New U.K. High Commission overlooking Ottawa River aims to reach sustainability ‘gold standard’
The new British High Commission building in Ottawa will be one of the greenest such buildings anywhere.
Battered by COVID, Ottawa retailers hope for ‘buy local’ bump during holiday season battle with online giants
Small-scale Ottawa retailers, already struggling to survive crippling COVID-19 restrictions, are raising alarms about pre-Christmas competition with online shopping giants and urging consumers to “buy local.” Because of the pandemic, Canada Post is anticipating delays this holiday season as more people skip in-person and shop online. Earlier this year, because of pandemic shopping restrictions, Canada Post had a weeks-long backlog...
In a downtown park torn up by construction, dedicated volunteers help flowers bloom amid pandemic gloom
Sarah Lozowski smiles through her floral-patterned face mask as she explains what she’s planting. Today it’s tiger lilies, which she has donated more than once from her garden at home to begin filling the bare plots in tiny St. Luke’s Park, tucked away just off Ottawa’s busy Elgin Street strip of bars and restaurants. “They tend to spread everywhere!” Lozowski...
Ribbons of remembrance: Ottawa church dedicates COVID tree to honour victims, soothe community’s grief
A small tree beside a church in the Glebe has been transformed into a memorial for local victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of pale blue ribbons — the colour of the disposable masks so commonly worn since the global health crisis began in the spring — flutter among the tree’s branches, each knotted strand dedicated to an Ottawa resident...
City waives 2021 patio fees, allows road closures in business zones to combat COVID-19’s economic impact
As struggling restaurants brace for a winter of pandemic restrictions certain to curtail customer traffic, the City of Ottawa is exploring ways to help keep businesses afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. At a Nov. 2 transportation committee meeting, councillors voted to waive patio fees until next year and to allow restaurants in Business Improvement Areas to apply for road closures...
Heritage committee approves major Bank Street development but seeks design change to relieve ‘cliff wall’
The Built Heritage Sub-Committee of Ottawa City Hall voted to redevelop 390-394 Bank Street to have a new residential and commercial building.
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.
Air-quality project discovers no ‘hot spots’ in Ottawa – so far
The Breathe Easy campaign from Ecology Ottawa is a community-level project allowing volunteers to test and track the air quality in Ottawa.
Ottawa’s ambitious energy plan faces potential hurdles, limits to municipal reach
Ottawa’s “Energy Evolution” plan outlines ambitious targets for emission reductions, calling for a 100 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the city by 2050. However, the plan also notes the potential for significant hurdles in meeting that target on time.
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.
New councillor Catherine Kitts joins the fight over future of Cumberland ward
New councillor Catherine Kitts is already in the fray over the future of her Cumberland ward.