ByWard Market business owners demand change

Good morning! 

What a beautiful weekend it has been. It felt wonderful to step outside and breathe in fresh air without humidity fully weighing us down. It’s hard to believe August is almost here. Let’s continue to enjoy the summer before it’s gone! I’m still hoping to head down to Mooney’s Bay Beach one of these days. 

ByWard Market business owners and residents say they are fed up with increased crime in the area and a lack of effort being made to clean the neighbourhood up. They have written a letter to officials demanding action — and fast. 

LCBO workers will be back to work today with stores reopening Monday morning after a two week strike made it difficult to buy booze. 

Have a great start to the week everyone! 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected]

Monday: 26 🌡️ 1 | ☀️

Tuesday: 27 🌡️ 5 | 🌦

Wednesday: 26 🌡️ 12 | 🌧

CITY HALL

ByWard Market businesses and community members demand action to combat crime

The issue: A committee of ByWard Market retailers say they are in a crisis as safety issues in the area get out of hand. Residents and business owners sent a letter to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Ottawa Police Services Chief Eric Stubbs, local city councillors, and other groups, demanding immediate steps be taken, reported CTV. 

What the group is asking for:

• Ensure events don’t take any existing outdoor parking spots and instead maximise unused courtyards and the already closed William Street. 

• Stop ticketing clients who are renewing their parking permit and increasing the limit to more than two hours. 

• The return of fruit, vegetable and flower merchants after restrictions forced businesses out. 

• More on the ground police officers, lighting, and security cameras. 

• Relocation of three of the four shelters in the neighbourhood. 

• Bring back more restaurants and other small businesses while limiting others like cannabis shops. 

• Redesign and renovate the ByWard Market while ensuring the National Capital Commission has a seat at the table. 

The group said they are looking for some of these actions to be taken immediately while ensuring a five-year plan is also crafted. The letter also alleged that Mayor Sutcliffe declined a meeting with the committee. 

Boots on the ground: On July 17, the Ottawa Police opened a Neighbourhood Operations Centre in a former Bridgehead Coffee Shop in the Rideau Centre. The controversial storefront is supposed to improve safety and security in the tourist hotspot, but not all are on board. In the committee’s letter to officials, they said there was no need to pay high rent; planning could instead take place at the social service agencies. 

Last week it was announced that Ottawa Police plan to step up patrols at eight “hotspots” for crime in the market precinct, reported CBC. Two locations are near the Rideau Centre, three are directly in the ByWard area, and the other three are to the north near the shelters. It’s hoped that by dealing with the crime in areas where it happens, it will prevent the illegal acts from spreading to other communities. 

• “I've seen the increase in [police] presence. I feel safe about, I feel good about it.… There's not necessarily only bad things going on, but I feel like a higher police presence is never a bad thing,” Blackmarket Barbershop employee Garvin Burnside told CBC. 

Toxic drug supply: The ByWard Market is also dealing with a toxic drug supply. To help save lives, paramedics have been assigned full-time to the area to help treat any overdoses,” reported CTV. 

• “Over the last few years, we've noticed a sharp increase in the number of calls in the ByWard Market, a big part because of the opioid crisis and the contaminated drug supply that drive the number of overdoses up quite significantly," Marc-Antoine Deschamps,  a Ottawa Paramedic Service superintenden, said.

Three weeks ago it was announced that a new street drug called “Pyro” had hit the market, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Also known as N-pyrrolidino etonitazene (etonitazepyne), it has been found in counterfeit hydromorphone M8 tablets. The synthetic opioids are about 10 times more potent than fentanyl and 1,500 times stronger than morphine. 

By the numbers: According to the Ottawa Police Crime Map, there have been 156 assaults reported in the ByWard Market this year and 249 cases of theft of $5,000 or under. Three cases of arson, 81 incidents of mischief, 62 break and enters, 19 robberies, and 26 incidents of theft of a motor vehicle have also occurred. The data has about a seven day delay in reporting. 

There have also been a handful of shootings and stabbings. The most recent was July 17, when an overnight stabbing on Clarence Street resulted in a man suffering from serious but non-life threatening injuries, reported CTV. A 25-year-old Ottawa man was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of breach of probation in connection with the case. 

Two weeks earlier, two men were taken to hospital — one in critical condition — after a shooting occurred on Clarence Street, CBC reported. 

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🍷 10,000: The approximate number of LCBO staff heading back to work on Tuesday after a two week strike ends. [Ottawa Citizen]

🎉 9: The number of things Nightlife Commissioner Mathieu Grondin has learned about building a nightlife economy. [Ottawa Business Journal]

👮🏼‍♀️ 160 km/h: The speed a person was caught travelling on Highway 417. [CTV]

ONTARIO

LCBO locations to reopen after strike on Tuesday

Booze drinkers rejoice: LCBO locations will reopen Tuesday after employees striked for two weeks. Picketers have stood outside with signs since July 5 advocating for higher wages and more full-time employees. On Sunday the LCBO said that the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has ratified the renewal collective agreement and that a full ratification by the province would follow, reported CTV. 

• “We again thank the negotiating teams for LCBO and OPSEU, as well as the mediator, for their work in reaching an agreement that is fair for our unionized employees and helps the LCBO operate efficiently and effectively for Ontarians in a changing marketplace,” stated the LCBO in a press release.

Higher wages and benefits: The new agreement includes wage increases of 8% over three years and an additional 7.8% for low paid workers. A special wage adjustment will also be coming for warehouse trade workers. About 1,000 casual workers will now become part-time and 60 new permanent full-time positions will be made in warehouses.

Workers will also have improved access to benefits — including for mental health — and those who work between 1,300 hours and 1,000 hours will now get coverage, reported CBC. 

A historic first: This was the first time in Ontario's History LCBO workers walked off the job. It led to the closure of 659 stores affecting nearly 10,000 workers. 

The history: LCBO’s are the product of decision-making nearly a decision ago which gave the Crown corporation full control over the sale and distribution of booze in the province. Many say it’s now outdated, reported BBC. Progress has slowly evolved with wine, beer and cider now sold at 450 grocery stores across Ontario.

An open market: Booze is set to become a lot more accessible in Ontario. Convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and box-box stores will all be able to sell alcoholic beverages. That will include ready-made cocktails. This was a major point of contention for the LCBO workers, which said it will negatively impact the business and put their jobs at risk. 

“This is our line in the sand and we are making history,” said president JP Hornick during strike action. “We are here today because of the Ford government’s plan to try and expand privatisation of alcohol sales… That puts every Ontarian at risk.”

NEW LOCAL JOBS

Check out the new open positions in Ottawa.

1. Maintenance worker at City of Ottawa 

2. Training solutions specialist at Thales  

3. Senior electrical engineer at Stantec

4. Mortgage advisor at Scotiabank

5. Service advisor at Mercedes-Benz Ottawa

Local jobs are selected by the Lookout team and are not paid ads, unless specifically noted. 

THE AGENDA

🖥️ An unfounded threat closed Ottawa Public Libraries and some community centres Friday as a precaution. Ottawa Police said there is no threat to public safety and its investigation continues. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏠 Some residents of the Argyle Street YMCA are complaining about their new living conditions after being moved to a transitional housing development on Corkstown Road in Nepean. The new space inside a former retirement home is larger and has more access to amenities, said Bay ward councillor Theresa Kavanagh, who added short-term housing is meant to be an interim solution. [CTV]

👮🏼‍♀️ An Ottawa police officer who shot a woman in Westboro this spring has been cleared of any wrongdoing, said the Ontario Special Investigations Unit. According to the report, the officer told the woman to drop a gun she had multiple times, but refused to do so. When the woman began to turn her body, the officer shot four times. The woman is now facing 13 charges. [CTV]

🐰 This week will be known as ‘rabbit week’ in Ottawa as the Humane Society deals with an abundance of bunnies. There are close to 40 rabbits up for adoption and discounts will be offered all week to help the furry creatures find their forever home. [CTV]

🚊 Testing has been occurring of Ottawa’s new Trillium Line LRT system and the trials will run for longer than they did with Stage 1 of the Confederation line. The city and train builders are hopeful the delayed launch will renew trust in the system and ensure any possible oversight is ironed out beforehand. Commuters won’t be riding the rails until at least early to mid fall. [CBC]

🧑🏻‍⚕️ Residents of an Ambleside condo got so fed up with the lack of healthcare offered to seniors, they set up a clinic in their building’s party room. Each month about 27 people are assessed. They meet with a community paramedic, pharmacist, health workers from nearby Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre, and Ottawa Public Health. Itd an opportunity for a general wellness check, review medications, and treat any issues that might arise. [Ottawa Citizen]

👮 An Ottawa teacher is facing sexual assault charges involving a minor and police said their could be more victims. Rayon Finnikin, 37, has been charged with sexual assault, voyeurism, sexual exploitation and telecommunication with a person under the age of 18 for a specific criminal offence. The alleged incidents occurred in Ottawa-based schools since 2019, said police. [CTV]

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EVENTS

What to do this week

🪄 Magic at the Manor, Wednesday: Get ready to experience an intimate and interactive 90 minute magic and mentalism show with feats you never thought were possible; you don't just watch the show - you become a part of it! Manor Lounge, 292-A Elgin St. Tickets are $15.

🎶 Summer Concert Series at Andrew Haydon Park, Wednesday: In addition to bi-weekly concerts in the summer, the Nepean Concert Band plays numerous other community concerts throughout the year. Come along to listen or sign up and take part! At Andrew Haydon Park, 3127 Carling Ave. Free. 

💃 SoulRhythms, Thursday: Travel throughout Africa and The Caribbean on an exciting journey through movement and dance. From traditional to modern Afro-Caribbean folklore-based movement, the Cultural Arts Studio will lead an energizing one-hour group class designed for all ages and dance levels. At National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St. Free. 

📕 Rideau Hall storytime, Thursday and Friday: This outdoor family activity is hosted in collaboration with United for Literacy. Every Thursday and Friday, United for Literacy volunteers invite the general public, families and youth groups to settle in under the Reading Tent to read books and to participate in fun literacy activities! At Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr. Free. 

🐔 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Farm Day, Saturday: Shop from at a local 2SLGBTQIA+ small business farmer’s market including food, artist and makers as well as produce. Music by Dj Del Pilar. Pay what you can family and pal portraits by Adrienne of Strast Media. At Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pepin Ct. Admission by donation. 

🇮🇳 Ratha Yatra - The Festival of the Chariots, Saturday: Don’t miss this ancient Indian tradition where people from various walks of life come together  in a beautiful demonstration of friendship, appreciation and unity. Ratha Yatra has been celebrated for thousands of years in Jagannatha Puri, India where it attracts millions annually. At Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St E. Free. 

🏃‍♀️ Mud Girl Run, Saturday: Enter into this uniting and empowering experience called MUDGIRL. A 5 km walk/run with multiple obstacles that's achievable by all. You'll face mud, obstacles and inflatables in an amazing atmosphere surrounded by women of all ages and fitness levels. At Wesley Clover Parks, 401 Corkstown Rd. Registration is $60-$89. 

🍺 Gatineau Beerfest, July 17-27: The Gatineau Beerfest is bringing over 150 beers from local breweries and abroad, plus local spirits, a wine bar and even some tasty non-alcoholic drinks. At Casino du Lac-Leamy. Prices vary. 

🇨🇳 Chinatown Bazaar, Sunday: Ottawa Chinatown is traditionally the cultural hub where a variety of cultures blends and grow, come out to this signature event in the community. At 687 Somerset St. W. Free. 

🔍 Where’s Waldo in Wellington West?, until Sunday: Until July 28, find Waldo at participating businesses in Wellington West for a chance to win a Waldo prize pack and mini Wellington West shopping spree. Pick up a Where's Waldo passport from a participating business, collect a stamp every time you find Waldo in one of the participating retailers. Throughout the Wellington West neighbourhood. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Parkdale Market has turned 100. [CTV]

• A new restaurant at Chateau Montebello offers a sublime dining experience. [Capital Eats]

• Ever wonder who creates the rock sculptures at Remic Rapids Park? [CTV]

• Looking to shop local? We’ve got a great list of local grocers to try. [Capital Eats]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to everyone who got last week’s Ottawa Wordle correct, the answer was CRAWL.

For this week’s Ottawa Quiz, we want to know…