Calgary
In Renewable I Think We Are Foolish If We Think Energy Rates Aren’t Going To Cost More

For more videos, see WeMaple.
Alberta
Father and son charged with sexual exploitation, assault of teenage girls in Calgary

Calgary police say a father and his son have been arrested and charged after multiple teenage girls were sexually exploited, assaulted and extorted for several months. A Calgary Police Service officer is seen in Calgary on April 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Calgary
Calgary police say a father and his son have been arrested and charged after multiple teenage girls were sexually exploited, assaulted and extorted for several months.
Police say in a statement that they found a 13-year-old girl in April who had previously been reported missing.
They say the girl told police she was in a relationship with a 24-year-old man who gave her alcohol, drugs and vapes in exchange for sex.
Police say the man and his 56-year-old father own Haddon Convenience Store, which is located next door to a liquor store where the assaults allegedly took place.
Police allege the pair was providing drugs and alcohol to multiple other teenage girls, who were also sexually assaulted, from December to May.
They say the girls were unable to consent, because they were not 16.
Police arrested both men Thursday and executed search warrants at a home and the two businesses, where they say officers seized a computer with child pornography.
Sumrit Walia, 24, faces about 20 charges — including sexual interference with a minor, sexual exploitation as well as possessing, accessing and creating child pornography.
His 56-year-old father, Gurpartap Singh Walia, is also charged with sexual assault, sexual interference with a minor and selling contraband tobacco.
“These are incredibly serious charges, where vulnerable youths were being targeted, exploited and forced to enter a dangerous lifestyle,” said Staff Sgt. Darren Smith of the child abuse unit.
“Thankfully, with the support of Alberta Health Services, Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and the City of Calgary, we have been able to stop the continued exploitation of these young girls.”
The girls, he said, are being supported by Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. It provides support for children, youth and families who have been affected by severe and complex abuse.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2023.
2023 Election
Calgary, Edmonton mayors expect good relationship with re-elected UCP government

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek speaks at an announcement in Calgary on April 25, 2023. The mayors of Alberta’s two largest cities say they expect a good relationship with a re-elected United Conservative Party government, despite its loss of seats in Calgary and Edmonton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Calgary
The mayors of Alberta’s two largest cities say they expect a good relationship with a re-elected United Conservative Party government, despite its loss of seats in Calgary and Edmonton.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek adds that all politicians need to stand up against hate and divisiveness.
Gondek and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi say the cities and the province need to work together to address affordability.
Sohi adds that it’s unfortunate Edmonton won’t have any representation in the provincial government.
Danielle Smith’s UCP dominated outside the two big cities while retaining enough support in Calgary to lessen the pain of an NDP sweep in Edmonton and win a second consecutive majority government.
Several of Smith’s cabinet ministers were unseated, including former health minister Jason Copping and former mental health and addiction minister Nicholas Milliken in Calgary, as well as deputy premier Kaycee Madu in Edmonton.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2023.
-
Crime2 hours ago
Conservatives call on feds to see killer Bernardo returned to maximum-security prison
-
National4 hours ago
Watchdog’s relations with spy community ‘particularly strained’ over last year
-
Alberta1 day ago
Saskatchewan landowners fight against illegal drainage washing out land, roads
-
International1 day ago
Vigilantes in Haiti strike back at gangsters with brutal street justice
-
International1 day ago
DeSantis hits Trump from the right while the ex-president looks ahead to the general election
-
Agriculture4 hours ago
Nature Conservancy of Canada releases action plan to protect Prairie grasslands
-
Brownstone Institute1 day ago
The Fraying of the Liberal International Order
-
Health4 hours ago
Premiers need to keep talking about the health-care crisis: medical associations