Panda-monium fallout and two mayoral candidates release financial platforms: Five stories to watch this week
Ottawa police launch an investigation into the post-Panda Game celebrations, two candidates for mayor release their financial platforms and cleaning out the office in support of the food bank.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at five stories to watch in Ottawa this week.
Panda Game fallout
The fallout from the post-Panda Game celebrations will continue this week, as Ottawa police investigate what it calls "unacceptable" behaviour and the University of Ottawa looks at the future of the event.
Thousands of people gathered in Sandy Hill last Saturday night, hours after the Gee-Gees beat the Carleton Ravens in the annual Panda Game at TD Place.
"Many people in the crowd became belligerent and hostile and began committing illegal acts, including vandalism and throwing objects at police," police said in a statement.
"Police gathered video evidence of this activity. Any members of the public with video or photo evidence of illegal activity are asked to contact the police."
Officers moved in to disperse large crowds in Sandy Hill just after 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Overall, seven people were arrested during the Panda Game festivities, including for public intoxication and mischief. Officers also issued 88 tickets for open alcohol and 13 tickets worth $1,000 each for violating the noise bylaw.
In a tweet late Sunday morning, the University of Ottawa said it regretted the disturbance caused by large crowds in Sandy Hill and would "confer with our partners to take stock and determine how to move forward with future Panda Game plans."
The tweet was deleted about an hour later.
A new statement on Twitter said, "We regret the disruptions that the large crowds caused our neighbors in some areas of Sandy Hill. We will now take stock with our partners and discuss lessons learned."
Mayoral candidates release financial plans
With three weeks left in Ottawa's municipal election campaign, two candidates running for mayor will release their financial platforms.
Catherine McKenney says they will release their financial platform for the four year term on Thursday, while Mark Sutcliffe has said his platform will be released this week.
McKenney told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron that their financial plan will include a three per cent property tax cap. Campaign promises made by McKenney so far include: A $250 million plan to build 25 years worth of cycling infrastructure, funded by green bonds; increasing OC Transpo operations by 20 per cent; free transit for riders under the age of 17 and a transit fare freeze; a housing platform that will end chronic homelessness; and having Ottawa reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and ending "costly sprawl."
Sutcliffe has not announced a target for a property tax increase so far during the campaign. His campaign promises have included $100 million over four years on roads and pathways; doubling councillors traffic calming budgets to $100,000 per ward; transit fare freeze for the seniors' pass, Equipass and current youth transit rates; increasing the police budget by an unspecified amount; and a 10 per cent cut in recreation fees and "look to increase" recreational programs offered by the city.
Ottawa residents head to the polls on Oct. 24.
New wave of COVID-19 in Ottawa
All eyes will be on the COVID-19 situation in Ottawa ahead of Thanksgiving weekend, as health officials see a rise in COVID-19 in the community.
"Our monitoring indicators are showing we are now in a new wave of COVID-19," Ottawa Public Health said on Thursday.
"We are also heading into the respiratory illness season where we expect respiratory viruses to be circulating."
All Ottawa residents aged 18 and older are now eligible to receive the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose, and will be offered the bivalent vaccine when booking an appointment.
"This booster is an added layer of protection, giving your body even more ways it can fight COVID-19," the health unit said.
The Montfort Hospital has imposed visitor restrictions due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the community.
Until further notice, visitors are not allowed to visit patients in care units at Montfort Hospital.
Quebec election
Quebecers head to the polls on Monday in the provincial election.
Polls show Francois Legault and the Coalition Avenir Quebec is in position to coast to a second majority government.
There are five ridings across Gatineau and western Quebec. Heading into the election, the CAQ held three seats (Chapleau, Gatineau and Papineau), and the Quebec Liberal Party held two seats (Hull and Pontiac).
Mayor Watson cleans out his office
Mayor Jim Watson is cleaning out his office, and hoping to help the Ottawa Food Bank.
Watson is auctioning off some items from his office on Tuesday evening, as he prepares to leave Ottawa City Hall after three terms as mayor.
Among the items up for auction, according to his Facebook post, are a Canada baseball jersey and bat, a soccer jersey, and a Sens Mile street sign from the 2014-15 season.
The silent auction is happening Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jean Pigott Place in Ottawa City Hall. Admission is free.
Proceeds from the auction will go to the Ottawa Food Bank, which is reporting its highest demand in its nearly 40-year history as the cost of groceries skyrockets.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.