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."
Ottawa police monitor crowds in Sandy Hill, as students celebrate the 2022 Panda Game. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)
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.
Ottawa City Hall. (File photo)
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).
Elections Quebec
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.
These are among the items Mayor Jim Watson will be auctioning off at Ottawa City Hall on Oct. 4. (Facebook/Jim Watson)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.