Latest news with #GarryBegg
Global News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
B.C. Premier David Eby shuffles cabinet almost 9 months after election
B.C. Premier David Eby has shuffled his cabinet almost nine months after the election. The new cabinet roles are: Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs and economic growth Nina Krieger, minister of public safety and solicitor general Jessie Sunner, minister of post-secondary education and future skills Christine Boyle, minister of housing and municipal affairs Diana Gibson, minister of citizens' services Anne Kang, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport Spencer Chandra-Herbert, minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation Rick Glumac, minister of state for AI and new technologies. 1:34 B.C. Premier David Eby to undertake trade mission to Asia In addition, Amna Shah, the parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions, is moving to parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, mental health and addictions. Story continues below advertisement Garry Begg, the minister of public safety and solicitor general, is moving to parliamentary secretary for Surrey infrastructure. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy George Chow, the minister of citizens' services, is moving to parliamentary secretary for the Downtown Eastside and Chinatown. Paul Choi, the parliamentary secretary for Asia-Pacific trade, is moving to parliamentary secretary for trade. 'We need to be responsive to the changing needs of our province by growing our economy, seizing new opportunities, and making our essential services more resilient,' Eby said in a statement. 'We have the skills and determination both at the cabinet table and in caucus to stand up for British Columbians. I want to thank two of our veterans, Garry Begg and George Chow, for their hard work and exceptional service to British Columbians. I know they will bring the same enthusiasm to their new roles.' The cabinet features 19 women, MLAs from Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, the North and the Interior and includes eight people of colour, one Jewish member and one Indigenous member.
India Today
11-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Very scary feeling: Shooting at Kapil Sharma's Kap's Cafe in Canada shakes locals
A shooting at comedian-actor Kapil Sharma's newly opened Kap's Cafe in British Columbia (BC), Canada, late on Wednesday night has left the residents, including those of Indian-origin, deeply shaken and anxious. The incident has sparked growing calls for swift government action to prevent similar attacks. Reports of extortion attempts targeting the South Asian community in Canada have been on the rise, and members of the Indian diaspora say the shooting has intensified fear and unease within the eatery officially opened on July 4, as announced on the cafe's official Instagram terrorist Harjeet Singh Laddi, a most-wanted fugitive by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), has claimed responsibility for the firing incident. Laddi is a Canada-based operative associated with the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), one of the oldest and most organised Khalistani terrorist attack has drawn criticism and concern from the Shadow Minister for Public Safety and Solicitor General Elenore who is an MLA from Surrey-Cloverdale, took to social media to express frustration with the government's response to rising crime in the area."Another Surrey business targeted by violence with multiple shots fired," she said in a post on slammed BC Public Safety Minister Garry Begg over the incident."Members of our community are tired of living in fear. When will your soft-on-crime NDP government finally deliver results on public safety?," the Conservative MLA added and also tagged Begg in the statement reflects a growing demand for tangible action from the authorities, as gun violence and criminal incidents continue to rattle communities across against South Asian businesses have increased in recent months, BC Solicitor General Garry Begg said, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News reported last WAS A VERY SCARY FEELING, SAY LOCALS OVER CAFE FIRINGThe shooting at the comedian's cafe sparked anxiety and fear among Surrey residents."It was a very scary feeling; you don't feel good living in an environment like this," Maninderdeep Kaur, a resident of Surrey, was quoted as saying by CBC News."In a city like Surrey, it's very disappointing," she local, Sharin Whitty, told the broadcaster that the attack on the eatery was "disheartening" and urged the government to take said it was a "shame" the business was targeted, while reaffirming faith in Surrey's vibrant spirit."We were all excited about this cafe opening. Kapil is a really prominent artist for our community and our Punjabi community specifically," Whitty said she wants to hear more from the Canadian government about what's being done to protect residents, but she added she's a proud Surrey resident."I think Surrey is a beautiful community; I'm happy to live here, and I think we need more businesses like this," she further assailants reportedly arrived in a car and fled soon after firing. Fortunately, no one was injured in the to Canadian journalist Sameer Kaushal, around 12 bullets were fired at the BUT WON'T GIVE UP: KAPIL SHARMA'S CAFEKapil Sharma's cafe reaffirmed its resilience following the shooting incident, declaring on Instagram that it will not be intimidated by violence."We opened Kap's Cafe with hopes of bringing warmth, community and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversations. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock, but we are not giving up," the eatery said in the Sharma's popular comedy show returned for its third season on Netflix last comedian has been entertaining audiences with his humour since 2007.- EndsMust Watch
CBC
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Province expands RCMP hate crimes unit amid rise in incidents across B.C.
The B.C. government is expanding the province's hate crimes unit within the RCMP, citing a surge in hate-motivated incidents across the province. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg announced more than $734,000 in new funding Friday to expand the B.C. RCMP hate crimes team. The unit, which previously had two officers, will grow to a team of eight with the addition of five new officers and an intelligence analyst. Begg says the funding aims to ensure that Canada's only dedicated provincial hate crimes unit has the resources to investigate incidents more thoroughly and support victims. "Places of worship have been vandalized, treaty offices have been defaced, and innocent people have been targeted while going about their daily activities," Begg told reporters during the Friday news conference. "Hate has no place in British Columbia." The funding is part of a larger $230-million investment over three years into the provincial police service announced in 2022 to increase RCMP staffing across B.C. Begg says while the current funding is intended to support the team for one year, it will be increased as the need grows. According to provincial data, police-reported hate crimes in B.C. rose by 23 per cent from 2022 to 2023. Religion-based hate crimes increased by more than 50 per cent, while hate crimes based on sexual orientation were up 43 per cent. "Demand for expertise offered by the B.C. Hate Crime Team has been growing," Chief Supt. Elija Rain, head of the RCMP's Major Crime Section in B.C. "Our team currently reviews more than 100 files per week that may have a nexus to hate," he said, calling the expansion the most significant boost to the unit since its inception in 1996. WATCH | Hate crimes spiked in B.C. during pandemic: report: Hate crimes spiked in B.C. during pandemic: report 2 years ago Duration 2:04 A new report from B.C.'s human rights commission reveals a disturbing increase in hate and discrimination during the pandemic. The spike in anti-Asian hate was "particularly acute" and affected people across the province, both at home and in public, for a variety of reasons including race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. "This funding will not just make our team larger, but more effective and more efficient … allowing us to be more proactive, responsive and intelligence driven than ever before." Rain said the team also plays a key role in training officers across B.C., building partnerships with community and faith-based groups, and providing expert testimony to strengthen cases in court. Community groups welcome support Ana Maria Bustamante, who works with Burnaby Together, a coalition of community groups that advocates against hate and racism, said the added police resources are a welcome step, especially for a city as diverse as Burnaby. "Burnaby is the second most diverse municipality in B.C.," she said, noting that more than two-thirds of residents identify as visible minorities. "We've been hearing far too many hurtful stories that shouldn't be happening." Bustamante said the expanded hate crimes unit can help improve safety and restore trust in vulnerable communities. The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver also praised the move, calling it a "critical investment" at a time when the community is facing a rise in antisemitism. According to the organization, 62 per cent of Jewish British Columbians have experienced at least one antisemitic incident since the Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. "It's a difficult experience for any British Columbian to be a victim of a hate crime," said Ezra Shanken, CEO of the federation, in a statement. "But knowing there's a specialized unit with the resources and expertise to respond in a timely and effective way makes a real difference." Broader efforts underway: province In addition to provincial funding, Public Safety Canada is providing $4 million to B.C. through the Shift B.C. program, a federally funded initiative aimed at preventing radicalized violence and improving hate-crime reporting. That money, the province says, is being used to support police agencies and non-profits across B.C.—including departments in Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria to "counter hate, improve training and address public safety concerns." Jessie Sunner, B.C.'s parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, said the province recognizes that not all survivors of hate incidents feel comfortable engaging with police. That's why, she said, the government launched the Racist Incident Helpline last year. "Since its launch over a year ago, more than 800 phone calls have been made," said Sunner. "[They] are receiving support tailored to their needs, such as legal aid, crisis intervention, counselling and peer support." Rain, with the RCMP, says there is still work to do to improve trust and encourage reporting. "Hate crimes remain underreported," he said. "But we're committed to working with communities, building partnerships, and ensuring every British Columbian feels safe and protected."
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
B.C. funds more policing as hate crimes rose by 23 per cent between 2022 to 2023
The B.C. RCMP Divisional Headquarters is seen, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press) Hate aimed at religion, sexual orientation and race or ethnicity has jumped in British Columbia, setting off a funding increase for the RCMP's hate crimes unit. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg announced an additional $734,000 for the RCMP's anti-hate crime unit in the province as police-reported hate crimes rose by an average of 23 per cent from 2022 to 2023. Chief Supt. Elija Rain in charge of the provincial RCMP major crime section says the additional funding marks a 'significant expansion' to combat hate-related crimes, which he says are often 'fuelled by conflict and unrest in other parts of the world.' Begg says hate crimes related to religion rose by 51 per cent during the same period, while crimes related to sexual orientation were up by 43 per cent. The extra money for the hate crimes unit — the only one of its kind in Canada — will pay for six more officers and an intelligence analyst for a year, but Begg says the funding will grow as the need increases. The government says the funding will also strengthen investigations through the criminal-justice process, ensuring police are equipped with required evidence for prosecutors, and that victims of the crimes are supported through the court process. This report by Wolfgang Depner of The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police announce arrests in South Asian extortion cases
Police say they've arrested two people with alleged ties to extortion cases in the Lower Mainland South Asian community. It's an issue that has recently received high-level attention from politicians, including Premier David Eby and Solicitor General Garry Begg. But as CBC's Rafferty Baker reports, no charges have been filed, and little information is being shared about who was arrested.
