B.C. premier outlines measures to address safety on transit
With a string of violent assaults on Metro Vancouver transit in the past week, BC United questioned Monday whether the province is acting fast enough to make the system safer.
The NDP government was on the defensive during question period as the newly renamed opposition demanded to know what's being done to improve public safety.
BC United leader Kevin Falcon raised the case of Ethan Bespflug. The 17-year-old was stabbed on board a Surrey bus last week, and later died.
"Ethan's family, like so many others, is calling for change, an increase in security on public transit and in our own communities," Falcon said. "When is this premier and government finally going to take some concrete steps so people can feel safe in their communities again?"
Falcon accused the NDP of underfunding hundreds of policing positions while in power.
Premier David Eby responded with several measures, including some that pre-dated the deadly assault.
"Community safety officers, TransLink is already in the midst of hiring them. They're bringing on 24 community safety officers to increase security on our transit system. The RCMP and transit police are stepping up their presence and patrols on the transit system," Eby explained.
Both he and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth say they're ready to provide more resources if needed.
Farnworth told reporters the issue of violent crime on transit systems is one provinces across the country are grappling with. He added he spoke with his counterpart, federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, this weekend, to push for an expanded reverse onus when it comes to bail. He says Ottawa has committed to changes during the spring legislative session.
Farnworth explained the provinces are looking "to put as broad a possible definition when it comes to reverse onus so it's not just on firearms, it's on knives, it's on bear spray, it's on other weapons."
Reverse onus means the accused is likely to be detained unless they can prove that shouldn't be the case. It typically applies to the most serious of cases, including murder, attempted murder, and other Criminal Code violations involving firearms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Edmonton Oilers set to make lineup changes for Game 4 of Western Conference final
The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up. Down 2-1 in the NHL's Western Conference final to the Dallas Stars, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed there would be lineup changes for tonight's Game 4.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.