![The “Persian Pitch” contestants and crew pose during a behind-the-scenes shoot for the docuseries. [Photo © Nickie Shobeiry]](https://capitalcurrent.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Persian-Pitch-group-photo-1-585x391.jpeg)
‘Persian Pitch’ premieres in Ottawa with Iranian-Canadian artists in spotlight
An Ottawa audience got its first look at a new Bell Fibe TV music docuseries celebrating Iranian-Canadian artists at an Aug. 6 premiere screening of the first two episodes of “Persian Pitch.” The event at Club Saw featured a screening of the series’ opening episodes, followed by a panel discussion with creator, director and co-producer of the series, Nickie Shobeiry,...
Ottawa protesters join Ontario-wide ‘Fight Ford’ rally amid Liberal surge
Demonstrators gathered at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights in downtown Ottawa on July 25 to protest the Progressive Conservative government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The Ottawa rally was one of dozens of demonstrations organized across Ontario under the grassroots Fight Ford movement. Speakers repeatedly criticized the Ford government’s decision to close supervised consumption sites, while also raising concerns...
![A sign reading "Ottawa Police: Rotten to the Core" stands in front of a tent serving free vegan barbecue during the "No Pigs BBQ and Roast" rally outside Ottawa City Hall on July 27. [Photo © Marjan Massoom]](https://capitalcurrent.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/No-Pigs-1-1-585x370.jpeg)
‘No Pigs BBQ and Roast’ draws calls for police reform after misconduct cases
A vegan barbecue, speeches from community advocates and the symbolic destruction of a pig piñata marked a protest outside Ottawa City Hall on Monday, where demonstrators demanded Ottawa police officers accused of gender-based misconduct be fired rather than allowed to resign quietly. The event, titled “No Pigs BBQ and Roast,” was organized by the Punch Up Collective, an Ottawa-based activist...
Climate advocates rally outside Ottawa MP’s office over pipeline proposal
Climate advocates gathered outside Ottawa Centre Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi’s constituency office on June 25, joining coordinated demonstrations in more than 40 communities across Canada to oppose the federal Liberal government’s support for a proposed new pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. Organized locally by 350.org Canada and Seniors for Climate Action Now (SCAN!), the demonstration called on the federal...
ACE District launches with arts-led vision for more vibrant ByWard Market
City officials, artists and business leaders gathered in June to launch the Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) District, an initiative intended to connect cultural institutions, businesses and public spaces while bringing new public art and programming to the city core. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said a vibrant downtown is crucial to Ottawa’s identity and long-term growth. “If we want a stronger...
‘The Train to Nowhere’ revisits Ottawa’s transit vision and asks what comes next
More than a decade after Ottawa’s original light rail plans were derailed by political decisions and years after the city’s current LRT system was plagued by breakdowns, a new documentary is encouraging residents to reconsider how the capital arrived at its transit crisis — and what lessons can be learned as Ottawa continues to expand its transit network. Dozens gathered...
What makes transit safer? Critics question OC Transpo’s ‘cosmetic’ safety upgrade for Rideau Station
Community advocates are questioning whether OC Transpo’s plans to increase security at Rideau Station will make transit safer, arguing the agency is focusing too heavily on enforcement rather than the underlying issues affecting riders. The concern comes after the transit committee received an update Wednesday on OC Transpo’s Public Safety Strategy report, a multi-year framework developed following several incidents on...
Ottawa council approves renoviction bylaw to curb bad-faith evictions
Ottawa landlords seeking to evict tenants for major renovations will soon have to follow new municipal licensing rules after city council approved a rental renovation licence bylaw on July 15. The bylaw, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, requires landlords to obtain a building permit before issuing an N13 eviction notice, provide tenants with a city-produced guide explaining their rights...
Culture, craft and community converge at Lansdowne’s Expo Mexico Mujer
For one weekend, Lansdowne Park became a meeting place between Mexico and Canada as artists, entrepreneurs and artisans gathered for Expo Mexico Mujer to celebrate culture, community and commerce. Held June 5-7 at the Horticulture Building, the event featured exhibitors in gastronomy, fashion, tourism and visual arts, while highlighting the contributions of Mexican women entrepreneurs and creators. Organized in partnership...
ACORN pushes Ottawa to strengthen renoviction bylaw ahead of council vote
Ottawa tenants and housing advocates rallied outside City Hall on Tuesday, July 7, urging councillors to strengthen the city’s proposed rental renovation licence bylaw before it heads to committee this week. Members of ACORN Ottawa — a nationwide grassroots network representing low-to-moderate income residents — gathered with signs and chants calling for stronger protections against renovictions. A renoviction occurs when...
Ottawa’s love of shawarma on display with inaugural festival, record sandwich
The smell of garlic sauce and grilled meat filled York Street on June 7 as thousands gathered in the ByWard Market for Ottawa’s inaugural Shawarma Fest, a day-long celebration of one of the city’s most recognizable foods. Visitors lined up for shawarma wraps, watched live performances and cheered on a Guinness World Record attempt as organizers sought to cement Ottawa’s...
Ottawa’s last supervised consumption sites close amid fears of overdose risks
Ottawa’s last supervised consumption sites have closed, ending a model of care that health advocates say saved lives and connected some of the city’s most vulnerable residents with healthcare. The closures are part of the Ontario government’s shift away from supervised consumption services and toward Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, a treatment-focused model that the province says offers...
Canadian flotilla activists recount detention after Gaza mission, press Canada for more action
Activists who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza shared accounts of detention, mistreatment and their calls for stronger Canadian action to protect human rights during a panel discussion in Ottawa on Wednesday.The event, organized by the Ottawa chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement, featured five Canadian flotilla participants. They were among hundreds of activists involved in a...
ByWard Market’s new Vendor Village still finding its audience in busy retail district
The ByWard Market’s new Vendor Village is meant to bring more local makers into the retail district, but some vendors say its early success depends on whether shoppers can find it. The village, launched in mid-May, was created by the ByWard Market District Authority as a curated outdoor vendor area featuring local goods, including crafts, clothing, food, flowers and gifts. The authority...