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Doug Ford Faces Backlash After Praising Homeowner for Shooting Alleged Vaughan Intruder

Ontario Premier Doug Ford faces criticism after congratulating a homeowner for shooting an intruder in Vaughan and criticizing Canada’s judicial system.

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4 weeks ago

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Ontario Premier Sparks Controversy with Comments on Self-Defense

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ignited a political firestorm after publicly congratulating a Vaughan homeowner who shot and wounded an alleged home invader earlier this week. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Ford expressed unwavering support for the resident, suggesting that the intruder deserved more than he received. “Congratulations for shooting this guy — should have shot him a couple more times as far as I’m concerned,” Ford stated, marking a significant departure from the typically neutral stance leaders take during active police investigations.

Details of the Vaughan Incident

According to York Regional Police, the incident occurred just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday in the area of Carrville Woods Circle and Crimson Forest Drive. Investigators report that multiple masked suspects, armed with at least one firearm, forced their way into a residence occupied by a middle-aged man and an elderly woman. The homeowner used a legally owned and properly stored firearm to defend the property. While the suspects fled in a black pickup truck, one 24-year-old male was later dropped off at a Toronto-area hospital with gunshot wounds. Police have confirmed that no charges will be laid against the homeowner, citing the legal nature of the firearm and the circumstances of the defense.

Ford Targets ‘Weak-Kneed Judges’ and Federal Policy

The Premier utilized the incident as a platform to criticize the federal government and the judiciary. He accused the Trudeau administration of unfairly targeting law-abiding gun owners while failing to address repeat offenders. Ford also took aim at what he called “weak-kneed judges” who prioritize Charter rights over public safety. “They always want to protect the bad guys… how about the charter of rights of the people, to keep them safe rather than always protecting these criminals,” Ford said, expressing his frustration with a system he believes allows violent individuals to remain on the streets.

Suspect’s Violent Criminal History Revealed

The accused, currently in stable condition and under police custody, has a documented history of violent crime. Court records indicate the 24-year-old was previously involved in a high-speed chase through Mississauga in 2020 while driving a stolen truck that still contained an eight-year-old girl. At the time of the Vaughan home invasion, the suspect was on probation and wanted by multiple police forces for various violent offenses. He now faces new charges, including robbery with a firearm and disguise with intent.

Political Opposition Condemns ‘Irresponsible’ Rhetoric

Ford’s comments were met with immediate condemnation from opposition parties. NDP Leader Marit Stiles labeled the remarks “irresponsible nonsense,” arguing that if citizens feel unsafe after Ford’s eight-year tenure, the responsibility lies with his administration. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and Liberal critic Karen McCrimmon echoed these concerns, stating that leaders should never celebrate violence or the loss of life, regardless of the circumstances. Critics argue that such rhetoric undermines the rule of law and encourages vigilante justice.

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Canada News

Living on $40 a Week: How One Vancouver Couple Is Defying Record Inflation

Discover how a Vancouver couple manages a $160 monthly food budget amid rising inflation, featuring extreme grocery strategies and meal planning tips.

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1 day ago

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April 12, 2026

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The Extreme Budgeting Challenge

As grocery prices continue to reach record highs across Canada, one newlywed couple in Metro Vancouver is pushing the boundaries of financial discipline. Michelle and Thomas Nijdam have embarked on a 16-week experiment to limit their total monthly food expenditure to just $160—a staggering $40 per week for two people. In a city consistently ranked among North America’s most expensive, the challenge is as much a test of mental fortitude as it is of financial planning.

Strategic Shopping and Sacrifice

The couple’s strategy revolves around a rigorous, multi-store approach. Michelle, who documents their journey on her YouTube channel @MichellesHomemaking, visits up to four different retailers weekly to capitalize on specific price advantages. By cross-referencing flyers and utilizing price-matching policies, she sources staples like flour and eggs from Superstore, cheese from Safeway, and produce from local markets like Kin’s Farm Market. To stay within their $5.33 daily limit for two, the couple has almost entirely eliminated meat from their diet, relying instead on bulk-bought beans, rice, and homemade bread.

The Psychological Toll of Scarcity

While the project began as a voluntary challenge to meet aggressive savings goals, the Nijdams admit the process is draining. The couple describes a “strange feeling” when looking at a perennially empty refrigerator and the constant stress of meal preparation. Michelle notes that failing to soak beans on the correct night can lead to a protein deficit for the following day. This logistical burden highlights the difference between those choosing to budget and the many Canadians forced into food insecurity by economic necessity.

Sustainability and the Path Forward

As they enter the final month of their challenge, the couple acknowledges that such extreme measures are likely not sustainable for the long term. Occasional dinners at family members’ homes have provided much-needed nutritional variety and leftovers. However, they hope their experience provides practical insights for others looking to shave costs from their own budgets. Once the 16-week period concludes, the couple plans to celebrate with a modest reward that has been off the menu for months: pizza and hamburgers.

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Canada News

Ontario Defunds Seven Supervised Consumption Sites in Major Shift Toward Abstinence-Based Care

Ontario cuts funding for seven supervised consumption sites, shifting $550M to abstinence-based HART hubs. Health experts warn of rising overdose risks.

Published

4 weeks ago

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March 17, 2026

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Province Announces Closure of Seven Supervised Consumption Sites

The Ontario government has officially confirmed the cessation of provincial funding for seven supervised drug consumption sites, signaling a definitive move away from harm reduction strategies. The decision, announced Monday, initiates a 90-day wind-down period intended to transition users toward the government’s new abstinence-based framework, known as Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs. The closures will impact two sites in Toronto, two in Ottawa, and one each in Niagara, Peterborough, and London.

Premier Doug Ford Defends the Policy Shift

Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Premier Doug Ford have framed the decision as a necessary step to prioritize community safety and long-term recovery. During a press conference in Brockville, Premier Ford compared supervised injection sites to giving an alcoholic a liquor store gift card, arguing that the sites encourage drug use rather than treating it. Ford emphasized that his administration aims to make individuals “productive” by moving them into treatment facilities located away from schools and daycares, citing concerns over public safety and discarded needles.

Public Health Advocates Warn of Deadly Consequences

The move has been met with fierce opposition from healthcare workers, legal advocates, and opposition politicians. NDP MPP Robin Lennox, a family doctor, characterized the defunding as “deadly and irresponsible,” suggesting that removing monitored spaces will inevitably lead to an increase in public overdoses and fatalities. Critics point out that while the province is investing $550 million into HART hubs, the immediate loss of supervised sites removes a critical safety net for those not yet ready or able to enter abstinence-based programs.

The Debate Over Treatment Models

The government’s strategy relies on research from the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence, which suggested that similar closures in Alberta did not result in a spike in overdose deaths. However, organizations such as Toronto Public Health and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have questioned the impartiality of those findings. They warn that the workload for emergency responders will likely surge as the toxic drug crisis continues to affect Ontario’s most vulnerable populations without the mitigation provided by supervised consumption.

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