Latest news with #Ma
National Observer
8 hours ago
- Politics
- National Observer
Eby says explosive 'deliberately' set outside BC minister's office
An explosive device damaged and blasted open the front door of British Columbia Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma's office on Friday morning, police said, and they are investigating whether the "jarring incident" was linked to an earlier blast nearby. While politicians decried the explosion at Ma's constituency office in North Vancouver — with interim federal NDP leader Don Davies calling it a "blatant act of terror"— neither Ma nor Cpl. Mansoor Sahak with North Vancouver RCMP gave any indication of the possible motive. "I don't know if it's politically motivated. We're not calling it that, but we're investigating all possible avenues at this point," Sahak told a news briefing. Sahak said the 4:15 a.m. blast "breached the door and damaged the door frame." He said the blast was "indicative of an explosive device detonation" and no one was injured. 'This was a jarring incident that undoubtedly startled sleeping residents in the area,' said Sahak. Scorch marks were visible on the door at the office where there was a heavy police presence Friday afternoon. Ma said in statement that she was "grateful for the outpouring of support from community members and people across B.C., including MLAs from all sides of the House." "My staff, my family, and I are okay," Ma said. She said police are taking the incident seriously, and she had "full confidence in their ability to conduct a thorough investigation." Ma's constituency office on West Esplanade Street, not far from the Lonsdale Quay Seabus station, was cordoned off with police tape as investigators examined the damaged door. People who work in the building said Friday afternoon they were unaware of what occurred, and building management sent out an email about media coverage of the reported explosion without any additional information. Sahak said a previous explosion had been heard in the nearby 100 block of West 1st Avenue at 2:45 a.m. and police were looking into whether the blasts were connected. But no residue of the earlier explosion was found and Sahak said it wasn't known "if it was an explosive device or a firecracker or anything." Premier David Eby said police told him an explosive device had been "deliberately set" at Ma's office. He said the incident was "profoundly concerning" and struck at the heart of how elected officials performed their duties. "I am deeply concerned about trend lines, which basically mean an increasing separation of elected officials from the people they're meant to serve, which doesn't benefit anybody at all," Eby told an unrelated news conference. Eby said a "routine safety review" was being conducted for all MLA offices across the province, through the legislature's Sergeant-at-Arms. Sahak said police were seeking witnesses who were in North Vancouver near West Esplanade Avenue or who may have captured dashcam or CCTV footage from 2:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. on Friday. Ma said all meetings and appointments at the office had been cancelled for the day. "Thankfully, nobody was injured, but incidents like this can be quite frightening," she wrote. Ma didn't describe the incident and said that due to the active police investigation, she would not be able to provide more details about what happened, although she wanted to thank the officers who responded. "I appreciate the concern expressed by community members and am grateful to serve such a caring and compassionate community," she said. NDP leader Davies said on social media that he was "deeply alarmed" by the incident. "This blatant act of terror is an affront to democracy and has no place in our nation. We are grateful no one was hurt and hope those responsible are apprehended as soon as possible," Davies wrote. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said on social media that all members of the legislature "must stand with NDP MLA Bowinn Ma and her constituency office staff." "The idea that someone would set off a device to damage or somehow threaten an MLA's (constituency) office is deeply concerning," he said. City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan said in a statement that the explosion "understandably caused concern in our community and I know residents may feel alarmed and uneasy. " She said the city is working with police as they investigate "all possible avenues," and said she is grateful to people who called police to report the blast.
The Province
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Province
No injuries after 'explosive device' left at MLA Bowinn Ma's office
MLA Bowinn Ma is pictured in this 2017 file photo at her North Vancouver constituency office alongside former B.C. premier, the late John Horgan. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG An explosive device set off outside of MLA Bowinn Ma's North Vancouver constituency office early on Friday morning is prompting concerns about security for elected officials. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'I'm grateful for the outpouring of support from community members and people across B.C., including MLAs from all sides of the House,' Ma said in a statement Friday afternoon. 'My staff, my family, and I are OK.' According to North Vancouver RCMP Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, there were two sounds of explosions reported overnight, one around 2:45 a.m. in the 100-block of West 1st Street and a second at 4:15 a.m. outside Ma's office in the 200 block of West Esplanade near Chesterfield Avenue. RCMP investigated the first report with a police dog trained in explosives, but found no evidence of an explosion. Following the second report, police found an explosive device had been detonated, breaching the door and damaging the door frame to Ma's office. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. No further details were given as to the nature of the device. An RCMP explosives disposal unit dealt with the device, and a police dog and evidence specialists were also brought in. Ma said she had 'full confidence' in the RCMP's investigation and confirmed the RCMP's serious crimes unit was involved. 'Regardless of intent or motivation, I know that incidents like this can be very frightening for a community. My staff and I will be working with the legislative assembly's security team to ensure that our office can continue to provide a safe and secure environment from which to serve community members,' she said. 'We want every member of our community to feel safe and welcome when they come into our office for help or to provide us with feedback and advice.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ma's office is on the ground floor of a commercial building and remained behind police tape, while the offices above remained open. 'The office and the building was deemed safe,' Sahak said. 'At no point was there ever any indication that there's further risk to the public, and had there been any indication, most certainly, we would have notified everybody in that building. 'But at that point, there was no indication that anyone further was in danger, and that this was an isolated incident.' Sahak said the police are canvassing neighbours for security and dashboard camera footage. Police also wouldn't speculate whether the attack was politically motivated or whether the first 'loud bang' was connected to the explosion outside Ma's office. Police gave no information about possible suspects or any persons of interest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The investigation is in an early stage,' Sahak said. 'The office building does belong to an MLA's office, and our investigators are in touch with Bowinn Ma's office. 'That is something we're going to be looking at see if this was specifically targeted at her, or was it just in general. 'We don't know, those are the questions that are going to be answered, hopefully, through our investigation as it unfolds.' In an earlier statement Friday morning, Ma said all meetings and appointments for the day had been cancelled due to the 'frightening' incident. She later confirmed her physical office would be closed until July 2 while the investigation continued, but encouraged residents to reach out by email or phone. 'Please know that my office and I continue to be here to support you,' she wrote. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Shane O'Grady, legislative assembly staff sergeant for the MLA safety program, sent a letter to MLAs and their constituency offices on Friday telling them that 'an unknown person left an explosive device at one of our North Vancouver constituency offices, which detonated and caused damage to property, but fortunately no one was in the area and thus there were no injuries.' He added that constituency offices in the Lower Mainland should 'exercise caution, report any suspicious activity to police and reach out to my team if you need anything.' MLA Bowinn Ma is pictured in this 2017 file photo at her North Vancouver constituency office alongside the then B.C. premier, the late John Horgan. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG As of midday Friday, investigators remained at Ma's office. The sidewalk in front of Ma's office entrance was cordoned off to pedestrians, while access to an investment office and a dental clinic two doors over were also restricted as police inspected the scene. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Several police cruisers were parked nearby, some with lights flashing, while a large white RV-sized police van with no windows was also parked nearby. Ma's office, which backs onto train tracks and sits between an e-bike shop and a private investment office, was sealed off with police tape. Laura Yarwob, who works at the Fresh Street Market grocery store across the street from Ma's office, heard what she described as an explosion from her home a block away around 2:30 a.m. 'It sounded like a really loud bang, but it didn't sound like trains,' she said. 'It sounded like something more. It wasn't a car crash. It was like a big like the It shook the house. 'It was crazy.' Talking with customers throughout the morning, Yarwob said from their accounts the loud noise could be heard throughout a three-block radius in the neighbourhood near Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards District. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I didn't call the police because you don't know what it is, because with the trains moving all the time, you never know what's going on there,' she said. 'They change tracks, so they're always loud, but it wasn't a train.' An RCMP officer said there was no danger to the public, which didn't assuage Yarwob. 'It shouldn't be happening here in North Vancouver or anywhere,' she said. 'It's kind of scary.' Premier David Eby voiced his support for Ma Friday, calling her 'an incredible community leader, who I am proud to work with every day.' 'No matter who you are, or what you do for a living, you have a right to safety at work,' he wrote in a post on X. Bowinn Ma is an incredible community leader, who I am proud to work with every matter who you are, or what you do for a living, you have a right to safety at work. My thoughts are with @BowinnMa, her staff and the community affected by this incident. — David Eby (@Dave_Eby) June 27, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Opposition Leader John Rustad also called for MLAs, regardless of party affiliation, to stand with Ma and her team. 'The idea that someone would set off a device to damage or somehow threaten an MLA's C.A. office is deeply concerning,' he said. 'No one in B.C. should feel scared to go in to work.' Every member of the Legislative Assembly of BC must stand with NDP MLA Bowin Ma & her Constituency Office idea that someone would set off a device to damage or somehow threaten an MLA's CA office is deeply concerning. No one in BC should feel scared to go in to work. — John Rustad (@JohnRustad4BC) June 27, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. sip@ gordmcintyre@ alazenby@ Read More
Toronto Sun
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
No injuries after 'explosive device' left at B.C. minister's office
VANCOUVER, B.C.: June 27, 2025 - Police inspect the office of Bowinn Ma, British Columbia's Minister of Infrastructure and MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, after an explosive device was detonated outside the constituency office in North Vancouver, B.C. on June 27, 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG MLA Bowinn Ma confirmed there were no injuries and that police are investigating after a security problem at her constituency office on Friday morning in North Vancouver. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'All meetings and appointments at my constituency office are cancelled for the day due to a security incident that occurred in the early hours of this morning,' Ma said in a statement. 'Thankfully, nobody was injured, but incidents like this can be quite frightening.' In a note to MLAs and their offices, it was confirmed the incident involved an explosive that had been left at the door of Ma's office. Shane O'Grady, Legislative Assembly staff sergeant for the MLA Safety Program, sent out a letter to MLAs and their constituency offices early Friday morning informing them that 'an unknown person left an explosive device at one of our North Vancouver constituency offices, which detonated and caused damage to property but fortunately no one was in the area and thus there were no injuries.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He added that constituency offices around the Lower Mainland should 'exercise caution, report any suspicious activity to police and reach out to my team if you need anything.' MLA Bowinn Ma is pictured in this 2017 file photo at her North Vancouver constituency office alongside former B.C. premier, the late John Horgan. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG North Vancouver RCMP remain at Ma's office near Esplanade and Chesterfield Avenue on Friday around noon but have yet to provide details on the incident. A news conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the North Vancouver RCMP's detachment. Late Friday morning, the sidewalk in front of Ma's office entrance remained cordoned off to pedestrians. Access to an investment office and a dental clinic two doors over were also restricted while police continued to investigate. Several police cruisers were parked nearby, some with lights flashing, while a large white RV-sized police van with no windows was also parked nearby. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There were no impacts to vehicle traffic along Esplanade. Ma's office, which backs onto train tracks and sits between an e-bike shop and a private investment office, was sealed off with police tape. Laura Yarwob, who works at the Fresh Street Market across the street from Ma's office, heard what she described as an explosion from her home a block away around 2:30 a.m. 'It sounded like a really loud bang, but it didn't sound like trains,' she said. 'It sounded like something more. It wasn't a car crash. It was like a big like the It shook the house. 'It was crazy.' Talking with customers throughout the morning, Yarwob said from their accounts the loud noise could be heard throughout a three-block radius in the normally quiet neighbourhood near Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards District. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I didn't call the police because you don't know what it is, because with the trains moving all the time, you never know what's going on there,' she said. 'They change tracks, so they're always loud, but it wasn't a train.' An RCMP officer at the scene said there was no danger to the public, which didn't assuage Yarwob. 'It shouldn't be happening here in North Vancouver or anywhere,' she said. 'It's kind of scary.' Premier David Eby voiced his support for Ma Friday, calling her 'an incredible community leader, who I am proud to work with every day.' 'No matter who you are, or what you do for a living, you have a right to safety at work,' he wrote in a post on X. Bowinn Ma is an incredible community leader, who I am proud to work with every matter who you are, or what you do for a living, you have a right to safety at work. My thoughts are with @BowinnMa, her staff and the community affected by this incident. — David Eby (@Dave_Eby) June 27, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Opposition Leader John Rustad also called for MLAs, regardless of party affiliation, to stand with Ma and her team. 'The idea that someone would set off a device to damage or somehow threaten an MLA's CA office is deeply concerning,' he said. 'No one in B.C. should feel scared to go in to work.' Every member of the Legislative Assembly of BC must stand with NDP MLA Bowin Ma & her Constituency Office idea that someone would set off a device to damage or somehow threaten an MLA's CA office is deeply concerning. No one in BC should feel scared to go in to work. — John Rustad (@JohnRustad4BC) June 27, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ma said she appreciated the concern expressed by community members. 'I am grateful to serve such a caring and compassionate community,' said Ma in her statement. 'I'd also like to thank the officers who responded for their diligence and professionalism.' Ma said she would not be commenting further due to the active police investigation unfolding. More to come… sip@ gordmcintyre@ alazenby@ Read More Music Crime Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Raptors
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu regains 39 super speciality medical seats for the second round of counselling
After having to surrender 145 super speciality medical seats reserved for in-service candidates to the All-India Quota (AIQ) counselling, Tamil Nadu is getting back 39 of those seats for the second round of State counselling, which is yet to be scheduled. In Tamil Nadu, 50% of seats in super speciality courses in government medical colleges are reserved for in-service candidates, totalling 215. The first round of counselling for the State quota in-service candidates was completed on May 27. The State had then requested the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to indicate the schedule to conduct the second round of counselling to allow upgradation for the in-service candidates. However, in early June, the DGHS asked the State to revert the vacant in-service seats to the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to include them in the All-India seat matrix since the second round of All-India Counselling had started. Following this, 145 seats meant for in-service candidates were surrendered for the AIQ, sparking criticism among a section of government doctors, since it went against the 50% reservation for in-service candidates. Health Minister Ma. Subramanian wrote to the Union Health Minister expressing concern about surrendering unfilled in-service seats to the AIQ without conducting the mandatory second round of counselling at the State-level. He also sought his intervention to ensure that all 50% seats earmarked for in-service candidates under the State quota are retained and made available for the second round of State-level super speciality counselling. However, with the second round of AIQ counselling completed, 39 seats are being surrendered to the State. Request to MCC In addition, the State has sought the MCC to return the seats of Tamil Nadu candidates who have gone on to choose seats in institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research through the Institutes of National Importance-Combined Entrance Test, a health official said, adding: 'We have sought returning of such seats so that we could add on to the second round of State counselling.' A source in the Health Department said all eligible in-service candidates should have been called for the first round of counselling to ensure that more seats were filled.
Global News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Global News
Security incident prompts closure of BC NDP MLA's office
North Vancouver RCMP are at the scene outside NDP MLA Bowinn Ma's constituency office on Friday morning. In a statement, Ma confirmed that a 'security incident' has prompted the closure of her office and all meetings and appointments have been cancelled. The incident took place in the early hours of the morning. 'Thankfully, nobody was injured, but incidents like this can be quite frightening,' Ma said in a statement. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I appreciate the concern expressed by community members. I am grateful to serve such a caring and compassionate community. I'd also like to thank the officers who responded for their diligence and professionalism. Due to the active police investigation, I will not be able to provide more details at this time.' Some damage can be seen to the front door of the office but RCMP has not provided any details about the incident. Story continues below advertisement Ma is the MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale and also B.C.'s infrastructure minister. The BC NDP has called an emergency caucus meeting on Friday and urges all MLAs and staff to be cautious. More to come.
