Latest news with #WestOttawa
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Valedictorian told to stay home after making pro-Palestinian remarks in grad speech
The valedictorian at a west Ottawa high school says she's been told not to come to school Monday after she made pro-Palestinian remarks during a speech at her commencement ceremony. Elizabeth Yao largely focused on highlights from the past four years at Bell High School during her speech on Thursday, including a memorable waffle fundraiser and the days spent dozing off while reading Shakespeare. Her comments on the war in Gaza came at the end, after a land acknowledgement. "As a commitment to truth and reconciliation, I must acknowledge colonial and genocidal atrocities today, including the massacre of more than 17,000 Palestinian children in Gaza," Yao said, breaking off as the crowd cheered. The next day, Yao said she received a call from her principal, who said her statements had "caused harm" and told her she shouldn't come to school on Monday. That decision is being criticized by some as going against Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) policy, and Yao said she stands by her speech. "I believe that it was the right thing to do because it's an issue that deeply affects my community," she said. 'Took focus away' from graduation, says board Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, more than 50,000 children have been reportedly killed or injured in Gaza, according to UNICEF. In an email sent to parents after the commencement ceremony, which Yao provided to CBC, her principal wrote that her speech "intentionally took focus away from the purpose of the event, celebrating the achievement of our graduating class." But the escalating war in Gaza was an ever-present concern for her class through their high school years, Yao said, noting that her school has a large Arab and Muslim population. "I have seen it affect the students around me, as they have gone on walkouts and protests in the past in order to make the Canadian government aware of what is going on," she said. School board trustee Lyra Evans told CBC she's been fielding a lot of emails, texts and calls, but none of them were unhappy with Yao's comments. "[They] have been asking how on earth or why on earth are we suspending valedictorians and potentially putting their future in jeopardy with three weeks left to go in school," Evans said. Hanna Abdalla, Yao's friend and fellow graduate, said she didn't hear from anyone who was upset with Yao's speech. "I don't think it was fair to [be] putting our valedictorian on blast," said Abdalla. "What about the harm, the daily harm, that Palestinian students back in Palestine go through every day?" CBC asked for an interview with the school's principal, but the OCDSB said they would not be commenting. 'Anti-Palestinian erasure' After her situation drew so much attention, Yao was put in touch with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a non-profit advocacy and lobby group. Nusaiab Al-Azem, director of legal affairs for the NCCM, told CBC she believes the school violated OCDSB policies by both telling Yao not to come to school without officially suspending her and for punishing her for pro-Palestinian statements. "To imply that what [Yao] said was harmful is itself a form of anti-Palestinian erasure and anti-Palestinian racism, which the school board has a specific policy against," she said. Evans agreed that Yao did not break any rules. She cited the OCDSB's own guidelines, which say "slogans or symbols that signal solidarity, such as 'Free Palestine' etc. are permitted so long as they don't violate the code of conduct." The school board should revoke the suspension, ensure no mark is made on Yao's Ontario student record, and issue an apology to the broader Palestinian community, Evans said. In the meantime, Yao still plans to go back to school on Monday. "I'm a little angry, maybe, at the unfortunate situation, especially since I had connected the situation to the values of the school board and what I had learned throughout my four years of being at the school," she said. "I was applying that to being an advocate and making sure that those who are oppressed have a voice in our society."
CBC
11-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Contentious rural Ottawa battery facility gets nod from council
City council has thrown its support behind a contentious battery facility in rural west Ottawa, after rural councillors rebuffed the same appeal last week. At a Wednesday meeting, councillors voted overwhelmingly to support the proposal from Evolugen, a renewable energy company based in Gatineau, Que. The company is seeking to build a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a 4.5-hectare plot of rural land off Marchurst Road, about 30 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa. "My residents now see that we are kind of the guinea pigs," said West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly, whose ward will be home to the project. "[Rural property] is where we're going to put these projects to bolster regional economic development — and I think that's where you'll see some resentments from rural residents." But councillors who spoke in favour of the project cited the rapidly growing energy needs of Ottawa residents and businesses, as well as the potential for the technology to help wean the city off fossil fuels. Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry said the project plays a crucial role in everything from fighting climate change to stimulating economic development. "Energy is the new gold," she said. 'Significant milestone,' company says BESS facilities are large batteries, housed in containers, that store energy generated at off-peak hours to be used when demand is higher. They are useful for storing renewable energy, as they allow customers to access power that's been generated by wind turbines and solar panels, even when winds aren't blowing or the sun isn't shining. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), a Crown corporation responsible for managing Ontario's energy market, had already granted Evolugen a contract to build the facility. But the company, which is equal partners with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation on the project, needed the official blessing of council to move forward. In a written statement, Evolugen called Wednesday's vote "a significant milestone." "The company is grateful for the thoughtful engagement and consideration demonstrated by council and staff throughout this process," the statement read. The company declined an interview request, even though a group of representatives was present at the meeting. Evolugen must still go through "comprehensive technical studies," according to the city, including a detailed site plan and assessments for noise, safety and environmental impact. Fire chief reassures residents Councillors discussed the issue before a gallery that featured a small contingent of opponents wearing matching t-shirts that read "Stop Marchurst BESS." "We will rally," said Courtney Argue, one of the dissenters, after the decision. "It's proving over and over again that rural voices aren't heard." The company was on its second attempt at pitching the project to neighbouring residents, who showed up in large numbers to a rural affairs meeting last week. Of the more than 60 people who spoke at the nearly 10-hour meeting, most voiced staunch opposition to the project. The loss of farmland and the risk of fire or well water contamination were the most common concerns. More than 1,400 people signed a hand-written petition against the project. But Ottawa Fire Services Chief Paul Hutt said his team will consider Evolugen's detailed proposal when it comes and develop emergency plans for safety and fire suppression. "In the event that there is an incident, we're going to have it all pre-planned before that time," he said. Curry also struck a reassuring tone. "The consultation will now begin," she said. "There is a lot more to come on this. This is the beginning, not the end." The final vote was 20-3 in favour of the project. Along with Kelly, Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo and Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown also voted against it.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockford's Anna Wypych wins Miss Basketball 2025
DETROIT (WOOD) — That Rockford's Anna Wypych had a natural talent for basketball was never a question. 'It was clear early on that she could be special,' Rockford girls basketball head coach Brad Wilson said. Advertisement Even still, she blew any expectations out of the water, nurturing her talent with hours in the gym and a building an extremely successful high school career. She added another impressive accolade Monday when she was named Miss Basketball for 2025. Wypych becomes the 44th player to be honored with the award. This is also the third consecutive year someone from West Michigan has earned it: Gabby Reynolds from West Ottawa won it in 2024 and Macy Brown from East Grand Rapids in 2023. 'It doesn't really feel real yet, but I set a lot of goals for myself this year and this was one of them,' Wypych said. 'I'm super blessed and grateful and I couldn't be more happy.' Advertisement Wypych won by over 1,000 points, earning 3,148 in voting by members of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. Next on the list was Olivia Flynn from Harbor Springs with 1,976 points. The other candidates were Alli Zajac from Tecumesh (1,756 points), Isis Johnson-Musah from Detroit Edison (1,447) and Colleena Bryant from Wayne (1,321). Wypych earned 444 first-place votes, more than double the other candidates. Her coaches, teammates and the community of Rockford have seen this building since she was in grade school. Her family has basketball in their blood. Jenny, Wypych's mother, has been an assistant on Rockford's staff for the past eight seasons and played at Michigan Tech. Her older sister Alyssa currently plays at Michigan Tech, while her younger sister Addison is a starter for Rockford this season as a freshman. Wilson, who took over the Rockford Rams girls basketball program in 2017, said he couldn't imagine his life without the Wypych family in it — after all, they are neighbors. Advertisement '(Anna Wypych) lives just a few doors down from my house,' Wilson said. 'Her mom has been on our coaching staff for the last eight years. I coached her sister Alyssa … and her sister Addison… So I know the whole family. Her dad's one of my best friends; we run in the morning three days a week. It's just a great family. And I've got the chance to see her develop and we knew what we had early on, but I don't think anyone saw this coming.' Wypych's stats are unbelievable at a school like Rockford, which has churned out plenty of impressive athletic talent. She has 1,564 career points, a school record. She also holds the school records for the most assists with 260, 200 steals, 336 free throws and 76 3-pointers. She has single-game records for assists (8), 3-pointers (7) and single game points (38). Heading into Tuesday's state quarterfinal game against Grand Haven, Wypych is averaging 22 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 4.5 steals per game this season. She said her most important achievement so far is a state title. 'Going to the Breslin (Center for state finals) three years is the at the top of moments I love. Hopefully this will be our fourth year,' Wypych said. Advertisement The numbers do all of the talking. 'I think she's the best player to ever play at Rockford and maybe the best athlete to ever be at Rockford,' Wilson said. 'That's saying something. I think she deserves everything she's done.' Wypych's mantra all season has been about supporting the team. She said it was a special moment when Wilson told her teammates about the Miss Basketball honor. '(It) was a moment I will never forget,' she said. 'Everyone was super happy for me. My teammates are the ones who supported me and helped get me here.' Rockford guard Anna Wypych was named the 2025 Miss Basketball on March 17, 2025. Rockford guard Anna Wypych was named the 2025 Miss Basketball on March 17, 2025. Rockford guard Anna Wypych was named the 2025 Miss Basketball on March 17, 2025. That won't stop now. Wypych is committed to Butler, but you can be sure the support from Rockford will continue. And she plans to keep her eyes on her alma mater, especially with younger sister Addison, a freshman, having already racked up the most single-season assists (90) in school history. It's not out of the question that Addison could follow in her sister's footsteps and win Miss Basketball. Advertisement 'I do believe she can,' Wypych said. 'She's still young and still learning, but I know my freshman year, I was not at the level she's at. She will continue to grow and hopefully we will see her (win Miss Basketball).' Right now, Wypych has the MHSAA tournament left to finish out as a Ram: She has one more chance to be a state champion again. That's her goal, and you can be sure the community of Rockford will be there each step of the way. 'Rockford means a lot. It will be hard to move away for college with how supportive and encouraging they are,' Wypych said. 'They spread so much love, I couldn't have done this without them, especially my teammates.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
