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Cision Canada
19 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Sotos Class Actions: Proposed Settlement Reached in National Class Actions Regarding Philips Respironics Devices Français
, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - A proposed partial settlement has been reached concerning the Economic Loss Claims in the Canada-wide class actions, Morel v. Koninklijke Philips N.V. et al. and Roy v. Respironics Inc. et al. The class actions address claims from individuals, corporations, hospitals, or partnerships in Canada who purchased or used certain Philips Respironics CPAP, BiPAP, or ventilator devices that were part of a voluntary recall first announced on June 14, 2021. Key Partial Settlement Details: Settlement Fund: 20 million CAD to resolve Economic Loss Claims, covering money spent or lost as a result of replacing the device and participating in the voluntary recall. Compensation Plan: Class Members may be eligible to receive up to $125 per purchased device and a percentage (30%-90%) of the replacement cost if replacement costs were incurred and receipts can be provided, less legal and administration fees and disbursements. Number of potential affected members: More than 300,000. This partial settlement does not include personal injury claims. These claims are still ongoing, and Class Members in this settlement keep their right to continue with them. The courts in British Columbia and Quebec must approve the settlement for it to take effect. If approved, all class members who have not opted out of the class actions will be bound by its terms. Opting Out or Objecting Details regarding the approval of the settlement, including the process for allowing Class Members to opt out or object are available at the following address: Legal Fees Class Counsel will apply for the approval of fees amounting to a maximum of 30% of the total settlement and an honorarium for the British Columbia Representative Plaintiff, subject to court approval.
Global News
4 days ago
- Global News
Ontario mother's battle to bring son home from Vietnam reaches 546 days
Everything in Jacob Le's room is as he left it before he went on a trip with his father to Vietnam, nearly a year and a half ago. His bright yellow truck is parked in the corner of the bedroom, a pile of stuffed animals, including his favourite teddy bear, sits on the edge of his bed and his paintings are displayed proudly all around the downtown Toronto apartment. Jacob's mother, Heather McArthur, is waiting for the day her son returns home after 546 days away. 'It's the littlest moments when I walk around now and I see a mother with her child looking at a flower, and just remembering those moments with my son and what he brought to my life and how much of him is missing, and how much of this doesn't make sense to me,' said McArthur. Story continues below advertisement Jacob's father, Loc Phu 'Jay' Le, took him to Vietnam in February of 2024 to supposedly celebrate Lunar New Year as part of a vacation cleared by the courts, McArthur explained, but he never returned to Canada. Toronto police released an image of Jacob's father on May 7 and requested the public's help in locating him as he was 'wanted in a parental abduction investigation.' Le, 41, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for abduction in contravention of a custody order. McArthur has travelled back and forth from Toronto to Ho Chi Minh City multiple times in search of her son. Adding a layer of complexity to the case is the fact that Vietnam is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which 'can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to, or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights,' according to a Government of Canada website. 'Whether we have a convention, whether we've signed a treaty or not, is that relevant? Is that what we care about? We should care about one thing only. We should be doing everything. Every politician, every lawyer, everyone should be behind her, instead she feels like she's fighting upstream just to get attention,' said McArthur's lawyer, Robert Rotenberg. Story continues below advertisement 3:28 Toronto mother searches for missing son in Vietnam He is calling on the federal government to step up and support McArthur and help bring her son, who is a Canadian citizen, home. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'There's no central place for them to go. There's no place in the government that says, 'We're gonna advocate for you, for every means.' And frankly, if you ask me, what do I think the government should be doing? I've got a one-word answer for you. One word. The government should be doing everything,' said Rotenberg. Global News contacted Global Affairs Canada to ask what is being done to help McArthur. In a statement, a spokesperson said: 'Global Affairs Canada is aware of the parental abduction of a Canadian child in Vietnam. Consular officials are in contact with local authorities and are providing assistance to the family. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed.' Story continues below advertisement The spokesperson added: 'Child abductions are some of the most difficult consular situations that the Government of Canada responds to and are a profoundly difficult and damaging experiences for both the children and their families. The Government of Canada works with partners in Canada and officials in other countries to inquire into the safety and well-being of abducted children and facilitate their return to Canada.' In the last few months, there have been some developments, said McArthur, although none have led to her son's return. Jacob was the subject of an Interpol yellow notice, which is a global police alert for a missing person. Yellow notices are often issued to help locate minors or those who are unable to identify themselves. On a recent trip to Vietnam however, McArthur said she learned that the notice was 'no longer active.' 'I was notified that the consulate had met with the child and the father about 20 hours prior to that. And so that was the reason that it was cleared,' she said, adding 'my hopes were really high that I would see Jacob. I was sitting at the police station with my lawyer, waiting to see my son.' McArthur ended up returning to Toronto to work on her son's case from home. 'You go into a state of shock. There's only so many ups and downs that the body can take in these scenarios … There's been so many times or a few times where I've been so close to where I have located Jacob and then not been able to get action or had hopes of seeing him and not being able to achieve that and that's just really hard,' she said. Story continues below advertisement On top of the emotional toll, McArthur is dealing with the financial impact of the battle to bring home her son. She set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with legal fees and travel costs. McArthur has also been in contact with parents of other abducted children. 'There's systemic barriers that people face in accessing support and services and so I assist other people that are having difficulties accessing service and support, both for their children left behind and those children abroad,' she said. McArthur is planning to return to Vietnam once again to try and locate Jacob and bring him home. She said she understands Toronto police are limited in their efforts but hopes the federal government will do more to support her and her son. 'The police have specific jurisdiction, and so when a child is abroad, those investigations can oftentimes be really limited with the procedures that they're able to do,' she said, adding, 'If you were to ask me, why has the government not done more? Why has the Government not done everything to bring Jacob home? My answer is just that I don't know what to tell you because I don't know why that would be.'
Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
Edmonton police to hold town hall as South Asian community faces new extortion threats
Edmonton's South Asian community dealt with threats of violence for years as police investigated a series of extortions known as Project Gaslight. Now, police say the threats have started again. 'It honestly is something that probably spiked probably a month, six weeks ago,' Edmonton Police Service interim chief Devin LaForce said on Thursday. LaForce said it's believed a recent arson and half a dozen extortions are connected to the latest threats, and there are links to a high-profile crime group in India. The people perpetrating the crimes on the ground are different than the cases from the Project Gaslight investigation, LaForce said, but there are believed to be connections at a higher level. 'These things are just incredibly complex with transnational crime elements, plus associations to crimes across the country,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'It seems to be different as far as the players that are involved, but some association and some linkages.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It seems to be different as far as the players that are involved, but some association and some linkages." What was Project Gaslight? From shootings to new or under-construction homes being torched, police investigated dozens of crimes in the Edmonton region between October 2023 and January of this year that investigators said were extortions by members of the South Asian community against their own people — in particular, home builders and affluent community members. The extortion scheme saw successful South Asian business people threatened for money in exchange for 'protection' and officials said failure to pay out led to arsons — primarily at under-construction homes — and drive-by shootings. The result? Tens of millions of dollars in damage and widespread fear in the community. Story continues below advertisement According to police, Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, 35, is believed to be the leader of the criminal organization responsible for the series of Project Gaslight extortions. A Canada-wide warrant was issued for him July 2024, when six other people were arrested. View image in full screen Maninder Dhaliwal, 35, is believed to be the leader of a criminal organization responsible for an arson extortion series in the Edmonton area, according to police. Courtesy / EPS He was arrested in the United Arab Emirates on separate criminal charges near the end of 2024, and is still incarcerated in the Middle Eastern nation as Canada works to negotiate an extradition — a process complicated by the lack of a treaty to do so between Canada and the UAE. That leaves federal officials in a difficult diplomatic dance. LaForce said Canada can ask for Dhaliwal to be handed over — but the UAE isn't required to honour the request. 'They have different rules,' he said. 'There's some nuances to it where it requires just a more complex negotiation. But definitely our government of Canada is certainly doing what they can in that space.' Story continues below advertisement How is the recent crime similar — and different? What is the Bishnoi gang? Edmonton police said the latest crimes are connected to what is known as the 'Lawrence Bishnoi gang' but in what way is still under investigation. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy LaForce said he was limited in what he could share, adding the information he receives from investigators is also limited due to the sensitive nature of the cases. India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) describes the group as a criminal gang headed by Lawrence Bishnoi, whose lawyer says he contests more than 40 cases accusing him of crimes such as murder and extortion. Bishnoi himself, a law graduate from the Punjab, has been in prison for more than a decade. The NIA alleges he runs his syndicate from jails in different states and internationally through a network of associates. In November 2023, police in Surrey and Abbotsford issued public warnings after business owners there began to receive threatening letters. Global News obtained a copy of one of the letters, which claimed to be from an 'Indian gang' and demanded $2 million in 'protection money' or the recipient would face retaliation. A leaked police bulletin said the suspects in B.C. were believed to be tied to the Bishnoi gang. The bulletin said the Hindi-speaking suspects use the messaging service WhatsApp to contact victims and threaten violence after 'demanding large quantities of currency.' Story continues below advertisement In some cases, police said the suspects appear to have detailed knowledge of the victim's personal information, such as family members, vehicles and lifestyle patterns. If the victims don't pay up, their properties get torched — or worse. LaForce said in Edmonton, the tactics used recently echo similar ones used by those in the Gaslight cases. 'It's a WhatsApp phone call or I guess a phone or text message, and then they basically kind of go from there,' he said. While police in Edmonton initially did not believe their Gaslight cases had ties to extortions in B.C. and Ontario, LaForce now says that changed as the investigation progressed. 'When things kind of pop up across the country at the same time, there's something — so we definitely had our Spidey radar up,' LaForce said. 'But once we actually dove deeper we are seeing connections across the country.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "But once we actually dove deeper we are seeing connections across the country." 5:32 Growing calls to label Bishnoi gang a terrorist group Sources have told Global News the Bishnoi gang is believed to be linked to the high-profile murder two years ago of B.C. gurdwara president Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Story continues below advertisement The World Sikh Organization said the gang also took credit for the killing of a Mississauga, Ont., businessman in May who was resisting extortion attempts. 'We're looking at a real crisis here in Canada with businessmen across Canada being extorted by Indian gangs, and the issue really here is that these aren't just Indian gangs in isolation,' Balpreet Singh with the World Sikh Organization told Global News last month. 'The problem here is that the head of this gang is in prison for the past 10 years. So it seems that this gang is being used by the government of India to once again orchestrate violence and terror here in Canada.' Last month, B.C. Premier David Eby called on the federal government to designate the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization. Since then, Alberta has joined B.C. in that push. Premier Danielle Smith said the province wants to send a message to gang members that they aren't welcome here. 1:39 B.C. premier wants to see Indian gang operating in Canada listed as terrorist organization LaForce said a federal terrorist designation would enable new tools to be used, not unlike when a community declares a state of emergency. Story continues below advertisement 'It's really high level — it's more of something that kind of helps with national security, so I'll say the transnational component of that crime,' LaForce said. He explained the terrorist designation would do things like allow new forms of surveillance and grant power to withhold funds at banks. 'We hope it'll function as a deterrent for people wanting to be part of this entity now that it's labelled as such, as well as kind of afford our national partners a little bit more tools to do some things behind the scenes.' Edmonton police holding town hall for South Asian community In light of the recent crimes, the Edmonton Police Service said it's formed a new project in partnership with resources from Calgary police, Alberta RCMP and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT.) 'The idea now is that we have those investigators, plus we have community liaison constables that have been working with the community, just to give the public and everybody a chance to answer those questions that people still might have.' 1:55 B.C. government launches extortion awareness campaign For every crime they know about, police suspect there are many others in which victims stay silent — fearful to come forward to police either because they're afraid for their personal safety, or they come from a region where police are not trustworthy. Story continues below advertisement Because of that, officers in Edmonton are working to strengthen relations and build trust with the South Asian community. 'We always know there's a certain level of all crime that's unreported, so again, how do we just make sure we can try and maximize the reporting of that crime? It's like everything, the more information we have, it's easier for us to respond to and if we don't have all that information, it's hard for us have a fulsome response,' LaForce said. To that end, police are holding a town hall at the end of July. LaForce said the aim isn't necessarily as specific as learning about new crimes or advancing current files, but rather bringing everyone together in the same room to start a conversation and provide answers. 'Part of that town hall is just being, basically, visibly present for the community and connecting however we can to answer those questions,' LaForce said. 'We're just figuring out however we can to kind of be accessible and approachable, anonymous or otherwise. We want to just make sure we're there for them.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're just figuring out however we can to kind of be accessible and approachable, anonymous or otherwise. We want to just make sure we're there for them." The town hall on Monday, July 28, is taking place at the Southwood Community League in Mill Woods. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the police presentation begins at 7 p.m. Tips can be reported anonymously Edmonton police reminded residents they can report tips anonymously to a third party: Crime Stoppers. Story continues below advertisement In B.C., Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers this week said it's taking the 'unusual step' of accepting tips from extortion victims amid ongoing threats and violence targeting South Asian businesses in Surrey, B.C., and elsewhere. Executive director Linda Annis said Tuesday they've received more than 70 extortion-related tips in the past 18 months or so, and have forwarded them all to police. Annis said it's a break from normal practice for the organization to accept tips from crime victims, since those in immediate need of help are usually encouraged to call police directly. 'Obviously, we're connected very heavily with our local Crime Stoppers, as far as being a recipient for those tips and whatever information they have,' LaForce said. Edmonton police also have a dedicated email (projectgaslight@ and phone number (780-391-4279) for South Asian community members who are being targeted. — with files from Simon Little, Global News and The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Man arrested for forced confinement faces 11 firearms charges
A man who was arrested for forcible confinement last month in Yellowknife is now facing 12 additional charges — 11 of them firearm related. Yellowknife RCMP say they were executed a search warrant in the 5400 block of 52 Street after getting a complaint two people were being held against their will. Police located the two abductees and arrested three people. Bilal Mohamed Ismail, 22, of Alberta, was originally charged with being unlawfully at large, but he is now also charged with two counts of extortion with a firearm, two counts of weapons possession contrary to order and fail to surrender authorization, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, unauthorized possession of a firearm, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, careless used of a firearm and using a firearm in the commission of an office. At the time of his arrest, Ismail was the subject of a Canada-wide warrant for violating his parole conditions. He was transported back to Alberta on June 14 to finish serving a federal sentence and has now been transported back to Yellowknife to face the new charges. He is scheduled to appear in Territorial Court on Aug. 12. 'If you have information on illegal activity and illicit drug trade activities, please contact the Yellowknife Detachment at 867-669-1111 or Crime Stoppers at ,' said NT RCMP media relations officer Julie Plourde. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Danielle Smith says pulling Alberta out of supply management is worth considering
OTTAWA — Canada's dairy and poultry supply management regime could face a major challenge from within with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith saying she could consider the province exiting the quota system. Smith said at a town hall in Red Deer, Alta., that she found the idea of the province opting out of supply management intriguing. '(C)reating our own Alberta version of supply management, maybe as a pathway to a market system and maybe just because it would stick our finger in the eye of Quebec … might be (something) we want to do a little consultation on,' said Smith. Smith noted that Alberta's share of the Canada-wide quotas for dairy and egg production allotted under supply management falls below its share of the population. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Her comments came after one of the attendees, Lee Eddy, a resident of Red Deer County, said earlier in the evening that pulling out of the system would be one way for Alberta to grab the attention of Laurentian power brokers. The town hall was being held as part of Smith's Alberta Next panel, struck to consider tactics for enhancing Alberta's sovereignty. 'If we really want to make the eastern politicians … change their underwear, we should remove our supply management from the Canadian system,' said Eddy. Quebec producers hold roughly 37 per cent of Canada's total milk quota, with Ontario producers holding 32 per cent , according to Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada. Producers in the two provinces have exerted considerable clout over politicians, given their concentration in certain ridings. Alberta producers hold just short of nine per cent, despite the province representing more than 11 per cent of the national population. Eddy suggested that Alberta move first to a transitional provincial quota system and eventually to a market-based system. Supply management has emerged as a major trade irritant with the U.S., further complicating already delicate cross-border trade negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump singled out Canada's restricted dairy market in a recent letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, threatening to slap 35 per cent tariffs on all Canadian products on August 1. During the recent federal election, Carney promised to keep supply management 'off the table' in new trade negotiations with the U.S. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also said he supports supply management . Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Foods Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, says that Alberta's relative lack of skin in the dairy-quota game gives it a freer hand to take on supply management. 'I could potentially see Alberta become the quote-unquote 'sh-t disturber' that could actually get everyone, and politicians in particular, to think differently about supply management, instead of just (being) blindly supportive without knowing why,' said Charlebois. He noted that dairy farmers in Alberta benefit relatively little from the existing scheme, paying up to twice as much as farmers in Quebec and Ontario for the same share of quota. Charlebois said it was 'absolutely possible' for Alberta to leave the federal system and set up its own dairy commission. But he said that provincial administration would come with its own challenges, such as selling Alberta dairy products elsewhere in Canada. 'Would they consider other provinces to be foreign markets? It's hard to say,' said Charlebois. Charlebois added that other provinces could also object to Alberta 'dumping' less expensive, non-supply-managed products across provincial lines. Alberta's milk marketing board couldn't be reached for comment. Lawrence Herman, a lawyer and international trade expert based in Toronto, says that just because Alberta can unilaterally exit supply management doesn't mean it should. 'There isn't anything that legally requires a province to participate,' said Herman. 'However, the province couldn't change the import limits and (tariff-rate quota) system, so it's difficult to see how it would work.' 'The better option is for the feds and the provinces to work together in phasing out the entire national (supply management) system,' he added. Supply management in Alberta sparked a minor controversy in April, when an egg farmer in the province was jailed in a quota dispute with the egg marketing board. Smith said in February that she'd asked her agricultural minister to 'start (a) conversation' about potential Canada-U.S. trade concessions relating to supply management. The Red Deer town hall was the first of ten scheduled in-person events hosted by the Smith-chaired Alberta Next panel. Supply management is not one of the six formal topics put up for discussion by the panel. National Post rmohamed@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
