Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk
Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Mar, 2022 05:17 PM
The defence says the Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk of the legislature Craig James.
Lawyer Gavin Cameron continued his closing arguments for a second day in B-C Supreme Court.
James was charged with fraud and breach of trust based on allegations of misspending.
But Cameron says two people stand by their decisions on James receiving a 258-thousand-dollar retirement benefit and two others followed policy in approving his travel expense claims.
The party's former deputy leader was elected by her colleagues to serve as interim leader after a majority of MPs ousted Erin O'Toole from the top job. Bergen faces a caucus that has spent weeks divided and angry over O'Toole's leadership since last year's election loss.
The new blockade is about 18 kilometres north of Coutts and, although numbers have decreased since Wednesday night, there was still a large presence Thursday morning with semi-trailers, heavy equipment and trucks blocking access.
Police estimate they have already spent more than $3 million to manage the protest and respond to emergencies. In comparison, the Canada 150 celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2017 cost Ottawa police about $1.5 million.
The Department of National Defence says dozens of Canadian Armed Forces members who refused to get vaccinated have now been kicked out of the military. Release proceedings have started for hundreds of others facing the same fate, unless they roll up their sleeves for the COVID-19 shot.
A 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene and police say he has been charged with murder. Jack Sepple, who lived at the address where Wadsworth died, was charged Thursday.
There are seven candidates running for the leadership, including legislature members Michael Lee, Ellis Ross and Renee Merrifield; business leaders Gavin Dew, Val Litwin and Stan Sipos; and Kevin Falcon, a former B.C. cabinet minister.