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Author: Dexter McMillan

A woman photographed from the bottom of a rock face who is climbing up.
Canada

In climbing, a push to change derogatory route names is underway

For the voice of each man pretending offensive climbing route names are not a problem, there are plenty of others that buoy the need for a widespread effort to change the names of climbing routes across North America. After a broader reckoning with how we name monuments to problematic historical figures, change is coming to both online and physical guidebooks thanks in part to women organizing and pushing for change.

News

Liberal MP Francis Drouin open to renaming federal riding that honours 19th-century slave owner Peter Russell

Liberal MP Francis Drouin, who represents the Ottawa-area constituency of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, says he’s open to renaming his riding to erase its association with 19th-century slave owner Peter Russell. Russell, a top-level administrator in Upper Canada in the late 1700s and early 1800s, fought for special exemptions for slave owners, including himself, when the British colony passed the Anti-Slavery Act in…

A photo of a street sign of Russell Road.
News

‘Russell’ slavery storm reaches Ottawa via Russell Road: ‘To preserve Black history, we need to re-write it’

A controversy over the historical namesake of Russell Township just east of Ottawa has reached the nation’s capital along Russell Road — the route that runs between urban Ottawa and the nearby rural area named for a slave owner. Peter Russell was also a top Upper Canada administrator in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Godlove Ngwafusi, a leading…

View overlooking the canal, Parliament Hill peaks over the trees in the background.
Capital Currently

IN THE NEWS: Wednesday, Oct. 9

Good morning! The good news: skies are blue today with a high of 17 degrees. The bad news: Ottawa had its first frost warning of the season, and colder temperatures may not be far behind. Here’s what else you need to know this morning: Critical Highway 417 ramp reopens after lengthy closure The exit from Highway 417 to eastbound Highway…

Ottawa's canal on a sunny day.
Capital Currently

IN THE NEWS: Thursday, Oct. 3

Good morning and bundle up. Environment Canada says the high temperature today will only be 10ºC with a low expected at 4ºC under grey skies and occasional showers or drizzle. But these stories should warm you up. School support staff strike looms Two unions that represent school support staff in Ontario including receptionists, education assistants and other essential employees, say…