Skip to Main content

11.77°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jun 17, 2025 6:48 PM - The Canadian Press

Lethbridge police chief accused of breaking COVID rules has complaint dismissed

Share On

lethbridge-police-chief-accused-of-breaking-covid-rules-has-complaint-dismissed

Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh during a news conference in Lethbridge, Alberta, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Rossiter

A police oversight board says it has dismissed a complaint that a southern Alberta police chief allegedly broke public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after a former deputy chief with the Lethbridge Police Service had claimed Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh violated a public health order by taking a chaplain out for lunch in March 2021.

A disciplinary hearing by the Lethbridge Police Commission concluded Monday and dismissed the allegations. An agreed statement of facts says Mehdizadeh and the chaplain were masked and properly socially distanced throughout the luncheon.

In his decision, Presiding Officer Brett Carlson concluded the chief did not mean to break the rules, apologized and didn't do it again, and Carlson said the chief's actions were a ``moment of carelessness or error in judgment.''

Mehdizadeh, in a statement sent by Lethbridge police, accused the former deputy chief of making numerous complaints about him, and that some have been dismissed as ``frivolous and vexatious.''

Latest news

vancouver-police-seek-witnesses-after-downtown-incident-man-charged

Vancouver police seek witnesses after downtown incident, man charged

Vancouver police are asking for additional witnesses following an incident in the city’s downtown business district last month that led to charges against a 47-year-old man. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, officers responded around 7:20 p.m. on March 25 to Granville Street between Dunsmuir and Pender streets after receiving reports of a man yelling at people in the area. Police said the man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody. Investigators have identified the accused as Derek Jason Sangris, who is charged with one count of sexual assault and unauthorize

ed-searches-lovely-group-premises-in-jalandhar-phagwara-over-alleged-fema-violations

IndiaApr 15, 2026

ED searches Lovely Group premises in Jalandhar, Phagwara over alleged FEMA violations

India’s Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple premises linked to the Lovely Group in Jalandhar and Phagwara on Tuesday, according to information provided by officials familiar with the operation. The searches were carried out by a Delhi-based ED team under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, focusing on alleged violations. Authorities did not publicly detail the nature or scale of the suspected irregularities. Premises covered in the Action include Lovely Professional University, Lovely Autos, Lovely Sweets and a distance education centre operated by the group

spring-snowfall-drops-30-cm-on-coquihalla-highway-warnings-remain-across-b-c

Spring snowfall drops 30 cm on Coquihalla Highway, warnings remain across B.C.

A spring storm system brought significant snowfall to parts of British Columbia overnight, with 30 centimetres recorded on the Coquihalla Highway, according to Environment Canada. The agency said the accumulation on the major route connecting Metro Vancouver and the Interior was the highest recorded in the province during the event. Travel conditions were affected across several Interior highways as snow continued to fall. Environment Canada also reported 21 centimetres of snow at Kootenay Pass along Highway 3 between Salmo and Creston. Snowfall warnings remain in effect for parts of southern

carney-meets-newly-elected-liberal-mps-highlights-increase-in-women-in-commons

CanadaApr 15, 2026

Carney meets newly elected Liberal MPs, highlights increase in women in Commons

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with three newly elected Liberal members of Parliament in Ottawa on Tuesday following their victories in recent byelections, according to remarks delivered on Parliament Hill. Government ministers and MPs welcomed the new members with applause during the meeting, marking their formal introduction to the Liberal caucus. Speaking to reporters, Carney said the additions – along with the recent inclusion of Marilyn Gladu to the party – bring the number of women on the government side in the House of Commons of Canada to 71. Carney described the development as a s

AlbertaApr 15, 2026

Alberta proposes early cabinet review for industrial projects over $250M

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would allow cabinet ministers to review major industrial project proposals earlier in the approval process, according to a bill tabled Tuesday. Energy Minister Brian Jean said the proposed changes would apply to projects valued at more than $250 million and are intended to help companies strengthen their applications before entering formal regulatory review. According to the provincial government, the system would involve select cabinet members assessing proposals at an initial stage, with the aim of identifying issues that could delay app

Related News

Alberta proposes early cabinet review for industrial projects over $250M

Alberta proposes early cabinet review for industrial projects over $250M

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would allow cabinet ministers to review major industrial project proposals earlier in the approval process, according to a bill tabled Tuesday. Energy Minister Brian Jean said the proposed changes would apply to projects valued at more than $250 million and are intended to help companies strengthen their applications before entering formal regulatory review. According to the provincial government, the system would involve select cabinet members assessing proposals at an initial stage, with the aim of identifying issues that could delay app

Alberta to keep fuel tax formula unchanged after federal excise tax pause

Alberta to keep fuel tax formula unchanged after federal excise tax pause

The Alberta government says it will not change its provincial fuel tax framework following the federal decision to temporarily suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel will be suspended from April 20 to Sept. 7. According to the federal announcement, the measure is expected to lower prices by about 10 cents per litre for gasoline and four cents per litre for diesel during that period. Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner said the province will maintain its current fuel tax formula, which adjusts based o

Recall issued for 7-Eleven sandwiches and wraps in Western Canada over listeria risk

Recall issued for 7-Eleven sandwiches and wraps in Western Canada over listeria risk

A recall has been issued for several 7-Eleven brand ready-to-eat products in Western Canada due to possible listeria contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The agency said the affected sandwiches, subs and wraps were distributed to stores in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Products listed in the recall include chicken Caesar wraps, pizza subs, tuna salad wedges and Japanese-style egg salad sandwiches, among others. According to the CFIA notice, the items carry best-before dates ranging from April 12 to April 16. Consumers are advised not to consume the pro

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital