Pandemic is opening door to consider a greener future for Ottawa’s downtown
What will downtown office space in Ottawa look like in a post-pandemic world? This question, and the debate over the future of offices in general, are in the spotlight now, as the vaccine rollout raises the possibility of a return to normal life by fall. When the pandemic hit, workers fled the downtown core and emptied high-rise office buildings and...
New to Ottawa, artist makes mark with painting of a drag queen Jesus
American-born, Ottawa-based artists Anna Gale is gaining attention with her portrait of a r=drag queen Jesus called Shezus.
Vaccinating Ottawa’s homeless population poses unique problems
As the vaccine rollout proceeds in the city, Ottawa Inner City Health is leading the charge to get vaccines into the arms of the homeless population. This group was initially scheduled for shots in the second phase of vaccination but city officials moved them up the queue after outbreaks spread through six shelters earlier this year. The challenge now is...
Already hurting, Byward Market businesses gird for more COVID-19 restrictions
Businesses in Byward Market have been suffering from the lack of foot traffic due to the pandemic.
Despite pandemic, Ottawa library branches connecting with patrons — one database at a time
The Ottawa Public Library has experienced some positives since the pandemic began, including an increase in users.
Start small, dream big is mantra for those looking to be urban homesteaders
During the pandemic, more and more people have been moving towards homesteading as a lifestyle. A lot of those people are living in cities, and looking for a way to live more sustainably.
Toronto school board creates guidebook to combat anti-Asian racism as pandemic fuels bigotry
The cover illustration for Addressing Anti-Asian Racism:A Resource for Educators. Artwork created by Meera Sethi. She explains in the package that "Sethi wished to show a sense of connectedness between humans and everything else in the world: the wind, the oceans, the waterways, the fish and the trees. To invoke diverse Asian identities, she has used patterns, motifs from Asian...
It’s #Patioszn again: People in Ottawa heading outdoors to meet for a meal despite rising COVID cases
Ottawa went into the red-control zone on March 19 with cases rising but despite this, restaurants were able to open their patios up to the public. With the sun out over the weekend, patios were a busy spot. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson fast-tracked the reopening of patios to help restaurants combat the restrictions designated by the red zone, such as...
City to double fleet of rentable e-scooters after successful 2020 pilot project
The City of Ottawa approved 1,500 scooters for this upcoming summer after last summer's pilot project proved to be successful.
Ottawa’s drag queens have kept their art alive during COVID-19
Ottawa's drag queens have used the pandemic to practice and improve their art form and to test out online performance.
Group pushes for overhaul of Parks Canada’s draft management plan for Rideau Canal
In the midst of public consultations for the Rideau Canal’s new management plan, the Friends of the Rideau group is expressing disappointment in Parks Canada’s blueprint of its plans for the nearly 200-year-old, 200-kilometre-long transportation route between Kingston and Ottawa.
Ottawa environmental advocates take aim at single-use plastics as they mark World Water Day
One Ottawa environmental advocacy group hosted an online event to celebrate world water day and encouraged community members to reduce their use of single-use plastics in the city.