NANAIMO REGION
NATION & WORLD
VI Raiders rs face Broncos ncos
Effort is on to save Departure Bay School Parents determined to do all they can to keep school as new facilities plan is to be tabled in September. A3
Nigel Wright under fire at Duffy fraud trial Lawyer accuses ex-PMO staffer of strong-arming Duffy into a scheme that he did not support. A7
Raiders battle Kamloops amloops team today at 4 p.m. Sports, B1
The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Saturday, August 15, 2015
» Federal election
POLICE
High-profile Nanaimo veteran backs party at tearful event
Medicinal pot store owner denies crime link claims DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS
Wounded Canadian Forces veteran Trevor Greene speaks at a Green Party event in the Royal Canadian Legion on Friday. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]
Trevor Greene cites lack of support for military SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
G
reen Party Leader Elizabeth May promised to restore cuts to veterans services at a campaign stop in Nanaimo on Friday. Speaking at a Royal Canadian Legion in the city, May also said the Green Party would reinstate monthly payments to injured veterans to reverse the ‘lump sum’ payments brought in by the Conservatives in 2006, although the Greens acknowledge the policy change would cost “tens of millions of dollars annually.” She was flanked by supporter
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Trevor Greene, a Nanaimo resident who is well known for a severe injury he suffered while serving in Afghanistan. Greene suffered a brain injury after being struck in the head with an axe by a teenager while with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan in 2006. He had removed his helmet to speak with a group of village elders when attacked. Since leaving the military, Greene has embarked on a career as a researcher and public speaker. May praised his conduct in the field. “You are Canada to me, Trevor,” she said, choking back tears. In an emotional speech punctuated by long pauses, Greene
slammed the Conservatives’ military record and cited their failure to retain its seat for the country on the UN Security Council. He also said Canada has drastically reduced its involvement in peacekeeping missions. “We’ve become a laughingstock,” he said. The announcement centred on resources for veterans. May suggested her party’s position was one accepted by a majority of Canadians. “I have not met a single Canadian who thought it was right that we should nickel and dime our veterans,” May said. “I don’t know a single, solitary soul who believes this was right. I know a lot of
Conservatives who voted for these cuts who don’t think they were right.” May, with Green candidates from all over Vancouver Island, promised that her party would vote to restore $266 million in funding to Veterans Affairs Canada. She also committed to funding the training of service dogs for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, a program she estimated that would cost $1 million. May’s appearance is the first campaign stop of any major party leader in the city. Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4244
A Vancouver-based pot retailer watched everything live on his cellphone from his Nicol Street store in Nanaimo on Wednesday as police raided his other store in East Vancouver. The Vancouver Police Department used a search warrant to raid the Limelife Society store at 4866 Rupert St. The VPD said that its officers were investigating organized crime links. No one was arrested in the raid. Robert Clarke, the owner of five Limelife medical cannabis dispensaries, and with plans for another in Victoria, said the claim is unfounded. “It’s more just a show of force,” said Clarke. “I have no ties to organized crime. I come from a normal family.” The VPD said in a press release that they got a tip in July that the store had links to an “organized crime group.” During their investigation, police in Vancouver said, they determined that pot was being sold to youth in that area, as well as to adults without a valid license. Cannabis possession is only legal for medicinal purposes and a Health Canada permit is required to identify the user as having a medical reason to use the drug. “Our priority remains focused on violent drug traffickers and those who jeopardize the safety of youth and the marginalized in our community,” said Vancouver Police Department spokesman Sgt. Randy Fincham. “The VPD will continue to respond to residents’ concerns and take enforcement action if it is required.” But Clarke said he works closely with the Vancouver Police Department. “I don’t understand why they didn’t inform me” that his East Vancouver store was under investigation, he said. “I think it was just a show of power.” Clarke said the East Vancouver store is the sole retail operation in an otherwise residential neighbourhood, and it has drawn attention from residents. He said he’s had no reaction from neighbours to his Nicol Street store, and supports marijuana regulations now used in Vancouver and Victoria. “Hopefully Nanaimo will follow suit with Victoria,” he said. “Just tell us what the bylaws are, tell us what to do so we can operate our businesses the most professional way possible.” Darrell.Bellaart@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235
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Hub City film sector wants aid from city
Nanaimo pole vaulter wins junior nationals
Jacquie Kaese says Nanaimo is missing out on its share of the Island film-making pie and wants to see a film office to push for productions. » Nanaimo Region, A3
Jason Clare has had an outstanding season, capped off this past weekend with gold at the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships held in Quebec. » Sports, B1
Cloudy with showers High 20, Low 15 Details A2
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