Ottawa police are investigating a sexual assault that occurred in a well-travelled stretch of the city's riverfront pathway late Saturday night, and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
According to the Ottawa Police Service, the assault took place between 11 p.m. and midnight on March 28 in the area beneath the Mackenzie King Bridge along Colonel By Drive — a corridor popular with cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians during the day but considerably quieter after dark.
What We Know
Police have not yet publicly identified a suspect and are actively working to gather more details about the incident. As of the time of reporting, investigators have not released a physical description of the suspect or confirmed whether the victim and suspect were known to one another.
The Mackenzie King Bridge spans the Rideau Canal in the heart of Ottawa, connecting the downtown core to the Lowertown and Sandy Hill neighbourhoods. The pathway beneath and around the bridge is part of the broader Colonel By Drive trail system, which runs alongside the canal and is maintained by the National Capital Commission.
Safety Along the Rideau Canal Pathway
The canal pathway is one of Ottawa's most beloved public spaces — used year-round for skating in winter and walking, running, and cycling during warmer months. However, incidents like this serve as a reminder that isolated stretches of the trail, particularly at night, can present safety concerns.
City residents who regularly use the pathway after dark are encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings, travel with others when possible, and keep to well-lit sections of the trail.
How to Help
Ottawa Police are urging anyone who was in the Colonel By Drive area near the Mackenzie King Bridge between 11 p.m. and midnight on Saturday, March 28, and who may have witnessed something suspicious, to contact investigators.
If you have information that could assist police, you can reach the Ottawa Police Service's Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse unit directly, or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers:
- Ottawa Police non-emergency line: 613-236-1222
- Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
- Online tip submission: crimestoppers.ca
This investigation is ongoing. Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional witnesses or surveillance footage from the area.
Source: Ottawa Citizen. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, support is available through the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre at 613-562-2333.
