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CTV News
12 minutes ago
- CTV News
Israeli flag installed outside town hall in Hampstead, Que. stirs local debate
Outside the Hampstead Town Hall, the addition of the flag of Israel is raising concerns among some residents. The Israeli flag has flown outside Hampstead's town hall since October 2023 — and it's getting mixed reactions from residents of the Montreal suburb. Among them is 25-year-old Adam Ben David, who says the flag doesn't belong on the municipal property. 'I think it's inflammatory to have a foreign flag that is not representative of every single person in this community, which is very diverse,' he said in an interview. The flag replaced Hampstead's municipal banner, taking its place alongside the Canadian and Quebec flags. Mayor Jeremy Levi told CTV News the move was suggested by the town's then–director general and supported by council. 'Every other government across the world had done so,' Levi said. 'We never told the DG how to do it or to remove the Hampstead flag. If Hampstead residents feel so patriotic towards the Hampstead flag, we can always install a fourth flagpole — I just don't think it's a great use of resources.' Residents split on the issue For some residents, the flag is a symbol of solidarity, but for others it's an inappropriate political statement for municipal grounds. CTV News approached several people outside town hall and in a nearby park, but the vast majority declined to speak publicly. Among those who did, opinions were divided. One woman, who asked not to be identified, said she supports keeping the flag. She described it as a sign of support, acknowledging how many communities in the Middle East are going through tragic times. 'I see nothing wrong in putting it up because it's reflecting that there's something terrible going on in Israel and we're all in mourning for that situation, collectively,' she said. Sisters Keren and Bénédicte Paka, who have lived in Hampstead for two years, saw it differently. 'It's problematic because there are many international students here, international workers, Quebecers and other people — I don't think it has its place here,' said Keren. Bénédicte added: 'I think to make everyone feel comfortable, the flag should be taken down — so that each person feels free and not oppressed by one community or another.' While there's division, Levi has been clear that he will not remove the flag. 'It doesn't matter to me if there's two signatures or 2,000 signatures,' he wrote in a statement to CTV News. 'My position will not change.' He also said he has never received a formal complaint from residents about it and, on the contrary, has received 'many compliments.' Petition for flag removal Ben David began knocking on doors this summer to build support for removing the flag. He has gathered roughly 40 signatures so far and said he plans to continue canvassing as the weather cools. 'The Israeli flag represents a whole host of things: politically, religiously, ethnically,' Ben David said. 'In my opinion, it's unfair for the mayor to hoist it on behalf of 7,000 people — because a flag can incite all sorts of things: happiness and joy, but also fear and despair.' Ben David told CTV News that some residents who agreed with him refused to sign publicly. 'They're afraid of either being chastised by the mayor or other people in our community,' he said, emphasizing that 'it's an incredibly difficult time to be Jewish.' He also questioned why the flag needed to remain permanently. 'I don't understand why it has to be permanent considering that we are a diverse plurality here,' he said. For his part, Levi rejected the allegation that residents feared harassment. 'I have never harassed or shamed a private resident and would never do so,' Levi wrote, adding that he believed the petition was politically motivated ahead of municipal elections in less than three months. He said residents who want the flag removed should take it up with council, which holds the vote. He insisted he will 'never back down from supporting Israel and the Jewish community,' adding: 'If residents are unhappy with that position, November 2, 2025, is their chance to make a change.' It's a position Levi also made clear in a post on X in late July, in which he wrote: 'I will never take down the Israeli flag, if that's a problem for you, vote me out next election.' Despite him standing firm on the decision, others, like Ben David, say they intend to push forward with their demand for the flag to come down. Ben David said he intends to bring the matter to town council next week. With the latest census data showing about 40 per cent of Hampstead residents are not Jewish, the flag remains a lightning rod in the small, predominantly Jewish suburb.
CTV News
26 minutes ago
- CTV News
Transit Windsor expands service with 20,000 hours, more coverage
Transit Windsor is announced major service changes, as part of the council-approved 2025 Transit Windsor Service Plan. Transit Windsor is announced major service changes, as part of the council-approved 2025 Transit Windsor Service Plan. The changes are effective Aug. 31. It includes the addition of 20,000 new service hours, increased frequency and expanded coverage across several high-demand routes. Key service changes include: Launching new service routes to expand network coverage Route 250 (Rhodes/Twin Oaks/ NextStar Industrial) Route 315 (formerly Parent 14) – Route extension Route 205 (formerly Dougall 6) – Route extension Enhancing and renaming service routes to improve reliability and efficiency Route 240 (formerly South Windsor 7) Route 135 (formerly Walkerville 8) The name changes better align with industry principles and best practices observed across other transit systems, ensuring continuity and ease of use for out-of-town visitors. Introducing Sunday service on Route 240 (formerly South Windsor 7) Route 315 (formerly Parent 14) Reducing wait times on Saturdays and Sundays Route 240 (formerly South Windsor 7) – Increased frequency from every 50 minutes to every 30 minutes on Saturdays Route 205 (formerly Dougall 6) – Increased frequency from every 40-to-70 minutes to every 30-to-45 minutes on the weekends Route 135 (formerly Walkerville 8) – Increased frequency from every 70 minutes to every 40 minutes during weekday evenings and weekends Reducing wait times across high-demand corridors on weekdays Route 205 (formerly Dougall 6) – Weekday frequency increased to every 30 minutes with 15-minute service during a.m. and p.m. peak periods Route 135 (formerly Walkerville 8) – Weekday frequency increased to every 20 minutes, previously every 40 minutes Route 315 (formerly Parent 14) – Weekday frequency increased to every 40 minutes, previously every 60-to-70 minutes. Extended service hours added Route 115 (formerly Dominion 5) – Peak weekday frequency increased to every 10-to-15 minutes, previously every 20 minutes Transit also will added 8 permanent full-time driver positions. Introducing new colour-coded numbering route categories to help riders quickly identify route types: Blue – Primary Routes (100 series): Major city-to-city corridors on arterial roads, forming the core transit network. Purple – Secondary Routes (200 series): Connect areas between primary routes, with multiple transfer points. Green – Local Routes (300 series): Connect neighbourhood residents to key destinations to transfer to primary routes. Orange – Express Routes (400 and 500 series): Limited stops for faster travel along major roads. Uses roads with higher speeds to travel across the city. Black – Regional Routes: Service to neighbouring communities. New fully reflective bus stop signage will be installed for simpler navigation. The signs will feature Transit Windsor's new colour-coded route category system, which introduces route name changes using both colours and categories. Open Houses Transit Windsor will host a series of open houses at the Windsor International Transit Terminal, located at 300 Chatham Street West in Windsor to inform riders about upcoming service changes: August 14 and 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. August 19 and 20, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Transit Windsor encourages all riders to visit for the full details on service changes and to explore the Interactive Map.
CTV News
42 minutes ago
- CTV News
Hours away from Air Canada flights being grounded
As flight attendants get set to strike, only a last-minute deal will keep Air Canada flying. CTV's Kimberley Fowler reports.
