Federal candidates report increase in election sign vandalism

Good morning! 

What a beautiful weekend it was. I took a quick walk around Mooney’s Bay on Saturday and it finally feels like spring. I even started washing my windows. 

The Lookout is knee-deep in election coverage which we look forward to sharing with you soon. We are taking a somewhat different approach then we did with the provincial election based on reader feedback, so thank you to everyone who wrote in about how we should cover it.

Today we have a story on the vandalism of election signs which is impacting almost all candidates. The Ottawa Senators also won over the weekend and are gearing up for their playoff run. Hockey has never felt so alive in this city. It’s some positive news I think many people need right now at a time of so many negative headlines. 

Let’s get to it!

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor

[email protected]

X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Monday: 16 🌡️ 3 | ☁️ 

Tuesday: 8 🌡️ -1 | 🌧️

Wednesday: 3 🌡️ -2 | 🌧️

OTTAWA NUMBERS

💉 207: The number of opioid-related deaths in Ottawa in 2023. Numbers have tripled since 2019. Now the city’s top doctor is calling on the province to give more money for an overdose prevention strategy. [Ottawa Citizen]

👮‍♂️ 15: The age of a youth charged with a carjacking on Bank Street near Billing’s Bridge. When the attempt to steal an unoccupied car failed, he pulled out an imitation firearm and threatened the driver of a second vehicle in the same lot. [Ottawa Citizen]

⛱️ 9: Here are nine things you can do around Ottawa this summer. [Kitchissippi Times]

FEDERAL ELECTION

Candidates report increase in election sign vandalism

What happened: Nepean Conservative candidate Barbara Bal has accused the Liberals of damaging her campaign signs and has now filed a report with police, as candidates from each campaign deal with a rash of sign vandalism.

In an online post and video, Bal, who’s running against Liberal Party leader Mark Carney, showed photographs of posts from her signs donning Carney’s red signs instead. The tops are marked with a blue tag and have writing stating they belong to the local Nepean Conservative Riding Association. 

• “Pulling down and stealing hundreds of my signs, placing my opponent’s signs on my wooden stakes, and dumping mine in the garbage is not the practice of democracy: It is a deliberate attempt to silence a voice and disrupt the democratic process,” said Bal. “This is unacceptable, and unethical. Nepean deserves better.”

The Liberals say it isn’t them: In an email to the Ottawa Citizen, a spokesperson for Carney’s campaign said ”We are running a respectful, positive, and community-driven campaign here in Nepean.” They also noted it’s been “disappointing” to see their own signs stolen and damaged. 

It’s not just Nepean: In Ottawa South, Conservative candidate Blair Turner has also said hundreds of his signs have been tampered with. Photos sent to the media show some chopped in half, and others with their faces cut out. A large collection of signs reading “Vote Turner” near the Airport Parkway were also blacked out with a marker. 

• “It is very disheartening that volunteers and campaign workers dedicate their free time to put up campaign signage, only to have it vandalized day after day,” Turner wrote in an email. “Many residents are quite concerned about this trend and its threat to freedom of speech and democracy. We will continue to persevere. Can we remind everyone that it is a criminal offense to vandalize signs under the Canada Elections Act (S.C. 2000, c. 9) and Section 430 of the Criminal Code of Canada?“

It's affecting other parties too: Kanata Liberal candidate and incumbent Jenna Sudds has posted photos to social media showing signs with her face cut out. Others in Bells Corners — a new part of the riding — have the word “corrupt” written on them with black spray paint. 

• “Others are being stolen outright. Disappointing that these stunts keep escalating. We’re better than this,” Sudds wrote on Facebook. 

It is a crime: Just as the election began, Ottawa Police sent out a statement reminding everyone that vandalizing election signs is a crime.  

• “We take these matters very seriously,” said Deputy Chief Patricia Ferguson, according to CTV. “Threats, harassment, and hate-motivated crimes targeting candidates or their supporters, as well as acts of mischief such as tampering with election signs, undermine our democratic process. Police will investigate these incidents thoroughly, and where warranted, charges will be laid.”

THE AGENDA

👮‍♂️ Michael Zabarylo, who is accused of killing Jennifer Zabarylo in August 2024, will have his charge upgraded to first-degree murder, according to police. The incident occurred in Stittsville in what police considered a femicide. He was initially charged with second-degree murder. [Ottawa Citizen]

🥘 Restaurants and businesses in the Little Italy neighbourhood say they are benefiting from a spark of growth in the neighbourhood. Last week, the Preston Street BIA held another sold-out Taste of Little Italy event. There are hopes a grocery store and pharmacy will soon call the community home. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🥅 The Ottawa Senators will stay at the Canadian Tire Centre under its current name for a while longer, but there is no indication as to how long the agreement is for. The team has future plans to move to a new arena at LeBreton Flats within the next four to six years. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🚔 Ottawa Police are investigating after two Centretown businesses were broken into overnight. The incidents happened at local grocer Red Apron and Arlington Five, a café. Ottawa police are not confirming whether the two incidents are connected. Police did not confirm charges or arrests Sunday. [CTV]

👮‍♂️ Ottawa Police are investigating an assault at the Rideau Centre. The hate-motivated incident led to a male in his 40s being taken to hospital in stable condition. Another man in his 40s was charged with assault, caused a disturbance and breach of probation. [CTV]

👩‍🚒 Residents of a Bells Corners retirement home are thanking firefighters who battled a nearby blaze which destroyed a nearby residential building under construction. The firefighters were presented with Thank you cards, balloons and flowers to honour their hard work. [CTV]

📢 Hundreds attended a pro-Palestinian rally on Parliament Hill on Saturday. They called for an end to the war and said what’s happening in the Middle East should become a Canadian election issue. The protest was part of the National March For Palestine organized by several pro-Palestinian advocacy groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Palestine Solidarity Network. [Ottawa Citizen]

🍫 Easter chocolate will probably cost you more this year due to U.S. tariffs. The owner of Ottawa’s Stubbe Chocolates said they are noticing a price increase with every new shipment. The industry has seen prices go up, from $2,000 USD a metric ton to over $12,000 USD a metric ton just in December. [CTV]

SPORTS

Sens rally to beat Flyers in overtime

By Jeff Morris

What happened: It was a weekend that felt like it was 2017 all over again. The Ottawa Senators disposed of the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 Friday night in front of a Canadian Tire Centre crowd in which the Habs fans easily outnumbered the Sens fans.

• It didn’t matter. Just 28 seconds into the game, the Sens took a 1-0 lead and never looked back.

Sunday, the Sens faced a tough Philadelphia Flyers squad. Although the Flyers are out of playoff contention, they came to Ottawa having won five of their last six.

The details: Shane Pinto bookended the effort against the Canadiens. He scored the first goal of the game, and then sealed the deal into an empty net to give him 20 markers on the season. Dylan Cozens, Ridly Grieg and Drake Batherson also scored for Ottawa.  Christian Dvorak and Nick Suzuki scored for Montreal. Ottawa goalie Linus Ullmark was strong between the pipes.

On Sunday afternoon, the Sens earned a 4-3 overtime win over the Flyers in a game they never led. The Senators came from behind three times to tie the score and force overtime. 

Tim Stutzle scored his second goal of the game on a four-on-three overtime powerplay on a crisp tic-tac-toe passing play that ended with Stutzle one-timing a perfectly placed wrister past a sprawling Igor Fedotov.

• All three broke ties and gave the Flyers a lead they would relinquish.

What it means: While the game had little if any impact on the standings, the Senators want to build momentum heading into the playoffs. The likely scenario has the Sens and Toronto Maple Leafs rekindling the great Battle of Ontario playoff rivalry of the early 21^st century.

• “We want to win’em all,” Tim Stutzle told reporters after the game. “That’s most important. We want to build on this. If you play bad before the playoffs it's hard to go in and play your best right away. We want to try and keep building and play the best hockey we can.”

The Senators wrap up the regular season with home games on Tuesday and Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre. Tuesday, they welcome Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks to the CTC.

FOOD

Head to Pizarro’s for that family feeling

By Ralf Joneikies

Based on the recommendation of an Italian friend when I lived in New Edinburgh, I ended up eating at Pizarro’s on a few occasions. 

It was always fair enough if uninspired food and it offered old-school cocktails such as a Rusty Nail and Singapore Slings for seven bucks.

The pandemic has come and gone and now the same drinks will set you back $10 but is it the food that has Pizarro’s maintain its loyal following?

Pizarro’s has given locals a welcoming dining experience for more than 30 years and its popularity does not appear to be waning. It’s situated in a residential area and that is likely a good part of its success.

Read more here.

EVENTS

Life Drawing | Art House 555 Somerset St. W | April 15, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Tickets are $22.60

Outdoor & Adventure Travel Show | 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa | April 26-27 | Running Sat/Sun 10-5 each day, this free entry and free parking event has something for everyone; from paddling and camping to adventure travel and family activities | Learn more [Sponsored]

Cello Reimagined: A Candlelight Concert with Raphael Weinroth-Browne | Speakeasy Tapas Lounge, 55 York St | Apr 17 at 7:00 pm | tickets start at $27.96 

Comedy at Kichesippi | Kichesippi Beer Co, 2265 Robertson Rd | April 17 from 8:00 pm - 10 pm | General Admission is $11.98

Comedy at Kichesippi | Kichesippi Beer Company, 2265 Robertson Road | Apr. 17, 7:30 pm | Tickets $12

Anime Ottawa | EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive | Apr. 18-20 | Cosplay, gaming, anime art, and creators | Tickets $65+

Carp Farmers’ Easter Market | Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds, 3790 Carp Road | Apr. 19, 8:30 am | Free $13

Bytown Antique & Vintage Show | Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue | Apr. 19, 10:00 am

Easter at the Bunker | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road | Apr. 19, 10:00 am | Tickets $13

MOUTON NOIR - Renzel Dashington -Ottawa | Laugh Lounge, 61 York St | April 20, 7:15 pm - 10:00 pm | Ticket $25.29 

Family Paint Day (6+ yrs.) at the Osgoode ON Legion_SPRING DEER  | 3284 Sunstrum St, 3284 Sunstrum St | April 27, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm | tickets are $42.38 

Moss Art Workshop | Parking Indigo Ottawa - St. Margaret's Anglican Church 206 Montréal Rd | April 30, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | General Admission $54.58 

Spring Watercolour Workshop: European Decorative Style with Yulia Lisitsyna | Wallack's Art Supplies and Framing, 305 Bank St | May 8, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm | General admission - Supplies Provided $38.61

Want to see your event here? You can purchase them through our self-service portal here.

OTTAWA JOBS

1. Delivery driver at Uber 

2. Bus driver at VIVA Retirement

3. Casual housekeeper at Ottawa Catholic School Board 

4. Server at Moxies Gloucester 

5. Customer service agent at City of Ottawa 

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

GOOD NEWS MONDAY

Key organizing partners with the inaugural Gold Hearts Gala Mayor’s Ball gathered at the Fairmont Château Laurier today for a cheque presentation to Ottawa Food Bank CEO Rachael Wilson.

A giant novelty cheque, used for the photo-op, revealed a massive donation from the gala’s proceeds, totalling $1,261,249 (plus change). Those funds will help the charitable non-profit organization bring relief to thousands of local families struggling to put food on the table.

Caroline in the Capital was there with the latest.

OTTAWA QUIZ

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• It's spring whitewater season again on the Ottawa River. [Ottawa Citizen]

• Did you know you can go and visit Ottawa’s Art Gallery for free? They have an extensive collection of Group of Seven paintings. [Kitchissippi Times]

• History time! Have you heard about the 1956 streetcar accident in Westboro? It’s a miracle everyone survived. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Golfers in Brockville are getting a head start to the season. [CTV]

• It was a busy week for the Ottawa Travel and Vacation Show. [CTV]

• Families in Ottawa enjoyed the spring weather before the Easter long weekend. [CTV] 

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

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