Para Transpo driver facing sexual assault charges
A ParaTranspo vehicle is seen driving through a residential neighbourhood in Ottawa on September 23, 2020.
A Para Transpo driver is facing charges following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of a passenger on a transit vehicle last winter.
The Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit launched an investigation into the alleged assault that occurred on Jan. 23.
"The accused – who was employed as a Para Transpo driver at the time – drove a lone vulnerable adult female passenger away from her regular route, parked and sexually assaulted her," police said.
Aung Thowai, 62, of Ottawa is facing charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability.
Police say investigators are concerned there may be other victims.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa late Wednesday evening, OC Transpo said it took "immediate action" as soon as it was made aware of the allegations.
"The safety of our customers and employees always has been and continues to be OC Transpo’s top priority. Any allegation of violence or harassment on our transit network is taken seriously," Rami El Feghali, Director of Transit Bus Operations and Maintenance, said in a statement.
"OC Transpo is fully cooperating with Ottawa Police Service as part of their investigation. All disciplinary measures are determined in accordance with the City’s Discipline Policy and any relevant collective agreement or statutory requirements. In keeping with the City of Ottawa’s standard practice, the City does not comment on individual personnel matters."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 5944.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberals say foreign meddling inquiry should look into MP allegations
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the Liberals will support a Bloc Quebecois motion urging the foreign interference inquiry to look into allegations that some MPs 'wittingly' participated in meddling.
Military plane carrying Malawi's vice-president is missing and a search is underway
A military plane carrying Malawi's vice-president and nine others went missing Monday and a search is underway, the president's office said.
Freeland presents capital gains proposal to Parliament, setting up key vote
Chrystia Freeland presented her promised capital gains proposal to Parliament on Monday, setting the stage for a key vote as the Liberals try to wedge the Conservatives on the contentious tax proposal.
Kia to recall 20,000 SUVs in Canada over fire risk, U.S. owners urged to park outside
Kia is set to recall more than 20,000 Telluride SUVs in Canada over a fire risk caused by a faulty front seat adjustment knob.
UN Security Council adopts ceasefire resolution aimed at ending Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
The UN Security Council on Monday approved its first resolution endorsing a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Video shows moment float plane collided with boat in Vancouver's Coal Harbour
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating a serious incident after a Harbour Air float plane and a recreational boat collided in Vancouver's Coal Harbour.
Frost warnings, possible thunderstorms: Canada's weather forecast this week
The second full week of June is off to a chilly start with wet, cloudy conditions forecast for most of Canada.
Billie Eilish opens up about the shock of being ghosted, and losing and making friends
Pop megastar Billie Eilish has revealed how she was ghosted by an old friend, and opened up about the loneliness of fame.
Chrysler recalls more than 211,000 vehicles, including 17K in Canada, due to software malfunction
Stellantis-owned Chrysler is recalling more than 211,000 SUVs and pickup trucks in the U.S., due to a software malfunction that could disable the cars' electronic stability control systems.
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.
Atlantic
-
Cole Harbour man, 76, charged with murder: N.S. RCMP
A 76-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., man has been charged with murder following a homicide investigation on Sunday afternoon.
-
N.B. RCMP officer charged with criminal offences
A New Brunswick RCMP officer is facing criminal offence charges.
-
Anger, grief, joy: How one woman turned a family lie into a life full of love
48-year-old Marie Leask went on a discovery to find her true roots and dug up an extensive family tree that she never knew existed.
Toronto
-
Church fire in Toronto that destroyed Group of Seven murals not suspicious at this time: police
The four-alarm fire ripped through the national historic site on Sunday morning, destroying unique Group of Seven murals inside.
-
Mississauga father pursued son's killer despite being shot in the chest himself: testimony
The father of a young man shot dead in their family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 described on the stand how he pursued the shooter even though he had also just been shot in the chest.
-
Man who lit woman on fire aboard Toronto bus not criminally responsible for her death: lawyers
The man charged with killing a woman by lighting her on fire on a bus two years ago admitted to causing her death at the outset of his trial in Toronto, but argued he shouldn’t be found criminally responsible due to a Schizophrenia diagnosis.
Montreal
-
Ottawa to give Quebec $750 million for surge in temporary immigrants
Quebec Premier Francois Legault say Ottawa is offering $750 million to help pay for a surge in temporary immigrants to the province. Legault had been asking Ottawa for $1 billion to cover costs incurred from 2021 to 2023.
-
Man, 32, shot multiple times, hit by car, Quebec police say
A 32-year-old man survived multiple gunshots and getting hit by a car west of Montreal Monday morning, provincial police say.
-
Some areas of Old Montreal permanently going pedestrian-only, others just for the summer
The City of Montreal has unveiled its plans to pedestrianize some sections of Old Montreal.
Northern Ontario
-
Man injured in ATV crash on Manitoulin Island involving car
A 50-year-old male driving a four-wheeler on Manitoulin Island was sent to hospital with minor injuries after a crash involving a car Friday afternoon, police say.
-
Body of missing man found after canoes capsize in northwestern Ontario
The body of a 25-year-old American man has been found after two canoes capsized in northwestern Ontario last week, provincial police say.
-
Video shows moment float plane collided with boat in Vancouver's Coal Harbour
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating a serious incident after a Harbour Air float plane and a recreational boat collided in Vancouver's Coal Harbour.
Windsor
-
'It destroys my heart': Windsor Harbourmaster wants dangerous stretch of Sandpoint Beach closed off completely
Peter Berry, while commending the city for installing a larger fence, asked councillors to close the western portion of the beach indefinitely.
-
Council delays decision on cashless parking meters
Windsor city council wants to collect public input on cashless meters before going fully electronic.
-
Free public skating popular but expensive: City report
The City of Windsor lost more than $30,000 by offering free skating at four arenas.
London
-
Police seek suspect in London, Ont. arson investigation, possibly motivated by hate
The London Police Service is on the lookout for an arson suspect following a fire in the Wateroak Drive area.
-
Additional capacity at EMDC seen as step toward preventing violence, deaths
Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner has announced 630 new beds at correctional facilities across the province, including the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre.
-
6 people hurt, one seriously, in crash west of St. Thomas
One person suffered life-threatening injuries and five others were also hurt following a crash Sunday afternoon near St. Thomas.
Kitchener
-
Arrest made after shots fired in Kitchener
A Kitchener man has been arrested after people living at a Kitchener townhouse complex were jolted awake by the sound of gunshots.
-
Coyote decoys stolen from Waterloo Park won’t be replaced
Plastic coyotes, set up in April around Waterloo Park to scare off geese, have now been missing for more than a month.
-
Waterloo hosting Stanley Cup viewing party for Game 2
Tonight is Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals and the City of Waterloo is throwing a viewing party.
Barrie
-
Woman charged after being struck by Barrie police cruiser while crossing street
An 18-year-old woman was charged after running across a street and being struck by an oncoming police vehicle in Barrie over the weekend.
-
OPP seek public's help with Alliston homicide investigation
Provincial police hope the public can help identify a vehicle in connection with a homicide investigation in New Tecumseth.
-
Former teacher avoids jail time for historical sexual assaults involving young students
A retired teacher out of York Region convicted of historical crimes involving elementary school students will not spend time behind bars.
Winnipeg
-
Birchwood Terrace getting new alarm system to warn of potential building collapse
A new alarm system is being tested Tuesday which would be used to warn people in the surrounding area if a Portage Avenue building is at risk of collapsing.
-
10 animals left abandoned overnight outside Winnipeg Humane Society over the weekend
Capacity is continuing to be tight at the Winnipeg Humane Society after several animals were left outside overnight on the weekend.
-
'A wonderful man': Family of Winnipeg cyclist killed in hit-and-run speaks out
The family of 61-year-old cyclist who was killed in a hit-and-run last week is speaking out, saying they want him to be remembered for how he lived, not just how he died.
Calgary
-
Here's what you can and cannot do amid Calgary's water crisis
As Calgary continues to deal with a water crisis amid a critical water main break, many people may be confused about what they can and cannot do, and how they can help conserve water.
-
'A courageous stand': Calgary Cargill workers reach unanimous decision to strike
The union that represents workers at a Cargill plant in Calgary says it has "made history" with a vote that could see them walk off the job in the coming weeks.
-
Well-known white grizzly bear dies after collision on Trans-Canada
A well-known white grizzly bear often seen near the Trans-Canada Highway has died after being hit by a vehicle.
Edmonton
-
1 dead, 1 hospitalized after pair of pedestrians struck in central Edmonton
A pedestrian is dead after a crash in central Edmonton on Sunday night.
-
Cadence Weapon sends out casting call for video shoot for updated Connor McDavid track
Edmonton-born rapper Cadence Weapon returns to Edmonton to shoot a music video in support for the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup run.
-
McDonald's offers to change 1 Edmonton location to 'McDavid's' on 1 condition
McDonald's is lovin' the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup run as they created some incentive online for McDavid and the boys.
Regina
-
Regina tied a 116 year old temperature record on Sunday, according to ECCC
We might be well into June, but several Saskatchewan communities recorded sub-zero temperatures on Sunday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
-
Gun seized, two arrested following Regina traffic stop for burnt out tail light
A simple traffic stop in Regina led to a number of arrests after multiple guns were discovered in a vehicle.
-
Sask. teachers return to 'work to rule' job action
Saskatchewan teachers are once again imposing "work to rule" job action across the province starting on Monday. That means teachers will arrive at schools 15 minutes before the start of the school day and leave no later than 15 minutes after the day.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon man, 42, shot near St. Paul's Hospital
A 42-year-old man is recovering from a gunshot wound following a shooting near St. Paul’s Hospital early Monday morning.
-
Two arrested after assaulting pair of Saskatoon police officers
Two 26-year-olds, a man and woman, were arrested after a scuffle with bike police along the river on Saturday.
-
Senior escapes knifepoint abduction in Saskatoon campsite robbery
Saskatoon police are looking for a suspect who tried to abduct a 75-year-old woman from a campground while threatening her at knifepoint and stealing her truck.
Vancouver
-
Wildfire that forced thousands from Fort Nelson, B.C., now listed as under control
The wildfire that forced 4,700 people to leave their homes in Fort Nelson, B.C., is now listed as under control.
-
A third of B.C. residents are considering leaving the province: poll
One-in-three British Columbians are seriously considering leaving the province for more affordable housing, according to a new survey.
-
Unknown man attempted to sexually assault woman on Kelowna trail: RCMP
Mounties in Kelowna are investigating the attempted sexual assault of a woman on a walking trail over the weekend.
Vancouver Island
-
Wildfire that forced thousands from Fort Nelson, B.C., now listed as under control
The wildfire that forced 4,700 people to leave their homes in Fort Nelson, B.C., is now listed as under control.
-
Here's how criminals may recruit money mules to transfer their investments: RCMP
Ten suspected money mules who investigators believe transferred funds on behalf of criminals were hand-delivered warnings last month as officials aim to crack down on investment fraud.
-
'Seeing the plane sink right before our eyes' SeaBus crew recounts moment float plane crashed
Visibility was excellent on a clear sunny Saturday in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, when a SeaBus captain spotted a float plane lying awkwardly in the water.
Kelowna
-
93-year-old woman pushed into path of moving bus: Penticton RCMP
Mounties in Penticton, B.C., say an elderly woman was assaulted while stepping off of a transit bus last week.
-
Firefighters quickly extinguish Okanagan Falls brushfire
Firefighters made quick work of a brushfire at a farm in Okanagan Falls, B.C., on Saturday afternoon.
-
B.C. bookkeeper gets 6 years in prison for defrauding over $1M from employer
The former bookkeeper for a Kelowna, B.C.-based company has been handed a six-year prison sentence for defrauding more than $1 million from her employer.
