Student representatives ‘disappointed’ by committee report sparked by professor’s use of N-word
The University of Ottawa Students’ Union says a report by the university's Committee on Academic Freedom was wrong to endorse academic freedom in an incident involving a professor's use of the N-word during a class discussion.
Self-defence classes and dog spray can create ‘false sense of security’ in vulnerable people, experts say
Self defence tools and classes can make women feel safer than they really are.
CatVideoFest pulls in feline fans for rescue fundraiser
The ByTowne Cinema partnered with Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue for CatVideoFest 2021, drawing in Ottawa cat lovers and raising proceeds for local rescue shelters.
Thousands of low-income and racialized youth face barriers accessing minor hockey even as participation falls in Canada
Canadian participation in youth hockey is diminishing and lack of accessibility to low-income communities could be a critical factor in the decline.
Lack of race-based data hid more severe impact of COVID-19 on BIPOC communities, experts say
Race-based data concerning the pandemic was not collected in Canada — at least not initially.
TikTok Thanksgiving: Concerned Byward store clerk makes a difference
An Ottawa man uses TikTok to rally followers to help the disadvantaged in the Byward Market area.
Equity committee aims to bring diversity and inclusion into the mainstream at Ottawa South Community Association
Organizational equity is more popular than ever, as seen with the newest committee at the Ottawa South Community Association.
City hall exhibit showcases Muslim culture as Ottawa declares Islamic Heritage Month
Mayor Jim Watson has proclaimed October 2021 as Islamic Heritage Month in the City of Ottawa.
High phone rates in prisons leaves incarcerated people disconnected
Phone calls are the only way for prisoners to contact the outside world but many factors, such as high costs and limited accessibility, have made it more difficult to make a call. For some prisoners the inability to connect with loved ones has had negative effects on their mental health and safe reintroduction into society.
Ottawa struggling to cope with increase in homeless population during pandemic, say city officials
Community members and advocates are calling for more resources in the ByWard and Lowertown regions after a rise in homelessness raised concerns about safety.
Hundreds commemorated lives lost at Indian residential schools on National Day
Though hundreds attended the Remember Me event on Sept. 30, a deafening silence filled Ottawa’s downtown core.
Mother revitalizes abandoned children’s community garden in Orleans
An Orleans mother of one is reviving a children's community garden in her community.
Sexual violence crisis at Western University raises concerns over campus culture across Canada
Following the news, concern over campus safety has soared. “It could have just as easily been my campus,” says student.
Recovery Day in Ottawa underlines the need to end stigma around mental health issues, substance use
Mayor Jim Watson officially declared Sept. 17 as “Recovery Day” in Ottawa. Recovery Day Ottawa also unveiled plans for next year’s new WOW Festival.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offers hope for healing, speaker says
As part of Canada's First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Carleton University welcomed Tim O’Loan, member of the Dene Nation.
Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre on trial over ‘horrendous’ conditions
The conditions at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre are put on trial by Deepan Budlakoti, who claims the jail has violated prisoners' human rights.
Young socialists plan to ‘Fightback’ for radical change amid frustrating state of post-election Canada
Fightback Ottawa gathered at the Avant-Garde Bar in Ottawa to discuss the failures of capitalism three days post-election.
For LGBTQ+ Arab youth finding identity and acceptance is a complex struggle
LGBTQ+ Arab Canadians face many hurdles in finding acceptance of their sexuality.
Afghan Canadians feeling “helpless” and “torn apart” as family and friends are stuck in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan
Afghan Canadians describe feeling “helpless” and “torn apart” as family and friends are stuck in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Past and present meet in Rembrandt exhibition at National Gallery
The exhibition, Rembrandt in Amsterdam: Creativity and Competition, at the National Gallery of Canada makes a strong statement about modern times.
Migrants, refugees call on the federal government for meaningful immigration reform allowing access to permanent residency
Hundreds of protesters marched in Ottawa on Sunday calling for change in the way Canada treats migrants.
A new generation leads protests for Palestine in Ottawa
The children of Palestine are leading the protests in Ottawa
‘Reno-viction’ rage: Tenants demand policies to protect low-income renters in Ottawa
ACORN members and tenants rally at Ottawa City Hall demanding anti-displacement policies to protect low-income residents from reno-victions.
Canada Day 2021: A time to reflect
This year, attitudes toward Canada Day were affected by recent revelations of the unmarked graves of Indigenous children on land near former residential schools and by the shocking attack that killed four members of a Muslim family in London, ON. Across the country on July 1, there were celebrations of Canada Day and rallies calling for the cancellation of the...
Planning committee approves zoning change to allow eight-storey Lowertown supportive housing building for Indigenous people and women in need
The city's planning committee has approved a zoning change to allow the construction of an eight storey building at 216 Murray St. to offer housing to Indigenous people and women in Lowertown.
Open door possibilities: Community fridges are filling the gaps that cause food insecurity
COVID-19 exacerbated issues of food insecurity across Canada, and some communities are turning to community fridges as a response.
Accessibility advocates concerned by barriers posed by e-scooters in Ottawa as pandemic restrictions lift
As pandemic restrictions lift over the summer, Ottawa advocates are concerned the city's e-scooter pilot is posing accessibility barriers.
Group wants public washrooms part of Ottawa’s Official Plan
GottaGo! Ottawa wants the city to make public washrooms part of the Official Plan that is new being finalized by staff.
CHEO lottery winner pays back Pembroke organizations that helped him
This year's CHEO lottery winner gives back to organizations and charities in his hometown that helped him though some hard times.
Cornerstone site uncertainty sheds light on pandemic effect on shelters
Cornerstone Housing for Women’s urgent need to find a new site highlights the lack of security and safety vulnerable women and gender diverse people are facing amid the pandemic.
Security concern growing for Ottawa mosques and Muslim community
The London, ON, terror attack that resulted in the deaths of four members of the Muslim community has prompted a heightened concern about security in Ottawa's community.
Young Asian Canadians hardest hit by discrimination in Canada, survey shows
A new survey on anti-Asian discrimination shows young people are more likely to be affected.
COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked anti-Asian racism in Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a problem within Canadian society - anti-Asian racism. Data indicates violence has increased in the past year.
Vancouver care package initiative aims to bring joy to every season
A new initiative called Season's Greetings provides gift boxes to people living in poverty in Metro Vancouver.
Song becomes an anthem for the fight against homelessness in Kingston
Lauren Carson and the Dirty Blonde held a virtual concert to raise money for the cause of homelessness in Kingston.
Building blocks: B.C. city takes aim at homelessness with two temporary modular housing projects
The City of Richmond is acting on the idea of temporary modular housing as a rapid response to a growing homelessness crisis.
A 15-minute neighbourhood initiative no walk in the park for Alta Vista community because of intensification concerns
Talks about how to transform Alta Vista into a “15-minute neighbourhood” have begun among local residents, but efforts to make the community more walkable have been overshadowed by concerns about looming intensification plans that are also part of the vision.
Going off script: New book questions what it means to be a modern man
Experts have said this book has the potential to bring more men to the table to talk about harmful conceptions of masculinity — ideals that cause “toxic masculinity” and often result in violence, harassment and the subjugation of women.
Bargain hunting group stretches dollars for charity even during the pandemic
As charities and non-profits in Ottawa continue grappling with an increased need for their services during the pandemic, Boom! Savings! — described by its founder as a “charitable shopping group” – has carried on with its mission to shop for discount items to help meet those needs.
On the frontlines: Under-represented women among hardest hit by COVID-19 restrictions
COVID-19 has impacted many Canadians, women are among the hardest hit considering their representation in frontline work and being at home.
Post-secondary students hoping for a rebound in the summer job market
As COVID-19 vaccinations continue across Canada and beyond, many students are hoping this will mean the summer job market will be less terrible than it was in 2020. Although the number of students hired this year has rebounded slightly, employment among young people is still far lower than it was before to the pandemic. According to a survey by Statistics...
Vaccinating Ottawa’s homeless population poses unique problems
As the vaccine rollout proceeds in the city, Ottawa Inner City Health is leading the charge to get vaccines into the arms of the homeless population. This group was initially scheduled for shots in the second phase of vaccination but city officials moved them up the queue after outbreaks spread through six shelters earlier this year. The challenge now is...
Carleton to honour Inuit by renaming Robertson Hall without mentioning controversial history of High Arctic relocation
MONTREAL — Carleton University is moving forward with a plan to change the names of three campus buildings. The “New Names for New Times” initiative is an attempt to reflect diversity and inclusion on campus. The University Centre, Residence Commons and Robertson Hall will get new names to represent the Algonquin Nation, Black communities, and Inuit respectively. Robertson Hall is...
Ottawa ministry trying to restore hope, one homeless youth at a time
Eight years ago Jason Pino founded Restoring Hope Ministries, an emergency overnight shelter for Ottawa's homeless youth.
Black parents in Peel urging schools to include Afro-Centric books in libraries
A group of Black parents is pushing a Toronto-area school board to combat systemic racism in the selection of library books available to students.
Quebec’s COVID curfew exposed strain on shelters, vulnerability of homeless, say advocates
When Quebec Premier François Legault announced an 8 p.m., province-wide curfew to help combat the spread of COVID-19, it forced many sectors of society to readjust. In particular, homeless shelters in Quebec — already struggling to accommodate those in need of shelter before the pandemic — came under even more pressure. And that pressure continues after an uproar over the...
Girl Guides ‘shine spotlight’ on gender equality as Canada marks International Women’s Day
March 8 marks International Women's Day. The Girl Guides of Canada have chosen to focus on the theme of "Choose to Challenge" while the Government of Canada has chosen #FeministRecovery.
Too many Black children are in Ontario’s child welfare system because of systemic racism, critics say
There is an overrepresentation of Black children and youth in the Ontario child welfare system.
City parks and recreation officials tap public for input on future of Ottawa’s play spaces
From dog parks to sports fields and arenas to pools, all parks and recreational facilities are extremely well used and deeply enjoyed by Ottawa residents. And citizens who provided feedback to city officials during the bilingual online consultations ending Feb. 25 made it clear they care about these spaces — and their future. The sessions were held to get residents’...
A system turned upside down: Immigration process faces growing backlog during pandemic
The efficiency of processing immigration applications has deteriorated dramatically because of COVID-19, and it is affecting prospective immigrants as well as the future of the Canadian immigration system.