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.
Carleton University to rename three campus buildings to promote diversity, inclusion
Three Carleton University buildings are set to be renamed to reflect racial diversity, but some racist campus monikers are going untouched.
Picton developing a plan to protect residents and preserve tourism after crush of summer visitors in 2020
A tourism management plan developed after Prince Edward County experienced a sharp increase in the number of Lake Ontario beachgoers last summer has drawn criticism from Picton-area residents who want more done to control the impact of visitors. After the huge influx of summer tourists to the county — especially at Sandbanks Provincial Park near Picton – county councillors asked...
Bell Let’s Talk launches new fund to support post-secondary students’ mental health
Bell Let's Talk's new initiative the "Post-Secondary Fund" will give universities and colleges across Canada $25,000 to implement the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health.
Local food banks adapting to meet the needs of our diverse city
Ottawa's changing population is pushing food banks to offer a variety of produce to satisfy the needs of diverse communities.
City parks and recreation officials tap public for input on future of Ottawa’s play spaces
From dog parks to sports fields and arenas to pools, all parks and recreational facilities are extremely well used and deeply enjoyed by Ottawa residents. And citizens who provided feedback to city officials during the bilingual online consultations ending Feb. 25 made it clear they care about these spaces — and their future. The sessions were held to get residents’...
A system turned upside down: Immigration process faces growing backlog during pandemic
The efficiency of processing immigration applications has deteriorated dramatically because of COVID-19, and it is affecting prospective immigrants as well as the future of the Canadian immigration system.
Critics seek greater community role in shaping Ottawa Police Service’s mental health response strategy
Community members are not impressed by the Ottawa Police Service's plan to change the way it handles mental health crises.
Snowman-building spree helps one Ottawa school weather winter lockdown
Building snowmen has become a way for people to embrace a winter classic and also build a stronger community
City recognizes the hidden history in Ottawa’s heritage hydro substations
Five historic buildings were designated as heritage sites. Find out what they mean to the community.
Why are young adults reporting more COVID-19 cases? It’s complicated
Although reported COVID-19 cases in the young adult population are the highest in all age groups, experts say this can be explained by socioeconomic factors.
Teaching Black history and culture needs to be a mandatory part of the Ontario curriculum, advocates say
Experts say education about Black history and culture is an essential part of combating racism both inside and outside of the classroom.
Pandemic rise in domestic violence mirrored in increased animal abuse, warns Ottawa Humane Society
The Ottawa Humane Society reports an increase in animal abuse linked to domestic violence over the course of the pandemic.
Noise complaints in Ottawa surge to seven-year high during COVID-19
Stay-at-home measures may be helping fuel a rise in noise complaints during the pandemic.
Lookahead ’21: Centre 507 cooks up a plan to remodel kitchen where 35,000 meals have been prepared since 1983
Officials with Centre 507, the adult drop-in centre in the heart of Ottawa, say they’ll be working hard in 2021 to deepen their connection with the community and step up the centre’s effort to improve services for those in need. This effort will be highlighted by a renovated and upgraded kitchen where some 35,000 meals have been prepared over the...
COVID-19 causing wedding woes for brides, grooms and guests
Soon-to-be brides are struggling to plan their special day as the pandemic continues to thrive in Canada.
Lookahead ’21: Palestinian club at Qatar university plans quiz show, other events to share cultural traditions
The Palestinian Culture Club at Qatar University is showcasing Palestinian culture and history
Land-based healing offers treatment program for youth rooted in Indigenous culture
Many Indigenous peoples are turning to land-based healing programs to help them reconnect with their roots and to cope with the traumas they have faced.
Lookahead ’21: Organization seeks volunteers to help foster cycling culture, improve infrastructure in GTA suburb
Markham Cycles is searching for volunteers to help expand cycling culture in the Greater Toronto Area community of Markham.
Lookahead ’21: Little Italy businesses find pandemic silver lining through Invest Ottawa’s digital storefront program
The online platform Digital Main Street — in response to the pandemic — has helped local businesses through the public health crisis and will remain a legacy of the pandemic's challenges.
Lookahead ’21: Pandemic has Toronto rugby group scrumming to keep building skills, knowledge virtually
The pandemic has forced a Toronto rugby organization to move online to continue its work with disadvantaged youth and to building community through sport.
The pandemic piles on: Parents caring for children with disabilities face even more stress, loneliness and isolation
Lack of community support, doubled with isolation, has resulted in increased anxiety among parents caring for children with disabilities
Pandemic pressures have added to the struggle for newcomers and refugees in Ottawa
Data shows that refugee communities in Ottawa are being harder hit by the COVID-19 pandemic
Lookahead ’21: Alberta seniors club helps community battle pandemic isolation
For many members of the Okotoks and District Seniors Club, which serves the town of 31,000 south of Calgary, the pandemic has meant learn how to use technology or face long stretches of loneliness. “The main thing for the seniors is the social aspect,” said Valerie Thom, the club’s outreach co-ordinator. And connecting people remains the ODSC’s priority today. Even...
Lookahead ’21: Community group prepares for another virtual Great Glebe Garage Sale
The event is still at least three months away, but organizers are gearing up for another virtual Great Glebe Garage Sale in 2021. The massive neighbourhood yard sale is one of the main events co-ordinated every year by the Glebe Community Association. It has taken place every spring since 1986, typically on the fourth Saturday in May. Participating vendors donate...
Hazel McCallion’s 100th birthday bash to showcase arts council’s virtual transition during pandemic
When the curtain came down on live performances and other in-person cultural events because of the pandemic, the Mississauga Arts Council immediately switched gears. MAC has been navigating a virtually supportive environment since March 2020 and continues to bring artists and audiences together as best they can. Executive director Mike Douglas says he hopes people will embrace the arts more...
Canada’s child welfare system needs to be torn down and rebuilt to end its anti-Indigenous racism, critics say
The overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the Canadian welfare system accelerated throughout the 1960s, as a result of the Sixties Scoop. This is where Indigenous children were ripped away from their homes and placed into the child welfare system. The goal was to assimilate Indigenous children by placing them into white homes.
Women’s support services in Ottawa struggling to keep up with rising domestic abuse cases
Domestic abuse cases continue to rise across the country. Ottawa services face a challenge in delivering the support women need.
Watson has ‘burned a bridge’ after Council votes to move controversial development forward, Algonquin Elder says
Ottawa City Council voted in favour of including Tewin into new urban boundary, this Wednesday, with a vote of 16 to 8, creating further controversy with Algonquin Nation.
Love in the time of COVID: Couples are finding ways to make Valentine’s Day special
Family therapist Miriam Baron hopes experiencing Valentine’s Day during the pandemic teaches people not to take each other for granted.
Becoming a mother in the age of COVID-19 can be “isolating”
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an upset of routines and traditions, but for expecting mothers and new parents, a pivotal period in their lives has been completely rewritten.
Lookahead ’21: Council on Aging aims to keep Ottawa seniors connected through the pandemic
The Council on Aging is working hard to help seniors navigate the changes caused by COVID-19.
Lookahead ’21: Youth mentorship program in Peel partners with Tim Hortons for virtual fundraiser
Big Brothers Big Sisters in Peel Region partners with Tom Hortons for virtual fundraiser
Ottawa’s people of colour grapple with mental health toll of COVID-19
Mental health disparities in Ottawa are inspiring BIPOC-led initiatives to provide an empathetic path to well-being.
Lookahead ’21: With domestic violence rising in pandemic, Ontario charity provides shelter for South Asian victims
The organization Hum-WE is working hard to help South Asian women facing domestic abuse find ways to feel safe.
LGBTQ2+ Canadians may face increased housing insecurity amid COVID-19: experts
A recent Statistics Canada analysis suggests LGBTQ2+ Canadians could find themselves at greater risk of homelessness during the pandemic.
Ontario’s opioid crisis worsens as pandemic deepens: experts
As the pandemic rages, Ontario is seeing another crisis grow — that of opioid overdose deaths.
Lookahead ’21: Carp corridor wants to tap into city’s water supply and spur more business on urban edge
The Carp corridor is thirsty for city water. The City of Ottawa has yet to extend the service to the stretch of road between Stittsville and Carp that’s home to Ottawa’s largest light industry park. Roddy Bolivar is the executive director of the area’s business improvement group and wants municipal water pipes in the corridor starting this year. “Municipal water...
Pandemic amplifying discrimination, economic disparity faced by new Canadians, people of colour: experts
How the pandemic has made an impact on the social issues occurring in Canada.
Lookahead ’21: 4-H Ontario to boost rural internet links to keep youth engaged through pandemic
The organization, 4-H Ontario, is trying to give rural youth better online access to their programming.
COVID cash: Pandemic pressures may push more women to consider direct-selling opportunities
The pandemic may lead more women to participate in direct selling schemes.
Ottawa takes a step along the Commanda Way
Ottawa City Council passed the street name change of Langevin Ave to Commanda Way.
Rise in online gambling has experts warning that the house usually wins in the long run
With online gaming sites gaining traffic over the pandemic, experts say players new and old should proceed with caution.
Faces of change: Farhia Ahmed calls for a restructuring of the criminal justice system
Capital Current continues its occasional series profiling some of the people who are making a difference in our community: When Farhia Ahmed first heard about the death of Abdirahman Abdi, a man from Ottawa’s Somali community who died after an altercation with Ottawa police officers in July 2016, she joined the community in mourning. Mourning quickly turned to outrage as...
Market on the cusp of a makeover with council vote Wednesday
City council to vote on $129 million ByWard Market new public realm plan Wednesday with beautification and and pedestrian priority at the forefront.
The 25th Hour: Following the Rainbow Brick Road
Jeffry Quan volunteers with Rainbow Brick Road, an initiative sponsoring a refugee couple, with which he shares a personal connection.
The 25th Hour: On parade to beat the pandemic blues
Northern Saskatchewan town finds way to celebrate and connect during COVID-19 by organizing parades.
Centre tries to fill gap in Indigenous language programs in Ottawa
Implementing Indigenous language programs in schools would help with many things, including reconciliation and the preservation of culture.
Teens, tech and COVID-19: Finding the balance
Electronic media have been a lifeline for many workers and students through the COVID-19 pandemic but the increasing reliance on devices has many parents asking ‘how much is too much?’ In a recent study from the Chicago Children’s Hospital, 63 per cent of parents reported their teens were using social media platforms more than usual during the pandemic. Kim Highland,...
Faces of change: Wise Atangana works to empower Black youth
Wise Atangana hopes to open a cultural centre to empower young Black artists in Ottawa.