Intimate Partner Violence Investigation results in charges
(HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON) – The Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged a 47-year-old Caledonia resident after launching an investigation into an incident of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the town of Caledonia. As a result of the investigation, a Caledonia resident has been charged with the following offences: Assault – Spousal (two counts) Forcible Confinement Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order (two counts) Take Motor Vehicle Without Consent Fail to Comply with Probation Order (three counts) The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cayuga on a later date. Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are not alone. If you or someone you know needs...
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Quebec premier visits Cree community displaced by hydro project in 1970s
The Canadian Press 16/09/2024 13:26 François Legault has become the first Quebec premier to visit a Cree community that was displaced by a hydroelectric project in the 1970s. Legault was greeted in Nemaska on Sunday by men and women who arrived by canoe to re-enact the founding of their new village in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region, in northern Quebec, 47 years ago. The community was forced in the early 1970s to move from their original location because they were told it would be flooded as part of the Nottaway-Broadback-Rupert hydro project. The reservoir was ultimately constructed elsewhere, but by then the members of the village had already left for other places, abandoning their homes and many of their belongings in the process. George Wapachee, co-author of a book...
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Northland focused on reconciliation; so Indigenous students feel represented at school
By Pearl Lorentzen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In response to community engagement, Northland School Division has made connections that support reconciliation with its Indigenous communities and students its number one priority. Northland runs schools in northern Alberta, including in Wabasca, Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Grouard, Métis settlements, and other communities. The majority of Northland students are Indigenous, says Cal Johnson, Northland superintendent. About 10 to 20 per cent of the teachers are Indigenous, but a higher percentage of education assistants and support staff are Indigenous community members. In an effort to get more teachers from the local communities, Northland has a program with the University of Calgary for education assistants who want to study to become teachers while living in their own community. Last year, Northland did community engagement in...
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Energy minister says public money could help finance Alberta energy cleanup
Canadian Press 16/09/2024 12:53 Alberta’s energy minister is promising strong action to clean up the province’s growing backlog of unreclaimed oil and gas sites. Brian Jean says the effort might involve using public finances, even though industry is already legally required to clean up its mess. Jean tells The Canadian Press that municipal governments have to recognize that the industry needs competitive taxes if it’s going to be able to pay any taxes at all. He says the industry may also need a lighter regulatory burden. Jean says talks with industry, landowners and some First Nations are already being organized. He expects legislation to be ready by fall of next year. The issue of how to fund the cleanup of tens of thousands of pieces of energy infrastructure at a...
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The election race is on in the Carleton ridings
By Jim Dumville Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Even before the writ officially dropped, candidates for most political parties hit the campaign trail in the three Upper St. John River Valley encompassing Carleton County and portions of York and Victoria Counties. The ridings of Carleton-York, Woodstock-Hartland and Carleton-Victoria provide the ruling Progressive Conservatives with one of the strongest footholds in the province. All three incumbents hold seats in Premier Blaine Higgs’ cabinet. Carleton-York MLA Richard Ames has served as Transportation and Infrastructure Minister since replacing former Minister Jeff Carr in June 2023. Carr moved to the backbenches after falling out with Premier Higgs over disagreements regarding the government’s proposed changes to the Education Department’s Policy 713, which affected how schools dealt with trans students. Woodstock-Hartland (formerly Carleton) incumbent MLA Bill Hogan,...
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UN official says between 20 and 50 people have been killed in Papua New Guinea violence
The Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Between 20 and 50 people have been killed in violence among illegal miners in Papua New Guinea, a United Nations official said Monday. The fighting started days ago and is continuing in the Porgera Valley, near the site of a landslide in May estimated to have killed more than 2,000 people, according to the South Pacific island nation’s government. The U.N.’s humanitarian adviser for Papua New Guinea, Mate Bagossy, said the death toll of at least 20 as of Sunday was based on information from community members and local authorities in Enga province in the nation’s mountainous inland. “We have confirmed that at least 20 people have been killed, but as per the last news that I have, it’s likely up to 50...
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Earthquakes shake deep below northern British Columbia coast
The Canadian Press The northern British Columbia coast was rattled by two earthquakes below the ocean floor on Sunday. Natural Resources Canada said the first quake hit at 3:20 p.m. and measured 6, while the second came about an hour later and measured 4.5. It says no damage was reported and none would be expected. The U.S. Geological Survey set the magnitude of the quake at 6.5, and says it was centred at about the midway point between Haida Gwaii and Port McNeill on the northern end of Vancouver Island. The American Tsunami warning centre said no tsunami was expected to be generated. Ben Wilson, the food and beverage manager at the Willows Golf Course in Sandspit, B.C., says he was home on his break when he felt the ground...
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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary
The Canadian Press 13/09/2024 RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker. Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation. Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6. Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck. Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest. RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as...
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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary
The Canadian Press RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker. Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation. Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6. Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck. Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest. RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed...
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Sechelt council considers strategies for improving black bear conflict responses
By Jordan Copp, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Coast Reporter As the District of Sechelt deliberated over supporting a black bear cub conflict response, they invited local BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS)’s Dean Miller to give his input on the resolution. The resolution that the District of North Vancouver passed in April asks that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities ask the province to update the BCCOS, Human-Black Bear (Single) Conflict Response Guideline. This would include a review of actions through an independent civilian-led oversight committee and an audit to be done by the solicitor general on BCCOS actions, policies and procedures. During its Sept. 11 regular meeting (the meeting that followed Miller’s appearance), council unanimously voted to support the resolution. Providing insight into orphaned black bear response procedure on the Coast,...
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TIFF audience prizes for ‘Life of Chuck,’ Hip doc; Rankin among Canadian winners
The Canadian Press “The Life of Chuck,” an offbeat drama from writer-director Mike Flanagan, is the People’s Choice Award winner at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. The top TIFF award, which is voted on by audiences, was handed out Sunday as the 11-day festival rolled into its final hours. Other prizes were bestowed on Matthew Rankin’s “Universal Language,” Sophie Deraspe’s “Shepherds” and a Tragically Hip docuseries. Flanagan is best known for his Netflix horror fare, including “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass.” His latest, which is adapted from a Stephen King story, strays from that genre with a quirky portrait of a divorced man, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who can’t escape a looming presence that’s infiltrated every corner of his life. In announcing the award, TIFF CEO...
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Feds wary of back-to-work legislation despite employer demands: labour experts
The Canadian Press 16/09/2024 06:46 In an era of increased strike activity and union power, labour experts say it’s not surprising to see more calls for government intervention in certain sectors like transportation. What’s new, experts say, is the fact that the government isn’t jumping to enact back-to-work legislation. Brock University labour professor Larry Savage says for decades, companies in federally regulated sectors, like airlines, railways and ports essentially relied on government intervention through back-to-work legislation to end or avoid work stoppages. “While this helped to avert protracted strikes, it also undermined free and fair collective bargaining. It eroded trust between management and the union over the long term, and it created deep-seated resentment in the workplace,” he said. Barry Eidlin calls it a “Canadian tradition.” “Canadian governments, both federal...
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New Brunswick RCMP dispute death of Indigenous man was wellness check gone wrong
The Canadian Press 13/09/2024 11:12 New Brunswick RCMP are disputing claims that the recent shooting death of an Indigenous man in mental distress happened during a police wellness check. Assistant commissioner DeAnna Hill, commander of the New Brunswick RCMP, says that information is inaccurate. On Monday, the RCMP said two officers responded to a report of an armed man in mental distress at a home in the Elsipogtog First Nation, where one Mountie shot the man after the other failed to subdue him with a stun gun. Erin Nauss, director of the Serious Incident Response Team, says she understands the initial interaction on Sunday was not what the RCMP would call a wellness check, but she says the police oversight agency will conduct an investigation to “determine all of the...
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NYFW showcase pays tribute to Joel Good, an ‘outstanding light’ of Snuneymuxw FirstNation
By Julie Chadwick and Cara McKenna Local Journalism Initiative A showcase by the Snuneymuxw family design house Ay Lelum at New York Fashion Week paid tribute to their relative W. Joel Good ts’usqinuxun after the artist passed away suddenly. The show on Sept. 7 opened with an onstage screen that played a video of Good working on a carving with guidance from his father. “I’m old school,” he said as he carefully sanded and shaped the wood. “Sometimes I end up designing some of the pieces or sometimes he does a design, and then if he’s already done a design I’ll just jump in and help where I can.” As the video faded out, the sound of soft Coast Salish music by his sisters filled the room as models began...
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K’ómoks First Nation and CVRD stand against ‘comedy’ troupe
By Madeline Dunnett Local Journalism Initiative K’ómoks First Nation said in a Sept. 4 news release that the nation is against a performance coming to the Comox Valley by “comedy” group The Danger Cats. The group is reportedly known to have ties to the far-right extremist group Diagalon and is performing in a secret location in the Comox Valley on Sept. 26 — four days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The press release outlines how the group has historically mocked the women murdered by Robert Pickton and shares comedy that perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The nation stated that the timing of this event — four days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — is an insult to the purpose of the memorial day. “By attempting to...
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B.C. signs national pharmacare deal with Ottawa, promises to expand drug coverage
The Canadian Press 12/09/2024 16:55 British Columbia has become the first province in Canada to sign a pharmacare agreement with the federal government that would help the province fund hormone replacement therapy and diabetes expenses. Federal Health Minister Mark Holland says B.C.’s portion of the $1.5-billion national plan is estimated to be $195 million, and under the memorandum of understanding funding could begin by April once the legislation makes it through the senate. The coverage was to be for birth control and diabetes drugs and supplies, but B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix says oral contraceptives are already covered under a provincial program, so that share will be used to cover hormone therapy for women. Dix says about 150,000 British Columbians get diabetes medications and it’s estimated covering hormone replacement therapy...
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First Nations woman on winning team for latest season of The Amazing Race Canada
By Crystal St. Pierre/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter An Indigenous woman is on the winning team for this year’s series The Amazing Race Canada. Taylor McPherson, a member of Miawpukek First Nation in Newfoundland and Labrador, and her teammate Katie Mulkay crossed the finish line first in the final episode of the series aired on Sept. 10. McPherson and Mulkay, who are both 24, became the second female team to win The Amazing Race Canada. The final race of the 10th season showed a very excited McPherson and Mulkay take top spot in in the final leg of the season. The race wrapped up in their hometown of Edmonton, Alta. “I mean honestly, being on our home turf in Edmonton we were excited, nervous, feeling like we’re ready to puke knowing...
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Vigil held for late grand chief
By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday evening to commemorate the late Cathy Merrick, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who died suddenly on Friday. The vigil took place at Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre at sunset, as dignitaries and community members gathered to mark her passing. The event included drumming and a smudging ceremony. “She inspired people. Everybody,” said Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “She did really want the best for the people she was leading.” Fawcett described Merrick as charismatic and great at uniting people. “She had the ability to make everyone comfortable,” he said. “Her humour was contagious. She really was of the people. She could walk with anybody and talk with anybody.” Lola Thunderchild, a friend and former colleague of...
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Alberta First Nation suing federal government over right to clean drinking water
The Canadian Press 12/09/2024 An Alberta First Nation has revived a lawsuit it launched 10 years ago in an effort to get the federal government to recognize its human right to clean, safe water. The Ermineskin Cree Nation says Ottawa’s proposed legislation on First Nations drinking water fails to recognize that people on reserves have the same right to trust what comes out of their tap as every Canadian. “People can’t even bathe in it,” Chief Joel Mykat said in an interview. “We have tried to work with Canada over the past decade but things have only gotten worse … Bill C-61 fails to recognize that we have (the) right to safe drinking water.” Band member Carol Wildcat said she spends about $200 a month on bottled water but still...
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Indigenous-led non-profit look to Icelandic model to prevent and reduce youth substance use in Port Alberni
By Nora O’Mally /Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC – The Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warrior Society has embarked on the arduous journey of youth substance use prevention by turning to an upstream initiative called the Icelandic Prevention Model. The Icelandic Prevention Model is being used in hundreds of municipalities and communities around the world. The model is a community-based, bottom-up approach designed to deter adolescent substance use by focusing on holistic community building and long-term progress rather than standard short-term solutions. In the 1990s, Iceland ranked comparatively high amongst other European countries when it came to youth alcohol, tobacco and drug use. By pioneering and widely implementing the long-term, community-based prevention method, the country dramatically reduced substance use amongst Icelandic youth over the last 20 plus years. “We are using...
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