Through disasters, social movements, and a pandemic, here’s some of the biggest news from the start of the new decade.
student death
Protesters sat outside of University of Ottawa president Jacques Frémont’s office for hours on Wednesday to demand change and better access to mental health services. The protest was organized after the death of the fifth student in 10 months was announced on Monday.
University of Ottawa president Jacques Frémont acknowledged on Tuesday that the school is facing a mental health ‘crisis’ while responding to the death of a student over the weekend, the fifth in the past 10 months.
“On behalf of the University of Ottawa, I offer my deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends and loved ones,” wrote U of O president Jacques Frémont in a media statement.
“I am saddened to share the news of the death of a member of our student community,” reads an emailed statement from U of O president Jacques Frémont sent on Friday.
“It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the death of a member of our uOttawa community,” reads a statement from the university president.
Frémont discusses the university’s response to allegations of racism and racial profiling levelled at Protection Services, the impacts of the Student Choice Initiative and what’s being done after a string of student deaths in residence last year.
Friends described Brennan as fearless, full of life, adventurous, passionate, and a traveler who loved to explore new places and different cultures, having visited more than 20 countries during her short life. She also had a deep love for animals and classical music.
On Saturday, March 25, the body of University of Ottawa student Jérémy Michael Gauvin was removed from his apartment in Ottawa. Gauvin’s parents were notified of their son’s death the following day by Ottawa and Oakville police.
In the early morning of Sunday, Nov. 13, Amina-Sara Belahbib died following a collision on Highway 50 near Buckingham, Québec.
The Ottawa Police Service confirmed on Sept. 8 that the body of a woman found in the Ottawa River was that of 20-year-old Jessica Ntahoturi, a third-year bachelor of science student at the University of Ottawa.
