An Ottawa-based writer was awarded the 2026 CBC Nonfiction Prize for a piece that “was a real pleasure to read,” as per the jury. Jenna Timmons-Oikawa, author of Wawa Indian, had her piece selected by the award’s judging committee from a pool of five finalists out of over 1900 submissions at the start of the judging rounds. She said the writing process, originally inspired by themes of renewal and reclaiming stolen heritage, became an enlightenment moment that “brought to (her) consciousness many things (she) had not been allowing (herself) to believe.” The jury praised her writing as a delicate balance between complicated and empathic in journeying through history and truth.
Ottawa Police and Fire Service crews were tipped to an illegal after-hours business operation following ongoing complaints and concerns from the surrounding community. The calls directed them within the 100 block of Bentley Avenue, where they executed a search warrant at the property in question in the late hours of Saturday night and into Sunday morning. At the time, 125 individuals were seen engaging in the operations and officers safely dispersed them off the premises, charging one individual for obstruction of justice. Crews said that several fire and life safety violations were cited and the property owner was notified, as the investigation continues.
Amidst a protest for stronger government action on climate change, several members of a group of seniors were arrested after attempts to forcibly enter Parliament Hill. The protest, held on Tuesday, began to make its way towards the doorway into the West Block of Parliament in an effort to hand-deliver related photo and print materials to the desks of MPs in the House of Commons. After having been asked by an officer of the Parliamentary Protective Service to stand down and clear the doorway, the group refused to yield and eleven of its members were subsequently charged with trespassing once Ottawa police assisted in handling the situation. Those arrested remained cooperative and did not suffer any injuries.
