COVID-19 Ottawa:
Another person has died from COVID-19-related illness in the Capital.
The latest figures from Ottawa Public Health show 257 deaths in the city since the first case was reported in March. There is also one more confirmed case Thursday, for a total of 2003, with 83.6 per cent of cases resolved.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting 203 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the province to a total of 31,544.
That’s an increase of 0.6 per cent over Wednesday, the lowest growth rate in new cases since early March. The province also reported twelve new deaths for a total of 2,487.
Ford, Elliott Test Negative:
Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott have tested negative for COVID-19.
Ford and Elliott were tested after attending a news conference with Education Minister Stephen Lecce. It was revealed shortly after that Lecce had come into contact with someone who was infected. Lecce’s test also came back negative on Wednesday.
OC Transpo Provides Mandatory Mask Update:
With OC Transpo’s mandatory face mask order for staff and customers going into effect next week, transit officials are offering some reassurances.
General Manager John Manconi insists that no riders will be prevented from boarding buses or trains if they forgot their mask. OC Transpo has received approximately 200,000 disposable masks that will be given out to those who forgot to wear one throughout next week.
Chantel Moore Laid To Rest:
Firekeepers sang a healing song at the funeral for a and Indigenous woman shot and killed by police in Edmundston, New Brunswick last week.
Chantal Moore,26, was remembered as a kind soul. She was praised for uniting family from across the family, having moved to New Brunswick from British Columbia three months ago to be near her mother and daughter, 6.
Moore’s death has prompted calls for an inquiry into systemic bias against Indigenous people by police and the courts.
Federal Government Providing More Money For Indigenous Businesses:
The federal government will spend a further $133,000,000 on helping Indigenous businesses suffering the economic effects of the pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government has heard from First Nations, Inuit and Metis business owners who have said the last few months have been extremely difficult. Of the total amount announced Thursday, $117,000,000 is to help small and community-owned Indigenous businesses.
SIU Clears Ottawa Police in August Arrest:
No Ottawa Police officers will be charged in connection with an arrest last August, that left a man, 33, with a fractured orbital bone.
Officers responding to a call about a dangerous driver accused the man of violently resisting arrest, and attempting to snatch the weapons from their belts.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, which probes any police involved incident ending in death, serious injury, or allegation of sexual assault, has determined that there are no grounds to lay charges against the officers involved.
Champlain Bridge Re-Opened:
Traffic is moving in both directions on the Champlain Bridge again.
It was re-opened around 10:00 am Thursday, after a lengthy closure following a fatal collision on the Sir John A MacDonald Parkway, near Island Park Drive, around 7:00 pm Wednesday.
A vehicle left the roadway, striking and killing a cyclist, and also hitting a pedestrian, who remains in critical condition. It’s not clear yet what caused the driver to leave the roadway.