CANADA VOTES
Today marks the fourth in a series of questions posed to Nanaimo candidates. We ask: “How would your religious or personal beliefs influence your decisions as an MP?” Page 3
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Jake Virtanen’s en’s style impresses sses
Nanaimo candidates talk about personal beliefs
OVER COST ON
TIRES
Canucks prospect showed his stuff with a bruising hit on star Oiler player Connor McDavid
TILL SEPT. 30/15
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Tuesday, September 15, 2015
CRIME
Fraud scam targets residents
DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS
Fraudsters posing as tax collectors have Parksville and Qualicum Beach residents in their sights. More than 50 residents living in that area called Oceanside RCMP last week to report they had been targeted by callers posing as representatives of the federal tax department. The Canada Revenue Agency issued a warning in August about the risk of financial loss
and possible identity theft after a spike in telephone scams where the caller falsely claims to represent the CRA. Scammers tell their victims that they owe money on their taxes and must wire a payment immediately or face arrest by police. “Often they will target seniors, because they can bully them more,” said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. The last census identified both communities as having among the highest number of elderly
residents in Canada. Jesse Foreman, spokesman for the Oceanside detachment, agreed it’s possible fraud operators specifically target those areas. “Just be leery of anyone calling,” Foreman said. “Obviously the RCMP aren’t going to be collecting for the CRA.” He said fortunately, most people are wary and have avoided falling victim to the scam. Of the more than 50 who called, two people have been fooled to
date, for $1,500 each, Foreman said. In a press release, the CRA recently said the fraudsters are aggressive in their approach. The caller requests immediate payment by credit card or convinces the victims to purchase a prepaid credit card and to call back immediately with the information. The taxpayer is often threatened with court charges, jail or deportation. These types of communication are not from the CRA.
» Animal Welfare
Recipients are urged to hang up and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or toll free at 1-888-495-8501. Scammers also email targets saying they have a refund. “It directs you to a website and you have to put in your personal credit card information,” O’Brien said. Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235
POLICE
Girl crushed that cat can’t come back
Man gets pepper-sprayed at front door
JULIE CHADWICK DAILY NEWS DAILY NEWS
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Nanaimo woman’s joy at finding her lost cat at the SPCA turned to sorrow when it was adopted out to another family. When Tamarha Faux moved into a new house several months ago, her cat, Piston, began to wander around the new neighbourhood. The behaviour was common, said Faux, who had owned the elderly black feline for 14 years. But when Piston did not return after a couple of weeks, she began to worry. After checking bulletin boards, Faux said she was close to the SPCA a couple of weeks ago and decided to check for the cat. Lo and behold, he was there. Piston had received surgery for what Faux described as a pre-existing condition with his face that she said they had been attempting to treat for years. “They were like, ‘Oh yeah he was turned in as a stray,’” said Faux. “So they did the operation through the SPCA, and they said we had to reimburse the cost of the surgery, and I was like, ‘Well that’s not fair, I didn’t turn him in.’” The cost of the surgery was approximately $1,100. A “devastated” Faux said she told the SPCA she would attempt to find the money and would return in a week. “I came back in a week-and-a-half, and they had adopted him out by then. They said they had tried to contact me, but I was away that week and didn’t check my messages.” The Nanaimo SPCA tells a different story. Manager Leon Davis said they would never take a cat away from its owner. He insists Faux had ample time to retrieve her cat. “Multiple phone calls (were) not returned. I think we had the cat from June onwards. The cat had surgery. It had bad medical conditions, and we had to relieve that stress, so we had that done, and then we extended the deadline for two extra weeks,” said Davis.
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Cloud and showers High 15, Low 11 Details A2
Tamarha Faux’s daughter Piper was overjoyed when they recently found their cat Piston at the Nanaimo SPCA. But the joy quickly turned to sorrow when she was told Piston would have to remain at the shelter.
That treatment comes with a cost, he said. “We just don’t have the funds to be able to be a resource for people who can’t afford vet bills,” said Davis. “We can’t use donor money to pay for other people’s vet costs.” Faux asked why did the new owners only have to pay an adoption fee, not the vet fees? Davis said he understands how someone would be frustrated with that policy, but the
costs of new pets has to be kept low enough to ensure animals get adopted. The SPCA said they will contact the people that adopted Piston, but that the outcome is uncertain. Julie.Chadwick @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4238
Ex-Harper aide denies influence peddling
Protesters to be at dams as work begins
Bruce Carson has pleaded not guilty to a charge of influence peddling in a trial that Harper’s opponents are using to question his judgment on appointments. » Nation & World, 10
Dave Cutts, who helms the protest Dam Direct Action Group, said Monday he and others will be present at the park as work begins, despite city warnings. » Nanaimo Region, 3
Local news ............................. 3 Markets ................................... 2 Nation & World .................... 9
Editorials and letters ..... A4 Sports ..................................... 5 Scoreboard ........................... 6
Classified ............................... 8 Obituaries .............................. 8 Comics ..................................... 7
Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a pepper-spray attack at a home in the 600-block Fourth Street just before 7 p.m. Sunday. The victim answered a knock at the front door to find a man holding a can of bear spray, who said: “Hi,” and sprayed him in the eyes. The man told police he had been involved in a verbal altercation with someone a week earlier, who “may or may not be involved,” said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. “We’re looking into whether it’s mistaken identity.” The victim did not recognize his attacker. A roommate reportedly saw the suspect drive away in a small, two-door black car with black rims. The vehicle was seen turning into an alley between Hillcrest and Lambert avenues. The suspect is white, about five foot 10, slim, with short brown hair. He was wearing a grey shirt. He may have been contaminated with bear spray “and could have been exhibiting signs of contamination, such as, runny nose and eyes, red flushed face and shortness of breath,” said O’Brien. He may also have had some reddish, orange residue on his clothing and hands. Information for this and other crimes can be reported to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Crossword .............................. 7 Sudoku .................................... 2 Horoscope ............................. 6
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