Battlefords RCMP says its officers have served a Saskatchewan couple with a pair of charges after finding methamphetamine with pizza.

The federal police detachment said Wednesday its members made the piping-hot find on March 28 after they conducted a traffic stop in Battleford.

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“Officers had obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. It was towed to a secure police facility and subsequently thoroughly searched by officers,” they said in a news release.

“They located and seized approximately 126 grams of suspected methamphetamine hidden in a pizza box inside the vehicle. The substances will undergo further testing.”

A 70-year-old Wilkie, Sask., resident and 26-year-old North Battleford, Sask., resident have each been charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine.

They both appeared in court on March 30.

Two people have now been charged in connection with a fatal highway shooting south of Edmonton earlier this month in what Alberta Police described as a “senseless crime.”

In a news conference Wednesday afternoon, RCMP staff Sgt. John Brown said 22-year-old Barinder Singh was driving with two close friends on March 14 along the QEII Highway near Leduc when he was shot in the neck.

“Despite being shot, Barinder and his two friends were able to safely stop the vehicle. He died shortly after,” Brown said.

Police say that at around 2:50 p.m. on March 14, a witness saw a pickup truck pull up beside a black 2012 Honda Civic, owned by Singh.

According to investigators, there was a brief interaction between those in the two vehicles before the shooting, including a hand gesture resembling a peace sign, which was held up at the victim’s car.

The victims in the vehicle assumed it was a peace sign and Singh returned the gesture, according to his friends who were also in the vehicle.

Moments later, shots were fired from the suspect vehicle, hitting Singh in the neck. The truck sped away at a high rate of speed.

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A friend who had been in the car with Singh, and who does not want to be identified due to safety concerns, told Global News he doesn’t understand why anyone would do this. “We tried to put pressure on his wounds and call 911,” the friend said.

“There was so much blood loss. I tried really hard but could not save him.”

RCMP said both vehicles were travelling southbound side by side when the incident happened, and the groups had no prior connection.

Jimmy Gassner, 18, of Lloydminster, was arrested on March 21 in Canoe Lake, Sask., and charged with second-degree murder, according to police.

Investigators allege Gassner was a passenger in the truck and fired the shots. Gassner was already known to police for other charges as a minor.

A second suspect, 23-year-old Deon Libsekil, was arrested on March 26.

Brown said Libsekil was also known to police and already in custody on unrelated matters. He has now been charged with second-degree murder and accessory after the fact.

Libsekil has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 2.

RCMP said they believe all suspects connected to the shooting have now been identified and charged.

While a motive has not been fully confirmed, Brown said, “it’s partially random.”

Police say there is no evidence the shooting was motivated by hate or racial bias and confirmed the victim and his friends were not involved in criminal activity or gang affiliation. “The victims were fully random,” Brown added.

RCMP also ruled out robbery, road rage and gang initiation as motives, though investigators say there may be some connection to gang activity among the suspects.

RCMP say Singh’s family is currently outside Canada, and officers have been in contact with them.

Investigators are also reassuring members of the Sikh community that the killing was not targeted.

“This was not racially motivated … this is not a pattern, it is a one-off event,” Brown said.

Brown added that these types of “random, senseless attacks” are very rare and thanked all detachments for their hard work in a successful investigation.

“The investigation team did an amazing job,” he said after explaining random incidents like this are usually the most difficult type of case to piece together.

– With files from Global News’ Karen Bartko

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Foreign governments are continuing to harass and intimidate Canadians but proving it in court is a challenge, the RCMP said in a statement clarifying controversial remarks by the commissioner.

“What we can say is that the RCMP is aware of complaints of intimidation and harassment against certain communities across Canada,” the RCMP told Global News in the statement.

“The RCMP, and the broader government of Canada, is also aware that foreign states are engaging in such activities in Canada,” the police force added in response to questions.

The statement was released after Global News asked the RCMP to explain Commissioner Mike Duheme’s comments two weeks ago about Indian transnational repression.

In a May 19 broadcast, Duheme told CTV “We have people that are intimidating people, harassing people, but connecting the dots to a foreign entity, regardless of the country, we don’t have that.”

The remarks, the latest in a series of seemingly contradictory comments from the government about India’s activities in Canada, were condemned by critics.

A Canadian Sikh organization said the commissioner had left the impression the RCMP was walking back its accusations about India’s illicit targeting of Canada’s South Asian community.

But in its follow-up statement, the RCMP said the difficulty has been linking specific incidents against Canadians to a foreign state, with evidence that can be revealed in the criminal courts.

“Investigations are ongoing,” the RCMP said. “However, based on criminal intelligence currently held by the RCMP related to transnational repression, establishing a direct link to a foreign entity with information that can be disclosed in a criminal proceeding is a complex process.”

A former Canadian Security Intelligence Service official said the statement was revealing and pointed to the longstanding difficulties in using intelligence information in criminal prosecutions.

“The commissioner is acknowledging a lack of criminally admissible evidence linking foreign states to transnational repression in Canada. That is not the same as an absence of information,” Dan Stanton said.

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“CSIS may hold relevant intelligence on current activity, but it is not under any statutory obligation to disclose that intelligence to the RCMP,” added Stanton, author of a forthcoming book on foreign interference.

“The Service would share some intelligence if their investigative target crossed the threshold of criminal activity and the RCMP believes it would further their evidence collection.”

2:08
Canada and India reset relationship despite claims of continued interference

An especially challenging aspect of foreign interference, transnational repression occurs when overseas governments, or those acting for them, use harassment, threats and violence to silence critics abroad.

The RCMP statement did not name specific countries, but CSIS has identified China, India, Russia and Iran as the main states conducting espionage and foreign interference in Canada.

Asked about the commissioner’s comments, CSIS said that “transnational repression and foreign interference remain persistent threats in Canada.”

“CSIS assessment of the main perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage against Canada remains unchanged.”

National security agencies believe the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been engaged in election meddling, disinformation and foreign interference in Canada.

India has mostly targeted the Khalistan movement that seeks independence for the country’s Sikh-majority Punjab, labelling activists as terrorists and demanding their prosecution or extradition.

In 2023, India allegedly escalated its tactics when it contracted the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to assassinate key members of the Khalistan movement, starting with B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In October 2024, the RCMP went further, accusing the Indian government of orchestrating an array of violence in Canada. Six Indian diplomats were expelled for their suspected involvement.

“As shared on October 14, 2024, the RCMP observed organized crime elements being used in acts of transnational repression,” the RCMP said in its recent statement.

“A number of investigations related to these findings remain ongoing. For reasons of operational integrity and security, no further details can be provided until charges are laid and the matters become public,” it said.

“The RCMP is committed to combating foreign interference in all its forms and will not tolerate intimidation, harassment, or the targeting of diaspora communities or individuals in Canada.”

2:03
Police warn Canadian Sikh activist of threat to life ahead of Carney’s India visit

India denies the allegations, despite evidence that it also tried to kill one of Nijjar’s associates. The FBI disrupted the plot, which the U.S. says was carried out by India’s Research and Analysis Wing intelligence branch.

Critics have accused Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government of overlooking India’s activities as it seeks a trade deal with the Modi government to offset the impact of a U.S. trade war.

On the eve of Carney’s official visit to India, one of his officials told reporters that India was no longer targeting Canadians, prompting a backlash from within the Liberal ranks.

Following the RCMP commissioner’s remarks to CTV, World Sikh Organization president Danish Singh accused the government of “playing word games to shield the government of India.”

“Sikh Canadians continue to face intimidation, surveillance, and threats linked to Indian state actors and their proxies,” he said.

“We are aware of multiple recent incidents, including cases where Sikh activists have received ‘duty to warn’ notifications from Canadian law enforcement. We are aware of individuals being surveilled and intimidated.”

Stewart.Bell@globalnews.ca

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RCMP say they’ve made an arrest after a “devastating” attack on a New Brunswick musician this past weekend.

John McLaren, a solo musician from Shediac, N.B., had been performing at Happy Craft Brewing at 800 Main St. in Moncton on Saturday before the attack.

Codiac Regional RCMP said their officers responded to a report of an assault in the area at about 11:50 p.m. They said they responded to the report near 889 Main St., but that based on details from their investigation, the assault is likely to have occurred near 806 Main St.

They found a 37-year-old man injured and unconscious. He was rushed to hospital with what were believed to be serious injuries. As of Monday, McLaren was in the intensive care unit.

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The suspect had fled the area before police arrived.

On Tuesday, police located and arrested a man at a home on Weldon Street.

Luke Powers appeared in Moncton provincial court Wednesday and was charged with aggravated assault. He was remanded into custody pending a court appearance Friday.

“John’s a great guy, straight moral compass, he would never want anything negative upon anyone,” said Ryan Mazerolle, a guitarist from the band Before the Dinosaurs.

“The fact that it happened to him is very devastating to the overall community.”

In the days after the attack, some artists say they’re hesitant to play in the Moncton area.

Michel LeBlanc told Global News that McLaren was “such a good person” and that there was “no way” he did anything to deserve being attacked.

“Disappointed that these things keep happening in Moncton, and especially to someone like him,” LeBlanc said.

Due to concerns over violence, some musicians have said they take extra steps when loading and unloading equipment at venues to ensure safety.

“Even before our first gig, I was telling them that we need to post up a sentry system where someone is on stage and someone is at the trunk and there is two guys going between with the gear,” Mazerolle said.

“So there are eyes on everyone’s shoulders at all times.”

LeBlanc said he believes more needs to be done.

“It’s getting worse; it doesn’t feel like it’s getting any better and we are on our own out here,” LeBlanc said.

The RCMP said its investigation is ongoing.

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A New Brunswick musician remains in hospital after he was the victim of a violent attack outside a Moncton venue where he had taken the stage only a short time prior this past weekend.

John McLaren, a solo musician from Shediac, N.B., had been performing at Happy Craft Brewing on Moncton’s Main Street on Saturday prior to the attack.

According to Codiac Regional RCMP, police responded to a report of an assault in the area at about 11:50 p.m.  They said they responded to the report near 889 Main St., but that based on details from their investigation, the assault is likely to have occurred near 806 Main St.

Happy Craft Brewing is located at 800 Main St.

When they arrived on scene, they found a 37-year-old injured and unconscious. He was rushed to hospital with what were believed to be serious injuries.

As of Monday, McLaren remains in the intensive care unit.

“John’s a great guy, straight moral compass, he would never want anything negative upon anyone,” said Ryan Mazerolle, a guitarist of the band Before the Dinosaurs. “The fact that it happened to him is very devastating to the overall community.”

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In the days since the attack, some in the province’s artistic community say they’re now hesitant to play in the Moncton area due to safety concerns.

Michel LeBlanc, another New Brunswick musician, told Global News that McLaren was “such a good person” and that there was “no way” he did anything to deserve being attacked.

“Disappointed that these things keep happening in Moncton, and especially to someone like him,” LeBlanc said.

With concerns of violence, some musicians say they take extra steps when loading and unloading equipment at venues to ensure safety.

“Even before our first gig I was telling them that we need to post up a sentry system where someone is on stage and someone is at the trunk and there is two guys going between with the gear,” Mazerolle said. “So there are eyes on everyone’s shoulders at all times.”

One agency that manages artists and books their shows in the province, Folk’d Up Records, told Global News they’ve had multiple bands express they are worried about performing in Moncton.

“I have had some musicians that have told me directly that they do not want to play around the Moncton area,” said Mitch Biggar, president of Folk’d Up Records.

RCMP have not made any arrests as of Monday in the case, and said the suspect fled the area before officers arrived.

They also told Global News the circumstances of the assault are under investigation.

As police continue to search for a suspect, LeBlanc said he believes more needs to be done.

“It’s getting worse; it doesn’t feel like it’s getting any better and we are on our own out here,” LeBlanc said.

—with files from Global News’ Johnny James

1:54
Moncton woman says RCMP were dismissive when she reported mugging

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City officials, police and community organizations in Penticton, B.C., are launching a new campaign aimed at addressing a rise in intimate partner violence in the community.

The initiative, called “Not In My Community,” brings together the City of Penticton, RCMP and local service organizations to focus on prevention, improving access to support services and strengthening coordination between agencies responding to violence.

“We are taking a united stand against intimate partner violence,” Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield said during the campaign launch.

Penticton RCMP say the campaign will also introduce a new role, a dedicated intimate partner violence coordinator within the local detachment.

“Police focus on investigations and immediate safety,” Supt. Beth McAndie said. “Community partners provide counselling, advocacy, housing support and long-term care.”

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McAndie says the new coordinator will also help identify patterns of violence sooner, allowing agencies to intervene earlier and potentially prevent further harm.

2:04
Intimate partner violence report

The one-year campaign comes as police report an increase in domestic violence incidents in the area.

“We’re seeing an upward trend in reported domestic violence incidents locally of almost 20 per cent in 2025 from 2024,” McAndie said.

Organizers say the campaign will also extend into local schools, where outreach efforts and educational materials will aim to raise awareness among young people and encourage students to report abuse.

“We need to make sure that we have the resources in place to help the victims. More importantly, help the kids that are not only victims of violence, but also witness violence,” Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel said.

Erica Markus-Pawliuk with the South Okanagan Women in Need Society says the campaign’s message is meant to resonate across the community.

“This message we must continue to repeat is clear: not in my community, not in my neighbourhood, not in my group chat, not in my friend group,” she said. “And knowing in your home you don’t need to do this alone.”

As part of the campaign, informational posters will be displayed throughout the city, connecting people experiencing intimate partner violence with local resources and support services.

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More than four years after her son’s death, Tracey Savage says the wait for justice continues.

On Sept. 5, 2021, a young man was found critically injured on a field at Penticton Secondary School. He later died in hospital.

Savage says the days before her son was identified were agonizing.

“Each day he didn’t come home, you knew that the chances are it was your son.”

Thirteen days later, the victim was identified as 22-year-old Taig Savage.

In 2024, four people were charged with second-degree murder in connection with his death. Three of the accused were youths at the time of the alleged offence and are expected to stand trial later this year.

The fourth suspect, Isaac Hayes Jack, will be tried separately as an adult.

Savage says the impact on her family has been devastating.

“It’s life changing to say the least. Our family has really struggled with the events.”

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Jack’s trial was expected to begin this spring, but Savage says health issues involving the defence lawyer could push proceedings back by another year, the latest in a series of delays.

The trial has also been moved from Penticton to Kelowna, adding roughly two hours of commuting each day for the family to attend court.

“I was kind of working so that I would have enough money to be able to attend every day. And the delay puts an inconvenience on both planning and time constraints,” said Savage.

More than four years after Taig’s death, those accused of killing him remain free while the case moves through the court system.

Helena Konanz, the B.C. Conservative MP for Similkameen–South Okanagan–West Kootenay, says the case highlights broader concerns about delays in the justice system.

“We cannot have people who are accused of murder wandering or living a normal life when someone like Taig’s life was taken away. We need to focus back on the victims,” said Konanz.

Konanz has raised Savage’s story in Parliament, criticizing the time it has taken for the case to reach trial.

“People start forgetting what a big deal this was, that a young man lost his life,” said Konanz.

Savage says the delays have made an already difficult process even harder for her family.

“There’s no consideration for the family. None, really, in terms of where, when and how this has unfolded,” said Savage.

In a statement, the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General says the province has been pushing the federal government to amend the Criminal Code to help address court delays.

“We are continuing to make system improvements here in British Columbia. Dedicated witness support teams are keeping cases on track by working closely with victims and witnesses to ensure they are prepared to testify,” said the Attorney General’s office.

“Crown counsel and law enforcement are using digital evidence management systems to streamline disclosure, making it faster and easier to share information with defence. Virtual hearings are saving travel time, reducing wait times, and improving the efficient use of court time. In major crime files, strong communication between Crown counsel and police has improved scheduling and time management.

“Work is also underway to expand the use of digital documents in court files, giving judges faster and more streamlined access to key information.”

In the meantime, Savage says she is preparing to spend at least another year in the court system as she continues fighting for justice for her son.

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Janson Baker has been found guilty on both counts of first-degree murder in the 2019 killing of a senior couple in New Brunswick.

The jury, which began deliberations on Feb. 26, delivered its verdict in a Moncton courtroom on Monday evening at around 7:45 p.m.

Baker, 29, has been on trial for two counts of first-degree murder in the 2019 shooting deaths of Bernard Saulnier, 78, and Rose-Marie Saulnier, 74.

The husband and wife were found dead in their home in Dieppe, N.B., on Sept. 7, that year.

RCMP announced the charges against Baker in 2023, on the fourth anniversary of the couple’s deaths. At the time the charges were laid, Baker was an inmate at the Atlantic Institution, a maximum-security corrections facility in Renous, N.B.

Baker’s trial began Jan. 3 and included more than 30 witnesses.

During closing arguments, Defence lawyer Brian Munro said the Crown did not prove Baker committed the murders or that his client was even in the couple’s house at the time, saying “there’s no physical evidence in this case of any kind against Janson Baker.”

1:27
N.B. man with lengthy criminal history charged with killing elderly couple

Munro argued that much of the Crown’s case is speculative and also cautioned the jury against trusting the evidence of two key witnesses, including Zach Trevors, who had previously testified that he saw Baker in the Saulniers’ house with his arms raised and that he heard a scream.

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Munro said in his closing arguments that Trevors’ testimony had inconsistencies, saying “he is incentivized, he’s motivated not to tell the truth.”

However, Crown prosecutor Brad Burgess challenged that idea, arguing that a guilty finding is “the only rational conclusion.”

It has been the Crown’s assertion that the Saulniers’ deaths were collateral damage in an attempted murder of their son as part of retribution for allegedly betraying a drug trafficking ring.

Their son, Sylvio, died in 2023 but police have said there was no criminality in his death.

In his closing argument, Burgess said it was Baker’s testimony that was unreliable and that any inconsistencies between his witnesses’ testimonies only went to prove that they had not corroborated.

Burgess also said the charges of first-degree murder were warranted because he alleges the Saulniers were killed while being forcibly confined.

He concluded by saying, “It’s now Janson Baker who’s trapped. He’s trapped by the evidence in this case and the inescapable conclusion that it leads to.”

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When Kelowna, B.C., Mayor Tom Dyas took the city’s top priorities to Victoria this week, they included social disorder concerns.

Dyas met with provincial ministers, including Attorney General Nikki Sharma.

Among the things Dyas advocated for included more Crown prosecutors and an involuntary compassionate care facility.

However, the mayor stopped at asking for more RCMP funding to help bolster RCMP resources.

“At this particular point in time we are not asking for more police officers,” Dyas told Global News at the legislature in Victoria Thursday.

“We deal with that through our normal budget process and we’ve gone through the budget process at this point in time.”

The 2026 budget has allocated funding for four additional RCMP officers, but according to the detachment’s officer-in-charge, far more are needed to meet current policing needs.

“We require more police officers to meet the service levels that’s expected from the community,” Supt. Chris Goebel said when addressing council on Feb. 9.

When asked by city councillor Ron Cannan how many more are needed, Goebel said more than 30.

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“To meet the summer call response, as well as the front-line call response and to add sufficient foot patrols to meet the need, about 32 officers,” Goebel said.

Dyas declined Global News’ request for an interview to explain why he didn’t ask for more RCMP dollars while in Victoria.

“If the professional assessment is telling us that we need 32, that’s a gap,” said Rhonda Lindsay, owner of Train Station Pub. “Clearly we need to do something. Kelowna is growing and we have to grow with it.”

Lindsay is just one of many business operators where social disorder is having ongoing impacts.

“Broken windows, broken-into cars, broken-into equipment,” Lindsay said when describing regular occurrences.

2:16
Rutland urging increased police support

In the city’s Rutland area, where crime is top of mind, residents also voiced concerns about the need for more policing resources.

“We do need more, especially with what’s going on with the homeless and drug people,” said Rutland resident Shannon Doherty.

“They definitely need more cops in the area,” said Rick Wabi, another Rutland resident. “They have to re-shuffle some of the money, I guess.”

While many agree that policing is only one part of the solution to social disorder and repeat offenders, it’s a piece many don’t want to see fall behind.

“Kelowna is an incredible city and we need to give it the care that it deserves and that is with policing. It’s with mental health support. It’s with dealing with all of our from prosecutors,” said Lindsay. “It’s a full package.”

2:11
Kelowna launches overnight security patrol

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