Uncategorized
Advocates push Ontario council to apologize after women arrested holding signs

An Ontario municipality is facing the threat of a legal challenge and calls to apologize after advocates were removed from its council chambers and arrested for holding signs.
On June 17, three members of the group Women of Ontario Say No attended a Niagara Falls council meeting, hoping to talk about a proposed provincial law and the conduct of municipal councillors.
Specifically, they wanted to discuss gaining local support for legal changes that would put sitting councillors facing criminal charges on a paid leave.
The city, however, said it would not hear their delegation, suggesting it related to an ongoing legal matter. The advocates then sat in the council chamber, with signs printed on card stock which said, “Women of Ontario Say No.”
Niagara Falls officials say they asked the women to put their signs down and called the police. Officers arrested the trio and eventually released them without charge.
Now, the group — which has long called for stricter local accountability at councils — is threatening to take legal action against Niagara Falls if they are not allowed to present to councillors.
They’re also calling for an apology.
Emily McIntosh, the founder of Women of Ontario Say No, said her group wanted to appear at a Niagara Falls council meeting to seek support for their changes to the rules that govern councillors.
The group, which has made presentations to various city councils over the year, said it wanted to talk about the possibility of changes to provincial legislation to put any councillor charged with a criminal offence on a paid leave of absence until a court decides on the charges.
The Women of Ontario Say No were told they could not present at the meeting, although they were allowed to submit written statements if they chose.
“The municipality cited ongoing court proceedings; it is my understanding that currently there is a councillor who has been charged with domestic assault,” McIntosh said.
“But that is not a reason to exclude productive dialogue and democratic engagement when it comes to legislative change that would benefit all Ontarians.”
Niagara Falls Coun. Mike Strange was charged with domestic assault on May 3, according to media reports.
In response to questions about Strange from Global News, Niagara Regional Police said they had charged a 54-year-old man with domestic assault on May 3, but did not name him. Strange did not respond to written questions ahead of publication.

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.
Despite the delegation request being denied by the Niagara Falls council, three members of Women of Ontario Say No attended a June 17 meeting with small placards showing the name of the group.
They sat with them in the chamber — something a report written by city staff alleges created “an unsafe, unwelcoming, undemocratic and uncivil situation.”
St. Catharines Coun. Haley Bateman was one of the three women attending the meeting and holding the signs. She said the advocates were quiet and did not wave their signs.
“It was peaceful, there should be no reason why a sign — an 8.5 by 11 piece of card stock with ‘The Women of Ontario Ontario Say No’ — should have been intimidating or threatening to them at all,” she said.
“We sat there peacefully, we didn’t approach, we didn’t get out of our seats, we didn’t shake our signs.”
Officers with Niagara Regional Police were called. The City of Niagara Falls would not confirm to Global News who called the police, but CAO Jason Burgess said it was “staff’s decision.”
Police said they received the call around 4:15 p.m. on June 17 and told the advocates they would be in violation of trespassing laws if they did not leave.
“Following a prolonged discussion, three adult females continued to display their signs and were briefly detained by police,” a spokesperson for Niagara Regional Police told Global News.
“They were escorted from council chambers and off City property. The individuals were released unconditionally after the City declined to proceed with formal charges.”
Burgess said the city was “attempting to get compliance” and therefore was not looking to press charges.
After the arrests and deputation denial, the Women of Ontario Say No retained a lawyer, who wrote to both Niagara Regional Police and Niagara Falls City Council.
In her letter to councillors, lawyer Susan Toth said the women at the June 17 meeting had been “exercising their lawful right,” holding signs that “were neither offensive nor derogatory.”
The letter called for council to allow the presentation to go ahead and to issue an apology and admission of wrongdoing.
In a report to council, city staff said they would allow the Women of Ontario Say No to submit written information to the council meeting and to protest outside the council building — but not in the room where meetings take place.
“The group has opposed Staff’s enforcement of the decorum policy, and more specifically, of the conditions that signs with messages not be held up inside chambers, and that legal matters outside council’s jurisdiction not be spoken to as part of the deputation,” part of the staff report said.
Toth said she didn’t accept the city’s position.
“Frankly, they’re just not on solid legal ground,” she said. “You don’t get to pick and choose when the rule of law is convenient to you. You don’t get to pick and choose when you like charter rights to what it looks like.”
The Women of Ontario Say No wanted to present to councillors about provincial legislation which, if passed, will make it easier to remove municipal councillors found guilty of serious violations.
Removal would have to be recommended by integrity commissioners and would ultimately be approved by a unanimous vote of councillors.
Allowing colleagues to make the final decision on the punishment for councillors who face removal is a gap, the group argues, pointing to Strange’s continued presence at Niagara Falls council as an example.
“If this was the judicial system and we were looking at a case there, no council person would qualify to be a juror because the bias is so strong,” McIntosh said.
“So when we’re looking at this legislative development, it’s not just about getting it done, it’s about making sure that it’s done right and we’re modelling it off of best practices. And (Niagara Falls) is a great example as to why it would not be appropriate for a decision like that to come back to council.”
Neither the current Municipal Act nor the proposed new policy automatically deals with what councillors facing criminal charges should do. Strange has been charged. The allegations against him have not been proven.
A spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said the government had carefully considered its legislation.
“Removal from office is a serious measure, reserved for the most extreme code of conduct violations, and safeguarded by a high threshold and thorough review to ensure it is never taken lightly,” they wrote in a statement.
Niagara Falls City Council will meet again on Tuesday, July 8, and members of the Women of Ontario Say No intend to attend.
The city told Global News it would be telling anyone going to the meeting to “acknowledge the rules and confirm that they are not going to undertake behavior that will be against the written rules.”
Burgess said, if police are called again, “the City may take a different stand on whether to formally press charges.”
Bateman said the move was “laughable” and said advocates would likely be there again.
“Oh how ridiculous of them, that’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard,” she said of requiring an acknowledgement before entering the chamber. “I can’t even imagine what the thought process is on this.”
Uncategorized
Kirk plays hero, steals first base in Jays’ win

TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk’s late-game heroics resulted in three deafening ovations from the 42,260 inside the Rogers Centre on Friday.
The first roar arrived in the seventh inning when the Toronto Blue Jays catcher smacked an opposite-field two-run homer to right.
The next inning, the sellout crowd cheered as Kirk delivered a bases-loaded single to left field to score the game-tying and game-winning runs.
But the most thunderous praise from the faithful came when Kirk caught the Texas Rangers by surprise and stole his first career base.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” Kirk said through an interpreter after the 6-5 win. “Then I turned around and saw myself (standing at second base) on the scoreboard.”
The Blue Jays celebrated along with their low-key teammate’s first stolen base. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulled the base out of the ground and presented Kirk with the keepsake.
Related Videos
Kirk stated the memento will soon be on display in his home. He also admitted he was surprised when first-base coach Mark Budzinski told him to steal second.

Get daily National news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
“I looked around and said, ‘Are you serious?’” Kirk said.
Budzinski was serious. Kirk made history. He was holding on to the base during his post-game interview.
“The fact that he was holding it on the field post-game is even better,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “I think they’re authenticating it.”
Although Toronto starter Chris Bassitt endured a difficult outing, lasting only five innings and giving up an early three-run homer, his night ended on a high note, watching his battery mate’s late-game wizardry.
“He’s catching (all-time base stealing leader) Rickey (Henderson) slowly,” Bassitt said with a smile.
Kirk hit his homer with an 0-1 count and his single with a 1-2 count.
“Kirk, the hitter, is pretty hard to face,” Bassitt said. “So I hate to say it, but I expect it from him. There are not many guys on our team that I’d rather have up than him because he can do damage with any kind of pitch.
“I’m always happy when he’s up late in big situations.”
This was the American League East-leading Blue Jays’ 39th comeback win of the season, and second in as many games after Guerrero belted a game-winning two-run homer in the seventh inning for a 2-1 win against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.
“I think the more you do it, the more comfortable you are when you’re in that situation,” Schneider said. “It’s not luck. It’s hard to do, but like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it.”
Springer, Bieber updates
George Springer homered in the second of three at-bats in his rehab start for triple-A Buffalo on Friday and could return to the Blue Jays lineup on Saturday.
Righty Shane Bieber pitched seven shutout innings in Buffalo, striking out four with six hits and no walks on 90 pitches.
Bieber could make his Blue Jays debut next week, likely on the road against the Miami Marlins next Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Uncategorized
Kirk’s heroics lift Blue Jays past Rangers 6-5

TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk followed a two-run homer in the seventh inning with a game-winning two-run single in the eighth to push the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-5 comeback win in the series opener against the Texas Rangers on Friday.
Kirk’s single with the bases loaded allowed the Blue Jays (72-51) to overcome a three-run deficit. Before Kirk’s deciding at-bat, Texas reliever Phil Matton (2-5) walked Daulton Varsho with the bases loaded to pull the home team within two runs before 42,260 at Rogers Centre.
Kirk and Rangers infielder Marcus Semien traded two-run homers in the bottom of the seventh and top of the eighth.
Reliever Louis Varland (4-3) registered the win with Jeff Hoffman notching his 28th save.
Related Videos
Jacob deGrom pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits with no walks and five strikeouts as the Rangers’ (61-62) losing streak was extended to three games.

Get daily National news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
Kyle Higashioka hammered a three-run homer in the second inning.
The three-run blow was one of only four hits off Toronto starter Chris Bassitt, who lasted five innings on 100 pitches and matched a season-high four walks with four strikeouts.
Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes made a pair of defensive gems early. With his back against the wall, he jumped to take an extra base hit away from Joc Pederson in the first inning.
In the second inning, Lukes fielded Evan Carter’s rocket off the wall and caught the Rangers outfielder at second.
Takeaways
Rangers: They began the day 3 1/2 games back of the final American League wild-card spot.
Blue Jays: George Springer homered in the second of his three at-bats in his rehab start for triple-A Buffalo on Friday. Shane Bieber pitched seven shutout innings in Buffalo, striking out four with six hits and no walks on 90 pitches. Springer is expected to rejoin Toronto on Saturday, and Bieber could make his Blue Jays debut next week.
Key Moment
Kirk’s bases-loaded single in the eighth inning scored the tying and go-ahead runs.
Key Stat
Bassitt still hasn’t suffered a loss at home in 2025, going 8-0 with six no decisions.
Up Next
Lefty Eric Lauer (7-2) will face Texas southpaw Patrick Corbin (6-8) in the middle outing of the three-game set on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Uncategorized
No grounds for charges against Toronto officers after teen fatally shot: SIU

The Special Investigations Unit has concluded that there “are no reasonable grounds to believe” either officer committed a criminal offence in the death of a 16-year-old boy following an exchange of gunfire with police.
In the 10 seconds from when the first shot was fired by the teen to when the gunfire ceased, more than two dozen total rounds were fired, according to the SIU report released Friday.
The April 20 incident drew widespread attention when it was learned the deceased was just 16 years old, and after video from the incident was released to the media, prompting the Toronto Police Service to launch a professional standards investigation.
The 16-year-old was shot during a traffic stop near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West at around 11 p.m. and died in hospital the following day.
According to the SIU report, a red Infiniti G35 two-door coupe was driving eastbound on Sheppard Avenue West when it was pulled over by a police officer east of Bathurst Street, next to the apartment complex at 569 Sheppard Ave. W. There were six people in the five-occupant car, including the victim, or Complainant, who was sitting in the back right of the vehicle with someone on his lap.
The SIU said the female driver told police the vehicle was not hers, but belonged to an acquaintance, and that the officer asked them to wait while he went to his cruiser to run checks on her licence. He returned and said he smelled cannabis in the vehicle and that he wanted them to step out so it could be searched. Two more officers had arrived at this time and were standing at the passenger side of the Infiniti. The driver and front passenger exited the vehicle and the female passenger on the victim’s lap exited as well, leaving three people in the back of the vehicle, the report states.

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.
“The Complainant subsequently moved as if he was about to exit the Infiniti when he suddenly reached to his left with his right hand before swinging his right hand to the right in the direction of the open door. He was in possession of a semi-automatic pistol, which he fired once or twice at (an officer),” the SIU said.
That officer then drew his firearm, as did the officer by the driver door. An autopsy found that the complainant died of gunshot wounds to the head.
SIU director Joseph Martino writes in his decision that when the 16-year-old began shooting at police, “the officers could only have concluded that their lives were in immediate peril and that action of some type was imperative if they were going to survive.”
However, he notes that the 14-16 rounds fired by one officer and 10 or 11 by the other “contributed to an incredibly dangerous situation,” especially considering there were two other passengers still in the vehicle, the officers were firing across from each other, and there were three others who exited the vehicle but were still nearby.
“The number of shots fired by the officers is worthy of scrutiny, but is understandable in the final analysis given the evidence that the Complainant discharged his firearm three or four more times after the officers first started to fire.”
Martino also noted that the police were not firing “indiscriminately” as the trajectory of bullets showed the gunfire was generally aimed at the complainant.
Both subject officers declined an interview with the SIU, nor did they provide notes, “as is the subject official’s legal right,” the SIU explained. Two civilian witnesses and five witness officials were interviewed as part of the investigation, which also took into account police body camera footage, in-car camera footage, surveillance video from the area and police radio communications.
Meanwhile, Toronto police said in April that five people had been charged in connection with the traffic stop: a 20-year-old man, an 18-year-old woman, two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
These ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
The old and New Edition cast comes together to perform
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
Uber and Lyft are finally available in all of New York State
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
6 Stunning new co-working spaces around the globe
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season