Ottawa Police Service Not Participating in Federal Gun Buyback

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ottawa-police-service-not-participating-in-federal-gun-buyback-5993545?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=section-1

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) says it will not be participating in the federal government’s gun buyback program, joining a number of municipal police forces that have said the same.

Ottawa police made the announcement in a March 2 statement, saying participation in the program “would place undue strain on the police resources dedicated to core policing duties.” The police service added that factors like staffing pressures and a rising demand for police services also contributed to the decision.

“We support efforts to reduce firearm-related harm, and we recognize the objectives of the federal program. At the same time, decisions like this have to be grounded in what can be delivered safely and consistently,” OPS Chief Eric Stubbs said in the statement.

While the OPS said it will not participate as a designated collection site in the federal buyback program, it continues to support “the safe surrender and disposal of unwanted firearms.” The OPS said those looking to surrender a firearm should call the Ottawa police’s non-emergency line and follow instructions on how to safely surrender the firearm. Continue…

Police Investigating Gunfire Damage at Toronto Synagogue

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/police-investigating-gunfire-damage-at-toronto-synagogue-5993550?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=section-1

The hate crime unit of the Toronto police is investigating after gunfire hit a North York Jewish synagogue this week, resulting in damage to the building but no reported injuries.

The incident occurred at Temple Emanu-El in Toronto’s North York district, where officers arrived in response to a report of gunfire shortly before 11 p.m. on March 2. Congregants had been celebrating the holiday of Purim at the synagogue earlier that evening.

Toronto Deputy Police Chief Robert Johnson told reporters at a March 3 press conference that officers found bullet holes in the front windows of the synagogue and shell casings on the ground upon arriving at the scene.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the incident “an unacceptable act of anti-Semitism and intimidation” in a March 3 social media post.

“Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith without fear, intimidation, or violence,” she said on X, adding that city police would increase officers’ presence in the area to keep congregants and community members safe.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also condemned the shooting on social media. He called the incident at Temple Emanu-El “a vile and targeted act of antisemitism,” while Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said on X that “we must stand together against Antisemitism and hate.” Continue…

Canada’s Defence Minister Calls Iran’s Khamenei a ‘Force for Evil’ as Ottawa Appears to Now Call for a Diplomatic Solution

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/canadas-defence-minister-calls-irans-khamenei-a-force-for-evil-as-ottawa-appears-to-now-call-for-a-diplomatic-solution-5993568?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=section-1

Defence Minister David McGuinty said the recently slain Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had spread his “evil” influence in Iran and elsewhere, but Ottawa is now calling for a diplomatic resolution to hostilities.

McGuinty made the comments to reporters while on a visit to Australia on March 3, after being asked whether Canada believes the death of Khamenei is a positive development. Prime Minister Mark Carney initially backed the U.S. attack on Iran on Feb. 28.

Khamenei and many other Iranian leaders were killed over the weekend, soon after the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign in Iran.

“The Ayatollah Khamenei has been for many, many decades a very, very powerful force for evil in Iran and in the region,” McGuinty said.

The defence minister noted the Iranian regime’s use of proxy groups in the region and its involvement in “organized criminal syndicates.” Iran has been the key benefactor to groups like Lebanese Hezbollah, Palestinian Hamas, the Yemeni Houthis, and various Shia factions in Iraq.

McGuinty said his government had decided from the outset to support the military actions against the Iranian regime while also calling for a diplomatic solution. Continue…

Provincial sex registry found unconstitutional by Ontario court

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/provincial-sex-registry-found-unconstitutional-by-ontario-court

Ontario’s sex offender registry law will need to be overhauled by the legislature after it was ruled unconstitutional by the Ontario Court of Justice in a January 29 ruling.

Justice Davin Garg agreed with arguments made by the convicted applicant’s lawyer that the law was too broad and infringed on his client’s Charter right to liberty.

The registry was established in 2000 as a centralized database designed to assist the police in the prevention and investigation of sexual offences. The legislation behind it created a requirement for sex offenders to provide detailed personal information and report regularly to law enforcement, with the aim of keeping the registry current.

However, last year Ontario man, Michael Roberts, intentionally failed to report after doing so for 13 years. He had been convicted in 2010 of multiple sexual assaults, sentenced to a term in prison, then released. Subsequently, he was registered on the national and Ontario sex offender registries.

His decision not to report resulted in a charge under the Ontario registry law.

His lawyer argued before an OCJ judge in Hamilton in January that his deliberate non‑compliance was meant to spark a constitutional case against the Ontario registry.

Roberts challenged mandatory registration of all sex offenders and the lifetime reporting obligation for certain offenders. His lawyer argued that these components of the law were “overbroad” and grossly disproportionate, infringing s. 7 of the Charter (life, liberty and security of the person).

In making the case, Roberts’ lawyer followed arguments made in a Supreme Court of Canada challenge against the national sex offender registry. In R. v. Ndhlovu, back in 2022, a majority of the SCC found that mandatory registration and lifetime reporting violated s. 7. Continue…

Child sex killer Michael Rafferty attacked a fellow inmate after convicts targeted him over his horrific crimes

https://nationalpost.com/news/child-sex-killer-michael-rafferty-attacked-a-fellow-inmate-when-convicts-targeted-him-over-his-horrific-crimes

Notorious child rapist and killer Michael Rafferty has been convicted of assault with a weapon after attacking an inmate in the prison where he is serving time for the brutal murder of eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford, National Post has learned.

Charges of assault with a weapon and threatening death or bodily harm followed a jailhouse confrontation after years of Rafferty being targeted for abuse from fellow inmates because of his status as a child sex offender.

The incident provides a rare look inside Canada’s prison culture.

At the time of the attack, an inmate had taunted Rafferty, threw garbage into his cell, and said he was going to boil water to throw at him, said Rafferty’s lawyer, Sylvie Bordelais.

“People, as usual, were threatening him. He went to the guards to ask them for help, they told him to deal with it himself. That’s what he did,” Bordelais said in an interview when asked about the case.

Rafferty then went to the kitchen where the inmate was apparently preparing to boil water. Rafferty grabbed a pan and swung it at the inmate, she said.

Rodney Stafford, father of Tori — who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by Rafferty and Rafferty’s then girlfriend, Terri-Lynne McClintic, in 2009 — was not upset to hear Rafferty is having a miserable time in prison.

“I hope he’s living in fear every day of his life,” Stafford said in an interview. Continue…