Westboro community steps into cold in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women
Westboro-based Cornerstone Housing for Women raises funds for their emergency shelter as housing insecurity rises.
City plants seed for Ottawa community gardens to bloom
Ottawa gardeners hopeful new City program promising increased garden space bears fruit.
Rights, resilience and radio helping Ottawa’s Iranian-Canadian diaspora navigate Iran’s crisis
As Iran struggles under economic collapse and the aftermath of a brutally violent crackdown, Iranian-Canadian families in Ottawa anxiously await news of loved ones trapped behind closed borders. Support has been visible especially when more than 100,000 demonstrators poured into the streets of Toronto on Feb. 1 to support anti-government protests in Iran and to condemn the religious regime’s violent...
It’s mainly because of the meat: Rising prices are changing how Canadians shop
Rising prices for meat are shifting the choices presented to Canadian consumers.
Support agencies hope Ottawa’s food security strategy will ease demand on them
A City of Ottawa food insecurity strategy aims to engage the provincial and federal governments to advocate for better funding for assistance programs.
Some Ottawa Metro stores reduce daily student discount to once a week as food insecurity rises
Some Metro grocery stores in Ottawa are cutting a daily discount for students to once a week as the affordability crisis continues to grow in the capital.
Denied at the door: Guide dog users in Ottawa say they still face discrimination
Guide dog users say discrimination remains a daily reality despite laws meant to protect them.
Local literacy advocate ALSO hosts annual ‘celebration of banned books’
A local literacy organization celebrated “banned books” with readings from high-profile Ottawa-area authors and a silent auction fundraiser. Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks, better known as ALSO, organizes the yearly event to highlight the harms of banning books. ALSO is an adult and family literacy group that works with students who require extra support for youth because of mental health...
Trade war tactics: Outdoor markets highlight value of buying local
Ottawa Street Markets founder shares why buying Canadian is important during the U.S.- Canada trade war.
Growing food may soon be allowed alongside Ottawa roads if council approves
Ottawa residents may soon be able to grow food on city-owned property near roads, if a motion passed by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee is adopted by full council. If the motion amending a bylaw is adopted, it would allow fixed planters placed half a metre away from the sidewalk and 1.5 meters away from the road on streets without...
More government funding needed for Ottawa food banks, advocates say
Advocates say current levels of funding for food banks and services are no longer enough to address food insecurity in Ottawa.
“All of us have lost”: Sudanese Canadians build community at a time of war
Sudanese-Canadians are turning to each other to foster community and help their loved ones in Sudan as violent conflict rages on.
Ottawa Food Bank may have to cut food distribution in 2025
Food inflation is persistent, and demands on food banks have grown. But the city's contribution hasn't.
City Builder: Najia Haneefi advocates for Afghanistan women and girls’ liberation
Najia Haneefi is a long-time advocate for the educational freedom of Afghan women and girls. She is a co-chair of Right to Learn Afghanistan Ottawa, which is responsible for educating young Afghan children via online libraries and classes.
City Builder: Chef Ric Allen-Watson cooks up some hope with the Ottawa Mission
Ric Allen-Watson is the Ottawa Mission's Director of Food Services. He started the Mission's Food Truck in 2020, now serving 10,000 meals weekly, and founded the Food Services Training Program in 2004.
City Builder: Wendy Leung helping communities access surplus food with Foodsharing Ottawa
Who is she? Wendy Leung is the volunteer executive director of Foodsharing Ottawa. The organization collects surplus food from local businesses and distributes it to people in need. What is her background? Leung’s background combines biochemistry, regulatory affairs and public health, with experience in business development and digital services. “I love connecting the dots across various fields and using what...
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.
Words matter: Seeking asylum in Canada is not illegal
Earlier in June, U.S. President Joe Biden announced measures on migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border that allow authorities to deport or turn them back to Mexico without having the chance to claim asylum. One of Donald Trump’s main campaign agendas is to deport millions of undocumented migrants and prevent others from crossing borders. In recent years, tensions over Quebec’s Roxham Road...
One in 11 people worldwide face hunger: UN report
The global food security has remained stubbornly poor for three straight years, according to a new UN report. Published by five United Nations specialized agencies, the new State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report has found nearly 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, equivalent to one in 11 people on the planet. The total is about...
New study finds 25 per cent of Canadians are living at poverty level
A new study published by Food Banks Canada found an estimated 25 per cent of Canadians are living in poverty.
Canadians concern about acts of hate against Jews and Muslims waning, poll concludes
Canadians remain concerned about antisemitic and anti-Muslim acts but their concern is eroding.
Diminishing support: Public support for pro-Palestinian encampments wanes the longer they last, survey shows
A new survey of Canadians and Americans shows that support for student encampments diminishes over time.
Pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli protesters rally as city raises Star of David flag
Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel rallies attend the raising of the Israeli flag at Ottawa City Hall on Israel's Independence Day.
Swimming in rough seas: The quest for a sustainable seal harvest continues
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has issued a new report showing a dramatic rise in the number of seals.
Mission’s meals provide sustenance, lift spirits of thousands on Easter weekend
The Ottawa Mission served a record number of Easter meals recently, a reflection of the growing need in the Ottawa community.
Advocacy groups, unions say protests should be exempt from noise bylaw
Groups rally to protest a City of Ottawa noise bylaw that they say restricts their right to protest.
Pro-Palestine protest targets Canadian government, alleged weapons suppliers
Protestors criticize Canada's role in bringing a ceasefire to the ongoing war in Gaza and the arms being sold to the Israeli Defence Force.
Inflation has restaurants struggling to pay the bills as costs rise and consumers watch their wallets
The restaurant industry is struggling with rising costs, narrow profit margins and cost-conscious customers.
Living under the Taliban: Afghan women call for more international support to fight gender-based violence
Carleton University invited Afghan activists to Richcraft Hall’s resource centre to share their experiences of resistance and resilience as women living under the Taliban. This event marked the 16th day of a global movement to tackle gender-based violence.
Microgreens trend is sprouting, but the tiny vegetables won’t solve the food crisis
Microgreens may be a more sustainable and popular option among farmers, but they cannot solve long term food security issues, expert says.
‘You just have to be human:’ Fundraiser organizers heartened by support for Palestinians
The oldest Muslim relief organization in Canada, Human Concern International, hosted Ummah Alert fundraising dinner which raised more than $125,000 for relief efforts in Gaza and Afghanistan.
Inflation drives food bank use in Ottawa to critical levels
Ottawa food banks are facing growing demand as food prices soar across the country.
Hungry for hampers: Demand outstrips supply at campus food banks in Ottawa
Ottawa's post-secondary campus food banks struggle to meet demand from students.
City of Ottawa not doing enough to address food insecurity, say church-affiliated groups
The people who run church-affiliated meal drop-ins and food banks want to see the city offer better solutions than the emergency help they can provide.
Squashing food insecurity: After Halloween, local group says don’t throw out that pumpkin — donate it
With every approaching Halloween, many pumpkins will be bought, carved up for spooky jack-o-lanterns and swiftly discarded afterwards. Instead of throwing out your pumpkin on Nov. 1, environmental advocacy groups like Ottawa South Eco-Action Network recommend finding alternative uses for your gourd.
Carleton students vote on direct levy to fund campus support centre supplying food and other necessities to those in need
Carleton University is having a referendum to decide wether or not to impose a $2.98 levy on each student, per term, to help fund the university-based food bank.
‘I have started to buy only the necessities:’ Food inflation threatens students’ ability to consume a balanced diet
High food inflation in Ontario has forced students to cut back on essential food groups.
Rising food prices prompt higher demand for Ottawa School Breakfast Program
The cost of food is not only impacting households, it has spurred a concerning increase in the use of Ottawa's school food program.
American and Canadian sororities and fraternities struggle with lack of inclusivity for disabled students
Fraternities and sororities have come under mounting pressure in recent years to diversify their ranks. So far,: people with disabilities have been largely ignored.
New Carleton reporting award honours slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Carleton University unveils a new scholarship in honour of the slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
City builder: Paula MacDonald builds cultural connections in her role as a deaf Indigenous advocate
Paula MacDonald, who is half Cree from Treaty 4, is a deaf Indigenous youth advocate, who is working hard to help deaf Indigenous connect with their communities.
Soaring cost of living has food bank use in Ottawa rising to record levels
With rising grocery costs locking more people out of a nutritious diet, rates of food insecurity are soaring across the country.
Refugees need safe havens to rebuild communities: U.K. migration expert
A British expert on refugee resettlement delivered a keynote lecture at Carleton University on March 17 that stressed the importance of re-establishing refugees’ sense of community to combat risks associated with isolation and loneliness. Nishat Awan, a lecturer at University College London, shared research she has been conducting for nearly 10 years on the disruption and dislocation suffered by refugees....
Earnings of most racialized post-secondary grads lag behind their non-racialized peers, study shows
A StatsCan study shows how radicalizedpost-secondary graduates don't do as well as their white peers.
Drag defenders: Supporters of ‘love’ and inclusivity thwart angry protesters at NAC storytime standoff
A Drag Storytime event at the National Arts Centre was the scene of a protest by the conservative Christian group Save Canada. Counter-protesters pushed back and the event went ahead.
Decriminalization, more funding key to saving lives, say drug reform advocates
Decriminalization is a good first step, but advocates and experts say bigger leaps must be taken to address the overdose crisis.
Prayer vigil at Ottawa mosque honours victims of Burkina Faso terror attack
Ottawa's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community members are mourning the killing of nine of their community in an act of violence in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Chef escapes war in Ukraine, brings expert culinary creations to Ottawa café
Chef Nasser Saleh has brought his talents to Ottawa after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
A digital virus: How the online spread of antisemitism inflicts long-term harm
Antisemitism in online spaces has been growing in the past several years; experts warn more needs to be done to combat it.
‘It’s so normalized’: Jewish students, teachers confront rising antisemitism
Ottawa teachers and members of the local Jewish community are pointing to growing antisemitism in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board after an increase in reported anti-Jewish hate crimes across the city in the past year. “It is not pretty,” said David Sachs, a community relations specialist with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. Sachs is handling concerns from Jewish parents who...