National – Brandon Sun

Canada sanctions more of Haiti’s political elites, bringing total to 15

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has announced new sanctions against two more Haitian political elites.

Facing sanction are former MP Arnel Bélizaire and Charles Saint-Rémy, a businessman associated with former president Michel Martelly, who is among the 13 others Canada has already sanctioned.

The two will be barred from entering or undertaking financial dealings in Canada.

Joly's office says both have used their status "to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through drug trafficking and other acts of corruption."

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In The News for Jan. 13 : What would increased immigration mean for Canada?

The Canadian Press 11 minute read Preview

In The News for Jan. 13 : What would increased immigration mean for Canada?

The Canadian Press 11 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of Jan. 13 ...

What we are watching in Canada ...

As Canada plans to significantly ramp up its immigration levels in the coming years, some policy experts are worried about potential effects on health care, housing and the labour market.

But Immigration Minister Sean Fraser insists that Canada needs more newcomers to address labour shortages and demographic changes that threaten the country's future.

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Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberal minister says Canada needs more immigration as targets get mixed reviews

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Liberal minister says Canada needs more immigration as targets get mixed reviews

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

OTTAWA - As Canada plans to significantly ramp up its immigration levels in the coming years, some policy experts are worried about potential effects on health care, housing and the labour market.

But Immigration Minister Sean Fraser insists that Canada needs more newcomers to address labour shortages and demographic changes that threaten the country's future.

"If we don't continue to increase our immigration ambition and bring more working-age population and young families into this country, our questions will not be about labour shortages, generations from now," Fraser said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

"They're going to be about whether we can afford schools and hospitals."

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Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. As Canada plans to significantly ramp up its immigration levels in the coming years, some policy experts are worried about potential effects on health care, housing and the labour market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Why are there so many cyberattacks lately? An explainer on the rising trend

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Why are there so many cyberattacks lately? An explainer on the rising trend

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

TORONTO - A wave of high-profile cyberattacks has recently hit hospitals, businesses and organizations in Ontario, including the LCBO this week and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and Scouts Canada in December.

The Canadian Press spoke with cybersecurity experts about whether cyberattacks are on the rise, why they are happening, and what people and businesses can do to protect themselves.

Are cyberattacks happening more often?

These attacks "absolutely are" happening more frequently than before, says Robert Falzon, head of engineering at cybersecurity firm Check Point Canada, noting it is something that is likely going to be happening on a daily basis now.

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Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

A woman uses a computer keyboard in North Vancouver on December, 19, 2012. A wave of cybercrime has recently hit hospitals, businesses and organizations, including Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children in mid-December and the Toronto Transit Commission in late October, with the most recent impacting LCBO's website and mobile app beginning Tuesday evening.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. tribunal orders woman to repay employer for ‘time theft’ while working at home

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

B.C. tribunal orders woman to repay employer for ‘time theft’ while working at home

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

VANCOUVER - A tribunal has ordered a British Columbia accountant to pay her former employer more than $2,600 after tracking software showed she engaged in "time theft" while working from home.

The decision released this week by the Civil Resolution Tribunal shows the woman made a claim of $5,000 to cover unpaid wages and severance pay, arguing she had been fired without cause last March.

But the employer, Reach CPA Inc., submitted a counterclaim with evidence showing a 50-hour discrepancy between her timesheets and activity recorded by the tracking software on her work computer.

The decision shows the woman started working remotely in October 2021 and Reach installed the software, called TimeCamp, on her laptop four months later, shortly after she and her manager met to discuss her performance.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

A person types on a laptop in New Jersey, May 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jenny Kane

Toilet paper toxin found in endangered killer whales, say B.C. researchers

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Toilet paper toxin found in endangered killer whales, say B.C. researchers

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

VANCOUVER - Toxic chemicals from toilet paper have been found in the bodies of British Columbia's endangered orcas, according to a study conducted by marine scientists.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia analyzed tissue samples from six southern resident killer whales and six Bigg's whales, also known as transient killer whales, stranded along the coast of B.C. between 2006 and 2018.

Dr. Juan José Alava, co-author of the study, said in an interview Thursday that the findings left him and other researchers “shocked and saddened.”

He said the toxic chemical substances could affect killer whales’ hormone systems, disrupting physiological function and making them susceptible to diseases.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Whales in the Gulf Islands, a southern resident killer whale critical habitat, are shown in a handout photo. Toxic chemicals from toilet paper have been found in the bodies of British Columbia's endangered orcas, according to a study conducted by marine scientists.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Fisheries and Oceans Canada-Paul Cottrell **MANDATORY CREDIT**

‘Unnecessary and damaging’: Police federation criticizes Nunavut judge’s comments

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

‘Unnecessary and damaging’: Police federation criticizes Nunavut judge’s comments

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

IQALUIT, Nunavut - The National Police Federation is criticizing comments a Nunavut judge made as he acquitted a prosecutor and RCMP officer of criminal contempt, saying the remarks were unnecessary and damaging.

Cpl. Andrew Kerstens and Crown prosecutor Emma Baasch were facing the charge for their joint actions in the July 2022 arrest of a man inside the Iqaluit courthouse who had been set to stand trial that morning.

Justice Paul Bychok took issue with the timing and location of the arrest, which delayed the proceedings.

The judge said last week that Kerstens and Baasch's actions were reckless, a direct and public insult to the integrity of the court and violated the man's right to be present at his trial.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

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Japanese PM Kishida visits Ottawa, asks for Canada’s help on clean energy transition

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Japanese PM Kishida visits Ottawa, asks for Canada’s help on clean energy transition

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

OTTAWA - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked Canada to form closer ties during a visit to Ottawa that experts say comes at a time when the two countries have significant geopolitical alignment.

Kishida visited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the first time as Japan's head of government, part of a tour of other G7 countries as Japan seeks ways to wean off fossil fuels from places such as Russia.

Japan holds the G7 presidency this year and is set to host meetings with the leaders of some of the world's richest countries. The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Tokyo plans to use the presidency to co-ordinate with other states on economic management and to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Police say at least three missing in propane explosion north of Montreal

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Police say at least three missing in propane explosion north of Montreal

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

SAINT-ROCH-DE-L'ACHIGAN, Que. - Quebec provincial police say at least three employees were missing after an explosion at a propane facility Thursday in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que., north of Montreal.

Sgt. Éloïse Cossette told an evening news conference that three employees of Propane Lafortune had not been seen since the explosion, describing them as "three potential victims."

“Our thoughts are with the families of these people, with whom we are currently in contact," she told reporters, adding that police have started an investigation and were dealing with a large scene that would require several days to comb through.

She didn't provide any other details about the three missing people other than that they were employees and the search was ongoing. Police have not ruled out that other people could have been on site when the explosion occurred.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Quebec's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa on June 30, 2020. Municipal officials say workers are missing after an explosion at a propane facility in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que. Provincial police say evacuations are underway in the town north of Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Officer testifies in case of New York couple kidnapped and smuggled into Quebec

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Officer testifies in case of New York couple kidnapped and smuggled into Quebec

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

MONTREAL - A Quebec police officer told a trial Thursday that a couple from Upstate New York were kidnapped and smuggled into Quebec in 2020 because of a botched drug deal involving their grandson.

Investigator Guillaume Poirier is on the stand in the trial of Gary Arnold, 54, a Quebec man facing seven charges in an alleged conspiracy to abduct James and Sandra Helm.

The couple in their 70s were taken from their home in Moira, N.Y., on Sept. 27, 2020, and discovered by police two days later in Magog, Que., about 125 kilometres southeast of Montreal.

Poirier said that six days before their abduction, the couple’s grandson, Mackenzie Helm, was arrested in the United States by the Drug Enforcement Administration with 50 kilograms of cocaine on him.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

A Quebec provincial police car is seen in Montreal on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

B.C. creates $500M fund for non-profits to buy rental buildings, protect tenants

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

B.C. creates $500M fund for non-profits to buy rental buildings, protect tenants

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

BURNABY, B.C. - The British Columbia government announced a $500-million fund Thursday to help the non-profit housing sector purchase rental buildings and save them from "housing speculators and profiteers," whose property flips often lead to tenant evictions.

Premier David Eby said the rental protection fund will preserve affordable rental buildings for tenants who have faced higher rents or evictions when their buildings are bought, redeveloped and sold.

"For too long, this housing crisis has worked to the benefit of speculators and investors instead of people looking for a place to live," Eby said at a news conference. "Increasingly, we're seeing across Canada and in B.C. large international corporations buying up rental buildings, speculating to earn investment income on homes that people count on (for) affordable rents."

The fund will provide one-time grants to non-profit housing organizations to help them buy residential rental buildings and housing co-ops listed for sale to protect the renters and preserve the affordable units for the future, he said.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks in Vancouver, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. The British Columbia government says it will save rental homes and protect tenants from

Radar shows 2,000 areas of interest at former residential school site in Saskatchewan

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Radar shows 2,000 areas of interest at former residential school site in Saskatchewan

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

STAR BLANKET CREE NATION - A First Nation in Saskatchewan says ground-penetrating radar has discovered more than 2,000 areas of interest and a child's bone was separately found at the site of one of the longest-running residential schools in the country.

Star Blanket Cree Nation Chief Michael Starr said Thursday it shows the harsh truth of what happened within the walls of the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School.

“It was unthinkable. It was profound. It was sad. It was hurtful," Starr said Thursday. "And it made us very angry what had happened to our young people here."

Areas for the search were selected after testimonials from former students and elders who witnessed or heard stories of what happened at the residential school about 75 km northeast of Regina.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

The Star Blanket Cree Nation, northeast of Regina, has announced the discovery of possible graves after a ground-penetrating radar search of the former site of the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School. Aboriginal students, principal Father Joseph Hugonnard, and staff, including the Grey Nuns, of the industrial School are shown in Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask., in this May 1885 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/National Archives of Canada/O.B. Buell - PA-118765

Supreme Court of Canada won’t hear appeal from supporters of slain Mexican activist

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Supreme Court of Canada won’t hear appeal from supporters of slain Mexican activist

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear an appeal from family and supporters of a Mexican activist who was killed after opposing a Canadian company's mining project.

The applicants had asked the top court to review a federal ombudsman's decision not to investigate the matter.

The case stretches back to 2007 when Calgary-based Blackfire Exploration Ltd. opened a barite mine in Chiapas, Mexico, prompting local opposition, demonstrations and a blockade of a route to the project.

After being beaten and threatened with death for leading protests over the mine's environmental and social effects, activist Mariano Abarca was fatally shot outside his home in November 2009.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Mariano Abarca is shown in this still image taken from video Aug., 2009 in Chicomuselo, Chiapas. The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear an appeal from family and supporters of Abarca, a Mexican activist who was killed after opposing a Canadian company's mining project. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dominique Jarry-Shore

Winnipeg police charge second man with attempting to intimidate justice official

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Winnipeg police charge second man with attempting to intimidate justice official

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

WINNIPEG - A second lawyer has been charged in the surveillance of a Manitoba judge who was hearing a case involving COVID-19 public health orders.

Randal Jay Cameron, 45, has been charged with attempting to obstruct justice and intimidation of a justice system participant, Winnipeg police said Thursday. Earlier this month, they laid similar charges against John Carpay.

Carpay is president of the Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which has been fighting COVID-19 restrictions in a number of courts. Cameron was a lawyer for the centre.

Both men represented several churches that tried in 2021 to overturn Manitoba public health orders that temporarily prevented in-person religious services during the height of the pandemic.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder badge is seen on Sept. 2, 2021 at the Public Information Office. Winnipeg police have charged a second person in the surveillance of a Manitoba judge. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Trudeau says he’s asked ministers to ‘look into’ McKinsey contracts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Trudeau says he’s asked ministers to ‘look into’ McKinsey contracts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will examine federal contracts awarded to consulting firm McKinsey and Company.

Opposition parties are demanding explanations after multiple reports cited significant government contracts going to the global consulting firm since Trudeau and the Liberals formed government in 2015.

Documents provided by the government in answer to a Conservative MP's written question show between March 2021 and November 2022, McKinsey received contracts worth at least $62 million.

Radio-Canada has also reported the firm received $66 million in the seven fiscal years between March 2015 and April 2022.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Minister of Public Services and Procurement Helena Jaczek speaks to reporters as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. Trudeau says he's asked two cabinet members to look into federal contracts awarded to consulting firm McKinsey. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Amid fishing deaths, calls rise for small boats to have stability checks

Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Amid fishing deaths, calls rise for small boats to have stability checks

Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

HALIFAX - As Canadian fishers continue to die when their boats capsize in frigid waters, a debate is surfacing over why clear rules aren’t in place to ensure basic stability of vessels that face ocean storms.

After the Caledonian capsized off Vancouver Island in 2015 with three lives lost, the Transportation Safety Board called for all small fishing vessels to undergo a stability assessment and adhere to standards ensuring stability information "is adequate and readily available to the crew."

However, seven years later, Transport Canada says on its website that enacting the regulation would be "functionally challenging and prohibitively expensive for the industry." The department declined a request for an interview with a senior official to provide further explanation.

It's a stance the Transportation Safety Board describes on its website as "unsatisfactory," while a lawyer for the mother of a deckhand who died when the scallop dragger Chief William Saulis flipped over off Nova Scotia on Dec. 15, 2020 argues the federal government needs to act.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

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