More Charges Laid In George Floyd Death:
Charges against a Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd are getting upgraded.
Minnesota’s attorney general is charging Derek Chauvin with second-degree murder, up from third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Three other officers involved in the arrest that led to Floyd’s death are being charged with aiding and abetting murder. All four officers were fired following the incident.
Ford Acknowledges Racism In Ontario:
Premier Doug Ford has backtracked on comments that Canada does not have the same systemic and deep roots of racism as the United States.
Ford faced a rash of criticism following his response when asked Tuesday about the protests south of the border. He acknowledged in the legislature Wednesday that there is systemic racism in Ontario and across the country.
COVID-19 Ottawa:
Ottawa Public Health is reporting eight new COVID-19 cases Wednesday.
1,977 cases have been confirmed since the first case was reported in March. No new deaths were reported Wednesday, so the city’s death toll from the pandemic remains at 247.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting 338 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, and 19 more deaths.
That brings the total in the province to 29,047, an increase of 1.2 per cent over Tuesday. It includes 2,312 deaths and 22,811 cases that have been resolved.
Transport Minister Makes Masks Mandatory:
Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau is expanding the use of face masks on planes, trains, ships and transit, starting at noon Thursday (June 4).
Airline flight crews, airport workers and all railway workers will be required to wear non-medical masks. Railways will have to notify passengers to wear a face covering when physical distancing isn’t possible.
Native Women’s Association Gives a Failing Grade to The Federal Government:
The Native Women’s Association of Canada is giving the Trudeau government a failing grade.
It says it has done little to address the 231 calls for justice made by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The inquiry’s report came out one year ago Wednesday.
Association president Lorraine Whitman says Canada cannot afford to do nothing in the face of the violence that continues to take the lives of First Nations, Metis and Inuit women.
Army Run Going Virtual:
Another major Ottawa event is being forced to take a different approach this year, due to the pandemic.
The in-person Canada Army Run set for September will be replaced by a virtual race. More details are set to be released closer to the event.
Police Look To Identify Two Men in Identity Theft Investigation:
Ottawa Police are asking for your help as they work to identify two men in connection with an identity theft investigation.
Investigators say the pair used the victim’s name to acquire a credit card online, which was then used at stores on Ogilvie Road, and on Du Plateau Boulevard in Gatineau between April 2 – 5.
Call Police at 613-236-1222, ext. 5433 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if you have more information. Click here to see photos of the men.