Top stories of the week: Family shaken after daytime break-in, Attorney General asked to review Ford’s comment, and illegal online cannabis shop shut down

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Daytime break-in rattles Waterloo family

Attorney General asked to review premier’s comments about judge

LRT train derailed by Kitchener collision

Guelph girl soars in international wildlife competition

Family shaken after daytime break-in in Waterloo’s Old Beechwood neighbourhood

A young family in Waterloo’s Old Beechwood neighbourhood has been left shaken after a daytime break-in that saw thousands of dollars in valuables stolen.

The family said jewelry, watches, gold, silver, cash and sentimental items tied to their children were taken from their Craigleith Drive home.

Waterloo Regional Police are investigating the incident, which the family said happened while they were not home for a short period on May 22.

The family said what’s left behind is not just damage — but a lasting sense of violation.

“They looked at our documents, they looked at our pictures, they looked at everything,” said Shefali Katna, one of the homeowners. “They know how we look. They know how my kids look. Where are we safe if we are not safe in our own house?”

The neighbourhood, known for its quiet streets and family-friendly atmosphere, is now being viewed differently by the family.

“I mean, it’s a neighbourhood that I would always strive to get into. You know, it was probably one of the more prestigious ones in our mind… there’s a sense of community here,” said Katna’s husband, Ryan Carr. “Everybody knows everybody. And frankly, everybody feels safe. Or at least we did, until something like this happened.”

The emotional toll has extended to their children as well.

“[My son] was asking, is the bad person coming back… and that just tears your heart out,” Carr said.

Despite the shock, the family said they are trying to move forward while adjusting how they live in their own home.

“We are a very normal family… just a normal middle-class family trying to live our life,” Katna said. “Just support each other, band together as a community, whether it’s Beechwood or whether it’s any neighborhood, you’re stronger together.”

Waterloo Regional Police are urging residents to take preventative steps, including locking doors at all times, and keeping valuables out of sight.

Former OPP commissioner and CTV public safety analyst Chris Lewis says daytime residential break-ins are not new — but the trend is evolving.

“We’ve been seeing daylight break-ins ever since time began… but what’s changed, in my view, is they were once kind of rural properties, houses far apart, and kind of easier to go in and out and be undetected,” he said. “Quite often now, [break-ins are] in neighbourhoods that are rather affluent. And so, people are more apt to have valuables in their home.”

Lewis stresses simple prevention measures can make a difference.

“The whole thing is to really deter them or slow them down so that police or security professionals are able to get there in a timely way. But really, what you want to do is stop it from occurring. Bearing in mind that’s not totally possible, just do your best. Make sure your house looks secure, lived in, and occupied. You’re less likely to be targeted…really that kind of neighborhood watch philosophy where everybody looks out for one another is really important as well.”

Attorney General asked to review Premier’s comments about judge

The Attorney General is being asked to review Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s comments about a judge following a controversial decision.

Earlier in the month of May, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that a Region of Waterloo site-specific bylaw meant to clear a large encampment in Kitchener, Ont. was unconstitutional.

The encampment is currently situated on land the municipality wants to clear for the construction of a major transit hub.

Ford did not mince words following the decision.

“It’s the most ridiculous ruling I’ve ever seen,” he said at an unrelated media event a day after the ruling was announced.

Ford also hinted that he may be willing to use the notwithstanding clause if an appeal of the decision is launched.

But those were not the comments that sparked concern among lawyers.

“I wish I could get that guy’s address. I’ll send 15 encampments in his backyard and see how he likes it,” Ford said. “[It’s] the craziest decision I’ve ever heard, but there are a lot of crazy decision coming from our courts lately.”

Premier Doug Ford comments on the Supreme Court’s ruling that Waterloo Region’s encampment bylaw is unconstitutional.

A letter from University of Ottawa legal scholar Martha Jackman criticized Ford’s statement. It was signed by several other lawyers.

“These comments represent a serious attack on the constitutional principle of judicial independence and raise profound concerns regarding judicial security and the administration of justice in Ontario,” the letter read, in part.

“Judges must be free to decide cases without fear of intimidation, retaliation, or personal targeting by members of the executive branch,” the letter continued.

It was addressed to Doug Downey, the Attorney General of Ontario.

The letter claims Ford’s statement requires a response.

“As chief law officer of the Crown and guardian of the administration of justice, the Attorney General bears a special responsibility to safeguard the independence of the courts and maintain public confidence in the rule of law,” the letter stated.

Jackman and the other signatories request the Attorney General:

• Publicly reaffirm the constitutional principle of judicial independence and the obligation of all members of the executive branch to refrain from conduct that may reasonably be perceived as threatening or intimidating judges.
• Publicly repudiate any suggestion that judges should be subjected to personal targeting or exposure of private residential information because of decisions they render.
• Confirm that appropriate steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the judge concerned and of members of the judiciary generally.
• Advise whether any additional protocols, guidance, or measures will be adopted to prevent conduct that may undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.

CTV News reached out to the Attorney General’s office but did not hear back.

“As the Premier said, he has immense respect for judges and their independence, but their decisions are not immune from scrutiny or from the impacts they have on people and communities across the province,” a statement from Doug Ford’s office said.

“Our government has taken action to give municipalities the tools they need and requested to clear encampments and keep their communities safe. We hope the Region appeals this outrageous decision and, if they do not, we will not hesitate to look at every tool available to the province to respond to this decision.”

More than $1.1M worth of illegal cannabis products and ‘magic mushrooms’ seized in joint police investigation

Police from Niagara and Hamilton teamed up with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a million-dollar drug bust.

The investigation began in 2024 and focused on an illegal online cannabis dispensary that used the names “Harmonized Hemp” and “CannaTrust.” Investigators said the business promised same-day delivery within Niagara Region and shipped illegal products throughout the country.

On May 5 and May 6, officers searched six properties and five vehicles in Niagara Region and Hamilton. They seized more than $1.1 million worth of illegal cannabis and cannabis products, 770 grams of psilocybin (commonly called “magic mushrooms”) and $13,000 in cash.

Pictures provided by the OPP showed several brightly-coloured packages, including one that was marketed as “high dose THC” edibles with 100 milligrams of THC per piece.

A 32-year-old man from Niagara-on-the-Lake was charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of illicit cannabis, possession for the purpose of distribution and possession for the purpose of selling.

A 31-year-old from Hamilton was charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of psilocybin for the purpose of trafficking, possession of illicit cannabis, possession for the purpose of distribution and possession for the purpose of selling.

A 37-year-old from St. Catharines was charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of psilocybin for the purpose of trafficking, possession of illicit cannabis, possession for the purpose of distribution and possession for the purpose of selling.

Collision between LRT train and truck in downtown Kitchener

An ION train was pushed off the tracks on the morning of May 26 on King Street West in Kitchener.

According to the Region of Waterloo, the LRT hit a passenger truck at Agnes Street around 11 a.m.

The impact forced the train far off the tracks.

At first, Waterloo Regional Police indicated minor injuries had been reported. In an update hours later, they said no one was hurt.

Service was restored on Tuesday evening.

Police said a 41-year-old man was charged with careless driving.

7-year-old Ont. girl named semi-finalist in international wildlife competition

A young girl from Guelph is proving that cultivating a love for nature at an early age can really pay off.

Seven-year-old Elizabeth Klee has been named as a semi-finalist in the Jr. Ranger Competition, an international effort to find kids between four-years-old and 12-years-old who love the outdoors.

“She loves nature, she loves animals, we were outside a lot,” Elizabeth’s mother, Larissa Klee, said. “We do get to travel and when we do, we tend to focus on wildlife and wild spaces.

The competition is hosted by Colossal Fundraising and started with more than 76,000 applicants from North America. Elizabeth is one of only 144 contestants left.

“I didn’t expect that she’d [do so well], especially once I found out how many kids were involved,” Larissa admitted.

“Then, with the momentum we’ve gotten with friends and family support, seeing her get this far has been really motivating.”

The winner will get $20,000 and a three-day trip with wildlife expert Jeff Corwin. They will also be featured in Ranger Rick Magazine and be given the title “Jr. Ranger.”

“I want to go on the three-day adventure to help the animals,” Elizabeth told CTV News.

Elizabeth said her favourite part of the experience so far has been getting to try various activities.

“They task them to do these little challenges, like build a fort, or go on a nature walk, ‘And go find this,’” explained Larissa.

While Elizabeth has been learning about the world around her, her mother said her daughter is also becoming more comfortable in her own skin.

“Sometimes she struggles with some confidence issues at school and in other things,” Larissa said. “When she’s outside and doing those kinds of things that she loves, she’s just a whole different kid. She’s her happiest and most confident.”

It’s a level of confidence that Larissa said she never expected, because Elizabeth was born 11-weeks premature with health complications.

If Elizabeth wins the cash prize, Larissa said most of it would be donated to the foundations that helped their family.

“Ronald McDonald House was really good to us and McMaster Children’s Hospital … We’d also like to donate to World Wildlife Fund Canada as well,” said Larissa.

If Elizabeth is successful, she will move onto the final round along with 11 other children.