VPD Police Detective James Fisher Charged with Sexual Exploitation and Sex Assault

Det. Const. James Fisher, pictured here in 2014, is a 29-year member of the Vancouver Police Department. He was charged Thursday with sexual exploitation and sexual assault. (CBC)

29-year police veteran facing 6 counts involving a juvenile and an adult

By Karin Larsen, Chad Pawson, CBC News, Dec 29, 2016

A veteran Vancouver police detective, who in 2015 received a special citation for his work on a sexual exploitation investigation, has been charged with sexual exploitation.

Det. Const. James Fisher was arrested Wednesday and faces three counts of sexual exploitation, one count of sexual assault, one count of breach of trust and one count of attempt to obstruct justice, according to court documents obtained by CBC News.

‘Very troubling news’

Vancouver Police Chief Const. Adam Palmer said one of the victims is a juvenile and another an adult.

Palmer called the charges against Fisher “very troubling news” and said they are “not reflective of the other members of the police department,” at a hastily called news conference on Thursday.

Fisher — a member of the force for 29 years — has now been suspended from duty.

BREAKING: @VancouverPD Chief Cst. Adam Palmer announces multiple sexual exploitation charges against veteran detective James Fisher. #CBC pic.twitter.com/f3QjA4sTmx

— Tanya Fletcher (@CBCtanya) December 29, 2016

In 2015, Fisher received a Chief Constable Unit Citation for “extraordinary dedication” for his work in the Counter Exploitation Unit.

He was the lead investigator in the unit’s recent human trafficking investigation that led to the conviction in September 2014 of Reza Moazami of 30 counts of prostitution and sex assault-related offences involving 11 young women between 14 and 19 years old.

• Reza Moazami convicted of human trafficking in teen prostitution case

Fisher received special recognition from the provincial government for “exemplary leadership in community safety and crime prevention.”

Fellow officer came forward

Palmer said a fellow officer came forward with concerns about Fisher in March of this year and an investigation was immediately called at that time.

“The details I can share are limited, as the matter is before the courts,” said Palmer of the charges Fisher now faces.

Palmer also said that B.C.’s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner was also involved in the case from the beginning.

“It is rare for a VPD officer to be charged with offences such as these,” said Palmer. “There is no information to suggest that another officer was involved.”

The charges against Fisher relate to allegations from August 2015 to November of this year.

Detective James Fisher, seen here in 2011, was charged with sexual exploitation and sex assault in addition to other charges. (CBC)

Palmer denied that any Creep Catcher group — those that look to use false online social media accounts to out sexual predators — were involved in Fisher’s case.

But Vancouver’s top cop did say that because Fisher was involved in numerous investigations, the force will be reviewing those.

Bail with conditions

Fisher appeared in court Thursday morning, but the details of his bail hearing are subject to a publication ban.

The conditions of his bail, however, do prevent him from contacting the victims as well as several other people and agencies listed in the court documents.

His next appearance is scheduled for January 24, at Surrey Provincial Court.

Meanwhile, Palmer said he was very upset by the news about Fisher and tried to downplay the impact it could have on the reputation of his force.

“Every day, our officers are faced with very difficult and challenging situations,” said Palmer. “Our officers build strong relationships with the community, and they act with integrity, courage, compassion and respect.”

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vpd-detective-james-fisher-charged-with-sexual-exploitation-and-sex-assault-1.3915994

SiteC Dam Is Waste Of Money And Infringes On First Nations’ Rights, Protesters Say

Protesters gather at Vanier Park to speak out against the construction of the Site C dam along the Peace River in northeastern B.C., in Vancouver on Saturday, July 9, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Linda Givetash

By Globalnews.ca, July 9, 2016

VANCOUVER – Dozens of people gathered at a Vancouver park on Saturday to protest the construction of the Site-C dam in northeastern British Columbia.

Protest organizers from the group “Fight C” said the dam on the Peace River proposed by BC Hydro is a waste of taxpayer money and infringes on the rights of First Nations.

The dam is estimated to cost upward of $8 billion and will generate 5,100 gigawatts of energy each year — enough to power 450,000 homes.

Those opposing the dam said the cost will only add to BC Hydro’s ballooning debt of over $78 billion and the energy generated is not needed since excess energy from the province is already being sold to the United States.

“I think this is a political agenda, it’s not for public necessity,” said Fight C organizer Caroline Brown.

While the province approves of the project, the federal government must also give approval and Brown said there are hopes Ottawa will stop construction.

A number of lawsuits led by First Nations and environmental groups currently underway could also kill the project, Brown said.

Members of the Treaty 8 First Nations, from the Peace River Valley, who attended Saturday’s rally said they do not approve of the dam that will flood lands they rely on for hunting and farming.

Connie Davis Brown, from the West Moberly First Nation, said communities around the site have not been properly consulted by BC Hydro or the provincial government.

“I feel like I don’t matter, my kids don’t matter, my mom doesn’t matter,” she said.

“They have no remorse for us at all.”

Preparation for construction has already begun with land clearing and new roads built leading to the site.

Brown said the development has caused berry bushes to disappear and changed grazing patterns of moose, making it harder for her family to find food.

Brown along with other protesters at the rally remain hopeful that the land can be salvaged if the project is stopped.

https://reportca.net/2016/07/sitec-dam-is-waste-of-money-and-infringes-on-first-nations-rights-protesters-say/

Vancouver Occupation Of INAC Office Ends

Indigenous women and children who occupied INAC offices in downtown Vancouver for one week leave the building after securing a meeting with federal ministers to discuss their demands. (Facebook)

#OccupyINAC protesters leave building after securing meeting with federal ministers

CBC News Posted: Apr 25, 2016

The occupation of an Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada office in Vancouver by a group of Indigenous mothers ended Saturday, after the ministers of INAC and Canadian Heritage agreed to meet with the group in May, Council of Mothers spokesperson Jerilyn Webster says.

“This is big for us, as far as government placing Indigenous issues as a priority on its agenda,” Webster said.

“But these are just the first steps to the real work that needs to happen.”

Vancouver’s occupation started on Monday, April 18, following occupations of other INAC offices across Canada.

#OccupyINAC protesters were demanding action on the suicide crisis in Attawpiskat, Ont.

Toronto protesters left that city’s INAC buidling on Thursday, saying they were directed to leave by youth from Attawapiskat.

That’s when Vancouver’s group shifted the focus to reinstating a youth cultural program and increasing Indigenous language funding, both federal responsibilities.

A spokesperson from INAC confirmed via email that Minister Carolyn Bennett will meet with the group “in the coming weeks” to discuss language funding, and also to discuss a youth culture program disbanded by the Harper government in 2012.

“We’ve heard from the youth about the importance of rebuilding their identity as proud Indigenous people, and we agree that cultural and wellness programming plays a valuable role,” states the email.

Protesters who occupied the INAC office in Vancouver for six days say they’ve secured a meeting with Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett. (CBC)

Webster said she’s cautiously optimistic about the gesture.

“This new government didn’t just shut its ears; it listened, it wants direction and we’re here to provide that, but we don’t want lip service.”

Re-establishing culture and language programs fits into a bigger healing picture, Webster said. The fallout from historical injustices in Indigenous communities has created circumstances in which people, like those in Attawapaskat, are now killing themselves.

“As mothers, we see the sense of urgency and we did what we had to do to make addressing it a priority,” said Webster.

Vancouver’s occupation drew civic and Indigenous leaders, but it also found new supporters such as the local chapter of No One Is Illegal, a social justice group that advocates for immigrant rights and issues.

“We were able to bring all these people together for a common goal,” Webster said.

Occupy Vancouver was the only #OccupyINAC group that involved only women and children.

“We wanted our kids to stand with the kids of Attawapiskat,” Webster said.

Vancouver was the second to last INAC office to be occupied. Protesters are still inside the INAC office in Winnipeg.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/vancouver-occupation-of-inac-office-ends-1.3551611

#Occupy INAC Vancouver Ends Occupation

#OccupyINAC Vancouver ends occupation: View original post

Warrior Publications

Children participating in Vancouver occupation of INAC offices, April 19, 2016.

Through their determination, courage and commitment the Council of Mothers have secured a meeting with both Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett and also Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly to discuss their demands.

They are ending their occupation on Saturday April 23, 2016 at INAC. If anyone has supplies at INAC they need to pick up please do so today from 5-9 pm.

Please see and share the press release and statement below and be sure to share and attend the victory press conference and rally on Monday April 25th at 10:30 am. FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/879500925505405/

View original post 497 more words

Vancouver #OccupyINAC Group Vows To Stay Until Demands Met

A group of women and children have occupied the Indigenous and Northern Affairs office in Vancouver since April 18. (OccupyINAC/Twitter)

CBC News Posted: Apr 22, 2016

‘There’s an urgency that our young people need to be heard,’ says protester inside Vancouver’s INAC office

A group of women and children have been occupying the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada office in Vancouver since Monday, April 18.

Jerilyn Webster, who is Nuxalk and Onodaga and a mother of one son, is part of the small group of Indigenous mothers and their children who are vowing to stay until their demands are met.

But with the situation in Attawapiskat drawing to a close, and with the occupation of INAC offices in Toronto ending, the focus in Vancouver has shifted to addressing regional demands.

• Toronto protest ends, INAC offices still occupied in Winnipeg, Vancouver
• Protest at Regina Indigenous Affairs office part of nation-wide action on suicide crisis

Attawapaskat may be thousands of kilometres away, but its conditions are universal, said Webster.

“The same things that are happening in their community are happening in our communities now, it’s just that they don’t have media coverage and people don’t see it,” she said.

As a youth worker, Webster once tried to assist a young troubled Indigenous girl. The girl eventually succumbed to her despair and took her own life, something that devastated Webster, who sees a bigger, more tragic picture unfolding.

“There’s an urgency that our young people need to be heard. Their voices haven’t been heard and they’re crying out for help.”

‘Sense of urgency’

The group has demanded a meeting with federal ministers to address three issues.

One, the group wants to see Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth re-established. The $22 million national program, which enhanced the economic, social and cultural lives of off-reserve youth, was cut by Stephen Harper’s Conservatives in 2012.

Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing demographic in the country, particularly in urban areas. Keeping youth connected with their culture is critical, Webster said.

These kids tho. Day 6 at #occupyINAC vancouver coast salish territories. #Indigenous #Attawapiskat #cdnpoli #vanpoli pic.twitter.com/8KFYYgtrZQ

— Harsha Walia (@HarshaWalia) April 22, 2016

 

Secondly, the group wants to see Indigenous language funding increased from $5 million to $1 billion per year.

Webster and her group analyzed the most recent federal budget and found that the French language received $2.4 billion in funding while Indigenous languages received $5 million.

“There’s 63 different Indigenous languages and when you break that down, that’s $6,000 to $8,000 per community. There needs to be an increase.”

And lastly, Webster and her group want meetings with Carolyn Bennet, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and with Mélanie Joly, the Canadian Minister of Heritage to talk about their demands.

In response to a media request, a heritage ministry official noted in an email that Joly’s mandate requires her to work with INAC to fund Indigenous language preservation and enhancement.

The government invested $5 million in Indigenous languages this year, and it proposes to extend funding for the to 2016-2017, the email stated.

Bennet did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

#OccupyINAC

Webster was inspired to lead Vancouver’s Occupy INAC movement after watching occupy movements mushroom in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Regina, Gatineau and Toronto.

She put the call out for support and found that no men responded; only women and children occupy the Vancouver office. She said she was disappointed with the lack of response from men, but she looked to women past and present for inspiration.

BC MLA Melanie Mark (far right) visited Occupy Vancouver protestors in the INAC office in downtown Vancouver on April 21. (Facebook)

“Lillian Howard was at an INAC occupation protest in 1981 and she’s an Indigenous woman. Melanie Mark is an MLA now and she’s Indigenous,” Webster said.

“An occupation led by women, this isn’t the first time.”

On Thursday demonstrators left the Toronto’s INAC office, nine days after they took it over and sparked a protest that has spread across the country.

Currently INAC offices in Winnipeg and Vancouver are the only ones that remain occupied.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/vancouver-occupyinac-group-vows-to-stay-until-demands-met-1.3548940