Ottawa camp counsellor accused of sexual assault against child
A close-up of an Ottawa Police officer’s badge is seen on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Ottawa police have charged a 24-year-old camp counsellor with sexual assault offences against a child at an Ottawa summer camp last summer.
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Gadeer El-Haddad, 24, of Ottawa has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and assault.
Police say El-Haddad worked as an inclusion counsellor for children with special needs in the summer of 2023. The name of the camp was not released.
The alleged incidents involved a girl under the age of 12.
The Dovercourt Recreation Centre in Ottawa's west-end said in a statement to its website that it is fully cooperating with the Ottawa Police and the Children's Aid Society of Ontario. It did not directly name the counsellor.
"The safety and wellbeing of children and youth are our utmost priorities, and this is a responsibility we take very seriously. Our inclusion and accessibility programs are an important pillar of what we do," said the centre's executive director Sureen Gosal in the statement.
"Dovercourt operates in an environment of constant improvement, and we will continue to proactively communicate with our community going forward."
The centre said it will not commenting futher on the specific case as the matter is presently before the court.
The OPS Sexual Assault and Child Abuse (SACA) unit believe there could be other victims.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944. Tips may also be sent electronically to SACA@ottawapolice.ca.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Joly targets polarization in UN speech, urges liberals to reclaim the word 'freedom'
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is asking members of the United Nations to counter growing political polarization abroad while taking shots at Conservative rhetoric at home.
Dispute over cost of eradicating cockroaches in B.C. condo building settled by tribunal
A B.C. condo owner who was blamed for a cockroach infestation in her building and charged thousands of dollars for the cost of eradicating the bugs must be refunded, the civil resolution tribunal ruled.
Health Canada recalls nearly 60 more unauthorized sexual enhancement products
Health Canada issued a recall last week for various sexual enhancement products for containing prescribed drugs like tadalafil and sildenafil.
W5 INVESTIGATES
W5 INVESTIGATES Crackdown on treacherous Darien Gap could force migrants to risk more dangerous routes
This week, Avery Haines follows migrants' harrowing journeys across the Darien Gap. Strict new rules to stem the flood of migrants through the notorious stretch of dense jungle appear to be working, but advocates fear it could backfire.
Man hikes 18 kilometres, 670 metres high to reach his parents in North Carolina
It had been 48 hours since the winds and rains from Hurricane Helene ripped through western North Carolina and Sam Perkins still had not heard from his parents.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeals for release while he awaits sex trafficking trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs is appealing a federal judge's decision to keep him in jail while he awaits trial on sex trafficking charges.
'You must leave now': Canada secures 800 plane seats to help citizens get out of Lebanon
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has said some 45,000 Canadians could be in the country, though only about half that number have registered with the embassy in Beirut.
Dikembe Mutombo, a Hall of Fame basketball player and tireless advocate, dies at 58
Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58.
Here are the country's most popular baby names, according to Statistics Canada
If you're struggling to find a name for your baby, you may find some inspiration in a new list of popular names.
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
-
Maritimers mark fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Membertou First Nation
More than a hundred people marched on Cape Breton’s Membertou First Nation on Monday – the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
-
St. Andrews Historical Society launches with exhibition of significant First Nations treaty in N.B.
The St. Andrews Historical Society in St. Andrews, N.B., announced that it would exhibit “one of the most significant 18th-century treaties between Great Britain and two First Nations of Canada” at Drewhaven Town & Country on Thursday.
-
Marathon goat: Animal runner wins hearts and a medal after crashing Newfoundland race
He may not have logged the fastest time or even gone the full distance, but residents of a Newfoundland town agree the goat who unexpectedly joined the local weekend half marathon was the event's undisputed champion.
Toronto
-
Police identify man found fatally shot in Toronto's Weston area
Toronto police have identified a man who was found fatally shot early Monday morning in a plaza in the city's Weston area.
-
Suspect in deadly Scarborough stabbing charged with second-degree murder
Toronto police have charged a suspect with second-degree murder following a deadly stabbing at a Scarborough home on Sunday afternoon.
-
Police say 2 suspects now wanted and efforts underway to ID a 3rd after officers allegedly spat at and assaulted in protest
Toronto police say they have identified two suspects who allegedly assaulted and spat at police during a pro-Palestinian protest downtown earlier this month, and they are trying to identify one more.
Montreal
-
Teen convicted in Jannai Dopwell-Bailey killing sentenced to 6 years
A 19-year-old man convicted of killing a Montreal teenager outside his school in October 2021 was sentenced to six years on Monday.
-
Protesters throw incendiary object at officer, damage windows at Concordia University: police
Several windows were damaged and spray painted with 'Free Gaza' during a protest at Concordia University Sunday night, Montreal police say.
-
23 bilingual municipalities ask judge to suspend portions of Quebec's language law
A group of 23 bilingual municipalities are in Quebec Superior Court today to ask a judge to suspend the application of several portions of the province's 2022 language reform.
Northern Ontario
-
Man, 73, on mobility scooter killed in crash with vehicle in New Sudbury
A 73-year-old man on a mobility scooter was killed Sunday night in Sudbury after being hit by a vehicle on Lasalle Boulevard and Barry Downe Road.
-
Here are the country's most popular baby names, according to Statistics Canada
If you're struggling to find a name for your baby, you may find some inspiration in a new list of popular names.
-
Ontario pedestrian dies after being struck by OPP vehicle
A pedestrian has died after reportedly getting struck by an OPP cruiser in Bala early Sunday morning.
Windsor
-
$11,000 seized at Ambassador Bridge
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized $11,000 US from an inbound American citizen at the Ambassador Bridge.
-
Drouillard Road to close for infrastructure renewal project
A section of Drouillard Road will close this week for an infrastructure renewal project.
-
Downtown parking garage enhancements planned
The City of Windsor has unveiled plans for the “Park in Perfect Harmony” initiative in the downtown core.
London
-
Lithium batteries likely the cause of garage fire which lights up St. Thomas sky
A pair of homes are destroyed on Penhale Avenue in St. Thomas, Ont. after an electrical fire set a garage ablaze Sunday night.
-
'With change comes truth': TVDSB hosts Truth and Reconciliation day of learning
Students from three elementary schools in the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) were taking part in a day of learning on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
-
Temporary road restrictions planned on Wellington Street
The City of London is informing drivers about temporary road restrictions on Wellington Street as part of the Downtown Loop Phase 3 finishing work and surface paving.
Kitchener
-
Waterloo Region commemorates National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Communities across the country marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events honouring survivors of residential schools and remembering those who never made it home.
-
Stabbing reported during Homecoming celebrations in Guelph
An Etobicoke resident was taken to hospital after he told a Guelph Police officer he had been stabbed during Homecoming celebrations near the University of Guelph.
-
Brantford woman charged with second degree murder
A woman has been charged as part of a murder investigation in Brantford.
Barrie
-
How Barrie is commemorating Orange Shirt Day
The fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation saw plenty of community members gathering across Barrie on Monday, reflecting on the impacts of residential schools and honouring survivors.
-
South Simcoe Police officers return from Ottawa memorial
Around 20 South Simcoe Police officers attended the 47th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Ottawa on Sunday with three fallen constables in their hearts.
-
Fire burns newly-built home
An early Sunday morning fire in Colgan that caused significant damage is under investigation.
Winnipeg
-
Downed power lines leave thousands in the dark
Thousands of Manitoba Hydro customers are without power Monday after strong winds barrelled through parts of the province overnight.
-
Rainfall, wind warnings in effect for northern Manitoba
Residents in Tadoule Lake, Man., and Churchill can expect to see heavy rain trickle in Sunday afternoon, lingering until Monday evening.
-
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen lands in Winnipeg at Royal Aviation Museum
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen touched down in Winnipeg this week, ahead of his lunar mission set to launch in a year’s time.
Calgary
-
Alberta chief demands action after death of Indigenous man in police custody
Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox says the death of Jon Wells on Sept. 17 after a scuffle with police at a Calgary hotel has brought back memories of a public inquiry in the 1980s that 'underscored the cultural gap' between his community and police.
-
2 people found dead in Calgary home; homicide unit investigating
The Calgary police homicide unit is investigating after two people were found dead in a home in the community of Penbrooke Meadows.
-
Calgary police turn to public for help finding teen missing two weeks
A 14-year-old has been missing from Marlborough for two weeks, and police are hoping you can help find them.
Edmonton
-
Oilers release veteran Hoffman from tryout
Mike Hoffman's shot at a spot on the Edmonton Oilers' roster is over.
-
1 dead, several injured in motor-vehicle collision near Calmar, Alta.
Mounties say one person is dead in the aftermath of a collision involving two vehicles south of Calmar on Sunday.
-
How a northern Alberta woman turned tragedy into life-saving advocacy, earning an Order of Excellence
Kim Ruether lifted her son's eyelid and saw his still, dilated pupil staring at the ceiling as he lay on a stretcher in a northwestern Alberta hospital hallway a decade ago. She says she didn't need a doctor to tell her the boy was dead.
Regina
-
Wind warnings in effect for southeast Saskatchewan
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is warning of high winds affecting some regions of southeast Saskatchewan.
-
Man who allegedly robbed a business in McLean with edged weapon arrested, RCMP report
A man is in custody after allegedly robbing a business in McLean, Sask. with an edged weapon on Saturday.
-
'A sense of identity': Architectural tour held for Regina Public Library's historic central branch
The Friends of the Regina Public Library (FRPL) sponsored an architectural tour on Sunday, for folks looking to learn more about the history of the library's historic central branch.
Saskatoon
-
Experts give nod to Saskatchewan Party but expect tight October election race
With the writs expected to drop this week for the Saskatchewan general election, political experts say Scott Moe's Saskatchewan Party is on track for a fifth majority government but will lose seats to Carla Beck's NDP.
-
Saskatoon marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Monday marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada — a time to honour the Indigenous peoples impacted by the brutal legacy of residential schools.
-
'You feel so alone': Hundreds gather in Saskatoon for final Gallagher memorial walk
The fourth and final walk in memory of Megan Gallagher drew around one hundred people in Saskatoon on Sunday.
Vancouver
-
Large fire burning in South Vancouver
A fire burning near Oak Street and West 49th Avenue in Vancouver Monday afternoon has created a massive cloud of black smoke, visible from kilometres away.
-
Economic reconciliation or political opportunism? BC Conservatives under fire on Orange Shirt Day
The leader of the BC Conservative Party pledged to build bridges and promote economic reconciliation with First Nations on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a move Indigenous leaders slammed as “political opportunism.”
-
Orange Shirt Day founder fears Sept. 30 being co-opted from survivors
The residential “school” survivor whose story sparked Orange Shirt Day — and the “Every Child Matters” movement — says she is worried the cause is being forgotten.
Vancouver Island
-
Orange Shirt Day founder fears Sept. 30 being co-opted from survivors
The residential “school” survivor whose story sparked Orange Shirt Day — and the “Every Child Matters” movement — says she is worried the cause is being forgotten.
-
Winter tires required on most B.C. highways starting Oct. 1
British Columbia drivers are reminded that winter tires and chains are mandatory on most highways in the province starting Tuesday.
-
Economic reconciliation or political opportunism? BC Conservatives under fire on Orange Shirt Day
The leader of the BC Conservative Party pledged to build bridges and promote economic reconciliation with First Nations on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a move Indigenous leaders slammed as “political opportunism.”
Kelowna
-
Vernon home receives 'significant damage' in early morning fire
Fire crews in Vernon, B.C., responded to a large house fire early Saturday morning.
-
'Don't know where the animals came from': Runaway pigs rounded up in West Kelowna, B.C.
A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.
-
Video shows historic bridge in Kamloops, B.C., collapsing after fire
The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.
