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St. Brigid’s occupiers get their day in court, no decision yet

The group who are in St. Brigid’s had their eviction hearing this week, and they didn’t bring much evidence to back up their claim they shouldn’t be evicted.

Good morning!

Made the first roast chicken of the season the other day. Been a while since tucking into a roast of any sort seemed like a good idea, but I guess that’s fall for you. (Okay, okay, it’s not officially fall until tomorrow.)

I am sad to hang up my summer shirts for the season. Something about bold floral patterns just doesn’t work once the wool cap comes out.

Anyhow, let’s get to some news.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

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Weather Report

Wednesday: 22 🌡️ 12 | ⛈

Thursday: 14 🌡️ 3 | 🌧

Friday: 13 🌡️ 4 | ⛅

ST. BRIGID’S

Judge presses TUPOC for evidence of verbal lease in St. Brigid’s eviction case

What happened: The group occupying St. Brigid’s appeared in court on Monday to argue against their eviction. But we won’t know the results until nearly the end of the month.

Their argument: The group’s lawyer argued The United People of Canada had a verbal agreement to stay, but the landlord backed out because of negative media coverage, CTV reported.

The judge’s response: The judge questioned whether a verbal agreement existed, noting the group did not “attach a single piece of corroborating evidence,” CBC reported.

  • After the hearing the group’s lawyer told reporters there was no paper trail evidence attached to their case because the United People had a “lot to do in a very short amount of time.”

Landlord’s testimony: Patrick McDonald, who owns the property, told the court he asked the group repeatedly for rent after they moved in, in mid-June, CBC reported. He received his first cheque July 24.

In his sworn affidavit, McDonald said the group had failed to live up to their end of the purchase agreement for the property and missed three deposits totalling $100,000 by Aug. 10. The next day, the broker in charge of the sale told the group the deal had collapsed, CTV reported.

  • The judge reserved her decision until at least Sept. 27.

Related news

Board member accused of ghosting clients: William Komer, head of The United People of Canada, was accused by several customers of taking deposits and not delivering services, CTV reported. Eight couples said two of Komer’s companies had taken $20,000 for wedding photos or videos and either not delivered what was promised or never showed up. One couple said they had filed a complaint with police.

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS
  • 10%: The average increase in the number of people using the Food Bank month over month. [Ottawa Citizen]

  • 14: The number of reports police have received about damaged or stolen election signs. [CityNews]

THE QUEEN

Parade and national ceremony commemorate Queen Elizabeth II

What happened: A ceremony commemorating the life of Queen Elizabeth II was held Monday at Christ Church Cathedral, with speeches by dignitaries including former governor general Adrienne Clarkson and former prime minister Brian Mulroney. A parade marched through downtown carrying the Queen’s personal Canadian flag, CBC reported.

  • Crowds from in and out of town lined the streets of the city, as a 96-gun salute rang out, fired from LeBreton Flats, one shot for each year of her life.

Remembering the Queen: "Canadians will always remember the Queen for coming to sign over to us what is rightfully ours; our human rights, our human freedom," Clarkson said in her speech, CTV reported. Mulroney said, “She was extremely intelligent, a woman of impeccable judgement, resolute, witty–extremely witty–and kind," according to CTV.

REVIEW

La Belle Vert offers elevated vegetarian and vegan food

Story written by food editor Ralf Joneikies.

Among friends I've long advocated for supporting local farms and getting away from factory farmed meat consumption. Eat less, pay more, eat better sums it up. We'll all get to where we need to be with our nourishment, eventually.

Belle Verte on Eddy Street in Old Hull makes that process deliciously easy. For fourteen years this cozy bistro has been giving locals and travellers an elevated vegan/vegetarian experience and I'm glad to have discovered it when I did.

ELECTION

McKenney promises Greenbelt urban park designation

What happened: Mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney promised to make the Greenbelt that rings the city into an urban park. Their campaign said in a press release the land was often under threat of development and McKenney would work with the NCC and Parks Canada to get the designation, as part of a $130-million federal program.

  • “At a time when our city urgently needs bold climate action, turning the Greenbelt into a national urban park will increase Ottawa’s sustainability and protect our natural areas,” McKenney said.

Rival’s response: In a statement Mark Sutcliffe said he was disappointed the announcement was only about parks and didn’t address climate change more broadly. “There is no question we must protect the Greenbelt, and ensure that development stays within the urban boundary. … But taking designated green space, and calling it something new, is not serious climate leadership,” Sutcliffe said.

  • McKenney will announce their climate plan Thursday, according to the campaign.

Sutcliffe's climate plan: Sutcliffe released his climate plan earlier in the campaign and included promises to:

  • Have the city’s fleet be all hybrid or fully electric vehicles by 2030;

  • Install 200 electric vehicle charging stations around town;

  • Ensure new city buildings are built to a net-zero standard;

  • And double the city’s annual tree planting.

You can read the whole platform here.

Other election news

No donations from Horizon: Sutcliffe had accused the McKenney campaign of breaking election rules by accepting direct help from the progressive group Horizon Ottawa, which endorsed McKenney. McKenney said all 1,000 of their campaign volunteers were trained in-house, and the campaign has not accepted direct or in-kind contributions, CTV reported. Horizon told CTV Sutcliffe’s accusations were based on insinuation, not evidence. [CTV]

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STORIES YOU MIGHT’VE MISSED

OPH shouldn’t give up tracking COVID: A new report looking at ways to strengthen Ottawa Public Health said surveillance and risk-assessment programs are key to future emergency responses, and public COVID reporting should continue. [Ottawa Citizen]

New COVID testing centre: The Queensway Carleton Hospital has launched a new off-site COVID testing centre at the former Grant Alternative School on Draper Avenue, also doing blood work and X-ray tests.[CTV]

Inflation dipping: The overall national inflation rate dipped to 7.0 percent in August. But, grocery prices rose 10.8 percent, the highest rate since 1981. In Ontario, the overall rate dropped to 6.9 percent in August, down from 7.6 percent the previous month. TVO has a great explainer of why inflation in grocery prices will be slower to fall. [CTV]

Russian embassy claims attack: The Russian embassy in Ottawa said it was attacked by a Molotov cocktail that was thrown over the fence, and accused the RCMP of ignoring it. It did not ignite, and no property was damaged. In Moscow, the Russian foreign ministry summoned the Canadian ambassador to answer for the alleged attack. Ottawa police said it was not aware of a report being made. [CTV]

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

This week we’ve got a lovely condo in Westboro overlooking the river. A place with a view, a high end kitchen with a great quartz island, two bedrooms, and power blinds. The sunsets are pretty great, too.

To find out more and see how much it costs, check out the listing.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
  • The westbound 174 will be closed between Blair and Montreal roads this weekend for Stage 2 LRT construction from 6 am Saturday to 5:30 am Monday.

  • Order 100+ Tim Hortons® Smile Cookies with free delivery to multiple addresses and help the Snowsuit Fund keep two children warm this winter. Order today.*

  • Ottawa police promised zero-tolerance for public disorder at this year’s upcoming Panda Game. [Ottawa Citizen]

  • You have to try the Galbi-tang beef soup at Kitchen Maroo for one of the best broths you’re likely to find anywhere.

  • This Friday, connect with organizations from across the Ottawa region who are seeking volunteers at the Volunteer Expo at Saint Paul University, and learn more about how you can get involved.

  • Former Sens great Zdeno Chara announced his retirement after 25 seasons in the league. [CityNews]

  • Get your announcement featured here in community highlights. Visit here and complete the form.

*Sponsored post

GOOD NEWS

All smiles at Terry Fox Run: A little rain couldn’t get participants down for this weekend’s Terry Fox Run. The Run is held every year to carry on the legacy of Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. The Ottawa Citizen has a great set of photos.[Ottawa Citizen]

OTTAWA GEOGUESSER
Still no hints! Maybe one day...

Google Maps

Congrats to Lyne, Bev, Shana, Jean-Luc, Rosie, Rekha, and Dean for knowing the Perth Gaol was constructed in 1862. We’ll also reward half points to Heather for what was probably a typo with a guess of 1962.

For this week’s GeoGuesser there is a hint somewhere in the newsletter, see if you can find it. Reply to this email with your guesses of where this photo is from, and if you’re correct, we’ll run your name in the next newsletter.

LATEST COVID STATS

Note: Ottawa Public Health is now only updating COVID stats twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Because of the Lookout’s publishing schedule, this means the numbers here may be out of date.

Active Cases: 632 | New Cases: 219 | Total Deaths: 817 | Ottawans In Hospital: 30 | Ottawans In ICU: 3 | Acute Beds Occupied: 101% | ICU Beds Occupied: 78% | ICU Ventilator Beds Occupied: 28%

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