National

New West police arrest suspect in relation to Pier Park fire

Darpan News Desk New Westminster Police, 17 Sep, 2020 10:43 PM

On Tuesday afternoon (September 15th) the New Westminster Police Department arrested a male for arson related offences in connection to the Westminster Pier Park fire.

The male suspect has since been released from custody on a number of conditions. Based on the investigation to date the NWPD do not believe the public are at further risk and are not looking for additional suspects.

The NWPD Major Crime Unit is continuing to gather evidence and anticipate forwarding a report to Crown Counsel for the consideration of formal charges. “This investigation is continuing and we would still encourage anyone with information to come forward and speak with our investigators” stated Sergeant Sanjay Kumar.

“Fire investigations by their very nature are extremely difficult,” stated Deputy Chief Constable Paul Hyland “and we have had significant resources dedicated to this investigation day and night since the fire began. I am very proud of the hard work and professionalism shown by our members on this file as public safety has been a paramount concern throughout.”

“While I am pleased this investigation is moving forward, I am mindful of the significant impact this fire has had,” stated Chief Constable Dave Jansen “and I would like to thank all the first responders, City staff and community members who have contributed to mitigating the impact on our community.”

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Hundreds more COVID deaths expected but Trudeau says Canada is making progress

Thousands more people are expected to contract COVID-19 and hundreds will likely die in the coming week, according to government projections, despite the progress the country has made in fighting the pandemic. Canada's case rate is now doubling every 16 days rather than three to five days seen about three weeks ago, Dr. Theresa Tam, the country's top public health officer, said on Thursday.

Hundreds more COVID deaths expected but Trudeau says Canada is making progress

HSBC Bank Canada reports Q1 profit down as it expects downturn to hurt loans

HSBC Bank Canada reported a drop in its first-quarter profit compared with a year ago as it took a charge related to bad loans it expects due to the downturn in the economy. The bank says it earned a profit attributable to common shareholders of $54 million or 11 cents per share for the quarter ended March 31. That's compared with a profit of $158 million or 32 cents per share in the first three months of 2019.

HSBC Bank Canada reports Q1 profit down as it expects downturn to hurt loans

Local restaurants feel squeezed by delivery apps' commission fees

Restaurants struggling to survive during the COVID-19 crisis have turned to take-out and delivery, but the fees charged by food-delivery companies are eating away their bottom line, some operators say. Physical distancing measures have decimated dine-in service, which accounts for most industry revenue, said Mark von Schellwitz, a vice-president of the non-profit Restaurants Canada.

Local restaurants feel squeezed by delivery apps' commission fees

Ottawa helping guide, but not dictating, provincial reopening plans: Trudeau

With Canada's two most populous provinces poised to outline plans for a gradual return to normalcy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that Ottawa will help guide, but not dictate, how provinces and territories should start easing restrictions. Ontario and Quebec together account for more than 80 per cent of the country's COVID-19 cases.

Ottawa helping guide, but not dictating, provincial reopening plans: Trudeau

Crisis lines face volunteer, cash crunch even as COVID-19 drives surge in calls

Despite a surge in demand due to COVID-19, many distress centres across Canada are dangerously close to folding thanks to major declines in both volunteers and revenue. Stephanie MacKendrick, CEO of Crisis Services Canada, which runs the only national suicide-specific helpline in Canada, says her organization relies on a network of approximately 100 community distress centres across the country to field calls from people.

Crisis lines face volunteer, cash crunch even as COVID-19 drives surge in calls

Conservatives gear up to grill government in modified return of House of Commons propose and oppose: Tories

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer laid out Monday the numerous lines of inquiry his party intends to follow this week as a modified version of a House of Commons sitting gets underway. They include the state of the nation's emergency supply stockpile, the mishmash of federal economic benefit programs that allow some to fall through the cracks and to what extent the minority Liberals are backstopping provincial efforts to reopen their economies, Scheer said.