” on CTV, which he hosted until 2003, when he was hired by Global Television to host “The Mike Bullard Show.” This program lasted 13 weeks. 2h10 Radio host and comedian Mike Bullard accused of harassment Current trend Canada-wide recall issued for chicken and mushroom pasta dish due to listeria concerns Canada’s pharmacare bill is now law. What does this mean for you After his television show was canceled, Bullard turned to radio. After a few canceled shows and a brief return to television, he found success as host of “Beyond The Mic with Mike Bullard” on Newstalk 1010 in Toronto, where he remained from 2010 to 2016. Story continues below advertisement He left Newstalk 1010 after being accused of stalking a former romantic partner. In 2018, Bullard pleaded guilty to one count of communications harassment. During his career, Bullard won two Gemini Awards for his show “Open Mike With Mike Bullard.” In 2013, he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his voluntary work. In 2022, Bullard traveled to Ukraine to volunteer with humanitarian organizations in the country following the Russian invasion. Learn more about entertainment More videos &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

Read More

ANALYSIS: The Liberal revolt concerns Trudeau, communications and the carbon tax

Hopes for an uneasy Liberal caucus were first raised in late summer 2022 in the New Brunswick resort town of St. Andrew’s. The Liberals had gathered in August for the first in-person retreat after the pandemic to deal with a series of polls that found them just a few points behind the leaderless Conservatives. In September of the same year, the Conservatives will find their leader, Pierre Poilievre. Now, two years later, the anxiety of 2022 has turned into the panic of 2024 with multiple polls showing Liberals 20 points behind and facing absolute rout if elections took place this fall. Many Liberal MPs who once thought they could survive on their own popularity are now facing the reality that they will lose their jobs because of the unpopularity of the same leader who helped them win back their party in 2015. Story continues below advertisement During the 2022 caucus, Liberal MPs were told there was a plan to turn things around. They were told the same thing when they met last month in Nanaimo, British Columbia, for this year’s summer caucus retreat. Indeed, applause could be heard during the closed-door meeting in the conference center room in downtown Nanaimo as Trudeau’s director of strategic communications, Max Valiquette, presented his marketing plan for the months to come. Today, many of these MPs complain that nothing was done after the St. Andrews meetings. And nothing has been done since Nanaimo. Learn more about politics More videos The plaintiffs say there have been no promised communications campaigns, no changes in policies and no changes in how the prime minister and his top aides interact with the caucus. Conservative activist Cole Hogan, director of gt&co, tracks the amount of money each party spends on Facebook advertising, figures that Facebook itself discloses for all political parties. For the week ending October 5, conservatives spent $114,569 on Facebook ads compared to $3,086 for the Liberals and $1,240 for the NDP. Hogan has documented this kind of lopsided ad spending week after week since that Nanaimo meeting and leading up to this one. This data reinforces the opinion of liberals who complain that nothing has been done. And while Liberal MPs were promised some sort of marketing campaign to increase their fortunes, Conservatives produced slick television commercials that aired on traditional television networks. The liberal response? Trudeau did it a podcast with one of his own backbenchers and made an appearance on an American late-night television show. Story continues below advertisement The contrast makes some Trudeau MPs shake their heads. 3:20 p.m. Liberal MPs push for Trudeau to resign At least one of the common complaints of many MPs who spoke to Global News this weekend was resolved Sunday when the party finally named a national campaign manager, a position that had been vacant for more than a month following the resignation of Jeremy Broadhurst. Get the latest national news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen. The new campaign manager is Andrew Bevan, who will hand over his position as chief of staff to Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister. Bevan is a “veteran” Liberal, a soft-spoken, lively Brit with a smile and laugh, who has worked in and around the federal and Ontario Liberal parties for ages. “Good at reading people, wise at understanding how to help them trust him. And he’s a very nice guy,” Robin Sears, the former principal secretary to NDP leader Ed Broadbent, wrote on Bevan’s LinkedIn page in support of Bevan joining Freeland’s office. Story continues below advertisement “Andrew Bevan knows how to win,” David Herle posted on his social accounts. Herle ran several political and federal campaigns for the Liberals. That said, Bevan also found himself serving as head of staff for some famous Liberal lost causes. He ran Stéphane Dion’s office when he tried – and failed – to sell his green shift to Canadians in the 2008 election. He was Kathleen Wynne’s top advisor at Queen’s Park when Liberal rule in Ontario collapsed in 2018. He now faces the steepest hill he has ever had to climb: getting a long-toothed Trudeau government re-elected in 2018. 2025. He won’t be surprised that many of the incumbent Liberals he’ll try to help re-elect think the job would be easier with a new leader. Those who want a change in leadership tend to be “blue” liberals, those who might have supported Paul Martin or John Manley in past leadership races. Some believe that someone like François-Philippe Champagne, who represents Jean Chrétien’s former riding of Shawinigan and is Trudeau’s minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, would immediately improve the Liberals’ fortunes if he was chief. It’s not just leaders who need to change, some of the plaintiffs say, it’s also time to abandon some policies they hold dear, including the carbon tax. “It’s over when Poilievre wins anyway,” one MP said. Story continues below advertisement Indeed, several progressive politicians across the country have already decided that it is impossible to campaign and win on a federal carbon price. NDP Premiers Wab Kinew in Manitoba and David Eby in British Columbia have called on the federal government to abolish the carbon tax. Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck is campaigning in her province’s current provincial election against a carbon tax. And federal NDP Jagmeet Singh is also hesitant on the principle of carbon pricing. Current trend Israel should seize ‘opportunity’ to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, says Bolton Canadian host and comedian Mike Bullard dies at 67 In New Brunswick, Liberal Leader Susan Holt also asked Ottawa to cancel any increase in the carbon tax. Today, some members of Trudeau’s caucus – largely MPs from English-speaking Canada – think it’s time to do what the Polièvre Conservatives are constantly calling for: “remove the tax.” Global News spoke with numerous members of the Liberal caucus this weekend. Those who had something substantive to say about…

Read More

Alberta construction group warns homeowners about alarmist fake inspection letter

A residential construction company is warning Albertans not to fall victim to a scam. According to Alberta Building and Land Development Industry Association (BILD Alberta) — a non-profit organization that represents home builders — several residents in the Edmonton and Calgary areas have received fake letters impersonating the association, seeking access to people’s homes for an inspection. “This wasn’t just about one person receiving a letter,” CEO Scott Fash told Global News. “It was something a little more widespread, which was even more concerning.” The letter claims a type of dangerous insulation, known as urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), may have been used at their properties. What is MIUF? According to Health Canada, UFFI was widely used in the 1970s to insulate and renovate older industrial, commercial and residential buildings. Story continues below advertisement It is a low-density foam that has the appearance and consistency of shaving cream and becomes stiff and self-supporting when it dries or hardens (hardens). THE insulation has been banned in Canada since 1980because it was found to release formaldehyde during the curing process and afterwards, for example if it got wet. Formaldehyde can cause cancer. The fake letter invites residents who received it to immediately call the number displayed. “Please note that failure to comply with this mandatory inspection could result in legal action and could affect your ability to sell or maintain insurance coverage for your home,” the letter read. “This inspection is not only a legal obligation but also a crucial step in protecting your health.” 0:31 Alberta RCMP release video of attempted scam in hopes of catching suspects Alarmist warning letter Receive national news daily Get the day’s top news, politics, business and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. The fraudulent letter includes the logos of the BILD Alberta Association and the Government of Alberta. Last month, BILD Alberta posted a consumer fraud notice on its website. Story continues below advertisement “We have noticed fraudulent letters being circulated, falsely claiming to be from the Government of Alberta and the BILD Alberta Association,” the statement read. “Please note that neither the BILD Alberta Association nor the Government of Alberta have issued such a notice.” Fash says sending letters to homeowners is not a task they do, nor do they do home inspections as an organization. “It’s completely absurd, and again, it’s a very simple way if someone doesn’t understand that and most people wouldn’t understand it,” Fash said. “Taking into someone’s home is a very easy way to take advantage of that person. When someone receives a letter like this, they will obviously be very concerned. The Alberta government also issued a consumer warning, explaining that the letter is not endorsed by it. 5:10 p.m. Alberta real estate attracts an influx of people Current trend Canada-wide recall issued for chicken and mushroom pasta dish due to listeria concerns Trudeau appoints new Liberal campaign manager: who is Andrew Bevan? Estate agents warned over fraudulent letter Since then, the information has been transmitted to several real estate agents across the province. Story continues below advertisement Zachary Yuzyk, a partner at Clear Trust Mortgages, said homeowners should be skeptical if they receive a notice that pressures them to “act quickly” or if there are threats of legal action. “That wouldn’t be up to the owner, would it?” That would be something you didn’t know. This would be a material defect that you were not aware of when you moved into the property,” Yuzyk explained. Following an increase in scams on several communication platforms, Yuzyk would like to remind citizens to pause and think before acting. “Everyone knows about phone scams, everyone knows about email scams, and now it’s coming back to physical mail. I just feel like people think an official document has more authority,” Yuzyk explained. “That’s simply not the case. No matter how it happens, one should always be skeptical. » Residents who have received this notice are asked not to take any action based on the instructions in the letter and to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center. BILD Alberta says if homeowners have already contacted the sender, they should file a report with their local police department. 1:52 New grandparents scam using AI technology raises concerns Previous video Next video Learn more about lifestyle More videos &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

Read More

Diddy’s lawyers accuse US government of leaking Cassie assault video – National

NOTE: The following article contains disturbing content. Please read at your own discretion. Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs accused federal authorities of leaking the video of Physical attack on Combs against his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, thereby depriving Combs of a fair jury trial. In the legal filing submitted Wednesday, Combs’ attorneys said U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents facilitated a “series of illegal government leaks,” with the assault video being “the most common example.” blatant.” The memorandum was filed in connection with federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty. In May, CNN obtained security camera footage of Combs beating Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Although the hip-hop mogul initially denied assaulting Ventura, he publicly apologized after the video was released and said he was “truly sorry” for his “inexcusable” actions. Story continues below advertisement CNN did not specify the source of the images. Combs and Ventura later settled her lawsuit against him, alleging she endured years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse in his hands. The new legal filing says Ventura received “a substantial eight-figure settlement.” The musician’s lawyers, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, said the alleged DHS leak “led to damaging and extremely prejudicial pretrial publicity that can only taint the jury and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.” Learn more about entertainment More videos Combs’ legal team said it may ask that the video be excluded from his trial entirely. If the leak was disclosed by a federal agent, it is a violation of grand jury secrecy, they wrote. Agnifilo and Geragos did not provide specific evidence that DHS officials leaked the tape. The lawyers noted, however, that when they told the government they would file a motion alleging that authorities leaked the video, prosecutors said CNN did not obtain the footage “through a large jury.” Get the latest national news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen. Prosecutors added that DHS “did not have possession of the videotape prior to its release by CNN.” Ventura is not specifically named in the latest filing. Combs’ lawyers said they do not believe Ventura provided the video to CNN. Story continues below advertisement 3:14 Freak offs, baby oil and IV bags: Shocking accusations against Sean “Diddy” Combs revealed Agnifilo and Geragos also accused DHS of leaking “a steady stream of false and damaging statements” to various media outlets, including the New York Post. The anonymous comments to the press, many of which are cited in the memorandum, are “false, prejudicial and prejudicial,” according to the filing. Combs’ lawyers have argued throughout their investigation that DHS attempted to “savage” Combs’ reputation before his trial. The “particularly brutal and public search” of Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami is a source of contention for his lawyers. During the raid by U.S. federal agents, Combs’ two sons were handcuffed in front of waiting members of the press. “After parading these two completely innocent young men and presenting them in handcuffs and restraints to the media, the officers took them back into the house, still in handcuffs, and released them,” the filing states. Story continues below advertisement Before the March 25, 2024, searches, Combs’ lawyers said he twice offered to cooperate with the investigation. His legal team called the raids “public spectacles of brutality” designed to portray Combs as dangerous and maximize media exposure through the presence of 100 armed federal agents spread out between the two residences. Current trend Hacked US Robot Vacuums Scream Racist Slurs, Chase Pets: Report 100 years later, lost Everest climber Andrew Irvine’s foot may have been found Police and members of the media gather outside the home of Sean (Diddy) Combs in Los Angeles on March 25, 2024, as the property is searched by federal agents in sex trafficking prosecutions and sexual assault. DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images DHS has not yet responded to the new allegations. Combs’ lawyers have clarified that they do not believe the alleged leaks were orchestrated by the U.S. attorney’s office. They have asked the government for an evidentiary hearing, as well as a relevant inquiry, to investigate any misconduct. Combs’ lawyers asked the judge for a gag order. Combs was once one of the most powerful and influential men in the entertainment industry. A federal indictment unsealed September 17 revealed that Diddy was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The charges are related to what is called “monsters” forced sexual acts that Diddy allegedly orchestrated and recorded. The “freak offs” often involved narcotics, including ketamine, ecstasy and GHB, to keep victims “obedient and docile,” officials say. Story continues below advertisement Earlier this month, Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee said he represented 120 accusers who shared dozens of new claims against the musician, including rape and sexual assault dating back to 1991. The accusers include women, men and minors. 4:06 Lawyer representing more than 100 alleged victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs speaks out Combs has denied all of the new allegations against him and maintains his innocence. He was twice denied bail and remains behind bars. Combs is scheduled to go to trial May 5. — If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or is involved in a violent situation, please visit Canadian Resource Center for Victims of Crime for help. They can also be reached toll-free at 1-877-232-2610. Curator’s Recommendations Keep summer going with these warm essentials for your garden. 10 trash cans that would make Oscar the Grouch jealous &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

Read More

‘Disappointed’ by reports of caucus revolt against Trudeau, says Trade Minister Ng – National

Minister of Commerce Marie Ng says she is “disappointed” by media reports of an internal revolt against the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau within the Liberal caucus, reiterating his confidence in Trudeau’s leadership. Some Liberal MPs are working to oust Justin Trudeau, Global News has learned. Sources say MPs are unhappy with his leadership of the party. Some members of the Liberal caucus asked their colleagues to sign a document asking Trudeau to resign. No one is allowed to take photos of this document or reproduce copies of it, according to sources interviewed by Global News. Mary Ng, who was returning from Laos with Trudeau where they were both attending a multilateral summit, spoke to reporters as their plane stopped to refuel in Hawaii. “I would say I’m disappointed because the Canadians expect us to focus on the Canadians,” Ng told reporters in Honolulu. Story continues below advertisement “I am a Liberal MP and I have full confidence in Justin Trudeau as leader,” she said. Asked if Trudeau had enough support within the caucus to remain prime minister, Ng replied: “I would say yes.” Ng said there had been “intense conversations” within the caucus, adding that having “a range of views from the caucus is very healthy and very good.” Get the latest national news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen. An MP told The Canadian Press that the number of MPs involved is not negligible and that contrary to previous rumors of a revolt, this one is real. This MP is not one of those involved in the revolt, reported the Canadian Press. 0:48 “There is still work to do”: Trudeau reacts after the loss of the Liberal stronghold in the Montreal by-elections The revolt reportedly took shape while Trudeau was away attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos. Story continues below advertisement Several other Liberals contacted Friday by The Canadian Press said they had not been approached to join the attempt to impeach Trudeau and suggested the effort was being kept away from ministers who are perceived to be solidly behind the Prime Minister. Current trend Canada’s pharmacare bill is now law. What does this mean for you Hacked US Robot Vacuums Scream Racist Slurs, Chase Pets: Report The Liberals survived two votes of confidence proposed by the Conservatives since the return of Parliament in mid-September, but the Bloc gave them until the end of October to respond to demands for an increase in the old age security pension and protection of the management of the offer in international trade negotiations. Trudeau maintained his grip on the Liberal party even as his government’s slide in the polls turned into a free fall and his Liberal party lost two strongholds in by-elections in Toronto and Montreal. 2:07 Trudeau Liberals suffer another blow as Bloc wins Montreal by-election The noise increased at the end of June after the loss of Toronto-St. Paul’s seat to the Conservatives, but his attempt to oust him failed to garner wider support from more than one or two MPs. Story continues below advertisement The situation calmed somewhat over the summer, only to return with a vengeance in September after the NDP withdrew from the party. supply and trust agreementnational campaign director Jeremy Broadhurst resigned and the party lost a critical second by-election in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun of Montreal constituency in the Bloc Québécois. –with files from the Canadian Press Learn more about Canada More videos Source link

Read More

Unemployment rate in Edmonton in September hits 9%, StatCan data shows – Edmonton

Reduce article font size Increase the font size of the article Edmonton now leads the largest municipalities in the country in terms of the number of unemployed people. September figures from Statistics Canada show the unemployment rate in Alberta’s capital sits at nine per cent. That’s up from the previous month’s rate of 8.6 percent and above the national average of 6.5 percent. Moshe Lander of Concordia University’s economics department says it could be the number of people moving to the province that is driving that number up. “There is a misconception that people move to Alberta and instantly start a job on Monday. That’s not how it works,” Lander said. “It’s not that the economy is necessarily soft, it’s not that Alberta is weak, it’s just that people are moving faster than there are jobs to absorb them. Story continues below advertisement 1:47 Unemployment rate in Canada hits 7-year high, says StatCan Lander says the time of year could also be a factor. Get the latest national news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen. He says unemployment often increases in the summer before people return to work in the fall and winter. “I would probably like to see if this is exactly what is happening in the Canadian summer or if this is the start of a worrying trend where it will persist at the top of the Canadian rankings in terms of unemployment numbers,” said Lander. Lander adds that more data will be needed to determine Edmonton’s trends. Calgary and Lethbridge are the other two Alberta cities included in the Statistics Canada report. Calgary’s unemployment rate is 7.4 percent and Lethbridge’s is 5.1 percent. Windsor is the only other city with an unemployment rate above 8 percent, at 8.9. Story continues below advertisement 2:44 Canada’s unemployment rate changed little in July, according to StatCan &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

Read More

“Emotional Train Wreck”: Filming of Swissair Flight 111 Comes Close to Home

Kris Holden-Ried, dressed in a dark peacoat and bright red scarf, stands in a sunny patch at the edge of Griffin Pond in Halifax Public Gardens, with the early morning light illuminating him as he looks across the water. . The Canadian-born actor isn’t looking at lush trees and urban waterfowl — he’s making a movie in which he plays Saul, a grieving father from Westchester, N.Y., who recently arrived in Halifax to identify remains of his son killed. in the crash of Swissair Flight 111. Scheduled to premiere next year, the film “111” is a joint Canadian-Swiss production that follows the intertwined stories of four people following the September 2, 1998 Swissair crash near Peggy’s Cove, in Nova Scotia. The MD-11 jet plunged into the Atlantic Ocean about 70 minutes into a routine flight from New York to Geneva after a fire broke out in the ceiling and caused several system failures. All 229 people on board were killed. Story continues below advertisement Director Mauro Mueller said the film focuses on people, not the accident itself, but the hope that emerges from grief. “(The accident) is very present in the consciousness of all the Swiss, but also of the Canadian (people), declared Mueller in an interview with The Canadian Press during the team’s last day of filming in New York. Scotland. “We know what happened. It made no sense to dramatize the accident itself and the tragedy.” 1h40 Reflection on the 20th anniversary of the crash of Swissair Flight 111 In addition to Saul, the drama follows two Swiss characters: one who loses his mother and a Swiss airline employee who travels to Halifax after the accident as part of a care team. The film also follows some of the Nova Scotia fishermen who were the first to take to the water in search of survivors. Get the latest national news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen. Nova Scotia was particularly shaken by the accident. Several fishermen rushed to Peggy’s Cove — a famous tourist spot southwest of Halifax — as soon as they heard the thunderous sound of the plane hitting the ocean, only to return to the horrors of the scene. Current trend Canada’s pharmacare bill is now law. What does this mean for you Poilievre supports mandatory psychiatric and drug treatment for children and prisoners Story continues below advertisement Holden-Ried, who also appeared in the TV series “The Umbrella Academy,” said filming in Nova Scotia added to the weight of an already emotional project. Many of the locals he spoke with while filming at Peggy’s Cove had a personal story about the tragedy. Hearing these stories, he said, contributed to a sense of “tremendous responsibility” to get the film right. “It’s an important part of their lives and you can feel the emotionality of the locals as they tell their stories,” he said. “There’s enough distance and it’s still a very important part of (people’s) lives and it shows, but they’re very supportive of us. They are happy that we are filming it here. Learn more about entertainment More videos Location wasn’t the only thing that directly linked the cast and crew to the tragedy. Björn Hering, Swiss producer of the film, is the son-in-law of one of the pilots on the final journey of Swissair Flight 111. Holden-Ried said those close family ties made filming an “emotional disaster.” “We all cry every day,” he said. As a form of respite from the film’s heavy scenes, the script incorporates what the team called “magic moments”, or short points in the film designed to give the audience some breathing room. Inspired by the magical realism often found in Latin American literature and cinema, Mueller said these moments are designed to “externalize the feelings of each character in a key moment of the film and visualize that moment in a cinematic way.” Story continues below advertisement Other Nova Scotia locations featured in the film include the Halifax Airport, Hatchet Lake and Terence Bay. The rest of the production will be filmed in Switzerland. Curator’s Recommendations Keep summer going with these warm essentials for your garden. 10 trash cans that would make Oscar the Grouch jealous &copy 2024 The Canadian Press Source link

Read More

Politics not factor in delay in arrest warrant for Liberal powerbroker, Blair says – National

Former Minister of Public Security Bill Blair says he ignored partisan politics when it came time to approve a spy warrant to surveil an Ontario Liberal power broker. There was a 54-day gap in 2021 between when the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) submitted a request for a warrant and when Blair finally authorized it. Meanwhile, CSIS officers became frustrated with what they perceived as a delay by the minister’s office in investigating Michael Chana former Ontario Liberal cabinet minister. During several days of testimony at foreign interference — including Blair, his former chief of staff, Zita Astravas, and senior CSIS officials — it remains unclear why this mandate took so much longer than most CSIS requests to the minister. But Blair, now defense minister, said on Friday morning that politics was not to blame for the delay in approving the surveillance, which was finally approved just months before the 2021 federal election . Story continues below advertisement “When this warrant request was presented to me, I never considered anything other than my legal responsibility to review and, where appropriate, approve the warrant,” said Blair, who said he signed the warrant the same day he received it, told the commission. “There were no other considerations and certainly no political considerations.” Three weeks after Blair signed the warrant, a Federal Court judge approved CSIS’s request to investigate Chan. Learn more about Canada More videos Media reports have identified Chan as suspected of working with the Chinese government since 2015, when Astravas worked in Prime Minister Kathleen Wynne’s office as director of media relations and Chan was a serving minister. Receive national news daily Get the day’s top news, politics, business and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. “Michael Chan is a man of character who has honorably served the people of Markham-Unionville and all Ontarians,” Astravas told The Globe and Mail, which first reported CSIS’s interest in Chan, in June 2015 . Chan, now deputy mayor of Markham, is currently suing CSIS and two journalists, including a former employee of Global News, for leaks and press articles. The delay with this particular mandate has become a central narrative in the second phase of Judge Marie-Josée Hogue’s public inquiry, similarly to the “irregularities” surrounding Han Dong’s 2019 Liberal nomination in Don Valley -North dominated the first phase. Story continues below advertisement The 2019 nomination article focused on how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) would interfere in Canadian democracy. Questions surrounding the Chan mandate have more to do with how the federal government responds to allegations of foreign interference. The warrant was issued to the minister’s office in the middle of a global pandemic, and Blair and Astravas testified that access to CSIS intelligence was significantly reduced while people were still working from home. Nonetheless, Astravas received a briefing on the mandate from CSIS officials 13 days after the mandate was submitted for approval, and a second briefing in the following weeks. In her testimony Wednesday, Astravas rejected the assertion that she wanted to “slow down” the case because it would drag CSIS into her party’s affairs, calling it “categorically false.” Although CSIS agents and officials may have been frustrated by the delay, former CSIS director David Vigneault previously told the commission he was not concerned about the mandate’s timeline. Blair testified Friday that Vigneault never expressed concerns about “delays” — although the former CSIS director informed him of concerns surrounding Chan’s activities months before the warrant was prepared. “But I understand… it is important that a document you present to the Federal Court judge for approval is complete and contemporaneous with the application. So I understand the concern but I’m not aware of any delays,” Blair said. Story continues below advertisement “When the matter was brought to my attention, I dealt with it very quickly and without delay, and at no time did the director of CSIS, the deputy minister (of Public Safety) or my chief of staff contact me. expressed concerns about this. question of delay, with the interval to complete this. The second phase of testimony before the Hogue commission is expected to conclude next week, when senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, including chief of staff Katie Telford, will testify a second time on Tuesday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to speak on Wednesday. After that, Hogue and his team of lawyers will have less than 11 weeks to write their final report, including recommendations to better protect Canadian democracy against foreign interference. &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

Read More

Chinatown businesses look to the future as operations center to promote safety nears completion – Edmonton

A two-year pilot project to combat crime and social unrest in Chinatown is coming to an end. This comes as the community and city attempt to maintain neighborhood revitalization efforts. The Healthy Streets Operation Center launched in 2022 as a collaborative project between Edmonton police, social workers and other front-line staff. City staff collected information on crime-related incidents in the neighborhood. The creation of the center is one of several actions promised by the city to address an increase in violent crime downtown, in neighboring Chinatown and in the public transit system. But the pilot will end in December. Sandy Pon, president of the Chinatown Transformative Collaborative, said she knew the pilot project was temporary, but hoped it would continue. “The idea of ​​the center is to build confidence in the neighborhood to deal with social disorder. Having more practical services in the region to deal with the crisis we are going through,” Pon said. Story continues below advertisement She believes the last two years have made a difference and strengthened relationships between community members and service workers. Pon adds that while the data may show an increase in incidents, it does not give the complete picture. “More reporting doesn’t mean more is happening. It happened there. But this is causing community members to step up,” Pon said. “It all depends on everyone’s interpretation. When there is an increase in reporting, it does not mean there is more crime. This showed us that there are more reports from community members. This shows us that there was confidence to come forward. 1:56 One year since Edmonton released its public safety plan Some community members say the Healthy Streets Operational Center has not only improved safety in the neighborhood, but they have also started to see an increase in visitors returning to the neighborhood. Story continues below advertisement Despite this, companies say there is still work to be done and it is a matter of maintaining momentum. Get the latest national news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen. Phong Luu is the owner of Kim Fat Market Ltd. He grew up in Chinatown and noticed the fluctuation from bustle to empty streets. He has been the victim of vandalism and several burglaries at his store in recent years. He applauds the work of the Healthy Streets Operations Center. Learn more about Canada More videos “It made a difference. I mean, obviously, when you have law enforcement officers and firefighters and firefighters around here, it deters crime. It helps everyone feel comfortable in this community,” Luu explained. “With the members of the EPS coming down, there is a feeling of security. It’s like a big brother takes care of you. “People always say that PE is not necessary. The police are not necessary. This is totally false. The EPS members here are actually very good. They talk to the homeless. They pump their fists. They come to our businesses and monitor us,” he added. Luu says he had to reduce his hours, from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m., to keep his family and staff safe. With the establishment of the Healthy Streets Operations Center, he noticed an interdependence between several organizations coming together to solve the problems they face as business owners. Story continues below advertisement “Clearly the need for the homeless is not there. Ultimately, they are our brothers and sisters too and we empathize with them. The fact is, as a business community, we cannot tolerate this influx of vandalism and break-ins. It’s just not good for business, it’s not good for anyone. “We all come together to solve a problem. but the problem is more than we can handle,” Luu said. Restaurant owner Hoay Tang says there needs to be more emphasis on supporting Edmonton’s homeless community. He thinks the disorder has gotten out of control and his neighborhood is no longer safe. Current trend Garth Brooks names his rape accuser, says she’s blackmailing him for millions Canada’s pharmacare bill is now law. What does this mean for you Tang says his restaurant was packed when it opened in 2010. He lost 70 percent of his customers. “(It’s) very sad. No customers come and we can’t do anything,” Tang said. Story continues below advertisement 4:43 New Edmonton Chinatown Market will showcase community energy Previous video Next video The Edmonton Police Service says the sector will continue to be supported by the service and will continue to fund its portion of Healthy Streets operations. “Community Safety Teams, the EPS component of HSOC that combines police officers and AHS paramedics, will continue their dedicated work in this geographic area for the foreseeable future and will be funded internally by EPS,” said Edmonton police spokesperson Cheryl Voordenhout in a statement. “HSOC has demonstrated the effectiveness of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to addressing community safety and well-being concerns. This approach will therefore continue in the future when problems are identified by citizens or by statistical data. The efficiencies identified during the HSOC also help EPS develop strategies to address similar issues across the city,” Voordenhout added. At Wednesday’s city council executive meeting, councilors were given a presentation regarding the initiatives and their progress in Chinatown. Story continues below advertisement Councilors also approved a motion to transfer more than $400,000 from the Downtown Vibrancy Fund to the Chinatown Vibrancy Fund as the city develops its long-term strategy. “I’ve emphasized from day one that Chinatown has been neglected for decades and we need to reinvest in the community, which we are doing,” Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said Wednesday in an interview between council meetings. Luu thanks her loyal customers for keeping her business running. With the safety improvements he’s seen over the past two years, he hopes more Edmontonians will return to Chinatown. “Come and the more people who come to support our community, in the long term it will be vibrant,” he said. &copy 2024 Global News, a division…

Read More

Garth Brooks names his rape accuser, says she’s blackmailing him for millions – National

In a new court filing, the country singer Garth Brooks publicly named a former employee who last week sued the musician for rape in a civil suit. Brooks, 62, told the U.S. District Court in Mississippi on Tuesday that the woman’s allegations were part of an “ongoing extortion attempt” intended to defame him and inflict emotional distress on him. He said he was a “victim of a shakedown”. The woman, identified as “Jane Roe” in court documents prior to Tuesday, the singer said. I raped her in a hotel room in Los Angeles in 2019. The woman’s lawyers told the Los Angeles Times that Brooks revealed her identity “with no legal justification because he thinks the laws don’t apply to him. “Garth Brooks has just revealed his true self,” said attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor, Jeanne M. Christensen and Hayley Baker. Story continues below advertisement Jane Roe told the court she was employed as a makeup artist and hairstylist for Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, from 1999 to 2021. During her two years of employment, the woman claims Brooks repeatedly exposed his genitals to her, groped her body and sent her sexually explicit text messages. Roe said she continued to work for Brooks because of personal financial difficulties, of which he was aware. Receive national news daily Get the day’s top news, politics, business and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. Global News generally does not name sexual assault accusers unless they first come forward. Learn more about entertainment More videos Before the woman’s civil lawsuit against Brooks, filed in a California superior court, the Friends in low places The singer sued her for alleged extortion. The lawsuit was filed anonymously in Mississippi and called Brooks “John Doe,” as well as “a celebrity and public figure residing in Tennessee.” Brooks told the court he was falsely accused of sexual assault by Jane Roe, who threatened legal action unless he provided him with “a multi-million dollar payment”. He asked that the trial remain anonymous to avoid tarnishing his “well-deserved good reputation”. The woman’s lawyers responded to Brooks’ filing and told the court they would file suit in California. “MS. Roe respectfully requests that she may bring her action in California as she intended to do, and use Mr. Doe’s name, absent objection from this honorable Court,” the response states. legal. Current trend Las Vegas says goodbye to historic Tropicana hotel with huge implosion Hurricane Milton: Some Floridians refuse to evacuate – here are their reasons Story continues below advertisement The California lawsuit names Brooks, but not Jane Roe. The woman’s lawyers said they would “seek maximum sanctions” against Brooks for disclosing her name. Brooks sought compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a court injunction to prevent his accuser from “further publicizing her false allegations.” He requested a jury trial. The singer’s lawyers substantiated the woman’s name in the amended complaint. They said his own legal representation “ripped the decision” to appoint Brooks from the court when they informed CNN of the trialdespite Brooks’ motion to continue under pseudonyms still pending. In a statement last week, amid widespread media coverage of the allegations against Brooks, he released a statement saying he didn’t want to give anyone “hush money.” “Hid money, no matter how small or small, is still hush money. In my mind, this means I am admitting to behavior that I am incapable of – horrible acts that no human should ever do to another,” he wrote. “I trust the system, I’m not afraid of the truth and I’m not the man they portrayed me to be.” — If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or is involved in a violent situation, please visit Canadian Resource Center for Victims of Crime for help. They can also be reached toll-free at 1-877-232-2610. Curator’s Recommendations These Useful Gadgets Make Family Dinners Quick and Painless 10 Fall Camping Essentials to Keep You Warm and Dry in the Tent This Season &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

Read More