The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

49494| O akville B eaver | T hursday,June 14,2018 insidehalton.com S A L E S E V E N T ! INTEREST 'TIL 2021 + PAY NOOO NOOOBODY! WHO'S BETTER? O.A.C. See store for details. VISIT US ONLINE AT BADBOY.CA TO VIEW ALL BAD BOY LOCATIONS FACTORY OUTLET! BURLINGTON MALL 777 GUELPH LINE NOW OPEN!NOW OPEN! SAVE BIG! $548 INCLUDES TAX RECLINING SOFA #105370 RECLINING LOVESEAT & RECLINER AVAILABLE COMPACT DESIGN! ON NOW AT THE BRICK! SAVING YOU MORE For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com. Best in natural SKINCARE + FACIALS See Monthly Specials for beautiful skin at www.pureandsimple.ca Bring in this ad for **$20 OFF** any reg. priced facial .pureandsimple.ca 3 - 1140 Winston Churchill Blvd. | 905.829.2055 OM@pureandsimple.caPure + Simple Oak-Mississauga @PureAndSimpleOM Crime Stoppers of Halton is joining the effort to combat crime against wildlife and nature. This initiative follows the signing of an agreement between the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and Environment and Climate Change Canada to combat poaching and stop the destruction of fed- erally protected wildlife. Today wildlife crime nets illicit revenues totaling US$155 billion and is the world's fourth most lu- crative criminal enterprise ranking be- hind the illegal drug trade, human traf- ficking and counterfeiting, says Detectiveficking and counterfeiting, says Detectivef Constable Jodi Richmond, coordinator of Halton's Crime Stoppers program." Money generated from the smuggling and trafficking of animals and plants helps finance organized crime groups in countries around the world, including Canada," Richmond said."Although crim- inal groups and military regimes are in- volved in poaching and other wildlife crime in third world countries, there are organized criminals reaping profits in Canada by harming animals and plant life," she said. Lonny Coote, regional director of the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate head- quartered in Burlington, said Canadian species such as the polar bear, narwhal and walrus, along with certain plants from national wildlife areas and migrato-from national wildlife areas and migrato-f ry bird sanctuaries are at high risk of be- ing targeted by organized crime groups. The official memorandum of under- standing was signed June 2 at the Canadi- an Crime Stoppers training conference at- tended by delegates from across the coun- try at the Sheraton Hotel in Hamilton. A news release from Environment and Cli- mate Change Canada said the agreement sets a foundation for strategic and techni- cal cooperation, including joint public awareness projects and the support of 87 Crime Stoppers programs from coast to coast. Anyone who has information about wildlife or environmental crime can now provide the information anonymously to local Crime Stoppers programs, including Crime Stoppers of Halton, by calling the tip line at 1-800-222-8477. "This collaboration with Crime Stop- pers will support the conservation of wild species and help ensure the law-abiding citizens who depend on wildlife for enjoy- ment, recreation and their livelihoods will have the opportunity to do so for genera- tions," the news release stated. "Today marks an important day for wildlife in Canada," said Sheldon Jordan, Director General of Wildlife Enforcement for Environment and Climate Changefor Environment and Climate Changef Canada. "Working together, we are stron- ger in the fight against poachers, pollut- ers, smugglers and traffickers of wildlife and habitats." He said by reporting wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers, Canadians can help pro- tect our environment, which we all depend on. David Forster, president of the Canadi- an Association of Crime Stoppers, said Crime Stoppers is pleased to partner with the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate of Environment and Climate Change Cana- da to protect plants and animals. Forster added that Crime Stoppers programs across Canada will work within their com- munities to educate and take tips anony- mously on criminal activity related to crimes against wildlife. NEWS Crime Stoppers of Halton now taking tips on crime affecting wildlife and nature The community and business accomplishments of three newcomers to the region were recently cele- brated and profiled at the Halton Newcomer Strategy Recognition Event. "The residents ho- noured by the Halton New- comer Strategy Steering Committee have had a posi- tive impact on our commu- nity through their commit- ment to business, educa- tion, youth and volunteer- ing," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. "Through their collabo- ration and involvement in the community, the award recipients have helped make Halton inclusive and welcoming for all newcom- ers." The steering committee received 40 nominations of individuals and businesses in three categories - busi- ness, community and youth. The selected profiles were: • Raghad Alkhatib (busi- ness); • Francisco Garzon (community); • Ashwini Selvakuma- ran (youth). According to a media re- lease, the annual recogni- tion event highlights the important role that new- comers play in bringing new perspectives, skills and insights to their com- munities, while celebrating how diverse backgrounds, traditions and talents can help strengthen the region. The Halton Newcomer Strategy Steering Commit- tee is a community-based initiative funded by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that works to en- sure the region is a wel- coming, inclusive and sup- portive place for newcom- ers. COMMUNITY Halton celebrates the individual and business accomplishments of three newcomers JOHN BKILA jbkila@metroland.com