Residents rally to support city's planned reception centres for newcomers while others protest

Share this Story : Residents rally to support city's planned reception centres for newcomers while others protest Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Local News Residents rally to support city's planned reception centres for newcomers while others protest The city is proposing two reception centres, one at 1645 Woodroffe Ave., on the federally owned Nepean Sportsplex property, and a secondary site at 40 Hearst Way, on part of the Eagleson Park and Ride. Get the latest from Blair Crawford straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Blair Crawford Published Nov 17, 2024 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here .

Or sign-in if you have an account. A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr. on Sunday, Nov.



17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa's welcoming spirit for refugees. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Article content There were two rallies in Ottawa on Sunday, one in favour of the city’s proposed newcomer reception centres for refugees and asylum seekers, and another one against. Chelby Daigle was at both.

Daigle, a Black Muslim woman, said she felt it was important to speak to Nepean residents who were rallying early Sunday afternoon against a reception centre the city plans to put near the Nepean Sportsplex. Daigle even caught a ride to the rally with MPP Lisa MacLeod, who has loudly opposed the Sportplex site. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.

Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others.

Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content “We need to bridge this gap,” explained Daigle, who defended the city’s plan at the Sportspex rally. But she agreed with complaints the city’s rollout wasn’t transparent enough.

Shelby Daigle took part in both rallies Sunday afternoon. Daigle spoke at the Nepean Sportsplex to a group of people who do not what the structure on the football field at that location. Daigle spoke to listening and open communication being so important for the process of making this work.

A rally organized by Refugee 613 also took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia “My fear is that the mistakes the city’s made is going to affect asylum seekers,” she said. “That terrifies me.

And from what we’ve seen in the United States and in the U.K., the shelters can become targets of hate.

If we don’t bridge that gap now, it could get even worse.” Having made her pitch to the anti-reception centre crowd, Daigle made her way to Centrepointe for a second rally, an hour later, this one in support. That rally was organized by Refugee 613 and attracted several hundred people, including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and most members of council.

Refugee 613 executive director Louisa Taylor said she wanted to counter some misinformation about the reception centres, misinformation that she said was making some of their future neighbours fearful. “We were watching the rhetoric around the reception centres getting more and more negative until it seemed like it was no longer about people who had legitimate questions about process or transparency and it was becoming more about whether we should even have refugees in Canada,” Taylor said. Evening Update The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.

m. on weekdays. There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Evening Update will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content “It’s pitting refugees against neighbourhood needs. That was really disappointing to us. We really feel Ottawa is more welcoming than that.

” A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia The city is proposing two reception centres, one at 1645 Woodroffe Ave.

, on the federally owned Nepean Sportsplex property, and a secondary site at 40 Hearst Way, on part of the Eagleson Park and Ride. The centres will have a combined capacity of up to 300 residents, who will be able to stay for up to 90 days before moving into transitional or permanent housing. The city is working with outside agencies like Refugee 613 to provide supports in finding employment, navigating federal bureaucracy and dealing with trauma.

“It’s not typical for community organizations to be cheering for the city,” Taylor said. “But in this case, the city is actually making a thoughtful, innovative, brave choice to really stand by our welcoming values and invest in a system where there is none. “Is the plan perfect? No.

It’s still being developed. But they’ve made it clear that they are genuinely interested in a collaboration to co-design services. That’s new in Ottawa.

And it’s rare to see anywhere in Canada.” Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia One of those to speak at the Refugee 613 rally was Thomas Ndayiragije.

“If you’re wondering who is a refugee and who is an asylum seeker, you have one before you,” he said. “I hope I am not intimidating. I respond to smiles.

I respond to love.” Ndayiragije arrived in Canada in 2018 from Burundi and his first accommodation was at the Shepherds of Good Hope, for which he said he was deeply grateful. “I got a warm bed and a winter jacket, but something was lacking.

The shelter is not meant for people like me fleeing persecution. There was no service related to my needs. They are stretched beyond their capacity and they’re having to provide their services to other people they are not trained to help.

” Former refugee Thomas Ndayiragije spoke about his first-hand experience of arriving in Canada and going through the shelter system. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Ndayiragije got a job two months after his arrival and remains a taxpayer who contributes to the community, he said. Sutcliffe harkened back to how Ottawa welcomed Vietnam’s Boat People in the early 1980s and, more recently, waves of arrivals from Syria and Afghanistan.

“That’s what we’ve always done and that’s what we are going to continue to do. In Ottawa, you can depend on the kindness of strangers,” Sutcliffe said. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content “Everyone who’s been involved in building our community are either Indigenous, an immigrant or a descendant to immigrants,” he said. “That’s it. That’s all of us.

” A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr. on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Ottawa resident Jane O’Regan came to the rally to show her support after being alarmed by the protest against them after the city announced the Kanata and Nepean sites on Nov. 8. “What brought me here is how unkind everyone who is protesting against it has been,” O’Regan said.

“What upset me is that community members — my community members — who were so unable to be empathetic and compassionate when they knew people were coming to Canada needed support. I think it’s important to make people understand that when you arrive here there are people willing to help, who show empathy and are compassionate.” Laura Dudas, councillor for Orléans West-Innes, chats with Louisa Taylor, director of Refugee 613.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia MPP Lisa MacLeod took part in the rally at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking Sunday. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Mayor Mark Sutcliffe along with Ginny Sutcliffe, took part in the rally Sunday organized by Refugee 613. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia There was a show of support Sunday from local politicians, including (centre) MP Ottawa Vanier, Mona Fortier. The rally was organized by Refugee 613 and took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Scott Boxall, Myers Riders president, spoke about the risks to their football organization if the structure is built on the field their players use.

A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, November 17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A dance performance by the RJM-CW Dance Team added to the festive, inclusive atmosphere at the rally organized by Refugee 613. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Scott Boxall, Myers Riders president, spoke about the risks to their football organization if the structure is built on the field their players use.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr. on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, Nov.

17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Mayor Mark Sutcliffe brought city councillors onto the stage as he addressed the crowd Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A few hundred people gathered at the entrance to the Nepean Sportsplex parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to voice their concerns near the proposed site for a tent-like structure intended for the temporary housing of asylum seekers. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees. Speakers, including Rabbi Liz Bolton, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and former refugee claimant Thomas Ndayiragije, highlighted the importance of a better newcomer reception system, while a dance performance by the RJM-CW Dance Team added to the event’s festive, inclusive atmosphere.

Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr. on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees.

City of Ottawa councillors and the mayor took part in Sunday’s rally. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Louisa Taylor, director of Refugee 613, at the rally Sunday. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia A rally organized by Refugee 613 took place at 101 Centrepointe Dr.

on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, drawing a crowd of supporters who wanted to celebrate Ottawa’s welcoming spirit for refugees. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

Recommended from Editorial Senack: City of Ottawa has botched its plan to put tents for newcomers in the suburbs Hundreds protest against proposed tents for asylum seekers Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Residents rally to support city's planned reception centres for newcomers while others protest Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful.

Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Trending Popular Yangtze Restaurant ends its four decade run in Chinatown Local News OC Transpo bus driver charged with careless driving in three-vehicle crash on Queensway Local News Five seriously injured in early morning single-vehicle crash in Lowertown Local News SIU investigates after police shoot suspect in Place d'Orléans attack Local News Ottawa police charge 17 in organized crime network bust Local News Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local Savings.