Latest news with #CBCWindsor
CBC
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Province says it will fund training and maintenance for Windsor police helicopter
Social Sharing The province has disclosed some more details about a helicopter the government is buying for Windsor police amid questions from city officials about the aircraft's cost to local taxpayers and stated border security mandate. On May 15, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government unveiled its 2025 budget, which includes $57 million to purchase two new Airbus H-135 helicopters — one for Niagara regional police, and one for Windsor police. The aircraft are meant to help municipal law enforcement "with increased patrols, security, and enforcement at key entry points at the U.S. border," according to the budget. On Monday, the province told CBC Windsor that it will be covering some of the costs associated with the new equipment. "Our government is ensuring police services have the tools they need to protect our borders and keep our communities safe — This includes supporting the Windsor Police Service with a new H-135 helicopter," wrote Dakota Moniz, director of communications for Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "In addition to the new helicopter, we will provide funding to the police service to hire and train tactical flight officers, and support the Ontario Provincial Police, who will provide maintenance for the helicopter upon its arrival in 2027," Moniz stated. As of Monday evening, Moniz had not responded to follow-up questions regarding how much the province would be providing, and whether those amounts are included in the original $57-million investment. Windsor city councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, who chairs the Windsor Police Services Board, has expressed concerns about the costs associated with operating and maintaining a helicopter. "I think for the people of Windsor to have to assume the cost of operating a helicopter is naturally concerning," Gignac told CBC after the announcement. Ontario budget promises new police helicopter and more skilled tradespeople for Windsor-Essex 10 days ago Duration 2:28 A new helicopter for Windsor police and almost a billion dollars in funding for worker skills development are among the aspects of the latest Ontario budget that will have a direct impact on our region. CBC's Dalson Chen spoke with Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac of the police board and John D'Agnolo of Unifor Local 200 for their reactions. After a meeting of the Windsor Police Services Board last week, Gignac said the city was still awaiting details from the province about the helicopter. "We still don't have the information that we need to be able to sign an agreement in terms of that tool," Gignac said. "And it is a tool. It's a tool that I appreciate the premier has thought that it might be a positive thing." There have also been questions about whether it's the role of a municipal police service to patrol the international border — which is normally a federal responsibility. "It's just getting to the point where downloading of different responsibilities that were never part of our municipal responsibilities are coming left and right," Gignac said. "And so we have to be very careful." Both the Canadian and Ontario governments have implemented new border security measures in response to criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has claimed that fentanyl smuggling from Canada justifies imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods — despite data showing that the vast majority of fentanyl enters the U.S. from Mexico. In an effort to appease Trump, Ottawa announced in December that it would spend $1.3 billion on beefing up border security — which includes having the RCMP patrol the border with leased Black Hawk helicopters. The Windsor detachment of the RCMP declined an interview request on Monday and did not respond to questions about coordinating with the coming Windsor police helicopter patrol. There's some precedent for the province's new police helicopters. Ford's government previously said it was spending $134 million on five helicopters for police in Ottawa and the Toronto area. The latest announcement "builds on" that investment, the budget says, adding that the new aircraft "will help protect Ontario's borders and keep highways and roadways safe from violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing, and impaired driving."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Province says it will fund training and maintenance for Windsor police helicopter
The province has disclosed some more details about a helicopter the government is buying for Windsor police amid questions from city officials about the aircraft's cost to local taxpayers and stated border security mandate. On May 15, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government unveiled its 2025 budget, which includes $57 million to purchase two new Airbus H-135 helicopters — one for Niagara regional police, and one for Windsor police. The aircraft are meant to help municipal law enforcement "with increased patrols, security, and enforcement at key entry points at the U.S. border," according to the budget. On Monday, the province told CBC Windsor that it will be covering some of the costs associated with the new equipment. "Our government is ensuring police services have the tools they need to protect our borders and keep our communities safe — This includes supporting the Windsor Police Service with a new H-135 helicopter," wrote Dakota Moniz, director of communications for Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "In addition to the new helicopter, we will provide funding to the police service to hire and train tactical flight officers, and support the Ontario Provincial Police, who will provide maintenance for the helicopter upon its arrival in 2027," Moniz stated. As Monday evening, Moniz had not responded to follow-up questions regarding how much the province would be providing, and whether those amounts are included in the original $57-million investment. Windsor city councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, who chairs the Windsor Police Services Board, has expressed concerns about the costs associated with operating and maintaining a helicopter. "I think for the people of Windsor to have to assume the cost of operating a helicopter is naturally concerning," Gignac told CBC after the announcement. WATCH: Ontario budget promises new police helicopter for Windsor After a meeting of the Windsor Police Services Board last week, Gignac said the city was still awaiting details from the province about the helicopter. "We still don't have the information that we need to be able to sign an agreement in terms of that tool," Gignac said. "And it is a tool. It's a tool that I appreciate the premier has thought that it might be a positive thing." There have also been questions whether it's the role of a municipal police service to patrol the international border — which is normally a federal responsibility. "It's just getting to the point where downloading of different responsibilities that were never part of our municipal responsibilities are coming left and right," Gignac said. "And so we have to be very careful." Both the Canadian and Ontario governments have implemented new border security measures in response to criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has claimed that fentanyl smuggling from Canada justifies imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods — despite data showing that the vast majority of fentanyl enters the U.S. from Mexico. In an effort to appease Trump, Ottawa announced in December that it would spend $1.3 billion on beefing up border security — which includes having the RCMP patrol the border with leased Black Hawk helicopters. The Windsor detachment of the RCMP declined an interview request on Monday and did not respond to questions about coordinating with the coming Windsor police helicopter patrol. There's some precedent for the province's new police helicopters. Ford's government previously said it was spending $134 million on five helicopters for police in Ottawa and the Toronto area. The latest announcement "builds on" that investment, the budget says, adding that the new aircraft "will help protect Ontario's borders and keep highways and roadways safe from violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing, and impaired driving."
CBC
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Canada Votes: Bail reform complex issue despite campaign slogans, says criminal lawyer
Social Sharing "Crime and lack of punishment for offenders ... 'catch and release.'" When CBC Windsor asked about the issues on your minds this federal election, that was one answer from a Windsor West voter. It's a sentiment shared by others. Other respondents to the survey identified "unsafe streets" and "freedom for criminals" as their biggest neighbourhood issues that will influence their vote. "I'm not surprised it's an election issue," said Jordan Gold, principal partner of Gold Law, a criminal defence law firm based in Toronto. "It's an easy talking point." "Not many potential voters are going to [say], 'Well, more people should be getting bail and not kept in jail.' It's very easy to get people emotional and excited about the prospect of being able to reduce crime. Everybody wants crime to be reduced." Gold has written articles on the subject for his firm's website. Last month, he dissected Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's public statements on bail reform — particularly the slogan "Jail, Not Bail," and Poilievre's claim that he would end "automatic bail." "If the notion is that certain people are getting bail without a bail hearing... That is just not something that happens. There is no such thing as 'automatic bail,' and there never has been," Gold told CBC Windsor. Provincial governments and police associations have been calling upon the federal government to re-examine and revise the bail system. The Police Association of Ontario (PAO), the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) and the Toronto Police Association (TPA) called for reform in 2024, after officers were caught in a shooting between two groups while doing bail compliance checks. 'Effective bail reform must strike a balance between public safety and the rights of the accused," the associations said in a statement. "The public expects that in the name of public safety, violent and repeat offenders will not be released on bail unless there is a compelling reason and a sensible plan to ensure that they are not at risk of reoffending while awaiting trial." Natalie Delia, a criminology professor at the University of Windsor, acknowledges there's a public safety concern that must be balanced against individual rights in a free society. "Whenever you have people that aren't in jail or prison, crime of some sort is going to happen. The people that are most likely to commit those crimes happen to also be people who have been arrested for crimes," Delia told CBC Windsor. "But that doesn't mean that we can pro-actively put them all in jail or prison — although that would 'fix' the problem." For Delia, debate on denial of bail inevitably involves the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "What I'm saying is completely not controversial: In order to be incarcerated, you should have been convicted of a crime, right?" Both the Liberals and the Conservatives mention changes to the bail system in their policy platforms. The Liberals promise they'll make bail laws stricter for violent offences and organized crime. Those charged with home invasion or human trafficking, for example, will be subject to "reverse onus" — meaning it's the responsibility of the accused to prove to the court they're not a danger to public safety. The Conservatives promise they'll repeal Bill C-75 — the 2019 legislation that sought to "modernize and streamline" the bail system. Meant to reflect Supreme Court of Canada decisions on Charter rights, Bill C-75 codifies a "principle of restraint" to ensure that release at the earliest opportunity is favoured over detention. According to the Tories, this has allowed "rampant criminals" to "go free within hours of their arrest." Other parties have varying degrees of engagement with the issue. The federal NDP does not mention bail reform in its platform. Neither does the Green Party of Canada. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the People's Party of Canada blamed the Liberal government's "insane woke ideology" for Bill C-75, and said the party's position is to repeal the law and replace it with "a much more stringent bail regime." But Gold says he believes what's being lost in the slogans is the other side of the debate: That people accused of a crime are presumed innocent and have a right to due process. The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that when you are charged, you have a right to a trial within a reasonable time, and bail courts must first consider the least restrictive options for your release. "[People] get an opportunity to have a judge or justice of the peace decide whether it is proper to release them or detain them," Gold told CBC Windsor. "There are robust and complex laws in place to determine who can be released on bail and who should be detained pending trial." Gold said he's aware there are many situations where detention is needed due to the risk to the public or risk that someone will flee. But he says the issue is nuanced, and can't be understood with simple slogans. Voters, he says, need to educate themselves on the issue and not rely on "assumptions and misconceptions." "The notion that we can punish offenders by jailing them before we know whether they're offenders — that's not what bail is about," Gold said. Delia says she feels it's important to recognize that the justice system was built on generations of decisions trying to be responsible and equitable. "We have faculties of law, we have law programs, we have whole processes for sentencing and for training judges... Canada is a safe place to live," Delia said.
CBC
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
This Second World War veteran is celebrating his 103rd birthday — here's his advice for a long and happy life
It's not every day you turn 103 years old — but Friday marks just that occasion for Frank "Red" Woods of Windsor, a Second World War veteran who is celebrating the big milestone with family on Friday. Frank and son Dan Woods caught up with CBC Windsor host Katerina Georgieva.
CBC
17-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canada Votes 2025: Windsor West voters seek empathy, affordability, job security in this election
Voters in Windsor West who spoke with CBC Windsor about their federal election concerns say the country is in need of a change. There's been some major investments in Windsor West in recent years, including the newly built Gordie Howe bridge — the third international border crossing in the riding — and designation of Ojibway as a national urban park. The area also includes the South Windsor and Sandwich Town neighbourhoods, which are home to the city's two major post-secondary campuses, the University of Windsor and St. Clair College. The riding has been an NDP stronghold for more than two decades. In 2002, NDP MP candidate and incumbent Brian Masse was elected for the first time. Since then, he's been re-elected seven times. While Windsor West resident Avneet Dhami didn't say who she's voting for, she does think that this time around, Canadians are looking for a change in leadership. "I think the biggest issue for most people is that they don't like the current status quo ... and I would agree, I think something does need to change," said Dhami. "The government has so much power and they don't ever use it for the benefit of most of us, it's always for companies and corporations and not for people like you and me." In Sandwich Town, 32-year-old Hassan Charif said he wants to see action. "Hopefully this time around, whatever parties that's running, hopefully whatever they say, they actually mean and hopefully, if we do elect them, they do implement everything they say they're going to do," he said. Jobs, cost of living are key issues In recent years, Windsor has had one of the highest unemployment rates of big cities in Canada. Challenges finding work along with record inflation has some students and young people in the Windsor West riding wanting to see a government that will prioritize the job market and a strong economy. As a first-year registered practical nurse student at St. Clair College, Dhami said she wants to see things become affordable again. "You go to the grocery store and like you look at produce and you think, 'I used to be able to afford that and now [I] can't,'" she said. How are the parties doing? Check CBC's Poll Tracker She says there needs to be more resources dedicated to helping new immigrants, like housing and healthcare. "They're lowering the amount of international students and immigration, but what about the people that are already here, right? What about them?" Charif, who lives in Windsor West, says housing and homelessness are issues that he wants to see addressed. He said he believes the cost of living crisis and employment aren't being talked about enough. "I feel like we're in an economy right now where things are like so expensive, but people are working part-time jobs or hourly pay jobs and they're struggling to keep up with that living paycheque to paycheque," he said. For 28-year-old Nicholas Shepley, the Progressive Conservative Party are who he feels politically aligned with. Shepley, who is at St. Clair College boosting his math grades so that he can become a mechanic, says he attended conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's Windsor rally. "Everything I've been hearing about what the Conservatives have been doing is making more and more sense," he said. "Like build more pipelines [and] axe the taxes so that homes aren't so expensive." 'I want to vote with empathy' At the University of Windsor, first-year biomedical science student Ziyad Deen said job opportunities and the economy are top of mind. As someone who identifies with the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Deen said they also continue to worry about their rights. "I don't want to force LGBT on anybody, I just want them to have knowledge and treat us as humans," they said. "It's very lost to vote with empathy these days ... I want to vote with empathy for the population right? I am voting for everybody, right? So I would say consider that when voting." For recently retired resident Utanu Mafandala, her priorities look a little different. Mafandala just moved to Windsor in January, but she's spent decades living in Montreal and Toronto. She says crime and healthcare are two top concerns for her. Mafandala said that while at first she thought having a change of government would be good for the country, escalating tensions with the United States and all the tariff talk have her thinking "it's better if we can just keep the continuity of the government who is now in place." But, she says she didn't agree with many of former prime minister Justin Trudeau's policies and thought his government didn't prioritize the wellbeing of Canadians. Out of this election, she hope the next government takes "care of the people here in the country more, improve the situation of the citizens here." What matters to you? CBC Windsor wants to hear from voters in our region about their top priorities for this election. Fill out the form below to tell us what you think:
