University of Ottawa apologizes for preventing media from filming Chinese amabassador

The University of Ottawa has apologized less than 48 hours after university officials told accredited media they could not film the Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, during a speech on campus in which he criticized the Liberal government’s newly released Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The Canadian Press and Radio-Canada were not allowed to set up cameras, whereas a photographer from the Globe and Mail was not allowed in the room. The CTV News crew was also told their camera would not be allowed inside the building and had to stay outside.

Although the request was seemingly made by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, the university did not confirm this information directly. A spokesperson said in a statement that a “speaker’s unexpected refusal to allow cameras jeopardizes the event.”

Window blinds were also lowered by university staff in order to hide protests in support of Uyghurs taking place outside the building. (CP)

Neil Oliver new chief executive of Torstar Corp.

 Torstar Corp. says Neil Oliver will become the new chief executive of the Toronto Star newspaper’s parent company.

Torstar spokesperson Bob Hepburn confirmed the appointment of the Metroland newspaper group president in an e-mail to The Canadian Press.

He adds that the company has “parted ways” with Marina Glogovac, who joined the Star as its president in June.

Ms. Glogovac was previously the president and chief executive of fundraising company CanadaHelps, chief marketing officer at e-reader firm Kobo Inc. and chief executive officer of dating website Lavalife Corp.

Her departure and Mr. Oliver’s appointment come after the company announced Star publisher Jordan Bitove had taken sole control of Torstar on Thursday, following a tense dispute between he and co-owner Paul Rivett.

The two had been in mediation and then arbitration since September, when Mr. Rivett sought a court order to wind up the company, saying his business relationship with Mr. Bitove had sustained “irreparable” damage. (CP)

Vassy Kapelos to CTV

Vassy Kapelos is moving from CBC to CTV, taking up the hosting of "Power Play" and "Question Period," starting December 1. The posts became vacant when Evan Solomon left for the U.S.

Kapelos will also host a new radio program called "The Vassy Kapelos Show" that will air weekday afternoons on iHeartRadio Canada Talk network station.

Before CBC, Kapelos was Ottawa bureau chief for Global News and hosted "The West Block. She has hosted CBC's "Power and Politics" since March 2018.