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Friday, June 27, 2025

Former Ottawa deputy police chief charged with sexual assault 

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
-
Source: X

A former Ottawa police deputy chief has been charged with sexual assault involving a female officer under his supervision during work hours.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit charged former police deputy Uday Jaswal with a single count of sexual assault against one woman.

Jaswal had already resigned from the force amid numerous allegations of sexual harassment in 2022, including by a female civilian employee of the Ottawa Police Service, who notified the Ontario Special Investations Unit last March.  

The agency launched an investigation into Jaswal, resulting in his arrest “by members of the SIU today and subsequently released on several conditions, including not to communicate with the woman, not to go within 100 metres of the woman,” according to an SIU release. 

Additionally, Jaswal is not permitted to “possess a firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance and to surrender those in his possession.”

The SIU confirmed that the most recent allegation involves an incident which occurred in 2011, while Jaswal was an OPS inspector and that the complainant was a female officer at the time. 

However, Jaswal’s lawyer Ari Goldkind called the allegation “opportunistic” and “factually implausible.”

“The Special Investigations Unit for Ontario has chosen to charge Mr. Jaswal with an allegation that is both opportunistic and factually implausible after a 15-month delay and despite numerous requests for an update by counsel. The SIU has no objective evidence to support these allegations,” Goldkind told True North. 

The OPS also released a statement on Tuesday to the Ottawa community following news of the charge becoming public.  

“The Ottawa Police Service is mindful of the impact on the community and our members. We encourage anyone who needs support to reach out to available resources,” read the OPS release.

“We urge victims to report any such incident to police. Investigators will respect a victim’s wish to pursue or not pursue an investigation or criminal charges.”

Jaswal’s career with the OPS began in 1995 and he climbed the ranks to become deputy chief of both OPS as well as with Durham Regional Police Service. 

He was hired as deputy police chief for Durham in 2016 before returning to Ottawa two years later after being recruited to the top ranks of the OPS.

The sexual misconduct complaints were made against Jaswal following his OPS promotion.

He faced at total of eight charges at the time of his resignation in 2022 under the Ontario Police Services Act, including discreditable conduct and insubordination.

Six of the charges were related to complaints brought forward by three female OPS colleagues of Jaswal and the other two charges were related to accusations of corruption and abuse of power stemming from his service with Durham Region.

However, all the charges were withdrawn by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission that same year on the basis of lost jurisdiction when Jaswal resigned from policing days before his  scheduled hearing.

Initially, Jaswal was suspended with pay, beginning in 2020, he continued to collect over half a million dollars in salary before his resignation two years later.

He also faced a human rights complaint made by a civilian employee in 2019, wherein he was accused of unwanted advances and inappropriate touching. 

That complaint in combination with complaints from two other female officers regarding sexual harassment dating back to 2008, formed the basis of the Ontario Civillian Poilice Commission investigation and charge.

“The public, once they hear what is actually being alleged, will be shocked that these spurious allegations received the SIU Director’s seal of approval,” said Goldkind.

“ Mr. Jaswal will fully and vigorously defend against this false accusation, and we will be seeking the earliest possible trial. There will be more to come.”

Jaswal is scheduled to appear in court on July 18. 

LAWTON: Trudeau’s Indo-Pacific trip cost $223k in airplane meals

By
Andrew Lawton
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Source: Facebook

Justin Trudeau’s six-day Indo-Pacific trip last fall came with a catering bill of $223,234, with the total trip costing nearly $2 million, with the potential for further increases as some expenses are still being processed. Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Kris Sims joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss whether the luxury meals, which included beef brisket, tenderloin, and lamb shanks, were justified.

LAWTON: New report disproves Gaza genocide claims

By
Andrew Lawton
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Source: Unsplash

In March, an IPC report suggesting an imminent famine in Gaza, based on inaccurate assumptions, was retracted in a June follow-up study that has been largely ignored, despite evidence showing that the regions food supply is sufficient due to local production and humanitarian aid. Honest Reporting Canada assistant director Robert Walker joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss.

Edmonton’s reusable bag fees will double on Canada Day

By
Isaac Lamoureux, True North Wire
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Source: Flickr

Beginning on Canada Day, Edmontonians can expect to pay higher prices for paper and reusable bags while shopping.

On Monday, the price for paper bags in Edmonton will rise from 15 cents to 25 cents. The price for reusable bags will double, from $1 to $2. The previous prices were implemented last Canada Day and lasted the year before this planned change.

In a YouTube video, the City of Edmonton outlined the changes, stating that around 75% of shoppers now bring their own bags. 

“If you forget your bags, the best choice for the environment and your wallet is to purchase a paper bag instead of a new reusable bag if you can,” said the city.

The city said that bags can be multi-functional.

“When you’re done with the bag, you can use it to hold garbage or food scraps or recycle it. So make a plan to remember your bags when you’re out shopping or picking up takeout,” the city’s video added.

The city claimed that over the last few years, Edmonton has discarded nearly 250,000 bags daily. Producing, shipping, and disposing of each bag creates emissions equivalent to driving 25 kilometres, according to the city of Edmonton, justifying its price increase.

While Edmonton has remained committed to its single-use bylaw, other cities have had to scrap the idea amid backlash from residents. Calgary repealed the bylaw in May after paying the price in a public approval downfall. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had previously said she did not support the single-use items bylaw.

She tasked her Minister of Municipal Affairs with investigating whether either city had violated the Municipal Government Act, after saying that she disagreed with both of their decisions.

“I think there’s a little bit of ideology getting ahead of common sense here,” said Smith.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek was recently revealed to be one of the few political leaders in Canada less popular than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Her plummeting public approval rating, which reached 26% in June, was attributed to negative public reactions to the single-use bag bylaw, blanket rezoning, and her handling of the water crisis.

According to a Leger poll conducted in May, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi may be faring no better.

Over two-thirds, 67%, of Edmontonians said that Edmonton is heading in the wrong direction.

When asked about levels of satisfaction with Sohi’s quality of work, only 10% of Edmontonians gave him a “good” review, a score between 8-10. He had 32% who gave him a “poor” review, a score of 0-2. 

Although the poll did not discuss the single-use plastics bylaw, it did ask Edmontonians who they planned to vote for.

Only 16% chose Sohi. Forty-three percent said that they would vote for “someone else.”

CRA to take legal action against ineligible CERB recipients

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
-
Source: Obert Madondo

The Canada Revenue Agency has promised to ratchet up its efforts in retrieving money the agency overpaid to Canadians who were ineligible for emergency benefits during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Canadians who were overpaid by any of the COVID-19 relief benefits handed out under the Trudeau government during the pandemic may soon face legal action.

“Starting in July 2024, for individuals who have not responded or co-operated, and who have been determined to have the financial capacity to pay, legal warnings will be issued and legal measures could be taken to recover monies owed,” wrote the CRA in a statement released on Thursday.

According to the agency, only people who have already been contacted about repaying their debt are the ones who should be worried.

“Legal measures are only taken when there is no cooperation from an individual with ability to repay the debt,” reads the release.

However, all those deemed to be ineligible recipients of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit who have not yet repaid are now in the agency’s legal crosshairs. 

Garnished wages and even removing money directly from bank accounts are now on the table.  

Canadians who were overpaid but are unable to repay their debt are encouraged to contact the CRA to create a plan of repayment, the agency urged. 

“The CRA remains committed to supporting Canadians who, for different reasons, are not able to repay their debts,” it said.

“If you cannot pay the total amount owing immediately, we encourage you to contact the CRA to develop suitable payment arrangements based on your ability to pay. Not contacting the CRA when receiving a legal warning will result in legal measures that could be avoided.”

Over $200 billion was doled out to businesses and individuals during the duration of these relief payment programs with little oversight, resulting in the CRA later deciding that some recipients were ineligible. 

The agency is now demanding the repayment of $9.53 billion from certain individuals, $5.41 billion of which is from CERB alone.

Another $2.67 billion is from CRB and the remaining $1.25 billion is from the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit. 

The CRA first began its recovery efforts in May 2022 via letters sent out to ineligible recipients, requesting a voluntary repayment. 

However, the agency changed its tone last year when it sent out collection letters and began reaching individuals by phone.

Furthermore, the CRA began the practice of “offsetting,” meaning that it would automatically deduct money from tax refunds and certain benefits and apply it toward the person’s debt owed. 

The Trudeau government’s efforts to retrieve the funds have led to over 1,000 Federal Court disputes between claimants and the CRA, as many have contested their charges. 

The CRA has even had to fire 185 of its employees, due to staff members abusing the system. Another 600 staff members were under investigation as of last December. 

National Revenue Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau praised the CRA for its “zero tolerance” approach to dealing with employees who took advantage of CERB when the agency first began firing employees last fall. 

In one high-profile fraudulent case, a Toronto Uber driver received $4.5 million in pandemic funds, before having his bank account frozen.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Michael Penny ruled that Rabih George Barake accessed the funds under false pretences, ordering him to repay the bank with interest and costs, and imposing punitive damages totaling $1.5 million.

It’s worth noting, however, that the majority of pandemic funds that the CRA deemed to be unwarranted went to businesses, not individuals.

Majority of Canadians believe the country is “broken” ahead of Canada Day

By
Cosmin Dzsurdzsa, True North Wire
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Source: Calgary Internatonal Airport

As Canadians are preparing for Canada Day, national pride isn’t what it used to be.  

An Ipsos survey, conducted online with over a thousand participants, indicates that a significant 70% of Canadians perceive their country as “broken,” a sentiment that resonates most strongly with the Canadian youth and Conservative voters. 

This stark outlook comes at a time when national pride appears to be waning; only a mere 16% of Canadians report feeling more proud of their nationality than they did five years ago.

The poll, which presents a snapshot of national sentiment just ahead of Canada Day, suggests that the festivities may be subdued this year. 

Approximately 30% of Canadians are less inclined to partake in Canada Day events or to display the national flag, a symbol of unity and pride. 

This reluctance to celebrate is mirrored in the way Canadians converse about their country with outsiders, with an equal 27% more or less likely to speak positively about Canada, though the scale is tipping towards a rise in negative sentiment.

Indigenous issues show a mixed bag of engagement. 

While a third of Canadians express a heightened interest in learning about Indigenous history compared to five years ago, this interest has seen a decline over the past year. 

The poll also highlights a downward trend in the expression of national pride. The concept of a “broken” Canada, as endorsed by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, finds agreement among 70% of the surveyed population. 

Notably, there was a higher concurrence from younger individuals aged 18 to 34 and those who identify as Conservative voters. 

On the flip side, 30% disagree with the idea that the country was broken, with older Canadians, Quebec residents, and Liberal voters showing more resistance.

24-year-old Indian man attempted to enter Canada with senior citizen’s passport 

By
Quinn Patrick, True North Wire
-
Source: X

A master of disguise, he wasn’t.

Indian police have arrested a 24-year-old man who tried to board a flight to Canada posing as a 67-year-old.

The young man was stopped by airport security in India before he could board an Air Canada flight after they noticed his appearance didn’t match that of the passport he was attempting to travel with.   

India’s Central Industrial Security Force identified the man as Guru Sewak Singh while he was still detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Singh has allegedly been involved in human trafficking and impersonation.

“Vigilant CISF personnel intercepted a passenger bound for Canada involved in human trafficking & impersonation,” wrote the security agency in a social media post. 

“The pax attempted to travel by impersonating an aged person and using false documents. The passenger was handed over to Delhi Police.”

Officials became suspicious after quickly noticing his odd appearance, which included glasses and hair dyed white to look older. 

Security also took issue with the discrepancy between the texture of his skin and his youthful sounding voice, when compared to the photo of the passport he was using, that of sexagenerian Rashvindar Singh Sahota. 

Upon further investigation by CISF, Singh confessed his real identity and offered up his actual passport.

He was subsequently taken into custody by Delhi police. 

The Alberta Roundup | UCP sets sights on Nenshi

By
Rachel Parker
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Source: Facebook

Today on the Alberta Roundup with Rachel Emmanuel, Rachel reports on the Alberta NDP’s plans to divorce from the federal party. And, Rachel has an update about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s approval ratings.

Rachel has a story about new attack ads the UCP released about Naheed Nenshi, who won the Alberta NDP leadership contest last week.

Also on the show, do you know who the least popular politicians in Canada is? You might be surprised to learn that she’s in Alberta.

And finally, listen to the end to hear Rachel’s exciting announcement.

Tune into the Alberta Roundup!

LAWTON: Will Justin Trudeau resign?

By
Andrew Lawton
-
Source: Facebook

Earlier this week, Conservative candidate Don Stewart won the federal byelection for Liberal stronghold Toronto—St. Paul’s, in a surprising victory over Liberal candidate Leslie Church. Political commentator Paul Wells joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss what this means for the future of Justin Trudeau and his party.

LAWTON: Liberals defend “plastics ban” in federal court

By
Andrew Lawton
-

This week, the federal government was in court appealing a ruling that declared its decision to list all plastics as toxic unreasonable and unconstitutional. A constitutional group is intervening in this case, arguing that using criminal law to regulate plastics is an overreach of federal authority. Canadian Constitution Foundation litigation director Christine Van Geyn joined True North’s Andrew Lawton to discuss.

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