Headlines For October 13…
What to know for today.
- Veltman speaks for the first time: After the crown concluded its case in the Nathaniel Veltman trial on Thursday, the defense prepared to open up its case. In defense lawyer Christopher Hick’s opening statement, he called forensic psychiatrist Dr. Julien Gojer to testify on Veltman’s mental issues. Unfortunately Dr. Gojer was not able to attend the court Thursday but will be on the stand on Friday. After silence throughout the entire trial, including arraignment, Veltman was called to testify on his own behalf. Veltman said he and his siblings were homeschooled as “fundamental Christians”. He later went on to describe his mother as an “extremist” and that `they weren’t allowed to associate with people that don’t align with her strict beliefs. He also said that her punishments for not obeying were “traumatic” which included yelling, spanking, lectures even at one point showing him a picture of people “burning in hell” as a deterrent. “The resentment started to build to the point where I started loathing her, hating her,” Veltman said. His testimony will continue today. Veltman was charged with four counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and corresponding terrorism charges in the deaths and serious injury of five members a Muslim family.
- Power plant strike at Western University: Dozens of unionized engineers who work at Western University’s power plant have walked off the job. On Wednesday, members of the International Union of Operating Engineers picketed at the Philip Aziz and Elgin entrances at Western, holding up traffic. After negotiations with a third party councilor, representatives have failed to reach an agreement. Spokesperson Lewis Pellar says the University offers a one per cent wage increase per year whereas other engineers throughout the province receive between three to six per cent. The power plant provides heating and cooling for buildings on campus including University Hospital. The University has not commented on the strike.
- New daycare spaces announced: Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce confirmed the number of affordable childcare spaces coming to London. Lecce was in London on Thursday promoting the funding and announced there will be 53,000 childcare spaces by 2026. He confirmed 2,883 new spaces receiving a license. This is a 28 per cent increase for children ages zero to five. The federal and provincial governments committed to a $13.2 billion investment for $10 dollar a day childcare for low income families by 2026.
- Calling all local charities: Applications for the United Way Elgin Middlesex Community Grant Fund program are now open. Local charities are able to apply for grants of up to $400,000 from the United Way. To qualify, groups must follow criteria set by the Canadian Revenue Agency, and provide services in the Elgin Middlesex region. From now until November 3, charities can apply through an online portal. Funding will start April 1, 2024 and end March 31, 2026.
