Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 May, 2023 10:17 AM
The federal government plans to spend 390-million-dollars over the next five years as part of a renewed program to fight gang violence and gun crime.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino (men-duh-CHEE'-no) says the money will go to the provinces and territories and will include support for policing and prevention programs.
Quebec has used the Guns and Gangs Action Fund for an operation aimed at disrupting firearms trafficking, while B-C has put some of the money into its Organized Crime Agency.
The agency says it will now set up additional primary control zones as needed around the infected zone, currently centred around the communities of Yarrow and Barrowtown 90 kilometres east of Vancouver. Since an outbreak began in 2022, H-5-N-1 has forced farms in B-C and across Canada to cull millions of birds when an infection is found.
The B-C Wildfire Service says the Dripping Water wildfire discovered on Thursday 600 kilometres north of Vancouver has now reached over 200 hectares. Meanwhile, the Lost Valley Road wildfire over 400 kilometres northeast of Vancouver discovered on Saturday has now reached over 100 hectares.
The Abbotsford Police Department says the Uber driver was injured and extremely shaken during an attack on April 18. Police say the investigation involved help from Uber and other law enforcement partners to identify a suspect.
The Canada-U. S. Cross-Border Crime Forum brings together Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Justice Minister David Lametti and their U.S. counterparts, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Moments of silence are being held today to mark the national day of mourning for people who have died, been injured or suffered illness on the job. Nova Scotia N-D-P Leader Claudia Chender noted there were 24 workplace deaths in the province last year -- more than the year before.
Back at home, Canadians will be able to celebrate the King's coronation at a special event in Ottawa the same day. The federal Heritage Department says an hour-long program is being prepared to mark the occasion featuring music, art and poetry.
