Protester arrested after disrupting City of Ottawa information session about Sprung structure
A man wearing a t-shirt that said "No tent in Ottawa" briefly disrupted a City of Ottawa info session about the proposed Sprung structure that is set to be built along Woodroffe Avenue near the Nepean Sportsplex.
As Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine was speaking, the man ran onto the stage and began chanting, "No tent! No tent!" He was then escorted off the stage by security and arrested by Ottawa police.
Ottawa police escort a protester out of a public information session about Sprung structures, held at the Nepean Sportsplex. Dec. 4, 2024. (CTV News Ottawa)
"After de-escalation strategies proved unsuccessful, one person was arrested and charged with trespassing at a community event this evening at the Nepean Sportsplex," Ottawa police said on social media. "The Ottawa Police Service supports the rights of all people to demonstrate in a peaceful manner, but our officers also have an obligation to take action to ensure community safety."
Shortly after the disruption, as Devine attempted to get the meeting back to order, several more residents demanded they be allowed to ask open questions. Devine said there would be ample opportunity to ask questions in the second half of the meeting, after the presentations, but he appeared to lose control of the room as several residents began chanting "No tents!" and "Shame on you!" Several people walked out and the meeting then proceeded as planned.
"He's not answering questions. Everyone's asking questions, he's not answering them. He's saying wait an hour, until everyone's tired," said Lotty Pontones, who walked out of the meeting. "We all have important questions. He's just telling us what to do and not to address questions to him, so it's pretty pointless."
Once the presentations ended, some residents at the meeting again demanded open questions instead of the one-on-one format that was planned. Devine said there was not a single consensus in the room on the issue and encouraged attendees to speak to each other as well, saying he was concerned about polarization.
"It's unfortunate that there was an arrest. I wasn't happy about that," Devine told CTV News Ottawa afterwards. "I have never denied the fact that there was a wide range of opinion here... We have people who adamantly do not want this, we have people who vocally support this, and we have a lot of people that probably aren't sure and want a lot more information. So, I hope that tonight provided some information."
City of Ottawa staff organized the information session to describe the project that is meant to provide temporary housing and support services for asylum seekers.
The city confirmed last month that one Sprung structure, to be used as a "newcomer reception centre", would be built at 1645 Woodroffe Ave. by the end of 2025. A second site in Kanata, at the Eagleson Park and Ride, would be used if the Woodroffe site proves insufficient to meet demand.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The news was met with swift backlash from residents opposed to having the structures in their neighbourhoods. Several protests have been held against the idea and a rally in support of newcomers was also held last month, attended by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
This session covered:
- the asylum claimant and settlement process,
- services to be provided at the reception centre,
- site selection process and criteria, and
- details about the proposed structure and construction timeline.
City staff say the newcomer reception centre is "intended to provide a more dignified option for newcomers who are currently sleeping on bunk beds in recreational facilities that have not been designed for human habitation." The city says there are also 600 asylum seekers currently using Ottawa's shelter spaces.
A conceptual image of a 'sprung structure' that could be used to house asylum seekers.
People would be housed in the Sprung structure for up to 90 days. During those 90 days, they will be offered services to effectively transition into the community, delivered by experienced settlement agencies involved in the project’s planning and design, the City of Ottawa says.
If permanent housing has not been secured after 90 days, clients will move to transitional housing facilities, such as the Taggart Family YMCA and the former convent at 1754 St. Joseph Blvd.
The proposed newcomer reception centre is expected to have on-site services such as translation and asylum claim assistance for those who come through its doors. The Sprung structure, while described as "tentlike", can have doors, windows, washrooms, offices, kitchens and sleeping spaces and can be customized with canopies, vestibules, covered walkway systems, connecting corridors, glazing walls, and graphic elements.
The city is also accepting feedback through Engage Ottawa.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Katie Griffin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Luigi Mangione arrested as 'strong person of interest' in killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson
New York authorities have identified Luigi Mangione as the 'strong person of interest' in connection with the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson. Follow along for live updates from CTVNews.ca.
Wait times grow as backlogs and frustration build amid Canada Post strike
Wait times for deliveries continue to grow as shoppers and businesses deal with the fallout from the Canada Post strike.
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
Gang leader in Haiti accused of massacring older people to avenge son's death
A gang leader who controls a key port in Haiti's capital is accused of massacring older people and Vodou religious leaders in his community to avenge his son's death, according to the government and human rights organizations that estimate more than 100 killed.
GST break could cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces don't waive compensation: PBO
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday.
What the upcoming holiday GST relief will mean for consumers
The federal government's GST break will arrive this Saturday, just in time for the last stretch of holiday shopping.
Canadian government to table fall economic statement next Monday
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table the federal government’s fall economic statement next Monday, the government announced today.
BREAKING Suspect in killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson in custody
The man suspected of killing UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson in a brazen shooting outside a midtown Manhattan hotel last week has been arrested, New York City officials said on Monday.