Marc Diotte, the president of the Calabogie and District Snowmobile Club, expressed his shock, stating, “Obviously it’s devastating to hear that. We have not had that kind of incident on one of our trails that I can recall.” The incident has prompted concerns within the snowmobiling community, with Diotte emphasizing the need for caution and adherence to safety guidelines.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to another snowmobile crash in North Frontenac Township on Sunday, where a driver collided with a tree, sustaining serious injuries. Meanwhile, a fatal snowmobile crash occurred in Georgian Bay Township on Friday, and two individuals narrowly escaped an icy mishap on Stoco Lake in Tweed after their snowmobile plunged through the ice.

Brianna Roberge, media relations officer for Renfrew OPP, highlighted the increased risk factors associated with the current winter conditions. She noted, “Up to this point in our season, we’ve had barely any snow. We’ve had a very mild winter, so I think we’re seeing more people out on their snowmobiles right now.” Roberge emphasized that fatalities in the past have been linked to unsafe riding on ice, speeding, loss of control, alcohol use, and driver inattention.

Investigations are ongoing for the recent incidents, and the OPP has not provided details on the causes of the collisions. Roberge cautioned, “These machines can be very, very dangerous if they are not driven with caution.” She pointed out that some of the latest snowmobile models can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h, well beyond the posted speed limits on trails managed by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

Diotte echoed the importance of responsible riding, urging snowmobilers to adhere to the posted speed limits and avoid trespassing on closed trails. He noted that certain trail conditions, such as old railway beds, may encourage higher speeds, emphasizing the need for riders to prioritize safety over speed during their winter excursions.

The lawsuit, filed in December, accuses the school board of receiving numerous complaints about Despatie’s actions over the years but failing to take appropriate action. It alleges that the board, along with school officials, downplayed and discounted multiple complaints. The two main plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, were students in Despatie’s Grade 7 math class, and the class action extends to all students who were sexually assaulted by Despatie between Jan. 1, 1989, and April 30, 2021.

The suit contends that Despatie’s inappropriate conduct, including groping, went unaddressed despite complaints made to school officials. The OCSB is accused of failing to preserve documents related to complaints and neglecting staff training on handling misconduct complaints.

The class action seeks $50 million in damages from Despatie for sexual assault, breach of duty, and negligence, among other charges. It also demands $50 million from the OCSB for Despatie’s actions and the alleged breach of the Occupiers’ Liability Act, along with damages for the families of the victims. Additional claims include aggravated damages, punitive damages, and special damages for lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses.

Both Despatie and the OCSB have stated their intent to defend against the lawsuit. Despatie, who intends to self-represent, disputes some claims in the statement, including his guilt on specific charges.

The victims, identified as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, continue to suffer from emotional, physical, and psychological harm, as outlined in the statement of claim. The lawsuit seeks to hold Despatie and the OCSB accountable for their alleged negligence and misconduct, asserting that the victims’ lives were significantly impacted by the defendants’ wrongful actions.

OCDSB spokesperson Diane Pernari stated, “This is very sad news for us all. This tragedy will be felt deeply by students and staff in our community. Our first priority is to ensure that we are supporting the families of the students and our school community in any way that we can.”

A mental health team has been made available to support affected students and staff, and the district’s Employee and Family Assistance Program is accessible to staff seeking assistance. The OCDSB aims to provide ongoing support, with the mental health team on-site on Jan. 8.

The Cotter family shared their grief, describing Riley as universally liked and passionate about skiing, baseball, dirt biking, and skateboarding. The family appreciates the overwhelming support from the community.

In memory of Ahmed, a GoFundMe campaign revealed his aspirations of becoming a police officer upon completing school in 2024. Ottawa city councillor David Hill acknowledged the tragedy and anticipated future discussions on the dangers of ice on lakes and rivers.

The incident occurred when a group of four teenagers, including Ahmed and Cotter, fell through the ice on the Rideau River during a skate at Nicolls Island. Police discovered the bodies after an extensive search, treating two teens for mild hypothermia and one search diver for injuries.

The Coroner’s Office is currently investigating the tragic deaths of Ahmed Ahmed and Riley Cotter.

Rescue operations retrieved two youths, a 15-year-old girl, and a 17-year-old boy, who were treated for mild hypothermia. However, two 16-year-old and 17-year-old males were still missing and believed to be in the water, prompting a challenging rescue operation through the night.

The body of one missing youth was recovered, identified as 17-year-old Ahmed Haitham. A GoFundMe page highlighted Ahmed’s aspirations to become a police officer and mentioned the tragic incident on Nicolls Island, where the ice broke while he and his friends were skating.

The search continues for the second missing youth, identified as 16-year-old Riley Cotter. Carly Roome, a resident who made the 911 call, shared her account of the incident, emphasizing the distressing situation and the efforts made by one of the teens to seek help.

An Ottawa police officer sustained a dive-related injury and was transported to the hospital. The tragedy adds to a series of similar incidents across the country, emphasizing the importance of caution and ice assessment before venturing onto frozen lakes or rivers, particularly amid warmer-than-normal temperatures in December.

The community is mourning the loss of Ahmed Haitham, and search crews are tirelessly working to locate Riley Cotter, offering condolences and support to the affected families.

Since June 2023, the RCMP has arrested five young individuals on terrorism-related charges. The national police force expresses concern about a rising trend of violent extremism and terrorist use of the internet, particularly among young people. Authorities are calling on adults in positions of influence to be vigilant for early signs of radicalization, such as dehumanization of others, extreme anti-government attitudes, and explicit statements of intent to commit violent acts.

The news release also notes a reported surge in hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities following an attack by Hamas on October 7 in Israel, which prompted a military offensive in Gaza. Policymakers, law enforcement, and advocacy groups have raised alarms about this increase in hate crimes.

I was shocked to learn the details of a planned attack against Ottawa’s Jewish community. J’ai été choqué d’apprendre les détails d’une attaque planifiée contre la communauté juive d’Ottawa. There has been a rise in anti-semitism in Ottawa in recent weeks. I’m grateful and…

— Mark Sutcliffe (@_MarkSutcliffe) December 16, 2023

The Ottawa police responded swiftly to reports of gunfire in the 2900 block of Gibford Drive, located near Uplands Drive and Hunt Club Road, at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Saturday.

The shooting transpired outside the Infinity Convention Centre, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion. In a media release issued on Sunday morning, the police confirmed that the victims were indeed wedding guests at the convention centre.

Regrettably, the identities of the two men who lost their lives in the shooting have not yet been disclosed. The police have revealed that they were not residents of Ottawa.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are urging witnesses to come forward with any information related to the incident. They specifically requested anyone who possesses cellphone footage, dashcam recordings, security videos, or any other recordings of the area between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to contact the Ottawa Police Service.

For those willing to assist in the investigation, the Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit can be reached at 613-236-1222, extension 5493.

This tragic event marks the 11th and 12th homicides in Ottawa for the year 2023, a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation. In a statement, the police expressed their deep concern, stating, “This violence is tragic and unacceptable. It is disturbing for our entire community.” They also indicated their efforts to provide support to the families of the victims by reaching out to community leaders during this difficult time.

This act was carried out by a member of the activist group On2Ottawa, which has been intermittently disrupting traffic in Ottawa throughout the month. The targeted artwork was Tom Thomson’s “Northern River,” created between 1914 and 1915. A video, shared by the group on Instagram, captures a member applying pink paint to the protective glass covering the oil-on-canvas painting. Subsequently, the protester affixed themselves to the floor in a symbolic protest.

 

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A post shared by On2Ottawa (@on2ottawa)

In an official statement, the National Gallery of Canada has confirmed that the Tom Thomson painting was not damaged during the incident. The gallery stated, “An individual, who is unknown to the National Gallery of Canada, attempted to deface Tom Thomson’s Northern River, 1915, on view at the Gallery. Fortunately, the artwork was not harmed during the incident. The Gallery immediately implemented security protocols and the Ottawa Police Service arrested the individual. The work was displayed in a protective glazed panel and has been taken out from display for further evaluation. We expect it will be rehung shortly.”

The On2Ottawa group is advocating for the establishment of a federal firefighting agency comprising 50,000 members to address forest fires in Canada. This demand comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented wildfire season, which has seen more than 15 million hectares of land engulfed by flames this year, leading to numerous evacuations, property damage, and smoke-filled skies across North America.

Kaleb Suedfeld, the individual who splashed pink paint on the artwork, emphasized, “What’s more important, these pictures of landscapes, these beautiful pictures by a Canadian artist, or the landscape they painted? How much longer are we going to allow our governments to be beholden to the whims of the fossil fuel industry?”

In a news release issued immediately after the incident, On2Ottawa stated that the pink paint used was washable.

The group defines itself as a “nonviolent civil disobedience campaign focused on the creation of a National Firefighting Agency” and has pledged to continue causing “further disruption in the capital” for another week and a half. The group has been involved in previous protests, including an incident earlier this year when a topless protester disrupted the Juno Awards ceremony. The same protester later splashed paint on the Prime Minister’s Office in Ottawa and handcuffed herself to the entrance before being apprehended.

So far, 11 members of the group have been arrested and charged with 34 offenses related to the recent traffic protests in the capital.

Ottawa police have indicated that Suedfeld is facing a mischief charge in connection with the National Gallery incident, with the possibility of additional charges.

The National Gallery of Canada has stated that it is cooperating with the police investigation and will refrain from providing further comments at this time.

Experts have previously advocated for the establishment of a national firefighting agency in Canada, arguing that it could alleviate the strain on provincial firefighting services and reduce the reliance on foreign aid. This year, firefighters from other countries and members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas in Canada to assist in battling wildfires.

Climate protesters in other countries have also targeted artworks in efforts to draw attention to their cause. In London last year, protesters affixed themselves to paintings and even splashed soup on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at the National Gallery. In Oslo, demonstrators attempted to glue themselves to Edvard Munch’s iconic painting “The Scream,” although their efforts were unsuccessful.

Led by students and staff from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board carrying a giant Pride Flag, the parade brought together a diverse community united in solidarity. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and city of Ottawa staff also joined the celebration, emphasizing the message that “love knows no boundaries.”

Participants and spectators felt it was essential to attend the parade this year to demonstrate their solidarity in the face of rising anti-trans hate across Canada. Fae Johnstone, the Pride Parade Grand Marshal, stressed the importance of pride and the need to create a world free from the homophobia and transphobia that persist.

The theme for this year’s event was “Get Proud,” encouraging everyone to celebrate together with even more pride and enthusiasm. It was an occasion for people to showcase their true selves and be proud of who they are, irrespective of societal challenges.

Notably, the Capital Pride Parade coincided with an incident in Barrhaven where a woman reported that a car drove onto her lawn and ran over a Pride sign. The incident underscored the ongoing need for inclusivity and acceptance.

Additionally, the federal government announced funding of up to $1.9 million for seven 2SLGBTQI+ organizations in the Ottawa area, marking a tangible achievement of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. The funding is aimed at supporting and amplifying marginalized voices within the 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

OC Transpo ensured regular transit service during the weekend, with specific detours for routes affected by road closures due to the Capital Pride Parade. Ottawa police increased their presence to ensure the safety and success of the Pride events, with an integrated command team set up for the parade route.

The Capital Pride Parade was a joyous celebration of diversity and inclusivity, with participants and supporters coming together to send a powerful message of love, acceptance, and solidarity.

The 21-year-old cadet was discovered deceased in his dorm room in Kingston, Ontario, on November 30th. Following this heartbreaking loss, Chaudhry’s parents, along with their legal representatives, formally requested the coroner to investigate the conditions at the military college, and whether these conditions may have contributed to their son’s tragic passing.

In a significant development, Chaudhry’s family highlighted that the military had reportedly not acted upon a report submitted by former Supreme Court justice, Louise Arbour. This report had indicated instances of abuses of power and a toxic environment within the Royal Military College.

The Department of National Defence has confirmed that an internal board of inquiry has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding Chaudhry’s death. This inquiry is set to initiate witness interviews in the upcoming weeks, aiming to shed light on the events leading up to the cadet’s untimely demise.

The inquest, to be conducted by the Ontario coroner, will offer an independent review of the case, with a focus on understanding the factors that may have contributed to this tragic loss and whether systemic issues at the Royal Military College played a role. The inquest process aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the situation, addressing concerns raised by Chaudhry’s family and ensuring transparency in the investigation.

This case highlights the importance of addressing concerns related to the well-being of individuals within military institutions, ensuring that proper investigations are conducted in cases of such tragic events, and taking proactive measures to create a safe and supportive environment for all cadets and personnel.

One section of Woodroffe Avenue near Hunt Club Road had to be closed due to flooding, and numerous residents reported encountering one to two-foot deep puddles on various roads across the city. During the lunch hour, locals witnessed heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.

Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning, indicating that some areas could experience as much as 125 mm of rain and nickel-sized hail. The warning read, “At 1:14 PM EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to toonie size hail, and heavy rain. This line of severe thunderstorms is located from near Gatineau and Ottawa, then extending southwestward to western Lanark County.”

The Ottawa climate weather station measured a staggering 48.7 mm of rain in just one hour. Flooding resulted in road closures, such as Woodroffe Avenue between Knoxdale and Norice Street, and Industrial Road between Russell Road and Train Yards. Merivale Road was temporarily closed between Collonnade and Woodfield due to flooding but reopened after 2 p.m.

Ottawa police issued a road safety alert, highlighting the dangerous road conditions due to the heavy rainfall and subsequent road closures. The police continued to monitor and assess the situation, with officers on-site to assist.

The East Entrance of Parliament Station had to be closed on Thursday due to water accumulation, with videos on social media revealing rain falling from the roof onto the escalator.

The forecast for Ottawa indicated afternoon showers with a high of 24°C, with the temperature expected to drop to 18°C in the afternoon. The showers were projected to end early in the evening, followed by cloudiness with a 30 per cent chance of showers. There was also a risk of a thunderstorm in the evening, and the overnight low temperature would be 14°C.

Friday’s forecast included a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 23°C and a humidex of 28. The weekend was expected to start rainy, with Saturday’s forecast calling for showers and a high of 20°C.

Sunday was anticipated to feature a mix of sun and cloud, with a 40 per cent chance of showers and a high of 25°C.