RCMP to test facial recognition systems using Canadian police booking photos
The RCMP is testing facial-recognition algorithms using police booking photos from across Canada as it considers a future national facial-identification service.
The force says competing systems will be assessed for accuracy, performance and demographic bias, but declined to identify participating vendors or disclose how many photos are being used.
The project follows a 2021 privacy commissioner finding that the RCMP violated the Privacy Act through its use of Clearview AI. Keep Reading
EXCLUSIVE: Bhangu defends petition for DRIPA repeal referendum, rallies behind Findlay
B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu says his petition to repeal DRIPA would hold Premier David Eby accountable for pledging changes to the law, which Bhangu says has created uncertainty for property owners and resource industries.
Amid recent caucus defections, Bhangu says Kerry-Lynne Findlay retains Conservative support and MLAs should focus on defeating the NDP.
Bhangu says Conservatives must put internal divisions aside and focus on delivering a new government for British Columbians. Keep Reading
Foreign influence registry remains empty weeks after launch
Canada’s foreign influence registry has received submissions since launching Aug. 4, but none have yet been made public.
The commissioner’s office declined to disclose how many registrations it has received, saying submissions are published only after review and validation.
Arrangements with foreign principals generally must be registered within 14 days, while pre-existing arrangements must be registered by Oct. 3. Keep Reading
Smith defies Nenshi’s call to cancel Alberta separation vote
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith rejected calls to cancel or postpone the province’s Oct. 19 vote on whether to pursue a future binding independence referendum, despite concerns it could undermine national unity during the Canada-U.S. trade war. Smith reiterated that she opposes separation and will vote for Alberta to remain in Canada. Keep Reading
Indian student protest organizer eyes opening college
An organizer involved in Alberta protests over rejected post-graduation work permits says he is now considering opening a college in Canada and is seeking help from people in the industry. The organizer provided no details on the proposed college’s location, programs, financing or regulatory approval. Keep Reading
B.C. Conservative leader to run in Sept. 26 Abbotsford-Mission byelection
B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay will face voters in a Sept. 26 Abbotsford-Mission byelection, her first chance to win a legislature seat since becoming leader in May. The vote comes after six MLAs quit her caucus in less than two weeks, several raising questions about her leadership and electability. Keep Reading
Why are we protecting criminals instead of Canadians?
On this episode of Sonduren Uncensored, Sonduren examines people defying a B.C. fire ban by burning charcoal amid ongoing wildfires. He also covers vandalism at Golden Ears Park, where a man was caught spray-painting rocks near a waterfall as part of a memorial, prompting an RCMP investigation. Watch Now
Repeat sex offender worked at Vancouver Community College for years after charges
A 61-year-old man with a decades-long history of sexual offences against minors worked for years at Vancouver Community College despite previously being deemed a high risk to reoffend. John Walter Sam, whose convictions date to 1982, was hired as an elder-in-residence in 2020 and also led drum workshops for teens in the Burnaby School District. Keep Reading
JCCF brings challenge against Quebec’s Covid curfew to appeal court
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is seeking to appeal a ruling that upheld Quebec’s 2021 COVID curfew, which prohibited people from being outside their homes between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., subject to limited exceptions. The group argues the government lacked authority under the Public Health Act to restrict Charter freedoms for what a lower court found was partly a disciplinary purpose. Keep Reading
Trans Mountain pipeline running at nearly full capacity
The Trans Mountain pipeline operated at 94 per cent capacity in the second quarter, carrying an average 840,000 barrels of oil per day, up from 703,000 a year earlier. The Crown corporation returned $450 million to the federal government during the quarter through interest payments and dividends. Keep Reading
Man pleads guilty to illegally renting boat to American tourist that capsized
A man who illegally rented a boat to an American family at Lake Louise pleaded guilty after the vessel capsized, leaving the father near hypothermic and suffering a serious cardiac event. David Daviau was fined $3,000 and banned from Banff National Park for one year for operating a business without a licence and violating the Canada National Parks Act. Keep Reading
30 Canadians killed in flash flood along Nepal-Tibet border
Thirty Canadians and permanent residents are among those unaccounted for after devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border killed hundreds and left more than 1,000 people missing. Many of those caught in the disaster were foreign trekkers, tourists and pilgrims travelling through the region. Keep Reading
Schools should bring back textbooks, report says
A new report is urging Canadian schools to bring back textbooks, arguing increased classroom screen use has done little to improve student achievement. It warns screens can hinder reading comprehension and increase distractions. Keep Reading
I prefer my privacy...thanks
Immigrants will still do the crime but do no time. RCMP should instead concern themselves with wacko judges.