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Have you forgotten a fortune? B.C. team wants to return millions to rightful owners

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

VANCOUVER — In an era inundated with scams involving mysterious princes or easy fortunes — if you just hand over a few bucks in advance — you’re probably right to be wary of anyone offering free money.But Sherry MacLennan and Lindsey Moore really might have some cash for you, British Columbians. Maybe even millions.The pair are part of a team of six running BC Unclaimed, recently rebranded from the BC Unclaimed Property Society. Over the last 20 years, the organization has operated under a government mandate to reunite British Columbians with funds abandoned or forgotten in old bank accounts, with government departments or in the form of unclaimed court payments.One of the challenges they face is skepticism that what they offer is real.While the average payout is usually a few hundred dollars, later this month the society expects to finish the paperwork and hand over a record $1.98 million that the claimant did not previously know they owned.“Every year we advertise, try...

Poilievre’s ‘jail, not bail’ idea may not pass constitutional muster, experts say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

OTTAWA — Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said this week that if he became prime minister, his government would pass legislation to deny repeat violent offenders access to bail — and while the proposal speaks to Canadians’ deepening concerns about crime, experts suggest it would likely be unconstitutional.“A repeat violent offender, newly arrested for another serious violent offence, will have to serve their entire period in jail,” Poilievre told reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday.“Not bail, and not early parole. That’s common sense.”The Opposition leader’s comments came in response to the federal government announcing its own plans to reform Canada’s bail laws by bringing in measures making it more difficult for some repeat violent offenders to get released on bail. The Liberals introduced the proposed changes in response to mounting pressure from provinces, police associations and victims’ rights groups to strengthen the ...

Smoky conditions remain in much of Alberta with continued heat, dryness expected

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

Special air quality statements from Environment Canada continue to cover most of Alberta as smoky air blankets much of the province.The number of wildfire evacuees in Alberta has dropped after residents of the town of Drayton Valley, about 145 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, were recently allowed to return home.However, roughly 12,000 people remain forced from their homes.Indigenous Services Canada says wildfires in Alberta are threatening nine First Nations communities, while nine others are identified to be “on watch” for threat of wildfire. Of the 92 active wildfires in the province as of Wednesday evening, 26 were listed as out of control.There are more than 2,500 people fighting the wildfires in Alberta, including support from across Canada, the Armed Forces and the United States.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2023.The Canadian Press

Both sides in Canada-U.S. pipeline debate clash today over cross-border Line 5

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

WASHINGTON — North America’s existential debate about the virtues and dangers of oil and gas pipelines faces a critical test today in Wisconsin. That’s where a district court judge will hear arguments about whether or not to shut down Line 5, a critical cross-border energy conduit between Canada and the U.S.The Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa says spring flooding has rendered the risk of a breach on its northern Wisconsin territory too great to ignore. Alberta-based Enbridge Inc., the pipeline’s owner, says the band is overstating the risk and preventing the company from taking protective measures. Today’s hearing will include lawyers from the state of Michigan, which has been trying in its own courts to shut down Line 5 since 2019. It’s unclear how long the hearings will last or how quickly district court Judge William Conley will rule on the band’s request for an order to shut the pipeline down. The band, which argues that Enbridge&...

WestJet says it is activating contingency plan in preparation for work stoppage

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

MONTREAL — Talks between WestJet and the pilots’ union continue amid the countdown toward a Friday strike deadline, with the airline saying it has started to cancel flights ahead of the anticipated work stoppage.Some 1,800 pilots at the carrier and its Swoop subsidiary are poised to walk off the job as of 3 a.m. eastern daylight time after the Air Line Pilots Association issued a strike notice Monday.The federal labour minister and the government’s head mediator as well as WestJet’s CEO and the pilots’ union leaders have all descended on a hotel near Toronto’s Pearson airport to work toward a deal.WestJet issued a statement early Thursday saying it has begun cancelling flights in preparation for the job action. The statement reads that the WestJet Group is parking the majority of its 737 and 787 fleet in a “measured, phased and safe approach,” given that a tentative agreement has not yet been reached. The airline says WestJet Encore, WestJet...

Thousands to pay tribute to OPP officer killed on the job in Bourget shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

OTTAWA — Police officers, dignitaries, family and friends will pay tribute to Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Eric Mueller Thursday at the 10th funeral for a police officer killed on the job in Canada in the last eight months.Last week, Mueller and two other officers were shot after they approached a house at 2 a.m. in the small town of Bourget, outside of Ottawa, after neighbours complained about the sound of gunshots.Mueller died later that day in an Ottawa hospital, while the other two officers survived with injuries. One of them remains in serious but stable condition. The OPP expects thousands of people to line highway overpasses to pay their respects as Mueller’s body is transported from a funeral home in the nearby community of Rockland to the West End of Ottawa, where he will be celebrated and mourned at a ceremony in the Canadian Tire Centre. OPP officers and other police service members plan to march from a nearby detachment to the arena to honour the funeral processi...

Russians could be disguising cash to evade Canadian sanctions, federal agency warns

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s financial intelligence agency is warning that Russians subject to economic sanctions due to Moscow’s attack on Ukraine could try to evade them using shell companies, cryptocurrency and real-estate transactions.The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre also says in a new special bulletin that those seeking to launder the proceeds of crime and corruption might try to hide assets by transferring ownership to family members or close associates.The federal centre, known as Fintrac, tries to detect money laundering by sifting through a steady stream of transaction data from banks, insurance companies, securities dealers, money service businesses, real estate brokers, casinos and others.Fintrac then discloses intelligence to police and security partners for use in their investigations. Canada has sanctioned hundreds of Russian individuals and organizations over Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prohibiting financial dealings linked to Canad...

Daily horoscope for May 18, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Taurus.Happy Birthday for Thursday, May 18, 2023:You are grounded, practical and clearheaded. You have your own code for behavior, which guides your decision-making process. This is a lovely year to socialize and enjoy life! Let your guard down and loosen up a bit. Old friends might reappear to renew relationships.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★This is an excellent day to make financial plans, especially about home improvements or redecorating projects that require money. Trust in your ability to find the money to do what you want, because wealth will come your way this year. Tonight: Discussions.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★Discussions with older people, especially in a group situation, will benefit you today. Someone might have advice. Or they might tell you a story or share their experiences, which in turn, will cause you to refine your own goals. Today your dealings with others are warm ...

Miss Manners: I want to talk about my problems, not listen to theirs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve had a tough year, and am blessed with friends who keep in contact to make sure I’m OK.My problem is that I have a few friends who call or invite me out under the guise of giving me a chance to vent, but they end up doing the majority of the talking. They also make me feel worse because they share all that’s wrong in their lives, compounding what is going on in mine.I tried having a conversation with one friend to explain she was making me feel worse than I did before she called, but she didn’t get it. I’ve started blocking some of these people for my mental health.Is there a pragmatic way of handling these Chatty Cathys and Debbie Downers without ceasing all contact with them?GENTLE READER: You expect your friends to let you monopolize the conversation by reciting your problems, but do not want to have to listen to theirs? You will forgive Miss Manners if she does not get your explanation either.Related ArticlesAdvice | ...

Dear Abby: Our new neighbor is trouble, and my girlfriend thinks he’s great

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend, “Jana,” and I have been together for 18 years. We live in a small community.About a year ago, a young single guy moved in next door. Jana and “Aiden” took an immediate liking to each other. She’s 64, and he’s 35.Aiden is on permanent disability, has never had a job and is heavily into drugs. He does odd things like walking down the middle of the street draped in blue lights. The police have been called on him so many times he was almost kicked out of the neighborhood.He and Jana used to be together all the time — calling, texting and talking in person. They don’t meet so often now because we’ve had so many arguments about it. I was jealous in the beginning. Now I just don’t like her hanging out with him.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: The man I was cheating with won’t apologize for cheating on me Advice | Dear Abby: Is it wrong to get married when I’m hung...