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CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Whitehorse officials stumped by rogue lumberjack who leaves logs, but no leads
Whitehorse city officials are asking for the public's help to figure out who is chopping down trees along the Millennium Trail. "It's a bit of a mystery at this point," said Nicole Tattam, the city's parks supervisor. Tattam said they assume it's not for firewood, because in one instance, whoever did it left the wood stacked neatly in place. The felled trees are also aspen, which she said is not a very popular firewood because it burns quickly, produces a lot of smoke and doesn't produce a lot of heat. Another hypothesis is vigilante FireSmarting — an effort to reduce the risk of fires spreading, should any start up in the area. "Possibly looks like they were [dead] leaning trees, so that was one thing that came to mind, but we're just not sure," Tattam said. Tattam said bylaw officers don't have any leads at the moment. She said her team is focusing on education. She said only city employees can cut down standing trees. Homeowners can submit a "tree removal request" to have a tree removed — for example, if it's threatening to fall through their roof. Residents can also apply for a "cutting authorization" to take up to one cord of wood from logs on the forest floor. She said the city usually responds to applications within a day or two. Tattam said instances like this are rare. "This was just a lot of trees, and as far as we can tell, live trees, in a very, very public area."
CTV News
21-05-2025
- CTV News
160 charges laid in Calgary drug investigation focusing on downtown core
A Calgary police cruiser is shown next to a downtown CTrain. (CPS handout) Calgary police say a recent drug trafficking operation in the downtown core has resulted in 160 charges being laid. 'Recently, we have seen an increase in calls for service in relation to overdoses and activity consistent with drug trafficking occurring at several CTrain stations and in public areas in downtown Calgary,' police said in a Wednesday news release. In response, police partnered with bylaw officers and Calgary Transit peace officers to address the ongoing safety concerns. Police say between April 22 and May 2, 29 people were charged with dozens of offences, including drug trafficking and possession. Officers also seized several weapons including seven knives and an imitation revolver. 'The operation successfully targeted high-incident locations, arrested several drug traffickers, and aimed to support those arrested with resources for recovery,' said Staff Sgt. Lon Brewster. Police said 97 per cent of those arrested had a history of trafficking-related charges, and 97 per cent were on a release pending trial or with conditions. In addition, 79 per cent of arrestees had a prior criminal record, and 72 per cent of had a history of possession for the purpose of trafficking charges.
CTV News
17-05-2025
- CTV News
New bylaw bike patrol coming to Sudbury
Five bylaw officers are now trained on bike patrol after joining Sudbury Police in a police mountain bike association training course.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
City staff propose 20-metre protest 'bubble zone' for schools, daycares and places of worship
Social Sharing City staff are recommending a 20-metre "bubble zone" bylaw aimed at restricting protests around places of worship, daycares and schools in Toronto — a policy that has already prompted hundreds of people, including city councillors, to protest against it, saying it could threaten democracy. The proposed bylaw, which would not adopt a blanket ban across the city, would operate on a request-based system and allow vulnerable institutions to apply for a 20-metre buffer zone that would be in place for roughly six months. In order for a buffer zone request to be approved, owners of the institutions would have to demonstrate how they've been affected by a protest within the last 90 days. After the six month period is up, the application could be renewed, the proposed bylaw says. If passed, Toronto would follow in the footsteps of other cities including Vaughan and Brampton, which implemented similar measures last year after waves of protests and clashes sparked calls for prohibiting such events from taking place near buildings considered to be social infrastructure in the eyes of the city. Police and bylaw officers are expected to warn individuals in these said zones before issuing fines, allowing them the chance to leave the area voluntarily. If the buffer zone bylaw is passed in Toronto, the maximum penalty for individuals fined would be $5,000. Staff say the 20-metre buffer is a "reasonable perimeter" that will protect access to the facilities, while being "minimally impairing" on Charter rights. Council to vote next week The latest recommendations from Toronto city staff come after months of protesters taking to Toronto streets and demonstrating in front of hospitals, places of worship and cultural centres following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. Zeus Eden, spokesperson for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, said the mayor "believes that any bylaw must protect people's Charter rights to assembly, expression and religion, while addressing community concerns about safety and protecting access to places of worship," in a statement Thursday. Council will vote on the proposed bylaw next week, which if passed, would come into effect on July 2. Some councillors had sought the bylaw following the wave of protests, while others joined in demonstrating against such measures. York Centre Coun. James Pasternak, who is one of the leading voices advocating for the bylaw, said he favours protecting vulnerable institutions from protests through this measure. But Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Toronto—Danforth, attended a rally last month for calls against the bylaw, saying at the time "it's a very fine line that we have to walk" on the proposed bylaw, when it comes to charter rights. $1.6M earmarked for new bylaw Staff say the city is expected to spend roughly $1.6 million to hire 12 staff along with purchasing vehicles and laptops required to administer the bylaw. It says another $200,000 will be needed for public education as part of this proposal. "The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, particularly those accessing programs and services at places of worship, schools and childcare centres," said Russell Baker, the city's manager of media relations, in a statement to CBC News Thursday. Baker said the proposed bylaw amendment builds on an existing city bylaw to "protect these spaces and their visitors from blocked entrances while respecting the rights of individuals to peaceful assembly." "While the proposed bylaw prohibits certain behaviours, it does not ban peaceful gatherings, protests or demonstrations, including those that occur as part of labour union activities, as long as they do not impede access," Baker said. WATCH | Toronto considers ban on protests near places of worship 5 months ago Duration 7:42 He said that this takes into consideration freedom of expression and peaceful assembly that are protected under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "The City undertook a multi-pronged approach for public consultation to maximize opportunities for public input and enable broad participation and inclusive representation," he said, adding that public consultations were held between March 17 and May 1. Toronto would follow Vaughan, Brampton Other cities have implemented such legislation, including Vaughan, Brampton and Calgary. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca oversaw the bylaw, which was was drafted and passed by council in seven weeks in early May 2024 following several demonstrations that took place in Thornhill outside a synagogue. Individuals can face penalties of up to $100,000 under the bylaw. Brampton city council also approved a bylaw in November 2024, prohibiting "nuisance demonstrations" outside places of worship in the municipality following a series of violent clashes. The bylaw bans protesting within 100 metres of the property line of any place of worship in Brampton. Anyone who violates the bylaw could face a fine anywhere between $500 and $100,000. Meanwhile, in Ottawa, city councillors are debating whether to proceed with the development of a similar bylaw that would place a buffer between protesters and institutions including places of worship, schools and hospitals — in the name of preventing harassment and hate speech.
