Latest news with #Petawawa
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Armed forces needs to strengthen screening to weed out extremists: expert
A Canadian soldier takes part in an announcement in Petawawa, Ont., on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — An expert in extremism says recent arrests linked to an alleged plot to create an anti-government militia show the Canadian Armed Forces needs to do a better job of vetting at the recruitment stage. University of Alberta political science professor Andy Knight says the fact that two of the four men charged Tuesday in relation to an alleged anti-government plot are active members of the military shows the Canadian Armed Forces isn't doing enough to screen out extremists. He says extremism within the forces needs to be 'explored and stamped out as soon as possible' so it doesn't fester and spread. Knight conducted research for the Department of National Defence that uncovered racist and extremist beliefs among some military members. RCMP announced charges against four men Tuesday over an alleged plot to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area. The cache of weapons seized by police during the investigation is the largest ever uncovered in a domestic terrorism case. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Ottawa Valley Stomp Festival
The first-ever Ottawa Valley Stomp Festival is kicking off in Petawawa, with a full lineup of Canadian artists. CTV's Dylan Dyson reports.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Ottawa Valley STOMP Music Festival kicks off Friday
The Ottawa Valley has a brand-new music festival to take in this Canada Day long week. Friday marks the first night of the new Ottawa Valley STOMP Music Festival being hosted in Petawawa. The three-day festival at the Petawawa Civic Centre features two headlining bands that are bringing the 80's back, The Box and Honeymoon Suite. 'Our crowd, the demographic is 80's, and you can't really go out and get your fix of the 80's,' said organizer and STOMP's chief technical officer Jim Dent. 'So this this is your chance to come on out and have fun with us. This is a great music, we've got The Box, we've got Honeymoon Suite, that's as 80's as it gets.' The weekend festival is a combination of many family activities, including a lumberjack competition on Saturday, a buttertart festival, an array of food festival trucks, a touch-a-truck event for kids and more. Dent says the all-Canadian festival brings together different aspects of the Ottawa Valley. 'We've never done this before in our hometown, so we thought that we'd bring it here. Everyone's after us to bring it here, and they want to see it. They don't want to have to drive to Ottawa to see a show.' Speaking with CTV News ahead of their set Friday night, lead singer for Montreal-based band The Box, Jean-Marc Pisapia, says they are getting asked to play many new summer music festivals each year, and enjoy the crowds small towns create. 'Actually, they are a lot more enthusiast than the big city, blasé kind of attitude, where you really need something hip, otherwise it's not going to work,' says Pisapia. 'Here, people, they just love it.' Due to the weekend's rainy forecast, Dent says the festival had to move its stage inside the Petawawa Civic Centre, but in doing so, allows bands to play longer since they do not have to abide by the outdoor noise bylaw. Pisapia says The Box will make it up to fans by playing a longer set. 'In the first half of the show, we're going to do some more recent material. And in the second half, all the old hits for the 80's. So if someone's wondering, is it like if I go see the Police and they don't play Roxanne, no, we do all our old hits from the 80s.' With the live music moving indoors, it does put a cap on tickets, which Dent says is roughly 1300. He says as of Friday afternoon, the festival had sold about 1000 tickets. 'So if you haven't got tickets, you better get them, because we have a capacity here in this building and we're very close to that now.' If successful, Dent says the plan is to host the Ottawa Valley STOMP Music Festival annually, moving it around to different host communities in the region. Petawawa Mayor Gary Serviss says the town has no projections for the economic impact the festival will bring, but hotels in the area are fully booked. 'I'm hoping that it's more than just a Petawawa celebration, that it's a Renfrew County, Upper Ottawa Valley celebration,' he says. 'That we attract everybody from all around to come to Petawawa and enjoy all that we have to offer this weekend.'
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Grief, loss changed mindset of top NHL draft prospect Matthew Schaefer
Matthew Schaefer (left) signs a Canadian hockey fan's jersey after practice in Petawawa, Ont., on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Matthew Schaefer has been hit with heartache and grief. The 17-year-old defenceman projected to go first overall at the 2025 NHL draft dusted himself off after each devastating blow. Those tragedies now help shape his perspective in and out of hockey as he churns toward the biggest moment to date in a young career. 'I've been through a lot,' Schaefer said. 'I'm so much stronger that I went through this stuff.' 'Work your hardest, be a good person,' the Hamilton product added. 'You never know what people are going through.' The star blueliner with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters has been through more than most. Schaefer's world was knocked off its axis in February 2024 when his mother, Jennifer, died of breast cancer. 'She's always with me in spirit,' he said. 'I know she has a front-row seat every game … she was a strong woman. I talk about more the happy memories instead of the sad memories. 'There's a lot of things I've learned. I'm definitely a lot stronger.' That devastating news came three months after Schaefer's billet mom was struck and killed by a train in what was ruled a death by suicide. The six-foot-two, 186-pound blueliner was then rocked again in December as he prepared to play for Canada at the world junior hockey championship when mentor and Otters owner Jim Waters died of a heart attack. 'When I was younger and I stubbed my toe, I probably would have thought the world was ending,' Schaefer, the No. 1-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, said during the Stanley Cup final. 'But going through everything, there's so (many) worse things that can happen in life. 'Each and every day, I just want to have a positive mindset.' An elite defenceman with exceptional skating, defensive awareness and playmaking ability, Schaefer is expected to hear his name called when the New York Islanders make the top selection Friday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Schaefer played just 17 games in the OHL this season after breaking is collarbone at those world juniors in Ottawa — the beginning of the end for a host country that would suffer another disappointing quarterfinal exit — putting up seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points with Erie. A pair of centres ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in North America will likely be picked soon after Schaefer — Michael Misa of the OHL's Saginaw Spirit and James Hagens of the NCAA's Boston College Eagles. A product of Oakville, Ont., Misa was granted exceptional status to play major junior a year early ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. He registered 62 goals and 72 assists for 134 points in 65 games this season. 'A lot of different emotions,' the 18-year-old said of his journey. 'I'm just trying to take it all in.' Hagens had 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 contests as an NCAA freshman, often battling against much older players. 'It's awesome being able to be in this spot,' said the 18-year-old from Hauppauge, N.Y., who also helped the U.S. win world junior gold. The NHL will hold its first decentralized draft — similar to the NFL and NBA — that will see teams' brain trusts make picks remotely instead of on the ground in L.A. It's unclear if this as-yet-untested format will continue beyond 2025. The league has said it will be inviting the top-50 prospects based on its final rankings to the showcase. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is slated to announce the first selection before the remaining 31 first-round picks will be called out by special guests with connections to individual clubs. The San Jose Sharks own the No. 2 selection, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks, Utah Mammoth and Nashville Predators. The Vancouver Canucks currently possess the highest pick among Canadian franchises at No. 15. The Montreal Canadiens have both the 16th and 17th selections — the first of which was part of the 2022 trade with the Calgary Flames for Sean Monahan. Calgary will select 18th with a pick acquired from the New Jersey Devils in the deal for goaltender Jacob Markstrom last June. The Ottawa Senators (21st) and Winnipeg Jets (28th) will look to stock their prospect cupboards before the Flames round out Friday's proceedings with the No. 32 pick, which originally belonged to the Florida Panthers and ties a bow on the Matthew Tkachuk trade. The Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 25) and Edmonton Oilers (No. 31) previously traded their first-round selections. The draft continues Saturday with rounds two through seven. Schaefer will be off the board long before then. And his mother will no doubt be in his thoughts as he climbs those draft stairs. 'My mindset has changed,' Schaefer said. 'What my mom went through, having a smile on her face with cancer and everything trying to bring her down … but she wouldn't let it bring her down. Someone I look up to, really strong. 'Wish I was as tough as her.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
CTV News
21-06-2025
- CTV News
Man facing sexual assault charges, police appealing to other potential victims
Provincial police reported on Saturday that they arrested a male suspect who allegedly sexually assaulted a youth at an Orillia, Ont. business last weekend. According to Orillia OPP, officers received a call about an unknown male who committed the act at the Murphy Road business last Saturday before fleeing on foot. Police say the officers canvassed the area and identified a suspect with help from the Orillia detachment's Major Crime Unit (MCU). The suspect, a 23-year-old man from Petawawa, Ont., was arrested on Friday and charged with sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age and sexual interference. The accused was held in custody pending a Saturday bail hearing. Police say they are concerned that there could be more victims in relation to the investigation and are asking anyone with more information about the incident or other related incidents to come forward. Those wishing to remain anonymous could contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or reach out to Ontario 211 for support resources. Police also remind the public that reports on sexual offences could be made at any time, regardless of how much time has passed.
