Ottawa councillors welcome plan to build Quebec City-Toronto high-speed rail link
Fast train service has been a dream for decades in Canada, the only G7 country without high-speed rail, and Ottawa city councillors are supportive of the latest plan that could get commuters from Ottawa to Toronto in just over two hours.
Ottawa ends hybrid work for city workers … sort of
A watered-down mandate for Ottawa city staff to return to in-person work was passed by City Council Sept. 24, but some councillors wonder whether the new order really changes much.
Crossing the line? Proposed protest bylaws threaten advocacy, climate activists say
Proposed bubble bylaws including in the City of Ottawa threaten the right to free speech, activists say.
Giving a dam for 50 years: Canada’s relationship with its national animal
The beaver has been an official symbol of Canada for 50 years, but we don't treat them with the respect that deserve, experts say.
Chinatown BIA director wants his community to be safe
Yukang Li is executive director of the Chinatown BIA. In his four years in the job he has become more and more concerned about public safety in his community.
Rising popularity of K-pop and K-dramas a sign of shifting perceptions of Korean identity and culture
Nukes. Bombs. War. North Korea. These are words Jenny Kwak, a 22-year-old Korean-Canadian, often heard when people discussed her heritage. Growing up in Toronto, she always felt like she stood out. Her food was different. Her features didn’t fit in. When she met people who weren’t from her community, she learned to steel herself for the stereotyping. Then came 2012,...
Here comes the night: Mathieu Grondin aims to bring new energy to Ottawa after dark
Mathieu Grondin became Ottawa's Nightlife Commissioner 15 months ago. His mandate in Ottawa includes implementing the city’s Nightlife Economy Action Plan and leading the newly created Ottawa Nightlife Office.
Judy Trinh’s journey from refugee to reporter
From fleeing Vietnam as a child to becoming a national correspondent with CTV News, Judy Trinh has built a career uncovering stories and giving back to her Vietnamese community.
Trinity Lowthian realizes her Paralympic fencing dream
Last year, Ottawa's Trinity Lowthian achieved her childhood dream of representing Team Canada.
TikTok influencer Gabriel Yorke shines a humorous spotlight on Carleton University
Gabriel Yorke is a marketing student at Carleton University. He is also a successful TikTok influencer with some 144,800 followers who enjoy his satirical take on university life.
‘A trailblazer’: Trina Mather-Simard shows the way for Indigenous tourism
Trina Mather-Simard's career has involved horses, festivals and workshops — but through it all, growing Indigenous tourism has always been at the heart of her work.
Althia Raj balances politics and community in Ottawa
Althia Raj has spent years reporting and providing analysis of the happenings at Parliament Hill. She is also active in Ottawa's arts scene.
Ottawa scientist Emilio Alarcón champions diversity in his research
University of Ottawa Scientist Emilio Alarcón has been named one of Canada's most inspiring immigrants for his disability advocacy and research.
Marisa Moher breaks down barriers for youth through community and compassion
Marisa Moher's position at Youturn is more than operations and finances. She is driven by the goal to give all youth in Ottawa the opportunity to succeed.
Leading the Charge: Gwyneth Philips’ rapid rise to be the team’s starting goalie
Gwyneth Philips returns to the Ottawa Charge's net. But how did she make such a large mark as a rookie?
Suzanne Obiorah offers leadership in improving access for all to public health in Ottawa
Suzanne Obiorah, CEO of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, works to minimize racial and social disparities in Ottawa.
Ottawa teen Kevin Tobin’s determination takes him to kayak bronze at world championships
Despite living with ADHD and autism, Kevin Tobin is dismantling stigma around disabled youth athletes by proving with tenacious determination that he can achieve his goals.
From refugee to changemaker: Solange Tuyishime Keita’s path to empower women and girls
From surviving civil war to becoming president and CEO of her own organization and competing in national pageants, Solange Tuyishime Keita has devoted her life to empowering women and girls.
Sarah Dobbin makes waves with marathon swim in support of Ottawa Riverkeeper
Sarah Dobbin had never swum more than 25 kilometres when she tackled a 50-kilometre swim from Parliament Hill to Wendover to fundraise for Ottawa Riverkeeper.
Ashley Fraser captures Ottawa through her camera lens
Ashley Fraser's camera has captured Freedom Convoy protests, Snoop Dogg's Ottawa visit and many more Ottawa events.
Bytown is “the best” for We Were Sharks guitarist Colin Jacques
We Were Sharks guitarist Colin Jacques explores his connection to Ottawa after performing in the city's biggest music festival.
Joel Kowalski brings whitewater adventure and a new beachside café to Ottawa’s waterfront
Former professional kayaker, Joel Kowalski, has turned his passion into a career as the president of Wilderness Tours. He is expanding the business into Ottawa with a new seasonal café and rentals at Westboro Beach.
Jessica Traina curates what Ottawa has to offer
Jessica Traina has turned a way to explore Ottawa into a career as an local content creator, sharing guides and tips with thousands of followers.
Bestselling author Katie Tallo sets mystery thrillers in Ottawa
Katie Tallo is an international bestselling author of mystery thrillers, who finds inspiration and sets novels in Ottawa neighbourhoods and businesses.
Heidi Bloomfield: Meet the CSO behind Ottawa’s new women’s professional soccer team
Heidi Bloomfield brings a community approach to Ottawa's new professional women's soccer team.
Target of hate-driven paintball attack in Kanata revealed to be pride flag
A flag displayed at a Kanata home and which was vandalized in June — leading to an Ottawa police hate-crime investigation and several charges against a local man — was a pride banner, Capital Current has learned. In a June 30 press release, the Ottawa Police Service announced five counts of “hate/bias-motivated mischief and harassment” charges against a 41-year-old male...
‘World’s largest’ inflatable attraction bounces into Ottawa over long weekend
The Big Bounce Canada, billed as the biggest touring inflatable event in the world, brought loads of fun to families in Ottawa over the August long weekend. The event was held on the grounds of the RA Centre on Riverside Drive from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 1-3. A three-hour pass for children 15 and under was $49. “We have giant...
New mounted unit awaits gear, more training before police horses fully deploy
The new mounted unit of the Ottawa Police Service has secured a stable in the south end of the city but awaits further training and equipment — including protective gear the horses will wear when providing crowd control at demonstrations — before fully deploying next month, according to a recent report presented to the Ottawa Police Service Board. Since April,...
‘Turn the heat up on ICE’: Protest slams crackdown by U.S immigration agency
In the shadow of the U.S embassy, a small group of demonstrators lined the sidewalk on July 17 to condemn the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown against undocumented immigrants and others — including some Canadians travelling south of the border. The protesters held signs with slogans calling for the “ICE to melt” while others were plastered with the faces of Canadians...
Battery project highlights clash between city’s energy goals and local concerns
A massive energy storage facility to be located in rural west-end Ottawa was recently approved by city council, but remains a contentious project among locals in the area. The planned $650-million Battery Energy Storage System is to be built along a power transmission line off of Marchurst Road between the villages Dunrobin and Carp, northwest of Kanata. It’s the second...
New legislation renders OPS special event staffing process non-compliant
The Ottawa Police Service may need to change its administrative process for staffing special events such as professional sports games, festivals and construction sites following a change in provincial legislation. On July 7, the Ottawa Police Service Board’s policy and governance committee received an update on which body has the authority to oversee the staffing of these shifts, which are...
Police board looks to reform handling of major events after convoy controversy
The Ottawa Police Service Board is looking to modernize the policies that govern how local law enforcement officers handle major events such as mass demonstrations, Ottawa-hosted international meetings and royal visits. The planned reforms to the OPS Major Events Policy (CR-17) will take place through a phased approach that aims to address a confluence of oversight findings, legislative reforms and...
Wartime convalescent home in Sandy Hill to be granted heritage designation
Ottawa’s built heritage committee has voted to designate a property that once served as a hospital for wounded soldiers returning from the First World War. Located in Sandy Hill, 410-412 Besserer Street — built by the famous engineer and inventor Sir Sandford Fleming in 1904 — served as part of The Fleming Convalescent Home from 1917 to 1921. It later...
Canadian War Museum acquires rare Second World War tank from UK
The Canadian War Museum has just added a key piece of our country’s military history to its massive collection of artifacts. The LeBreton Flats museum recently acquired a Sherman Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle, better known as a BARV. These tanks played a major role in Canada’s contribution to the Second World War, as they were used during the D-Day landings...
‘We have to show our patriotism,’ says seamstress behind anti-Tesla flag protest
In March, when the Canada-U.S. trade war erupted, Graziana Marcantonio decided to use her sewing skills to make a statement to the powerful. The Ottawa seamstress took it upon herself to ask her fellow residents of the Sidney Towers Housing Co-operative to hang Canadian flags on their balconies, situated beside the Tesla auto showroom on Carling Avenue in Little Italy....
New print magazine issues ‘wake-up call’ about Ottawa’s coolness, creativity
On a Saturday afternoon, in an event space located on a quiet stretch of Gladstone Avenue, about a dozen creatives scrambled to apply the finishing touches of art and décor before their guests began to arrive. The setup was a team effort, including strategically placed photographs, a DJ set, a band, balloons and (of course) oranges. After all, there was...
City officials expect launch of O-Train’s western service in early 2027
While the O-Train’s eastern extension could possibly see completion this year, construction teams are hard at work completing the long-anticipated western expansion. The West extension is part of the Stage 2 Light Rail expansion, which will add 16 new destinations to the previous O-Train LRT lines. The extension will see new stations added to Line 1, as well as a...
Ottawa’s first Craig’s Cookies shop draws Canada Day crowd in ByWard Market
José Mari Perez says the smell of freshly baked, candy-filled cookies wafting through Union Station draws him in every time he visits Toronto. On Canada Day, he got the chance to try the treats from the popular Toronto-based chain, Craig’s Cookies, at its new location in the ByWard Market on George Street. “I’ve been to the shop in Toronto multiple...
Committee OKs plan to move French childcare service to West Centretown
The City of Ottawa’s community services committee has approved a plan to move the Centre éducatif Pinocchio — a city-run French-language childcare service — to a high-needs area in West Centretown. The city is proposing to move the municipally-operated centre from its current location at 111 Sussex Drive in Lowertown — the former Ottawa City hall — to a new...
From swamp to swim spot: Why Dow’s Lake is cleaner than you think
Last month, the NCC officially opened a swim spot off a new dock in Dow’s Lake, part of the Rideau Canal just north of Carleton University. National Capital Commission CEO Tobi Nussbaum, Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi and others enthusiastically jumped in, partly to demonstrate to the public that the water is safe to swim in and had consistently met...
After referendum motion pulled, residents speak out on Lansdowne 2.0
Fifteen delegates voiced concerns about the city’s proposed Lansdowne 2.0 project as part of a June 23 “people’s committee” hosted by the community group Better Ottawa. Better Ottawa’s Neil Saravanamuttoo said he decided to organize the event after a motion by Capital Coun. Shawn Menard — which proposed a public referendum on Lansdowne 2.0 — was withdrawn during a June...
O-Train east extension on track for 2025 as final phase of work on stations begins
With the eastern expansion of the O-Train scheduled to open to the public by year’s end, the finishing touches of construction are currently underway at the stations that will soon see thousands of riders daily. The extension will add 12.5 kilometres of track east of the existing line, which ends at Blair Station. This includes five new stations, bringing LRT...
City proposes new open data dashboard for indicators of community well-being
Open data on the well-being and safety of Ottawa residents is about to get more accessible. Last week, staff attending the city’s community safety and well-being advisory committee presented plans to develop a new dashboard that would display data on city-wide population-based indicators. The committee, which met June 18, is made up largely of community volunteers and includes Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun....
Committee approves housing, school, addition to Plant Recreation Centre
The area connecting Chinatown and Hintonburg is expected to see a major revitalization in the next few years after a proposal to redevelop the area around the Plant Recreation Centre was approved by the city’s planning and housing Committee. The original redevelopment plan, put forward in December, led to numerous requests for amendments. The latest proposal includes four future residential...
OC Transpo spotlights Route 11 data to address service reliability issues
Facing widespread public dissatisfaction with the reliability of Ottawa’s transit system, OC Transpo officials gave city councillors an overview of its performance standards at a transit committee meeting on June 12. The review focused on data from Route 11, which runs from the west-end Bayshore Shopping Centre to Waller Street in the downtown core, a key stop for University of...
‘A big shift’: Centretown business owner hopeful as city proposes façade fund
Historic buildings in Centretown may soon be eligible to receive funding from the city for something that’s often relegated to the bottom of a business owner’s to-do list: Beautification. On Tuesday, Ottawa’s built heritage committee unveiled a $500,000 Centretown Heritage Façade Improvement Pilot Program. If approved by council, it could allow property owners of buildings along Bank and a small...
Schedule still ‘fluid,’ but city expects mid-2026 opening for Ādisōke library
Officials overseeing construction of the city’s new central library say it’s on track for completion by mid-2026, but added that the work schedule for the project remains “fluid” because of the structure’s massive scale and complexity. The latest update on Ādisōke, a $334-million collaboration between the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada, was presented to the Ottawa Public...
Debate delayed on fossil fuel ad ban as city targets ‘greenwashing’ instead
Members of the city’s finance and corporate services committee have delayed debating a staff recommendation against banning fossil fuel advertising on municipal property. Instead, staff outlined a plan in a memo presented to the committee on June 3 to ensure ads on city property would comply with new provisions under the Federal Competition Act targeting misleading environmental claims, also known...
Algonquin elder still ‘frustrated’ by explorer Champlain’s prominence at renaturalized Kìwekì Point
The effort to preserve two 80-year-old elm trees in the recently rehabilitated Kìwekì Point reminded designers of one thing not reflected much in the national capital’s downtown landscape: that we are living in relationship to nature. “Those two trees are probably the main reason for how the pathway system for the park actually worked itself out,” said Garry Meus, a...
City begins grappling with projected $10.8-billion infrastructure gap by 2035
City councillors at a finance and corporate services committee on Tuesday debated how the city should close a projected $10.8-billion infrastructure gap over the next 10 years. As required under provincial legislation from 2017, the city presented asset management plans across 12 infrastructure areas, including drinking water, transportation and solid waste services, creating a “snapshot” of the projected deficit. “We...