Cabbies propose surcharge to settle rideshare case

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Good morning!

With a little time to kill, the young lad and I headed to the Canadian War Museum to take a little tour. What better day than June 6? While maybe not a museum targeted at the eight-month-old demographic, he always enjoys a couple hours being toted around in the carrier.

After our little adventure, we had an interesting drive home in the rain. You had to feel for the folks out in the umbrellas in the downpour, because they weren’t much protection.

Hopefully you all were lucky enough to keep dry!

We’ve got plenty to get to, so let’s get to it.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

WEATHER

Friday: 21 🌡️ 11 | ⛈️

Saturday: 18 🌡️ 11 | 🌧

Sunday: 20 🌡️ 10 | 🌧

Monday: 17 🌡️ 10 | ☁️

CITY HALL

A ride surcharge to pay cab drivers hurt by Uber’s entrance?

What happened: With the city possibly owing a massive settlement to taxi drivers, cabbies are proposing a fee be added for cab and Uber rides to pay for it, CBC reported. The suggestion comes in a letter from the cab drivers’ lawyers ahead of possible negotiations.

• Quebec imposed a similar temporary fee, of 90 cents per ride, to compensate drivers for eliminating its taxi plate system, but it’s not clear if a similar fee would be legal in Ontario.

The lawyers had previously offered a similar deal before the court case got underway, but were turned away by the city. With a new council in place they’re hoping such a system might be acceptable, especially now that the city lost in front of a judge, CTV reported.

The case: The city lost a court case against cab drivers because of the way it allowed Uber to operate illegally for two years before imposing a regulatory regime, all the while essentially destroying the value of mandatory taxi plates. The drivers are suggesting a surcharge rather than the city paying directly out of its budget.

Decisions, decisions: The city has not decided whether to appeal the judgement. Cab drivers were asking for compensation of $215 million, but the judge said the two sides should negotiate before he imposes or approves any judgement. 

Options: It’s not clear how the settlement would be distributed. There is the possibility of an aggregate payout, which would give cab drivers an amount based on the average damage done to drivers. The other option is to distribute the money individually.

• The city won’t decide whether to appeal until the judge decides whether the payment will be aggregate or not. 

SPONSORED BY INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival return to Mādahòkì Farm June 21-23

Throughout June experience Indigenous culture through interactive activities, live performances and family fun.  Enjoy lunchtime concerts, art workshops, special exhibits and more authentic programming at venues across the city.

June 21-23, 2024 at Mādahòkì Farm, savour Indigenous foods; register for cooking and craft workshops, shop the Indigenous marketplace; learn from traditional knowledge keepers and enjoy non-stop live entertainment (theatre, song and dance). 

On NIPD Day, June 21st, Chef Tawnya Brant hosts a traditional Long Table Dinner, Juno and SSIMAs winner Logan Staats performs and Juno and SSIMAs winner DJ Shub hosts a Glow-In-The-Dark Powwow. Multi-award-winning Northern Cree is the host drum for the International Competition Pow Wow.

Saturday night (June 22nd) a spectacular 250-drone show entitled "The Seven Grandfather Teachings" lights up the night sky.

FREE ADMISSION and convenient park & ride shuttle from Algonquin College. No public parking onsite. 

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

📉 4.75%: The Bank of Canada cut its overnight interest rate by 25 basis points to this level, its first cut to interest rates since March 2020. Many large Canadian banks then cut their prime interest rates to 6.95% from 7.2%. [CBC]

📈 $1,997: The average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in May, up $15 from April, but less than the average of $2,043 in March. [CTV]

🚔 3: The number of men from Montreal arrested in an alleged car theft. One was arrested in a stolen vehicle, and two others were arrested in a nearby vehicle with tools to break into cars. They’re facing several charges. [CTV]

🏛️ $3.7 billion: The provincial Financial Accountability Office said the Ontario government is underspending social services by this much compared to the funding level it has promised. [CBC]

☔️ 30 mm: The amount of rain measured at the airport Thursday, after a storm brought brief flash flooding to parts of the city, including the 417 near Richmond Road. [CTV]

HISTORY

City honours Second World War veterans on 80th anniversary of D-Day

What happened: The community marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy with a ceremony at the Cartier Drill Hall, CTV reported. Families of veterans gathered to honour their loved ones at the hall, as wreaths were laid, including one by Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Grand President Larry Murray.

Across the Atlantic: Thirteen Canadian veterans of the war returned to Juno Beach, where Canadians landed in Normandy 80 years previously. It may be the last year veterans of the Second World War attend the ceremony, CBC reported. 

• One 100-year-old veteran from BC died the day before he was to board a plane for the ceremony. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with the presidents of the United States and France, all paid tribute to the veterans of the landings who made the trip to Normandy, at an international ceremony at Omaha Beach.

• The Globe and Mail has a wonderful story piecing together what it was like for those soldiers who landed on that day of days.

Century club: Wednesday, several veterans at Perley Health were celebrated for entering the century club this year. Fourteen residents reached their 100th birthdays, CBC reported. They reminisced about their time during the war, both the exhilaration and the haunting memories of wartime. 

THE AGENDA

🚧 The eastbound 417 was closed near Vankleek Hill, between Highway 34 and County Road 10. Surface sections of an overpass were buckling because of the high heat. The bridge structure itself was safe, and temporary asphalt was laid down over the damaged concrete surface. One lane reopened yesterday. [CTV]

🏥 Once again, the Almonte General Hospital had to close its emergency department overnight because of staffing issues. The hospital expected it to reopen this morning at 7 am. [Ottawa Citizen]

⚖️ Tevon Bacquain was sentenced to five years in prison, minus time served, for the hit-and-run death of Franco Micucci last year. Bacquain was fleeing police when he struck and killed the 46-year-old pedestrian in Westboro. [CBC]

📖 Provincial Education Minister Stephen Lecce was shuffled out of his position and into the energy and electrification portfolio, swapping places with Todd Smith. Lecce was the province’s longest-service education minister. [CTV]

💥 Demolition of the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston is expected to start this week, with the waterway expected to be open again some time this month. [CTV]

🏚️ Ottawa Saulus, a housing charity, is suing its insurance providers for up to $55 million, saying the companies are not paying up for repairs after a pipe burst at a Westboro apartment complex. The companies have not yet filed a statement of defence. [CBC]

📱 A local woman had a package containing her new cell phone picked up by someone else at a Canada Post outlet at a Quickie. Police have received several reports of people having packages containing their devices taken. [CBC]

🏛️ The Anishinabe Algonquin Nation will get a dedicated space across from Parliament after years of waiting. It will be built next to the Indigenous Peoples Space (formerly the US Embassy) on the south side of Wellington. [CTV]

🐔 An 11-year-old would like the city to change its bylaws to allow for backyard chickens to have fresh eggs. The city prohibits the keeping of livestock. [CTV]

🗳️ Despite seemingly widespread support, the provincial government has not moved forward with a bill that would allow municipalities to oust councillors for misconduct. The proposed law was spurred on by Ottawa’s inability to get rid of disgraced former councillor Rick Chiarelli, who was found to have sexually harassed staff. [CBC]

🚨 The driver of a transport truck was airlifted to hospital with serious burns after a serious crash on Highway 416. The truck hit a construction vehicle on the side of the road before bursting into flames. [CTV]

👮 A Swiss national was charged with assaulting a pro-Palestine demonstrator outside an arms trade show last month. The man returned to his home in Switzerland, but is expected back in court later this month. Nine people in total were arrested during demonstrations May 29. [CBC]

👷‍♂️ Police in Russell County are warning of a possible scam involving a paving company offering to pave driveways for $4,000. [CTV]

🚨 A Kingston woman was charged with abandonment and negligence causing death after one of her infant sons was found dead at her home. Two children were found alone in the residence, and the mother was arrested in Napanee. It’s not clear how long the two children were alone. [CTV]

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

🍷 Unique, Artisan Italian Wines, Friday 7 pm: As part of Italian Week, a five-wine tasting event to learn about some small, hands-on wine producers from Italy. At Sala San Marco Event & Conference Centre, 215 Preston St. Tickets $108.

🌮 Ottawa Food Festival, Saturday and Sunday: Plenty of local food trucks and vendors are out, with all-day entertainment and events for kids. At Tanger Outlets, 8555 Campeau Dr. Tickets start at $5.

🏈 Ed Laverty Legacy Sports Fund Skills and Drills, Sunday 11 am: A day of football skills and drills for kids aged 6-18 looking to get into football or hone their skills with help from pro and amateur coaches. With photographers, pizza and plenty more. At Algonquin Sports Field, 570 Wàbisheshi Pvt., Building Z. Tickets $40.

🚲 Cargo Bikes & Movie at the Mayfair - MOTHERLOAD, Sunday 11:30 am: A screening of a film about a new mother’s quest to understand the increasing isolation and disconnection of modern life, its planetary impact, and how cargo bikes could be an antidote. All to raise money for Ottawa Community Housing Foundation Hop On Bikes program. Supervised bike parking on the next block. At the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank St. Tickets by donation. 

🧩 Ottawa Puzzle Swap, Sunday 1 pm: Attention puzzlers! Come out to buy, sell, and trade puzzles. With free parking onsite. At Trinity United Church, 1099 Maitland Ave. Free to attend, but donations accepted.

🕯️ Candle Making Workshop, Sunday 4 pm: Learn how to create your very own candles and scents in this guided class. Materials provided. At La Serene, 35 Stafford Rd. Tickets $76.

🎼 Fauré and Dubois in the Last Century, Sunday 7 pm: Playing Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem and Théodore Dubois’ Messe Solennelle de St-Remi, Michel Brousseau of the Société philharmonique du Nouveau Monde will also offer a few surprises. At Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St. Tickets $39.

CAPITAL EATS

This week in food news

🍛 Second Wife is Ottawa’s newest Indian restaurant, and while the name is a bit odd, the food is well worth a visit.

🍣 J Fuse is for sushi lovers. An elevated, if pricey, Japanese dining experience that this city has been missing.

🥃 Named for a master distiller who created a process for making 100% rye, this whiskey hits the mark.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Despite high food costs, local butcher shops are reporting plenty of sales so far this BBQ season. [CTV]

• Shepherd Psychotherapy on Gilmour Street is now accepting new clients! See their team of therapists here. [Sponsored]

• Atlético Ottawa’s general manager and CEO is leaving the team after five years with the club. [Ottawa Citizen]

• An extreme pogo jumper living in Ottawa made it as far as the semi finals in Britain's Got Talent. [CTV]

• If you’re using a tinted licence plate cover you could be fined $110 for obscuring your licence plate. [CBC]

• Six Ottawa chefs will compete for a spot in next year’s Canadian Culinary Championships. [Ottawa Citizen]

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

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to Andi, Christine, Matthew, Bam, Jacqueline, and the many others of you who knew that this week’s Ottawa Guesser was of Old Tenth Line and St. Joseph Boulevard.

Think you can solve this week’s Ottawa Wordle? Play now.