The former Chief of Police J.P. Levesque has passed away.
In a statement early Friday morning, The Thunder Bay Police Association says they were deeply saddened by the news.
“Chief Levesque dedicated more than three decades of service to the Thunder Bay Police Service and to the community he proudly served,” says the statement.
“Throughout his career he demonstrated professionalism, commitment and leadership, leaving a lasting impact on the members he worked alongside adn the citizens he served. His contributions to policing in Thunder Bay will not be forgotten.”
The statement says, on behalf of TBPA, they extend their heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues who are mourning his loss.
“Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.”
Levesque became chief in 2011 and announced his retirement in 2018 just months after he was acquitted for breach of trust and obstruction.
In Nova Scotia, regular self-serve ranges from $1.31 to $1.35 per litre, while diesel is selling for between $1.62 and $1.66 per litre.
On Prince Edward Island, the price for regular self-serve is around $1.39 per litre, diesel costs around $1.71 per litre, and home heating oil is selling for a maximum of $1.19 per litre.
Meantime, in a bit of deja vu, the provincial government says motorists will see even more price decreases at the pumps next week. This is due to amended regulations under the Petroleum Products Pricing Act.
E10, a fuel blend of ethanol and gasoline, will start being used to determine the benchmark price for regular gasoline in New Brunswick.
This move is expected to save New Brunswickers up to seven cents a litre next week, based on market conditions.
“We promised we would look at every option to make life more affordable for New Brunswickers, and this is one more way we’re delivering real savings for families,” said Premier Susan Holt.
Rob Lantz officially resigned as Prince Edward Island’s 34th premier Thursday night and announced he is running for the permanent leadership of the province’s Progressive Conservative Party.
Lantz made the announcement in Charlottetown, surrounded by PC caucus members and supporters, one day after the party confirmed its leadership convention will be held Feb. 7 at the Eastlink Centre.
Under party rules, Lantz was required to resign as interim leader within 10 days of the convention announcement in order to be eligible to run.
His resignation also ends his time as premier, a role he has held since February following the departure of former premier Dennis King.
“It’s been the honour of my life to serve Islanders as premier,” Lantz said. “This province has given me every opportunity I’ve ever had. That’s why I care so much about its future.”
Since taking on the interim leadership, Lantz had sent mixed signals about whether he would seek the job permanently.
Speaking with reporters Thursday night, he said the final decision came earlier this week, following the byelection win by PC candidate Brendan Curran in District 2, Georgetown-Pownal.
“I made the decision 100 per cent on Monday after the byelection that, yeah, I think Islanders still have confidence in this government and I want to have a role in that,” Lantz said.
He added that while the decision was recent, discussions with Islanders, party members, and the PC caucus had been ongoing for months.
Lantz confirmed that Deputy Premier Bloyce Thompson will be sworn in as the province’s 35th premier on Friday afternoon. Thompson currently serves as minister of justice and public safety and minister of agriculture.
With the transition, Prince Edward Island will have its third premier in a single year, as the Progressive Conservative Party prepares for a leadership contest early next year.
The town of Fort Frances will seek proposals that bring the Hallett back to its former resting spot.
It reverses a previous plan to have the historic logging vessel and the Owandem, another used on Rainy Lake, to be displayed along the waterfront.
Council opted for an alternative after a lone bid on the project came in at over $1.7 million.
Councillor Mike Behan is concerned with putting the Hallet back into the Rainy River.
The boat was removed in 2022 when rising waters caused it to lift out of an underwater cradle.
Behan says they could be facing the same thing in the future.
“I’ve never been in favor of putting it back in the water,” says Behan.
“I think we’re just asking for trouble again. I really fear that if we have another high water event, we’re going to have the same problem,” says Behan.
Hallett in its original resting post along the Fort Frances waterfront, June 2022. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting
The return of the Hallett to the river is part of a three-part project.
According to a report from Administration, once the Hallett is placed, the town will turn its attention to the display of the Owandem on the waterfront.
The final part of the project is restoration work on the Hallett.
Operations and Facilities Manager Travis Rob admits that work will cost more if the vessel is in the water.
“We do have a provision in the option to put it back in the water for doing the hull,” says Rob.
“That way, we don’t have to lift it back out of the water to paint the whole vessel. However, sandblasting and painting the rest of the boat will require some pretty elaborate hoarding, particularly if it is back in the water.”
The first phase of the project will include assessing the current cribs and making any repairs if required.
The town received in March 2024 $442,368 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for the project.
The town committed another $147,456 and has used $63,000 on the design of the previous proposal.
The Hallett has remained on blocks in the waterfront parking lot since 2022.
The Owandem is in storage in the public works yard.
Conservative MP Michael Ma has crossed the floor to the Liberals.
Ma, who represents Markham-Unionville in Ontario., issued a statement Thursday evening saying he has decided to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government after carefully listening to constituents in recent weeks.
“This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future,” says Ma.
He says he came to Canada at 12-years-old learning hard work and resilience and creating a path of opportunity.
“In that spirit, I have concluded that Mark Carney is offering the steady, practical approach we need to deliver on the priorities I hear every day while door knocking in Markham-Unionville,” says Ma.
“That includes making life more affordable, growing a strong Canadian economy, strengthening community safety, and creating real opportunities for young people and families who are working hard to build their Canadian dream.”
The move follows MP Chris d’Entremont, who crossed the floor in November.
Carney’s government is now one seat away from a majority.
The MPP for Kiiwetinoong says the Ford government is getting bad advice when it comes to the Ring of Fire.
Sol Mamakwa raised questions about the government’s interest in the Ontario Legislature this week.
His initial inquiry related to the cost of ads that promote the mining region.
When he failed to get an answer, he responded by saying the government’s approach does not trump First Nations rights.
“This government needs to understand. Your approach to Bill 5, your approach to Ring of Fire, and even these ads I talk about, do not trump the inherent rights of the First Nations that live on these homelands,” says Mamamkwa.
“This government’s approach will not work. Let me be very clear on that.”
Mamakwa says the government should stop its Ring of Fire advertising campaign, calling it misleading.
Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce insists they are including First Nations in their decision-making.
He cited the legislation that aims to reduce the time it takes to get a mining project approved.
“We have made that a reality in partnership with First Nation communities because billions of dollars of investment, the improvement of quality of life, 10,000 jobs are on the line unless we work together as legislators to get minerals on the ground,” says Lecce.
The province recently signed agreements with three First Nations in proximity to the Ring of Fire that aim to build an all-weather road to the region.
A murder charge has been laid follow the death of an infant in the Sioux Lookout area.
This past May 9th, the OPP were contacted about an unresponsive 5 month old child on Sturgeon River Road.
The child was transported to hospital by emergency medical services and later pronounced dead.
Through months of investigation, by various OPP units, the Nishnawbe Aski Police and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, a 26-year-old Sandy Lake woman has been arrested.
She appeared in Dryden court virtually Thursday on a charge of second-degree murder and failing to provide the necessaries of life.
