'Everything looks calm': Family rescued from Afghanistan reflects on new life in Canada - CTV News | Canada News Media
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'Everything looks calm': Family rescued from Afghanistan reflects on new life in Canada – CTV News

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TORONTO —
One of the first families to land in Canada after escaping the Taliban in Afghanistan are speaking out about the life-and death ordeal they faced just weeks ago.

Ehsan Saadat and his family were able to walk through a Toronto park after completing their mandatory COVID-19 quarantine period, telling CTV National News their first observations after landing in their new home country.

“My first impression when I landed in Toronto, I just saw that everything looks calm, looks safe,” said Saadat.

As a researcher whose previous work was presented to Canadian officials and aid groups, Saadat was eligible to apply and secure spots for himself, his wife and four children on a rescue flight — and not a moment too soon.

“I was scared,” he said of living in Afghanistan with the news of the Taliban taking city after city. “My wife was scared, I was scared.”

And while Canada offered him and his family a lifeline to escape, the process of getting on a flight out of Kabul had extremely high stakes.

Saadat received an email from Canadian authorities on Aug. 5, detailing how the family could access their rescue flight – with one major condition.

“It’s important that you and your family members do not share information beyond your immediate family until after you arrive in Canada,” Saadat said, reading the instructions warning him not to tell anyone about their leaving.

Saadat kept the secret from his extended family, though it pained him.

“I remember when my brother took us to the embassy, and he hugged my children – that time was difficult,” he said, getting noticeably emotional.

The family were only able to bring some wedding photos and other small mementos from their life in Afghanistan, things that Saadat said were to show his children as they grow up so they won’t forget where they came from, and to answer their questions in the future “where are we from and what were our customs.”

Now Saadat says his immediate goal is to try to find a job. He holds a Master’s degree in educational administration.

“I don’t want to be a burden for the government,” he said, adding that his children have big dreams of their own.

“The older one wants to be a judge, the second one could be a prosecutor and the third one wants to be a police officer,” he said. “My son wants to be a doctor.” 

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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary

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EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.

Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.

Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.

Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.

Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.

RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.

“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.

But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.

“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.

While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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26-year-old son is accused of his father’s murder on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

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RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.

Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.

The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.

It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.

Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.

The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal

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VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.

Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”

However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.

McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.

He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.

The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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