COVID-19 Ottawa:

There are just 18 new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ottawa Tuesday.

The Capital has now reached 8,819 confirmed cases in total, with 8,057 resolved, and 381 active. 381 people in the city have died after contracting the Novel Coronavirus.

COVID-19 Ontario:

Across Ontario, 1,676 new cases, and ten new deaths from the virus are being reported.

Throughout the pandemic, the province has confirmed 130,910 cases, with 3,808 deaths, and 110,951 cases resolved.

Vaccine Confirmation Cards to Be Handed Out in Ontario:

Ontario’s health minister says those who choose not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine could face certain restrictions.

Christine Elliott says the province will not make the shot mandatory. However, some activities like travel or access to communal spaces such as movie theatres could eventually be restricted for those who opt not to get immunized. Elliott says the province will issue government documentation so that people can prove they have received the vaccine.

AFN Annual Meeting Opens:

The Assembly of First Nations annual meeting opened Tuesday with National Chief Perry Bellegarde urging the government to work to improve the lives of Indigenous people as Canada emerges from the pandemic.

Bellegarde says investing in closing the gap for First Nations people will make Canada stronger, more resilient and empower the fastest-growing demographic in the country. The chiefs are meeting virtually this year due to the pandemic.

Algonquin College Leading Indigenous Youth Program:

Algonquin College will play a lead role in a federal government program that is aiming to provide hands-on training and employment skills to more than 250 Indigenous youth across the country.

The federal government is investing $2.5-million into this program. It will see Indigenous youth get work placement and learn skills that are specific to needs in their communities. These include food sustainability, health, and information technology projects.

Chinatown Fire:

Ottawa firefighters made quick work of a blaze in a vacant building in Chinatown Tuesday.

They were called out to the building on Somerset just after 8:30 am and had the fire under control about 40 minutes later. The building was destroyed, but no one was hurt.

Transit Union Bus on Proposed Cuts:

The President of the local union representing OC Transpo operators is voicing his opposition to a motion expected to be tabled at Wednesday’s city council meeting.

ATU 279 President Clint Crabtree has written to the Mayor saying the motion, and the comments around it, are disrespectful to the hardworking operators who have kept the city moving during the pandemic.

Councillors Carol Anne Meehan and Riley Brockington published an op-ed in the Citizen suggesting OC Transpo should find $10-million in savings, and review existing schedules and routes with the low ridership caused by the pandemic in mind.