Â鶹´«Ã½

Politics

    • Liberal government not immune from auto thefts: 48 vehicles stolen in recent years

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
    Share
    OTTAWA -

    The federal Liberals are trying to crack down on a scourge of auto thefts across the country, even as the government is struggling to keep its own vehicles away from thieves, new data show.

    Documents tabled in the House of Commons on Monday show 48 government vehicles from 14 departments and agencies were stolen between January 2016 and February of this year.

    Ministers are not immune, either. The official vehicle of the minister of justice was stolen three times in as many years between 2021 and 2023.

    Ontario is the province where the largest proportion of vehicles were nabbed, including 10 in Ottawa, where most of the federal government is based, and two in the Toronto area.

    Vehicles were also reported stolen in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Nunavut.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly given the number of vehicles in its fleet, the RCMP was hit the hardest. All told, 19 of its vehicles were taken, mostly in the Prairie provinces.

    Parks Canada had seven vehicles stolen, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reported four stolen and the Canada Border Services Agency and Indigenous Services Canada each had three taken.

    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which includes the Canadian Coast Guard, each saw two vehicles stolen.

    And one vehicle was stolen from each of another handful of departments and agencies: the Canadian Revenue Agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, the Finance Department, Transport Canada and Global Affairs Canada.

    The documents say of the four dozen stolen vehicles, two were stolen more than once and 34 have been recovered.

    An Equite Association report prepared for a national auto theft summit organized by the federal government in February found more than 70,000 cars were stolen in 2023, based on an analysis of police data from across the country.

    It found between 2021 and 2023, the number of stolen vehicles climbed 48 per cent in Ontario, 58 per cent in Quebec and 34 per cent in Atlantic Canada.

    Police say while as many as one-third of stolen vehicles are being resold within Canada, a majority of stolen vehicles are ferried out of the country by organized crime rings, often in containers bound for Africa and the Middle East.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2024.

    IN DEPTH

    Opinion

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

    A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

    When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    An Ontario woman is feeling uneasy after she received a sextortion email demanding she pay the fraudster US$1,900 in Bitcoin or risk having compromising photographs of herself shared with her loved ones.

    The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is investigating after an employee was found deceased at a Cambridge grocery store.

    A recall for a type of jelly pork sold in Ontario has been issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), citing a possible Listeria contamination.

    Canada

    • Police are investigating after a body was found in a student residence at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary.

    • Voters along the south coast of British Columbia who have not cast their ballots yet will have to contend with heavy rain and high winds from an incoming atmospheric river weather system on election day.

    • A B.C. judge has issued a decision in a years-long dispute between neighbours that began with a noise complaint over barking dogs, crowing roosters and quacking ducks – awarding $15,000 in damages to the plaintiffs in the case.

    World

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    A Manitoba professor is warning the public after a book on regional mushrooms that he suspects is AI-generated was delisted from Amazon.

    A B.C. judge has issued a decision in a years-long dispute between neighbours that began with a noise complaint over barking dogs, crowing roosters and quacking ducks – awarding $15,000 in damages to the plaintiffs in the case.

    An Ottawa man was arrested after taking a shower in a stranger's house, Ottawa police say.

    Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Chef Paul Natrall, the man behind Indigenous food truck Mr. Bannock, is bringing cooking classes on First Nations fare to schools and offices throughout Metro Vancouver.

    The Celtic Colours Festival is taking place at venues around Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia from Oct. 11 to 19.

    Sometimes love is written in the stars, but for one couple, it’s written in the aurora borealis.

    Canadian hip hop artist Dillan King says running 100 marathons in 100 days was not only the hardest thing he has ever done, but the 'proudest accomplishment' of his entire life.

    James Taylor never expected to be walking home with a bag full of groceries he didn't buy.

    This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of a large blizzard that paralyzed Manitoba.

    • Voters along the south coast of British Columbia who have not cast their ballots yet will have to contend with heavy rain and high winds from an incoming atmospheric river weather system on election day.

    • British Columbia voters face no shortage of policies when it comes to tackling the province's housing woes in the run-up to Saturday's election, with a clear choice for the next government's approach.

    • An Independent election candidate in Richmond, B.C., says her campaign volunteers were subjected to racist insults from a passerby who called them "trash" and abused them for speaking Mandarin.

    • The province wants to create an 'accelerated environmental assessment process' for Highway 413 as part of proposed legislation aimed at speeding up construction on priority highway projects in Ontario.

    • The Ontario NDP has filed a complaint with the province’s Integrity Commissioner over the process that led to an Austrian company being contracted to build a massive waterfront spa at Ontario Place, alleging the process was rife with special treatment.

    • After more than seven years of construction, a new cancer centre in Calgary will be opened to patients and researchers.

    • Police are investigating after a body was found in a student residence at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary.

    • Calgary police are looking for suspects after a resident was injured during a break-in on Wednesday afternoon.

    • Environment Canada's senior weather climatologist says Ottawa will see "more of a winter than last year," as it experiences a possible La Nina weather event this year

    • The Ottawa Police Service is asking the public for help in identifying three suspects involved in an alleged theft and multiple fraud incidents that happened last month in the city's west end.

    • We will learn more details today about a new pilot program set to launch in Ottawa that will provide residents with free reusable containers from local grocery stores and restaurants.

    • Montreal police is investigating after two bodies were discovered in a vehicle in the Saint-Leonard borough.

    • Some 5,000 employees with the SAQ are striking on Thursday to denounce their employer's wage proposal during ongoing negotiations.

    • Environment Canada issued a frost advisory for the Montreal area as temperatures drop near freezing overnight, possibly damaging sensitive crops and trees.

    • The Edmonton Police Service is looking for a man they describe as armed and dangerous in connection with a suspicious death.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      Shaping up to be a gusty and crisp autumn day in the Edmonton region and across most of central and northern Alberta.

    • Here’s a look at some of the wild weather from around the world this past week.

    • Three of New Brunswick's party leaders sparred over leadership style, health care, economy and campaign promises during a roundtable discussion Wednesday evening.

    • A new study suggests Halifax is one of the most expensive cities for renters of one-bedroom apartments in Canada.

    • Some advocates are calling for more safety for service dogs in New Brunswick.

    • A Manitoba professor is warning the public after a book on regional mushrooms that he suspects is AI-generated was delisted from Amazon.

    • After a lengthy review, Manitoba's NDP government has halted a plan hatched by the former Progressive Conservative government to build new schools in partnership with the private sector.

    • The mayor's inner circle has approved a new set of fines when vacant buildings are burned.

    • The sole debate for the 2024 provincial election has wrapped – with both sides satisfied that they've successfully made their respective cases on the debate stage.

    • Following the debate between Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe and NDP Leader Carla Beck, two local experts gave their insights on the event.

    • The U17 Saskatoon Alliance won their provincial soccer league title, earning them a spot at nationals. But just to survive nationals is a grueling experience.

    • One person has been taken to hospital with life-altering injuries after a serious crash near Cambridge.

    • The woman who was fatally shot at a Stratford home on Tuesday has been identified, as well as the man accused of pulling the trigger.

    • Four witnesses testified Wednesday at the trial of Erick Buhr, who has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his grandmother, Viola Erb.

    • The U17 Saskatoon Alliance won their provincial soccer league title, earning them a spot at nationals. But just to survive nationals is a grueling experience.

    • The sole debate for the 2024 provincial election has wrapped – with both sides satisfied that they've successfully made their respective cases on the debate stage.

    • Election season is in full swing in Saskatchewan, and for many young voters, this will be their introduction to the Canadian democratic process.

    • Sudbury police say a body was discovered on the side of the road in the city's Falconbridge community early Thursday morning.

    • At the Sudbury courthouse Wednesday, a jury learned it has heard all the evidence in a second-degree murder trial in which the victim was stabbed more than 100 times and had his genitals mutilated.

    • This is the second time Mattagami First Nation Chief Jennifer Constant hosted a Witches Walk. The route began at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre and wound around a few blocks in the south end of the city.

    • OPP have closed a section of road in Middlesex County following a crash. According to police, the incident was initially reported as a two-vehicle crash with occupants of the vehicles being taken to hospital by EMS.

    • An officer was given the replica weapon at a south-side school. Police are sharing concern for this type of thing, saying it could easily be mistaken for a real firearm.

    • The city has released final numbers for its vehicle-for-hire safety blitz. According to the city, 80 drivers for Uber and Lyft were randomly selected last week, but only 47 attended an inspection.

    • Gordon Locking, 66, was found guilty in a Barrie courtroom Wednesday to several weapons charges, including possession of an explosive substance, stemming from an incident at a supportive housing complex.

    • Police have yet to make an arrest following a fatal shooting at a gas station in Amaranth Township last week that claimed the life of a 25-year-old man.

    • Police have charged an Orillia driver after a fatal car crash in June took the life of a Ramara man.

    • The only details available are that it's taking place in the 1500 block of Monticello Ave. near Firgrove Drive in the east Riverside area.

    • The speakers list is being removed from meetings of the Greater Essex County District School Board.

    • The founder of the Centre for Cities at the University of Windsor is warning of roadblocks in the province's plan to table legislation, requiring cities and towns to get approval from Queen's Park on bike lanes.

    • Voters along the south coast of British Columbia who have not cast their ballots yet will have to contend with heavy rain and high winds from an incoming atmospheric river weather system on election day.

    • Mounties have released startling new details about their investigation into the disappearance of Amber Manthorne, who was reported missing on Vancouver Island more than two years ago, and is believed to have met with foul play.

    • British Columbia voters face no shortage of policies when it comes to tackling the province's housing woes in the run-up to Saturday's election, with a clear choice for the next government's approach.

    • Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.

    • A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.

    • Nearly two years after a man was stabbed to death in downtown Kelowna, RCMP have made an arrest in the case.

    • With the growing season wrapping up for many, southern Alberta's sweetest crop is in full swing.

    • Health-care advocates say the province's plan for a new primary care agency, operating separately from Alberta Health Services, won't help with doctor shortages in Lethbridge.

    • The Vancouver Giants scored late to force overtime before winning 4-3 over the Lethbridge Hurricanes Friday night.

    • The Ontario Medical Association, which represents the province's 43,000 physicians, medical students and retired physicians, launched their Stop the Crisis initiative Wednesday.

    • An effort to bring a deep-sea port to Sault Ste. Marie just got a major push forward, with support from the federal government Wednesday.

    • Some of the world’s best curlers have arrived in Sault Ste. Marie for the second annual Soo Fall Classic that many curlers say has become a can’t miss event.

    N.L.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹´«Ã½