Ontario Archives - National Times

19 Aug

RCMP Warn Two Canadian Sikh Activists of Potential Threats to Their Lives

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingRCMP

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian authorities have issued security warnings to two Sikh separatist activists, informing them that police have received intelligence indicating a potential threat to their lives, according to reports in Canadian media. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) sent “duty to warn” notices to Inderjeet Singh Gosal, based in Caledon, Ontario, and Manjinder Singh of Abbotsford, British Columbia. Both men are associated with efforts advocating the creation of an independent Sikh state in India. Gosal reportedly received the notification on August 14 after being contacted by the RCMP. The police communication is understood to have described the threat…

11 Aug

Toronto Man Accused of Armed Sexual Assault and Illegal Recording Surrenders to Police

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioDevon Plooard, firearm voyeurism, Gerrard Coxwell, Sexual Assault, Toronto Police

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A 21-year-old Toronto man accused of recording a sexual assault at gunpoint earlier this summer has surrendered to authorities, Toronto Police confirmed. The suspect, identified as Devon Plooard, turned himself in to police on Monday following an active search for his whereabouts. The investigation began over the weekend when officers responded to a sexual assault call in the area of Gerrard Street East and Coxwell Avenue. During the initial inquiry, investigators learned that the suspect had allegedly sexually assaulted a victim back in May. Police allege that during the May incident, the suspect produced a firearm, pointed…

09 Aug

Indian Nationals Top Canada’s Removal Figures as 2026 Enforcement Drive Gathers Pace

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s immigration enforcement measures have resulted in the removal of 3,323 Indian nationals during the first six months of 2026, placing Indians at the top of the list of nationalities recorded in the country’s enforced-removal statistics. The figure represents a substantial share of the 3,779 Indian nationals removed during the entire year in 2025. It also marks a notable change from last year, when Indians ranked second among nationalities facing removal. Mexico followed India in the January-June period, with 1,573 nationals removed from Canada. More than 10,000 enforced removals According to Canada Border Services Agency figures, authorities…

08 Aug

Canada Intelligence Report Flags Alleged Bishnoi Gang Recruitment Through Student Visa Route

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): A Canadian intelligence assessment has reportedly shed light on how the Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly used immigration pathways, including student visas, to find and recruit young people for criminal activities in Canada. The classified assessment, prepared by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and titled “The Bishnoi Gang: An Emerging Threat in Canada,” was circulated among immigration officials in December 2025, according to the information that has emerged from recent court proceedings. The document reportedly describes the gang as an expanding transnational threat, with extortion, shootings and intimidation of members of Canada's South Asian community among its…

04 Aug

Heated Dispute at Canadian Gurdwara Over Donation Funds; Meeting Erupts into Physical Altercation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): A dispute over the management and accounting of Gurdwara donation funds turned into a physical confrontation at a Gurdwara in Canada, with members of two rival groups allegedly clashing during a committee meeting. Videos of the incident have since gone viral on social media, prompting widespread discussion within the community. According to reports, the meeting had been convened to review the accounts related to the Gurdwara's golak (donation box). However, disagreements between rival factions quickly escalated into a heated exchange, which later resulted in pushing, shoving and physical confrontation inside the premises. President Accused of Assault and…

30 Jul

Ontario Explores Future Energy Potential at Former Nanticoke Coal Site

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): The Ontario government has announced $500,000 in "growth readiness funding" for Haldimand County to evaluate potential new energy projects at the site of the former Nanticoke coal-fired generating station. Closed in 2013, the facility—once the largest coal plant in North America—is being considered for a return to power generation to help meet the province's projected 90 per cent increase in electricity demand by 2050. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce stated that the funding will support community consultations and planning for "firm" energy sources—reliable power that can be generated on demand. While no technology has been selected,…

28 Jul

Punjab-Origin Uber Driver Charged in Alleged Sexual Assault Case in Canada’s Burlington

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingBurlington

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A 25-year-old man originally from Punjab has been arrested in Canada after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Burlington, Ontario. The accused, identified as Mandeep Singh, was reportedly working as an Uber rideshare driver at the time of the alleged incident. According to the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), the incident occurred on June 16 at around 5:15 p.m. in the parking area of the Burlington GO Station on Fairview Street. Investigators allege that Singh approached the woman and engaged her in conversation before allegedly sexually assaulting her. Police said the woman left the location…

23 Jul

Joint Police Operation Seizes $139 Million in Illicit Drugs and Weapons Across Ontario

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A multi-jurisdictional cross-border investigation initiated by the Windsor Police Service has culminated in one of the largest drug seizures in Ontario history, taking nearly 1.7 tonnes of illegal narcotics and multiple firearms off the streets. The joint enforcement initiative, designated Project Bay, resulted in charges against 21 individuals facing 102 total offences under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Authorities confirmed that 19 of the accused have been taken into custody, while active arrest warrants remain outstanding for two individuals. The law enforcement effort involved a coordinated coalition including the Ontario Provincial Police,…

22 Jul

Alberta Expands Alcohol Trade Deal With Eight Provinces, Pushes for Nationwide Market Access

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, British Columbia, Canada, OntarioAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has broadened its efforts to remove interprovincial trade barriers by signing a new direct-to-consumer alcohol sales agreement with eight Canadian provinces, a move the provincial government says will create fresh business opportunities for local liquor producers and offer consumers greater choice. In a joint statement issued on Monday, Premier Danielle Smith and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally announced that Alberta has reached agreements with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia. Under the arrangement, Alberta-based breweries, wineries, distilleries and other liquor manufacturers will…

17 Jul

Canada Freezes Parent Sponsorship Route, Leaving Thousands of Punjabi Families in Limbo

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Thousands of Punjabi families hoping to reunite with their parents in Canada have received a significant setback after the Canadian government suspended fresh applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), closing one of the most popular pathways for permanent family reunification. The restriction came into effect on July 15, 2026, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing that it will no longer accept new "Interest to Sponsor" applications until further notice. Officials clarified that only applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed. The decision is expected to have a major impact on…