Vancouver doctor who spent days in trees blocking pipeline work will serve jail time
Tim Takaro occupies several trees in New Westminster in protest of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion Aug. 4, 2020.
A Vancouver doctor and activist was sentenced to time behind bars after spending several days camped out in trees in protest of a British Columbia-Alberta pipeline project.
Tim Takaro, who is also a professor at Simon Fraser University, was sentenced to 30 days in jail earlier this week, his supporters said, after entering a guilty plea for criminal contempt.
Takaro was charged after setting up tents and sleeping in trees last year, an effort that blocked construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
The sentence imposed by a B.C. Supreme Court justice is nine days short of what the Crown had requested.
Some felt he shouldn't spend any time behind bars.
"Dr. Takaro has inspired a generation of public health leaders and advocates, and instead of being in his community, serving his community, doing the good work, he's going to spend 30 days behind bars like (a) criminal?" questioned Kate Tairyan, a fellow professor at SFU.
His sentence came after 50 Canadian health professionals penned an open letter to the prime minister saying the doctor should not be sent to jail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. RCMP still accepting tips on family’s disappearance 35 years ago
Mounties in Prince George say they’re still looking for help from the public to figure out what happened to a family that disappeared more than three decades ago.
Donald Trump faces new U.S. indictment in election subversion case
U.S. prosecutors obtained a new indictment in the 2020 election subversion case against Donald Trump on Tuesday.
What research has uncovered about the Shroud of Turin
Research has uncovered evidence that may strengthen the case for the authenticity of the famous Shroud of Turin amid conflicting theories that the linen cloth is a medieval forgery.
Summer snow just fell on a B.C. highway
It’s still summer, but snow was falling on a highway in B.C.’s Interior Tuesday afternoon.
Ontario woman denied lottery jackpot after forgetting where she bought ticket
When an Ontario woman found out she won the lottery playing Lotto 649, she said she was excited to collect her prize of $1,003, but that excitement quickly turned to frustration when she couldn't collect her winnings.
More humid than usual? It might be the corn
The process of 'evapotranspiration' or 'crop sweat' is a major contributor to rising humidity levels, according to a senior climatologist.
Pizza Hut is offering a pizza box that folds into a table
Pizza Hut is offering a special pizza box that turns into a miniature table with an order of a large regular-priced pizza in Dallas, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Orlando, Florida. Pizza Hut said it chose those cities based off a Penske Truck Rental list that ranked the cities among the country’s top moving destinations.
U.S. becoming more protectionist, former ambassador warns Trudeau cabinet
Canada's former ambassador to the United States warns that our country could be dealing with a more protectionist trade partner, regardless of who wins the presidential election.
Flexible ticket rebooking coming for Air Canada flyers
Air Canada said it would offer flexible rebooking of tickets to its flyers, owing to uncertainty associated with a possible pilots strike at the end of a 21-day cooling off period that begins on Tuesday.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. man raising money to travel to Britain's Got Talent audition
A Langford, B.C., man is fundraising for travel costs after landing an opportunity to audition for Britain's Got Talent.
-
Construction site break-in suspect stole $20K worth of equipment, tools: West Shore RCMP
Mounties on Vancouver Island are appealing for help identifying a suspect who allegedly broke into a construction site and made off with more than $20,000 in equipment and tools.
-
B.C. launches phone line to provide same-day access to opioid treatment
The British Columbia government is expanding access to drug-addiction treatment by launching a confidential and free phone line offering same-day connections to doctors and health-care professionals.
Kelowna
-
Commercial truck plunges off bridge in B.C. Interior, driver unaccounted for, RCMP say
The driver of a semi truck and trailer that plunged off of a bridge in the B.C. Interior Saturday morning has not been located, according to police.
-
Merritt, B.C., emergency room closing for 25 hours this weekend
The emergency department at Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre in Merritt is once again closed due to limited physician availability.
-
Man charged with mischief for allegedly starting several fires Vernon, B.C.
A 33-year-old man is facing multiple charges for allegedly setting several fires in Vernon on Monday.
Edmonton
-
Alberta premier reveals plans to transfer hospitals away from AHS
At a UCP town hall event in Drayton Valley, Premier Danielle Smith revealed the next phases of her government’s restructuring of health care in Alberta.
-
Motorcyclist suffers serious injuries in NE Edmonton crash
Two people were hurt, one seriously, after a crash Tuesday afternoon on 137 Avenue near 42 Street.
-
Ongoing road, sidewalk reconstruction work frustrates Ottewell residents
Residents in an east Edmonton neighbourhood that's in the second of a four-year project to replace its roads, sidewalks, gutters and street lights are unhappy with the lack of access to their homes during construction.
Calgary
-
‘We will run out of water’: High water consumption in Calgary prompts warning
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says residents need to conserve more water amid repairs to the Bearspaw feeder main or the city will run out.
-
Inside an $11M mansion for sale in Calgary that comes with a pool, gated driveway
An $11M home has just hit the market in southwest Calgary, and it comes with a lap pool, glass cabana and tons of history.
-
Alberta premier reveals plans to transfer hospitals away from AHS
At a UCP town hall event in Drayton Valley, Premier Danielle Smith revealed the next phases of her government’s restructuring of health care in Alberta.
Lethbridge
-
Judge says men convicted in Coutts blockade were ready for shootout with police
An Alberta judge says evidence shows two men convicted for their roles at the 2022 border blockade near Coutts, Alta., were ready for a shootout with police.
-
Lethbridge Pride crosswalk defaced, Taber teen charged
Lethbridge police have charged a teen from Taber, Alta., with mischief after he allegedly damaged the city's Pride crosswalk.
-
Rocky Mountain coal hearings still scheduled despite top court allowing appeal
The Alberta Energy Regulator seems to be going ahead with hearings on coal exploration in the Rocky Mountains despite a court ruling that opened the question of whether those applications should have been accepted.
Winnipeg
-
Six separate theft-related incidents reported in one day at same Winnipeg 7-Eleven
The same Winnipeg 7-Eleven location was targeted by thieves multiple times over the weekend.
-
'It's been getting worse': Winnipeg hospitals have worst ER wait times in the country
Manitobans are spending more time in emergency rooms compared to any other province in Canada and longer than five years ago according to new data.
-
'Do what we need to do': Parents brace for back-to-school costs
As students prepare to head back to school, the high cost of living is hitting some families harder than before.
Regina
-
Regina police report steady increase in crime over past decade
As 2024 reached the halfway point at the end of June, the Regina Police Service (RPS) analyzed its numbers for a mid-year report.
-
Moose Jaw emergency shelter ceases operations, community groups voice concern over closure
People facing homelessness in Moose Jaw have one less option to seek temporary shelter after the abrupt closure of one of the city’s shelters.
-
Riders' offence looking to turn the page ahead of Labour Day Classic, ready for stretch run
The Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to practice Tuesday looking to turn the page following a heartbreaking Week 12 loss to Toronto.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. nurses say St. Paul's ER 'worst it's ever been,' despite health region action plan
The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) is once again sounding that alarm about the current state of the emergency room at St. Paul’s Hospital.
-
Blind Sask. student puts his reading skills to the test at international competition
Despite Saskatchewan falling behind other provinces in reading, math and science scores, one Martensville student is bucking the trend.
-
Sask. doctor acquitted of sexual assault charges can still be sued in civil claim, judge rules
A Regina doctor accused of sexually assaulting patients can still be sued in civil proceedings even though he’s been acquitted of the charges in criminal court, a Saskatoon judge has ruled.
Toronto
-
Victim asked to meet up through 'popular' dating app robbed at gunpoint: Hamilton police
Police are searching for three suspects who allegedly robbed a victim at gunpoint after arranging to meet them via a dating app.
-
Ont. mother gets second chance to surprise daughter after losing $1,600 on fake Taylor Swift tickets
A year after losing $1,600 on fraudulent Taylor Swift tickets, an Ontario mother got a second chance to give her 15-year-old daughter the surprise of a lifetime.
-
Duran leads off with 20th homer, Red Sox stop skid with 6-3 win over Blue Jays
Jarren Duran led off with a homer, Masataka Yoshida added a two-run single in a three-run first inning, and the Boston Red Sox ended a four-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
Montreal
-
Man accuses Montreal police of racial profiling during traffic stop
A 23-year-old man is accusing Montreal police of racial profiling and aggressive use of force after a traffic stop just over a week ago.
-
Montreal city councillor says he no longer feels safe after home vandalized
Outspoken critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Montreal city councillor Serge Sasseville's home was vandalized on Monday night, which he said made him fearful of living downtown for the first time.
-
Possible asbestos risk delays return to class for almost 1,400 students at Laval high school
The return to the classroom has been delayed indefinitely for students at a Laval high school due to the risk of asbestos exposure.
Ottawa
-
Here's where you can buy alcohol in convenience stores, gas stations next week
You'll be able to buy beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails at some convenience stores and gas stations in Ottawa starting next week and we now know where they're located.
-
Correctional officer at Collins Bay Institution accused of smuggling weapons, drugs into prison
Kingston police say a correctional officer working at the Collins Bay Institution has been arrested and charged in connection with contraband items being smuggled into the federal prison.
-
Manotick residents want an end to truck traffic
Residents of Manotick, a village in south Ottawa, are calling for an end to the steady stream of trucks passing through their community.
Atlantic
-
Man says he's lucky to be alive after bear attack in Halifax area
A man who says he was attacked by a bear on a popular Halifax-area trail says he’s lucky to be alive after the unusual and terrifying incident.
-
Nova Scotia warns of possible health-care strike this week
The Nova Scotia government is warning of a possible health-care strike as early as Thursday if ongoing bargaining discussions do not result in a deal.
-
COVID-19 concessions coming to a head for unions, management, retired labour lawyer says
A retired labour lawyer says unions and management are still dealing with COVID-19 concessions.
London
-
Severe thunderstorm warning issued for most of southwestern Ontario
Although Environment Canada said that thunderstorms are expected to roll through beneath the severe threshold, wind gusts up to 100km/h and toonie sized hail as well as tornadoes are possible.
-
'It’s old. It’s outdated': Renewed calls for a change in the province’s public education funding model
TVDSB leaders meet to discuss the coming school year and new policies taking affect.
-
Pet supplies needed following weekend apartment fire in Chatham
Chatham's Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) animal centre has put a pause on accepting surrendered animals due to the recent apartment fire that displaced dozens of residents and their pets.
Kitchener
-
Drone drops unknown substance in Ayr, Ont. neighbourhood
Police are looking for the operator of a drone that dropped an unknown substance on homes and vehicles in Ayr, Ont.
-
More humid than usual? It might be the corn
The process of 'evapotranspiration' or 'crop sweat' is a major contributor to rising humidity levels, according to a senior climatologist.
-
Region responds to concerns over tent inside Kitchener roundabout
Drivers using a Kitchener roundabout might have noticed something unusual – a tent set up on the centre island.
Northern Ontario
-
Man and woman charged with manslaughter in death of infant in northern Ont.
Two people have been charged in connection with the death of an infant in Wikwemikong First Nation in May.
-
Three Beer Stores in northern Ontario closing in two weeks
The Beer Store in Cochrane will permanently close on Sept. 9, leaving some customers wondering why.
-
Parole granted to former nurse in northwestern Ont. responsible for fatal drug overdose
A former nurse in Fort Frances, Ont., whose drug addiction led to the fatal overdose of a patient has been granted day parole.
N.L.
-
Newly reinstated Newfoundland cod fishery temporarily paused as landings hit limit
The federal government has temporarily paused parts of the newly reinstated commercial northern cod fishery off the east coast of Newfoundland as landings approach the seasonal limit.
-
As Newfoundlanders say goodbye to a daily print paper, some worry culture will suffer
The final edition of The Telegram newspaper’s daily print hit the stands in St. John's, N.L., on Saturday, marking the end of a 145-year run and a move to weekly print version with daily stories online.
-
Judge dismisses charge for N.L. officer accused of assaulting volatile air passenger
A Newfoundland and Labrador judge has dismissed an assault charge against an RCMP officer accused of using excessive force against a man whose volatile behaviour grounded an international flight last year.
