Londoners remember the Afzaal family
Preparations are underway for the Our London Family Vigil, taking place Tuesday evening at Memorial Plaza.
Crews are working to secure the intersection of Hyde Park Road and South Carriage Road for the event that will honour alman Afzaal, his wife Madiha, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna and 74-year-old grandmother Talat, along with a surviving nine-year-old boy.
Road closures will be in effect in both directions on Hyde Park Road from Sarnia Road to Gainsborough Road beginning at 4 p.m.
The corner of Hyde Park Road and South Carriage Road will be fully closed as of 8 a.m., the Corner of Gainsborough Road and Prince Wales Gate will be open to local residents only after 3 p.m.
Marking the two year anniversary of the alleged terror attack that took the lives of four members of the same family, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) board has announced an Anti-Islamophobia Strategy.
“The tragic events of June 6 are a solemn reminder of the pervasive and deadly impact that racism, discrimination and hate can have in our society. The Thames Valley District School Board is firmly committed to taking the sustained action necessary to end Islamophobia in our communities,” said Director of Education Mark Fisher.
Hundreds of Londoners gather for the Our London Family Vigil in London, Ont. on June 6, 2023. (Nick Paparella/CTV News London)
According to a release, the board says it is following the lead of and working in conjunction with Muslim community partners to build an effective long-term strategy that simultaneously seeks to affirm Muslim identities while combatting the root causes that give rise to hate and discrimination directed towards the Muslim community.
The board is collaborating with a number of community organizations on the strategy, including the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), Hikma Public Affairs Council and the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support & Integration (MRCSSI).
There will be public consultation and a community survey in the near future to gather input from Muslim families across the district.
The Anti-Islamophobia Strategy is scheduled for release on June 6, 2024.
The Thames Valley District School Board announces an Anti-Islamophobia Strategy to be released in 2024. June 6, 2023. (Marek Sutherland/CTV News London)
Elsewhere around the city, a number of events are taking place to mark the grim anniversary.
- June 6 - Our London Family Vigil, 6:30 p.m. at Hyde Park/South Carriage road
- June 8 - Londoners Remember and Learn, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Jalna Public Library
- June 9 - Combating Islamophobia Together, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Civic Gardens
- June 17 - Pond Fest 2023, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Hyde Park Village Green
A number of officials in the city and across the province and country are also sharing their thoughts on social media.
Today is a day for reflection as we commemorate the lives of #OurLondonFamily - Talat, Salman, Madiha, and Yumna - killed on this date two years ago on Hyde Park Road in a despicable act of hatred and terrorism.
— Josh Morgan (@JoshMorganLDN) June 6, 2023
Today, we remember...
— NCCM (@nccm) June 6, 2023
We remember the loss.
We remember the legacy.
We remember to mourn.
We remember to unite.
We remember to love.
We will never forget June 6th, 2021.
We will not stop fighting.
We will never stop honouring #OurLondonFamily. pic.twitter.com/iRHfgmXrQy
Hundreds of Londoners gather for the Our London Family Vigil in London, Ont. on June 6, 2023. (Nick Paparella/CTV News London)
Hundreds of Londoners gather for the Our London Family Vigil in London, Ont. on June 6, 2023. (Nick Paparella/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. Sikh leader says RCMP warned him of threats to his life after Nijjar killing
A close associate of slain Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar says he has also been warned that his life may be in danger.
In defiance of judge, Sask. premier to force school pronoun rules into law
In defiance of a King's Bench ruling, Saskatchewan's premier plans to force a controversial school pronoun policy into law.
Authorities dispatched to Britney Spears’ home over video showing singer dancing with knives
Officials were called to the southern California home of Britney Spears on Wednesday to conduct a wellness check after the singer posted a video on social media depicting her dancing with knives.
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE 'A shock and an embarrassment': Canada's governor general on Parliament's recognition of Nazi veteran
Canada's Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War was 'a shock and an embarrassment,' and she's considering personally reaching out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane says she won't run for re-election in upcoming vote
The premier of the Northwest Territories has announced she won't be running for re-election in November.
Police search for answers after IED explosion in Barrie, Ont. parking lot
Police in Barrie continue to canvas a west-end neighbourhood, searching for answers after a vehicle explosion at an Anne Street apartment complex Wednesday morning.
Class-action lawsuit seeks compensation for Canadian consumers who bought Cold-FX products
A Canadian class-action lawsuit alleges the effectiveness of Cold-FX products was falsely advertised, and seeks compensation for anyone who bought the products.
These are Canada's most popular baby names
Looking for baby name inspiration? A recent list of the top 20 baby names in 2022 may help with your search.
Blinken meets Indian foreign minister as row between India and Canada simmers
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Thursday with India's foreign minister amid a simmering row between New Delhi and Ottawa over allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist in Canada.
Kitchener
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Hamilton man wanted for murder of Kitchener 18-year-old
Waterloo regional police have named a suspect in the murder of 18-year-old Joshua Tarnue and arrested another person in connection to the shooting.
-
Kitchener cat rescue being displaced by high-rise development
The Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue is searching for a new home after finding out the building they are currently in is being turned into a high-rise apartment.
-
Crash involving LRT train and vehicle in Kitchener
Kitchener Fire and paramedics are on scene of a crash involving an LRT train and a car on King Street South.
Windsor
-
'An exploitation of the housing crisis': Windsor councillor calls rental listing disturbing
As Windsor-Essex and cities across the country deal with an affordable housing crisis, one rental listing in Windsor is catching the eye and ire of one city councillor.
-
You could live at Willistead Manor
The City of Windsor is searching for a new live-in heritage custodian and maintenance attendant at Willistead Manor.
-
Pickup truck purchased weeks before fatal attack on London Muslim family
The Windsor jury heard new details on Thursday about items seized from the apartment of accused, Nathaniel Veltman.
Barrie
-
Police appeal for help finding 14-year-old girl missing nearly a month
Investigators are appealing to the public for help finding a 14-year-old girl from Georgina who hasn't been seen or heard from in nearly a month.
-
Barrie teen convicted of brutally murdering fellow teen deemed 'not ready to be safely released'
A Barrie teen convicted of murdering a 15-year-old boy in a foster home four years ago will remain in custody after a judge confirmed he wouldn't be released at a sentencing review hearing.
-
Orillia firefighters work together to avoid a stinky situation
Firefighters in the Sunshine City managed to avoid a stinky situation with some quick-thinking and solid teamwork.
Northern Ontario
-
Garson man charged with impaired driving after crash in Lively
A 48-year-old Garson man has been charged with drug impaired driving after crashing his vehicle on Highway 17 in Lively on Thursday morning, police say.
-
Outside actors were behind North Bay protest, college president says
While refusing to name names, Canadore College president George Burton doubled down Thursday on his insistence that an international student protest earlier this month was nothing more than a "publicity stunt."
-
Aggressive adult tries to force entry into North Bay school, assaults police officer
A 33-year-old man has been arrested following a frightening incident at a North Bay high school.
Ottawa
-
EXCLUSIVEEXCLUSIVE New walk-in clinic in Ottawa's south end charging membership fee
The South Keys Health Centre, located at Bank Street and Hunt Club Road, is set to open next week and clinic officials say thousands of potential members are already on the waiting list, ready to pay $400 per person a year for access.
-
Taxi customers paying new $5.56 pickup fee at Ottawa airport
Taxi passengers are now paying an extra $5.56 for pickup at the Ottawa International Airport, as taxi drivers pass on an airport-related fee to customers.
-
Drivers, active-users split on future of Queen Elizabeth Driveway, poll finds
Nanos Research says the online survey found 81 per cent of non-active users want Queen Elizabeth Driveway open for driving year-round, while 78 per cent of respondents identified as active-users want the QED closed to vehicles seven days a week year-round, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Toronto
-
Dumpster fire erupts near Toronto waterfront restaurant
No injuries were reported after a fire raged from Toronto’s waterfront Thursday evening.
-
Boy rushed to hospital after being struck by vehicle in Toronto's east end
A young boy was crossing the road when he was struck by a vehicle in the city’s east end Thursday evening, according to his family.
-
Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold
The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.
Montreal
-
Northvolt to build $7B battery factory near Montreal, includes government money
Swedish manufacturer Northvolt says it will build a $7 billion gigafactory for electric vehicle batteries near Montreal that it claims will represent the largest private investment in Quebec's history.
-
Man, 30, charged in deaths of mother, grandmother in Longueuil
The man arrested in connection with the deaths of two women in Longueuil was charged with two counts of second-degree murder on Thursday.
-
Pedestrian hit by vehicle in Montreal’s east end left critically injured
A man in his 20s is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle in the Ville-Marie borough Thursday night, say Montreal police (SPVM).
Atlantic
-
N.S. opposition argues 222 government housing units insufficient for housing crisis in the province
Nova Scotia and the federal government's joint announcement to construct more than 220 public housing units on Wednesday is looked at as a step forward in the right direction, but critics say that number falls short of what's needed to address the housing crisis.
-
Nova Scotia to review freedom of information legislation after years of criticism
Nova Scotia's government is launching a review of its freedom of information legislation after years of criticism that the current system results in blacked-out government documents and a toothless review process.
-
Canada’s population jumps with immigrants lifting the numbers
Canada has seen exponential growth across the country over the last year according to new data released by Statistics Canada and the three Maritime Provinces are at the top of the chart.
Winnipeg
-
Woman found dead in Winnipeg; homicide unit investigating
The Winnipeg Police Service’s homicide unit is investigating after a woman was found dead in the Daniel McIntyre neighbourhood Thursday morning.
-
1 in 3 Manitobans not voting for PCs due to pandemic response: poll
One-third of Manitobans say the provincial government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has made them not want to vote for the Progressive Conservatives come election day, according to new polling.
-
'We’re going to be here': Landfill blockade removed, but protesters will still make their voices heard
A blockade set up Wednesday evening leading to the Brady Landfill came down on Thursday, but the protesters who put it up say they will be back if they need to be.
Calgary
-
Charges of attempted murder, more laid in shooting outside YYC
Police have charged a man with attempted murder and more following a shooting outside Calgary International Airport on Wednesday.
-
How to best experience Alberta's larch march - before it's over
It only comes around once a year and it doesn’t stay long, but this year’s larch season has people flocking out to the mountains in Alberta.
-
Siksika man files human rights complaint against Alberta Health Services, hospital
A man from a First Nation in southern Alberta has filed a human rights complaint against the provincial health agency and a local hospital, alleging anti-Indigenous discrimination led to the death of his wife.
Edmonton
-
Local $50M-lottery winner to travel Europe, buy Porsche
An Edmonton man won $50 million in a lottery draw earlier this month.
-
Man dead after striking concrete beam at West Edmonton Mall while standing in sunroof
A man is dead following a mishap Thursday at West Edmonton Mall's parkade.
-
Class-action lawsuit seeks compensation for Canadian consumers who bought Cold-FX products
A Canadian class-action lawsuit alleges the effectiveness of Cold-FX products was falsely advertised, and seeks compensation for anyone who bought the products.
Vancouver
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Missing woman involved in B.C. murder trial found dead
The search for Tracy Pickett, who had been missing since Tuesday, has ended tragically.
-
B.C. Sikh leader says RCMP warned him of threats to his life after Nijjar killing
A close associate of slain Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar says he has also been warned that his life may be in danger.
-
Why a B.C. city ended its decades-long ban on tattoo shops
Up until this week, opening a tattoo parlour in the Township of Langley in B.C.’s Fraser Valley was technically illegal.
