Dream trip on hold: How pandemic travel restrictions grounded me and much of the world
Like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected my life in some way. In my case, similarily to millions of people around the world, I was affected by travel restrictions.
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.
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.
Community service grant program helps young Canadians give back
#RisingYouth Community Service Grants are helping people ages 15-30 across the country give back to their communities.
Carleton student Cihan Erdal now detained in Turkey for three months
There is a campaign underway to obtain the release of Carleton student and Canadian permanent resident Cihan Erdal who has been detained in Turkey for three months.
Ottawa outperforming other Ontario cities in containing COVID, but that may not matter with lockdown looming
Ottawa's management of COVID-19 is drawing praise from outside the city, but that won't keep the region out of an impending province-wide lockdown.
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.
Podcast: COVID Impact 2020 – Episode 3
In this episode, dreams, therapy and wellness have all been affected by COVID-19. Also, a look at tree-planting in Canada and freedom of speech in Canadian universities.
Ottawa organizations turn food waste into meals for those in need
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to consume 2020, local organizations are trying to manage what appears to be an increasing amount of food waste.
Senator takes a fresh run at lowering Canada’s federal voting age
A Manitoba senator is trying to get the voting age lowered in Canada.
Podcast: COVID Impact 2020 – Episode 2
In this episode, hear how people are adjusting to and coping with life during COVID-19.
‘Names Hurt’: Confronting the embedded racism in Ottawa streets and landmarks linked to slavery
In the wake of the North America-wide anti-racism protests spawned by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, Canada has seen a growing movement to highlight systems of oppression and systemic racism. As a part of this, citizens have begun to question the symbols around Canadian cities that honour racist figures and they are pushing for renaming's.
Podcast: COVID Impact 2020 – Episode 1
In this episode, hear how shoppers, students, athletes, and drag artists have been affected and how they are adapting.
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.
Fiscally united, socially divided: Federal Conservatives struggle to maintain harmony in party’s ‘big tent’
The Conservative Party of Canada is navigating a tricky political path as new leader Erin O'Toole seeks to attract centrist voters while not alienating social conservatives.
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.
For the love of Ontario Parks, pick up your garbage
As more people discover a love for camping during the pandemic, Capital Current's Samantha Pope writes let's all remember the basics of helping preserve nature: leaving no trace.
National student group ‘distraught’ by gaps in support announced in federal economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivers the 2020 fall economic statement as the government continues to focus on guiding Canadians through the pandemic.
War Museum exhibit tells personal stories to reveal much about the history of the Second World War
Months after being postponed by the arrival of COVID-19, the Canadian War Museum is marking the 75th anniversary of the Second World War with an exhibit that showcases the experiences of dozens of Canadians during 1939-45 conflict. Forever Changed: Stories from the Second World War was curated by Tim Cook, author and military historian, and is open to the public....
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.
Pandemic putting the brakes on public transit use for some
As winter arrives, public transit numbers may not significantly increase.
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.
Ottawa’s 2020 Brian Kilrea Award winner is so much more than a football coach
The story of Jean-Sorphia Guillaume goes beyond the football field and into the community where he has helped many succeed in football, but more importantly in life.
As COVID-19 drags on, traffic collisions are way down but dangerous driving may be up
Business closures and working from home during COVID-19 has reduced traffic across Ontario. How is this impacting road safety for Canadians?
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.
Remembrance, remotely
In the midst of a surge in second-wave COVID-19 cases, Canadians paused on Nov. 11 to remember the sacrifices of soldiers who died and veterans who survived the First and Second World War, conflicts in Korea, Afghanistan and peacekeeping missions around the world. The pandemic made Remembrance Day 2020 a mostly virtual, physically distanced commemoration — a very different kind...
Ottawa museums commemorate Remembrance Day virtually
Museums in Ottawa find ways to virtually honour Remembrance day this year.
Remembrance Day in COVID times: Watson pays city’s respects at smaller, safer local ceremonies
This Remembrance Day has been a different one for veterans and the public.
Post-secondary students hoping for tuition break as ‘virtual learning’ continues
Post-secondary students all across Ontario have now experienced online schooling and the question still remains, will tuition fees ever be lowered?
Ottawa’s hard-hit tourism sector faces an uncertain future amid pandemic
Tourism spending in Canada is down, leaving Ottawa's tourism industry in crisis. The city is positioned to lose $1.4 billion in tourism spending in 2020.
Ottawa’s multicultural communities boast impressive giving habits
A recent nationwide study shows our multicultural communities are more inclined to support charities and nonprofits compared to the average Canadian. With one in three Canadians projected to be immigrants by 2036, Ottawa’s community leaders, expert researchers and marketers agree that engaging diverse communities should be top of mind for the charitable sector.
Paper bags just as environmentally damaging as plastic bags, experts say
With Canada getting ready to ban plastic bags by the end of 2021, experts are warning its most popular alternative has environmentally damaging consequences of its own.
Ottawa pagans prepare to observe a physically distanced tradition on Oct. 31
Samhain, a Celtic holiday from which Halloween originates, normally involves witch balls, parties, and group rituals for Ottawa pagans. Pandemic restrictions mean community members must stay home.
Many students losing an economic lifeline as restaurant jobs in Ottawa hit hard by COVID-19
Life is tough for Student employees and students seeking work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spooky attractions across Ontario haunted by pandemic rules
How local businesses are adapting to pandemic guidelines in attempt to provide the haunted Halloween experience this year.
Halloween’s pumpkin problem: Anti-waste advocates urge end to doorstep-to-landfill horror show
Although pumpkins are grown as a food source, most will be thrown away this Halloween. Several organizations are working to tackle this pumpkin problem.
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.
Carleton grows wings: Pushed by COVID-19, the 21st butterfly show adapted well to life online
A closer look at Carleton University's 21st annual butterfly show, and how the event transitioned to virtual platforms for the first time.
The death of Joyce Echaquan: ‘Indigenous people know it’s not unique’
Joyce Echaquan’s tragic death and the racist verbal abuse she faced while receiving medical treatment has shocked many Canadians, but her experience is far from an isolated incident, say Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders alike. “Indigenous people know it’s not unique,” said Lorraine Whitman, head of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Acknowledging that, four senior federal ministers convened a virtual...
Tam gives general go-ahead to trick-or-treat, but Etches says COVID hotspot Ottawa needs safer Halloween
With Halloween fast approaching, many families are still wondering what their Oct. 31 will look like this year as they wait for official guidelines from the province about a COVID-safe Halloween.
COVID consequences: Teletherapy tackles surging mental health crisis
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians have been experiencing a rising mental health crisis and teletherapy appointments are in high demand.
Ontario students face critical gaps in Holocaust education and awareness
In the wake of a widely shared report on Holocaust awareness in the U.S., there are growing calls for what many have been saying for years: there is a desperate need for comprehensive Holocaust education in schools.
Museums seizing digital moment: Funding for virtual skate exhibit highlights pandemic trend
This year's batch of approved projects include an exhibit that will explore one of Canada's most underrated sports: figure skating.
Faces of change: Louisa Taylor helps newcomers navigate 2020, COVID-19
This Ottawa refugee advocate is working to ease newcomers into a post-COVID Canada.
In climbing, a push to change derogatory route names is underway
For the voice of each man pretending offensive climbing route names are not a problem, there are plenty of others that buoy the need for a widespread effort to change the names of climbing routes across North America. After a broader reckoning with how we name monuments to problematic historical figures, change is coming to both online and physical guidebooks...
Governments ‘not doing enough’ to control Canada’s worst invasive plant, experts say
Experts say Ottawa is not doing enough to control the spread of Canada's worst invasive species, despite economic incentives
Ontario to begin largest flu immunization campaign in ‘Canadian history’
The province will spend $70 million in the country’s largest flu immunization campaign, ordering 5.1 million flu vaccines.