Nova Scotia premier says police investigating theft from his riding association fund

Montreal police arrested three people, including two teenagers, after gunshots were fired Tuesday night at a building owned by a man with two properties targeted by deadly fires.

Police say gunfire hit the building in Old Montreal owned by Emile Benamor, the man who owns two other buildings in the district that were targeted since 2023 by alleged arson, leading to the deaths of nine people.

Benamor owns the Notre-Dame Street East building that went up in flames last Friday, claiming the lives of a mother and daughter from France.

And he is the owner of a heritage property on nearby Place D’Youville that was allegedly set on fire in March 2023, leading to the deaths of seven people.

After the building on Berri Street was hit by gunfire, police arrested three suspects — aged 17, 19 and 20 — in a small white truck that was spotted by witnesses leaving the scene. A firearm was found inside the truck.

A lawyer who represents Benamor did not return a message today, and police wouldn’t say if there are any links between the arrests and the two fires.

There were no injuries stemming from the shooting, which occurred just before midnight and left shell casings scattered on the ground.

Two suspects are expected to appear in Quebec court today and the minor will appear in youth court. Charges recommended by police include discharging a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, conspiracy and breach of probation and conditions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2024.

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OTTAWA – Canada is adding another $15 million to its humanitarian aid package for Lebanon after an escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says the new money will help Canadian and international aid groups provide food, water, emergency health care and other assistance in Lebanon, though the exact allocations are yet to be determined.

The funding comes on top of $10 million in aid announced by Hussen at the end of September.

He says $6 million of the total will be split between the Red Cross and the Humanitarian Coalition to match up to $3 million each in donations made to their individual Lebanon aid campaigns.

As well, $4 million will be split between the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees and the World Food Program.

Global Affairs Canada says more than 1,150 Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate family members have now left Lebanon on flights chartered by the government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators signed goaltender Linus Ullmark to a four-year contract extension Wednesday worth US$33 million.

The contract has an average annual value of $8.25 million, the NHL team said. The news came on the eve of the Senators’ season opener against the visiting Florida Panthers.

“We are excited to have Linus signed to a contract extension before the start of the regular season,” Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios said in a release.

“In a short window of time, Linus has been able to see the culture we’re trying to grow with our hockey club and his family has experienced the community spirit of Ottawa-Gatineau.”

Ottawa acquired the 31-year-old Ullmark last June in a trade with the Boston Bruins for Mark Kastelic, Joonas Korpisalo, and a 2024 first-round pick that became centre Dean Letourneau.

Ullmark has a 138-73-23 record over nine NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and Boston. He has a career goals-against average of 2.51 and a .919 save percentage.

He won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s most outstanding goaltender for his play in the 2022-23 season.

Ullmark was selected by the Sabres in the sixth round (No. 163 overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons with Modo in the Swedish Hockey League before making his NHL debut in 2015-16.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.