(NB-Sexual-Violence-Unit)
The New Brunswick government is set to spend 2.8-million dollars on a new sexual violence investigative unit within the R-C-M-P.
The unit’s first office will open later this year and be based at the Courage Centre in Shediac, which the Mounties say will strengthen investigations, support survivors and improve safety.
Additional offices will follow next year in Oromocto and Tracadie, and will also be managed by the R-C-M-P headquarters in Fredericton.
The units stem from recommendations made in a recent sexual assault review and victim support action plan. (The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Tourism-Plan)
New Brunswick is hoping to lure more visitors with a new five-year tourism plan.
The strategy is based on input from tourism operators, Indigenous communities and a survey with more than 8-thousand responses.
The plan is to increase annual revenue from the industry to $3.7-billion by 2031 — up from about $2.7 billion now.
Efforts will focus on previously untapped markets in Quebec, Ontario, and New England.
(CBC News)
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(NL-Boalag-Dead)
A man convicted of a series of sexual assaults in Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital city has died in prison in Ontario.
Correctional Service Canada says Sofyan Boalag died on Saturday at the age of 46.
He was an inmate at the Bath Institution in Millhaven, serving an indeterminate sentence.
Boalag was convicted in 2016 of raping two women and a 15-year-old girl in the summer and fall of 2012.
(The Canadian Press/CBC News)
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(NS-Hospital-Stabbing)
A man charged with stabbing two hospital employees in Halifax earlier this year has elected to be tried before a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge and jury.
Nicholas Robert Coulombe appeared today in provincial court in Halifax, where he was told to return for a preliminary hearing in January 2026.
On January 29th of this year, at least three people were allegedly injured by a patient at the Halifax Infirmary’s emergency department.
At the time, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union said two of its members were injured, with one requiring in-patient care and the other having less serious injuries.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Cocaine-Bust)
Nova Scotia R-C-M-P has charged a man with drug trafficking following a bust in Wagmatcook First Nation.
Last week, police executed a search warrant at a residence on the First Nation and found cocaine, cash and a variety of weapons.
Officers say there could be further weapons charges as the investigation continues.
The man appeared in court on Friday and was released pending future court appearances.
(The Canadian Press)
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