Latest news with #Turmel
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NDP expected to choose interim leader Monday evening: sources
New Democrats are expected to select an interim leader on Monday evening when the party's federal council is scheduled to meet, according to party sources. The federal council is meeting after the party achieved its worst showing in its history on election night. Leader Jagmeet Singh lost his B.C. seat and announced on the spot that he would be resigning. CBC News agreed to not name the party sources because they were not authorized to discuss leadership plans. Seven incumbent MPs out of a caucus of 24 are returning to the House of Commons, leaving the NDP without recognized party status. This leaves the New Democrats with fewer opportunities to speak during question period and no additional budget for the leader's office or research bureau. The NDP also won't be guaranteed seats on standing committees to shape government legislation. After a devastating election, the party's caucus met on Thursday to take stock and discuss next steps. The NDP's constitution states that the party's federal council, in consultation with the parliamentary caucus, appoints an interim leader until a permanent one is chosen by party members. The federal council is separate from the NDP's caucus of MPs. While MPs represent constituents in their ridings, the NDP's federal council is the party's largest governing body between national party conventions, and it represents the NDP membership. The interim leader does not have to be an MP. On Tuesday, the party's lone Quebec MP and deputy leader, Alexandre Boulerice, told Radio-Canada he is interested in the interim job but closed the door on running to replace Singh. Nycole Turmel was interim leader in July 2011 after former leader Jack Layton stepped aside for cancer treatment. Layton died in August of that year. At the time, the NDP formed the Official Opposition for the first time, and Turmel served until the party selected its new leader, Thomas Mulcair, in 2012. Turmel said she wasn't surprised by Monday's election result, but was still saddened by it. Although the party is far from where it was in 2011, Turmel said the next interim leader has a critical role growing fundraising and assisting the party in pulling off a successful leadership race. LISTEN | MPs talk about the future of their parties: Even though New Democrats may not hold official party status, she notes that the NDP and Bloc Québécois still have the balance of power in this minority Parliament. Turmel said the NDP's interim leader may have an important role in negotiating with the Liberals and other parties. "I have to say it is a lot more important than people think," Turmel told CBC News. "I think it is important for [the new interim leader] to raise their voice and make it clear what they want." The party's sole Vancouver Island MP, Gord Johns, also called Monday's result difficult and said the party has much internal work to do. "I think we have some rebuilding … I'm not gonna deny that," Johns said in an interview with CBC Radio's The House.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested 'in his hideout,' Italian police say
The country's most wanted fugitive, Dave "Pik" Turmel, has been arrested in Italy, according to Italian police sources. The 28-year-old, who had been on the run for over a year, is believed to be the leader of the Blood Family Mafia (BFM). The notorious street gang is involved in brutal turf wars in Quebec during which victims have been tortured and have had their limbs amputated. In a news release issued Friday in response to CBC News inquiries, Rome District Police announced they arrested the head of "a notorious criminal organization." Turmel was not named in the release, but in a call with CBC News, police confirmed the individual arrested was indeed Turmel. Dave 'Pik' Turmel, right, was the number 1 suspect of the Bolo Program. Last year, Roobens Denis, left, considered by police to be Turmel's right-hand man, was arrested in Portugal. (Provided by the Service de police de la Ville de Québec ) Italian police said Turmel specialized in the sale of narcotics of various kinds, including cocaine and methamphetamine and was taken "by surprise in his hideout" by the officers of Rome's Casilino district. "It was almost midnight when officers broke into the holiday home where the man had taken refuge," read the news release. "He immediately tried to barricade himself in, only to give in shortly afterward." He reportedly handed over a fake passport as identification and police found and confiscated drugs, several SIM-cards and an agenda. They said he is now in jail at Regina Coeli awaiting extradition. His presence was initially signalled by an alert sent to police by the Interpol International Police Cooperation Service, according to Italian police. WATCH | The efforts to find Canada's most wanted man: According to Radio-Canada sources, Quebec police officers received a tip about Turmel in recent days, which helped accelerate the investigation to locate him on the run in Italy. Sources say the informant was motivated by the reward of up to $250,000 being offered for any information leading to Turmel's arrest. On Thursday, a spokesperson with the Quebec City police says they could not confirm or deny Turmel's arrest in Italy. The police agency Interpol had also issued a red notice for him — a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action. Wanted since 2023 In December, Turmel was named the new number 1 suspect of the Bolo Program, a project operated by a Canadian charity to alert the public about dangerous criminals. He had been wanted since July 24, 2023 by Quebec City police for several charges, including drug trafficking, conspiracy and armed assault. Last year, Roobens Denis, 31, considered by police to be Turmel's right-hand man, was arrested in Portugal. The second most wanted fugitive in Canada is All Boivin, who is believed to be Turmel's sidekick. Police say Boivin is also involved in the violent drug-related turf wars that have erupted in Quebec. An award of up to $250,000 is being offered until June 3, 2025, for information leading to his arrest.
CBC
27-03-2025
- CBC
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in Italy
The country's most wanted fugitive, Dave "Pik" Turmel, has been arrested in Italy, police sources have confirmed to Radio-Canada. The 28-year-old, who has been on the run for over a year, is believed to be the leader of the Blood Family Mafia (BFM). The notorious street gang is involved in brutal turf wars in Quebec during which victims have been tortured and have had their limbs amputated. In December, Turmel was named as the new number 1 suspect of the Bolo Program, a project operated by a Canadian charity to alert the public about dangerous criminals. He had been wanted since July 24, 2023 by Quebec City police for several charges, including drug trafficking, conspiracy and armed assault. The police agency Interpol had also issued a red notice for him — a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action. Last year, Roobens Denis, 31, considered by police to be Turmel's right-hand man, was arrested in Portugal.
