Latest news with #StevenDelDuca
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Toronto police say ‘heightened' presence remains at places of worship after attack in Boulder, Colo.
Toronto police say their presence at places of worship in the city will remain 'heightened and visible' following an attack in Boulder, Colo. on Sunday that the FBI is investigating as an act of terror. In a post on social media, Toronto police said it is aware of the incident in the western state, which saw a man armed with a makeshift flamethrower attack a group of people that was raising awareness about Israeli hostages in Gaza. Eight people were injured, and the suspect was arrested. 'Our priority is the well-being and safety or our communities and we continue to maintain a heightened and visible presence at schools, community centres, and places of worship across Toronto,' the service said in a statement. Toronto police previously ramped up their visibility around those institutions on May 22 following a shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., that left two Israeli Embassy staffers dead. In both the Washington and Boulder attacks, the suspects shouted, 'Free Palestine.' Other police forces in the Greater Toronto Area also increased their presence in the region following the attack in Washington. It's unclear if those police services are taking similar measures in the wake of Sunday's incident. In a post on X, York Region Mayor Steven Del Duca called the attack in Colorado 'horrifying,' as he called for 'stronger laws and meaningful enforcement at every level of government' to protect Jewish residents. Both York Region and Toronto have passed so-called 'bubble zone' bylaws to protect places of worship from protests that impede access to those institutions. Toronto police have said reports of antisemtic incidents in the city surged following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, which left 1,200 people dead. Israel's military response has killed over 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. According to the Toronto Police Service Board's annual hate crime report released last month, hate crimes in the city increased by 19 per cent in 2024, with Jewish people listed as among the most frequent targets. So far in 2025, hate crimes are down 47 per cent, the report shows. With files from The Associated Press
CBC
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Police in GTA step up patrols near synagogues, places of worship after 2 killed in Washington D.C
Police in Toronto and across the GTA say they are stepping up their presence around synagogues and places of worship after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., were shot and killed at a Jewish museum on Wednesday night. Toronto police said they will increase patrols and have a visible presence at schools, community centres, and places of worship, in a post on X, formerly Twitter. York Regional Police released a similar statement saying they will increase patrols in the Bathurst Street corridor over the next several days. "There is no immediate threat to our region and these patrols are in place to support all members of our community," YRP said on Thursday morning. Mayor of Vaughan, Steven Del Duca applauded York police for increasing their presence in response to the incident in D.C. "We need governments at all levels to step up—less talk and rhetoric, and more concrete action to keep our Jewish residents and communities safe," said Del Duca. Durham Regional Police also released a statement saying they will increase police presence at places of worship. "We recognize the impact this incident has had, particularly on Jewish community members," they said. Two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Northwest, a part of downtown Washington, about two kilometres from the White House. Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said a man shot at a group of four people with a handgun, hitting both the victims. The Israeli foreign ministry identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a couple set to be engaged to be married.
CBC
10-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Vaughan, Ont., explores renaming America Avenue amid Canada-U.S. tariff war
The city of Vaughan is considering changing the name of one of its streets in a patriotic move amid the ongoing Canada-U.S. tariff war. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca put forward a member's motion in February to have America Avenue renamed to Terry Fox Avenue, after the Canadian icon. "Recent tariff threats and trade disputes with the United States have reminded Canadians of the importance of national pride, unity, and the celebration of Canadian heroes who transcend political and economic tensions," the city said in a news release. America Avenue residents have been asked by city staff to share their opinions on the potential renaming by April 24. The city has not released any information on the total cost of the change, but Vaughan resident Adam Cuddemi says he's not sure the renaming will be worth it considering the possible costs. "I don't know if it's worth it. It's nice that they want to rename it after Terry Fox, out of anybody, it should be him. But it's going to cost a lot and all of these people will have to change their addresses," he said. John Midanik has been living in the area for 20 years and supports the change. "I think it's a great idea. Terry Fox has been a fantastic example for Canada and I absolutely support that change," he said. "Regardless of what is happening in the States, we should support Terry Fox."
