Fake toonie investigation leads to $100K fine for Ontario man
An Ontario man has been fined $100,000 after pleading guilty to the possession and use of thousands of fake toonies circulated in the Canadian banking system.
Justice Amit Ghosh imposed the fine on Richmond Hill resident Daixiong He at the Newmarket Court of Justice after pleading guilty to a charge of uttering counterfeit money back in December 2022, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed to CTV News Toronto on Friday.
He, 68 at the time of his arrest, was charged in May 2022 as part of a federal counterfeit currency investigation launched after the Royal Canadian Mint discovered “an ongoing currency issue through their random sampling process." That investigation led officers to seize approximately 10,000 counterfeit toonies that had been placed into the Canadian banking system.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
While the charge He faced came with the possibility of up to 14 years in prison, the accused was spared jail time by Ghosh, who instead opted to impose the monetary penalty.
CTV News Toronto was unable to reach He before publication. His lawyer, Thomas Richards, told CTV News that the fine imposed represented the total amount of the deposits, "so the fine was calculated to effectively cancel out any benefit gained by Mr He for having made deposits of the toonies in question."
At the time of He's arrest, police said they expected additional coins were still in circulation within Canada. The coins, which police say originated from China, could be distinguished by their primary characteristic flaw of having a "split-toe" on the right front paw of the Polar Bear.
"The unique features on Canada's circulation coins make them among the most secure in the world and allow these counterfeit pieces to be identified and removed from circulation quickly," James Malizia, Vice-President of Corporate Security at the Royal Canadian Mint, said in a statement in 2022.
An authentic two-dollar coin can be seen on the left, alongside an example of the fraudulent ones on the right. (RCMP handout(
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Loblaw leaders push back on 'misguided criticism' of grocer as boycott begins
Loblaw's new chief executive, as well as chairman Galen Weston, pushed back on what they called 'misguided criticism' of the grocer as a push to boycott the company gains steam online.
TD Bank hit with $9.2M penalty after failing to report suspicious transactions
Canada's financial intelligence agency says it has levied a $9.2-million penalty against The Toronto-Dominion Bank for non-compliance with money laundering and terrorist financing measures as the bank also faces compliance investigations in the U.S.
Orangutan observed treating wound using medicinal plant in world first
Scientists working in Indonesia have observed an orangutan intentionally treating a wound on their face with a medicinal plant, the first time this behavior has been documented.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada
H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of U.S. dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
There's a limit to how much interest rates in Canada and U.S. can diverge: Macklem
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canadian interest rates don't have to match U.S. or global rates, but there is a limit to how much they can diverge.
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Heavy police presence at McGill University as counter-protesters assemble opposite pro-Palestinian encampment
A heavy police presence was at McGill University on Thursday morning, as counter-protesters assembled opposite the pro-Palestinian encampment at the school.
-
Quebec premier asks police to dismantle camp at McGill University
Quebec Premier Francois Legault has called on the police to dismantle the pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the lower field of McGill University's downtown campus in Montreal.
-
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa teen taken to hospital in critical condition following stabbing in Nepean
Ottawa paramedics say a teenage male was taken to hospital in critical condition following a stabbing that happened in Nepean Thursday.
-
Former Ottawa city councillor Diane Deans in palliative care
Former Ottawa city councillor Diane Deans is in palliative care after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Jessica Bradley.
-
Highrise fire leaving 2 children, woman in critical condition deemed suspicious
The Ottawa Police Arson Unit says the fire at an Overbrook apartment building that sent two children and a woman to hospital in critical condition Thursday morning has been deemed suspicious.
Northern Ontario
-
Police investigate death in northern Ontario community
The remains of a 44-year-old person were found Tuesday morning on Delamere Road in French River, Ontario Provincial Police said.
-
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
-
Northern Ont. police forced into the river to save intoxicated swimmer
An intoxicated man wearing only his underwear and a lifejacket had to be pulled from the Thessalon River early Wednesday evening.
Kitchener
-
OPP starts mandatory alcohol screening on Waterloo Region highways
Be prepared to provide a breath sample if you’re stopped by OPP on a Waterloo Region highway.
-
Bullet fired into Waterloo business
Waterloo regional police are looking for the person who shot into the window of a Waterloo business.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
London
-
London Knights' Easton Cowan named OHL’s Most Outstanding Player
London Knights forward Easton Cowan has been named the Red Tilson Trophy winner as the OHL's Most Outstanding Player.
-
Fatal crash involving off-road vehicle
One person has died following a crash in North Perth late Wednesday night. Around 11:30 p.m. first responders were called to Line 72, east of Perth Road 158 for a passenger vehicle and an off-road vehicle had collided.
-
'Just the first step': South Bruce signs nuclear waste hosting agreement
During one of South Bruce council’s shortest ever meetings, councillors may have made one of the biggest decisions in the community’s history.
Windsor
-
Trucker convicted of importing $29M in meth across Ambassador Bridge
A truck driver has been convicted of importing $29 million in methamphetamine across the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.
-
'Rainbow house' on Ouellette taken down by fire
There are very few details available but the house, painted like a rainbow, on Ouellette Avenue has ben destroyed by fire.
-
Real estate market activity increasing in Windsor-Essex
Housing market activity is heating up, according to the latest report from the Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors.
Barrie
-
Man charged with attempted murder after assault allegations
Police in Barrie charged one man with attempted murder after an alleged assault sent one individual to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries on Tuesday.
-
Circus show in limbo as City of Barrie approval goes down to the wire
Publicized as a "spellbinding experience," performers from the French-based Cirque De Paris have been left scrambling for a temporary building permit approval.
-
Collingwood animal shelter in midst of ‘canine crisis’
An animal adoption centre in Collingwood is urgently in need of foster homes and volunteers following a large influx of dogs.
Winnipeg
-
‘A disgusting situation’: Witness recounts altercation between Foodfare employee and woman accused of shoplifting
An employee at a St. Matthews-area grocery store has been suspended and police are investigating after a confrontation with a customer over the weekend.
-
Osborne Village Starbucks set to close temporarily, no reopening date specified
The Osborne Village Starbucks is set to close temporarily next week.
-
Winnipeg firefighters warn cost savings target a risk
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says a cost savings directive poses a safety risk.
Atlantic
-
Fourth teen charged with second-degree murder in connection with Halifax student's death
Police say a fourth teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a student in Halifax last week.
-
CBRM Mayor Amanda McDougall-Merrill says she won't run in next election
The mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality says she will not re-offer in October’s municipal election.
-
2 more women file suits alleging sexual assault by Newfoundland police officer
Two more women have filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually assaulted by an on-duty member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary who offered them rides home from a night of drinking in downtown St. John's.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget
Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
-
'I feel honoured to say I was his friend': Wayne Gretzky remembers Bob Cole
Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Cole as his family has confirmed a funeral will be held for the legendary broadcaster Friday in St. John's, N.L.
-
Voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole never considered moving out of St. John's
Legendary sportscaster Bob Cole was a Newfoundlander through and through, and his daughter says his connection to the province was 'everything' to him.
Edmonton
-
RCMP looking for more victims after Edmonton man charged with child luring, sexual assault
RCMP are looking for additional victims after an Edmonton man allegedly used Snapchat to lure and sexually assault a youth.
-
Alberta government to amend bill granting it sweeping powers over municipalities
The Alberta government is making changes to a bill that would give cabinet unfettered power to fire mayors and councillors and overturn bylaws.
-
Man accused of 3 armed robberies in single night, including bar shooting
A man has been charged in connection with three armed robberies one night in April.
Calgary
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Fort Calgary rebranded as The Confluence
In an effort to revitalize itself, Fort Calgary is changing its name and logo to reflect more of the history of the location where it sits.
-
Calgary's CTrain crime the focus of crackdown, 64 charges laid
Calgary police have laid dozens of charges in an operation aimed at addressing ongoing safety concerns at local CTrain stations.
-
Calgary police stop erratic vehicle driving with its hood up
Calgary police took swift action to stop a stolen vehicle, which was driving erratically in Castleridge Thursday morning.
Regina
-
'Bad deal for Sask.': NDP want province to publicly oppose potential Viterra takeover
The opposition NDP are calling on the Saskatchewan government to publicly oppose a potential merger of agriculture giants Viterra and Bunge.
-
Sask.'s Boundary Dam carbon capture project underperforming: report
A signature carbon capture and storage project in Saskatchewan continues to miss emissions reduction goals, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of the technology, according to a report.
-
Saskatchewan signs agreement with Alberta to swap information on nuclear energy
Saskatchewan and Alberta have agreed to share and swap information about nuclear power generation.
Saskatoon
-
An 18-year-old was stabbed on a Saskatoon bus, police say
Saskatoon police are investigating an assault on a city bus after an 18-year-old man was stabbed on Wednesday afternoon.
-
'Healthy, happy calves': Cow gives birth to rare set of quadruplets in Saskatchewan
A Saskatchewan family won the bovine lottery after their cow gave birth to a rare set of quadruplets.
-
Managers must tell new hires about risk of violence at work under new Sask. employment rules
Saskatchewan employers will be required to tell new hires if they face a risk of violence in the workplace and to take actions against it starting on May 17.
Vancouver
-
B.C. launches secondary suite incentive program, with forgivable loans of up to $40K
B.C. has launched its previously announced secondary suite incentive program, with eligible homeowners able to receive thousands of dollars in forgivable loans to construct a rental unit.
-
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
-
London Drugs stores remain closed for 5th straight day, phone lines operating
London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed Thursday morning due to a "cybersecurity incident," marking the fifth straight day of closures.
Vancouver Island
-
Greater Victoria meal program for low income seniors could be lost without donor support
A food security program delivering meals to seniors on a low income or facing health challenges could soon end in Greater Victoria if funding doesn’t come through.
-
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
-
Elephant seal inspires retired B.C. teacher to volunteer, write a book
When Debbie Austen was walking along the ocean last year and spotted a young elephant seal playing in the water, she never would have imagined it was the start of an enduring relationship.
