Ontario Fire Marshal investigating ‘suspicious' house fire in Cambridge
In an email to CTV News, the Waterloo Regional Police Service said they had been called to the area of Roseview Avenue and Malcolm Street around 9 p.m.
Police said the residence was cleared out at the time, with Cambridge Fire confirming no one was inside upon their arrival.
Police said no one was hurt.
Police confirmed the same home had shots fired into it a month before. They said there has been no evidence so far that connect the incidents.
The building was significantly damaged.
The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) became involved with the investigation into the fire. They told CTV News in an email the fire was considered suspicious.
The OFM said the fire was extinguished around midnight.
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CBC
24 minutes ago
- CBC
Human trafficking case ends on 'significant disclosure issue,' Hamilton Crown drops charges
Social Sharing On the day a month-long trial for a man accused of "significant" human trafficking was set to begin, the Crown's case fell apart over a technicality. Christian Vitela, 37, and his defence lawyer had not received all disclosure or evidence related to the case in the years leading up to the criminal trial, assistant Crown attorney Heather Palin said on April 23. "There was a significant disclosure issue, which crystallized late last week, which had potential implications to derail the [trial]," Palin told Ontario Court Justice Stephen Darroch. Vitela hadn't accessed all phone records of the migrant workers he was charged with trafficking — the phones had been seized by the RCMP and were "typically core disclosure in human trafficking prosecutions," said Vitela's lawyer, Tobias Okada-Phillips. The RCMP, which initially laid nine human trafficking charges against Vitela in 2019, have a different version of events. It includes that they notified Vitela on several occasions that the information was available, and set up a room and computer for him to view the materials, but he never showed up. The RCMP told CBC Hamilton in an email in June that they don't comment on decisions made by prosecutors, but "the core disclosure that was required to prove the charges … was provided to the defence well in advance of the scheduled trial dates." In the end, the Crown found the issue substantial enough to cancel the trial, with the judge's approval, and after reaching a plea agreement with Vitela. The Attorney General of Ontario declined to comment further. The joint RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation that began in 2018 involved multiple agencies — including federal immigration officials, and Ontario, Hamilton, Peel, Niagara and Waterloo police — with law enforcement saying they worked together to "combat crime and ensure the safety of all our citizens." In May, CBSA said the arrests and sentencing reflected an "unwavering commitment to preserving the integrity of Canada's immigration system." Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes worldwide, says the Ontario government, which has a strategy and funding in place for police investigations and a special Crown team to "hold offenders accountable through vigorous prosecutions." 80 people found living in 'sub-standard conditions' In 2019, RCMP charged Vitela for the more serious crime of human trafficking along with five other people on similar charges. Police said in a news release that they'd found about 80 people from Mexico "subsiding in sub-standard conditions" across multiple properties, including a dozen in Vitela's Milton, Ont., home. But this spring, Vitela admitted to the lesser charge of employing foreign nationals without authorization and was sentenced to two years of probation. He was also granted a conditional discharge, meaning he won't have a criminal record if he fulfils the probation requirements. Vitela gave the migrant workers, who didn't have work permits, jobs through his employment agency, Palin said, reading from a joint submission agreed to by the defence. Vitela would arrange their transportation to and from job sites across the Golden Horseshoe, including recycling and meat packing plants, greenhouses, and flower, fruit and mink farms, said Palin. Work conditions were, at times, gruelling. Vitela collected payments from those businesses and paid the workers, minus rent and other expenses. Two workers received less money from Vitela than they'd expected, said Palin. The RCMP told CBC Hamilton in an email last month that "conditions of control were in place at the Vitela residence." "The victims reported that they were forced to give up their travel documents and were not allowed outdoors when they were at the residence," investigators said. Human trafficking is a "modern-day form of slavery," says Public Safety Canada's website. It involves recruitment, transportation, harbouring and exercising control over people through forced labour. The maximum sentence for someone found guilty of human trafficking is life imprisonment. At the hearing in April, Vitela apologized "for not screening and vetting" two people who worked for him "over six years ago for a couple of weeks." The judge recognized the "significant impact" the charges have had on Vitela's life, including on his business and ability to travel. "Having charges hanging over someone's head for so long can have a significant deterrent effect on someone," said Darroch. "I hope that's the case for you." The RCMP charges against Vitela's mother were also withdrawn. Case connected to other trafficking crimes in Hamilton Vitela was connected to two people in Hamilton who were also charged with human trafficking in the RCMP investigation: Miurel Bracamonte and Mario Roca Morales, said Palin. Bracamonte, 47, picked up and transported workers to job sites, arranged by Vitela and Roca Morales, and went on to run her own employment agency, said assistant Crown attorney Jim Cruess at a hearing in February 2023. "I did give them a job — I am guilty of that," Bracamonte told the court. She pleaded guilty to employing foreign nationals without authorization, and was sentenced to four months of house arrest and eight months probation. "The allegations against Miurel was that she was a secondary player in the group," said Cruess in 2023. "The most serious of them are against Mr. Roca [Morales] and Mr. Vitela." Roca Morales, 52, pleaded guilty to three counts of human trafficking in February 2024 and was sentenced to 8½ years in prison. The facts of his case were laid out in a joint submission filed with the court and seen by CBC Hamilton. The six people from Mexico entered Canada through Montreal and Toronto airports in 2018 and 2019, and worked for Roca Morales while living in squalid conditions in Hamilton. He determined their pay, how much they supposedly owed him and delayed payments. He would verbally berate and threaten to physically harm them, take away their jobs or housing, or have them arrested, while dressing in camouflage and at times carrying a gun, said the joint submission. He sexually assaulted one of the women and told others he wanted to impregnate them, it said. Another woman who lived in his apartment said she was "fearful the whole time ... as he was always drinking and violent toward his wife," the court document said. Roca Morales restricted when they could bathe, when they could go outside and what they could eat. Upwards of 12 people would live in one of his houses at a time, which were infested with bedbugs, cockroaches and mice. One man "opened the fridge and saw cockroaches pour out of the crisper," said the joint submission. At his sentencing hearing, Roca Morales called some of the victims "criminals" and told the judge to "f--k off."
CBC
27 minutes ago
- CBC
Ottawa mom warns others after teen daughter dragged by Uber and injured
An Ottawa mother says she's frustrated with Uber and disappointed with local police after her daughter was dragged along a street by an Uber vehicle and injured. Liliane, whose last name CBC is withholding to protect the identity of her teenager because she's worried about stigma at school, says nearly three months after the incident, she's seen no consequences for the driver, nor any accountability from either the company or police — until CBC News started asking questions. "People need to know that Uber and companies like this are operating with impunity in our communities," said Lilliane, who has been accessing accident benefits through her own car insurance company. Uber refunded the $10.46 fare, but hadn't offered any compensation or statements to the family, she said. "That really doesn't seem right to me. Not even an apology," she said. "They are nearly impossible to reach." Liliane says her daughter took an Uber to school on the morning of April 9, and as she was getting out of the car her jacket sleeve got caught in the door. The driver, seemingly unaware, drove off, dragging the girl on her bare left hip until passersby flagged the driver to stop. "She was in shock. Her pants had been pulled down," said Liliane. "I think the backpack saved her life. I think it kept her head up." Liliane showed CBC photos of her daughter's injuries, but didn't want them shown publicly because they show private areas of her daughter's body. The largest visible injury was a reddish-brown skin abrasion on her daughter's hip that covered most of her left backside. Liliane said her family doctor removed pebbles and other debris that had become embedded in the teen's skin. The incident also left several scratches down her legs. Liliane said her daughter's knees and shoulders were also injured, and said the teen is still receiving physiotherapy. Feeling 'abandoned' by police Liliane says Ottawa police initially informed her family that they may lay charges under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. She says they told her the driver hadn't reported the incident to authorities, nor exchanged information with her daughter after the incident. But after following up several times, Liliane said she felt "abandoned and ignored by the police." In an emil, Ottawa police told CBC officers had investigated and "the results were shared with the involved individuals." Police confirmed to CBC that they hadn't laid charges but couldn't share their rationale, citing privacy. Liliane said the only "results" she got were a few text messages from police that she shared with CBC. In them, police suggested the driver was "remorseful" and said they wouldn't pursue charges. "What a terrible example to set for a child," said Liliane, tearing up. "Nothing. No consequences. She's the only one with consequences." In a statement, the police spokesperson said individuals dissatisfied with outcomes of investigations can contact the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency, an oversight body — which Liliane plans to do. Driver no longer with Uber Getting in touch with Uber and its insurance partner also proved difficult for the family. Liliane said the companies tried to "blow [her] off" by citing privacy, even though she was calling on behalf of her own child. When CBC News contacted Uber about the incident, a spokesperson said the company has now "banned the driver's access to the platform." Liliane was surprised to learn this, and said Uber had only told her the driver wouldn't be matched with her daughter anymore. "I had not been informed of this by Uber or anyone. The first I hear of it is from [CBC]," she said. In a statement, Uber added safety remains its "top priority." "We recognize how scary this situation must have been for the rider and their family, and we're glad to hear the rider is on the mend," wrote the Uber spokesperson. Liliane feels the company still hasn't taken responsibility for what happened, and says their response isn't enough. "When something goes bad, how do they respond? Stonewall. Delay. Diffuse. Drag it out," she said. Apologies 'few and far between': lawyer Personal injury lawyer Teresa Park says apologies from companies like Uber are "very few and far between" because they can be perceived as an admission of fault. "You'll see a lot of rideshare companies either being completely radio silent, or giving you a runaround," said Park, who's with Iacobelli Law Firm. When passengers download the app they agree to certain terms and conditions, and Park says those may hinder litigation, depending on the jurisdiction and facts in each case. But Park says successful cases against negligent drivers or companies are still possible through civil court. Park recommends anyone who's injured in such an incident take screenshots and photos, get assessed medically, and report it to police in a timely manner. "Essentially, be a detective for yourself," Park advised. If possible, she suggests people retain a lawyer who may send a letter to Uber to preserve evidence such as dashcam footage or any communication between the company and driver — before it gets deleted. "That might be the smoking gun, if you will, in proving that the driver was negligent," Park said. She warns in some cases, insurance companies may offer lump sums when victims may be entitled to more. She recommends getting legal advice prior to signing anything.
CBC
5 hours ago
- CBC
OPP seek potential witness in suspected animal attack on Ottawa Valley girl
Police are searching for a potential witness who they believe was seen in Quadeville, Ont., where an eight-year-old girl was seriously injured in a suspected animal attack two weeks ago.
