‘A big shift’: Centretown business owner hopeful as city proposes façade fund
Historic buildings in Centretown may soon be eligible to receive funding from the city for something that’s often relegated to the bottom of a business owner’s to-do list: Beautification. On Tuesday, Ottawa’s built heritage committee unveiled a $500,000 Centretown Heritage Façade Improvement Pilot Program. If approved by council, it could allow property owners of buildings along Bank and a small...
Debate delayed on fossil fuel ad ban as city targets ‘greenwashing’ instead
Members of the city’s finance and corporate services committee have delayed debating a staff recommendation against banning fossil fuel advertising on municipal property. Instead, staff outlined a plan in a memo presented to the committee on June 3 to ensure ads on city property would comply with new provisions under the Federal Competition Act targeting misleading environmental claims, also known...
Algonquin elder still ‘frustrated’ by explorer Champlain’s prominence at renaturalized Kìwekì Point
The effort to preserve two 80-year-old elm trees in the recently rehabilitated Kìwekì Point reminded designers of one thing not reflected much in the national capital’s downtown landscape: that we are living in relationship to nature. “Those two trees are probably the main reason for how the pathway system for the park actually worked itself out,” said Garry Meus, a...
City begins grappling with projected $10.8-billion infrastructure gap by 2035
City councillors at a finance and corporate services committee on Tuesday debated how the city should close a projected $10.8-billion infrastructure gap over the next 10 years. As required under provincial legislation from 2017, the city presented asset management plans across 12 infrastructure areas, including drinking water, transportation and solid waste services, creating a “snapshot” of the projected deficit. “We...
Pilot program allowing alcohol consumption in parks heading to council
Ottawa residents of legal drinking age appear likely to be allowed to crack open a cold one in a city park this summer — but not without a few restrictions. On Tuesday, councillors on the city’s community services committee approved plans for a pilot program that would permit alcohol consumption in select parks as part of a revamped Parks and...
King Charles and Queen Camilla mingle with ‘thrilled’ Lansdowne royal watchers
What might have been a sleepy Monday afternoon at downtown Ottawa's Lansdowne Park was transformed into a historic spectacle as King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their first public appearance in the nation's capital during their 2025 royal visit.
City waters down proposed ban on smart-consumption monitoring devices
The City of Ottawa is aiming to strengthen regulations around smart-consumption monitoring devices on water meters, which could include working with the private company Alert Labs. On Tuesday, members of the city’s environment and climate change committee discussed changes to the Water Bylaw, which regulates municipal water services. A report released on May 8 outlined a potential ban on renters...
Ottawa Centre pits Liberal Yasir Naqvi and NDP’s Joel Harden in election re-match
Along the streets of Ottawa’s trendy Glebe neighbourhood, election signs are out in an Ottawa Centre rematch between incumbent Liberal Yasir Naqvi and NDP Joel Harden.
Cozy reads and romantasy: Ottawa library users increasingly turning to fiction
Ottawa public library users are increasingly turning to fiction, according to data from the Ottawa Public Library.
As Canada’s big banks leave Net-Zero alliance, young people think about alternatives
The move by Canada’s biggest financial institutions to walk away from the UN-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance has many Gen Z young people pondering a breakup with their bank, though some admit that the convenience is a major stumbling block.
Ottawa councillors deny developer request to add units to keep agreed amenity space in high rise
Ottawa’s housing committee turned down a developer’s request to add five more units to a pair of student high rises in the ByWard Market, citing concerns about “quality of life” for residents due to reduced amenity spaces.
Ecology Ottawa urges the city to fund a community-run air quality monitoring program
Ecology Ottawa is asking the city to create a budget for local climate initiatives, such as Breathe Easy which monitored air quality in 46 locations across Ottawa.