Family of renowned muralist petitions Ottawa library to save two public artworks
In 2015, Denise Trottier emailed the Ottawa Public Library’s main branch expressing concern over the protection of two mosaic murals designed by her late father, the renowned artist Gerald Trottier. Ten years later, Trottier still hasn’t received a definite answer from the library and she is still advocating for the preservation of her father’s art. She said public art plays...
As Canada’s big banks leave Net-Zero alliance, young people think about alternatives
The move by Canada’s biggest financial institutions to walk away from the UN-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance has many Gen Z young people pondering a breakup with their bank, though some admit that the convenience is a major stumbling block.
NCC approves sinuous ‘Motion’ design to replace iconic Alexandra Bridge by 2032
The Ottawa-Gatineau's Alexandra Bridge has had its new design approved. The new design, called "Motion" is set to replace the current bridge within seven years.
NCC approves site for new paramedic monument in Commissioners Park
The National Capital Commission has approved a site near Dow’s Lake for a new national monument to commemorate fallen Canadian paramedics and celebrate the dedicated first responders who risk their lives serving Canadians every day. The monument will rise in Commissioners Park along Queen Elizabeth Driveway. “Based on a review of the site selection for the Canadian Paramedic Monument,...
Carleton’s gender support hub expects backlash after Trump’s ‘two sexes’ edict
Advocates and members of Carleton University’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community say they’re bracing for the possibility of “more abuse” and discrimination in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proclamation that the American government will only recognize “two sexes, male and female.” Following Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, he swiftly rescinded 78 of former Democratic president Joe Biden’s executive orders and began...
Three years into war, English classes key for Ukrainian newcomers to Ottawa
Every Thursday afternoon at Ottawa’s Café Ukraine, behind the “Quiet Please – Class in Session” sign, Lisa Hrynuik and Mariia Baziuk are practicing English. Hrynuik, Baziuk’s tutor, plays the part of a patient describing her symptoms, while Baziuk intently listens to piece together a diagnosis. For Baziuk, this isn’t just role playing. Having completed her medical training in Ukraine and...
Artists spotlight housing insecurity in ground-breaking SAW exhibition
Ottawa local gallery, SAW's Give Me Shelter exhibit highlighted the ongoing homeless and housing insecurity issues in the country and internationally. While it was a successful exhibit, participants and officials alike say more needs to be done still.
Some Ottawa restaurants say tax holiday made little difference to their business
While data suggests Ontario’s restaurant industry experienced an increase in dining over the recently implemented tax holiday, some Ottawa restaurant workers say they did not really notice any impact.
Reports of illegal garbage dumping jump raising concerns for councillors
Following the start of a three-item garbage limit per household in the fall 2024, Ottawa city councillors have raised concerns over the rise in illegal dumping reports and who is responsible for managing the excess garbage.
Ottawa councillors deny developer request to add units to keep agreed amenity space in high rise
Ottawa’s housing committee turned down a developer’s request to add five more units to a pair of student high rises in the ByWard Market, citing concerns about “quality of life” for residents due to reduced amenity spaces.
Ottawa photo exhibit captures moments in the iconic Zapatista movement for Indigenous rights in Mexico
In 1994, the Zapatistas began an armed uprising against the Mexican government as a protest against the North American Free Trade Agreement. Many important moments from the movement are preserved in photographs now on display at the Mexican embassy in Ottawa.
Delivery of electric buses to OC Transpo coming up short, commission hears
OC Transpo expects to have 30 electric buses by the end of March 2025, falling short of their target, according to an update from city staff to Ottawa’s Transit Committee on Feb. 13.
Harmony and Home: Persian music event unites local Farsi speakers
On a bitterly cold Sunday night in downtown Ottawa, Shirin Ghodrati stepped through the doors of Bronson Centre, her breath curling in the frosty air. Just four months into her new life in Canada, she had more than the weight of winter on her shoulders; she carried a longing for connection. Drawn by the soul-stirring melodies of a Persian music...
Ottawa commuters frustrated by fare hikes as city seeks transit funding
Kari Glynes Elliott, co-founder of Ottawa Transit Riders, remembers one particularly memorable conversation with frustrated commuters. A family of Syrian refugees “living on the poverty line” approached her advocacy group after purchasing a second-hand car “because they couldn’t trust the transit system,” she said. As Glynes Elliott recalls it, one of the family members, a senior, told her, “I can...
Volunteers combatting homelessness set to take plunge in ice-cold fundraiser
Funds are being raised this weekend for local Ottawa community centres to help provide support during the colder winter conditions. Volunteers are braving the cold on a whole other level and submerging themselves in cold water tubs for the cause.
Ottawa will soon allow shelters anywhere in the city, despite concerns about consultation raised by some councillors
City council is taking the next step in allowing emergency and transitional shelters, despite concerns about a lack of public consultation from some councillors. Council has passed a motion by Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper, which directs city staff to amend a bylaw to allow shelters to be built in any part of Ottawa without a rezoning application. Leiper said he...
Ottawa skaters welcome a good season but experts say prepare for tougher years to come
Skaters in Ottawa have enjoyed the best conditions in years on the Rideau Canal Skateway thanks to cold temperatures and limited snowfall, but that hasn't stopped work on ways to mitigate the effects of climate change by researchers, who warn that this year could be an outlier.
Organizers brave Ottawa cold, raising $28,000 for homeless youth in 24-hour challenge
Volunteers stayed outside in downtown Ottawa for 24 hours to raise awareness and money for homeless youth.
‘They’re saving money on the bill:’ How Canada’s GST break has taken a bite out of tips
Jeff Rheaume works the Monday night shift on Feb. 3 at his restaurant, The Broadway Bar & Grill Ottawa. [Photo by Mia Parker/Capital Current]
Tariffs could worsen Ontario rental market, expert says
Carleton University student Grace Rhodes hasn’t bought new clothes in two years. “I definitely don’t do stuff because I don’t have the money,” said Rhodes, who rents a home with five other students. Rhodes said the “crazy” state of the rental market makes it hard to afford student life and has already quashed her hopes of home ownership. “Absolutely not...
The price drop: Cheaper alcohol boosting family-owned convenience stores
Meet and Yashaswy Patel, two brothers living in Ottawa, have owned a convenience store called Our Neighbourhood Store for the past six months where the Patels know all about fluctuating prices for groceries, snacks and now alcohol. The presence of alcoholic beverages for sale in convenience stores started last fall when the province of Ontario increased the market for selling...
Fare increases and empty seats: OC Transpo has yet to regain pre-pandemic ridership
Low ridership is a multi-pronged issue for Ottawa. For some residents, lack of reliability is the main deterrent for their participation. For public workers, remote work options mean there is no reason to take transit. For some Ottawa residents like Max Patton, a part-time line cook, declining service quality and increasing fares have been enough to make him abandon OC...
‘Daddy’s Issues’ to tackle transphobia, grief at undercurrents theatre festival
Written by Merlin Simard, now based in Toronto, and directed by Montrealer Lior Maharjan, a reading of Daddy’s Issues is set to run at Ottawa Fringe’s undercurrents theatre festival Feb. 14 and 15.
Making ends ‘meat:’ How an Ottawa deli is managing rising costs
For Paolo Di Rienzo, slinging hearty sandwiches and homemade cannolis has been the name of the game for decades now. Di Rienzo’s Deli and Grocery, on the corner of Beech Street and Champagne Avenue in Little Italy, has been a staple for many since 1973. Despite being a fixture of the authentic eats in Ottawa for more than 50 years...
Ottawa councillors push to allow shelters is all areas of the city
Ottawa councillors approved an accelerated plan to allow shelters in all areas of the city, allowing such use months ahead of wider zoning changes.
Furious with Donald Trump, Canadian hockey fans take aim at the U.S. anthem
Hockey, often seen as a unifying force in Canada, became a stage for political expression on Feb. 1 when Ottawa Senators fans booed the American national anthem before a game against the Minnesota Wild.
Ottawa illuminates City Hall with coloured lights in solidarity against religious hate
In a show of solidarity with two religious groups, the City of Ottawa illuminated their Heritage Building yellow on Jan. 27 to honour International Holocaust Remembrance Day and again in green on Jan. 29 as a tribute to victims of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City mass murder attack.
Ottawa to press ahead with study of anti-renoviction bylaw
Ottawa city council approved a motion to research the implementation of a potential renoviction bylaw on Jan. 22. 2025.
Rising hate crimes targeting LGBTQ2+ community in Ottawa has many concerned
Hate crimes against the LGBTQ2+ community in Ottawa have been rising rapidly over the last six years, according to data from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) putting many in the community on edge.
Canada Tightens Immigration Policy: Challenges Ahead for International Students and Temporary Service Workers
The newfound changes in Canada’s immigration policies have left thousands of international students in limbo, facing uncertainty in their academic endeavours and stricter scrutiny of study permits. In October, 2024 the federal government announced significant reductions in immigration targets. Zeba Munira is a fourth-year international student at Carleton University who immigrated to Canada from Qatar, she says the policy shifts...
The 25th Hour: Night changes in Ottawa
The 25th Hour explores nightlife commissioners around the world and what it looks like in Ottawa.
The 25th Hour: Fall 2024, Episode 2, Doing Better?
In the second Fall 2024 episode of The 25th Hour, our journalists explore the worlds of knockoff artwork, heart and brain research, campus accessibility, and Ottawa's nightlife.
Naloxone, safe-injection sites may be helping bring down fatal opioid overdose deaths
The devastation of the opioid epidemic has taken the lives of many Canadians, but experts say access to safe, clean spaces for users — and naloxone — are among the possible reasons for a change in trajectory.
With football season over, Carleton Ravens athletes get back to work for a chance at the CFL
While the U Sports football season officially ended with the Vanier Cup game on Nov. 23, a number of Carleton athletes are returning to the gym to get ready for a shot at the Canadian Football League draft combine.
At Petrie Island, a community maximizes survival odds for imperiled baby turtles
With Friends of Petrie Island gathering often-imperiled eggs around the island and Ottawa Riverkeeper hatching them safely in the NCC River House’s science lab, hundreds of baby turtles are already defying their odds of survival before even hitting the water.
Kebaowek First Nation benefit concert raises $14K to help fight nuclear waste facility
Members of the Kebaowek First Nation are buoyed by a successful concert fundraiser they say will help them continue their fight against a proposed nuclear waste facility that would be located near the Ottawa River.
Affordable housing advocates demand action on rising ‘renovictions’ and ‘demovictions’
Housing activists in Ottawa have been deploring the use of bad-faith N13s by landlords who want to force out their renters to increase rent for the next ones and make more profit. They call this phenomenon “renoviction” or “demoviction.”
Tax experts question Canada’s expensive and overly broad GST ‘holiday’
As the holiday season approaches, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's GST tax break promises to provide some financial relief to Canadians, but critics argue it’s a short-term solution with political motives.
Vendors welcome a longer-running Christmas Market at Lansdowne Park
The crackle of fire under joyful Christmas music meant one thing for visitors to Lansdowne Park on Nov. 22: the annual Ottawa Christmas Market had begun.
Small businesses struggle with costs, loss of business as Canada Post strike continues
As the Canada Post strike drags on, small businesses are struggling with higher-cost alternatives for shipping while they try to retain their customers.
Pressure to tip more is starting to annoy Canadians
With tipping expectations on the rise, the pressure on service industry members and customers alike is creating tension.
Ottawa galleries are hard at work making art accessible
Ottawa artists and organizations are bringing a fresh and accessible approach into the local art community.
Wicked the movie draws raves from many Ottawa filmgoers
The film Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, was released in November and is already a cultural phenomenon.
Ottawa Public Library’s Memory Cafés create community for people touched by dementia
Loneliness is gaining recognition for its profound impact on health — particularly on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The growing need and awareness have sparked some community solutions, including Memory Cafés run by the Ottawa Public Library.
It might be more politics than economics, still one small business owner welcomes sales tax ‘holiday’
The GST ‘holiday’ that is about to kick in might not be solid economic policy and it may be too late for those who do their holiday shopping early, but one local business owner says she welcomes the move, mostly.
Weak currency meets rising costs: Nigerian students struggle for affordable housing
As the value of Nigerian Naira continues to tank and housing scarcity increases in Ottawa, Nigerian students struggle to find affordable housing.
Talking turkeys: Development bringing the big brown birds into more contact with humans
While the turkey population is stable, there's a reason Ottawans are seeing them more often.
“All of us have lost”: Sudanese Canadians build community at a time of war
Sudanese-Canadians are turning to each other to foster community and help their loved ones in Sudan as violent conflict rages on.
In Ottawa, staving off the winter blues is getting harder
The winter blues are common in Ottawa — and the rest of Canada. Here's how some of the locals are combatting the annual phenonemon.
Student unions oppose OC Transpo’s ‘illegal’ U-Pass fee increase, citing breach of contract
Ottawa university student unions were surprised to learn that OC Transpo is trying to unilaterally increase U-Pass transit fees, a move the student unions say violates a legal agreement.