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
Heavy snow, freezing rain warnings hit parts of Canada, expected to last throughout Monday
Significant snowfall and heavy rain hit parts of Canada on Sunday and the weather system is expected to continue into Monday morning and throughout the day.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Most Canadians view illegal immigrant border crossings as concern for U.S.: Nanos survey
More than 80 per cent of Canadians believe the flow of illegal immigrants from Canada to the U.S. is a concern, according to a new survey.
Government faces third Tory non-confidence vote ahead of potential fiscal hurdle
The Liberals are set to face a third Conservative non-confidence vote today, but the government is likely to survive with the support of the NDP.
Jay-Z accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old in 2000 incident along with Sean 'Diddy' Combs
A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has amended her lawsuit to include allegations that she was also assaulted by Jay-Z at the same party.
Suspect wanted after victim forcibly confined, assaulted, and threatened with death in Scarborough
Police have released images of an individual who allegedly forcibly confined, and assaulted and threatened to kill another person in southwest Scarborough over the weekend.
Taylor Swift ends record-smashing Eras Tour in Vancouver, after glittering global run
Taylor Swift took the stage for the final time on her record-smashing Eras Tour, watched by tens of thousands of delirious fans in Vancouver's BC Place arena and by millions on livestreams around the world.
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida.
Some cancer patients may forgo care due to high treatment-related costs: report
A Canadian Cancer Society report, published Monday in partnership with Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada with analysis by Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, estimates a cancer patient will face almost $33,000 on average in out-of-pocket cancer-related costs in their lifetime, including loss of income.