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 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 Tara Foslien
Some Ottawa residents are angry as plans for a wheelchair-accessible route connecting Sussex Drive to Mackenzie Avenue are up in the air because of possible construction problems.
The NCC hoped the route would be included in its $1.7-million project to refurbish the York Steps, located on Sussex near the new U.S. Embassy. But the 45 steps, measuring 11 metres wide at the bottom and seven metres at the top, are not wide enough to accommodate a ramp, says Catherine Schellenberg of the NCC.
By Stephanie Coombs
A week of penny-pinching and wallet-watching left 72 Ottawa-area residents — who normally don’t have to worry about their finances — knowing more about what it’s like to be poor.
“It wasn’t easy,” says Centretown resident Pat Lawrence. “It got harder and harder each day.”