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.
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
Tracking COVID-19: Feb. 8
Ontario has reported it has now seen 278,207 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,489 infections today. The death toll rose by 22 to 6,505. There are 926 people in hospital, down 95, with 335 in intensive care, up 10, 233 on a ventilator, up five. There are 517 new cases in Toronto, 261 in Peel and 121 in York Region....
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.
Turning to TikTok: Parents of pandemic babies are finding creative ways to cope with the isolation
Nearly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic a new term is on the rise - pandemic babies.
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,...
Pandemic hit the buzzer on basketball
For Hamza Ali, the pandemic lockdown has robbed him of the pleasure of playing his favourite sport — basketball.
Faces of change: Arielle Contreras combats loneliness among long-term care residents
Letters to Elders is an initiative to connect residents in long-term care homes to the outside world.
Still waiting in the wings: Why women and people of colour remain sidelined in Canadian film and TV
While change is starting to happen, too many BIPOC women are still waiting for their turn at leadership roles within the film and television industry in Canada and worldwide.
Coping with COVID: Journaling could be useful self-help tool this winter, experts say
Journaling, a common therapy tool could prove useful to new demographics during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pandemic intensifies silent sorrow of Canada’s asylum seekers
Depression, anxiety, the pandemic is intensifying the mental stress already faced by refugees who have landed in Canada.
Ottawa seniors seek companionship as pandemic forces community centre to adjust services
Seniors in Ottawa, and the organizations that serve them, are adjusting their routines to fight through isolation caused by the pandemic.
Mental health and ‘self-care’ likely to top New Year’s resolutions: expert
For most of 2020, people’s lives have been shaped by the pandemic. As the year comes to an end, these experiences can impact the types of New Year’s resolutions many set.
Night at the museum: How Canada’s history hubs are struggling through the dark days of COVID-19
Museums across Canada are wrestling with the impact of COVID-19 and trying to plan for an uncertain future.
Giving birth during the pandemic a ‘lonely’ experience, mothers say
Physical distancing restrictions and strict hospital policies have made giving birth during the pandemic an isolating experience, some mothers say.
Meditation on the rise as pandemic stress intensifies
Meditation is an effective tool to mitigate pandemic stress and virtual Ottawa meditation classes are increasingly gaining popularity.
Graduating Ontario high school students struggle to secure volunteer placements during COVID-19
COVID-19 is limiting opportunities for graduating high school students who are trying to secure volunteer placements in the local community.
COVID-19 has been punishing for health workers, but the stress was there long before the pandemic
Healthcare workers say stress was already a big issue before the pandemic, but COVID-19 working conditions have made it worse
Ottawa artist, musician keeps creating even as COVID-19 threatens his safety
Chris Binkowski recently celebrated his 40th birthday, something few people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy achieve. He is also an artist and musician dealing with COVID-19 from an assited living facility.
Mental health a “big concern” as COVID overshadows holiday celebrations
COVID has taken a toll on Canadian's mental health, and experts are worried things may get worse with the holiday season coming up.
Little Italy has hopes of emerging from the food desert
Little Italy has hopes of emerging from the food desert with a new development on Rochester Street
Locked down in lockup: Prisoners’ mental health suffers as visits, volunteer groups suspended during pandemic
Volunteer-led activities in prisons across Canada have been shut down because of the pandemic, leading to a decline in already-difficult conditions that strain mental health.
Tiny house, big benefits: Living with less can make you happier, research shows
Living tiny is proving to have big benefits. People are choosing the tiny house lifestyle to downsize the space they live in, simplify their life, and live efficiently with less - and it's having a big impact on homeowner happiness.
Ottawa food stores balance low-waste mission with customer safety during COVID-19
Low waste grocery stores change protocols to try to produce less waste through single use plastic while containers are banned from some stores due to COVID-19.
Reports show immigrants more likely to suffer from anxiety during COVID-19
Studies are showing that new Canadians are facing more mental health concerns than others during the pandemic.
‘Retail therapy’ is not real therapy in a dark COVID winter
The upcoming season can seem like a drag. With winter, the pandemic and not being able to visit family and friends, you may be feeling down. You are not in this alone.
Quebec woman’s death after racist slurs prompts push to reform health care for Indigenous peoples
The Indigenous community continues bear the brunt of inadequate healthcare, regularly experiencing abusive treatment, negative stereotyping, and substandard care.
COVID-19 restrictions are causing a surge in cannabis sales and changing consumer habits in Ottawa
Learn how COVID-19 restrictions are causing a change in local cannabis retail sales and consumer habits.
Ottawa’s Jewish women closer than ever during pandemic
Jewish women in Ottawa support each other during the pandemic through a variety of community events.
COVID is reshaping holiday traditions, shopping
Like many things in 2020, the holiday season will look a little bit different this year as COVID-19 cases continue to hit record highs all across the country.
Blood donors needed over the holiday ‘season of giving’ despite pandemic
The holidays are the season for gift-giving but ironically many forget to give the gift of life by donating blood.
Tracking COVID-19: Dec. 1
The prime minister said today that Canada will not agree to lifting a ban on non-essential travel with the United States until the coronavirus outbreak is significantly under control around the world. The Liberal government is preparing legislation to begin implementing the fall economic statement. As such the measures could trigger a confidence vote and the toppling of the government. Justin...
Ontario moves to make daylight savings the only time — eventually
A brief look at Ontario's new Bill 214, passed Nov. 25, seeking to permanently make daylight saving time the standard for the province.
Ford locks down Toronto, Peel; Ottawa remains in orange zone
Rising COVID-19 numbers has forced Doug Ford to lock down Toronto and Peel Region health units. The new rules begin Monday.
Affordable housing, safety among the priorities in Ottawa’s Women and Gender Equity Strategy
The City of Ottawa is preparing to move forward to the next phase of its Women and Gender Equity Strategy after a delay because of the pandemic. A brief report updating city councillors on the two-year-old initiative was issued Oct. 30. It included a summary of priorities for action — including more affordable housing and improved safety — that were...
Pharmacy, clinic supplies shrink as demand for seasonal flu shot soars across Ontario
Public Health officials continue to emphasize the importance of getting a flu shot this year but as the demand for the vaccine soars, many people are finding out it's not exactly easy to get one.
COVID-19 risks, safety protocols challenge hospices providing end-of-life care across Ontario
COVID-19’s uprooting across all healthcare practices in Ontario has caused protocols to be reimagined. Challenges to hospice care across the province include restriction on visitors and personal protective equipment barriers for both residents and staff.
It’s lockdown and shave down this Movember
Movember has kicked off its 14th annual campaign and organizers say it has never been more important to raise funds for men’s health.
Rage rooms and other spaces offer physical, emotional relief in COVID times
An overview of select recreational facilities that offer consumers a safe space to engage in a physical activity while blowing off emotional steam.
Students fear for their mental health as COVID-19 winter isolation measures loom
The first COVID-19 lockdown took its toll on peoples' mental health. Many fear that further lockdowns during winter will be even worse.
COVID-19 restrictions have Ottawa residents looking outdoors to stay healthy
With Gyms in Ottawa shut again because of COVID-19 restrictions, many Ottawa residents will have to consider outdoor activities to stay fit this fall and possibly through the winter.
Scientists warn of more pandemics as the buffers between humans and animal break down
Discarded masks are just the beginning of the environmental consequences of COVID-19. The intersection of humans and the environment — at a time when the disappearing buffer between people and animals is being blamed for this and expected future pandemics — is challenging sustainability in the context of this global public health emergency.
Halloween isn’t cancelled, Ford insists — ‘just don’t go door-to-door’ in Ontario hotspots
Premier Doug Ford is recommending that children in Toronto, Peel, York and Ottawa refrain from door-to-door trick-or-treating this year, but that doesn't mean the spooky day is cancelled.
Acquittal of Ottawa police officer in death of Abdirahman Abdi draws reaction from across Canada
The acquittal of Ottawa Police Const. Daniel Montsion of three charges from the death of Abdirahman Abdi four years ago is drawing reaction from across the country. Montsion was found not guilty of manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in by Ontario Court Justice Robert Kelly, who said he was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Montsion...
‘We’re on our own’: Parents struggle to navigate COVID testing as schools remain open through second wave
With school reopened and COVID-19 cases rising, parents struggle to follow school and province guidelines.