Craft breweries must find ways to adapt to declining beer consumption in Canada
As consumers continue to turn away from craft beer and amid closures of microbreweries, one craft brewer says he still optimistic about his industry.
Natural wine tempting drinkers looking for a healthier option
Natural wine is on the rise in Ottawa offering consumers healthier alternatives.
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.
New Ottawa workshop addresses stigma around men’s mental health
A new Ottawa workshop offers men an opportunity to open up about their mental health.
Councillors approve high-rise plan over local fears about light and density
A Cyrville high-rise development is set to proceed despite objections from some residents, who say it will radically alter their neighbourhood.
Pro and con: Hockey fans have mixed reaction to Alex Formenton not returning to the Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators' decision not to re-sign forward Alex Formenton after his acquittal on sex assault charges is drawing a reaction from fans and the broader community.
Denied at the door: Guide dog users in Ottawa say they still face discrimination
Guide dog users say discrimination remains a daily reality despite laws meant to protect them.
StopGap Ottawa building bridges to business for people with disabilities
When Maheeshan Sivanesan arrived at a convenience store on Sunnyside Avenue recently, he realized one step was all it took to shut him out. Sivanesan relies on a motorized wheelchair to get around Ottawa and often runs into barriers. He said many businesses, particularly in the Glebe, are not accessible for people with physical disabilities. “Bank Street overall, the majority...
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.
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.
Ottawa Food Bank may have to cut food distribution in 2025
Food inflation is persistent, and demands on food banks have grown. But the city's contribution hasn't.
Fate of downtown apartment building on hold as Ottawa council considers fate of tenants
Ottawa City Council has delayed a decision on a proposed development at 219-223 Bank St. and 178 Nepean St., requesting that the developer, Smart Living Properties, address concerns about the displacement of tenants. The council called for a “right to return” agreement, ensuring tenants would be allowed to return to the new units at below-market rates. The issue was raised...
Breaking new ground: The Lookout Bar crowns it’s first king as Ottawa’s Next Drag Superstar
The Lookout Bar, Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ bar and nightclub, has crowned BJ Stroker as the winner of Ottawa’s Next Drag Superstar: All Stars, making him the first drag king to win the eight-week long competition. BJ, along with other drag artists in Ottawa, calls it a big win for drag kings because they are often overlooked and underrepresented in the community....
Ottawa graffiti artists say more legal spaces, better education could lead to fewer complaints
Graffiti complaints in Ottawa have risen in recent years, but local artists argue that providing more legal spaces for street art could reduce negative perceptions of graffiti.
Tenants at Bank and Lisgar fear for their future as ‘demoviction’ date approaches
Time is running out for the tenants at Bank and Lisgar Sts., who face a February 2025 deadline to leave their homes, which will be demolished and replaced by a midrise apartment building.
Some downtown Ottawa convenience store owners say it’s not worth the risk to sell alcohol
Weeks after the Ontario government allowed convenience stores to sell beer, wine, and coolers, many store owners in Ottawa are taking a cautious approach, saying they have concerns about the impact on safety and the potential for increased shoplifting.
‘A lose-lose situation’: Upcoming closure of Somerset supervised consumption site weighs heavily on the community
Problematic drug use likely to increase with loss of Somerset West's supervised consumption site, say community members
City Builder: Allan Reesor-McDowell changes leadership roles, from refugees to released prisoners
On Sept. 6, 2024, Allan Reesor-McDowell became the new Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Ottawa.
City Builder: Ottawa lawyer Paul Champ battles for justice and human rights
Paul Champ is an Ottawa-based litigation lawyer focusing on labour, human rights and constitutional law.
Ottawa councillors push for review of bylaws amid increase in dog attacks
Some Ottawa city councillors are pushing for better enforcement and a review of bylaws following a reported increase in the number of dog attacks. From 2020 to 2023, the city saw nearly a 20 per cent increase in the number of reported dog attacks, according to statistics provided by city staff in response to an inquiry by Stittsville Coun. Glenn...
City council adopts new solid waste plan
City council has passed a solid waste management plan that will extend the life of the Trail Road Landfill.
As LSAT becomes more accessible; some hope legal profession will too
As the LSAT becomes more accessible, there's hopeful anticipation for increased inclusivity within the legal profession.
Advocates urge uOttawa to find new home for campus daycare
UOttawa is about to demolish a building that houses the campus daycare centre. Advocates are frustrated that they can't convince the university to save the centre.
Council’s ‘Belonging Playbook’ aims to diversify Ottawa sports scene
New Playbook offered by Ottawa Sports Council aims to promote diversity and break down barriers to participation in local sports.
Data shows how rare incidents like Barrhaven murders are in Ottawa
The community's reaction to the Barrhaven killings shows how rare and shocking incidents like these are in Ottawa. Data on murder rates in Ottawa backs this up.
Impact of toxic politics may deter women from running for office, say experts
Concerns surrounding diversity in elections are rising because of psychological harassment and toxicity rising in municipal governments.
Making mischief a cause for serious concern in Ottawa may be premature, experts say
Ottawa has seen an increase in criminal mischief recently. This is according to Ottawa crime map data. Rideau-Vanier and Sandy Hill were its hotspots.
Race or no race, Ice Dragon Boat crew sustains team spirit, fundraising push
Showboat, an Ottawa dragon boat team, didn't let the cancellation of the annual ice boat race get it down. It has kept raising funds for the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation.
Canada seeing a competitive job market even STEM grads can’t escape
Recent grads in engineering and STEM are facing a competitive and evolving job market.
Campus art exhibit highlights Sexual Assault Awareness Week at Carleton
An art exhibit at Carleton University advocates for sexual assault awareness and support for victims.
Looking for ways to help this holiday season? Here are some ideas in Ottawa
The holidays tend to bring social concerns to the fore. Here are some organizations that help those in need at this time and year-round.
Need for new school and green space collide in a fight over Ottawa’s Plouffe Park
The City of Ottawa plan to replace the Plouffe Park field with a French-language elementary school has been put on hold after much outrage from local residents.
Ottawa firefighters put out the call to support less fortunate with Christmas toy drive
Hundreds of firefighters and volunteers guided more than 60 festive floats through the centre of Ottawa on Nov.18, as the 54th edition of the Help Santa Toy Parade raised money and collected toys for families in need.
City builder: Susan Love helps prevent convicted sex offenders from re-offending
For more than 20 years, Susan Love has worked to help convicted sex offenders keep from re-offending. CoSA uses restorative justice principles to try to create both support and accountability for those they work with.
Delayed start: Even though it’s bad for us, dropping the annual time change is on hold
Ontario passed a law to end the annual time change but the province needs New York State and Quebec to do the same for it to come into effect.
Where there’s smoke: More education needed about disorders and poisonings caused by cannabis use, experts say
Since the legalization of cannabis for recreational use in Canada, there has been an increase in cannabis-related hospitalizations, particularly in young university-aged people.
Inflation drives food bank use in Ottawa to critical levels
Ottawa food banks are facing growing demand as food prices soar across the country.
Vanier residents start Good Neighbours safety walks and urge ‘very bold actions’ against opioid crisis
Ottawa has grappled with homelessness and drug addiction for years. A group of concerned residents have decided to act.
Inclusive choir Tone Cluster embarks on 30th year as a ‘chosen family’ in Ottawa
Choir members reflect on the 2SLGBTQIA+ choir's legacy and the importance of designated safe spaces.
Working it out: Ontario youth struggle to find jobs as unemployment rates rise
Young Ontarians are struggling to find work in the province's tight labour market.
Disability advocates expose gaps in NCC River House’s accessibility
Audit reveals gaps in the NCC River House's accessibility. Advocates say this reflects a broader struggle in the city.
Byward Market restaurateurs struggling because of inflation, safety fears and fewer customers
Byword Market restaurateurs are battling inflation, seeing fewer customers and dealing with safety concerns.
Orange Shirt Day offers a way for Canadians to reflect on truth and reconciliation
With the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or Orange Shirt Day taking place on Sept. 30, local grassroots and government organizations are preparing activities to commemorate the day.
City builder: Paula MacDonald builds cultural connections in her role as a deaf Indigenous advocate
Paula MacDonald, who is half Cree from Treaty 4, is a deaf Indigenous youth advocate, who is working hard to help deaf Indigenous connect with their communities.
Soaring cost of living has food bank use in Ottawa rising to record levels
With rising grocery costs locking more people out of a nutritious diet, rates of food insecurity are soaring across the country.
Ottawa’s patio plan doesn’t protect people with disabilities enough, says Hintonburg community group
Hintonburg Community Association Director Cheryl Parrot made an impassioned plea Wednesday to the City of Ottawa to support people with disabilities, arguing the proposed right-of-way patio design guidelines require a more equity-oriented approach.
B.C. leads the way with free contraception: Will other provinces follow?
With the B.C. government set to implement their free contraception plan this April, reproductive health activists are leading the push for free access in Ontario.
The 23rd Ottawa Indigenous Children and Youth Pow Wow welcomes everyone back to celebrate First Nations culture
The annual Ottawa Indigenous Children and Youth Pow Wow is back after a three-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Event organizers stress the importance of fostering community between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Ottawa council, police acknowledge ‘epidemic’ of intimate partner violence
On International Women’s Day, Ottawa city council passed a motion and declared intimate partner violence an epidemic.
History society ‘tour guide’ explores how street art enlivens city neighbourhoods
Street art and graffiti were the focus of a presentation by the president of the Historical Society of Ottawa