City Builder: Union leader Alex Silas channels community power
Alex Silas, PSAC’s new national vice-president, embraces the role of community in his commitment to worker activism.
City Builder: Dr. Christina Romulus works to inspire the next generation of Black doctors
Dr. Romulus is known for her work as a mentor and physician in Ottawa. Her involvement in mentorship and outreach has made her well known in spaces that support women, racialized communities, and small business owners.
City Builder: Adam Miron stresses the importance of giving back after finding success
Ottawa entrepreneur Adam Miron has contributed to startups and businesses across Ottawa.
The desert blooms: Old Hull residents welcome the first grocery store in 25 years
The neighbourhood of Old Hull now has it's first grocery store since 1999, and neighbourhood residents are pleased.
City builder: Dulcie Clark is the mentor behind Ottawa’s animation success
The CEO of PIP Animation Services, Dulcie Clark, has been celebrated for her contributions to Canadian children’s programming.
City Builder: GCTC’s Sarah Kitz amplifies under-represented voices
Sarah Kitz champions IBPOC, female, trans, non-binary and other voices while trying to reflect Canadian society on the threatre scene.
City of Ottawa’s new focus on person-centred, long-term care a welcome shift
Francis Dixon says the City of Ottawa’s shift toward person-centred care has enhanced his sense of independence and dignity at Carleton Lodge, a long-term care home by the Rideau River — one of four run by the city. “I can wake up when my body allows, and the staff genuinely care about my needs,” the 87-year-old retired clergyman told Capital...
Aboriginal Coalition hopes to secure funding soon for Ottawa’s first family healing lodge
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition (OAC) says it’s hopeful it will soon obtain the funding for Ottawa’s first family healing lodge, one key project that’s part of Ottawa’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.
So far, so good: Person-centred care pilot program in Ottawa long-term care deemed success
Person-centred care is an integrated health-services approach that relies on a variety of factors to strengthen resident comfort and safety.
After 50 years in business, Mountain Orchards’ co-founder has no regrets
Mountain Orchard celebrates its 50th season this year. Co-owner Shelley Lyall tells Capital Current about the highs and lows of the last 50 years.
Indigenous homelessness plan ambitious but needs to succeed, Ottawa councillors told
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition (OAC) gave city councillors an update on its plan to address Indigenous housing and homelessness, which the coalition acknowledged is ambitious and requires systemic changes.
Help stray cats as winter approaches, Ottawa rescue groups plead
Ottawa cat rescues urge residents to take initiative in helping stray cat populations as winter approaches.
Dark Fork: Ottawa’s new dining experience ‘pulls out all your senses’
Dark Fork, Ottawa’s first dine-in-the-dark restaurant, invites customers to explore a unique experience.
Music students have a message: Female classical composers matter
In concert halls around the Western world, classical music remains overwhelmingly male-dominated, but a concert held at the University of Ottawa is a reminder that female composers have also made important contributions to the art and must not be ignored.
Invasive buckthorn: Ottawa volunteers call for more support to remove it from local parks
Sharon Boddy and Nora Lee are working to remove invasive buckthorn from Ottawa's forests.
New Ottawa poetry project pairs ‘safe space’ with community outreach
The Ottawa-based spoken word poetry event Open Mic Night is now Poets for the People, planning events and partnerships.
City Builder: Allan Reesor-McDowell changes leadership roles, from refugees to released prisoners
On Sept. 6, 2024, Allan Reesor-McDowell became the new Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Ottawa.
Land removed from Greely despite objections that more housing development needed in the village
The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) passed a motion deciding that a new subdivision will not be part of the village of Greely.
“It’s worrying:” Unemployment rate for young immigrants more than doubles in past year
It took eight months for Abyssinnia Abebe to find a job. Abebe, from Ethiopia originally, is now a permanent resident in Canada. Even with that status, the 20 year old immigrant university student, says she applied to more than 150 jobs within that eight-month period. The struggle to find a job is not a unique problem. Unemployment among immigrants aged...
One month later, convenience store booze sales are making many customers happy
How has the booze business been affecting convenience stores?
GCTC marks half a century of boosting Canadian theatre with an eclectic 50th anniversary season
The Great Canadian Theatre Company is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the 2024-25 season.
City Builder: Renée Amilcar embraces OC Transpo leadership amidst transit turmoil
Renée Amilcar, General Manager of Transit Services at OC Transpo, welcomes the challenges that arise while striving to improve Ottawa's public transit.
City Builder: World Cup athlete Aidan Kirkham balances research and skiing
Aidan Kirkham is an Ottawa native, a PhD candidate and a nordic skier who has competed in the 2024 FIS World Cup and the FISU World University Games in 2019 and 2023.
ByWard vendors finding creative ways to stay afloat after the outdoor market closes for winter
ByWard Market has been the heart of the Ottawa community since its establishment in 1827. As the outdoor market prepares for closure this year, vendors reflect on the declining state of Ottawa's downtown sector.
City Builder: Ottawa lawyer Paul Champ battles for justice and human rights
Paul Champ is an Ottawa-based litigation lawyer focusing on labour, human rights and constitutional law.
A Quiet Crisis: Limits on work taking toll on international students
International students in Ottawa are struggling with mental health issues and financial stress because of a new 20-hour work limit set by the Canadian government, making it hard for them to balance school and high living costs.
Child-care workers frustrated by low pay and long period with no contract
95 child-care workers across four Ottawa day-care centres are fighting for what they say is a living wage.
Meet some of the Black women pursuing and building community in Ottawa
In the city of Ottawa Black women are working to find and create spaces for engaging in Black sisterhood.
More Ottawa commuters are carpooling, cycling, walking or taking transit as traffic backs up in Ottawa
Since the government’s Sept. 9 return-to-office mandate, Ottawa’s streets have become much more congested, pushing commuters to seek alternatives in order to avoid long delays. As public transit struggles to keep pace and traffic worsens, cycling, carpooling, and walking have come in-clutch as popular solutions among commuters.
Ottawa’s newest poets laureate aim to make their art form more accessible to all
Ottawa has two new poets laureate. Véronique Sylvain, the French poet laureate, and David O'Meara, the English poet laureate, are looking forward to the next 2 years of promoting the poetic arts in Ottawa.
As Ottawa’s film industry continues to grow, more local talent opts to stay in the city
Despite a global pandemic and several industry strikes, the Ottawa Film Office has reported record-breaking profits in 2023.
Ottawa councillors push for review of bylaws amid increase in dog attacks
Some Ottawa city councillors are pushing for better enforcement and a review of bylaws following a reported increase in the number of dog attacks. From 2020 to 2023, the city saw nearly a 20 per cent increase in the number of reported dog attacks, according to statistics provided by city staff in response to an inquiry by Stittsville Coun. Glenn...
ANCHOR away: Centretown alternative crisis hotline sees high community engagement in first six weeks
The Alternative Neighbourhood Crisis Response, or ANCHOR, has already responded to over 100 calls, anticipates demand increasing
City Builder: Cody Coyote is a powerful Indigenous voice on the Ottawa music scene
Ottawa musician Cody Coyote is a prominent city builder, seeking to inspire future generations with his art.
Rideau Centre CAMP Cube experience helps business spread the word to customers
In mid-August, a large, mysterious cube appeared inside the Rideau Centre. Located next to Bento Sushi and tucked underneath an escalator, it attracted a line of curious mall-goers. Some had seen it on Instagram; others had not. Turns out the Cadillac Fairview (CF) CAMP Cube is a futuristic marketing tool that provides shoppers with a sci-fi gameshow experience. It will...
Walking tours on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offer a window into Canada’s colonial past
The Assembly of Seven Generations is marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with guided walking tours to shed some light on Canada's colonial history.
City Builder: Jean-François Bélisle is at the forefront of art in Ottawa and beyond
Jean-François Bélisle is bringing new ideas to the National Gallery of Canada.
City Builder: Michael Wood advocates for small business and 911 services in Ottawa
Michael Wood, a professor at Algonquin College and business consultant, is widely recognized in Ottawa for his advocacy for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to improve emergency services across the city.
City Builder: Empress Nyiringango is a musician on a healing journey
Empress Nyiringango is an Ottawa based Rwandan-Canadian singer and song writer who embarked on a "healing journey" in response to genocide.
Orléans arts venue moves diversity to centre stage with new collaboration
The 15th anniversary season at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans features a new partnership with Axé WorldFest — an organization that empowers BIPOC artists, newcomers to Canada and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. The initiative reflects the centre’s strengthened commitment to ensuring that its annual lineup of performers includes traditionally unrepresented groups. Born and raised in Brazil and living in Canada for...
Council approves demolition of heritage buildings in Lowertown
Ottawa City Council has approved the demolition of three heritage buildings on St. Patrick Street, which the local community association describes as “the poster children for demolition by neglect.” The decision means that the buildings, at 227-229, 231-233and 235-237 St. Patrick St., just west of Dalhousie, can be torn down and the property redeveloped. City staff supported demolition, noting the...
City Builder: Emerance Maschmeyer shows the power behind the goalie mask
Learn about Ottawa's popular PWHL goalie Emerance Maschmeyer.
City Builder: Jennifer Stewart’s mission is to make an impact in business and her community
Jennifer Stewart, CEO of Syntax Strategic has built several thriving businesses. Despite being an "accidental entrepreneur," today she is a "serial entrepreneur."
City Builder: City Fidelia is more than the music
City Fidelia’s contributions to the city of Ottawa go further than his musical career.
Students getting bad deal from OC Transpo, transit commission hears
Ottawa’s Transit Commission heard from student users, fed up with a service that is becoming less reliable, that further cuts will make a bad situation worse. Carleton University Students’ Association Associate Vice-President Aidan Kallioinen told the committee Sept. 12 he has concerns in particular about cuts to off-peak service frequency on O-Train Line 1. “In 2023 alone, our association saw...
OC Transpo workers “stretched to the limit of safety and legality,” says union leader
OC Transpo employees are “stretched to the limits of safety and legality,” ATU Local 279 President Noah Vineberg told a Sept. 12 Transit Commission meeting. This is happening, he added, as the system is having difficulty retaining staff despite increased recruitment efforts. As a result, Vineberg said schedules are “unreasonable,” with operators stretched thin because of the changes. Operators are...
City Builder: Bobby Brown leading way for independent baseball in the capital
Bobby Brown has been leading the Ottawa Titans since 2022. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, thanks to his many years of baseball experience.
City Builder: Neil Saravanamuttoo of CitySHAPES wants Ottawa to reach its ‘terrific’ potential
The economist, CitySHAPES director, and community advocate says Ottawa has "great bones," but needs work to reach standard of a G7 capital
City Builder: Julia Elvidge is changing the investment world for women
Julia Elvidge, a prominent leader in Ottawa’s tech scene, co-founded SheBoot to enhance access to capital for women-led startups. With 30 years in high-tech, she’s known for addressing systemic investment issues and fostering diversity in the industry.
City Builder: Gabrielle Fayant supports Ottawa’s Indigenous youth
Gabrielle Fayant is an award-winning co-founder of the Assembly of Seven Generations, an Ottawa-based non-profit that works to empower the city's Indigenous youth.