A 15-minute neighbourhood initiative no walk in the park for Alta Vista community because of intensification concerns
Talks about how to transform Alta Vista into a “15-minute neighbourhood” have begun among local residents, but efforts to make the community more walkable have been overshadowed by concerns about looming intensification plans that are also part of the vision.
Teenaged Indigenous climate activist part of unique month-long celebration of Indigenous voices at Carleton
Autumn Peltier, the “Water Warrior,” was one of the speakers at a month long celebration of Indigenous culture and communities at Carleton University called Minwàdjiyà-n.
Ottawa vigil for Atlanta shooting victims raises cry against anti-Asian racism
Individuals of all ages gathered despite the wet weather in the Elgin Street park on Sunday, March 28 to pay tribute to the eight victims — six of them Asian women — in the Atlanta shootings of March 16.
Chloride levels in Ottawa River rising because of overuse of road salt, Riverkeeper says
As winter comes to an end, the environmental group Ottawa Riverkeeper finds high chloride levels due to road salt in Ottawa waterways leading to the Ottawa River.
Good trick: Magicians in Ottawa and beyond have learned how to deal with the pandemic
Ottawa-based magicians are transforming their careers during a year of COVID-19.
City’s Paint It Up! program embarks on a ‘totally COVID’ year
Paint It Up! Ottawa is gearing up for its first full-year venture amid COVID-19.
Bargain hunting group stretches dollars for charity even during the pandemic
As charities and non-profits in Ottawa continue grappling with an increased need for their services during the pandemic, Boom! Savings! — described by its founder as a “charitable shopping group” – has carried on with its mission to shop for discount items to help meet those needs.
ACORN Ottawa pushes NCC for more affordable housing at LeBreton Flats
Members of ACORN-Ottawa, a group that advocates for affordable housing and social justice, protested outside the Elgin Street headquarters....
Re-inventing sex in the age of COVID
People are adjusting their sexual practices as the pandemic imposes social distancing rules and limits intimate contact.
Nova Scotia to ban police memorabilia one year after 22 died in mass shooting
Eleven months after the deadly mass shooting in Nova Scotia, legislation has been created to strengthen laws on impersonating police.
Viral video of Queen’s student defying COVID-19 public health travel restrictions sparks online controversy
Queen's University student posts viral anti-COVID-19 travel restrictions video on Instagram sparking outrage and support.
OC Transpo’s bus route ‘adjustments’ spark backlash from transit advocates
Some bus riders can expect to wait longer, or even change their route, once the recommendations in a new transit commission report come into effect.
Ottawa takes steps to address the housing and homelessness crisis with 10-year work plan
City of Ottawa is taking steps to address the housing and homelessness crisis with new land purchase and updates to 10 year work plan.
Stunning ‘sunset’ park planned for controversial Zibi development on Ottawa River
Plans for a 25-storey residential building on Chaudière Island as part of the Zibi development include a new city park — named Pangishimo after the Algonquin word for sunset — offering a stunning, westward view of the Ottawa River. The City of Ottawa’s planning committee examined a report earlier this year on the project’s latest design, which includes a new...
Hamilton area home prices soar during COVID-19 pandemic
Realtor Stacey Keric believes the effects of the pandemic will have a lasting effect on the market in the city
“It’s been good for us to learn how to adapt:” Religious leaders reflect on the second Holy Week under lockdown
Religious leaders find silver linings and deep meaning as they celebrated holy days during the lockdown.
Local photographer partners with Carleton gallery to provide free portraits for 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC communities
The Carleton University Art Gallery is conducting its first collaboration with a local photographer to provide free portraits for 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals.
Post-secondary students hoping for a rebound in the summer job market
As COVID-19 vaccinations continue across Canada and beyond, many students are hoping this will mean the summer job market will be less terrible than it was in 2020. Although the number of students hired this year has rebounded slightly, employment among young people is still far lower than it was before to the pandemic. According to a survey by Statistics...
Sweet success: Next chapter begins in Syrian family’s chocolate business
Peace by Chocolate, a successful Nova Scotian business — built by a Syrian refugee family — is officially expanding this week.
Winnipeg fitness group proves charitable giving is a meaningful exercise
A Winnipeg based fitness class has raised over $5,000 for local charities throughout the pandemic, highlighting the need for donations during a difficult time.
Pandemic is opening door to consider a greener future for Ottawa’s downtown
What will downtown office space in Ottawa look like in a post-pandemic world? This question, and the debate over the future of offices in general, are in the spotlight now, as the vaccine rollout raises the possibility of a return to normal life by fall. When the pandemic hit, workers fled the downtown core and emptied high-rise office buildings and...
New to Ottawa, artist makes mark with painting of a drag queen Jesus
American-born, Ottawa-based artists Anna Gale is gaining attention with her portrait of a r=drag queen Jesus called Shezus.
Vaccinating Ottawa’s homeless population poses unique problems
As the vaccine rollout proceeds in the city, Ottawa Inner City Health is leading the charge to get vaccines into the arms of the homeless population. This group was initially scheduled for shots in the second phase of vaccination but city officials moved them up the queue after outbreaks spread through six shelters earlier this year. The challenge now is...
The 25th Hour: Building an online community
Sara Thompson manages three Facebook groups with more than 18,000 members. These online communities are helping her and the other members stay on track.
Party time: Event planners adapting to the changes caused by COVID-19
With a pandemic, physical distancing restrictions, and most of life moving online, event planning and entertainment businesses have made some big changes this year.
Decades of arsenic poisoning produced by Giant Mine has caused irreversible damage to Dene First Nation land
The federal government moves forward with discussions of compensation for Yellowknife Dene First Nation, for the decades of arsenic poisoning caused by Giant Mine.
Despite pandemic, Ottawa library branches connecting with patrons — one database at a time
The Ottawa Public Library has experienced some positives since the pandemic began, including an increase in users.
Coping with COVID: Canadians are taking up hobbies to reduce stress during pandemic
As many Canadians are isolating at home, they have taken up some hobbies to deal with the added stress from the pandemic.
It’s #Patioszn again: People in Ottawa heading outdoors to meet for a meal despite rising COVID cases
Ottawa went into the red-control zone on March 19 with cases rising but despite this, restaurants were able to open their patios up to the public. With the sun out over the weekend, patios were a busy spot. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson fast-tracked the reopening of patios to help restaurants combat the restrictions designated by the red zone, such as...
Ottawa’s drag queens have kept their art alive during COVID-19
Ottawa's drag queens have used the pandemic to practice and improve their art form and to test out online performance.
Group pushes for overhaul of Parks Canada’s draft management plan for Rideau Canal
In the midst of public consultations for the Rideau Canal’s new management plan, the Friends of the Rideau group is expressing disappointment in Parks Canada’s blueprint of its plans for the nearly 200-year-old, 200-kilometre-long transportation route between Kingston and Ottawa.
Ottawa environmental advocates take aim at single-use plastics as they mark World Water Day
One Ottawa environmental advocacy group hosted an online event to celebrate world water day and encouraged community members to reduce their use of single-use plastics in the city.
Some light in dark times: Photographer’s body-shaped candles promote positivity
Charlie Baze is a boudoir photographer from Kitchener Waterloo, Ont., recently launched an online business selling body-shaped candles to compensate for the lost income caused by the pandemic lockdown.
Gentrification is robbing Hamilton renters of affordable places to live
Hamilton, like many cities in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area, is seeing housing prices rise and that is pushing pressure on affordable and available rental units.
Atlantic travel bubble a barrier to family for students from region living in rest of Canada
The Atlantic travel bubble will reopen April 19. But for students from the region living in the rest of Canada it remains a barrier to being with their families.
Carleton to honour Inuit by renaming Robertson Hall without mentioning controversial history of High Arctic relocation
MONTREAL — Carleton University is moving forward with a plan to change the names of three campus buildings. The “New Names for New Times” initiative is an attempt to reflect diversity and inclusion on campus. The University Centre, Residence Commons and Robertson Hall will get new names to represent the Algonquin Nation, Black communities, and Inuit respectively. Robertson Hall is...
City pilot project tackles ‘period poverty’ with low-cost pads, tampons
The City of Ottawa is testing out a project that will make low cost tampons available to the public.
COVID-19 is causing a “perfect storm” shadow pandemic of eating disorders
Hospitals across Canada are seeing a surge in demand for eating disorder treatment. Learn why here.
Pandemic compounding mental health concerns on both sides of the psychologists’ table
Many people's mental health has worsened due to COVID-19, but how are mental health workers fairing?
Ottawa camps pivot to provide programming in April after Ontario postpones March Break
March Break camps in Ottawa have pivoted and will run from April 12-16 in light of the Ontario government's postponement
Coping with COVID: Making art helping people handle the stress of the pandemic
Art has been helping people cope with the stress of the pandemic.
Pandemic puzzler: 2020 was a strange but prosperous year in Ottawa real estate
At the start of the pandemic a year ago, real estate sales were expected to suffer but in fact the Ottawa real estate market has continued to thrive.
Belleville-area school board moved by student’s request to honour Black History Month
A 10 year old girl has inspired a Belleville, ON, school board to provide a positive way to honour the impact of Black and Indigenous culture on Canadian society
Hope rekindled as skiing returns to recently reopened Ottawa-area hills
After what has been largely a lost year for many activities in the Ottawa region because of the pandemic, the recent return of downhill skiing has been an uplifting sign of hope being restored. The Ontario government allowed hills to re-open Feb.12, and the ski hills are hoping to make up for lost time. “If we can stay open through...
David Suzuki Foundation enlisting communities to create ‘Butterflyways’ for pollinators to feed, breed, migrate
The David Suzuki Foundation has created the Butterflyway Project to help preserve pollinators across the country.
Amid steep pandemic job losses, Ottawa’s Y protected its workers and became a Top 100 employer in Canada
The YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region has been recognized by The Career Directory, one of Canada’s leading employment guides, as a top employer for recent graduates for 2021.. The registered charity serves more than 90,000 people across the region annually. Promoting healthy living and supporting vulnerable people, the organization employs hundreds of full- and part-time workers. The YMCA-YWCA is...
Ottawa ministry trying to restore hope, one homeless youth at a time
Eight years ago Jason Pino founded Restoring Hope Ministries, an emergency overnight shelter for Ottawa's homeless youth.
Transformation of Prince of Wales Bridge into cycling, pedestrian crossing proving popular
Public consultations start on the transformation of the Prince of Wales Bridge into a pedestrian/cycling route with a possibility of cross-country skiing.
Road trip realities: Van dwellers adapt to the pandemic world
Some Canadians have taken to the road in homemade vans during the COVID-19 pandemic.