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...
Ottawa set to slash permitted idling time for drivers
Councillors agreed in an 11-5 vote Sept. 19 to reduce the allowed idling time from three minutes to one, at a first-of-its-kind special joint meeting of the Environment and Climate Change and Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services committees.
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.
OC Transpo workers suffering as transit struggles, union leader tells councillors
Members of Ottawa’s Transit Commission got an earful from OC Transpo union leaders Sept. 12, who say that the problems with the system cannot be fixed with more cuts. “Some of our operators are on shifts tirelessly for up to 12 hours, yet really compensated for seven and a half on average,” said Noah Vineberg, president of ATU Local 279,...
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: 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.