Back in the imperial period of David Bowie’s career in the 1970s, he ingested a lot of drugs and alcohol at all times of the day and night. By the time he got to the late 90s, he’d long since cleaned up and wasn’t much into the excesses of the old days. For example, when he was preparing for an appearance at the BRIT Awards, all he wanted was a few slices of ham on a baguette.
Billy Idol loves a specific brand of chocolate chip cookies. Marilyn Manson’s big request was gummy bears—although he often asked for a bald toothless hooker just to see if the promoter could do it.
And Nine Inch Nails was known for asking for two boxes of cornstarch for the dressing rooms. Your guess is as good as mine, although it may have something to do with keeping leather pants from sticking and chafing.
The aftermath of a crash involving a Winnipeg police car and a stolen vehicle Wednesday.
Global News
A 25-year-old man is in custody after a Wednesday morning crash that put two Winnipeg police officers in hospital.
Police said the accused was driving a Lincoln Mark LT pickup truck — which had been stolen from Stonewall, Man., four days earlier — when he refused to follow police directions when they tried to pull him over at around 4 a.m. June 7 near Main Street and Belmont Avenue in Winnipeg. The truck smashed into the police cruiser, sending two officers to hospital with serious injuries.
The man has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, resisting a peace officer, two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, possessing property obtained by crime and failing to comply with conditions of a release order.
Police said Thursday morning that the two injured officers remain in hospital.
Forest fires are still raging uncontrollably in the north. Quebec has ordered more evacuations and it's likely more people will be asked to pack their bags and leave their homes for safety. Authorities fear that by the end of Wednesday, more than 11,000 residents will be displaced. As Global's Gloria Henriquez, there are concerns that more resources are needed to tackle all the fires in what officials call the worst season on record.
Quebec’s wildfire fight is focused in the province’s northern region where flames have reached the doorstep of a municipality of roughly 800 people Thursday.
Authorities say a wildfire is within 500 metres of Normétal, Que., located 720 kilometres northwest of Montreal.
Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency says it is confident the small community can be protected and that winds in the region are less strong than feared.
Agency spokeswoman Karine Pelletier says the government is also focusing efforts on Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Que., a northern municipality where 2,100 people were evacuated and where two separate large fires could merge.
There’s another fire near the northern communities of Chibougamau and Mistissini.
The forest fire agency — Société de protection des forêts contre le feu — says there are 150 active fires in the province and that so far more than 639,000 hectares have burned, representing the worst fire season on record.
Actor Jay Johnston has been arrested and accused of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots, according to the U.S. Justice Department
Noel Vasquez/Getty Images & U.S. Justice Department
Actor Jay Johnston, best known for his roles on Bob’s Burgers and Arrested Development, has been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.
Johnston, 54, was arrested Wednesday on three charges, including a felony charge of civil disorder, according to court documents. He’s been accused of unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol complex and confronting police officers as part of a mob of Donald Trump supporters in 2021.
Jay Johnston approaching the lower west terrace tunnel on Jan. 6, 2021.
U.S. Justice Department
ABC News reported Johnston, who voiced the character Jimmy Pesto on Bob’s Burgers, turned himself in to police on Wednesday.
After a court appearance in California, Johnston was released on US$25,000 bond.
The actor has not commented publicly on the charges against him or his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 riot.
Prior to his arrest, Johnston was one of hundreds sought out by the FBI in connection to the riot. With the help of social media users who recognized Johnston from his many TV cameos, the FBI was able to make the arrest.
The #FBI is still seeking information on people who took part in the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. If you know this individual, visit https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. Refer to photo 247 in your tip. pic.twitter.com/CetMHzU190
In court documents, officials claimed Johnston was seen in front of the lower west terrace of the Capitol, one of the most violent locations during the riot. Authorities wrote Johnston used a stolen Capitol Police shield to create a “wall” to cover himself and other rioters from police.
Jay Johnston holding a Capitol Police shield in the lower west terrace tunnel on Jan. 6, 2021.
U.S. Justice Department
“Johnston then participated with other rioters in a group assault on the officers defending the LWT entrance,” the document reads.
While the mob attacked police in the tunnel with pepper spray and other weapons, Johnston helped other rioters near the tunnel pour water on their faces and then joined in pushing against the line of officers, the FBI says.
Jay Johnston and others present on Jan. 6 made a "shield wall" to cover rioters from Capitol Police.
U.S. Justice Department
Johnston eventually passed the police shield to another rioter when he left the area.
The court documents also claim an unnamed former or current associate of Johnston provided a text message allegedly from the actor acknowledging he was present at the Jan. 6 riot.
“The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t,” Johnston allegedly wrote in the text. “Thought it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic .”
Two other former or current associates also identified Johnston from the FBI photos.
The FBI additionally obtained United Airlines records that show Johnston booked a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. and arrived on Jan. 4, 2021. He returned to Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2021.
In 2021, The Daily Beast reported Johnston was “banned” from Bob’s Burgers over claims he was spotted at the Jan. 6 riots. The outlet reported Johnston would no longer voice the character of Jimmy Pesto. Johnston completed voice work for 43 episodes of the successful animated series.
More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes for their conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6. More than 500 of them have been sentenced, with over half getting terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 18 years, according to an Associated Press review of court records.
Johnston’s acting credits also include the film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and the TV shows Mr. Show with Bob and David, Better Call Saul and The Sarah Silverman Program.
Canada’s most populous city is experiencing hazy skies and poor air quality as smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec moves over Toronto.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Toronto, warning of high levels of pollution and deteriorated air quality as a result of smoke from the fires.
The Toronto District School Board and the York Region District School Board have moved recess and other outdoor events indoors today, while the Toronto Catholic District School Board says its schools can consider indoor recess based on the air quality health index.
The City of Toronto says it is adjusting programming in response to the air quality, with some city-run outdoor recreation programs being cancelled or moved indoors while outdoor activities at city-run daycares have been suspended.
A person sits on a bench overlooking Riverdale Park East in Toronto on June 6, 2023, as the city remains under a special air quality statement caused by forest fires.
THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Rachel Verbin
The city also says it has outreach teams connecting with people experiencing homelessness, conducting wellness checks, providing water and encouraging them to come indoors. It says it is working to open additional temporary spaces at some homeless shelter sites as well.
The Toronto Zoo says it is responding to air quality warnings by reducing its hours to only run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in order to protect its animals, staff and volunteers.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says people with lung or heart diseases, older adults, children, pregnant people and those who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects from the smoke.
It says poor air quality may persist into the weekend.
Matthew MacDonald of BC Wildfire Services gives us an update on the fire situation in B.C.
Two wildfire calls were snuffed out within Kelowna boundaries last night, prompting a reminder to be careful in what are shaping up to be dangerously dry conditions.
The first was reported at around 9:30 p.m. in the 2800 block of Balldock Road.
“Upon arrival the wildfire was about 70-foot by 30 foot in size and a rank three fire with a few trees candling,” said Shayne Kiehlbauch, Kelowna Fire Department platoon captain, in a press release.
“The home owner with the help of a neighbor had garden hoses on the fire preventing it from spreading to a large barn on the property.”
Fire crews put up a hose line and the fire was knocked down quickly. Later, a second hose line was deployed and a guard was dug around the burned-out areas.
Kiehlbauch said the fire is not suspicious but our investigators will have a look at it to determine a cause.
The next fire was spotted at around 1 p.m. Thursday, in the Lavetta Drive area of Black Mountain.
The fire was approximately 70 feet by 100 feet and rank three, and only 400 feet away from the residential street.
“Crews stretched forestry hose up to the fire and a water source was established using a water tender and bladder,” the fire department said.
“Crews were able to get a quick knock down on the fire and dig a guard around the burnt-out area.”
The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, but our investigators will have a look at it to determine a cause.
The Supreme Court of Canada is seen, Wednesday, August 10, 2022 in Ottawa.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear the appeal of an Alberta woman who was unwilling to be vaccinated in order to get a life-saving organ transplant.
Annette Lewis was diagnosed with a terminal disease in 2018 and was told she would not survive unless she received an organ transplant.
She was placed on a transplant wait-list in 2020, but was informed a year later she would need to get the COVID-19 vaccine to receive an organ.
Lewis said taking the vaccine would offend her conscience and argued the requirement violated her Charter rights to life, conscience, liberty and security of the person.
The case was dismissed by an Alberta court, which said the Charter has no application to clinical treatment decisions, in particular for doctors establishing preconditions for organ transplants.
The Alberta Court of Appeal upheld the decision, prompting Lewis’ appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
WATCH: Speaking at a Pride flag-raising ceremony at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remarked that hate against the LGBTQ2 community still exists, however, the Prime Minister said the vast majority of Canadians aren't hateful people in his estimation.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he missed the Pride flag raising on Parliament Hill Thursday because he had been up late working the night before.
Poilievre’s team held press conference in Parliament’s West Block Thursday morning to discuss the Liberal budget and the Conservatives’ desire for rewrites to balance the budget.
The press conference began just as the Pride flag was being raised outside the House of Commons – an event attended by other party leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet did not attend but told reporters he would have had he known about the event, while Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman and the Bloc’s women and gender issues critic, Andréanne Larouche attended.
Asked directly about his decision not to attend the flag-raising, Poilievre pointed to his hours-long, late-night speech in the House of Commons Wednesday during debate on the budget implementation bill.
“I was working last night, until midnight, fighting against inflation and interest rate hikes,” Poilievre responded, “and that was my focus and will continue to be my focus.”
Responding to a question at a press conference last week, Poilievre wished “everyone a happy Pride month, because our freedom is something in which all of us can take pride.”
At the time, Poilievre did not directly answer whether or not he would take part in any Pride events or parades this year. Instead, he talked about freedom for LGBTQ2 people to marry, start families and be free from “bigotry and bashing.”
Statistics Canada reported a record number of hate crimes based on sexual orientation in 2021 – the most recent year for which police-reported data is available. According to the data, there were 423 hate crimes targeting people for their sexual orientation in 2021, up from the previous peak of 265 in 2019.
Police-reported hate crime data is imperfect, and likely understates the total number of crimes where a person’s sexual orientation was a factor.
According to StatCan, 77 per cent of sexual orientation-motivated hate crimes in 2021 specifically targeted the gay and lesbian population.
Asked about violence against transgender people – a group that has been more recently targeted by right-wing politicians in the U.S. – Poilievre said “every Canadian, regardless of who they are … deserves to be safe.”
“And if anybody commits violence against any other Canadian, then they should be thrown in the slammer. We should have serious consequences for violence committed against any person, regardless of who that person is, regardless of the motive of the crime,” Poilievre said.
The crest on a Waterloo Regional Police officer's sleeve.
Kevin Nielsen / Global News
Waterloo regional police said a 33-year-old Kitchener woman has been charged after officers failed to corroborate her sexual assault claims.
Back in March, police issued a release that said that a woman had been sexually assaulted near Ingleside and Dalegrove drives.
The incident was alleged to have occurred on March 11 at around 11 a.m.
“After an exhaustive investigation by police, investigators have determined that the incident did not take place,” police said in a release issued on Thursday.
Police say the woman has been charged with public mischief — intending to cause another person to be suspect.
A new service is launching a 70-minute passenger ferry trip between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo starting late this summer. Kylie Stanton reports.
B.C.’s newest ferry service, which will transport passengers between Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver, has released more information Thursday.
Hullo Ferries will be providing a new 70-minute passenger-only ride, expected to begin in early August.
The route will feature two “high-speed catamarans” that are on their way to B.C. after being completed in Vietnam.
BC's newest private passenger ferry service @hulloferries releases price & schedule info on its 70-minute Aug sailings from #Vancouver to #Nanaimo. First sailing departs Nanaimo at 6am, last sailing leaves Vancouver at 930pm. One-way fares from $39.99 to $59.99. @GlobalBC@CKNWpic.twitter.com/wt4GOzsekh
“Hullo will offer a robust summer schedule starting with up to seven roundtrip sailings with the first sailing departing Nanaimo at 6:00 a.m., and the last sailing leaving Vancouver at 9:30 p.m. nightly (or later, subject to special events and occasions),” staff said in an email.
“Guests will be able to reserve seats across three service tiers – Comfort ($39.99), Premium ($49.99), and Business ($59.99), each catering to various guests’ needs.”
Each catamaran has room for 354 passengers.
Back in April, Vancouver Island Ferry Co., which operates Hullo Ferries, said it was beginning construction at the Nanaimo Port Authority terminal to add 400 parking stalls, EV charging stations, connected travel options and a guest welcome centre to accompany the new ferry service.
“After carefully listening to the needs and expectations of British Columbians, we are thrilled to provide a service that strengthens connections between friends and family on both sides of the Georgia Strait,” said Alastair Caddick, CEO of Vancouver Island Ferry Co.
Passengers will board and depart from two terminals — the Nanaimo Port Authority (100 Port Dr.) and the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre at Burrard Landing (1055 Canada Place).
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