B.C. NDP caucus asks RCMP to investigate Rustad's claim of MLA blackmailers
VICTORIA - The chair of British Columbia's NDP caucus has written to the RCMP requesting an investigation into allegations that former members of the Opposition tried to blackmail ex-colleagues.
The letter from Stephanie Higginson to Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald comes after B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad confirmed the authenticity of a letter to his caucus warning about the alleged blackmail by three MLAs and their staff.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
7 minutes ago
- CBC
Carney's push for 'nation-building' projects moves ahead despite some Indigenous opposition
Social Sharing Prime Minister Mark Carney promised during the election campaign to "build big, build bold" and the legislation that would enable federal fast-tracking of major projects appears poised to clear the House of Commons despite some Indigenous opposition. The legislation, Bill C-5, essentially gives cabinet the ability to pick certain projects to speed through the regulatory process, with an eye to projects that can deliver an economic boost to Canada, help strengthen the country's autonomy and resilience and, notably, "advance the interests of Indigenous peoples" and contribute to "clean growth." While the bill, the One Canadian Economy Act, is expected to pass the Commons this week with Conservative support, opposition MPs made a number of amendments to the legislation Wednesday night to, among other things, make the streamlined process more transparent by forcing Ottawa to publish the conditions of approval and limiting the government's ability to allow a project to bypass certain laws. Government House leader Mark MacKinnon said Thursday the cabinet will review the amendments quickly before deciding what it's willing to accept. WATCH | Carney says Indigenous rights are central to C-5: Carney says Indigenous rights are central to Bill C-5 2 hours ago Duration 2:01 Following pushback from Indigenous leaders on the government's bill to get major projects built, Prime Minister Carney emphasized that Indigenous consultation is central to the legislation. Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday, Carney affirmed the government's commitment to 'embrace' Indigenous Peoples' right to free, prior, and informed consent under the Constitution. Canadians are tired of delays that have hurt economic growth and the government is determined to push ahead with the law, he said, which allows cabinet to exempt projects from provisions of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Impact Assessment Law in the name of expediency. Cabinet reviewing amendments A Conservative amendment, if adopted, means however projects must comply with other laws, like the Conflict of Interest Act and Lobbying Act. "Under the original Liberal proposal, projects could have been approved and built that would financially benefit members of the cabinet," the party said in a statement. The Conservatives are making changes to stop the government from "sneaking in provisions that would give themselves the power to broadly skirt the laws of the land without consequences," the party said. The government hasn't said what exactly would be fast-tracked under this legislation — and there are no specific projects mentioned in the bill itself — but Carney has signalled support for new energy "corridors" in the east and west, which could include pipelines and electricity grids, new and expanded port facilities, mines and other resource-related initiatives. WATCH | Grand chief wants Governor General to intervene: Speaking to reporters at an announcement Thursday about measures to protect the Canadian steel and aluminum industry, Carney said C-5 is "the core of our domestic response" to President Donald Trump's tariffs. The push to get "nation-building" projects built, many of which would require huge quantities of steel and aluminum during construction, will help hard-hit sectors weather the U.S. trade war, he said. "It's an important piece of legislation that has massive support among Canadians," MacKinnon said. "It was at the heart of our election campaign and election platform." While some Indigenous leaders are opposed, others are on side with the push to deliver more money and jobs to communities that stand to gain from development, MacKinnon said. "There are Indigenous communities, Indigenous nations that want to participate — they exist all over the country and they deserve to have their voices heard," MacKinnon said. Still, some Indigenous leaders are pushing back against giving the cabinet, or the minister they designate to shepherd a project through, so much power to choose major projects. The legislation itself states the government will recognize, affirm and "respect" Indigenous peoples' constitutional rights when considering a project. But there's a fear among some leaders that the consultation process with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities will be inadequate given Carney campaigned on making final decisions on projects within a two-year timeline. Right to be consulted The approvals process has been much longer than that in recent years with industry groups and critics saying endless consultations have bogged down getting things built, hurting the economy. Some Indigenous leaders, meanwhile, say they should be given a meaningful amount of time to offer opinions on a path forward. The Supreme Court has ruled Indigenous peoples have a right to be consulted on a potential project — but they do not have a final veto on whether something should go ahead. Carney promised Thursday to respect the government's legal obligations to Indigenous peoples — and make money available to communities that want to take an equity stake in proposed projects so any potential wealth can be shared. "Consultation, co-operation, engagement, participation is at the heart of C-5 and that is how you build a nation. And that's very much how we've designed it," Carney said. Despite those assurances, Indigenous leaders want more of a say over the bill itself, with clearer provisions that their rights won't be trampled as the government pushes to get things built fast during a trade war. WATCH | Senator says he'll introduce amendment to delay Bill C-5: Senator says he'll introduce amendment to delay Bill C-5 3 days ago Duration 1:14 Paul Prosper, a Mi'kmaw senator from Nova Scotia, is promising to "slow down the process" in the Red Chamber with an amendment to give Indigenous peoples more time to weigh in and make their pitches to change the bill. "If you don't do it right, we're looking at some potential litigation in the future. It's best to be proactive now," Prosper said. It's not clear if he will be successful. The Senate has already agreed to a "work plan" to get the legislation through the upper house before it rises for the summer recess. MacKinnon said the bill will be put to a final vote in the Senate next week. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, who represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, wants the Governor General to step in before giving the legislation royal assent — which is an unlikely and constitutionally dubious proposition.
Toronto Sun
32 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Tories challenge Liberals on promised tax cuts
Despite promising average tax cut savings of $825 per year, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said the real figure is much lower Conservative MP Jasraj Hallan asks a question during question period in the House of Commons to Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Photo by Patrick Doyle / The Canadian Press OTTAWA – Daily hot chocolates are off the menu. 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 Fresh from the Parliamentary Budget Officer's new report showing the government's promised middle-class tax cut falling far from what was promised, the last Question Period of the abbreviated spring sitting saw the Conservatives demanding answers. 'Just like Trudeau, he can't even get a tax cut right,' said Calgary East MP Jasraj Hallan, accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of deceiving Canadians. 'He promised $800, yet the average Canadian will only save $90 this year – not even enough to get a hot chocolate from Tim Hortons weekly.' Despite Carney's election promise that his middle-class tax cuts would save families an average savings of $825 per year, P arliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux said that number's actually closer to $280, with most families expected to see savings of around $90 in 2025. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Two-income families with a child could see the biggest savings, but no more than $750. 'I recognize the job of prime minister comes with many responsibilities, I didn't know addition and division were one of them,' Carney said in response, pointing across the aisle to jeering Conservatives. 'The Parliamentary Budget Officer refers to the reductions for all Canadians,' he said. 'The vote that the members opposite supported this government on delivers tax cuts for the 22 million Canadians who pay taxes.' The PBO priced the Liberal tax cut at just under $64 billion over five years, while the Department of Finance Canada pegged the cost at $27 billion over the same time period. — With files from The Canadian Press bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume MMA NHL Canada Toronto & GTA NHL
CBC
36 minutes ago
- CBC
Woman charged with robbing girl, 9, on bicycle in Thompson
A nine-year-old girl in Thompson, Man., was saved from an attempted robbery earlier this week by a bystander who chased the would-be robber away, police say. A 22-year-old woman allegedly approached the girl on Thompson Drive at about 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The woman asked the nine-year-old, who was on a bicycle at the time, for a bag of food she was carrying. A bystander intervened, chased the woman away and took the girl to safety, according to an RCMP news release on Thursday. The girl sustained minor injuries but didn't require immediate medical attention. Mounties managed to track down the suspect based on descriptions provided by the girl and bystander. The woman has been charged with robbery, causing a disturbance and two counts of resisting arrest, RCMP said. She remains in custody. The investigation continues.
