Tag: Abuse

Categories
Alerts WFP

North Huron’s Plan to Merge Fire Chief and By-Law Roles Will Endanger Lives, Erode Public Trust

WINGHAM, ON — A controversial plan by the Township of North Huron to appoint the Fire Chief as a by-law enforcement officer is drawing serious concerns from residents, public safety advocates, and legal observers alike. The proposed move, which effectively combines emergency services with municipal enforcement, is being condemned as a reckless overreach of authority that could lead to 911 hesitancy, delayed emergency response, and loss of life.

North Huron’s by-law enforcement officers have long been the subject of public backlash, with multiple reports of abuse, intimidation, and unlawful enforcement on private property. Merging that enforcement apparatus with the fire department could permanently damage community trust in life-saving services.

“A fire department’s only job is to protect life and property—not to inspect wood piles or issue parking tickets,” said one local advocate. “Turning firefighters into by-law enforcers turns heroes into hall monitors.”

Key Dangers Identified:

  • 911 Hesitancy: Residents may hesitate to call for help in emergencies if they fear being fined or investigated afterward.
  • Loss of Trust: The fire service must remain neutral, trusted, and free from municipal enforcement agendas.
  • Creeping Control: This move may be part of a broader attempt by North Huron to extend its control onto private property under the guise of safety.

“The animosity toward by-law enforcement is well-documented,” said a local resident. “Trying to patch that distrust by dressing it in a fire chief’s uniform will backfire—possibly with deadly consequences.”

Call to Action:

Concerned residents are urging North Huron Council to:

  • Immediately halt any plan to merge fire and by-law roles.
  • Affirm the independence of the fire department as a life-saving service, not a municipal enforcement arm.
  • Restore public trust by ensuring emergency services are never used as a tool of surveillance or property control.

“Firefighters should save lives, not issue by-law warnings.”

The next council meeting is Monday 6pm, make your voice heard before then.

North Huron Council Contact Info:
Paul Heffer
280 Manor Road
(519) 357-3594
pheffer@northhuron.ca 
Mitch Wright
63 Bristol Terrace
(519) 357-9497
mwright@northhuron.ca 
Lonnie Whitfield
94 John St. West
(226) 222-2585 
lwhitfield@northhuron.ca 
Anita van Hittersum
84012 Hoover Line
(519) 523-4492 
avanhittersum@northhuron.ca
Chris Palmer
39331 Belfast Road
(519) 357-3385 
cpalmer@northhuron.ca 
Kevin Fascist  Falconer
303 King Street
(519) 955-0301 
kfalconer@northhuron.ca
Ric McBurney
202 Thuell St, Blyth
(519) 441-7415 
rmcburney@northhuron.ca

Categories
Alerts Municipalities North Perth WFP

One Dead: NH By-law Enforcement Officers Facing Allegations of Abuse and Negligence Causing Death #WolfAtTheDoor

(North Huron) — Multiple shouting matches were overheard outside Wingham Town Hall this past winter. Tragically, the only outcome is that one Wingham resident is now dead—his life cut short due to the inexcusable failure of North Huron’s by-law enforcement officers to perform their duties.

Instead of enforcing municipal by-laws, these so-called “enforcement” officers spent their time threatening and extorting law-abiding customers of the Corporation of North Huron—actions carried out with the full knowledge and cooperation of current Mayor/Reeve Paul Heffer.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the time confirmed that by-law enforcement was to be conducted only on property owned by the Corporation of North Huron—not on private property. That CAO was quickly replaced.

Despite repeated complaints about illegal snow dumping on sidewalks (s. 3.18 CYB), by-law officers admitted the activity was dangerous and unlawful, but refused to act. They failed to correct the hazard or contract the work out, as required by the municipality’s own bylaws.

As a result, an elderly man slipped, fell, and broke his hip. This led to another heated confrontation at Town Hall, where by-law enforcement was warned their negligence would either killed this man or severely shorten his life. Tragically, he has now passed away.

Rather than uphold their duty to enforce bylaws on municipal property and ensure town staff comply with the law, North Huron’s by-law department remains fixated on exerting authority over private property—failing miserably at the job they were actually hired to do.

The next council meeting is Monday at 6pm in the North Huron Council Chambers, located at 271 Frances Street, Wingham. (the old public school)

North Huron Council Contact Info:
Paul Heffer
280 Manor Road
(519) 357-3594
pheffer@northhuron.ca 
Mitch Wright
63 Bristol Terrace
(519) 357-9497
mwright@northhuron.ca 
Lonnie Whitfield
94 John St. West
(226) 222-2585 
lwhitfield@northhuron.ca 
Anita van Hittersum
84012 Hoover Line
(519) 523-4492 
avanhittersum@northhuron.ca
Chris Palmer
39331 Belfast Road
(519) 357-3385 
cpalmer@northhuron.ca 
Kevin Fascist  Falconer
303 King Street
(519) 955-0301 
kfalconer@northhuron.ca
Ric McBurney
202 Thuell St, Blyth
(519) 441-7415 
rmcburney@northhuron.ca

Categories
Central Huron OPP Police Press Releases

31 Year Old From Central Huron Arrested #WaitInTheTruck

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – On April 12th, 2025, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Municipality of Central Huron.

As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed criminal acts against their partner in 2024 and 2025.

A 31-year-old individual from Central Huron has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:

–      Assault – Spousal,

–      Mischief – Domestic,

–      Fail to Comply with Undertaking – (two counts).

The accused was processed and held for a bail hearing where they were remanded into custody with a court date scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, there are local resources available to help. One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Huron at www.victimserviceshuron.ca or by calling toll free at #1-866-863-4108, or #1-519-600-4108.

The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 in an emergency.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure web tip at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

–

Categories
Alerts WFP

The “Get It Done Act” (Bill 162, 2024) – A Green Light for Government Land Grabs

Ontario’s Get It Done Act, 2024 (Bill 162) may sound like an effort to cut red tape and speed up infrastructure—but buried within its text is a dangerous expansion of government power that could obliterate private property rights across the province.

❗ What’s Hidden in Plain Sight:

 This Act quietly amends the Environmental Assessment Act to explicitly allow expropriation—government seizure of private land—before environmental reviews are complete.

In other words:

The government can now take your land first, and ask questions later—or possibly never.

⚠️ A Chilling Scenario:

  1. You own farmland, a family home, or a business.
  2. The province announces a vague infrastructure project.
  3. Without your consent—and before assessing if the project is even viable or environmentally safe—your land is expropriated.
  4. Public consultation is skipped or minimized. There is no requirement to prove necessity before the seizure.
  5. If the project changes, stalls, or is scrapped, you don’t get your land back—it’s gone. Possibly flipped to developers later.

? Why This Is a Massive Rights Violation:

  • Property rights are the cornerstone of a free society.
  • This bill turns that principle on its head—making every Ontarian’s land potentially temporary.
  • Environmental assessments were safeguards, meant to ensure that projects were justified, safe, and publicly reviewed. By allowing land seizures before these assessments, the government removes the only layer of accountability left.
  • It effectively revives and legitimizes the Greenbelt land swap-style corruption that caused public outcry and ministerial resignations.

?️‍?️ Who’s at Risk?

  • Rural landowners
  • Farmers
  • Seniors on fixed properties
  • Small businesses
  • First Nations and environmentally protected areas

If you have land near a proposed road, transit line, or housing zone—you could be next.

? Final Warning:

This is not just about “getting things done.”
It’s about **getting what they want—**your land—without your voice, consent, or recourse.
 Bill 162 erodes due process, undermines environmental protections, and sets the stage for widespread abuse.Ontario is not a dictatorship.
But if this Act is left unchallenged, it’s one giant leap toward one.

Categories
Alerts Breaking News WFP

?WARNING: Bill 197 “Safer Roads and Communities Act” Strips More Rights Away From Ontarians ?

Upside down flag

Bill 197 – Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024 contains sweeping amendments to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. While its stated intent is to improve road safety and crack down on impaired driving, street racing, and vehicle theft, certain clauses dramatically expand government authority—particularly in ways that could intrude onto private property and open the door to abuse.

Source: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-197

Here’s a breakdown of how this bill potentially extends government authority onto private property and what risks it carries:

? 1. Expanded Definition of “Driver” & “Operator”

  • Clause 48 (18) redefines “driver” to include “a person who has care, charge or control of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is on or off a highway.”
  • Section 216 (8) also includes those with control of a vehicle that has “recently travelled from or off the highway.”

? Danger:

These broadened definitions allow police to enforce Highway Traffic Act violations on private driveways, parking lots, and even rural or private land—not just on public roads.

This opens the door for:

  • Increased surveillance and enforcement actions without a warrant on private property.
  • Vehicle stops and document demands in places previously beyond regular traffic jurisdiction.
  • Ambiguity around “recently travelled from a highway”, which can be broadly interpreted.

? 2. Police Powers to Demand Documents & Stop Vehicles

  • Section 2, Clause (f) authorizes police officers to:


    “require a driver or operator of a vehicle to stop the vehicle and surrender documents.”

? Danger:

This section does not restrict where this stop can occur. In combination with the expanded “driver” definition, it allows off-highway enforcement, potentially:

  • At your home, if your vehicle is idling or just parked.
  • On private roads, farms, or driveways.
  • Creating potential for abusive stops or targeted enforcement, especially where no public danger exists.

? 3. New Regulation-Making Powers Override the Act

  • Section 2(2):


     “In the event of a conflict between a regulation made under this section and this Act, the regulation prevails.”

? Danger:

This allows Cabinet (not elected legislators) to create regulations that override the Act itself, bypassing parliamentary debate. This can be used to:

  • Expand enforcement zones without public accountability.
  • Create new vehicle classifications or obligations for private vehicle use.
  • Mandate equipment, insurance, or inspections for vehicles used on private land.

? 4. Indefinite Licence Suspensions Without Court Oversight

  • Several sections (e.g., 41.0.1, 41.0.2) introduce automatic, indefinite licence suspensions upon convictions, including:
    • Impaired driving causing death.
    • Vehicle theft (10, 15 years, or indefinitely for repeated offenses).

? Danger:

While harsh penalties for serious crimes are understandable, automatic and indefinite suspensions without independent tribunal oversight may result in:

  • Disproportionate punishment without room for context.
  • Lifetime bans for offenses years in the past with no pathway for appeal beyond a strict 25-year benchmark.
  • Permanently affecting livelihood of individuals who may rely on vehicles for work—especially in rural Ontario.

? 5. Ministry Enforcement Vehicles Given Police-Like Powers

  • Section 23(d) adds “ministry vehicles” to the definition of emergency vehicles authorized to:
    • Speed
    • Stop traffic
    • Use flashing lights

? Danger:

Non-police ministry staff may now act with emergency enforcement powers, with fewer checks and balances, including potential action on private property under enforcement of vehicle-related rules.

❗Summary: What This Means for Private Property Owners

Bill 197 significantly expands the Ontario government’s authority over vehicles and drivers, even when they’re on private land. It does so by:

  • Broadening definitions of driver and operator.
  • Empowering police to act beyond highways.
  • Allowing off-highway stops and document checks.
  • Granting regulation power that can override statutes.
  • Removing barriers to indefinite licence suspension.

⚠️ Dangers of Abuse:

  • Harassment of individuals on their own property.
  • Increased targeting of marginalized or rural communities.
  • Loss of due process through regulatory changes that bypass elected debate.
  • Unintended criminalization of private behavior involving vehicles not used on public roads.
Categories
Alerts WFP

WARNING: North Huron Next Target of “Strong/Dictorial Mayors Act”

WARNING: SMBH is set to expand to 169 more municipalities, including North Huron 01May2025. This was rammed through while the public was distracted with increases in taxes/tariffs. Source: https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1005753/strong-mayor-powers-proposed-for-169-additional-municipalities

The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 significantly alters municipal governance in Ontario by concentrating power in the hands of mayors, particularly in Toronto and other designated municipalities. Here’s how it undermines representative democracy, expands provincial control, and creates risks for abuse:

1. Erosion of Representative Democracy

  • Veto Powers:
    • Mayors can unilaterally veto bylaws passed by city council if they believe the bylaws interfere with “provincial priorities” (e.g., housing development).
    • Council can override the veto, but only with a two-thirds majority—a high threshold that weakens checks and balances.
    • This shifts power from elected councils (representing diverse wards) to a single individual, undermining collective decision-making.
  • Control Over Budgets:
    • Mayors now propose budgets, and councils can only amend them subject to the mayor’s veto. This centralizes fiscal authority, reducing council’s traditional role in budget oversight.
  • Appointment Powers:
    • Mayors can hire/fire key municipal staff (e.g., department heads) and appoint chairs of committees/local boards, politicizing administrative roles.
    • Exemptions (e.g., clerks, police chiefs) exist, but the mayor’s influence over bureaucracy risks patronage and reduced accountability.

2. Expansion of Provincial Power Over Municipalities

  • Provincial Priorities Override Local Democracy:
    • The Lieutenant Governor (effectively the provincial cabinet) can define “provincial priorities,” allowing mayors to force council to consider matters advancing those priorities.
    • This lets the province bypass local councils by working through compliant mayors, eroding municipal autonomy.
  • Regulation by Decree:
    • The Minister can prescribe rules for mayoral powers, vacancies, and budgets, giving the province broad discretion to reshape local governance without legislative debate.
    • Regulations can be applied retroactively, further reducing transparency.

3. Risks of Abuse and Consequences

  • Authoritarian Governance:
    • Strong-mayor systems can lead to personalized rule, where dissent is marginalized. Mayors could silence opposition by firing staff or vetoing unwelcome policies.
    • Example: A mayor could veto affordable housing initiatives if they conflict with developer-friendly provincial priorities.
  • Corruption and Conflicts of Interest:
    • The Act adds conflict-of-interest rules for mayors, but the concentration of power increases temptation to favor allies (e.g., developers, lobbyists).
    • Mayors could abuse appointment powers to install loyalists in key roles.
  • Erosion of Public Trust:
    • If councils are sidelined, citizens may perceive local government as unresponsive, fueling disillusionment.
    • Low voter turnout in mayoral races (compared to council elections) exacerbates this, as mayors with weak mandates wield disproportionate power.
  • Precedent for Further Centralization:
    • This Act mirrors trends in other provinces (e.g., Quebec’s strong-mayor system) and could embolden Ontario to further weaken local democracy, such as by appointing mayors or overriding municipal bylaws outright.

Conclusion

The Act frames itself as a tool to accelerate housing development, but its real impact is to:

  1. Transfer power from councils to mayors, weakening representative democracy.
  2. Let the province control localities through “priorities” and regulations.
  3. Create risks of corruption, inefficiency, and public alienation.

While strong mayors could streamline decision-making, the lack of robust safeguards makes this a dangerous shift toward top-down governance, where local voices are subordinated to provincial and mayoral agendas. The consequences could include less accountability, more polarization, and policies that favor narrow interests over community needs.

North Huron Council Contact Info:
Paul Heffer
280 Manor Road
(519) 357-3594
pheffer@northhuron.ca 
Mitch Wright
63 Bristol Terrace
(519) 357-9497
mwright@northhuron.ca 
Lonnie Whitfield
94 John St. West
(226) 222-2585 
lwhitfield@northhuron.ca 
Anita van Hittersum
84012 Hoover Line
(519) 523-4492 
avanhittersum@northhuron.ca
Chris Palmer
39331 Belfast Road
(519) 357-3385 
cpalmer@northhuron.ca 
Kevin Fascist  Falconer
303 King Street
(519) 955-0301 
kfalconer@northhuron.ca
Ric McBurney
202 Thuell St, Blyth
(519) 441-7415 
rmcburney@northhuron.ca

Categories
Area OPP Central Huron OPP Police Press Releases

35 Year Old From Central Huron Arrested #WaitInTheTruck

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – On February 8th, 2025, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Municipality of Central Huron.

As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed criminal acts against their partner.

A 35-year-old individual from Central Huron has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:

–      Assault – Spousal – (two counts).

The accused was processed and held for a bail hearing where they were later released from custody with a court date scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich on March 17th, 2025.

Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, there are local resources available to help. One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Huron at www.victimserviceshuron.ca or by calling toll free at #1-866-863-4108, or #1-519-600-4108.

The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 in an emergency.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure web tip at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Categories
Huron East OPP Police Press Releases

Repeat Offender Arrested For Spousal Abuse #WaitInTheTruck

(HURON EAST, ON) – On January 31, 2025, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Municipality of Huron East.

As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed several criminal acts against their partner.

A 56-year-old individual from Huron East has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:

–      Assault – Spousal,

–      Fail to Comply with Probation Order – (9 counts).

The accused was processed and held for a bail hearing where they were later remanded into custody with a court date scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, there are local resources available to help. One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Huron at www.victimserviceshuron.ca or by calling toll free at #1-866-863-4108, or #1-519-600-4108.

The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 in an emergency.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure web tip at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Categories
Area OPP Huron East OPP Police Press Releases

70 Year Old Facing Spousal Abuse Charges #WaitInTheTruck

(HURON EAST, ON) – On January 31, 2025, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Municipality of Huron East.

As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed a criminal act against their partner.

A 70-year-old individual from Huron East has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:

–      Uttering Threats to Cause Bodily Harm or Death – Spousal.

The accused was processed and later released from custody with a court date scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich on March 10th, 2025.

Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, there are local resources available to help. One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Huron at www.victimserviceshuron.ca or by calling toll free at #1-866-863-4108, or #1-519-600-4108.

The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 in an emergency.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure web tip at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Categories
Central Huron OPP Police Press Releases

Central Huron Abuse #WaitInTheTruck

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – On January 31st, 2025, members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Municipality of Central Huron.

As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed several criminal acts against their partner.

A 29-year-old individual from Central Huron has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:

–      Assault – Spousal,

–      Assault – Causing Bodily Harm – Spousal,

–      Mischief – Domestic,

–      Forcible Confinement,

–      Utter Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm – Spousal.

The accused was processed and held for a bail hearing where they were later remanded into custody with a court date scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, there are local resources available to help. One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Huron at www.victimserviceshuron.ca or by calling toll free at #1-866-863-4108, or #1-519-600-4108.

The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 in an emergency.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure web tip at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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