Climate advocates rally outside Ottawa MP’s office over pipeline proposal
Climate advocates gathered outside Ottawa Centre Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi’s constituency office on June 25, joining coordinated demonstrations in more than 40 communities across Canada to oppose the federal Liberal government’s support for a proposed new pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. Organized locally by 350.org Canada and Seniors for Climate Action Now (SCAN!), the demonstration called on the federal...
Gender-based violence support groups criticize planned federal funding cuts
Support services and organizations may face significant challenges because of a proposed 80 per cent budget cut towards their federal funding.
City Builder: Union leader Alex Silas channels community power
Alex Silas, PSAC’s new national vice-president, embraces the role of community in his commitment to worker activism.
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.
ANCHOR away: Centretown alternative crisis hotline sees high community engagement in first six weeks
The Alternative Neighbourhood Crisis Response, or ANCHOR, has already responded to over 100 calls, anticipates demand increasing
Advocacy groups, unions say protests should be exempt from noise bylaw
Groups rally to protest a City of Ottawa noise bylaw that they say restricts their right to protest.
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.
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.
Ottawa Turkish community grateful for donations to earthquake survivors
Ottawa's Turkish community is collecting essential items for earthquake survivors with hundreds of contributions from across the city.
After NAC protest and scuttled parade, Winter Pride celebrates 2SLGBTQI+ unity with Ice Party
Ottawa’s 2SLGBT+ community and their allies celebrated in solidarity at an Ice Party on the Rink of Dreams outside City Hall last Sunday. This outdoor dance party provided the community with a safe space to assemble and party amidst the recent backlash for Winter Pride’s Drag Storytime.
De-streaming high schools won’t solve deep-rooted divides in education
De-streaming high schools in Ontario is a step in the right direction, but isn't the solution.
Ottawa volunteers open their own doors as respite centres for the homeless
As winter settles in, two organizations in Ottawa are working hard to help those without a home. Some individuals are even offering their own homes as respite centres.
Paying it forward: Aylmer art sale supports music initiative for underprivileged youth
An art show at L’Imagier Galleries in Aylmer raised $3,125 to support the work of Produced by Youth, a community organization that provides free music production workshops for underprivileged youth in the national capital.
Downtown clinic for refugees at full capacity for past year, waitlist stretched to nearly 800
The Ottawa Newcomer Clinic has been at capacity since American troops pulled out of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, triggering nearly 700,000 Afghans to flee the country and seek refuge elsewhere. The number of clients the clinic saw increased five-fold over August and September last year and they now have a waitlist of nearly 800 people waiting for an initial medical assessment.
“Be Somewhere Else”: Lush Cosmetics has decided to leave four major social media platforms
Lush announced on Instagram that the company would be taking a step back from four major platforms in all 48 countries where it operates.
CFIA’s planned commercial dog ban draws free from animal rescue organizations, while veterinarians cheer
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is banning the entry of commercial dogs from over a hundred countries, shocking the animal rescue community!
New Ontario legislation for gig workers doesn’t go far enough, critics say
The new legislation introduced by the Ontario government to extend the minimum wage to gig workers receives negative reactions.
Public washroom shortage leaving many vulnerable populations in the dark and out in the cold, advocates say
The lack of available washrooms in Ottawa's downtown core and beyond is creating barriers for already vulnerable populations.
Advocacy groups propose WiFi ‘mesh network’ pilot project to bridge digital divide, promote internet equity
Reports from local advocacy organizations say new community-based measures are needed to narrow the digital divide in Ottawa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New scholarship aims to support uOttawa’s Black and Indigenous student athletes
A fund created by two former uOttawa Gee-Gees aims to help Black and Indigenous student athletes who are juggling school, work and sport.
UOttawa Black students’ advocacy group gives back to Boys and Girls Club with holiday fundraiser
The Black Student-Athlete Advocacy Council formed at the University of Ottawa in 2020 celebrated Christmas at St. Louis Bar and Grill and collected donations for the Boys and Girls of Ottawa.
Carleton students push university to divest funds from fossil fuels investments
Carleton students want the university to follow the lead of other institutions and pull its endowment funds from fossil fuel investments.
‘Pride, Not Prejudice’ provides safe space for feminist vendors, progressive advocacy groups
Local Ottawa Business creates craft show for marginalized creators to showcase their work.
‘Rebel Reads’ book club raises awareness for criminalized women in Ottawa
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa is tagging on to the pandemic-influenced revival of reading through hosting a book club that discusses books all about social justice.
Kanata martial arts academy fights violence against women by promoting self-defence skills
One in three women have been abused in their lifetime, according to the UN. This number typically increases in times of crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crossing the digital divide: Affordability is key to connecting all Canadians to the Internet, advocates say
Drums and cheering could be heard outside Ottawa City Hall on Nov. 16 as ACORN members and other activists advocated for the recognition of internet access as a human right. As the world moves into a digital sphere, internet rights advocates say many people are being left behind in the transition. ACORN Ottawa led the rally at Marion Dewar Plaza,...
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.
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.
First Nations decry impact on their languages as public talks begin on Quebec bill to protect French
This month the National Assembly of Quebec held public consultations on the controversial Bill 96. Minority language advocates point to the bill's discriminatory nature.
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.
Carleton student community seeks answers about suspension of Attendant Services Program
Carleton students are angry about the university's decision to suspend the Attendant Services Program in fall term for COVID-19 health reasons.
Truth and Reconciliation in focus: Marking a solemn national day of remembrance and hope
Indigenous Peoples and allies gather in Ottawa for a day of reflection and education.
Pro-Palestine protesters who gathered in Ottawa Sept. 18 to push demands even after status quo federal election
Protests for Palestine were planned for the days leading up to the federal elections to ensure the new government knows the demands from Palestinian people.
National organizations push for universal income to be a hot election topic
Canada’s basic income organizations and activists are pushing for universal basic income to be a priority issue in the federal election.
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.
Criminal justice advocates question Ontario’s decision to shut down prison oversight boards
Critics say the Ontario government hasn't adequately why they eliminated Community Advisory Boards that oversee provincial jails were shut down in June.
Baked in: Extreme heat waves pose life-threatening risks for homeless, experts say
As the climate warms, longer, hotter heat waves are becoming the norm even in Canada. For the homeless this poses serious risk, experts say
AIDS turns 40: Hope for the future after decades of sorrow and stigma
Forty years ago the world was learning about a condition called AIDS. Today, during a pandemic, there is new hope that science can offer better treatment.
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.
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.
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.
Teenaged Indigenous climate activist part of unique month-long celebration of Indigenous voices at Carleton
Autumn Peltier, the “Water Warrior,” was one of the speakers at a month long celebration of Indigenous culture and communities at Carleton University called Minwàdjiyà-n.
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.
Socially distanced or virtual, youth activists deliver their message on Global Day of Climate Action
Activists put the annual Global Day of Climate Action online this year because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Peel Region celebrates first ever virtual Black History Month concert
The Peel Region's 20th Black History month concert celebrated the community and highlighted the need to address anti-Black racism.
City pilot project tackles ‘period poverty’ with low-cost pads, tampons
The City of Ottawa is testing out a project that will make low cost tampons available to the public.
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.
Carleton University to rename three campus buildings to promote diversity, inclusion
Three Carleton University buildings are set to be renamed to reflect racial diversity, but some racist campus monikers are going untouched.
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...
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.