Laura McQuillan's guest appearances

Laura McQuillan

Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

Dane Dougan

Chloe Swarbrick

Craig Young

Simon O'Connor

Julie Chapman

Ashley Church

Benje Patterson

Gerry Brownlee

John Key

Vladimir Putin

Eric Crampton

Jacinda Ardern

Shane Jones

Liam Rutherford

Des Gorman

OwlTail

A man wearing a police uniform went on a shooting rampage in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Sunday, killing 13 people, in the deadliest such attack in the country in 30 years. Officials said the suspected shooter was also dead.A police officer was among the dead. Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small, rural town of Portapique, about 100 kilometres north of Halifax. Overnight, police began advising residents of the town — already on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic — to lock their doors and stay in their basements. Several homes in the area were set on fire as well.Police identified the man believed to be the shooter as Gabriel Wortman, 51, who was thought to live part-time in Portapique. Authorities said he disguised himself as a police officer in uniform at one point and made his car look like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police cruiser.Wortman was arrested by the RCMP at a gas station in Enfield, just outside Halifax. Police later announced that he had died."This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history," said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.RCMP spokesman Daniel Brien confirmed that 13 people had been killed as had the shooter. He said he could not rule out that the death toll could still rise. Already, that makes it one of the worst shootings in Canadian history.Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada. The country overhauled its gun-control laws after the its worst mass shooting in 1989, when gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique college. This weekend's shooting is the deadliest since then. It is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon in Canada. The country also requires training, a personal risk assessment, two references, spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon.Police have not provided a motive for the attack, but RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said many of the victims did not know the shooter."That fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act," Leather said. He added that police believe he acted alone.Leather said they would investigate whether the attack had anything to do with the coronavirus pandemic but no link has been found thus far.The dead officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and a 23-year veteran of the force. Another officer was also injured.Leather said at point there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police. There were half a dozen police vehicles at the scene of a gas station where the suspect was shot. Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps, and a large silver-coloured SUV was being investigated.Police said earlier Sunday the suspect was driving a car that looked like a police vehicle and was wearing a police uniform, but later said he was "believed to be driving a small, silver Chevrolet SUV." They said he is not an RCMP employee or officer.Cpl. Lisa Croteau, a spokeswoman with the provincial force, said police received a call about "a person with firearms" at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and the investigation "evolved into an active shooting investigation.""My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.Christine Mills, a resident of the area, said it had been a frightening night for the small town, with armed officers patrolling the streets. In the morning, helicopters flew overhead searching for the suspect. "It's nerve-wracking because you don't know if somebody has lost their mind and is going to beat in your front door," she said.Tom Taggart, a lawmaker who represents the Portapique area in the Municipality of Colchester, said the quiet community has been shaken."This is just an absolutely wonderful, peaceful quiet community and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbeliev...

A man wearing a police uniform went on a shooting rampage in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Sunday, killing 13 people, in the deadliest such attack in the country in 30 years. Officials said the suspected shooter was also dead. A police officer was among the dead. Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small, rural town of Portapique, about 100 kilometres north of Halifax. Overnight, police began advising residents of the town — already on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic — to lock their doors and stay in their basements. Several homes in the area were set on fire as well. Police identified the man believed to be the shooter as Gabriel Wortman, 51, who was thought to live part-time in Portapique. Authorities said he disguised himself as a police officer in uniform at one point and made his car look like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police cruiser. Wortman was arrested by the RCMP at a gas station in Enfield, just outside Halifax. Police later announced that he had died. "This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history," said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. RCMP spokesman Daniel Brien confirmed that 13 people had been killed as had the shooter. He said he could not rule out that the death toll could still rise. Already, that makes it one of the worst shootings in Canadian history. Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada. The country overhauled its gun-control laws after the its worst mass shooting in 1989, when gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique college. This weekend's shooting is the deadliest since then. It is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon in Canada. The country also requires training, a personal risk assessment, two references, spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon. Police have not provided a motive for the attack, but RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said many of the victims did not know the shooter. "That fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act," Leather said. He added that police believe he acted alone. Leather said they would investigate whether the attack had anything to do with the coronavirus pandemic but no link has been found thus far. The dead officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and a 23-year veteran of the force. Another officer was also injured. Leather said at point there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police. There were half a dozen police vehicles at the scene of a gas station where the suspect was shot. Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps, and a large silver-coloured SUV was being investigated. Police said earlier Sunday the suspect was driving a car that looked like a police vehicle and was wearing a police uniform, but later said he was "believed to be driving a small, silver Chevrolet SUV." They said he is not an RCMP employee or officer. Cpl. Lisa Croteau, a spokeswoman with the provincial force, said police received a call about "a person with firearms" at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and the investigation "evolved into an active shooting investigation." "My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Christine Mills, a resident of the area, said it had been a frightening night for the small town, with armed officers patrolling the streets. In the morning, helicopters flew overhead searching for the suspect. "It's nerve-wracking because you don't know if somebody has lost their mind and is going to beat in your front door," she said. Tom Taggart, a lawmaker who represents the Portapique area in the Municipality of Colchester, said the quiet community has been shaken. "This is just an absolutely wonderful, peaceful quiet community and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbeliev...

Laura McQuillan: 13 killed in Canada's deadliest shooting in 30 years

Canadian police urged people in a remote northern town to stay inside and lock their doors Monday as officers hunted for two teenagers who are suspects in the murder of three people in British Columbia.Police Cpl. Julie Courchaine told a news conference in Winnipeg that the agency received a tip Sunday afternoon that Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky may have been spotted in York Landing — about 55 miles (90 kilometers) from Gillam, where a vehicle that had been used by the suspects was found burned last week.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued a tweet saying "it is critical" that residents in York Landing "stay indoors as much as possible with their doors locked."The community of about 500 people is accessible only by air or a ferry, though a rail line runs about 15 miles (25 kilometers) away.Nineteen-year-old McLeod and 18-year-old Schmegelsky have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Leonard Dyck, whose body was found last week in British Columbia.They are also suspects in the fatal shootings of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese of Charlotte, North Carolina, whose bodies were found July 15 along the Alaska Highway about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from Dyck's killing.The RCMP Manitoba said the Royal Canadian Air Force was assisting with the search.Police earlier had been searching further east in the town of Gillam, aided by tracking dogs and drones.Meanwhile, the father of one of the suspects has sent a book to reporters describing his mental health, harassment convictions involving his ex-wife and his relationship with his fugitive son.Alan Schmegelsky said the book titled "Red Flagged" is a novelization of actual events and fictionalizes some incidents.He said he sent the book to reporters to highlight how a "broken system" has shaped him and his son."My son and I have been treated like footballs. It's time for some truth," he said.He writes that he was arrested by Victoria police on Aug. 4, 2008, his son Bryer's eighth birthday, three years after his acrimonious split with the boy's mother.Court records show he was charged with criminal harassment in December 2008. He was found guilty of the lesser offence of disobeying a court order.He returned to court numerous times over the next decade on charges of harassment and breach of probation.Schmegelsky says he does not currently have a permanent residence and has been homeless for about two years, staying primarily in Victoria.He has said that he did not see his son between the ages of 8 and 16, at which age his son briefly lived with him in Victoria and they worked in construction together for a summer. He showed The Canadian Press recent photos and videos of his son on his phone.

Canadian police urged people in a remote northern town to stay inside and lock their doors Monday as officers hunted for two teenagers who are suspects in the murder of three people in British Columbia. Police Cpl. Julie Courchaine told a news conference in Winnipeg that the agency received a tip Sunday afternoon that Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky may have been spotted in York Landing — about 55 miles (90 kilometers) from Gillam, where a vehicle that had been used by the suspects was found burned last week. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued a tweet saying "it is critical" that residents in York Landing "stay indoors as much as possible with their doors locked." The community of about 500 people is accessible only by air or a ferry, though a rail line runs about 15 miles (25 kilometers) away. Nineteen-year-old McLeod and 18-year-old Schmegelsky have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Leonard Dyck, whose body was found last week in British Columbia. They are also suspects in the fatal shootings of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese of Charlotte, North Carolina, whose bodies were found July 15 along the Alaska Highway about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from Dyck's killing. The RCMP Manitoba said the Royal Canadian Air Force was assisting with the search. Police earlier had been searching further east in the town of Gillam, aided by tracking dogs and drones. Meanwhile, the father of one of the suspects has sent a book to reporters describing his mental health, harassment convictions involving his ex-wife and his relationship with his fugitive son. Alan Schmegelsky said the book titled "Red Flagged" is a novelization of actual events and fictionalizes some incidents. He said he sent the book to reporters to highlight how a "broken system" has shaped him and his son. "My son and I have been treated like footballs. It's time for some truth," he said. He writes that he was arrested by Victoria police on Aug. 4, 2008, his son Bryer's eighth birthday, three years after his acrimonious split with the boy's mother. Court records show he was charged with criminal harassment in December 2008. He was found guilty of the lesser offence of disobeying a court order. He returned to court numerous times over the next decade on charges of harassment and breach of probation. Schmegelsky says he does not currently have a permanent residence and has been homeless for about two years, staying primarily in Victoria. He has said that he did not see his son between the ages of 8 and 16, at which age his son briefly lived with him in Victoria and they worked in construction together for a summer. He showed The Canadian Press recent photos and videos of his son on his phone.

Laura McQuillan: 'Lock your doors:' Canada police hunt teen slaying suspects

Justin Trudeau

Laura McQuillan is a New Zealand freelance journalist in Canada. Listen to the audio above as she speaks to Kerre McIvor about the scandal which continues to follow Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.A leading Cabinet minister in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government resigned Monday, becoming the second minister to step down over a scandal that has shaken the government in an election year.Treasury Board president Jane Philpott, considered a star minister, said in a resignation letter that it was "untenable" for her to continue in the Cabinet because she lost confidence and could not defend the government.Philpott's friend, former Attorney General and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, testified last week that Trudeau and senior members of his government inappropriately tried to pressure her to avoid prosecution of a major Canadian engineering company in a case involving allegations of corruption in Libya.Wilson-Raybould resigned from Cabinet last month after being demoted to veteran affairs minister the month before.The scandal has rocked Trudeau's government. Gerald Butts, his closet adviser and best friend, also resigned last month and is scheduled to testify Wednesday before a Parliament justice committee in Trudeau's defense."I know Philpott has felt this way for some time. And while I am disappointed, I understand her decision to step down. I want to thank her for her service," Trudeau said at a campaign-style event.Trudeau said he takes the concerns very seriously and said the matter has generated an important discussion."But at the same time, we need to keep in mind the bigger picture," Trudeau said.Trudeau has acknowledged raising the issue with Wilson-Raybould, but has said that was appropriate."I have concluded that I must resign as a member of Cabinet," Philpott wrote. "Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter and in how it has responded to the issues raised."Philpott, a physician, is a former minister of health and minister of indigenous services and was widely viewed as of one of Trudeau's most competent Cabinet ministers."The evidence of efforts by politicians and/or officials to pressure the former Attorney General to intervene in the criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin, and the evidence as to the content of those efforts have raised serious concerns for me," Philpott wrote."I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities and constitutional obligations. There can be a cost to acting on one's principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them."Philpott said she would continue as a Parliament member for Trudeau's Liberal Party.Wilson-Raybould said the same last week but declined to say she had confidence in Trudeau. Trudeau said earlier Monday he was still deciding whether Wilson-Raybould could remain a member of his party in Parliament.Trudeau thanked Philpott for her service in a short statement that said he would have more to say later in Toronto.The leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Andrew Scheer, said at a news conference that Philpott's resignation demonstrates "a government in total chaos" and called again for Trudeau to resign and for a police investigation of the affair.Wilson-Raybould testified last week she was pressured to instruct the director of public prosecutions to negotiate a remediation agreement with SNC-Lavalin. The agreement would have allowed the company to pay reparations but avoid a criminal trial on charges of corruption and bribery. But Wilson-Raybould said the pressure was not illegal and said she was not instructed to interfere.If convicted criminally, the Montreal-based company would be banned from receiving any federal government business for a decade. SNC-Lavalin is an economic force in Canada, with 9,000 employees in the country and about 50,000 worldwide."This is a spectacular blow to the government" said Nelson Wiseman, a political science pro...

Laura McQuillan is a New Zealand freelance journalist in Canada. Listen to the audio above as she speaks to Kerre McIvor about the scandal which continues to follow Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A leading Cabinet minister in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government resigned Monday, becoming the second minister to step down over a scandal that has shaken the government in an election year. Treasury Board president Jane Philpott, considered a star minister, said in a resignation letter that it was "untenable" for her to continue in the Cabinet because she lost confidence and could not defend the government. Philpott's friend, former Attorney General and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, testified last week that Trudeau and senior members of his government inappropriately tried to pressure her to avoid prosecution of a major Canadian engineering company in a case involving allegations of corruption in Libya. Wilson-Raybould resigned from Cabinet last month after being demoted to veteran affairs minister the month before. The scandal has rocked Trudeau's government. Gerald Butts, his closet adviser and best friend, also resigned last month and is scheduled to testify Wednesday before a Parliament justice committee in Trudeau's defense. "I know Philpott has felt this way for some time. And while I am disappointed, I understand her decision to step down. I want to thank her for her service," Trudeau said at a campaign-style event. Trudeau said he takes the concerns very seriously and said the matter has generated an important discussion. "But at the same time, we need to keep in mind the bigger picture," Trudeau said. Trudeau has acknowledged raising the issue with Wilson-Raybould, but has said that was appropriate. "I have concluded that I must resign as a member of Cabinet," Philpott wrote. "Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter and in how it has responded to the issues raised." Philpott, a physician, is a former minister of health and minister of indigenous services and was widely viewed as of one of Trudeau's most competent Cabinet ministers. "The evidence of efforts by politicians and/or officials to pressure the former Attorney General to intervene in the criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin, and the evidence as to the content of those efforts have raised serious concerns for me," Philpott wrote. "I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities and constitutional obligations. There can be a cost to acting on one's principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them." Philpott said she would continue as a Parliament member for Trudeau's Liberal Party. Wilson-Raybould said the same last week but declined to say she had confidence in Trudeau. Trudeau said earlier Monday he was still deciding whether Wilson-Raybould could remain a member of his party in Parliament. Trudeau thanked Philpott for her service in a short statement that said he would have more to say later in Toronto. The leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Andrew Scheer, said at a news conference that Philpott's resignation demonstrates "a government in total chaos" and called again for Trudeau to resign and for a police investigation of the affair. Wilson-Raybould testified last week she was pressured to instruct the director of public prosecutions to negotiate a remediation agreement with SNC-Lavalin. The agreement would have allowed the company to pay reparations but avoid a criminal trial on charges of corruption and bribery. But Wilson-Raybould said the pressure was not illegal and said she was not instructed to interfere. If convicted criminally, the Montreal-based company would be banned from receiving any federal government business for a decade. SNC-Lavalin is an economic force in Canada, with 9,000 employees in the country and about 50,000 worldwide. "This is a spectacular blow to the government" said Nelson Wiseman, a political science pro...

Laura McQuillan: Justin Trudeau under pressure as another minister resigns