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Montreal Rail Worker Killed in Overnight Train Accident

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A 30-year-old CPKC rail worker died after a train struck him in Montreal early Saturday. Police and federal investigators are examining the incident

Rail worker dies after train strikes him in Montreal

A 30-year-old railway worker has died after a train struck him while he was working on the tracks in Montreal early Saturday morning.

Montreal police said the deadly incident happened at about 3 a.m. near De Lorimier Avenue and Notre-Dame Street.

The area sits in the Ville-Marie borough, close to the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

Police are now working to determine exactly what happened.

Worker was on the tracks when train moved

Manuel Couture, a spokesperson for the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), said the worker was on the tracks when a train started moving.

Police identified the victim as a 30-year-old man.

Meanwhile, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) confirmed that the man worked for the railway company.

The worker was carrying out duties at the Port of Montreal when the fatal incident occurred.

CPKC expressed its condolences to the man’s family, friends and co-workers.

The company also said it is working with investigators as they examine the circumstances.

“Safety and well-being remain our highest priority,” the company said.

Union calls for answers

The incident has also drawn a response from Teamsters Canada.

The union said its thoughts are with the worker’s family and fellow rail employees.

Teamsters Canada leaders François Laporte and Paul Boucher said a rail worker went to work and never returned home.

The union also said it remains in contact with workers affected by the tragedy.

In addition, Teamsters Canada said it will seek answers from government officials and railway companies as the investigation continues.

Police and safety investigators examine scene

The SPVM’s south division is leading the police investigation.

Crime scene technicians are also examining the location and collecting evidence.

At the same time, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has sent investigators to the scene.

The federal agency said its team will gather information and assess the incident.

For now, investigators have not released further details about what led to the worker being struck.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Surrey Man Faces 22 Charges After Four Shootings

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A Surrey man faces 22 charges after four shootings, including three attacks on one home and a fourth that injured a man in Cloverdale.

Surrey man charged in four shootings

A 37-year-old Surrey man now faces 22 charges after police linked him to four shootings across the city.

The Surrey Police Service announced the charges Friday against Marco Matias, who investigators say targeted the same Guildford home three times in December 2025.

Police also connected Matias to a fourth shooting in Cloverdale last month. That incident left one man with minor injuries.

Three shootings hit the same Surrey home

Police first responded to a home near 110 Avenue and 140 Street on Dec. 7, 2025.

Investigators found that someone had fired shots at the residence in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting.

However, the incident did not end there.

Police returned to the same home twice more that month after more shots were fired.

Fortunately, no one suffered injuries in any of the three attacks.

Investigators described the shootings as targeted. At the same time, police said they were not connected to extortion or the ongoing B.C. gang conflict.

Firearm charges tied to December attacks

Court records show Matias faces three counts of several firearm-related offences tied to the December shootings.

Those charges include:

  • Reckless discharge of a firearm
  • Possession of an unauthorized firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
  • Possession of a firearm contrary to an order

He faces three counts of each of those offences in connection with the three December incidents.

Fourth shooting injured a man

Eight months later, police responded to another shooting.

Officers were called early on Aug. 12 to a home near 60 Avenue and 177 Street in the Cloverdale neighbourhood.

Two people were targeted during the incident. One person suffered minor injuries.

Police later linked Matias to the shooting.

As a result, he faces 10 more charges related to that case. The charges include two counts of discharging a firearm and one count of aggravated assault, along with several other firearm offences.

Matias remains in custody

Matias remains in police custody while the case moves through court.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 16.

The charges have not been proven in court. Matias is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.

Canada’s Digital Sovereignty: Who Controls Our Data?

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Canada relies heavily on foreign tech firms. Here’s why digital sovereignty matters, what it means for our data and what Ottawa is doing about it.

Canada’s data may be closer to foreign hands than you think

What happens to Canadian data when it runs through technology owned by companies outside Canada?

That question is becoming harder to ignore.

Canada depends on major foreign technology providers for cloud services, software and digital infrastructure. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is pushing that dependence even further.

So, a bigger question is emerging: Can Canada truly control its digital future if much of its technology sits outside Canadian hands?

That is the heart of the growing debate over digital sovereignty.

So, what does digital sovereignty mean?

Put simply, digital sovereignty means having the power to control and protect your own digital systems, data and technology.

It goes beyond where a file is stored.

Canada also needs to know who can access that data, who runs the systems behind it and what happens if a foreign supplier changes its rules.

The federal government says digital sovereignty covers data, operations and technology. It also says complete digital independence is not realistic because modern technology is deeply connected across borders.

In other words, Canada does not need to build every piece of technology itself.

However, it does need enough control to make its own choices.

Why foreign tech dependence matters

Many of the world’s biggest cloud and technology companies are based outside Canada.

That brings clear benefits. These companies offer powerful tools, huge computing capacity and services that can be hard to build from scratch.

But there is a trade-off.

If Canada becomes too dependent on a small number of foreign suppliers, it could face higher costs, fewer choices and greater risks during a political or commercial dispute.

There is also the question of foreign laws.

A company may operate in Canada while also facing legal duties in another country. That can create difficult questions about who may seek access to data and under what rules.

The issue becomes even more important when the information involves government services, national security or sensitive personal data.

AI is raising the stakes

Artificial intelligence has added a new layer to the debate.

AI systems need data, computing power and large digital platforms. As Canada expands its use of AI, reliance on foreign infrastructure could grow too.

That is why Ottawa has been looking at ways to build more Canadian capacity.

The federal government says it wants to support Canadian technology, diversify suppliers and explore sovereign cloud and AI services. It has also said it plans to develop a made-in-Canada AI platform for government use.

This does not mean Canada is trying to shut out foreign technology.

Instead, the goal is to have more choices.

Canada is looking for more control

Shared Services Canada has been working on a range of measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s digital independence.

For example, the government has been exploring sovereign cloud services that would prioritize Canadian-owned and controlled providers.

It is also investing in Canadian technology capacity and looking at ways to reduce dependence on a small group of suppliers.

Sensitive government information already faces rules around where it should be stored and handled.

Under federal digital policy, departments are expected to prioritize computing facilities in Canada for sensitive information such as Protected B, Protected C and classified data.

Still, keeping data in Canada is only part of the solution.

Location is not the whole story

A Canadian data centre does not automatically mean Canadian control.

The company running the technology matters too.

So does the software.

So does access.

And so does the ability to move the data or services elsewhere if a supplier becomes unavailable.

That is why the federal government’s framework looks at more than data storage. It also considers legal rules, supply chains, security, privacy, workforce skills and operational resilience.

The goal is not digital isolation

There is a common misunderstanding about digital sovereignty.

It does not necessarily mean Canada should build a completely separate internet.

That would be unrealistic.

Canada’s economy depends on global technology and international connections. Businesses, universities, governments and consumers all rely on services that cross borders every day.

Instead, digital sovereignty is about having enough control and resilience to avoid being trapped.

That means having alternatives.

It means keeping critical skills in Canada.

It means reducing dangerous dependencies.

And, above all, it means making sure Canadians can still make important digital decisions for themselves.

Why this matters to everyday Canadians

The issue may sound like something for government officials and technology experts.

It is not.

Digital infrastructure touches almost every part of daily life.

Banking. Health services. Government records. Business systems. Communications. AI tools.

If those systems fail, change suddenly or become subject to rules outside Canada’s control, Canadians could feel the effects quickly.

That is why digital sovereignty is becoming a broader economic and national-security issue.

Canada faces a difficult balancing act

Building more Canadian technology will cost money.

It will also take time.

Foreign technology providers already offer services at enormous scale. Canadian companies cannot simply replace that infrastructure overnight.

At the same time, doing nothing could leave Canada increasingly dependent on decisions made elsewhere.

The answer, therefore, is likely to be balance.

Canada can continue using global technology while building stronger domestic alternatives.

It can work with foreign companies while protecting sensitive information.

And it can embrace AI while ensuring that Canadians retain meaningful control over the systems that support it.

The bigger question: who controls Canada’s digital future?

Canada’s digital sovereignty debate is ultimately about power.

Who controls the infrastructure?

Who controls the data?

Who can access it?

And who gets to make the final decision when Canadian interests clash with those of a foreign company or government?

There are no easy answers.

However, one thing is becoming clear: digital sovereignty is no longer just a technology issue.

It is becoming part of Canada’s conversation about security, economic independence and national control.

And as AI becomes more deeply woven into Canadian life, that conversation is likely to become even more important.

Melfort RCMP Officer Won’t Face Charges After Arrest

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A Melfort RCMP officer won’t face charges after a woman’s arm was broken during a mental-health arrest. SIRT raised concerns about the force used.

RCMP Officer Won’t Face Charges After Hospital Arrest

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An RCMP officer who broke a Saskatchewan hospital patient’s arm during an arrest will not face charges, despite a police watchdog finding grounds for assault.

RCMP officer will not be charged

A Saskatchewan RCMP officer who broke a woman’s arm during a hospital arrest will not face criminal charges.

The decision comes despite the province’s Serious Incident Response Team, or SIRT, finding reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed assault causing bodily harm.

The incident happened outside Melfort Hospital in July 2025.

However, Saskatchewan’s Public Prosecutions office has decided there is not enough evidence to support a conviction.

Woman’s arm broke during arrest

According to the SIRT report, Melfort RCMP were called to the hospital on July 2, 2025.

The 38-year-old woman was receiving mental health care. She had left the hospital despite medical advice.

An RCMP officer arrived and tried to arrest her under the Mental Health Services Act.

A struggle then began in the hospital parking lot.

During the struggle, the officer placed pressure on the woman’s right arm. The arm was already handcuffed.

The report says the arm then broke with an audible sound and became visibly displaced.

The woman was later taken back into the hospital for treatment.

Watchdog raised concerns over force

SIRT reviewed body-camera footage, parking lot surveillance video and witness statements.

The review also included a written statement from the officer. He agreed to speak with investigators.

The report says the woman ran from the officer and swung her arm at his head. Her arm hit him and knocked off his hat.

The officer then tackled her.

Video and witness accounts also showed the officer repeatedly demanding that she give him her hands.

At one point, he struck her in the head with his fist. He then told her she was under arrest for assaulting a police officer.

The officer handcuffed her right wrist. He then applied pressure to the same arm.

That was when the woman’s arm fractured.

SIRT points to “significant issues”

SIRT said police can use force when it is reasonably necessary to carry out their duties.

However, investigators found concerns about how the officer handled the arrest.

The report points to the officer’s apparent anger during the confrontation.

It also highlights his decision to apply pressure to an arm that was already handcuffed.

SIRT said those factors raised “significant issues” about the level of force used.

The woman later tested positive for substances including cocaine and methamphetamine, according to the report.

Crown says conviction was unlikely

Despite SIRT’s findings, the Crown decided not to proceed with charges.

Noel Busse, a spokesperson for Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, said prosecutors must use a different test when deciding whether criminal charges should be laid.

The Crown must consider whether the available evidence can support a conviction in court.

It must also consider possible legal defences, including the Criminal Code rules around reasonable police force.

After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors concluded there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction.

As a result, no criminal charge will be laid against the officer.

RCMP review could follow

The case is not necessarily finished from a disciplinary standpoint.

SIRT said its report will be sent to the RCMP and the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP.

Those bodies can review the officer’s conduct and consider whether discipline is appropriate under the RCMP Code of Conduct.

So, while the officer will not face a criminal charge, the incident may still lead to further review.

The case also highlights the difficult line police must navigate when using force during mental health-related calls.

For now, Saskatchewan prosecutors have concluded that the evidence does not meet the threshold needed for a criminal conviction.

Five Baby Orangutans Rescued in India Smuggling Probe

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Five baby orangutans were rescued in Odisha, India, sparking a probe into suspected wildlife smuggling and their mysterious journey from Southeast Asia.

Five Baby Orangutans Rescued in India Smuggling Probe

Five baby orangutans have been rescued from a forest in eastern India, raising a troubling question: how did animals native to Southeast Asia end up thousands of kilometres from home?

The unusual discovery was made in Odisha’s Balasore district. Now, wildlife officials are investigating whether the young apes were brought into India as part of an illegal trafficking operation.

A startling discovery in the forest

Forest officials were on patrol when they came across the five young orangutans. Their presence immediately stood out because orangutans do not naturally live in India.

Instead, the animals are native to parts of Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. So, officials quickly moved to rescue them and determine how they had reached Odisha.

The animals were taken into care and given medical checks. Four were reported to be in good health, while veterinarians continued to monitor all five.

Smuggling suspicions grow

The discovery has now triggered a wildlife trafficking investigation.

Officials suspect the orangutans may have been brought into India through an illegal international trade network. Authorities are also examining the area and looking for clues that could explain how the animals arrived in Balasore.

That investigation matters because the commercial trade of orangutans is prohibited under international wildlife rules.

For now, however, authorities have not publicly confirmed who may have transported the animals or where they came from.

The babies receive round-the-clock care

Meanwhile, the five orangutans are being cared for at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.

The zoo has placed them in a controlled quarantine area. Staff are keeping a close watch on their health and behaviour. They are also being given fruit and other food suited to their age, while toys and slings are being used to help keep them calm and active.

The youngest animals need extra care. Some are being fed softer foods, while the older babies can handle solid food.

Why the rescue matters

The case is bigger than five rescued animals.

Orangutans are already under major pressure from habitat loss and illegal wildlife trafficking. Their populations have fallen sharply over the past century, according to conservation estimates.

The Tapanuli orangutan faces an especially serious risk. Fewer than 800 are believed to remain in the wild, making every animal critically important to the species’ survival.

Therefore, the Odisha discovery has renewed attention on the dangers faced by endangered wildlife far beyond its natural habitat.

What happens next?

For now, the five babies remain under veterinary care while investigators work to uncover their story.

The key question is still unanswered: who brought these young orangutans to India, and why?

As the investigation continues, the rescue has given the animals a safe place to recover. At the same time, authorities are trying to trace the people who may have been behind their suspected journey into the illegal wildlife trade.

Canada and EU Explore a New Partnership

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Canada and the EU are exploring closer trade, defence and energy ties as Ottawa seeks to reduce its reliance on the United States.

Canada is looking to Europe as it seeks new ways to strengthen its economy and security.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada wants to deepen its ties with the European Union. However, he stopped short of saying Canada could seek EU membership.

The idea of Canada joining the EU has gained attention as trade tensions with the United States grow. Still, experts say full membership remains highly unlikely.

Instead, Canada and Europe could build a closer partnership in key areas such as trade, defence, energy and critical minerals.

Carney signals closer ties with Europe

Carney faced questions about Canada’s future relationship with the EU on Thursday in Banff, Alta.

He did not rule out deeper links. However, he also did not suggest that Canada plans to join the bloc.

Instead, he said Ottawa will spend the coming months looking at ways to expand the partnership.

Carney is also set to speak to the European Parliament in Strasbourg next week. His visit could offer more clues about Canada’s plans.

The push comes as Canada and Europe face a changing global trade and security landscape.

The United States remains a vital partner for both sides. Yet U.S. trade policies under President Donald Trump have created fresh pressure.

Tariffs and protectionist policies have also pushed Canada to look for more options.

Trade could be just the start

Canada and the EU already have strong economic links. However, both sides have signalled that more can be done.

In June 2025, Canada and the EU outlined a plan for closer cooperation.

The plan focused on several key areas.

These included trade, economic security and supply chains. It also called for closer work on regulations and digital technology.

Climate action and education were also part of the plan.

Defence was another major focus.

That area could become even more important as Canada prepares to increase military spending.

Defence could bring Canada and Europe closer

Christian Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College in Montreal, sees Europe as a natural partner for Canada.

He says Ottawa could buy more military equipment from European countries.

That could help Canada strengthen its defence ties while also reducing some reliance on U.S. suppliers.

At the same time, Europe has resources that Canada needs.

Canada could supply Europe with energy and critical minerals. That could create a stronger two-way relationship.

Leuprecht described the opportunity as a possible “grand bargain.”

Canada could invest more in European security. In return, European partners could help Canada with trade, investment and major projects.

That could matter because Canada often needs outside capital to fund large infrastructure projects.

Europe wants a partnership with more depth

The EU also appears ready to explore a new model with Canada.

Geneviève Tuts, the EU’s ambassador to Canada, recently said the relationship could become something unique.

She suggested that Canada and the EU want to go beyond existing models used with countries such as Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The goal, she said, is deeper integration.

That could mean closer cooperation across several sectors instead of simply expanding trade.

Experts warn against expecting a major shift

Still, not everyone expects Canada’s economic relationship with Europe to change dramatically.

Aurel Braun, a University of Toronto professor of international relations, says Canada’s geography will continue to shape its trade.

The United States is Canada’s closest major market. It is also deeply linked to the Canadian economy.

Therefore, even stronger ties with Europe are unlikely to replace the U.S.

Braun argues that Canada could win some new trade opportunities with European countries. However, he does not expect those changes to transform the overall structure of Canadian trade.

Canada faces a balancing act

For Ottawa, the challenge is clear.

Canada wants stronger links with Europe. At the same time, it cannot easily walk away from its largest trading partner.

That means diversification may be the more realistic goal.

Rather than replacing the United States, Canada could build stronger links with Europe and other markets.

Such a strategy could give Ottawa more options during future trade disputes.

For now, Carney appears focused on making that relationship deeper.

His speech in Strasbourg next week could show just how far Canada is ready to go.

Vancouver Cats Are Running Out of Places to Go

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Vancouver’s VOKRA faces a $275,000 funding gap as rising vet costs, wildfires and more kittens put pressure on cat rescue services.

A crisis is growing behind Vancouver’s doors

For Vancouver’s cat rescuers, the calls just keep coming.

A family cannot afford veterinary care. A stray cat needs somewhere safe. A mother cat shows up with kittens. Or dozens of cats are found living in one home.

For the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA), these cases have become part of an increasingly difficult year.

Now, the rescue is asking the public for urgent help.

VOKRA hopes to raise $275,000 through its annual Walk for the Kitties fundraiser. However, with less than a week remaining, it had raised only about $29,000.

That leaves the organization facing a massive funding gap.

Vet bills alone are soaring

VOKRA co-founder Karen Duncan says the cost of helping cats has climbed sharply.

Monthly veterinary bills can reach roughly $80,000, she estimates.

Then there is food, litter, medication and other supplies.

All of those costs add up.

“We’re just running as fast as we can,” Duncan says.

The rescue has also seen more people asking for help because they cannot find affordable, pet-friendly housing.

As Vancouver living costs continue to rise, keeping a cat can become difficult for families already struggling to make ends meet.

Wildfires are adding pressure

The situation has become even harder as wildfires continue to affect communities in B.C.’s Interior.

When fires threaten homes, animals also need somewhere safe to go.

That puts additional pressure on shelters and rescue groups across the province.

At the same time, VOKRA says it is seeing more abandoned and stray cats.

Some are left on the street. Others are found outside after seeking shelter from rain or bad weather.

The rescue is increasingly being asked to step in.

“It’s just horrible for cats right now,” Duncan says.

More kittens are showing up

Another troubling trend has emerged in Vancouver.

Duncan says rising veterinary costs may be leading some owners to delay or skip spaying and neutering.

The result is more unwanted litters.

VOKRA says kitten cases have become much more common in Vancouver.

In some situations, rescuers have entered homes containing 20 or more cats.

Duncan says some of the animals have been living in heartbreaking conditions.

She recalls seeing homes filled with kittens and older cats covered in fleas.

“It’s just brutal,” she says.

VOKRA is filling a gap

Vancouver does not have a city pound for cats.

So, VOKRA often becomes the organization people call when they do not know where else to turn.

The rescue also handles cat trapping, which many other agencies do not offer.

It may also help when someone discovers a mother cat with newborn kittens.

At any given time, VOKRA can have around 400 cats in its care.

About 70 stay at the organization’s East Vancouver facility. The rest live with foster families.

Despite the challenges, the group continues to find homes for more than 1,000 cats each year.

In its busiest years, that figure has reached between 1,400 and 1,600.

Every adoption comes at a cost

Finding a new home for a cat is only one part of the job.

Duncan says VOKRA actually loses money on adoptions.

The organization has raised its fees, but that has not been enough to offset the rising cost of care.

The City of Vancouver provided a $4,000 grant this year.

However, VOKRA says much more support is needed.

City council passed a resolution in April 2025 to explore additional support for cat shelter services.

So far, Duncan says she has not heard any further update.

The rescue may have to turn cats away

That is why this year’s fundraiser matters so much.

VOKRA says the $275,000 target is not simply a nice-to-have goal.

If the money does not come in, the rescue may have to limit how many cats it can accept.

Some situations could also become too difficult for the organization to handle.

For a group already receiving calls every day, that would be a major setback.

Supporters will walk for the kitties

The annual Walk for the Kitties will take place Saturday, Sept. 13, along Locarno Beach.

The 5K event is designed for families and includes games and activities.

And while it is a fundraiser for cats, there is one funny twist.

Dogs usually outnumber cats at the walk.

That is hardly surprising. Most cats would rather avoid a noisy crowd.

Still, the event gives animal lovers a chance to show their support.

Participants can also receive a special T-shirt.

For those who cannot attend, VOKRA is accepting donations online and is also looking for business sponsors.

For the rescue’s cats, the need is simple: more help, more homes and more people willing to step in.

Ottawa Workplace Death: Man Killed by Heavy Equipment

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A 23-year-old man died after being trapped under heavy equipment at a south Ottawa workplace. Ontario’s labour ministry is investigating.

A 23-year-old man has died after a workplace accident in south Ottawa, police say.

The man became trapped under heavy equipment at a workplace on Barnsdale Road on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency crews rushed to the area, but the man could not be saved.

Emergency Crews Called to Barnsdale Road

Ottawa police said officers and emergency crews were called to Barnsdale Road near Highway 416 at about 12:30 p.m.

Paramedics later confirmed that the man had died at the scene.

According to Ottawa Paramedic Service spokesperson Marc-Antoine Deschamps, the incident involved a truck bin.

However, police have not released details about exactly how the accident happened.

Labour Ministry Leads Investigation

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is now investigating the death.

The ministry told CBC News that it is looking into the incident. However, no further details were available.

Meanwhile, Ottawa police are supporting the ministry’s investigation.

Victim and Workplace Not Identified

Police have not released the victim’s name.

They also have not identified the workplace where the accident happened.

As the investigation continues, more information could emerge about what led to the fatal incident.

For now, authorities have provided few details about the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Poilievre Heads to U.S. as Canada Trade War Escalates

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre heads to New York to promote Canada-U.S. free trade as tariffs and tensions rise.

Poilievre takes Canada’s trade message to New York

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is taking Canada’s trade message south of the border.

Poilievre will travel to New York on Wednesday as tensions between Canada and the United States rise. He will also attend events marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Conservative Party says Poilievre will use his visit to speak with major U.S. business networks. His main message will be simple: Canada and the U.S. benefit when they keep trade open.

New tariffs raise the stakes

The trip comes at a tense moment.

Canada’s latest retaliatory tariffs took effect Tuesday. Hours later, U.S. President Donald Trump signed new executive orders targeting Canadian products.

Those measures add more pressure to an already strained trading relationship.

Against that backdrop, Poilievre says Canada should focus on building support among Americans.

“Canada’s biggest asset in the present trade dispute is the goodwill of Americans,” Poilievre said in a statement released by his party.

He argued that both countries can gain from freer trade. He also said stronger trade ties could help make Canada and the U.S. safer, richer and more affordable.

Trip reportedly has PMO support

A senior Conservative source says the Prime Minister’s Office supports Poilievre’s visit.

Poilievre had wanted to travel to the U.S. earlier. However, the PMO reportedly advised against the trip at that time, saying the timing could have made the visit less useful.

Poilievre’s office accepted that advice.

The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Business meetings planned

Poilievre’s New York schedule will include meetings with business leaders and investors.

The Conservative Party has not released a full itinerary. However, the party says Poilievre will take part in interviews with major business networks.

The goal is clear: promote closer economic ties while the trade dispute continues to grow.

Sept. 11 anniversary adds another focus

Poilievre will remain in New York through Friday to attend ceremonies commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The Conservative Party says he will use the occasion to recognize the close ties between Canadians and Americans.

In particular, Poilievre plans to highlight the support Canadians offered after the attacks.

Poilievre has made U.S. outreach a priority

This is not Poilievre’s first trip to the United States this year.

In March, he visited Michigan, Texas and New York. However, he did not travel to Washington, D.C.

Now, with tariffs rising and both countries facing growing economic pressure, Poilievre is returning to the U.S. with a renewed pitch for cooperation.

For Canada, the stakes are high. And for Poilievre, the message is just as important: keep trade moving, protect Canadian jobs and build goodwill with Americans.

RCMP Search Closes Mt. Tzouhalem in Maple Bay

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RCMP are searching near Mt. Tzouhalem in Maple Bay. Trails and parking are closed, while Maple Bay Elementary remains open for now.

MAPLE BAY, B.C. — A heavy police presence has drawn attention in Maple Bay, while RCMP officers continue a search near Mt. Tzouhalem.

As a result, one of North Cowichan’s popular outdoor spots is now closed to the public.

Police Ask Public to Stay Away

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are asking people to avoid trails around Mt. Tzouhalem and Maple Bay.

Specialized police teams are also helping with the ongoing search.

However, RCMP say there is no shelter-in-place order.

Instead, officers are asking residents and visitors to stay clear of the area. This will help police carry out their work safely and without disruption.

Mt. Tzouhalem Trails Are Closed

The Municipality of North Cowichan confirmed that access to Mt. Tzouhalem has been closed because of a police incident.

The closure includes parking areas and trails.

Therefore, people should avoid heading into the area until officials provide further notice.

School Remains Open for Now

The Cowichan Valley School District says it knows about the large police presence in the Maple Bay neighbourhood.

For now, Maple Bay Elementary remains open and is following its regular school schedule.

Meanwhile, the district says families will receive updates if the situation changes.

RCMP Ask for Information

Police have not released further details about the search.

Still, RCMP say anyone who may have information that could help the investigation should contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment at 250-748-5522.

Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.

Canada Voyeur Case Leaves Victims Feeling Hunted

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Victims in Canada’s largest voyeurism case say hidden videos changed their lives, while some recordings remain online years after the crimes.

Victims say the fear did not end

For some women and girls on southern Vancouver Island, a hidden camera changed everything.

They were shopping, working, travelling or simply walking through public places. They did not know someone was secretly filming them.

Now, some say they feel watched even when no one is there.

One victim told CBC News that seeing her own recording left her feeling “hunted”. She said the crime did not end when the camera stopped.

That fear has stayed with many victims.

A case unlike any other in Canada

Yin Yeung Derek Chan secretly recorded hundreds of women and children across the Victoria area over several years.

Police say Chan filmed people in shops, malls, gyms, homes and other public places. In one case, a 15-year-old girl was filmed while she walked through a shopping centre with her family.

Court records show that 652 women and children were identified as victims in the case.

Chan was arrested in 2024. He was later sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

However, for many victims, the sentence did not bring an end to the pain.

Some recordings are still online. In addition, police have identified only part of the material linked to the case.

A delivery job gave him access

Chan had worked as an Uber Eats delivery driver.

According to the Crown, he used his work to enter apartment buildings. Police later found thousands of pairs of women’s underwear at his home.

The court also heard that Chan had been caught secretly filming a woman in a changing room in 2019.

However, his offending later grew far beyond that earlier case.

In the year before his arrest, Chan was making more than one video a day, the court heard.

He then shared images and videos online.

Shops became hunting grounds

The victims were filmed in many familiar places.

Court records say more than 400 people were recorded at Value Village locations in Victoria. About 80 others were filmed at Walmart stores.

Other locations included bookstores, pharmacies, shopping centres and other well-known businesses.

Some women were also filmed while sunbathing at what police believe was Willows Beach in Oak Bay.

In five cases, victims were recorded through the windows of their homes or apartments.

The locations included parts of James Bay, Fairfield and Hillside.

Police also found about 100 hours of footage of women at gyms and malls that prosecutors said did not meet the legal test for criminal voyeurism.

One victim was afraid to go outside

One woman learned about Chan’s crime against her in January 2025.

An officer who knew her recognized her in footage taken from Chan’s home.

The woman had no idea she had been filmed.

She later watched the video and realized Chan had followed her inside Indigo Books.

The discovery left her deeply shaken.

She said she had trouble understanding how someone could stand so close to her without her noticing.

For a while, she was afraid to go out alone.

Even a trip to the grocery store felt unsafe.

Then, only weeks ago, a man started talking to her while she stood in a dollar store line.

Her body froze.

That moment brought back the fear.

The damage reaches far beyond the videos

Other victims described similar struggles in statements filed with the court.

Some said they now find it hard to work.

Others said their mental health suffered. Some changed how they dress. Others stopped using public transit.

One woman said she spent money on Uber rides because buses no longer felt safe.

Another woman got off a bus after she saw another passenger pointing a phone camera in her direction. She then walked for almost an hour.

The impact also reached relationships.

Victims said they now struggle to trust people. Some feel powerless. Others say their sense of freedom has been damaged.

One victim, who was 17 when she was filmed, said the crime took away part of her innocence.

One victim lost her education and income

Another woman was underage when Chan filmed her while she worked at a mall.

The incident brought back earlier trauma.

She began to withdraw from others. Her college grades fell. Eventually, she had to leave school.

She also struggled to keep a job because public places caused intense anxiety.

She receives counselling and financial support through WorkSafeBC. However, she told the court that the annual support of about $4,900 does not cover her needs.

She said the crime affected her safety, independence and ability to support herself.

Some videos remain online

There is another painful problem.

Some of Chan’s recordings continue to circulate online.

The Crown told the court that Chan had become known in online voyeur communities. Other users downloaded and reposted his material.

Police have removed some files from websites linked to Chan.

However, removing every copy has proved much harder.

Searches using usernames connected to Chan still lead to some images and videos on social media and pornography sites.

That means victims can face a new wave of harm each time someone shares their images.

Saanich police acknowledged the problem.

Deputy Chief Const. Damian Kowalewich said the size of the case was unprecedented. He also said the lasting impact on victims cannot be overstated.

Police recognize that once material spreads online, every copy may not be removable.

For victims, that uncertainty adds another layer of distress.

Questions remain about the police response

The case has also raised questions about how police handled the investigation.

Saanich police have faced calls to reveal more information about where Chan filmed people.

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma has said potential victims have a right to know key details that could help them determine whether they were affected.

Yet police have not publicly identified every location.

That leaves some people wondering whether they, too, could appear in the footage.

CBC News reviewed court records and courtroom audio while speaking with victims about the case.

The findings show a crime that reached far beyond the moment a camera captured an image.

Victims find strength in speaking out

For one victim, the public disclosure of the case was frightening at first.

Saanich police announced the case publicly on May 21, the day Chan was sentenced.

The woman said she had expected police to warn her before the announcement. She says that did not happen.

At first, she found online discussion difficult to read.

Over time, however, she found some comfort in seeing the wider public understand what had happened.

It helped her accept that she had been violated.

It also helped her understand that she was not responsible.

Her message to other victims is simple.

They did nothing wrong.

They did not cause the crime.

And they should not blame themselves.

The crime may have ended in court, but not online

Chan is now in prison.

Still, his victims continue to deal with the effects of what happened.

Some have lost confidence. Some have changed their daily lives. Others fear that their images may appear online again.

And because some material remains available, the case continues to follow them.

For these women and girls, the sentence may have closed one chapter.

But it has not closed the story.