A8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Saturday, March 14, 2015
BRIEFS Judge reserves bail decision in chemicals case
HALIFAX — A judge has reserved a decision on bail until Tuesday for a Halifax man who has been accused of possessing dangerous chemicals and threatening police. Earlier today, an RCMP officer testified at the bail hearing for Christopher Phillips, saying the investigation began when his wife went to police on Jan. 19 and told them her husband’s mental health was deteriorating and he was behaving strangely. RCMP Sgt. Lisa Stuart told provincial court that Gosia Phillips felt her family’s safety was at risk because of the materials he was storing. Stuart said Phillips told investigators her husband had osmium tetroxide in eight vials and possibly possessed uranium. Defence lawyers routinely request publication bans on bail hearings, which judges must grant. But the defence for Phillips told the court today it wasn’t seeking a publication ban in his application for bail nor would he seek one for any preliminary hearing. Judge Alanna Murphy told the court there would be no publication on the proceedings. Phillips is charged with uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Measles cases jump in region northeast of Montreal JOLIETTE, Que. — The number of confirmed measles cases in Quebec is up to 136 from 119 earlier in the week and health officials are bracing for even more. They said in an update Friday all of them are people from northeast of Montreal who have not been vaccinated against the disease. The cases are centred on one religious group from the region, La Mission de L’Esprit-Saint. Authorities have said the outbreak is part of one chain of transmission that started when a person with the order became infected at Disneyland in California and returned to the province. A vaccination program began Thursday at a school in Joliette that had been visited by a child who had measles. Health officials said Friday that 10 pupils are still forbidden from attending the school — three because their parents didn’t want them to be vaccinated and seven because they were absent or didn’t have the proper documentation. This year, there have also been 18 cases of measles confirmed in Ontario, all in the Toronto and Niagara regions, and one in Manitoba.
Controversy over face-covering niqab exposes rift in federal NDP Controversy over the face-covering niqab worn by some Muslim women is exposing a rift among New Democrat MPs. Alexandre Boulerice, one of the party’s most prominent Quebec MPs, says he doesn’t believe public servants should be allowed to cover their faces. And he wants to create a national commission, along the lines of Quebec’s Bouchard-Taylor commission, to seek consensus on how far the country should go to accommodate religious and cultural practices. But Winnipeg NDP MP Pat Martin says he doesn’t care if public servants wear a paper bag on their head. Paul Dewar, says Boulerice seems to be trying to resolve a problem that doesn’t exist.
Cpl. Cirillo’s death spurred benefit changes for injured reservists: Kenney BY THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX — The killing of a soldier as he stood guard at the National War Memorial spurred Ottawa to fill a gap in the benefit program for reservists who are injured during military service, putting the part-timers on equal financial terms with regular members of the Canadian Forces, the defence minister said Friday. The change means the minimum benefit to cover lost earnings for reservists almost doubles from $24,300 to more than $42,000 a year. The military estimates about 200 parttime reservists will benefit when the change goes into effect next month and will cost about $24 million over the next five years. Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole, who announced the change in Halifax, said benefits are being extended to give reservist veterans equal and fair treatment. “These men and women serve alongside our regular force members and they do so with distinction,” he said. “They are critical to Canada’s own defence and critical to Canada’s interests abroad, and they bear the same price.” O’Toole said Canada sent 27,000 reserv-
ists to Afghanistan and 14 of them were killed during the mission. Defence Minister Jason Kenney also announced the change in Calgary, saying Cpl. Nathan Cirillo’s death in Ottawa last October pushed the government into action. Kenney said a special exemption was made for Cirillo’s family after he was shot dead while serving as an honour guard at the National War Memorial, but under the old rules they would not have qualified for the benefits. “I think that really brought to our attention the gap that existed and has always existed in the benefits for vets so when that happened I think it sent us a message that we had to fix this right away,” said Kenney. “We shouldn’t have to make an exception. That support should have been automatic, it should have been part of the policy and it will now and forever (be) when people like him make that sacrifice.” A veterans’ advocate expressed his shock at the idea that it took Cirillo’s death in Ottawa, and not the combat deaths of parttime soldiers in Afghanistan, to move the broader issue of equality to the political forefront. “Were the sacrifices of those who came before (Cpl. Cirillo) somehow not worthy?” asked Mike Blais, president of Canadian
Veterans Advocacy. He said the issue of unequal treatment has been a long-standing and has been the subject of numerous reports both in Parliament and at Veterans Affairs. The new benefit regime includes reserve force veterans who are enrolled in the vocational rehabilitation program, including those who are getting benefits from the Defence Department’s service income insurance plan, O’Toole said. It also extends to survivors of reservists who died as a result of their military service. The benefit will increase according to pay with each rank above corporal. The change fills a gap first identified by Veterans Affairs in 2006. Scott Maxwell, executive director of Wounded Warriors Canada, said the change is about recognizing all veterans even though the government is sometimes slow to act. “We’re OK with that so long as they are listening and they are willing to act,” said Maxwell. Veterans ombudsman Guy Parent said the increased payment is about the debt owed by Canadians to those who serve in uniform. “It doesn’t matter whether you are a reserve, regular force, where you serve or how you serve,” said Parent.
Man who assaulted mom with toddler present declared dangerous offender BY THE CANADIAN PRESS PENTICTON, B.C. — A Penticton, B.C., man who admitted to sexually assaulting and confining a woman for 15 hours while her toddler was nearby has been declared a dangerous offender. David Bobbitt, 39, pleaded guilty to seven offences after the July 2011 attack inside his second-hand store. “I find that Mr. Bobbitt is the very definition of a psychopath,” B.C. Supreme Court Justice Peter Rogers said Friday as he delivered his ruling. “If he were released into the community, he would pose a significant risk of causing profound harm to random victims, and b& there is no reasonable expectation that the danger that he presents to the community could be reduced through treatment or supervision.” Bobbitt, who has a shaved head and full beard, looked down throughout most of the 80-minute sentencing hearing.
The victim, who was 22 when he assaulted her, was not in the courtroom, but her father said the family is pleased with the result. “I’m glad it’s done after three years of waiting,” said the man, who can’t be named because of a publication ban to protect his daughter’s identity. I’m glad that boy is going away and no other people are going to get hurt.“ Rogers said dangerous-offender designations, which carry an indeterminate sentence, are reserved as the “only practical method to shield society” from the behaviour of such a criminal. The judge found Bobbitt to be a “careless liar” who took no responsibility for his actions. Court heard the woman was shopping for a bed at Bobbitt’s store on July 30, 2011, when he struck her over the head with a rubber mallet and dragged her to a bed at the back, where he tied her up and raped her repeatedly while her toddler son was present.
Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS
David Wesley Bobbitt, 39, is led away from the Penticton courthouse Friday. A Penticton, B.C., man who admitted to sexually assaulting and confining a woman for 15 hours while her toddler was nearby has been declared a dangerous offender.
PUBLICCE NOTI
This weekend only! FRIDAY - SUNDAY!
NOTICE
SOFAS
FABRIC - LEATHER - RECLINING +
ALL SIZES - ONE PRICE! TWIN- FULL-QUEEN SET
% OFF 60
Adriatic Eurotop Mattress Set
our ticket price
ADRATICTP/FP/QP
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When you purchase EITHER the matching Loveseat OR Chair at our ticket price.
399
$
Excludes discounted, clearance,“Hot Buy” deals, Buyer’s Best Buys, sectionals, and promoted offers.
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% OFF 30
ea.
+
our ticket price
UP TO
Including our already incredible bedroom and dining package prices!
Excludes discounted, clearance,“Hot Buy” deals, Buyer’s Best Buys, and promoted offers.
MATTRESS SETS $799 or more
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Excludes discounted, clearance, “Hot Buy” deals, promoted offers, iComfort, Tempur-pedic, and adjustable sets. Minimum mattress set purchase $799.
2-Pc. Mondor Sectional MONDORSEC
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RETAIL 19.99
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UP TO
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IN WHITE FFTR1821S $599
LM1204
720p LED TV 32D200PK NOW ONLY
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Clearance Loveseats & Chairs
88
starting from
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DO NOT PAY FOR TWO YEARS! WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING DOWN, NOT EVEN THE TAXES!* SAVING YOU MORE WITH NO ACCRUED INTEREST. OAC. Total purchase including taxes, administration fees and other applicable fees due in two years. See below for details.
Red Deer 8071 Gaetz Avenue N. • 403-346-1555
*Offer subject to Credit Approval with The Brick Card Platinum account (the Account). Minimum Purchase (excluding taxes) of $250 is required. No interest accrues during the Promotional Period. Any UFW delivery charges, GST (5%), PST or HST (if applicable), Merchant Fee (not applicable in Quebec) and other fees or charges that apply to your Purchase (e.g. environmental fees) are required by UFW to be paid at the time of the Purchase. Any fees or charges financed on your Account, including the Merchant Fee, will form part of your Purchase under the Promotional Offer (the Offer) and for the Do Not Pay for 2 Years (24 Months No Payment, No Interest Offer), will not be required to be paid during the Promotional Period. If the minimum payment on the Account during the Promotional Period is not made, the Offer will end and the annual interest rate (“Preferred Rate”) of 29.9% will then apply on any unpaid balance owing under the Offer at that time until it is paid in full. Do Not Pay for 2 Years (24 Months, No Payment, No Interest): Merchant Fee is $149.95. No interest accrues and no payments are required towards the Purchase during the Promotional Period. If the balance of the Offer has not been paid in full by the Promotional Due Date, the unpaid balance owing under this Offer will be converted to a Regular Credit Purchase, and the Preferred Rate (29.9%) will apply after the end of the Promotional Period to that Regular Credit Purchase and a Deferral Fee of $42.50 (not applicable in Quebec) will be charged. Minimum monthly payments will also then apply, calculated as set out in the Cardholder Agreement and Disclosure Statement for your Account. Details for a Sample Transaction on your Credit Card Product for the Do Not Pay for 2 Years (24 Months, No Payment, No Interest Promotion): Sample Purchase amount (including taxes): $2000.00, Merchant Fee $149.95, and interest charges $0.00. Total interest charges & Merchant Fee: $149.95. Total Purchase Amount (including interest charges, Merchant Fee and taxes): $2149.95. Balance due March 2017, thereafter minimum monthly payments of the greater of 3.5% of your outstanding balance of your Purchases or $10, are due. A Deferral Fee of $42.50 (not applicable in Quebec) is charged and the Preferred Rate (29.9%) applies to the outstanding balance owing under this Offer. Annual Fee (Quebec Only): A $35.00 Annual Fee applies on the Primary Card ($0 each Authorized User Card). For this “No Payment, No Interest” Offer, the Annual Fee will be charged to the Account during the Promotional Period but is not payable until the first statement period after this Offer ends. An Account Statement will be provided monthly and cover a billing period (statement period) of 28-33 days. In Quebec, a 25 day grace period applies to the Balance, and outside Quebec, a 25-day grace period applies to any Purchase that appears on your statement for the first time. The balance under this Offer may be paid at any time before the Promotional Period ends. Monthly payments may be rounded to next whole dollar. See your Cardholder Agreement for more information about the Offer including the fees and charges that apply. ‡Product may vary by location and may not be exactly as illustrated. We reserve the right to limit quantities by store and per purchase. To receive bonus offer or discount, complete package must be purchased and kept. +This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or free gift purchase, sale, or other promotion, unless otherwise specified. ΔExcludes discounted, clearance, “Hot Buy” deals, promoted offers, iComfort, and Tempur-pedic. ++An Electronic Recycling Surcharge will be added where applicable. ˀReceive an amount equal to the price of the extended warranty towards your next furniture or mattress purchase. Product and service availability, pricing and selection and promotional offers may vary by store. For terms and conditions visit www.thebrick.com. See in store for complete details. Offer effective March 13-15, 2015, unless otherwise indicated.
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