Latest news with #CriminalCodeofCanada


Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
Suspect charged with hijacking in YVR incident used to be a pilot
The suspect charged with hijacking in connection with an incident at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday was a pilot more than a decade ago. Shaheer Cassim, 39, has been charged with hijacking after being accused of stealing a small plane from the Victoria Flying Club, flying it over the Salish Sea and eventually landing it at YVR. Cassim made a brief court appearance on Wednesday afternoon and remains in custody. A Facebook page of someone with the same name and image describes himself as a 'messenger of Allah.' 'I am the messiah sent to save humanity from climate change and usher in an era of world peace.' This person also writes about climate change, saying the sea ice is going to disappear within two years and humans will eventually go extinct. Story continues below advertisement The Facebook profile says he was employed from 2008 to 2010 by now-defunct KD Air, a small airline based on Vancouver Island. 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 The airline's former owners, Diana and Lars Banke, said in an interview that Cassim was one of the smartest and best pilots they ever worked with, calling him a fast learner who was highly intelligent. But Lars Banke said Cassim left the airline after getting 'bored' and then went to medical school. He also said Cassim believed the world was coming to an end. Cassim has been involved in climate activism in the past and in 2012 he held a news conference in Victoria at the start of a cross-country bicycle trek to raise awareness about global warming. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a charge of hijacking could mean a sentence of life in prison. The Prosecution Service of Canada has also indicated this charge could come with terrorism implications. Story continues below advertisement An order has been made to determine if Cassim is fit to stand trial. — with files from The Canadian Press


Global News
6 days ago
- Global News
Suspect charged with hijacking in connection with security incident at YVR
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook A man has now been charged in connection with the security incident at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday afternoon. Shaheer Cassim, 39, has been charged with hijacking after allegedly stealing a small plane from the Victoria Flying Club, flying it over the Salish Sea and eventually landing it at YVR. Cassim made a brief court appearance on Wednesday afternoon and remains in custody. According to public records, an order was made to determine whether Cassim is fit to stand trial. 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 The Prosecution Service of Canada also indicates that this hijacking charge comes with terrorism implications. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a charge of hijacking could mean a person is sentenced to life in prison. 1:50 Pilot of small plane in custody after security incident at YVR Cassim has previously been involved in climate activism. Story continues below advertisement In 2012, Cassim held a news conference in Victoria at the start of a cross-country bicycle trek to raise awareness of global warming. –with files from The Canadian Press


Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ottawa asked to bolster criminal code to protect emergency workers
A string of assaults against Winnipeg firefighters has ignited calls for all levels of government to beef up protections for emergency workers, who say they are confronted by increasing violence in Manitoba's capital. United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Nick Kasper is leading the charge after fire crews were forced to disarm and restrain a knife-wielding man on Sunday night. The incident was the latest in a spate of violence affecting first responders and health-care workers in Winnipeg. A firefighter was struck in the face with a pole on Friday; five nurses were sexually assaulted on the Health Sciences Centre campus this month. 'Violence has just become a daily occurrence,' Kasper said. 'Our concern is that, with so many of these near misses and close calls, we are rolling the dice to a potentially serious outcome.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS A firefighter was attacked at Logan Avenue and Princess Street on Friday. A firefighter was attacked at Logan Avenue and Princess Street on Friday. Also in the past two days, a firefighter was hit in the stomach by a patient and fire crews had to flee from a property when someone inside threatened them with a knife, he said. On Monday, the union wrote a letter to federal, provincial and municipal leaders, asking each level of government to bolster safety measures. Chief among the demands is a call to strengthen the Criminal Code of Canada by creating a distinct criminal charge for people who assault first responders and health-care workers. The union has proposed expanding section 270 of the code to include firefighters, paramedics and health-care providers. The section currently allows for specific charges against anybody who assaults a peace officer. 'I think it's pretty clearly understood across the country that if a police officer is struck, that is a distinct and serious charge. I don't think that we should be differentiating with other public safety providers,' Kasper said. 'When you have to be looking over your shoulder while you're extinguishing a fire, it adds to the psychological toll.' Parliamentarians were considering amending the Criminal Code to require courts to view assaults against health-care providers and first responders as aggravating factors during sentencing, but that process has stalled. A private member's bill outlining the proposed changes was tabled in March 2023 and later completed third reading in the House of Commons. Bill C-321 then went to the Senate, which reviewed it in December. It has not advanced to third reading in the Senate. A separate proposed law, tabled in June 2023, sought to make it an offence to assault first responders. Bill C-345 has not moved advanced through Parliament. The union has asked the province and city to pass formal resolutions urging the federal government to revive the bills. It would also like Manitoba to create a provincial offence for obstructing, harassing or threatening public safety personnel. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES 'We need stronger federal laws; we need consequences for those that are involved with this,' said Mayor Scott Gillingham. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES 'We need stronger federal laws; we need consequences for those that are involved with this,' said Mayor Scott Gillingham. Mayor Scott Gillingham said he was drafting a resolution to put before to council Thursday. If approved, it would take the union's calls to the federal government. He said the two federal bills essentially 'died on the floor' of Parliament during the recent election. 'We need stronger federal laws; we need consequences for those that are involved with this,' Gillingham said. 'I can't see any reason anyone would oppose these changes.' Justice Minister Matt Wiebe told reporters Tuesday he would call for changes at the federal level. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Justice minister Matt Wiebe speaks to the media about emergency workers protection in his office at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Tuesday. Justice minister Matt Wiebe speaks to the media about emergency workers protection in his office at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Tuesday. 'It was a real tough weekend for the people that are out there protecting us every single day and the message is that we've got their backs,' Wiebe said. The minister said his government would review the potential of strengthening the provincial offences act. Kasper urged the city to add alerts to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service dispatch system, so first responders are notified if they are racing to an address or individual with a history of violence. He proposed reviewing information-sharing protocols between WFPS and the Winnipeg Police Service. 'We'll have our members… attending locations that the police wouldn't otherwise go without backup. That cannot continue. Imagine we have a serious incident and we find out afterwards that another agency at the city was aware of the risk,' Kasper said. Gillingham said he is open to exploring those ideas. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. In a statement, the Winnipeg Police Service said it meets regularly with the fire paramedic service and has procedures for information sharing when both agencies respond to a call. 'We have had discussions regarding improved information-sharing protocols to ensure the safety of our first responders partners,' the statement said. 'Work continues to finalize protocols that may assist fire or ambulance personnel when they respond to calls that don't require police.' Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses' Union, said she supports Kasper's calls for change. The Canadian Federation of Nurses, MNU's national counterpart, has made similar demands, she said. 'I believe that this needed to happen long ago,' Jackson said. 'Absolutely, we will be watching, and I'm thinking that we may need to follow up with a letter of support from our union.' Jackson referenced instances in which nurses have been assaulted at work, but felt discouraged from pressing charges because they believed there would be limited consequences. In relation to the attacks at the Health Sciences Centre on July 2, a 28-year-old man has been charged with five counts of sexual assault and remains in custody. Police have refused to reveal his identity, citing concerns about the ongoing investigation. The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, which represents city paramedics, also voiced support for reform. The union released a survey of Winnipeg paramedics in May, in which 93 per cent of respondents reported they had experienced violence on the job. President Kyle Ross said demands by the firefighters union are 'a good first step.' Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.


Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
BODOG BLOCKED FROM OPERATING IN MANITOBA Français
WINNIPEG, MB, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Following his ruling of May 26, 2025, which ordered an immediate and permanent ban on the illegal gambling site Bodog in Manitoba, The Honourable Jeffrey Harris, Judge of the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba issued the written reasons for his decision late last week. In his reasons, Justice Harris held that Bodog has no legal authority to operate in Manitoba and that its solicitation and acceptance of bets in Manitoba violates the Criminal Code of Canada. Justice Harris further held that Bodog "is misleading Manitobans as to the lawfulness, character and quality of the and the platforms." He accepted evidence that Bodog advertises and promotes its unlawful gambling offerings to Manitobans through a variety of false and misleading statements, and that Bodog markets itself to Manitobans as a legal, safe online casino when in fact its operations in Manitoba are illegal. Further, Justice Harris accepted evidence that because no Canadian or provincial government regulates or controls Bodog's activities, Bodog has no obligation in this country to implement responsible gambling features, pay taxes, or comply with anti-money laundering requirements. The Court's reasons resolve an application brought earlier this year by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL), on behalf of the Canadian Lottery Coalition, for an injunction to stop Il Nido Ltd. and Sanctum IP Holdings Ltd., two entities that operate or are associated with the Bodog gambling site, from operating or advertising Bodog within Manitoba. In his May 26 order enjoining Il Nido Ltd. and Sanctum IP Holdings Ltd., Justice Harris declared that Bodog has "no lawful authority to offer online gambling products and services, whether through or any other related successor or replacement websites, or to advertise such online products and services to persons located in Manitoba, as such activities are contrary to sections 201, 202, and 206 of the Criminal Code". "We could not be more pleased with this ruling," said Gerry Sul, President and CEO, MBLL. "With this decision, Justice Harris has unequivocally confirmed that Bodog's operations within Manitoba are prohibited by the Criminal Code, Competition Act, and the Trademarks Act, and that MBLL has the sole legal authority to provide gambling offerings within the province. Bodog's conduct has not only been unlawful, the harm their illegal operations have caused to MBLL – and Manitobans – is incalculable." Since the introduction of single-event sports betting in 2021, Canadians have seen a rapid increase in the frequency of online gaming sites and advertisements from illegal operators. The Criminal Code of Canada gives provinces the exclusive right to conduct and manage gaming, including online gaming, within their respective jurisdictions. In Manitoba, MBLL is the designated authority and PlayNow is the only legal online gambling site authorized to operate in the province. "The continued advertising and promotion of illegal gambling sites gives Canadians the false impression that they are operating legally, which is not the case," said Pat Davis, President and CEO, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). "Not only are many of these sites operating in offshore markets that leave no protection or recourse for the player, but they also divert revenues that would otherwise be returned to provincial governments and directed to much-needed programs and services." As per the May 26 injunction issued by the Court, Il Nido Ltd. and Sanctum IP Holdings Ltd., are required to implement geo-blocking technology on their site to prevent anyone located in Manitoba from accessing, viewing, purchasing, or otherwise engaging with any of their online gambling products or services. The Canadian Lottery Coalition, comprised of MBLL, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, BCLC, Loto-Québec, and Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan, remains committed to creating a safer online gaming environment for all Canadians.


Global News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Declare gender-based violence an ‘epidemic,' B.C. review urges
Gender-based violence should be declared an epidemic, a review of British Columbia's system that deals with sexual and intimate partner violence has concluded. The review, conducted by lawyer Kim Stanton, makes numerous recommendations, including the appointment of an independent commissioner on gender-based violence. 'Gender-based violence has been normalized somehow, but it shouldn't be,' Stanton said Tuesday. 'It is pervasive, but it is preventable.' 1:48 Calls to eliminate violence against women The report includes a number of sobering statistics, including that over one-third of women and girls aged 15 and up in B.C. have experienced sexual violence, and nearly half have experienced intimate partner violence. Story continues below advertisement More than nine in 10 survivors of sexual assault do not report it to police, while eight in 10 survivors of partner violence do not report it, the report found. 'I want you to sit with those numbers for a little bit,' B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said. 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 'That silence isn't because harm isn't happening. It's because too often, survivors don't feel safe coming forward. They fear not being believed, retraumatized or dismissed.' 2:02 Push to enshrine femicide in Criminal Code of Canada on anniversary of Montreal massacre The review calls on the province to prioritize resources for prevention initiatives, including public education, to help prevent violence before it escalates to the legal system. It also calls for more support services for survivors and for men who engage in violence. And it recommends improving education and training system-wide, including for police, prosecutors, courts and correction workers on the dynamics of gender-based violence and unconscious bias. Story continues below advertisement It also calls on the province to implement accountability measures to ensure that its recommendations don't get acknowledged and then ignored. 'There have been decades of recommendations made to address and reduce gender-based violence and to improve access to justice, and yet, as you heard, we still have 94 per cent of sexual assault survivors not reporting and 80 per cent of intimate partner violence survivors not reporting,' Stanton said. 'So the review's focus was to try to disrupt that cycle of repeated recommendations with non-appreciable outcomes for survivors.' 2:08 Study sheds light on knowledge gap in recognizing intimate partner violence Asked about a timeline for when recommendations could be adopted, Sharma said the province would take some time to fully digest the report, but would act quickly where it can. 'Right away, we are launching a gender-based violence action committee within government that's a cross-ministry committee that is going to be tasked with this report and those recommendations,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 'I intend to act quickly on the ones that can be done quickly, and the ones that would take longer, of course, we'll have to work with other partners in the justice system to do so. And we will have an update in the fall.' Stanton's review also recommends reform in the courts and more funding for legal aid supporting family law services. And it calls for the creation of a 'gender-based violence death review committee' to better understand how fatal gender-based violence cases are handled across the system and make recommendations to prevent future deaths, similar to the function of a coroner's inquest.