Homecoming weekend raises safety concerns in Waterloo region
Partygoers have returned to Waterloo’s university district for homecoming festivities and revelers are excited to be back taking part in a long-standing tradition they missed out on because of the pandemic.
This will be the first time since 2019 that students will be able to celebrate without pandemic-related restrictions and officials are on high alert for what the weekend could bring.
Students dressed in purple and gold lined the streets and lawns of houses around the Wilfrid Laurier University campus Saturday afternoon, anticipating plenty of celebrations.
“Homecoming is the best day of the year. We’re coming home, I love homecoming,” said a student.
Fencing has been put up along Ezra Avenue which has seen partiers move over to the nearby Regina-Marshall Street area.
There are growing concerns that homecoming celebrations could get out of control after a party earlier this month on Ezra Avenue left a trail of damage including a badly damaged truck.
A resident living at the corner of Regina and Marshall Street reported an unsanctioned gathering Friday night that ended in violence.
“My neighbours’ cars got keyed and their tires got slashed. I got attacked in my own driveway to the point where I rebroke my jaw. If anyone tells me that they did just party respectfully, they’re lying to themselves. It was not respectful. It was pure, utter violence and chaos last night,” the resident said.
Police say the only charges handed out as of Saturday afternoon have been alcohol-related, along with noise and nuisance bylaw infractions.
A heavy police presence will remain Saturday evening as police continue to ask people to celebrate in a safe and lawful way.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.