Archive 1997-2016
By Rita Trichur
HIV infection rates for injection-drug users have hit epidemic levels in Ottawa-Carleton, and Centretown is one of the communities hardest hit, says regional Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes.
This means local HIV infection rates are the highest in Ontario. Medical experts warn if rates continue to rise, HIV will crossover to the non-drug user population, putting the entire community at greater risk.
By Mark Fernandes
Hot on the heels of a poverty awareness campaign, the Centretown Community Health Centre leads a plan to create the first-ever laundry co-operative for low-income people in Centretown.
In collaboration with McLeod-Stewarton United Church, First United Church and others, the health centre last year tackled the problems facing the 120,000 people in Ottawa-Carleton who live below the poverty line.
By Damali Nabagereka
Local housing activists say $3 million in federal money to fight homelessness may not be enough.
“We’ll take what we’ll get. But in terms of the need out there, this is a small drop in the bucket,” says Rob Boyd, YMCA-YWCA manager of housing and support services.
By Lily Nguyen
As a divorced Roman Catholic, Marcel Joanisse knew he couldn’t have his wedding in his church because it doesn’t remarry divorced people.
He turned to the City of Ottawa, expecting they could provide him with a civil ceremony. He was told by a city clerk that wasn’t a possibility either. Justices of the peace at the courthouse in Ottawa no longer perform wedding ceremonies.