Latest news with #Orléans
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Construction continues on O-Train East extension, with no timeline for opening to passengers
An O-Train on Line 1 is seen in this undated image. (CTV News Ottawa) Construction and train testing continues on the new O-Train eastern extension into Orléans, but there is still no word on when passengers will be riding the rails. A report for the June 12 Transit Committee meeting provides an update on construction on Stage 2 of the light rail transit system, which includes extending O-Train Line 1 from Blair Station to Trim Station. 'In the east, final construction activities and train testing are well underway and nearing completion,' says the report, submitted by Transit Services general manager Renee Amilcar. 'Remaining major fleet activities include software upgrades and operator training. Communication rooms and the setup of system parameters, to ensure devices such as switches and cameras function as required, is now complete at all stations in the east. Communication systems testing continues.' Amilcar says the commissioning of the communication-based train control system is 'well advanced with multiple trains continuing to run in loops.' 'Boundary testing between stage 1 and Stage 2 territories has been completed. OC Transpo has already said O-Train Line 1 service will be affected on the weekends of July 5 and 26 for Stage 2 Integration work, and there will be additional impacts on Line 1 through the summer as testing and commissioning progresses on the eastern extension. Amilcar says operator training on Stage 2 East is expected to begin in late July, which will lead to the certification of the required number of personnel to support trial running on the O-Train line. The report says there is several things to do before opening the eastern extension of O-Train Line 1 to customers, with the 'path to revenue service' including testing and commissioning, substantial completion, trial running and final safety approval. After the contractor achieves substantial completion, the city will begin trial running on the east extension and the existing Stage 1. Amilcar says trial running will 'exercise and evaluate the performance' of the system's infrastructure, vehicles, operating and maintenance personnel and operating procedures. There will be a 21-day Trial Running period before launch. The report does not mention a timeline for opening the O-Train East Extension, but Amilcar has previously mentioned the fall for opening to passengers. Convent Glen Station An overhead view of the new Convent Glen Station on the O-Train east extension. (OC Transpo/report) Here is a look at some of the items to be completed, according to the report. System installation, integration, testing and commissioning 'Significant work is currently underway to integrate communication systems for the east extension with the existing live systems on Line 1,' Amilcar said. 'Testing of systems began in a lab environment and will be migrated to a production environment over the next several weeks. This iterative and complex integration process will be phased and carefully coordinated to minimize customer impact.' Amilcar says the majority of the system integration work will be conducted during overnight hours, but there may be some closures on the O-Train line. Operations and maintenance readiness Amilcar says 'work is progressing' on the training program, staffing and recruitment and maintenance readiness. The hiring of new Electric Rail Operators and the familiarization training is underway, and training on Stage 2 is expected to begin in late July. Line 1 East Stations Amilcar says occupancy permits for the stations are expected over the summer. 'Station occupancy for the east stations is nearly complete with deficiency closeout, building code service reviews, and occupancy permits expected in Q3 2025.' Work outside the 'guideway' Amilcar says work 'outside the guide' required for substantial completion is currently underway, including grading, drainage, headwall installation, slope finishing, top-lift paving, guardrail installation and landscaping along Highway 174. That work is expected to be completed this spring. The second phase, following Substantial Completion' includes slope finishing, top-lifting paving, guardrail installation and landscaping. Once the eastern extension opens, Line 1 will stretch 25 kilometres between Tunney's Pasture and Trim Station. The western extension from Tunney's Pasture to Moodie Drive and Algonquin College is scheduled to open in 2027.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Firefighters quickly contain Orléans garage fire before it could spread
Firefighters extinguished a fire inside the garage of a home in the 6000 block of Nuggett Drive in Orléans Friday evening. (Jean Lalonde/Ottawa Fire Services) Ottawa firefighters were quick to contain a Friday night fire inside a home in Orléans. The Ottawa Fire Services say they received a 911 call from a neighbour reporting a garage fire in the 6000 block of Nuggett Drive at approximately 7:33 p.m. Firefighters arrived on scene about three minutes later and found smoke and flames coming from the garage of the two-storey townhome, Ottawa fire said in a news release. Crews initiated a 'fast attack' on the flames and advanced a hose line through the structure. A search of the home found that all residents had evacuated. 'The flames were extinguished, and the fire was contained to the garage before it could spread inside or to the attached unit,' Ottawa Fire Services said. The fire was declared under control shortly after 7:45 p.m., about nine minutes after crews arrived on scene. High-pressurized fans were used to ventilate smoke out of the garage in the home. Ottawa fire says the homeowner will not be displaced from the fire. There were no reported injuries.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Popular Orléans restaurant closing on Sunday after 25 years
An Orléans restaurant is set to close its doors after 25 years of serving customers in Ottawa's east end. Kozy Nest Restaurant on St. Joseph Boulevard is closing on Sunday. 'It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Kozy Nest Restaurant will be closing its doors on Sunday, June 1,' Sam Boushey said on Facebook. 'Our lease has come to an end and we must say farewell. This is not a goodbye forever, just so long for now. We are so grateful for your support these last 25 years and for allowing us to be part of your community and your lives. It has been a privilege and a pleasure.' Kozy Nest is a family run restaurant. Customers have flooded the Kozy Nest Facebook page with tributes to the staff. Another popular establishment in Orléans is set to close in June. Art of Bean Coffee says it will be closing on June 21 after 'three-and-a-half incredible years.' 'We couldn't have imagined the level of support and kindness that we have experienced here, and for that we will always be thankful,' the owners said on the Art of Bean website. 'Though our chapter in this space is ending, be sure to follow The Niche Ottawa Gallery for great things ahead.'
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Students, community groups protest program cuts at La Cité
Social Sharing Students, faculty, their unions and community organizations are protesting a move by Ottawa's La Cité, the largest French-language college in Ontario, to cut nine programs this fall. Groups opposed to the cuts held a march and rally Thursday, ending in front of MP Marie-France Lalonde's office on Centrum Boulevard in Orléans. During the event, attendees placed candles near a Franco-Ontarian flag as a way to mourn the cuts. Among the participants was 17-year-old Samuel Pilon, who was accepted into La Cité's television production program in January, but was told in April the program is being suspended. "I had two options: go to Quebec or stay here in English. I chose to study at Algonquin College in English because for me, it's important to stay in my region. It's a good program, but it won't be the same. It won't be in my mother tongue," he told Radio-Canada. "I speak English well, but that would mean giving up on what we fought for and saying that what is happening right now is acceptable," he added in French. Patricia Dostie, executive director of l'Association pour l'intégration sociale d'Ottawa, said the majority of the association's employees graduated from two programs at the college that are designed to support people with disabilities. She said more than 25 agencies in Ottawa and the Outaouais, and their clients, also rely on those graduates. "We represent thousands of people with intellectual disabilities who have no voice today," she told Radio-Canada. "Suddenly, employers were left behind ... forgotten. They weren't consulted." Dostie said she hopes to meet with Lynn Casimiro, the college's president and CEO, to discuss possible solutions. 'Status quo is not an option' The college announced its decision to cut the nine programs in May. As with other colleges that have made similar cuts, Casimiro cited decline in international student enrolment, a key source of revenue. "The status quo is not an option. If the college does not take the measures we are taking now, there will be more cuts later," Casimiro told Radio-Canada. Additionally, 50 positions including 16 teaching jobs and other unfilled positions, will be eliminated. The programs being discontinued include: Automotive maintenance technician. Television production. General arts and sciences program — university track. Dental care (Levels I and II). Occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant. 911 and emergency service dispatch. Protection, security and investigation — safety. Special education techniques. Intervention with people with disabilities. La Cité's faculty union, which is affiliated with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), said it plans to file a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
Al Bawaba
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
No Muslim zone: France posters spark outrage
ALBAWABA - France recently witnessed an abundance of Islamophobic and far-right posters in the city of Orléans, including its university premises. The posters featured slogans such as "Muslim-free zone" and "Good night, left" written in bold, sparking outrage among human rights activists. Pictures of the posters started flooding social media on May 14, targeting Muslims and leftists with symbols banning Islamic practices like praying, women's head scarves (hijab), sheikhs, and dhabihah. According to Al Jazeera Plus France, the posters also featured a website created in the Normandy region in 2024. However, the website has been reported and is no longer accessible. The city of Orléans announced that it's taking the necessary measures by filing a complaint against the unknown individuals responsible for the posters. Local prosecutors were notified, and several French politicians condemned the act. Des autocollants islamophobes et néonazis ont été découverts dans le centre-ville d'Orléans et sur le campus universitaire. Sur certains d'entre eux, des slogans tels que 'Zone interdite aux musulmans' ou 'Bonne nuit, la gauche' ciblent explicitement la communauté musulmane et la… — AJ+ français (@ajplusfrancais) May 15, 2025 The posters sparked outrage and shock among the citizens of Orléans as many took to social media and condemned the act. A social media user wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), "That said, what a shame for our poor France, which is falling back into its Nazi ways. Same atmosphere, same ideology, same beginnings of propaganda." On the contrary, several others took to the posters' defense, stating that they want Muslims out of France. A social media user wrote, "This doesn't shock the locals, lol. Nobody wants you here." Another added, "Where can I buy these stickers?" Several others claimed, without providing proof, that the posters are a result of an escalating religious conflict between the Jews and Muslims in France.
