What is this Canadian company doing in Myanmar?

Plus, delays at Toronto's new bail court and an OPP officer killed on duty [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on a Canadian-owned company’s stake in a Myanmar project, Toronto’s new bail court and an OPP officer killed on the job. DON’T MISS Lauren Decicca/Getty Images star investigation [Energy companies backed off a Myanmar gas field accused of funding war crimes. So why did a Canadian-owned firm buy in?]( Chevron cited ongoing violence and human rights abuses in Myanmar as its reason for exiting a large natural gas project in the Andaman Sea in 2022. It effectively cut business ties with Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a state-owned company benefitting the military junta accused of murdering its own citizens. But that didn’t deter an Edmonton-based firm from stepping in — Et Martem Holdings Ltd., an offshore subsidiary of MTI Energy Inc., has bought Chevron’s stake, Jamin Mike reports. [Here’s why the UN’s special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar is urging MTI to reconsider its purchase](. - Why it matters: Months after Aung San Suu Kyi was democratically elected in Myanmar, the military took over and put her under house arrest. The junta has silenced dissent and executed democracy activists, killing more than 3,000 people, according to the United States Institute of Peace. - More: Observers say the purchase raises questions about the effectiveness of Canada’s sanctions against the military regime. They target 158 Myanmar individuals and entities — but not MOGE or its directors. The European Union added MOGE to its sanctions list last year. Metroland File Photo courts [Toronto’s new, overburdened bail court is leaving people stuck in jail]( It was past 5 p.m. on Tuesday and the Crown attorney had been working since 7:30 a.m. The clerks were set to end work at 5:30 p.m. But there were still numerous people in custody waiting for their bail cases to be heard. The courtroom was juggling matters from jurisdictions of two courthouses that had recently shut down as part of the amalgamation of Toronto’s provincial courts. As a result, the court had to put over the cases of four people who the Crown agreed should be released. They had to spend a night in jail solely because there wasn’t enough time to reach their case. [Jacques Gallant reports on the issues resulting from the amalgamation and the long-term consequences they could have](. - More: “This is the first time in my life that I’ve ever put over consent releases,” Justice of the Peace Ann Walker said, adding the outcome “bothers me a lot.” The cases would be added to the following morning’s docket with priority, she said. - The aftermath: Will criminal charges be tossed over violations of a person’s constitutional rights? Could long days lead to mistakes? And is it even legal for a person to spend a night in jail when the Crown is prepared to consent to their release? All questions being raised. Canadian Press/Patrick Doyle crime [A shooting in Bourget, Ont. leaves an OPP officer dead — and a community looking for answers]( Sgt. Eric Mueller was a father, mentor and veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer. The 42-year-old was shot dead Thursday, in what police are calling an ambush, while responding to a disturbance call in a quiet village southeast of Ottawa. Two other officers were taken to hospital with injuries and a 39-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene. Amy Dempsey, Irem Koca and Omar Mosleh report on [what is known so far and what questions remain unanswered](. - More: Police have not released the names of the injured officers, but said one is a 43-year-old with 19 years of service and another, who has been treated and released from hospital, is a 35-year-old with 10 years on the job. - Go deeper: The shooting took place at a house tucked into the forest near a row of semi-detached bungalows. Police said they believe the suspect was the resident of the home and are not aware of anyone else who was there. The suspect was not injured during the arrest. WHAT ELSE The Trudeau government is under fire after an [anti-abortion group made the shortlist for government funding](. A border wall, a ticking clock and a desperate decision: [One migrant’s story at the Mexico-U.S. frontier](. Not even a Hitler reference has sunk Danielle Smith. [Here’s why she’s withstanding what once would have spelled disaster for her campaign](. Getting approval to build a multiplex in some Toronto neighbourhoods was a process that could take years. [Now it could take just days](. Doug Ford is insisting [Brampton won’t get “shafted by Mississauga” if Peel Region is separated](. [A Toronto cop is appealing her dismissal]( over tweets she made about workplace sexual harassment and racism. On the perfect day to kill the Shermans, the killer likely knew it. [Listen to episode 8 of The Billionaire Murders podcast](. Stranded, she survived on wine and lollipops, while he ate snow for a week after being buried alive. [Here’s how they lived off so little](. There won’t be subway service between York Mills and Bloor-Yonge Saturday — [plus other service changes this week](. [Auto insurance premiums have jumped by as much as 37 per cent]( in some Ontario cities. Take a look at the data. Why are the Maple Leafs and their stars facing so much pressure? [Just follow the money](. A plan for High Park called [“war on the car” has been approved by city council](. POV Kayla Photography [She was a Muslim spy at the forefront of CSIS’s fight against terrorism. Then, she turned whistleblower.]( CLOSE-UP Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images MEXICO: Migrants try to get to the U.S. through the Rio Grande as seen from Matamoros, state of Tamaulipas, on Thursday. Today, the U.S. is barring asylum seekers from crossing the Mexican border. [Here’s what it could mean for migration in and through Canada](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_181314). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. 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