Latest news with #DavidEby
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Brampton Mayor calls for terror designation of India-based Bishnoi gang
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is calling on Ottawa to label the Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist organization, warning the India-based group has entrenched itself in Peel Region and is linked to a number of criminal activities. Brown made the comment during an interview with calling the Bishnoi gang a 'horrible criminal organization.' His comments come just days after British Columbia Premier David Eby made a similar request of Ottawa and promised to formally write Prime Minister Mark Carney about the matter. 'We've had a number of Bishnoi-related criminal activities in Peel Region,' Brown told CTV News Toronto. 'We know they're happening across the country because we actually are in close contact with other law enforcement, particularly in B.C., where there's activity with the same criminal network.' Bishnoi himself has been imprisoned in India since 2014 but the country's counterterrorism law enforcement agency, the National Investigation Agency, has previously said that he continued to operate his 'terror-syndicate' from behind bars and through an associate in Canada. Brown said that the gang Bishnoi leads employs a global network of '700 shooters' and is actively recruiting vulnerable residents in Peel and beyond — a level of criminality he suggests is 'akin to a terrorist organization.' Brown further alleges that he is directing criminal activity throughout Canada. 'This is not a Brampton issue, Mississauga issue, a Toronto issue… This is transnational crime,' he told 'Whether it is crime syndicates from Mexico or crime syndicates from India, we are dealing with transnational crime increases in recent years that is a new challenge to our ability to push out criminality.' An opportunity for 'greater investigative tools' Just this week, a new report from Canada's spy agency labelled India as one of the 'main perpetrators' of foreign interference and espionage. The report also pointed to a link between government agents and 'criminal networks to sow violent activity in South Asian communities in Canada.' It's reality that Brown says the Ottawa should not turn a blind eye to. 'I think diplomacy is important, trade is important but if another country wanted us to turn a blind eye to transnational crime in order to achieve that, I think that would be something that's beyond what we should be comfortable with,' he said, Brown says classifying the Bishnoi network as a terrorist entity under Canada's Criminal Code would empower police to act more decisively. 'The listing would mean greater investigative tools, resources, collaboration with multiple agencies, intelligence sharing,' he said. 'There's just a number of things that are triggered by that designation.' He also says the threat has gripped his local community, particularly residents of South Asian descent who recognize the Bishnoi name from headlines in India. 'We have a lot of residents of South Asian background who are terrified by it,' Brown said. 'It's at the behest of PRP, who I've got great confidence in, but it's also at the behest of residents of mine that I know feel terrified by the brazen nature of their activity in Canada.' Already, Brown's office has submitted several recommendations to Ottawa to bolster public safety, including Criminal Code amendments, bail reform, and stronger intelligence sharing between agencies. He says increased federal involvement is essential. 'You can't fix public safety unless you get all levels of government owning their part and doing their part,' he said. 'The Government of Canada, since they're in charge of Public Safety Canada, CBSA and RCMP, there's certainly a lot they can do to be part of the solution.' With files from The Canadian Press.
National Post
11 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
After B.C. Conservative leader made claim of MLA blackmailers in his own party, NDP asked RCMP to investigate
Premier David Eby said earlier this week after learning of the blackmail allegations that Rustad needed to take the claims to police, and if he didn't, then the NDP would. 'It is a profound and serious allegation that also strikes at the core of this place behind me and the public's confidence in the fact that legislators and staff members need to be able to do their work for the people without interference,' Eby said during a news conference outside the legislature on Tuesday. Tim Thielmann is the chief of staff for the new One BC party formed by Brodie and Tara Armstrong, who is the third ex-Conservative MLA. He blamed Eby for the NDP calling in the police, saying it was 'extremely irresponsible.' 'By his own admission, he is relying upon John Rustad's claims of blackmail, and when John Rustad has been asked for evidence, he has been unable to provide a single shred,' said Thielmann. He called the accusations in Rustad's letter to the Conservative caucus 'desperate lies' that he 'invented' to attack people exposing what happened at the party's annual general meeting. He said the case could 'cross the threshold for public mischief.' Brodie made the same argument in her social media post. 'If Rustad asks for a police investigation knowing his allegations are false, he might himself be committing the crime of public mischief under section 140 of the Criminal Code,' she said. 'But if he doesn't, he will have exposed his own big lie. 'And as for David Eby, he should know better than to attempt to instigate a police investigation when he admits to having absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing.' Brodie was thrown out of the B.C. Conservatives over remarks about residential schools, prompting Armstrong and Kealy to quit the party in sympathy. Kealy, who is not a member of the new One BC party, said Thursday that he was 'completely fine' with the RCMP being called to investigate. 'I've got nothing to hide if they want to talk to me,' said Kealy. 'I have chosen to leave it to people that are in the position to properly investigate this thoroughly and to look into whether or not they're allegations being made falsely,' said Kealy. Armstrong said on social media on Wednesday that 'Rustad and Eby can throw around the accusations all they like but rest assured, the truth will always prevail.' Brodie has said Rustad and his team 'rigged' the Conservatives' March annual general meeting that endorsed his 'Team Rustad' slate of executive candidates, allegedly stacking the meeting with South Asian supporters paid 'to vote the way Mr. Rustad wanted.' Rustad's letter denied any wrongdoing at the meeting. — With additional reporting from Wolfgang Depner in Victoria Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.
Global News
13 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
BC NDP dragging heels on pledge to end privatization of HandyDART, union says
The union representing HandyDART drivers is voicing frustration with delays in a decision on whether to end privatization of the service. HandyDART, a door-to-door shared ride service for people with mobility issues and other complex needs, is currently operated by French for-profit contractor TransDev. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, which represents about 600 workers, says the BC NDP promised to bring the service back into government before the last provincial election. 5:38 HandyDART union votes in favour of job action 'David Eby made a promise to end privatization of HandyDart, and we'd like to see him follow through with that promise,' union president Joe McCann said. Story continues below advertisement 'So far there has been a lot of empty promises, a lot of delays.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy About 30,000 people rely on HandyDART, but a group representing riders says the quality of service has declined, and they feel like their voices aren't heard with it in the hands of private operators. 'It's a crapshoot trying to get through to the call centre, book a ride if you can seven days in advance — I don't know how anyone can run their life seven days ahead,' said Beth McKellar, co-founder of the HandyDART Riders' Alliance. 'I strongly believe if it is brought in-house, there is more accountability.' The union says HandyDART has become increasingly reliant on subcontracting out to taxis, which now account for about a quarter of rides, up from seven per cent. 'When you're waiting for public transit, you expect public transit. Our drivers are trained, well-trained,' McCann said. 'Taxi drivers aren't trained to that standard. And they have a different business model. They need to hustle. And get to the next client.' Asked about plans for the service Thursday, Premier David Eby was non-committal. 'The focus of our government has been ensuring we're bringing the most vulnerable along, but the group of people that really feels pressure has expanded, it includes the middle class, and concerns around housing and health care and safe communities, which are the focus of our government,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 1:59 Concerns raised over HandyDART service shift to taxis TransDev's current contract expires in 2026. TransLink was expected to announce a decision on HandyDART's future next week, but the move has been delayed yet again for further review. 'They're hiring more consultants, going to have more reviews, and I wonder how many millions of dollars are being wasted that could've been sent directly into HandyDART,' McCann said. Data shows HandyDART ridership grew six per cent last year, and that number is expected to continue climbing as B.C.'s population ages. TransLink says most trips are completed on time. But riders like McKellar believe something needs to change. 'None of us are getting any younger. A lot of people are born with disabilities and they need to get around and whatnot, and the service just won't be there,' she said.
Global News
13 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
B.C. Premier David Eby says it will be a busy summer as he reflects on past 8 months
B.C. Premier David Eby says it has been an 'eventful' period for British Columbians since he was re-elected in October. 'What we set out during the election campaign, which was in advance of the (Donald) Trump election, has shifted quite dramatically in terms of where we have to be,' Eby told Global News in a one-on-one interview. 'And so the focus has been on ensuring that B.C. can assume the role that we have assumed now, which is to be the economic engine for the country.' Eby said that while his government did not provide a $1,000 grocery rebate to residents, they did remove the carbon tax, as promised. 'The focus of our government has been ensuring that we're bringing the most vulnerable along, but the group of people that really feels pressure has expanded,' Eby added. Story continues below advertisement 'It includes the middle class, concerns around housing and health care and safe communities, which are the focus of our government.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Eby also said the province is working to diversify trading partners, especially in the Asia Pacific, including Malaysia, Korea and Japan. One of the big issues still facing Eby's government is housing. 'Rents are unacceptably high, which is why we continue to push on housing, why we're buying land around transit stations to build more rental housing, why we are giving direct support to more seniors through the Safer Programme so they can afford rent,' he said. 'The work needs to continue. The good news is we're finally pointing in the right direction. Rents are coming down. We've had eight months of decreases overall, we're the only province that's seen that. But we have to continue doing the work because they are too high.' 2:02 B.C. premier wants Ottawa to declare Indian gang a terrorist organization As summer gets underway, Eby said there is still a lot of work to be done. Story continues below advertisement 'First of all, it's advancing the economic work with the federal government, with the other provinces, whether it's corridors, internal trade, building major projects, ensuring that British Columbians have access to good jobs, as we see the direct attack on sectors like our forest sector here in British Columbia,' he said. 'The second is, I am hopeful we won't, but I am worried that we might see a significant wildfire season again, so supporting British Columbians through that, if we have to have large-scale evacuations like Manitoba and Ontario have had to do. 'The third, and I think a critical piece, is we have to continue to advance the work on a variety of other fronts, ensuring that our health-care system is strong.'
CBC
a day ago
- Politics
- CBC
Brampton mayor echoes call for PM to label Bishnoi gang a terrorist group
Social Sharing Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is joining a call for the federal government to declare the Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist organization, saying the India-based gang has been linked to crime and violence in the Peel region. Brown said Peel police suspect the notorious gang has been involved in cases of extortion and targeted shootings in the region. "They terrorize communities, they terrorize individuals and, and you know, they're a predatory organization," Brown said in an interview with CBC Radio's Metro Morning host David Common Thursday. "They're a transnational crime run out of a different country, it's a threat that we haven't had to deal with in a very long time." Earlier this week, B.C. Premier David Eby called on the federal government to list the gang as a terrorist group over concerns that the group has been involved in extortions and other crimes against the South Asian community. Eby said Tuesday that he would write to Prime Minister Mark Carney to ask that the gang be given the terrorist designation "to enable police to be able to use the necessary tools to investigate." Brown said he believes the designation would help Peel police investigate similar crimes in the region. Attempts to repair Canada-India relationship The calls come the same week Canada and India agreed to reinstate their high commissioners and look at renewed visa services for each other's citizens and businesses. Carney announced the move after a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in Alberta. The two countries expelled each other's high commissioners, senior diplomats who are similar to ambassadors, last fall after the RCMP accused the Indian government of playing a role in a network of violence in Canada, including homicides and extortions. The RCMP also claimed that the Bishnoi gang was targeting members of the pro-Khalistan movement on Canadian soil, allegedly at the behest of the Indian government. Labelling the Indian gang a terrorist group could complicate Carney's attempts to rebuild the Canada-India relationship, given those past allegations, said Sanjay Ruparelia, Jarislowsky Democracy Chair at Toronto Metropolitan University and an expert on Indian politics. "It's complicated because the claim last year in October was that they were used as a proxy for these operations in Canada. That's the allegation," he said. "Now … we've had what seems like the beginning of a reset, of a breakthrough." Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Wednesday that he was aware of Eby's comments but hasn't received an official request.
