Ottawa lists rideshare as a sexual assault risk
150 reports since June 1, police warn
Rideshare services and social media meet-ups are both concerning the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), which says reports of sexual assaults have increased by almost 24 percent during January to August this year compared to the same time period in 2025. Police note 150 sexual assaults have been reported to the service since June 1.
The OPS posted a media release on July 30 detailing concerns around “stranger” assaults and offering advice to members of the public.
Supt. Heather Lachine spoke with the CBC to answer questions on the significant increase in incidents and the importance of “maintaining vigilence,” including using the safety features on rideshare apps.
“It’s a big number, so it’s always shocking to see that type of a number when you’re looking at sexual assaults across the city,” Lachine said.
“Always, I can say during the summer months, we generally have an increase in sexual assaults…all of them are concerning, but the stranger on stranger, we find very concerning. 150 is a big number.”
Earlier in 2026, the Canadian Taxi Association (CTA) and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) recommended to the Ontario government that all Vehicles for Hire (VFH) including rideshare and Taxis should be required to have in-car security cameras; be included in a centralized registry of ground transportation drivers and their vehicles; and be part of a visual identification program. Ontario introduced its pilot rideshare regulation without including any of these safety elements.
“The CTA worked with the Chiefs of Police in an effort to persuade Ontario to use the pre-launch period to hold meaningful working group meetings, to discuss how new technologies could be used to improve passenger safety in ground transportation. The development of Regulation 136/26 provided a golden opportunity for government, industry and law enforcement to work together to create effective new program for driver and vehicle registration and identification to create a single system,” CTA president Marc Andre Way said in a statement in June.
“It is unfortunate Ontario declined this opportunity to support long-serving local family businesses, and to improve safety for its citizens. The CTA is committed to continue pressing for this conversation in the year ahead, in advance of any amended regulations being developed after close of the pilot on May 27th.
“It will be incumbent upon Ontario to do a full review of the pilot results before there can be any consideration of rolling out these regulations province-wide. The CTA encourages the province to do so, and we are standing by ready to assist in any way possible,” Way says.
The full text of the July 30 media release reads:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 30, 2026 1:00 p.m.
(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section is investigating several sexual assaults reported in recent days, including incidents involving victims who were approached or attacked by people they did not know.
Based on the information available at this time, investigators do not believe the incidents are connected. Each case continues to be investigated on its own facts and evidence. However, the circumstances of some of the reported assaults are concerning, and residents are being encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings and report suspicious behaviour.
Among the active investigations is the July 28 sexual assault of a woman who was walking on a pathway near Truro Street and Carpenter Way. The woman was approached by an unknown man who was reportedly armed with a knife. The suspect sexually assaulted her before fleeing the area.
Investigators have released a description of the suspect and continue to seek witnesses and information. More details are available here.
The Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section is also investigating other recently reported sexual assaults, including stranger-based incidents. Some of these investigations have resulted in arrests and charges, while others remain ongoing. The charges have not been proven in court.
“These are concerning incidents, particularly those involving victims who reported being approached by someone they did not know,” said Deputy Chief Patricia Ferguson. “Our investigators are working to identify those responsible and advance each investigation. We are asking members of the public to remain attentive, look out for one another and report suspicious behaviour.”
We encourage residents to consider taking reasonable personal-safety precautions, particularly when travelling alone or through isolated areas. Some options could include choosing well-lit and populated locations, letting someone know your anticipated route or arrival time, and contacting police when a person or situation causes concern.
Police recognize that responsibility for sexual violence rests solely with the person who commits it. These safety suggestions are provided to allow residents to make informed decisions and is not intended to suggest or imply that victims are responsible for preventing an assault.
Anyone with information about the incident detailed is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section at 613-236-1222, extension 5944.
If you are a victim or survivor of sexual violence, resources are available. Victims and survivors can access confidential local resources for support and counselling. Support is available regardless of whether you choose to report to police.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca
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