Latest news with #YasirNaqvi
CBC
16-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Holocaust monument vigil calls for end to hate crimes
Social Sharing Prayers filled the air at the National Holocaust Monument Sunday at a vigil held one week after the solemn concrete memorial was defaced with paint. The monument on the Kichi Zibi Mikan near Lebreton Flats was found splashed with red paint on the morning of June 9, with the words "feed me" painted in capital letters. It's still not clear who defaced it or what their motivations were. The slogan appeared to be a reference to Gaza, which the United Nations described earlier this month as the "hungriest place on Earth." The vandalism was condemned by several high-profile Ottawans as an act of antisemitism, including Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi, Ottawa Centre MPP Catherine McKenney and Lawrence Greenspon, a prominent Ottawa defence lawyer and co-chair of the National Holocaust Monument Committee. At Sunday's gathering, Greenspon called the vandalism both a "terrible happening for the Jewish community" and also incredibly personally painful. "The idea of today's interfaith vigil was to basically say that there's no place — [and] this is especially true here, at the National Holocaust Monument — that there's no place for this kind of hate crime to take place," said Greenspon, whose father was a holocaust survivor. "It's unfortunately a sign of the times ... there is a rise of antisemitism, and this hate crime is just the tip of the iceberg." Calls for unity In addition to members of the Jewish community, Sunday's vigil featured a Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg elder who delivered remarks to the crowd. Several Christian groups were also in attendance. "We have to unite with our brothers and sisters who are suffering to make sure that in Canada there's no hatred ... like there was here at the monument, unfortunately," said Yvan Mathieu, auxiliary bishop with the Archdiocese of Ottawa–Cornwall. "I don't understand why people do this. You can be against many things — for instance, any act of violence [or] war today — but it's not by creating gestures of hatred and violence like this that you will solve anything." The Ottawa Police Service's hate and bias crime unit has been investigating the vandalism and has asked anyone with information about what happened to reach out.
Global News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa defaced with red paint
In Ottawa, the National Holocaust Monument has been defaced with what appears to be red paint and the words 'feed me' painted across the front. The monument is located a short distance west of Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. View image in full screen Workers from a cleanup crew spread a tarp to cover red paint spelling the words 'FEED ME' on the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on Monday, June 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick. View image in full screen Workers from a cleanup crew spread a tarp to cover red paint spelling the words 'FEED ME' on the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on Monday, June 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick. Global News reached out to Ottawa Police who said they 'are aware of the incident and are investigating,' with no other information as of yet. Story continues below advertisement Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi posted on X that this was 'A disgraceful, antisemitic act of vandalism.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The National Holocaust Monument honours the memory of six million Jews and all victims of Nazi atrocities. Defacing it is not protest—it is hate, and I condemn it,' he added. Deborah Lyons, Canada's special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism, said on X that the monument 'is a sacred space of remembrance and reflection to honour the 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis.' 'Vandalizing the monument does nothing to bring peace to the Middle East. It is an act of vile antisemitism and a hate crime. Full stop,' Lyons said. 'This is a disgusting display of Jew Hatred in our nation's capital. I will be speaking immediately with the relevant federal authorities & law enforcement agencies about this. May the memories of the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust be a blessing.' Conservative Party deputy leader Melissa Lantsman also called the defacement a 'disgusting and cowardly act.' 'Defacing sacred ground in honour of the millions of victims of the Holocaust in the middle of the night with spray paint isn't protest, it's vandalism,' Lantsman wrote on X. 'Someone this pathetic deserves to be identified and held accountable.' Story continues below advertisement Located at the corner of Booth and Wellington in downtown Ottawa, the National Holocaust Monument has been a target of vandalism in the past, with a 2020 incident investigated as a hate crime. More to come.
CBC
01-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Westboro Beach reopens after renovations
Westboro Beach has been reopened to the public after extensive renovations performed by the National Capital Commission (NCC), which added picnic space, outdoor showers, gender-neutral bathrooms and more. The design was approved in 2022 and closed that summer for construction. It has only been partially reopened since then. The $21 million project was partially funded by the City of Ottawa. It agreed to contribute as part of the agreement with the NCC for the light rail transit extension. An ice cream shop and cafe are open in the pavilion and the attached restaurant is expected to open soon. Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre, attended the opening ceremony Sunday. "I look forward to seeing our community embrace this transformed beach, creating lasting memories and continuing to cherish our vital green spaces," he said in a statement.
Ottawa Citizen
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Kiweki Point: Official unveiling of an Ottawa jewel
Kiweki Point has officially reopened as a reimagined public space in downtown Ottawa, blending Indigenous culture with nature at the junction of the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau rivers. Article content Article content The $45-million redevelopment was partially funded through the $228.6 million allocated to the National Capital Commission by the federal government between 2018 and 2023. Work began in 2019. Article content Article content The project was celebrated with an opening ceremony attended by Ottawa-area MPs Mona Fortier and Yasir Naqvi, Indigenous elders, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and representatives of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council. Article content Article content Stakeholders and community members gathered behind the National Gallery of Canada for the unveiling of the renewed site once known as Nepean Point. Article content Fortier, the MP for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, described the project as 'an important step on the path of reconciliation.' Article content 'By thoughtfully incorporating Indigenous voices into its design and interpretation, this site fosters understanding, healing and mutual respect. It reminds us that reconciliation is not a one-time event, but a lasting commitment,' she said. Article content Merv Sarazin, a council member with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, said the reimagined space reflected years of collective work. Article content 'We acknowledge the hard work and collaboration that brought this vision to life. We honour those who contribute their time, knowledge and resources,' Sarazin said. 'May the space serve as a place of learning, gathering and reflection.' Article content Article content Indigenous symbolism was incorporated throughout the development, including extensive collaboration with the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nations and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Article content 'At the heart of this transformation is the wisdom, generosity and leadership of the Algonquin Nation,' said Norm Odjick, director general of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council. 'Our many voices have guided every step of this process, and this space stands as a reflection of our culture, stories and enduring presence.' Article content One of the most prominent symbolic changes has been the repositioning of the Anishinaabe scout from the 1915 Samuel de Champlain statue. Originally depicted kneeling, the figure has been returned to the site standing upright. Article content 'We have brought the scout back to the site in his rightful role as guide and knowledge keeper, with the name befitting that role, Kichi Zìbì Innini, the Great River Man,' Nussbaum said. 'His presence restores balance, representing Indigenous identity and strength.'
Ottawa Citizen
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
How did the NDP do across Ottawa ridings?
Ottawa New Democrats are coming to terms with what looks like the collapse of NDP support across the capital. Article content Article content Not only did Liberals defend key seats, but they also seemingly took a huge chunk of what used to be NDP voters. Article content In Ottawa Centre, Liberal candidate Yasir Naqvi secured a commanding win with 62.4 per cent of the vote, according to Elections Canada numbers, a 17 percentage point increase from the 2021 election. Article content Article content NDP candidate Joel Harden came in second with less than 20 per cent of the vote count, a substantial decrease from the previous federal election — and still the only riding in the capital where the NDP outperformed the Conservatives. Article content Article content Article content He said it was important for the party to ensure the Liberals 'live up' to the promises made during their campaign. Article content Article content 'If they don't, the New Democrats in this community are going to be there to call them to account in a constructive way,' Harden said. Article content Harden gave up his provincial seat to run federally. When asked whether he regretted that decision, he was straightforward in his reply. Article content
