CUPE's 'political protest' closes some Ottawa schools and the final council meeting: Five stories to watch this week
A sign during the CUPE protest outside Liberal MPP Ted Hsu's office in Kingston on Friday. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)
Education workers continue "political protest" and Ottawa City Council meets for the final time during the 2018-22 term.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at five stories to watch in Ottawa this week.
Education workers' hold "political protest"
Dozens of schools in Ottawa and eastern Ontario will remain closed to in-person learning this week, as education workers continue what the union calls a "political protest'.
Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees-Ontario School Board Council of Unions walked off the job on Friday after the Ontario government imposed a new four-year contract on education workers and made any strike action illegal.
Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA Sunday morning, CUPE-OSBCU president Laura Walton says the union is receiving support from parents and other unions.
"Right now, what November looks like is ongoing political protests and I think what's really, really interesting is the level of support and solidarity that is starting to grow day, by day, by day," Walton told CFRA Weekends with Andrew Pinsent.
Nine school boards in Ottawa and eastern Ontario have said schools will be closed to in-person learning this week, and classes will move online. The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board says 12 schools will be closed for in-person learning this week because CUPE members work in those schools.
The Lafferty family joined education workers and supports on the picket line during day one of CUPE's political protest in Ottawa and across Ontario. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)
Final Ottawa City Council meeting
Ottawa City Council will meet Wednesday for the final time for the 2018-2022 term.
It will be the final council meeting for Mayor Jim Watson and 11 councillors, who are departing Ottawa City Hall.
It has been a busy four years for the current council, including passing the Official Plan, Stage 2 of Ottawa's Light Rail Transit plan, and the addition to the Chateau Laurier. Council also dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic and the 'Freedom Convoy' protest in downtown Ottawa.
Mayor-elect Mark Sutcliffe and the new council will be sworn-in on Nov. 15.
A sign during the CUPE protest outside Liberal MPP Ted Hsu's office in Kingston on Friday. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)
Rick Chiarelli
One of the final votes of the current city council will deal with an integrity commissioner's report that concluded Coun. Rick Chiarelli harassed and bullied a young female staffer.
In a report for council, Integrity Commissioner Karen Shepherd finds Chiarelli violated the Code of Conduct for Members of Council for allegations that date back to 2013, and recommends a 90-day suspension of pay.
Chiarelli denied both allegations in interviews with the investigator.
Shepherd recommends council receive the report that finds Chiarelli contravened two sections of the code of conduct, suspend the councillor's pay for 90 days and require he make a written or verbal public apology.
RIck Chiarelli appears at Ottawa City Council on Feb. 26, 2020. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa)
Emergencies Act Inquiry continues
The public inquiry into the federal government's use of the Emergencies Act will look at the blockades at border crossings in Windsor, Ont. and Coutts, Alberta this week.
On Monday, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and Windsor Police acting deputy chief Jason Crowley will be the first to testify.
Demonstrators protesting COVID-19 mandates and supporting the "Freedom Convoy" protest in Ottawa set up a blockade in Windsor, disrupting traffic to the Ambassador Bridge. Protesters continued demonstrating for about a week before a court injunction was granted on Feb. 11 to clear them from the area.
Last week, the inquiry heard from former Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly and organizers of the convoy.
The Federal Court is expected to rule on Monday whether Premier Doug Ford and former Solicitor General Sylvia Jones must testify at the public inquiry.
Day 3 of Windsor blockade impacts border traffic
Remembrance Day
Ceremonies will be held in Ottawa and across eastern Ontario this week to mark Remembrance Day.
The National Remembrance Day ceremony is scheduled for Friday at the National War Memorial.
This year's ceremony will include a full grand Veterans' Parade and a fly-past.
For a full list of Remembrance Day ceremonies across the region, click here.
EVENTS HAPPENING IN OTTAWA THIS WEEK
Monday
Ottawa Board of Health meeting. 5 p.m.
Tuesday
Ottawa Public Library Board meeting. 5 p.m.
Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks. 7 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre (TSN 5 and TSN 1200)
Wednesday
Ottawa City Council meeting. 10 a.m.
Friday
Remembrance Day
Ottawa 67's host Oshawa. 7 p.m. at TD Place.
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian among three climbers missing on New Zealand's highest peak
A Canadian is among three climbers missing after they'd planned to climb New Zealand's highest peak.
Trudeau to brief opposition leaders on Trump meeting
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with all opposition leaders today before question period to brief them about his meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
This salad brand is being recalled again. Here's why
A Taylor Farms salad kit is being recalled over concerns of a salmonella contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Here's where Canadian experts stand on fluoridating drinking water
For decades, water fluoridation has played a key role in improving the oral health of North Americans, experts say, but the practice is coming under scrutiny in some communities as opponents gain new prominence in the U.S., pointing to research that cautions about the risks of exposure to the mineral in high doses.
Toronto library apologizes after staff at east-end branch refuse to help lost girl
The Toronto Public Library is apologizing after staff at a branch in the city’s east end refused to provide a lost child with access to a telephone.
Ontario dad removes hockey rink at heart of neighbour dispute
A Markham dad who drew the ire of neighbours and the city after installing a hockey rink in his backyard says the rink has now been taken down.
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
Hannah Kobayashi declared a voluntary missing person after video shows her crossing into Mexico, police say
Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who's been missing for more than three weeks after arriving in Los Angeles on a flight from Maui, has been declared a voluntary missing person, Los Angeles police said Monday.
Atlantic
-
Northern New Brunswick could see 'significant' snowfall this week
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement in northern New Brunswick, warning the region could see 'significant' snowfall later this week.
-
This salad brand is being recalled again. Here's why
A Taylor Farms salad kit is being recalled over concerns of a salmonella contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
-
Woman, 22, dies after side-by-side crash in Belnan, N.S.
A 22-year-old woman has died following a collision between a side-by-side and a vehicle in Belnan, N.S., over the weekend.
Toronto
-
Ontario woman 'shocked' after unused $250 gift card only contained $1.50
An Ontario woman was 'shocked' to find out her unused $250 gift card was almost completely drained. 'My aunt gave me this gift card as a present and I was shocked to find out it was almost empty,' Catherine Uchida, of Mississauga, told CTV News Toronto.
-
Ontario auditor general to release reports on Ontario Place, opioids
Ontario's auditor general is set to release her annual report today, with sections on the redevelopment of Ontario Place and on the province's opioid strategy likely to garner a lot of attention.
-
More than 1 million Canadian mortgages are up for renewal in 2025. Is your Ontario home one of them?
The New Year is just around the corner and for 1.2 million mortgage holders in Canada that means it’s almost time to renew their home loans.
Montreal
-
Porch pirate arrested: Montreal man gets stolen deliveries returned
A Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) man says his community helped save his holidays after he was victim of so-called 'porch pirates.'
-
New poll suggests Legault even less popular than Justin Trudeau
A prominent polling analyst says Quebec's governing party would be reduced to fewer than 10 seats in the provincial legislature if an election were held today, based on current poll numbers.
-
5 vehicles torched in suspected arson in Saint-Leonard
Five vehicles were set aflame in a suspected criminal fire in Montreal's Saint-Leonard borough.
Northern Ontario
-
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
-
Hannah Kobayashi declared a voluntary missing person after video shows her crossing into Mexico, police say
Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who's been missing for more than three weeks after arriving in Los Angeles on a flight from Maui, has been declared a voluntary missing person, Los Angeles police said Monday.
-
Transport trucks collide head-on near Hearst, Ont.
One transport truck driver was seriously injured Saturday when two commercial motor vehicles collided head-on on Highway 11
Windsor
-
Impaired driver caught in drive through
Around 5:50 p.m. on Monday, OPP got a call about a person asleep in a vehicle in a drive through on Erie Street North in Leamington.
-
Spellacy chosen for U.S. World Junior selection camp
AJ Spellacy of the Windsor Spitfires has been named to the United States National Junior Team selection camp for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
-
Plans to sell portion of park to create housing receives mixed reviews
Plans to sever and sell a portion of an east Windsor park in order to fund the remaining greenspace’s redevelopment received a mixed reaction Monday night.
London
-
School closures and bus cancellations, more squalls expected Tuesday morning
It remains a winter wonderland across the London region, with snow blanketing midwestern Ontario.
-
Another delay extends repairs to city hall’s entrance into the new year
The completion date for repairing the front canopy of London City Hall has once again been moved back.
-
Several London Knights chosen for World Junior selection camp
London Knight Easton Cowan is one of four Knights invited to Canada’s World Junior selection camp.
Kitchener
-
Criticism over OPP’s lack of communication during nine-hour closure of Hwy 401
Many people are wondering why Ontario Provincial Police failed to properly notify drivers of an investigation that shut down a stretch of Highway 401 for almost nine hours on Friday night.
-
Food Bank of Waterloo Region says demand for assistance jumped 25 per cent in 2024
A sharp and steady increase in the number of people accessing food assistance in Waterloo Region means what they receive may not be as much – or as diverse – as in the past.
-
Experts surprised by rising number of walking pneumonia cases
Experts say a rise in respiratory illness is expected as the temperature drops, but this year, they’re seeing a surprising number of walking pneumonia cases in younger people.
Barrie
-
'We will get through this situation,' Gravenhurst battles storm damage
Highway 11 between Orillia and Huntsville opened at 10 p.m. Monday.
-
School bus and van cancellations in areas hit by storm
School bus cancellations continue in some areas after massive weekend snowfall.
-
New bridge over Highway 400 in Barrie opens to traffic
The Sunnidale Road bridge replacement is complete, with the road opening to traffic Monday.
Winnipeg
-
Investigation launched into Manitoban’s death after medical emergency at dental appointment
The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) said it is investigating a critical incident where a young woman from the Morden-Winkler area died following a dental appointment.
-
Winnipeg man arrested in 1997 New Jersey murder
A Winnipeg man has been arrested in connection with a cold case investigation of a 1997 murder in New Jersey.
-
'It's a little scary': Manitoba colleges and universities beefing up security measures
As of Monday, students and staff at Red River College are being greeted by security officers at the entrances, letting them know they will require ID as of Jan. 1.
Calgary
-
Calgary's police chief blasts province's photo radar decision
Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld is in disbelief following the province's decision to ban photo radar on numbered provincial highways and will only be allowed in school, playground and construction zones.
-
Work begins on Foothills Athletic Park redevelopment
Crews began work at Foothills Athletic Park on Monday, a project that will eventually see a new multi-sport fieldhouse in Calgary.
-
Calgary charity sees surge in demand for school lunches
A Calgary non-profit that's been hard at work for years packing lunches for thousands of students says their services are needed for more children than ever before.
Edmonton
-
Residents of Alta. town vote in favour of bylaw banning rainbow flags, crosswalks
Residents of a northern Alberta town have voted in favour of a bylaw banning Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks from municipal property.
-
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
-
Alphonso Davies handed one-month driving ban after being pulled over in Munich
Canada captain Alphonso Davies has been handed a one-month driving ban after being pulled over by police in Munich last week.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan auditor to release report on foreign-owned farmland, procuring hotels
Saskatchewan's provincial auditor is to release a report today outlining government programs and services that need improvement.
-
Government of Saskatchewan introduces affordability act with personal income tax measures
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced promised legislation to lower personal income tax in the province.
-
Negotiations between Canada Post, union still on hold
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says a new framework for negotiations that Canada Post presented over the weekend moved closer to the union's position on some issues, but that it remains far from what members could ratify.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan auditor to release report on foreign-owned farmland, procuring hotels
Saskatchewan's provincial auditor is to release a report today outlining government programs and services that need improvement.
-
Over 7,000 Sask. patients have intimate medical info breached in lab hack
Over 7,000 patients in Saskatchewan had their intimate medical information breached by hackers, according to the province’s privacy watchdog.
-
Negotiations between Canada Post, union still on hold
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says a new framework for negotiations that Canada Post presented over the weekend moved closer to the union's position on some issues, but that it remains far from what members could ratify.
Vancouver
-
B.C. police discipline ruling voided because officer overseeing investigation retired
A disciplinary decision against a former Vancouver police sergeant, who was found to have improperly shared degrading messages about a colleague who was sexually assaulted, has been voided after authorities realized the senior officer who oversaw the investigation retired a week before it was issued.
-
Vancouver Island couple wins $1M on Lotto Max
A couple on Vancouver Island is $1 million richer after winning big on a Lotto Max draw last month.
-
Canadian among three climbers missing on New Zealand's highest peak
A Canadian is among three climbers missing after they'd planned to climb New Zealand's highest peak.
Vancouver Island
-
Vancouver Island couple wins $1M on Lotto Max
A couple on Vancouver Island is $1 million richer after winning big on a Lotto Max draw last month.
-
Canada Post strike drying up donations for B.C. non-profit that feeds children over the weekend
For kids who rely on school meal programs for their daily nourishment, the weekend often means those children go without. Backpack Buddies helps bridge that weekend gap.
-
Driver 'doing donuts' crashes into house in Nanaimo, B.C.: RCMP
A driver who was “doing donuts” in a roundabout on a residential street in Nanaimo, B.C., lost control of his car and crashed into a home, according to police.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
