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CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Calgary Police Commission won't say if former chief received severance pay
The Calgary Police Commission has declined to say if former chief Mark Neufeld received a severance payment after he resigned this spring with two years left on his contract. CBC News asked the commission if Neufeld was paid out for the remainder of his two years under contract, and received a statement in response. "While the Calgary Police Commission certainly understands the interest in Chief Neufeld's recent resignation, we are not legally able to provide any further details as it is a confidential personnel matter," it reads. Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong was also asked about severance pay for Neufeld but did not provide any details. "You have to appreciate employment contracts are employment contracts between an organization and a person's individual rights," he said. CBC News first reported Neufeld's resignation on May 2, after it obtained a copy of an email sent to members of the force letting them know his resignation had been accepted. Neufeld was sworn in on June 10, 2019. His contract was supposed to run until 2027. Political analyst argues police should provide more answers Lori Williams, a political analyst at Mount Royal University, said it's "entirely appropriate" for taxpayers to expect more information about severance payments for high-profile public figures. "There's an understandable expectation on the part of the public that this information be available," she said. "They also want to know, especially at a time when affordability is such an issue for many people, that their precious tax dollars are being spent wisely." Williams added the lack of information raises questions about the reasons for Neufeld's departure from the force. "The fact that there aren't any answers forthcoming does lead to speculation that something untoward occurred," she said. "We have no idea." Williams also said it's important that the Calgary Police Service manages concerns raised by the public to maintain public trust. The City of Calgary and CPS have provided details on severance pay for executives on some previous occasions. Mayor Jyoti Gondek's former chief of staff, Stephen Carter, received approximately $100,000 in severance pay after he was dismissed in 2022. Severance pay numbers were also made public when two deputy police chief positions were eliminated by former police chief Rick Hanson after he took charge of the force in 2007. One former deputy chief, Dean Young, received $362,744 in severance pay. Another, Peter Davison, took home $341,923.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rat spotted sampling chicken at a Cheras mamak joint, prompts temporary closure
When it comes to hygiene in the food scene, Malaysians are quick to point fingers — and more often than not, mamak spots and nasi kandar joints find themselves in the spotlight. But let's be real: unsanitary conditions aren't exclusive to these eateries — I once saw rats at a pristine-looking restaurant in a mall. On 11 Apr 2025, the Bandar Mahkota Cheras community was jolted by a now-viral video showing a rat infestation at A&R Bistro. Posted by user Terry Wong — who initially withheld the name of the establishment — the video shows a rat feasting on ayam masak kicap in a tray behind the counter. The setting was unmistakable: a nasi kandar-style layout, where dishes are openly displayed for customers to choose their lauk. After some online sleuthing, netizens identified the place as A&R Bistro, a mamak joint. And apparently, this wasn't their first rodeo — a user stated that there had been cockroaches found in the food previously. The restaurant's location may be part of the issue, as it sits in an area prone to pest infestations. In response to the uproar, the owner posted an official statement in the Bandar Mahkota Cheras & Sungai Long 皇冠城与双溪龙 Facebook group. He apologised, attributing the incident to the area's drainage and sewage systems, which have long struggled with rat problems. Despite past efforts to control the issue, he claimed it remains largely out of their hands. Health authorities have since ordered A&R Bistro to temporarily close. The owner ended his statement by urging local authorities to take serious action against the rat infestation, which is mainly caused by the drainage system, for the safety of others. In the aftermath, major news outlets reported that A&R Bistro's Google review page was flooded with 1-star ratings — though it seems that the comments have since vanished. While I sympathise with eateries doing their best in tough surroundings, it's deeply troubling that food was still being served despite an unresolved pest problem. Cleanliness shouldn't be optional — and certainly not something to gamble with over lunch. Dead lizard discovered in pan mee, customer baffled by staff's deflective response The post Rat spotted sampling chicken at a Cheras mamak joint, prompts temporary closure appeared first on
CBC
19-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Calgary council approves using $28 million from reserves to plug hole in police budget
Social Sharing Calgary city council has agreed to spend $28 million from the city's Fiscal Stability Reserve to make up for a shortfall in the Calgary Police Service (CPS) budget. The shortfall is the result of revenue loss brought on by new provincial rules limiting the use of photo radar, resulting in declining automated enforcement ticket revenues. "We have made a lot of investments into public safety over the last few years and we can't ease our foot off that pedal," said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. "We have made a commitment to Calgarians that we will ensure they live in a safe city and part of doing that is making sure that the police budget is properly funded." The Alberta government has pledged to review every photo radar ticketing site in the province, with the expectation to slash the number of camera locations by 70 per cent. On Tuesday, city council agreed to rethink how it funds the police, to avoid an over-reliance on uncertain ticket revenue. "With the city moving towards funding [police] through a tax base, it allows police to focus on safety without having to use revenue as a driver," said Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong, who sits on the Calgary Police Commission board. A $28-million shortfall would have put around 61 police positions at risk, CPS said. "One of the things we did not want to do, given where we are right now and the explosive population growth in the city, is to shut down the hiring," said Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld, adding that initially CPS did have to freeze hiring. Photo radar shouldn't be 'cash cow,' provincial government argues The Alberta government has called photo radar a "cash cow," used with a focus on revenue rather than safety. "It was never supposed to be the main source of funding for policing in Edmonton and Calgary, or any municipality in the province," said Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen last month, after CPS announced the revenue shortfall. "Photo radar and the revenue from it was always supposed to be about traffic safety." Before its crackdown on photo radar, Alberta had 2,200 approved photo radar sites — more than any other province, according to the province. A city administration report to council says the number of tickets issued and traffic fine revenue are already down, with more changes on the way. Starting April 1, photo radar use will be restricted to school, playground and construction zones, and inspection safety devices used to ticket speeding will be limited to red light enforcement only. The province said municipalities can request additional photo radar locations on an "exceptional basis" by providing a business case explaining why the technology is needed. CPS plans to put forward a list of intersections for that consideration this spring. "What we're hoping for is that, because we already have data and we'll be collecting further data, that we'll be able to make really good cases for high-traffic collision areas and needing to have those areas monitored," said Calgary Police Commission Chair Amtul Siddiqui. Approximately two-thirds of Calgary's injury collisions occur on higher-speed roads, city administration said, adding that restricting photo radar use removes a traffic safety tool police can use on these routes.
