All eyes on COVID-19 in Ottawa and the investigation continues into O-Train wheel hub failures: Five stories to watch this week
Keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation in Ottawa following the long weekend and festival season ramps up to start August.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at five stories to watch in Ottawa this week.
COVID-19 levels high in Ottawa
All eyes will be on the COVID-19 situation in Ottawa coming out of the Colonel By Day long weekend, as Ottawa Public Health warns COVID-19 levels remain "very high."
"The levels of COVID-19 in our community are still very high, and it remains very important that we all use the layers of protection that we know can help limit transmission," OPH said on Thursday.
Ottawa residents are being encouraged to wear a mask indoors and outdoors when physical distancing isn't possible, stay home when you're sick and get your first and second booster doses.
Ottawa's COVID-19 positivity rate was 19.7 per cent on July 27.
COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children aged six months to under five in Ottawa and across Ontario.
Public health is also monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks, with 75 outbreaks in long-term care homes, retirement homes, hospitals and other settings.
The largest active COVID-19 outbreak in Ottawa is at Billings Lodge Retirement Community, where 48 residents and 15 staff members have tested positive. A COVID-19 outbreak at Carleton Lodge includes 41 residents and 11 staff members.
Slow rolling O-Train
The O-Train is moving at a slower speed along the 12.5 km track this week, as the investigation continues into the failure of a wheel hub assembly on a train.
OC Transpo pulled 20 cars from service on July 23 for further inspection after the failure was discovered on one wheel hub.
"RTG and Alstom continue to replace the axel hubs; there are currently 22, or 11 double-car trains, cleared and in service," OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar said on Saturday.
"RTG and Alstom continue the replacements over the weekend, and we anticipate having more cleared and in service next week. No further issues have been discovered during the replacement of the axle hubs."
Rideau Transit Group and Alstom requested implementing a temporary speed restriction along sections of the track, adding an extra four to five minutes to the trip.
The Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the incident.
An east-bound O-Train pulls in to Rideau Station on the Confederation Line of the Light Rail Transit system in Ottawa, Ont. (Brenda Woods/CTV Ottawa)
Five councillors running unopposed
With three weeks left until the deadline to register for the city of Ottawa municipal election, five current councillors' remain unopposed in their wards.
The deadline for candidates to register to run in the city of Ottawa municipal election is Aug. 19, and Election Day is Oct. 24.
Councillors are currently running unopposed in the following wards:
- Orleans East-Cumberland – Matthew Luloff
- Orleans West – Innes – Laura Dudas
- Beacon Hill-Cyrville – Tim Tierney
- Rideau-Rockcliffe – Rawlson King
- River – Riley Brockington
There are currently 11 candidates running for mayor.
The riding of Knoxdale-Merivale has the highest number of declared candidates in the race, with six people running to fill the seat left by the retiring Keith Egli.
Ottawa City Hall. (File photo)
Rideau Canal Celtic Cross Ceremony
The Ottawa and District Labour Council will hold a ceremony on Monday to remember the workers and their families who died building the Rideau Canal.
Monday is known as Colonel By Day in the city of Ottawa.
The annual Celtic Cross Ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Rideau Canal Celtic Cross Monument alongside the Rideau Canal.
"The building of the Rideau Canal required a yearly work force of up to 7,000," the Ottawa and District Labour Council said. "During its seven-year construction as many as 1,000 workers lost their lives due to accidents and disease. Their deaths went largely unrecorded and many lay in unmarked graves along the canal’s length."
Boats docked along the Rideau Canal in downtown Ottawa. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)
AUGUST FESTIVALS
Several festivals wrap up and kick off this week in Ottawa, as the second full month of summer begins.
The Ottawa Chamberfest wraps up on Thursday at venues across Ottawa.
The following festivals kick off this week:
- Navan Fair – Aug. 4-7
- Ottawa Greek Festival – Aug. 5-15
- Classic Theatre Festival – Aug. 5-28
- Casino Lac Leamy Sound of Light festival – Aug. 3-20
Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light Portugal Fireworks on Aug. 9, 2014. (Derek Winfield/CTV Viewer)
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Atlantic
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Missing 61-year-old, New Brunswick woman
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Quinpool, Armdale Rotary area residents asked to reduce water usage Sunday
A broken wastewater pipe has prompted Halifax Water to ask Quinpool area residents to reduce water usage while crews make repairs Sunday.
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Monument unveiled for eight Nova Scotia brothers who fought in World War 2
The eight sons of Richard and Sarah Harvie from Gormanville, N.S., are believed to be the most siblings from one family, from either North America or the British Commonwealth, to serve in World War II.
Toronto
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Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including archbishop of Toronto
The Archbishop of Toronto is among 21 new cardinals Pope Francis named Sunday and the lone new cardinal from North America.
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TTC completes some construction, increases service
There will be more subway service, bus routes and streetcar stops in Toronto, as the TTC has completed construction and increased its service.
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‘Suspicious’ fire destroys Oshawa townhouse
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Montreal
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'We will never be the same': Oct. 7 killing of Montreal native leaves gaping hole
Alexandre Look, a 33-year-old Montreal native, was among the concertgoers who were murdered a year ago Monday at the Supernova music festival during a brutal assault on Israel carried out by Hamas militants. He is among at least eight people, either Canadian citizens or with ties to Canada, who died during the Oct. 7 attacks.
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Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
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Firefighters awarded medals for 'heroism' in saving lives during 2023 Old Montreal fire
Five Montreal firefighters were formally recognized Sunday for their heroic efforts to save people's lives during the major fire in Old Montreal last year that killed seven people.
Northern Ontario
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New Far North hospital moves closer to being built after $1.8B design, build contract awarded
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'Sober curious': Younger Canadians turning away from alcohol, data says
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Oct. 7 commemoration events being held across Canada
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Windsor
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16-year-old pedestrian struck in fatal collision in Harrow
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Lancers lose for first time on gridiron this season
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After four decades of business, Bubi's serves its last meal
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London
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Provincial funding for LHSC hopes to clear up ICU beds
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Knights struggle early, but huge reinforcements possibly coming
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Hurricane Milton has formed and could grow stronger before hitting Florida midweek
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Kitchener
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Kitchener stabbing prompts police investigation
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One injured after small plane crash lands in Brussels
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Young driver charged with impaired driving after crashing into traffic light, fleeing police
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Barrie
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Search ends for missing Orillia man
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Breast cancer run raises hundreds of thousands
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Highway 400 crash near Waubaushene under investigation
Provincial police are investigating a collision along Highway 400 in Tay Township Friday afternoon.
Winnipeg
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Severe winds wreak havoc on southern Manitoba
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'Great fun in this': Giant roadside attractions across Manitoba highlighted online
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Homelessness on the rise as encampments spread to Steinbach
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Calgary
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1 man hospitalized following serious collision on Deerfoot Trail
An investigation is underway after a collision that took place on Deerfoot Trail early Saturday evening.
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6 people transported to hospital after late night fire, explosion damages 4 northeast townhouses
An investigation is underway into a fire and explosion that took place Saturday night in northeast Calgary.
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Nanton RCMP on scene at serious single vehicle collision
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Edmonton
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'We're losing billions of birds': Backyard risks to Alberta's birds and how you can help make fall migration a successful one
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Crash between motorcycle and van closes Highway 39 near Warburg
Highway 39 near Warburg was closed Saturday after a serious crash involving a motorcycle and a van.
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'Sober curious': Younger Canadians turning away from alcohol, data says
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Regina
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Roughriders edge Elks 28-24, clinch playoff berth
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Sask. Party, NDP make weekend campaign stops in Moose Jaw with promises to invest in the city
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Wind gusts around 100 km/h hammer Regina, southern Sask.
A wind warning was issued for parts of southern Saskatchewan, with gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour (km/h) possible in some areas on Saturday, Environment and Climate Change Canada says.
Saskatoon
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Roughriders edge Elks 28-24, clinch playoff berth
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Private school funding draws attention during STF education forum
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Sask. community marks sod-turning for Humboldt Broncos memorial
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Vancouver
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1 dead after pickup truck plows through bus stop in Surrey
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Where will B.C.'s election be won? Even identifying the battlegrounds is tough call
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Oh my gourd: B.C.'s giant pumpkin weigh-off declares winner
A gargantuan gourd – affectionately named ‘Orangina’ by the urban gardeners who grew it in the front yard of their Vancouver home – earned the massive honour of being named B.C.’s heaviest giant pumpkin Saturday.
Vancouver Island
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Where will B.C.'s election be won? Even identifying the battlegrounds is tough call
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Son charged with mother's murder on Vancouver Island
Police on Vancouver Island have made an arrest in the case of a 78-year-old woman found dead in her home almost two years ago.
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Eby promises $75 million rural health loan forgiveness plan at Okanagan campaign stop
NDP Leader David Eby is promising to offer a $75-million loan forgiveness program to entice doctors, nurses and heath professionals to expand health-care services in rural British Columbia.
Kelowna
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2nd-degree murder charge laid nearly 2 years after Kelowna stabbing
Nearly two years after a man was stabbed to death in downtown Kelowna, RCMP have made an arrest in the case.
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Eby promises $75 million rural health loan forgiveness plan at Okanagan campaign stop
NDP Leader David Eby is promising to offer a $75-million loan forgiveness program to entice doctors, nurses and heath professionals to expand health-care services in rural British Columbia.
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Several 'aggressors' arrested after B.C. teen swarmed, B.C. RCMP say
Three young suspects have been arrested in connection with a swarming attack on a teenager in B.C.'s Okanagan last week – and authorities have asked the public to stop circulating disturbing videos of the incident.
