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Tag: Gatineau

Topic: labour rightsView all posts for the topic: labour rights

Sick days skyrocketed as Treasury Board employees returned to the office

Published October 31, 2024

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Published by: Ottawa Citizen
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By Catherine Morrison

The number of sick days employees working for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat took during the month of September skyrocketed as the department urged public servants to make their way back to their offices at least three days a week.

According to departmental data, TBS employees took a total of 2,191 sick days between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30.

That was up significantly from previous years. During the same period in 2023, employees took 1,708.9 sick days. In 2022, they took 1,477.9 sick days and in 2021 they had 1,075.4 sick days. In 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, TBS employees’ sick days totalled a mere 827.6 days.

Continue readingSick days skyrocketed as Treasury Board employees returned to the office
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Topic: climate crisisView all posts for the topic: climate crisis

Risk of wildfire smoke in Ottawa low — for now: Environment Canada

Published May 13, 2024

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Published by: Ottawa Citizen
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By Blair Crawford

Smoke from wildfires in Western Canada will soon be drifting high overhead, but it poses no health risk in Eastern Ontario, says Environment Canada.

“Taking a look at our guidance and the weather patterns this week and the way things are panning out, it doesn’t look like Eastern Ontario needs to be concerned about its air quality at this time,” Trudy Kidd, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Monday.

“At best, people might see some haze in the skies in the coming days as the forest fire smoke makes its way through and disperses aloft, but from what we can tell at this time, the particulate matter — and that’s what’s of concern when it comes to forest fires — we’re expecting it to stay aloft,” she said.

Continue readingRisk of wildfire smoke in Ottawa low — for now: Environment Canada
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Topic: convoy occupationView all posts for the topic: convoy occupation

Convoy leader Pat King heads to trial

Published May 12, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By David Fraser

One of the most polarizing figures to gain notoriety during what became known as the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa more than two years ago will stand trial Monday, signalling the tail end of criminal proceedings that have dogged hundreds of individuals who participated in the historic protest.

Pat King, from Red Deer, Alta., is facing charges of mischief, intimidation, obstructing police, disobeying a court order and other offences for his role in the protest that gridlocked downtown for nearly a month in early 2022.

Arrested and jailed for five months before his release that summer, King is unlikely to serve more time behind bars if he is found guilty, given laws around credit from time served.

Continue readingConvoy leader Pat King heads to trial
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Hospitalizations nudge upward in otherwise stable respiratory checkup

Published April 11, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Andrew Foote

Ottawa is back in high-risk respiratory territory because of an increase in new hospitalizations.

COVID-19 and RSV trends are generally seen as low in the weekly respiratory update from Ottawa Public Health (OPH).

Flu wastewater readings and hospitalizations remain very high as this flu season stretches into spring.

OPH said there were 17 new COVID, flu and RSV hospitalizations the week starting March 24, and 27 the week starting March 31.

Continue readingHospitalizations nudge upward in otherwise stable respiratory checkup
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Wildfire season: What can Ottawa expect?

Published April 11, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ted Raymond

Last summer’s smoky skies could make a return this year, as officials say Canada is on track for a repeat of the 2023 wildfire season – the worst on record.

In Ottawa, wildfire smoke blanketed the capital several times last summer and there were multiple open air fire bans and even concerns Canada Day fireworks could trigger a blaze.

Continue readingWildfire season: What can Ottawa expect?
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa Public Library to provide free solar eclipse glasses for residents

Published March 27, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By William Eltherington

The Ottawa Public Library will be providing free solar eclipse glasses to residents in anticipation of a partial solar eclipse on April 8.

While supplies last, the glasses that provide proper protection for eclipse viewing will include a printed handout with safety instructions.

The City of Ottawa says it will launch the initiative on Thursday, March 28. All library branches will have total solar eclipse glasses available for the public, starting when branches open on Thursday.

Officials say quantities of glasses are limited, so branches will run out before April 8.

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Topic: convoy occupationView all posts for the topic: convoy occupation

Ottawa Bylaw says police warned officers not to ticket ‘Freedom Convoy’ demonstrators due to ‘risk of escalation’

Published February 21, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ted Raymond

The City of Ottawa’s general manager of emergency and protective services says there is no double standard when it comes to how Ottawa Bylaw issues tickets to protesters who violate things like noise bylaws.

His comments come after the city announced this week that bylaw tickets were not issued to protesters in Ottawa for the “Freedom Convoy” anniversary rally on Saturday, despite the fact that a group of protesters set off fireworks in a parking lot on Queen Street, in violation of the city’s fireworks bylaw.

Continue readingOttawa Bylaw says police warned officers not to ticket ‘Freedom Convoy’ demonstrators due to ‘risk of escalation’
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Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2024‑02‑15Photo of Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court, and the Ottawa River in Ottawa. There is snow on the ground and part of the river is covered with snow and ice. It’s a sunny day, with a blue sky.
Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2024‑02‑15

Published February 15, 2024

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📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa is very high. The signal has decreased substantially since a peak around January 12, 2024. Levels are still about 1,050% higher than the value during a low point on July 12, 2023. The signal has increased during the first week of February 2024.

⚠️ The percent positivity is high (9.39% in Ottawa; 12.0% in the Outaouais).

Continue readingOttawa-Gatineau community update | 2024‑02‑15
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Topic: convoy occupationView all posts for the topic: convoy occupation

Convoy organizers claim Ottawa police board should pay damages in proposed class-action lawsuit

Published February 8, 2024

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Published by: Ottawa Citizen
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By Aedan Helmer

Convoy protest organizers defending a proposed class-action lawsuit now argue the Ottawa Police Services Board should be on the hook for any potential damages to be paid out, claiming protesters were following police directions when they parked hundreds of trucks in downtown Ottawa during the 2022 demonstration.

“None of the defendants … had originally expected to park any vehicles on the streets of downtown Ottawa as part of the protest,” according to a new third-party claim filed by the lawyer for the defendants, which include organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber and Pat King.

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Topic: convoy occupationView all posts for the topic: convoy occupation

Judge tosses motion to dismiss proposed class-action lawsuit against convoy participants

Published February 6, 2024

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Published by: Ottawa Citizen
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By Aedan Helmer

Downtown Ottawa residents and business owners who launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against organizers of the 2022 convoy protest moved one step closer to having their day in court as a judge tossed a defence motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

“There is sufficient basis to conclude that the plaintiffs have a meritorious case,” Superior Court Justice Calum MacLeod said in his ruling, released Monday.

“There is evidence that certain plaintiffs were subjected to what they contend to have been extreme amounts of noise, horn honking, incessant diesel fumes and other pollution, blockage of the streets and intimidation.

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Topic: convoy occupationView all posts for the topic: convoy occupation

Lawsuit against convoy organizers moves forward

Published February 6, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By David Fraser

There is evidence that certain plaintiffs were subjected to what they contend to have been extreme amounts of noise, horn honking, incessant diesel fumes and other pollution, blockage of the streets and intimidation. There is evidence that plaintiffs had difficulty accessing their properties and that business was disrupted, reservations cancelled, and revenue negatively impacted.

Continue readingLawsuit against convoy organizers moves forward
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

High COVID levels persist as other illnesses dip

Published January 25, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Andrew Foote

Flu numbers dropped again over the last week, according to the latest data from Ottawa Public Health (OPH), and RSV trends did the same. Flu levels remain high and RSV’s are more moderate.

The COVID-19 picture remains generally high and stable.

Meanwhile, both the number of respiratory-related and overall emergency room visits in the city have dropped for three straight weeks.

Continue readingHigh COVID levels persist as other illnesses dip
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Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑20Photo of Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court, and the Ottawa River in Ottawa. There is snow on the ground and part of the river is covered with snow and ice. It’s a sunny day, with a blue sky.
Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑20

Published December 20, 2023

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📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1,735%) since a low on July 12, 2023. It is extremely high.

⚠️ The percent positivity is extremely high (16.27% in Ottawa; 27.2% in the Outaouais).

🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 158 ( decrease of 6).

In 2023, there have been 131 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals so far, leading to 21 deaths and 1,061 known cases of COVID-19.

Continue readingOttawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑20
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Topic: convoy occupationView all posts for the topic: convoy occupation

Did the protesters mean harm? That’s at the heart of bid to toss convoy class-action

Published December 15, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Elyse Skura

A $300-million proposed class-action lawsuit filed against convoy protesters, donors and organizers on behalf of people who live or work in Ottawa is facing another challenge, with lawyers arguing the case seeks to unfairly limit fundamental freedoms.

Continue readingDid the protesters mean harm? That’s at the heart of bid to toss convoy class-action
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Comment se procurer les vaccins contre la COVID-19 et la grippe à Ottawa et en Outaouais ?

Published November 1, 2023

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Published by: Radio-Canada
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Ontario launched its vaccination campaign this week, allowing most people to get COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

According to the latest update from Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Ottawa health facilities are at high risk for respiratory diseases such as COVID, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Continue readingComment se procurer les vaccins contre la COVID-19 et la grippe à Ottawa et en Outaouais ?
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Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑08‑30View of the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill, and buildings in downtown Ottawa.
Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑08‑30

Published August 30, 2023

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COVID-19 wastewater viral signal

The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+732%) since a low on July 12, 2023. The viral signal is still lower than the extremely high peaks in early January and early April.

Continue readingOttawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑08‑30
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