Budget prioritizes defence, but Canadians may not support huge long-term investment, experts say
While Canadians appear to support the significant investment in defence the Canadian government is planning, one security expert doubts that this support will be maintained in the longer term.
Support for local farmers on the rise even as produce prices at grocery stores fluctuate
Produce prices at the grocery stores are in constant flux. Meanwhile, local farmers' try to keep their prices relatively constant, and seem to be gaining more community support.
The ink is drying: Ottawa’s downtown tattoo shops are fading
Oversaturation of the market and issues with operating downtown have forced some longtime tattoo businesses in Ottawa to close.
Glebe’s historic outdoor community rink makes a move to park near Lansdowne
The Mutchmor rink has regularly welcomed Glebe skaters since 1932. This winter, the rink will move across the Glebe, leaving some residents and community groups concerned.
Handmade ho, ho, ho: Putting a priority on meaningful gifts as budgets tighten this holiday season
As the holiday season approaches and prices rise nation-wide, Canadians are choosing to adapt in creative ways.
Internationally educated nurses are untapped assets in solving nursing shortages
A recent Statistics Canada report explores how many internationally educated nurses are underutilized even in the midst of a national nursing shortage.
Gas prices remain high compared with other costs, leaving Ottawa residents scrambling to cope
Despite overall inflation falling, gasoline prices are still consistently higher than all other essential goods in Ontario, putting financial strain on Ottawa residents.
University students under ‘stress’ as rent prices increase rapidly
The cost of rent in Canada has risen 5.2 per cent since October 2024, well above the overall inflation rate of 2.2 per cent, Capital Current’s analysis of data Statistics Canada data shows. That is hard to manage for anyone who rents but for university students it can been very difficult. For this cohort, low-cost, short-term rental units are vital....
Families on standby as child care costs plummet, while waitlists hit record levels
Child care is cheaper but that lower price is driving more demand leaving many families waiting for access.
Closed since 2021, Mooney’s Bay Hill could reopen for winter use, based on new city report
The city is considering a redevelopment of Mooney's Bay Hill for winter use. One option would see $3.1 million reconstruction for expanded use.
Ottawa public charging station use surging despite slumping EV sales
Ottawa residents are using public charging stations for their electric vehicles (EVs) more often. Meanwhile, Canada’s overall EV sales dip for the first time in years.
From local bars to national TV, Karamilk has championed Ottawa’s drag scene
After stepping onto the stage at Ottawa’s Lookout Bar for her very first drag performance two years ago, Carleton graduate Karamilk has made her national debut on the sixth season of Canada’s Drag Race.
More discarded needles found as Ottawa Public Health expands search
Ottawa is reporting an uptick in discarded needles found across the city, according to a Capital Current analysis of City of Ottawa data.
Turning a page? Bookworms taking stock because of rising prices
Rising cost of paper and shipping is forcing up prices for books.
For the first time, a safe haven for Inuit women is being built south of Nunavut
Ottawa's Hunt Club neighbourhood will house the city's first shelter devoted to Inuit women and children escaping violence.
Surveillance society? Ottawa police use of AI technologies concerning civil liberties experts
Civil liberties experts are expressing concern about use of AI technologies by Ottawa police.
Tracey Clark builds community one cup — or slice — at a time
The former CEO of Bridgehead is now busy in the pizza business.
Dan Plouffe is an Ottawa sports community leader — and a true life-saver
Dan Plouffe, founder of Ottawa Sports Pages and CAMPS, helps youth get exposed to sport, and reports on elite athletes
Ottawa councillors frustrated by provincial legislation will kill planned cycling projects
Frustrated by the impact that proposed Ontario legislation will have on Ottawa’s cycling infrastructure, city councillors are looking for ways to deal with Bill 60, which would prohibit bike lanes if they reduce the number of vehicle lanes.
Between the lines: Ottawa’s budget puts the squeeze on keeping painted road lines in good shape
City councillors approved the public works portion of Ottawa’s proposed budget Nov. 27, with some councillors highlighting the need for improvements to how the city maintains pavement markings throughout the year.
Calls grow for dedicated bus lanes on Bank Street as Lansdowne 2.0 moves forward
The approval of Lansdowne 2.0 is bringing calls for dedicated bus lanes on Bank Street to the fore.
OC Transpo users question proposed fare increase when service has not improved
OC Transpo riders will pay more in 2026 as the city struggles to meet reliability targets and contain budget shortfalls driven in large part by a rising transit deficit.
Federal push toward AI translation threatens French and jobs for public servants, critics say
The federal government's increasing use of Artificial Intelligence for translation services will "1,000 per cent" affect jobs in the Translation Bureau, and may have impacts on French.
“Why not?” Ottawa musicians intrigued by allure of Eurovision
The federal government’s budget includes $150 million to modernise CBC's mandate and explore participating in Eurovision.
There’s an app for that: OC Transpo to provide real-time crime reporting
OC Transpo will introduce a new app next year for reporting crime on transit.
Holiday shopping lists shorter, more practical, say local market-goers
Ottawa shoppers say worry over rising costs is pushing them toward smaller holiday budgets. A BMO survey confirms that.
Sunday surprise: Churches in Ottawa seeing slight increase in Gen Z worshippers
More Gen Z individuals are going to church now. Capital Current explores the development.
Ottawa eyes purchase of landfill site in Carlsbad Springs despite local opposition
Ottawa City Council will consider buying a landfill site in the city’s south-east after the proposed purchase was approved by the Finance and Corporate Services Committee.
Ottawa Charge and PWHL right to reject plans for smaller arena, fans and experts say
The Lansdowne 2.0 project will reduce the size of the arena that housed the PWHL Ottawa Charge team.
Ottawa residents fear for school-zone safety as speed cameras go dark
Ottawa communities foresee more dangerous driving in school zones after speed cameras across Ottawa shut down on Nov. 14.
“Exponentially terrible”: Redesigned Route 82 works against Knoxdale-Merivale commute, bus riders say
Ottawa's Route 82 absorbed two other bus lines under New Ways to Bus. Riders say the three-in-one route is unreliable and inconvenient.
BookTok turns a page in Ottawa’s literary scene
What began as a niche online community for book lovers has evolved in just a few years into one of the most influential forces in publishing, and Ottawa’s bookstores are feeling the effects.
For mathematician Diane Guignard, race walking adds up perfectly
Diane Guignard is a provincial Race Walking champion and mathematician, who has recently been posting impressive numbers.
Madeleine Beauregard makes waves in the paddling world
Rising canoe-kayak athlete Madeleine Beauregard is a 17-year-old paddler from Ottawa’s Rideau Canoe Club who has risen to prominence as one of Canada's top young talents.
“This is what I am meant to do”: Cara Vaccarino works to reinvent mental health care in Ottawa
Cara Vaccarino stepped into her first CEO position in January 2024 at the Royal Mental Health Centre, and strives to destigmatize mental health.
Christine Crump: Hard Rock’s powerhouse with a heart
Christine Crump has spent more than 25 years in the gaming industry. She is known for her people-first leadership philosophy and commitment to philanthropy. Her work leading Ottawa’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, along with her philanthropic ventures, reflects the values that have guided her for her entire career.
Noisy air condition system rattles the Glebe and underlines concerns as urban intensification continues in Ottawa
Glebe residents are raising concerns about noise levels made by The Clemow building.
Ottawa volunteer Sammita Chowdhury champions youth and equity
Recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award winner, Sammita Chowdhury shares her experience with community work and advocacy efforts in Ottawa.
Ottawa reporter Caroline Phillips makes her own way in journalism
Caroline Phillips is an Ottawa-based reporter who runs her publication, Caroline in the Capital. She focuses on telling community-driven stories.
Double Experience’s Brock Tinsley inspires Ottawa creatives to ‘level up’
Brock Tinsley, the nerd rock guitarist, has spent a decade performing videogame-inspired music internationally and uses his experience to help artists reach the next level in their own career.
Elliott Hartell builds community for students with disabilities through sport
Basketball player Elliott Hartell creates a unified community for students with disabilities with his involvement in Special Olympics Ontario.
Housing helper: Jason Burggraaf advocates for Ottawa’s builders
Jason Burggraaf is a voice for homebuilders in Ottawa.
Restaurant critic Peter Hum has an appetite for food, jazz, travel and family history
Capital Current introduces people who have had an impact on the city. Who is he? Peter Hum is the Ottawa Citizen’s restaurant critic. He will serve an eight-week stint as resident chef at 1 Elgin restaurant early in 2026. From Vienna to Peru, then from Hong Kong to mainland China, Hum is travelling this month, eating and writing about food along...
Kemptville nights: Goldwyn’s injects some new life into growing community
On Sept. 27, a country-style bar opened in Kemptville's downtown core.
Ottawa proposes 3.75% tax hike to pay for transit, police and other priorities
Ottawa City Council unveiled its 2026 draft budget Wednesday morning, announcing property tax and OC Transpo fare increase.
From identity to initiative: Jennifer San works to make Ottawa safer for Indigenous people
Jennifer San, an Indigenous well-being worker, details how her journey inspires her work as coordinator for the Indigenous Women's Safety Table.
Rosey Edeh powers on from Olympian to on-air role model
The co-host of CTV Your Morning Ottawa since 2020, she is a familiar face in the local arts, sports, music and technology communities.
As Starbucks shuts Ottawa locations, coffee drinkers turn to local cafés for a better experience
As Starbucks shutters nine Ottawa locations amid declining sales, local coffee lovers are finding comfort and community in the city’s independent cafés.
Catharine Vandelinde works towards affordable housing solutions in Ottawa
Catharine Vandelinde has been working at Options Housing for eight years, where she uses her experience and expertise to fight homelessness in Ottawa.
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.