Major police response expected for Canada Day and city officials testify at LRT inquiry: Five stories to watch in Ottawa this week
Ottawa residents told to expect a major police presence in the capital around Canada Day, city officials take the stand at Ottawa's LRT inquiry and Sens fans hope Daniel Alfredsson is elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at five stories to watch in Ottawa this week.
'Major" increase in police presence in Ottawa for Canada Day
Ottawa police say there will be "significant road closures and a major increase in police presence" over Canada Day in Ottawa in preparation for Canada's birthday celebrations and possible protests.
Police are calling in approximately 500 RCMP officers and "multiple extra policing resources" from municipal police services across the country to police the capital.
A motor vehicle control zone will be in effect from Wednesday to Monday, July 4. The motor vehicle control zone stretches from Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive in the east, Booth Street in the west, Wellington Street to the north and Laurier Avenue to the South, along with the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and Albert Street.
Motor vehicles taking part in any form of demonstration, event, protest or rally will not be permitted in the motor vehicle control zone, according to police.
The city of Ottawa and Ottawa police will outline plans for Canada Day policing and security on Monday morning.
Police have said they are aware of planned protests and other events in Ottawa over Canada Day.
James Topp, who is walking from British Columbia to Ottawa to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates, is scheduled to arrive at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider on June 30. Topp and the Canada Marches Team are protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates and want to repair what they say is a divide among Canadians.
The Canadian Press reported Veterans for Freedom would hold Canada Day events in Ottawa on the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada and a dance party on Parliament Hill.
Canada Day
Canada Day celebrations will be held in-person for the first time in three years, with the main birthday celebrations held at two new locations.
Canadian Heritage will host "Canada Day 2022" at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa and Place des festivals Zibi in Gatineau, instead of on Parliament Hill and at Major's Hill Park. The move comes as construction continues on Parliament Hill. The popular daytime and evening Canada Day shows will be held at LeBreton Flats.
Canada Day festivities will also be held across Ottawa, including in Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Orleans and Riverside South.
Click the links for more information on Canada Day events in Ottawa and across eastern Ontario.
Week three of Ottawa's LRT inquiry
The public inquiry into Ottawa's light rail transit system will hear from key city of Ottawa officials this week.
Mayor Jim Watson (Thursday), former OC Transpo general manager John Manconi (Tuesday), director of rail construction program Michael Morgan (Monday) and Peter Launch of Rideau Transit Group (Wednesday), are scheduled to testify during week three of the inquiry.
The inquiry is looking into the construction and launch of the light rail transit system, including the issues that led to two derailments last summer.
Last week, the inquiry heard it was city officials who suggested lowering the criteria for LRT testing so it would get a passing grade. Rail manager Richard Holder told the inquiry the city knew there would be "some reliability issues" when the system was launched.
Holder also told the inquiry that the city was concerned about a shortage of maintenance staff for the trains when the service launched.
The inquiry is scheduled to hold public hearings until July 7. Commissioner Justice William Hourigan has until the end of August to submit his report and possible recommendations to the Ontario government, but an extension is possible.
School's out for summer
It's the final week of school for students and staff at Ottawa's two largest school boards, as the third school year of the COVID-19 pandemic wraps up.
The final day of classes for Ottawa Carleton District School Board elementary students is Thursday, with exams wrapping up at secondary schools on Tuesday.
For the Ottawa Catholic School Board, classes wrap up on Wednesday.
This school year featured a two week online learning period following the Christmas/Holiday break in January due to COVID-19. Students returned to class on Jan. 18.
Will the Hockey Hall of Fame call Alfredsson's name?
Ottawa Senators fans are hoping Daniel Alfredsson is called to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.
The Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee will announce the 2022 inductees on Monday afternoon.
This is the fifth year Alfredsson is eligible for selection to the Hockey Hall of Fame after an NHL career with 444 goals and 1,157 points. Alfredsson had another 100 points in the playoffs.
Two Ottawa Senators fans launched a social media campaign to get the former Sens captain into the Hall of Fame.
EVENTS IN OTTAWA
Monday
Standing committee on environmental protection, water and waste management – 9:30 a.m.
Ottawa Police Services Board meeting – 4 p.m.
Tuesday
Ottawa Finance and Economic Development committee meeting – 9 a.m.
Ottawa Catholic School Board meeting – 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Ottawa Transportation Committee meeting – 9:30 a.m.
Thursday
Ottawa Redblacks host the B.C. Lions – 7:30 p.m. at TD Place.
Friday
Canada Day
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.