Ottawa repeatedly violated procurement rules in giving ArriveCan firm nearly $100 million in contracts, auditor general finds
Rebuking contracting practices under the Trudeau government in yet another damning report, auditor general Karen Hogan found federal agencies failed to justify procurement methods and contract costs, follow security measures and monitor the work of GCStrategies, ultimately falling short in showing value for the money spent and even paying contractors without proof work was done.
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Toronto Sun
9 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
HUNTER: New Ontario minister for bail slams soft-on-crime feds
Just about every crook walks out of bail court with a free pass thanks to the Trudeau government's homage to stupidity, Bill C-75 Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox CRIME BUSTER: Ontario Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform Zee Hamid. Photo by ZEE HAMID / X The severity of the crime no longer matters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Shoplifting is on par with murder and sexual assault. Ultimately, every crook – two-bit or sophisticated – walks out of bail court with a free pass thanks to the Trudeau government's mind-boggling homage to stupidity, Bill C-75. The bill decries that every accused should receive bail sooner rather than later. The offence does not matter. Ontario Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, Zee Hamid, told the Toronto Sun that the bail law desperately needs to make a distinction between minor crimes and repeat and violent offenders. Five-time convicted impaired driver Koushal Kasiram, 58, of Mississauga, faces two impaired driving-related charges and three of prohibited driving after a four-car crash in Brampton sent three people to hospital on July 5, 2025. Photo by Peel Regional Police 'All we're asking is for things to be put back together,' the Milton PC MPP said. 'For some reason, the feds are not catching the public's mood on violent crime.' 'Public safety is a pressing issue. Punishment and bail have to be meaningful,' Hamid said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He added: 'For some of these guys, they need to be treated like a teacher treats a misbehaving student. They need a time-out. Victims live with the trauma forever. It's clear there needs to be bail reform.' The entire criminal justice system needs an overhaul to protect taxpayers and the innocent, Hamid said. Two men from Brampton face numerous charges following a search warrant that uncovered a 9mm Glock firearm. Photo by Peel Regional Police 'The criminal code is actually very weak. Just last week, a repeat drunk driver with three lifetime bans (from driving) was released on bail. Three times while on bail, he was arrested for drunk driving. And then he did it again. He's going to ignore the conditions,' Hamid said, adding it's an 'uphill battle.' Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hamid and the Ford government is also concerned about the recent criminal-friendly antics of the judiciary. 'What frustrates us is that judges appear more friendly and more concerned about the feelings of criminals than keeping the public safe,' he said. MR CRUEL AND UNUSUAL: Canada's Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner has moaned that Canadians just understand the other worldly wisdom of the the court. Photo by Chris Helgren / REUTERS Hamid said the Ford government is taking the following initiatives: – The government is providing $24 million to the Ontario Provincial Police, 17 municipal police services and four First Nations police services to establish dedicated bail compliance and warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals. – The government has added $48 million to double the size of the OPP-led Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad, whose officers haul in high-risk offenders, from five to 10 teams. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – Hamid said the government has also invested $26 million to create Intensive Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams within the court system to 'ensure that there are dedicated prosecutors and subject matter experts to prepare for and properly conduct the often lengthy and complex bail hearings.' – The province (along with other provinces and municipalities) is pressing the feds to reform the 'broken bail system.' – The Provincial Bail Compliance Dashboard, slated to be introduced later this year, will allow cops to monitor, consolidate and share information related to individuals on bail for firearms-related offences, including offender release addresses. Investigators need help identifying these two suspects who are sought for an armed carjacking in Mississauga on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Photo by Handout / Peel Regional Police 'Bill C-75 has been a disaster, and last year's Bill C-48 hasn't come close to repairing the damage,' Hamid said. 'Yet the Liberals intend to pat themselves on the back for a job well done.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He pointed out that the Criminal Code is federally regulated. On auto theft, Hamid said that there has been a 'dramatic reduction' in the epidemic of thefts. Équité Association recently released a report showing a dramatic reduction in auto theft rates across Canada, with Ontario leading the way with a 25.9% reduction YTD over last year. RECOMMENDED VIDEO The bad news is that the numbers are still way above the auto thefts in 2023. Hamid said the government has provided funding for five helicopters to assist the crackdown, in addition to providing funding for dedicated auto theft teams at various police services to help them build the strongest cases possible. Vehicle theft, of course, ties into the bail crisis. Hamid thought it 'insane' that the accused in a $45 million cocaine ring busted by Peel Regional Police should get bail. 'This can't continue. The last few years have been a disaster with international organized crime gaining a firm toehold in Canada,' Hamid said. 'It's no longer kids going for a joy ride. It's now all tied into drugs, human trafficking and other serious, violent crimes. 'Sadly, we don't have much time,' he warned. bhunter@ @HunterTOSun Toronto Blue Jays Homes Columnists Toronto & GTA Columnists
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Justin Trudeau spotted at Katy Perry's Montreal concert with his daughter
Justin Trudeau was spotted at a Katy Perry concert in Montreal on Wednesday night, days after the pop star and the former Canadian prime minister were seen dining together at a restaurant in the city. A video of the concert shows the former Liberal Party leader, 53, singing along as Perry performed her song Dark Horse. The Firework singer, 40, is currently on her Lifetimes Tour and is set to perform in Quebec City on Friday. Earlier this week, Perry and Trudeau enjoyed a meal at Le Violon in Montreal's Le Plateau neighbourhood. TMZ was the first to report the sighting, sharing photos of the duo leaning over the table while in conversation. View image in full screen Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau are seen dining together in Montreal. TMZ Le Violon, recently named Canada's Best New Restaurant, confirmed the outing to Global News, saying Trudeau and Perry arrived at the restaurant during regular service hours and 'were seated like any other guests, alongside other patrons.' Story continues below advertisement The restaurant said the pair were 'very warm, friendly, and gracious to our team,' and that they stopped by the kitchen with a personal thank you for the staff. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Trudeau and his ex-wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau split in August 2023 after 18 years of marriage. They have three children: Xavier, 17, Ella-Grace, 16, and Hadrien, 11. 3:08 Possible implications of Trudeaus' separation as former couple remains 'close family' Last month, Perry announced she and actor Orlando Bloom had called off their engagement after almost a decade together. They share a four-year-old daughter, Daisy. — With files from Global News' Michelle Butterfield
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Justin Trudeau spotted at Katy Perry concert days after dining together in Montreal
MONTREAL – Justin Trudeau was spotted in the crowd at Katy Perry's concert in Montreal, days after duo dined together in the city. The appearance continues to fuel speculation about a possible relationship between the former prime minister and U.S. pop star, who had dinner at a Plateau restaurant on Monday. Last night's sighting has taken over social media with one video posted online showing Trudeau clapping and nodding his head as the 'Firework' singer commanded the stage. Perry recently split from longtime partner and actor Orlando Bloom and is in the midst of a Canadian leg for her Lifetimes tour, which lands in Quebec City tomorrow and in Toronto next week. Trudeau separated from ex-wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau in 2023 and resigned as prime minister earlier this year. A communications consultant for the Montreal restaurant Le Violon told The Canadian Press on Tuesday that Trudeau and Perry spent about two hours at the fine-dining spot Monday evening. Samantha Jin said the pair were very polite and chatted with the kitchen staff after, but mostly kept to themselves. 'We kind of got the vibe that they were a little more chill,' she said, adding there were 'no visual signs of PDA.' Celebrity site TMZ, which posted video of Trudeau and Perry in animated conversation at the eatery, also posted video of the two leaving a Montreal bar later that evening. Neither camp has responded to requests for comment. -By Cassandra Szklarski in Toronto This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2025.
