Canadian police boost presence around Jewish and Muslim communities
Featured VideoPolice are increasing their presence in Jewish and Muslim communities across Canada after a former Hamas leader called for a day of action on Friday. Both communities are being urged to be vigilant, though police say there aren’t any imminent threats.
The RCMP says it’s aware of threats on social media directed at Canada’s Jewish community and is calling on the public to be on high alert.
“Now is the time for increased vigilance. We will not tolerate any form of intimidation, harassment, or harmful targeting of communities or individuals in Canada,” an RCMP statement released Thursday said.
The national police force said anyone who feels threatened online or in person should contact their local police.
“Any threats made towards Canadian citizens are taken seriously and investigated as warranted,” the statement said.
The RCMP’s warning comes at a time of heightened tensions due to devastating attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas over the weekend and escalating violence in the region as Israel strikes the Gaza Strip.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he has been in contact with RCMP leadership about concerns within the Jewish community.
“I have every confidence that they are treating these concerns with the utmost importance and will continue to exercise heightened vigilance around places of significance to the Jewish community,” LeBlanc said in a media statement.
LeBlanc and Justice Minsiter Arif Virani held a meeting with their provincial and territorial counterparts on Thursday. In a joint statement, the ministers said Canadians have a right to feel safe.
“Our democracy is built on respect and tolerance, and we call on all Canadians to remain united during this difficult time. Our law enforcement and security partners remain vigilant in the face of these potential disruptions and are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety of all Canadian citizens,” the statement reads.
Police in GTA and Vancouver say they’ve stepped up patrols in certain areas in recent days, including Jewish places of worship.
In a news release issued Wednesday, Toronto police said they were aware of “global online threats” circulating about “events that may occur on Friday.” A former Hamas leader has called for protests across the world on Friday, according to a report from Reuters.
Toronto police increase patrols amid Israel-Hamas war
In response to the war between Israel and Hamas, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw says the service is ramping up patrols at cultural centres, places of worship and schools across the city although there are currently “no credible threats.” Police are also launching two command posts where officers can be “easily reached.”
“The war is affecting thousands of Toronto residents who have family and friends in those regions,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw told a news conference Thursday, adding there are currently “no credible threats” to any communities in the city.
Demkiw said he has received dozens of calls from community leaders expressing concerns and asking for help. He said he met with representatives of the Jewish and Palestinian communities earlier this week to hear from them directly.
Vancouver Police said Thursday they’ve been in contact with federal and provincial public safety and counter-terrorism officials.
While the force indicated it hasn’t identified a specific threat in Vancouver, it said police will maintain an increased presence around community centres and places of worship.
“We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves to ensure the safety of all residents, businesses and visitors to Vancouver,” the department said in a statement.
During a press conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to the heightened anxieties spurred by the conflict in Israel.
“I want to take a moment to reassure the Jewish and Muslim communities here in Canada who are feeling especially vulnerable. I want you to know that we continue our efforts to keep our places of worship and communities safe,” he said, adding that MPs are in contact with local police forces.
“We must always stand united as Canadians. This is something that is core to Canada. We take care of each other, even in the most difficult of times.”
Police stand by as people gather for a vigil in Vancouver to honour those who were killed during recent terror attacks in Israel. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Speaking to CBC News Network, federal Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman said the government should take more concrete action.
“There is a lot of fear to be assuaged,” Lantsman told host Hannah Thibedeau.
Specifically, the party wants the government to direct CSIS to share any intelligence about threats with Jewish communities. The party also said the government should convene a call between the RCMP, provincial and local police forces to coordinate a response to such threats.
“The words are really nice, but I think when we’re in a situation as we are, and there is that heightened anxiety in communities, that action should be shown,” Lantsman said.
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.
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.
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.
