Victoria mortgage broker facing multiple lawsuits has licence suspended
An embattled mortgage broker from Victoria has had his licence to practice in B.C. suspended by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA).
The regulatory agency says Gregory Martel, owner of Shop Your Own Mortgage (SYOM), can no longer conduct any mortgage broker activity in the province, effective immediately.
"BCFSA took this step after investigators obtained evidence indicating that Martel and SYOM had conducted business in a manner prejudicial to the public interest," said the agency in a release Wednesday.
Martel is facing multiple lawsuits from investors, including one that says the Victoria mortgage broker owes an Alberta company $17 million.
Earlier this month, his company Mortgage Auction Corporation – which oversees Shop Your Own Mortgage – was placed in receivership by the B.C. Supreme Court.
The BCFSA says that while none of the claims made against Martel and SYOM have been proven in court, it suspended his ability to operate in the province "on an urgent basis after BCFSA determined the length of time required to conduct an investigation or hold a hearing while Martel and SYOM remain registered to provide mortgage broker services would present a significant risk to the public."
In its reasons for the suspension, the BCFSA also noted that it was told by the Victoria Police Department that it was investigating Martel.
With files from CTV News Vancouver Island's Brendan Strain
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What do Indigenous Peoples across Canada really need and want?
The federal Liberal government has made a lot of promises to Indigenous Peoples. But do those promises line up with what communities on the ground really want and need, or reflect their diversity?
Toronto family shocked they have to rip out $20K synthetic grass putting green
A Scarborough family said they were shocked to get a notice from the City of Toronto that the artificial grass in their backyard, including a putting green, will have to be ripped out.
Walking just this much more per day can lower your blood pressure: study
A new study finds walking an additional 3,000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults with hypertension.
Here's how a U.S. government shutdown could impact Canadians
Economists warn both Canada's economy and individual Canadians could suffer from impacts of a U.S. government shutdown, and that those impacts will deepen and broaden the longer it lasts.
India's foreign minister says Canada has 'climate of violence' for Indian diplomats
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Friday there was a 'climate of violence' and an 'atmosphere of intimidation' against Indian diplomats in Canada, where the presence of Sikh separatist groups has frustrated New Delhi.
Defence minister insists $1B spending reduction is not a budget cut
The country's top soldier and outside experts say that finding almost $1 billion in savings in the Department of National Defence budget will affect the Armed Forces' capabilities, although the defence minister insisted Friday the budget is not being cut.
Bail bondsman charged alongside Trump in Georgia becomes the first defendant to take a plea deal
A bail bondsman charged alongside former President Donald Trump and 17 others in the Georgia election interference case pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges on Friday, becoming the first defendant to accept a plea deal with prosecutors.
Last living suspect in 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur indicted in Las Vegas on murder charge
A man who prosecutors say ordered the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur was arrested and charged with murder Friday in a long-awaited breakthrough in one of hip-hop's most enduring mysteries.
Tragedy in real time: The Armenian exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh
For the past five days, vehicles laden with refugees have poured into Armenia, fleeing from the crumbling enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in neighbouring Azerbaijan. In a special report for CTVNews.ca, journalist Neil Hauer recounts what it's like on the ground in Armenia.
Vancouver
-
Deceased doctor remembered as having 'positive impact' in emergency room, courtroom
According to police, Dr. Tracy Pickett, 55, was reported missing on Wednesday, prompting a large search at Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Her remains were discovered Thursday evening.
-
Legal challenge to Vancouver's agreement to provide services to Squamish development rejected
The B.C. Supreme Court has dismissed a neighbourhood association's attempt to stop the City of Vancouver from providing services to the massive Senakw development currently under construction at the south end of the Burrard Bridge.
-
Group hopes (yellow) sticker shock will lead to safer roads
The group behind the tiny yellow stickers that are being spotted at intersections all over Vancouver hopes they will lead to safer roads.
Edmonton
-
Alberta says first steps to reform provincial health delivery system coming this fall
Premier Danielle Smith says the first steps are coming this fall to reconfigure Alberta’s health delivery system — a plan the Opposition calls a recipe for more chaos from a government fresh off turning lab testing into a debacle.
-
After 40 years, Edmonton's Queen Elizabeth Planetarium reopens
A ceremony was held on Friday to mark the reopening of Edmonton's Queen Elizabeth Planetarium after years of restoration work.
-
'Criminal harassment': Edmonton police issue warning about man released with conditions
A 39-year-old man who was recently released from jail with court-issued conditions was the subject of a public warning by Edmonton police on Friday.
Toronto
-
One of the last 'hold-out' properties in this midtown Toronto neighbourhood sells $1M over asking
An orphaned burgundy brick house sitting in the shadow of a midtown Toronto tower – one of the area’s last hold-out properties – sold for more than one million over asking this month.
-
Blue Jays on verge of clinching playoff berth after 11-4 victory over Rays
The Toronto Blue Jays moved closer to securing a playoff berth Friday night with an 11-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre.
-
Group of 3 kept major lottery win a secret from their family
Three family members recently scored a major lottery prize and kept their win a secret from the rest of their loved ones.
Calgary
-
Dog attack leaves pregnant woman injured and her dog dead; city scant on details
What started as a routine walk with her dog in the northeast Calgary community of Rundle on Sept. 17 quickly turned into an ordeal Aman Lamoureux will never forget.
-
Calgary panel begins work to address public safety concerns downtown
A committee of experts tasked by the City of Calgary with providing downtown public safety recommendations is now beginning work on finding solutions to address addictions issues, housing concerns and crime.
-
Bobcat family gets comfortable in Douglasdale backyard
Cathy Brodner got some unexpected visitors Thursday morning that were a little more photogenic than your run-of-the-mill backyard invaders.
Montreal
-
STM special constables to carry gel form of pepper spray to deal with violence in metro
The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) is equipping special metro constables with a gel form of pepper spray to deal with violence. The irritant would be used "as a last resort in cases where safety is at stake," said an STM spokesperson in a statement Friday.
-
One arrest at Montreal climate protest that drew hundreds
One person was arrested Friday as hundreds of protestors marched through the streets of Montreal to denounce the government’s response to climate change.
-
Young Ukrainian hockey players finally get their day in a Quebec classroom
It's been a long wait, but six Ukrainian students who arrived in Quebec City to start school last month are finally in a classroom. The teenagers have been waiting for the education ministry to issue their eligibility certificates so they can study in English as they requested.
Atlantic
-
'We are sorry': Newfoundland and Labrador makes first apology for residential schools
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey made a solemn apology today to survivors of residential schools in southern Labrador.
-
Pharmacists moving to N.S. to work frustrated by red tape 'roadblocks' and licensing delays
Joshua Ghiringhelli is still be waiting to be fully licensed as a pharmacist in Nova Scotia almost a year after he moved to the picturesque rural community of Boutillier’s Point.
-
‘I’m here alone’: international student determined to get her life back
Every homeless person has a different story, no matter where they come from, and that is no different for Dianne Munnings from the Bahamas.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba reporting $270M surplus for end of fiscal year
Manitoba finance officials are reporting a $270 million surplus for the end of the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
-
Woman pleads guilty to handing out cannabis gummies on Halloween
A Winnipeg woman has pleaded guilty to handing out cannabis gummies to kids last Halloween.
-
The new face challenging River Heights Liberal stronghold
A political expert says a new NDP candidate could change things in the Liberal stronghold of River Heights.
Kitchener
-
'Still so many questions': Arrest in Joshua Tarnue murder case brings mixed emotions for family, friends
The family and friends of Joshua Tarnue are left with questions following new police developments in the murder case.
-
Here's what's happening around Waterloo Region for Truth and Reconciliation Day
A number of events are being organized around Waterloo Region to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Saturday Sept. 30.
-
Province reveals bridge designs as part of long-delayed Hwy. 7 expansion
A major development in a local infrastructure project has been unveiled by the province.
Regina
-
Sask. premier committed to expedite plans to force pronoun policy into law
Amid cries of support and criticism, the Saskatchewan government stays committed to expediting its plans to force a pronoun policy into law.
-
Two people critically injured, 2 charged with attempted murder after stabbing in Moose Jaw
Two men have now been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing incident involving a machete in Moose Jaw, police said.
-
'Unites us all': Regina volleyball tournament incorporating reconciliation into sport
A Regina high school volleyball tournament is educating student athletes on Indigenous culture and reconciliation.
Barrie
-
Week-long search for Bracebridge man ends in tragedy
The man at the centre of a massive police search this week in Bracebridge has been found dead.
-
Accused impaired driver Cassie Korzenko fires defence lawyer further delaying court proceedings
The Barrie woman accused of impaired driving causing a crash that seriously injured three pedestrians parted ways with her lawyer, further delaying court proceedings.
-
Charges dropped against attempted murder suspect in Barrie catwalk shooting
The charges against a woman accused of attempted murder and discharging a firearm in a Barrie catwalk shooting earlier this year have been withdrawn.
Saskatoon
-
Prince Albert police officer faces assault charges
A Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) officer is facing charges in connection with two separate incidents.
-
Sask. premier committed to expedite plans to force pronoun policy into law
Amid cries of support and criticism, the Saskatchewan government stays committed to expediting its plans to force a pronoun policy into law.
-
Saskatoon woman slashed twice in confrontation with machete-wielding youth
A Saskatoon woman is recovering after a harrowing incident in front of a city library in September.
Northern Ontario
-
Worker who died at Cote Gold Mine in Gogama was found unconscious
A worker who was found unconscious Friday at the Cote Gold Mine site in Gogama has died, officials said Friday.
-
Week-long search for Bracebridge man ends in tragedy
The man at the centre of a massive police search this week in Bracebridge has been found dead.
-
Critical shortage of ER doctors in North Bay
The North Bay Regional Health Centre said Friday that a critical shortage of emergency room doctors means longer wait times for less urgent cases.
