Health experts urge Ottawans to roll up their sleeves for a flu/COVID-19 double vaccination
This year, many Ottawa residents are rolling up their sleeves to get a flu shot in one arm and an updated COVID-19 vaccine in the other. At Whole Health Pharmacy on Bank Street and Fifth Avenue, owner and pharmacist Renu Pillay says he’s been busy preparing appointments for people getting their COVID-19 and flu vaccines. “[We need to] stem the...
Expanding services across the city may help ease ByWard Market’s overdose crisis, advocates say
Advocates for local addiction programs have raised concerns that clustered shelters and social services in ByWard Market may pose more harm than good for those living with substance use disorders. Alongside these concerns, they call for the city to spread these facilities more across the municipality to address the current overdose crisis better.
Lights, cameras, people: Independent cinemas being creative to get audiences back
Statistics Canada shows motion picture cinemas returning to profitability in 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic ended. However, they still face challenges.
Nail file: Ottawa salons failing inspections at high rates
As the numbers of health inspections fell, the numbers of failing inspections at nail salons in Ottawa have risen.
CHEO says it’s prepared for a bad respiratory illness season, with ER visits rising
This respiratory illness season is predicted to be similar to the last where a surge of multiple different respiratory illnesses pushed the limits of the health-care system.
Surge in COVID-19 infections sparks call for more measures to protect those in Ottawa’s long-term care homes
The anticipation of a new surge of COVID-19 is causing some family members of people living in long-term care to call for change.
Flu shots for kids key to avoiding surge in hospitalizations this fall, Etches says
Ottawa Public Health is warning parents that getting a flu vaccine for their children will be key to avoiding the high rates of hospital and emergency department visits that Ottawa experienced last year.
Ottawa business coalition urges extension on COVID loans payback
Small businesses in Ottawa are hoping for an extension on the deadline for repayment of pandemic loans to the federal government.
Echoing convoy, 50 anti-vaxxers return to Parliament Hill to decry jab
About 50 protesters proclaimed their distrust of vaccines in an April Fool's Day protest in downtown Ottawa.
The 23rd Ottawa Indigenous Children and Youth Pow Wow welcomes everyone back to celebrate First Nations culture
The annual Ottawa Indigenous Children and Youth Pow Wow is back after a three-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Event organizers stress the importance of fostering community between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Ottawa Jazz Festival recovering but more international travellers would help
Ottawa Jazz Festival is slowly recovering from the pandemic, but a lack of international tourists is stifling growth.
Study outlines top strategies for ending pandemic
A multinational study from Barcelona consulted hundreds of experts to determine the top recommendations for ending the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.
‘It’s going to take a lot of effort’: Fight against vaccine hesitancy ramps up for holidays
Breaking through to convince vaccine hesitant Canadians to get the jab against viruses such as COVID-19 won't be easy, experts say.
End of government supports will likely push up poverty rates, experts warn
A new Statistics Canada report suggests poverty will likely increase past the 2019 levels as even lower-middle class people struggle with inflation.
The 25th Hour: Swimming Upstream
After the pandemic posed some unique issues for Carleton’s swim team, women’s swim captain Aoife Mc Grory is finding herself back in the pool, determined to boost team spirit and face these challenges head-on.
Ottawa first responders bring the heat in fundraising event for epilepsy
First responders and more pulled a 12 tonne firetruck 100 feet to raise money for epilepsy Ottawa.
The Ottawa Paw Pantry adjusts to keep helping low-income families feed their pets
Ottawa Paw Pantry provides pet food to low-income families. Operations have been rethought because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Focus: Loosened COVID rules complicate return to campus for wary students
Carleton University students return to campus and try to manage the lack of COVID-19 policies as they return to "normal life."
After pandemic pause from in-person event, Glebe Fine Art Show makes colourful return
For more than two years, many artists in the Ottawa Valley patiently waited to exhibit their creations to the public once again. When the 15th edition of the Glebe Fine Art Show returned for an in-person event this year, 34 local artists were finally provided a space to do so. Abstract and realistic scenes of daily Canadian life, landscapes, and images...
Local Ottawa restaurants struggle to find employees in ‘historic’ labour shortage
Some of Ottawa's restaurants are having a tough time finding staff due to a labour shortage.
Keep online learning an option, Carleton law professor says
A Carleton University professor said online learning can be convenient for students with work or COVID concerns.
Half of Canadians would get a fourth booster if available while a quarter say they won’t, poll finds
More than half of those surveyed say they would get a fourth boost while about a quarter won't, poll finds
It’s back: Federal government reinstates mandatory random COVID-19 testing Canadian airports
The federal government will start random testing at four airports starting July 19.
Two community groups push Ottawa Public Health for mandatory masking and more
Horizon Ottawa and the Disability Justice Network say it's time to restore mandatory masking and other COVID-19 health measures.
Ontario expands second booster dose to all adults, extends rapid test rollout
Dr. Kieran Moore has announced that all Ontarians 18 and up can now get a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
Unclaimed bags, long security lines and flight delays snarling Canada’s largest airport and raising travellers’ anger
Pearson airport chaos has passengers hunting for their luggage and waiting for delayed flights.
Welcome to Adaawewigamig: New store in Byward Market offers a cultural touchstone for Indigenous youth
The Assembly of Seven Generations hosted celebrations in Byward Market for National Indigenous Peoples Day and their new store front.
Ottawa Fringe Festival returns in person to celebrate 25th anniversary
Ottawa Fringe Festival is returning in person after two years to celebrate 25th anniversary.
Tracking COVID-19: May 30
Capital Current tracks the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.
Women forge friendships as pen pal program matches Carleton students, retirees to counter pandemic isolation
Women in Leadership, a new Carleton University club is helping Ottawa creating new connections with their pen-pal initiative.
Up and away: Canadians head to airport as restrictions ease
Canadians are taking to the skies again after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed them to postpone their travel plans over the past two years.
City’s summer music festivals pumped for 2022 comeback: ‘We are part of Ottawa’s social fabric’
The lifting of pandemic restrictions means that Ottawa's summer music festivals will be back this year and that's got fans and organizers pumped.
Muslims in Ontario rejoice as they celebrate their first Ramadan in two years free of COVID-19 restrictions
Muslims across Ontario are now free to gather without restrictions amid the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.
Experts see pandemic, social media as factors in rising rate of eating disorders in Canada
Eating disorders in Canada have been increasing since the pandemic began. On-going lockdowns contributed to their steady rise as did social media, experts believe.
Experts expect divorce spike as courts come back online and pandemic restrictions ease
The pandemic changed the way some view relationships and life priorities. Experts say we'll continue to see the effects of this value shift.
Agriculture museum staff prepare for crowds returning to popular Experimental Farm attraction
People walk through the Central Experimental Farm in droves through the pandemic, but lockdowns kept them out of the museum. This spring, museum attendance is once again set to flourish.
Unmasked: Ontario retailers, shoppers warily adjust after indoor mandate ends
Ottawa shoppers adapt to new public health measure as the province lifted indoor mask mandates on March 21.
Lansdowne food festival celebrates Latin America’s love of tamales
Lansdowne Park hosts a celebration of Latin American cuisines and cultures.
Canada’s travel rules change today as 6th wave of COVID-19 underway
Fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada no longer need a pre-entry COVID-19 test.
Tracking COVID-19: March 25
Capital Current tracks the progress of the pandemic in Canada.
Ontario rivals, COVID pose challenge as Carleton Ravens aim for 16th men’s basketball crown at Edmonton finals
Carleton University men's basketball team's record helps it gain a spot in the Final 8 basketball tournament in. Edmonton this weekend. Other teams and COVID-19 stand to be the team's foes.
COVID consequences: Annual kilt skate gains popularity despite pandemic
The pandemic has actually worked to spread the word about the Great Canadian Kilt Skate.
This pandemic is f***ing stressful: How swearing can help us cope
Research shows swearing may help us deal with stress and pain. In a pandemic, more people may have benefited from the occasional expletive.
The 25th Hour: Half The Legs, Double The Love
A rescue dog returns the favour for an overwhelmed health care worker.
Lifting of provincial mask mandate sparking controversy in Ontario schools
The Ontario government's decision to end masking in schools has caused controversy as school board, parents and students wrestle with the implications of the change.
After 24 months of pandemic restrictions, are Canadians ready to let go of COVID-19 restrictions? A new study suggests they might be
The majority of Canadians support the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in their province.
Rising costs, slow pace of affordable housing development paint a dire picture in Ottawa
Ottawa's housing crisis continues to escalate as housing prices rise and the impacts of COVID-19 cause dangerous lasting effects on residents.
Pandemic pressures: Food insecurity in Canada worsening as cost of groceries rises
As a result of problems created by the pandemic, many Canadians are struggling to put good food on the table.
Ottawa restaurants divided on continuing vaccine passport requirement
With vaccine passports now optional, Ottawa restaurants debate whether to keep or ditch vaccine restrictions.
Ottawa app making food delivery more affordable for restaurants
The Ottawa app Getit Local is making food delivery more affordable for restaurants.