Behave or say goodbye to Panda Game, officials warn students
'Don't be an idiot,' Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson tells university students
Students need to tame their Panda Game celebrations if they want the tradition to continue beyond this year, says the city councillor for Sandy Hill.
Following last fall's football win by the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees over the Carleton Ravens, thousands of people descended on that area near the winning campus.
Revellers flipped a vehicle, seven people ended up in hospital, while eight others faced charges ranging from mischief to rioting to participating in an unlawful assembly.
That kind of mayhem can't happen again, said Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury. If it does, the 53rd Panda Game on Oct. 1 at Lansdowne Park could be one of the last.
"It's a reality that the policing cost and the reputational cost for both the city and the universities … are putting this tradition in jeopardy," he said.
"The game's going ahead this year but it doesn't mean it will be seen again next year."
Mayor Jim Watson said he plans to attend. He hopes people enjoy the game then leave in peace and had strong words for anyone who gets violent.
"The message to students is clear: Don't be an idiot. Enjoy the football game, have fun … but also respect the neighbourhood you live in," said Watson.
"The bottom line is if the thing goes completely out of whack and there's destruction and damage and injury to people, obviously we have to step back and take a look — is this going to continue?"
Police will have 'zero tolerance'
Ottawa police have said online and by going door-to-door that they'll have "zero tolerance" for disruptive parties and have cautioned people to expect a heavy police presence in the ByWard Market, Sandy Hill and Old Ottawa South.
Last year, the festivities were calm at first and a large number of police were in Sandy Hill during the day, but officers had to be redeployed around 8 p.m. after Russell Avenue was overrun by partygoers.
Louise Lapointe, president of Action Sandy Hill, said the Panda Game is part of what makes Ottawa the city it is and should continue.
The community isn't against having fun, she said, but the "excessive party and riots" of last year are "totally uncool."
WATCH | Some of what happened after the 2021 game:
The organization has been working with officials since last year to build on the successes of a tailgate event at an arena and to move other events out of residential areas to prevent what happened in 2021 from happening again.
If it does happen again, there could be consequences, Lapointe warned.
"I think nobody wants to see Panda cancelled, ever, but unfortunately that is a risk if the behaviour doesn't change."
Student union wants to 'protect the Panda'
The University of Ottawa Students' Union is focused on trying to "protect the Panda," according to student life commissioner Erin Atkinson.
It plans to put up posters and send emails reminding students to have fun while respecting the wider community.
Atkinson said she hopes the city and police will also "stay reasonable" when it comes to enforcement.
"I think if we work together and we are both respectful on both sides it will go so smoothly," she added.
The partying after last year's fixture prompted Fleury to suggest cancelling the 2022 Panda Game. The councillor now says fans will decide whether the event will continue.
"If there's no future Panda, it's going to be on the shoulders of students' decisions."
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With files from Charles Lalande, Joseph Tunney and Michelle Allan