Daily News Groups

"It's horrifying, disturbing that someone could even do something like that to her, to anybody."

Figures from Overdose Awareness Manitoba show in the first nine months of 2020, 259 people died from drug-related deaths in the province. https://trib.al/UPkjW9T

CFSEU-BC says police agencies have noticed an increase in domestic straw purchasers - people who purchase guns legally but then sell them on the black market - over the last year.

HALIFAX -- Three Atlantic Canadian provinces reported single-digit COVID-19 case counts on Saturday while urging residents to get tested for the virus. Health... officials in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick each reported six new cases, while Newfoundland and Labrador recorded two new infections. Nova Scotia public health said two of the province's new cases are travel-related, while the other four are connected to previously known infections. "The case count is a little higher today but it's good to see that none of the new cases are from unknown sources," said Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin in a news release Saturday. "These numbers reinforce the importance of being tested and continuing adherence to public health guidelines." There are 29 active reported infections of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, officials said. Newfoundland and Labrador public health authorities said both infections announced Saturday have been traced to previously identified patients. The province is still reeling from an outbreak that spread through the St. John's region in mid-February. Officials say it was caused by the more easily transmissible B.1.1.7 variant, which was first detected in the United Kingdom. There are 87 active cases in Newfoundland and Labrador, with three of those patients in hospital, including two in intensive care. In New Brunswick, public health authorities said they're still investigating the source of at least one of the six infections announced Saturday. They also warned of a possible exposure at the Gretna Green Elementary School in Miramichi and said anyone found to be a close contact of any confirmed cases will be notified by public health. There are 35 reported active infections of COVID-19 across New Brunswick, officials said. Prince Edward Island, which recently implemented a three-day lockdown in a bid to curb a rash of COVID-19 infections that emerged last weekend, did not release new case figures on Saturday. Officials in the three other provinces are encouraging residents to follow public health advice and avail themselves of asymptomatic testing opportunities now offered in their respective areas. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2021. https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/atlantic-canada-reporting-singl

Brantford residents pay tribute to Walter Gretzky by tapping their hockey sticks on the ground as the funeral procession made its way from the church.

A resident's dog bit into the police dog's neck, forcing an officer to open fire.

Hospitals and long-term care homes are nearly at capacity and won't be able to handle a surge in COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic, an independent commission has heard.

A British Columbia man has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in Halifax in June. Muhammed Ahmed, 28, also faces three counts of breaching probat...ion from the June 8 incident. Those charges concern probation orders he received in Victoria in April 2019 and in Halifax in April of this year. Ahmed, who is in custody at the Dartmouth jail, pleaded not guilty Monday in Halifax provincial court to all four charges and will stand trial next July. Last Feb. 28, Ahmed was arrested at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax after a man exposed himself to two women who were walking in the park and grabbed one of them by the buttocks. He pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault and committing an indecent act in public and was sentenced April 2 to 30 days in jail on top of his remand time, followed by a year on probation. Ahmed was released on conditions after his arrest in June but was taken into custody again after allegedly exposing himself to a woman at Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park near Sambro on July 29. He faces charges of committing an indecent act and breaching probation from that incident. A few days later, police charged Ahmed with two more counts of breaching probation, for allegedly going to Point Pleasant Park on July 27. He pleaded guilty to one of those charges last week and will be sentenced in late October, when the Crystal Crescent Beach matters are also due back in court. https://www.thechronicleherald.ca//bc-man-faces-more-sex-/

Every survivor of sexual abuse knows the depth of emotional wounds. It is time the rest of society starts to acknowledge it's impact. ***Share this to educate others***

Potential #COVID19 exposures have been reported on three flights from Toronto to Vancouver, and one from Mexico City to Vancouver. https://trib.al/LQGVXPX

Our friend Rona again pushing such a important bill.

Twenty-six people from across Alberta are facing dozens of charges after a three-month investigation into child pornography. The Internet Child Exploitation Uni...t of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams‘ investigation spanned from June 20 to Sept. 17. According to a Wednesday news release, most of the arrests came after investigative referrals were received from the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Centre. The people arrested have no definitive links other than the offence, ALERT said, and suspects were arrested from cities and towns all across Alberta. The internet isn’t anonymous and these arrests demonstrate ALERT’s willingness to travel to all corners of the province to make arrests, put predators behind bars and keep kids safe, said Supt. Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT chief executive officer. One of those arrested was a 16-year-old teen from Sherwood Park. ALERT didn’t specify whether it was a boy or girl who was arrested. The 26 people facing charges are: a 16-year-old young offender from Sherwood Park Kevin Borchert, a 29-year-old man from Sherwood Park David Cadieux, a 27-year-old man from Calgary Joseph Cadrain, a 32-year-old man from Strathmore Gary Campbell, a 28-year-old man from Lamont Michael Ciesla, a 32-year-old man from Edmonton Michael Courtepatte, a 44-year-old man from Athabasca Victor Delage, a 29-year-old man from Wainwright Gerald Donel, a 57-year-old man from Edmonton Brian Farris, a 40-year-old man from Grande Prairie Humberto Ferreyra, a 51-year-old man from Lake Louise Coby Franz, a 42-year-old man from Alder Flats Sean Giles, a 41-year-old man from Lethbridge Brock Hann, a 21-year-old man from Morinville Richard Lepchuk, a 59-year-old man from Edmonton Christian Meier, a 52-year-old man from Calgary Troy Melnyk, a 49-year-old man from Spruce Grove Stephen Miehe, a 28-year-old man from Cardston Alasdair Mills, a 61-year-old man from Edmonton David Peeke, a 45-year-old man from Edmonton Christopher Piers-Hanley, a 31-year-old man from Edmonton Kalon Specht, a 30-year-old man from Edmonton Andrew Stredick, a 30-year-old man from Calgary Charles Tadashore, a 43-year-old man from Calgary Laurence Thrasher, a 40-year-old man from Edmonton Michael Vandermay, a 52-year-old man from Calgary According to ALERT, each of the suspects was charged with at least one child pornography offence. A full list of offence’s was posted to ALERT’s website, and includes charges like making, accessing and distributing child pornography as well as making child pornography available. In Alberta, those who participate in the exploitation of children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The government of Alberta will ensure our law enforcement has the tools and resources to track down child predators and bring them to justice, Kaycee Madu, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, said in a news release. ICE believes the rise in the number of investigative referrals could be due to digital dependency during COVID-19 isolation measures. There is information on the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s website for supporting families, caregivers, schools, educators and child-servicing organizations through the pandemic. https://globalnews.ca//albertans-charged-child-pornograp/

Facebook post has been shared over 1,300 times. Via CBC Newfoundland and Labrador

The government has announced that they view the looming vote on the government's legislation to bring in the new aid package to be a matter of confidence, meaning if it fails Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government could fall.

Éric Gauvreau Paquette attacked victims, aged 10 to 15, along bike paths in the summer of 2019 Éric Gauvreau Paquette was sentenced Monday to 31 months behind b...ars for sexual assaults on 16 different minors aged 10 to 15. The 29-year-old committed the crimes between July 25 and August 21, 2019 in Mascouche and Terrebonne. He pleaded guilty to 10 counts, all of a sexual nature. Paquette attacked his victims on bike paths in parks. He got around on foot, by bike and in a black SUV, police said. A hat recovered from the scene of one of the assaults on a 13-year-old girl in Terrebonne helped police track him down. He was arrested by the end of August 2019 and has been detained for 13 months. https://www.cbc.ca//quebec-paquette-sexual-assaults-1.5742

While other areas of Canada are fighting a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlantic Canada continues to do well in terms of keeping cases under control, leading to more support for the Atlantic bubble. https://bit.ly/2S2Sy8X

The security service charged with protecting Parliament Hill says it is stepping up its presence in the area following several recent reports of harassment.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be coming to an end today and recipients will be forced to transition to a recently updated Employment Insurance (EI) program or apply for three other temporary benefits. Here’s what to know about the process.

Soldiers who witness or become aware of racism and hateful conduct in the ranks will be expected to blow the whistle to their superiors under a sweeping new order issued today by the commander of the Canadian Army The new directive, which is being distributed to all army units across the country, also warns of consequences for those who turn a blind eye. More....