Vancouver Information and Newspaper

Archive for November, 2009

CALGARY – Charges against a man accused of killing his two children and attempting to kill his wife in their Calgary home have been upgraded to first-degree murder.

James Bing Jun Louie, who was originally charged with second-degree murder, appeared briefly in court Monday via closed circuit television.

He didn’t speak as his lawyer, Noel O’Brien, had the matter put forward to Dec. 14 so he can receive more details about the case.

“We’re not going to try this case in the media,” O’Brien said outside court when asked to comment. “I’m going to wait until I get the facts from the Crown, and, once we get that, we’ll make our assessment in respect to his mental competence and things of that nature.”

The 43-year-old Louie, who is also charged with attempted murder, was remanded in custody.

A 13-year-old boy and his nine-year-old sister were found dead in the family home in northwest Calgary on Friday.

Police say their mother called 911 and was struggling with a suspect when officers arrived. She was taken to hospital, but is now recovering with family.

Officers responding to her call forced their way inside the home when no one answered their knocks or the doorbell. The first thing constables found was the body of the boy.

They continued searching and came upon a man and woman struggling. Police have said they believe the woman would have been killed as well if officers had not been there to intervene.

A subsequent search found the body of the girl.

FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s Conservative Opposition Leader is asking Quebec Premier Jean Charest to hold off finalizing the proposed acquisition of NB Power.

In the letter, David Alward asks Charest not to finalize the deal until there’s a referendum in New Brunswick on the issue or the provincial election in September.

Alward has repeatedly asked Premier Shawn Graham to do the same, to no avail.

Alward says the deal is bad for New Brunswick and will do nothing to improve the province’s financial situation.

Under the proposed deal, Hydro-Quebec would assume all the major assets of NB Power, including transmission lines, for $4.75 billion dollars.

FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s finance minister is set to deliver a deficit budget Tuesday, but Greg Byrne says now is not the time to stop spending to boost the province’s economy.

Byrne bought a pair of new winter boots Monday, saying he needs the traction they provide to continue climbing out of the economic recession.

Aside from the capital budget, the Liberal government is delivering its operating budget three months ahead of schedule.

The budget will also be Premier Shawn Graham’s last before the provincial election in September.

Graham says his province was one of the first to address the recession and needs to act now to continue efforts to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Graham says the budget will include $15 million to help reduce poverty in the province.

Post-secondary Education Minister Donald Arseneault has also promised a three per cent increase in funding for universities and a freeze on student tuition fees.

FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s finance minister is set to deliver a deficit budget Tuesday, but Greg Byrne says now is not the time to stop spending to boost the province’s economy.

Byrne bought a pair of new winter boots Monday, saying he needs the traction they provide to continue climbing out of the economic recession.

Aside from the capital budget, the Liberal government is delivering its operating budget three months ahead of schedule.

The budget will also be Premier Shawn Graham’s last before the provincial election in September.

Graham says his province was one of the first to address the recession and needs to act now to continue efforts to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Graham says the budget will include $15 million to help reduce poverty in the province.

Post-secondary Education Minister Donald Arseneault has also promised a three per cent increase in funding for universities and a freeze on student tuition fees.

FREDERICTON – St. Thomas University has appointed an acting president as it looks for someone to take over the school’s top job permanently.

The university announced that Dennis Cochrane will become its interim president and vice-chancellor as of January.

Cochrane is a former Tory MP, former provincial Conservative leader and most recently was Nova Scotia’s deputy minister of education.

Andrea Seymour, chairwoman of St. Thomas University’s board of governors, says Cochrane brings a wealth of education and administrative experience to the job.

The university says the appointment will be until July 1, 2011, when a president and vice chancellor is expected to be in place.

Cochrane succeeds Michael Higgins, who resigned in August to write two books and a documentary series, as well as conduct research in the field of Catholic higher education.

FREDERICTON – St. Thomas University has appointed an acting president as it looks for someone to take over the school’s top job permanently.

The university announced that Dennis Cochrane will become its interim president and vice-chancellor as of January.

Cochrane is a former Tory MP, former provincial Conservative leader and most recently was Nova Scotia’s deputy minister of education.

Andrea Seymour, chairwoman of St. Thomas University’s board of governors, says Cochrane brings a wealth of education and administrative experience to the job.

The university says the appointment will be until July 1, 2011, when a president and vice chancellor is expected to be in place.

Cochrane succeeds Michael Higgins, who resigned in August to write two books and a documentary series, as well as conduct research in the field of Catholic higher education.