Budget prioritizes defence, but Canadians may not support huge long-term investment, experts say
While Canadians appear to support the significant investment in defence the Canadian government is planning, one security expert doubts that this support will be maintained in the longer term.
Uncertainty about federal funding cuts raising concern for women and 2SLGBTQIA+ Ottawa programs
As the federal budget fast approaches, women and 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations demand funding levels for Women and Gender Equality Canada be maintained.
‘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...
‘Influencers’ a major source of election information for young people, report says
A new report from researchers at the University of Ottawa finds that social media influencers are becoming a central source of political information for young voters.
Election 2025: Observers say high stakes could offset voter fatigue
For Bella Arsenault, one word defines her feelings about the upcoming federal election: exhaustion. “It’s so sad to see how much the news and election in the United States are affecting our election,” the Ottawa resident and Dalhousie University student told Capital Current. “Everything is focused around the States, and that’s annoying and frustrating to see.” She has other grievances...
Liberal incumbent aims to hold Ottawa Centre against high-profile NDP challenger
Yasir Naqvi said he is “feeling the same sense of support” as he attempts to hold onto the riding of Ottawa Centre in the April 28 federal election. He does face a serious challenge from former NDP MPP Joel Harden, who has already defeated Naqvi once in the 2018 provincial vote in Ottawa Centre. The riding, which encompasses much of...
Battles in Ottawa Centre, Carleton highlight quest for local seats in federal vote
Campaigns are in full swing across the nation’s capital as federal election day — April 28 — is now just two weeks away. The parties’ local machines are humming across Ottawa’s nine ridings meaning signs are in the ground, boots are on the pavement and faces are at the doorstep. Some riding boundaries have been changed and a few ridings...
Ottawa Centre pits Liberal Yasir Naqvi and NDP’s Joel Harden in election re-match
Along the streets of Ottawa’s trendy Glebe neighbourhood, election signs are out in an Ottawa Centre rematch between incumbent Liberal Yasir Naqvi and NDP Joel Harden.
Repair Café showcases circular economy’s role in fighting U.S. trade war
Advocacy groups are urging residents and Ottawa city hall to focus on strengthening the local circular economy — including the voluntary repair and recycling service provided by the Ottawa Tool Library — as part of the community response to the on-going U.S. trade war with Canada. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on many Canadian exports, including vehicles, steel and aluminum,...
One person, two votes? What would the Ontario election look like with a different voting system?
The vote also exposed some of the oddities in our electoral system, as the Progressive Conservative majority came despite the party winning only 43 per cent of the popular vote. In an election where only 45 per cent of eligible voters showed up to the polls, the party won a strong majority with only 19 per cent of eligible voters....
Canadian voters prioritizing economic stability, incumbency amid Trump tariff threats
A perceived ability to protect Canada’s economic interests against U.S. President Donald Trump is one of the primary ballot questions uniting Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative success and Mark Carney’s popular rise with the federal Liberal party, according to one pollster.
Liberals keep firm hold on Ottawa-Vanier as 60 per cent of voters stay away
The Liberal party is hanging on tight to Ottawa-Vanier once again after the recent provincial election, marking more than a half-century of electoral domination going back to 1971 under the former Ottawa East configuration of the constituency. But voter participation in last week’s election was lower in Ottawa-Vanier than in any of the nine Ottawa-area ridings. Only 39.83 per...
Osgoode councillor Darouze takes Carleton riding for PCs amid low turnout
Longtime Ottawa city councillor George Darouze will now serve the residents of Carleton in a different capacity — this time, as their MPP. Elected in 2014, Darouze was a three-term councillor for Osgoode Ward. Previously he was the president of the Osgoode Carleton Snowmobile Trail Club and a telecommunications manager. Darzouze became the Progressive Conservative party’s nominee in December following...
‘The only wrong vote is a no vote’: Citizens have their say on casting a ballot in the Ontario election
Fewer than half of all eligible voters across Ontario — and in each of Ottawa’s nine electoral districts — turned out to vote in the recent provincial election. A team of Capital Current reporters captured the views of local residents about why they did or didn’t cast a ballot in the 2025 Ontario election. Some — ultimately representing the minority...
Voter turnout drops as Liberal wins tight race in Kanata-Carleton
Despite seeing the second-highest voter participation in the city, Ottawa’s Kanata-Carleton riding still showed a lower voter turnout in the recent Ontario election than in the previous provincial vote in 2022. Only 48.56 per cent of eligible voters showed up to the polls, lower turnout for the west-end Ottawa riding than in the 2022 election, when 45,695 voters or...
Liberal flips Nepean as voter turnout matches provincial average
In the recent Ontario election, voter turnout in Nepean was 45.49 per cent, with just 46,741 of the 102,744 eligible voters casting a ballot. While this figure is slightly higher than Ontario’s record-low turnout of 44.06 per cent in 2022, it reflects a broader trend of low voter engagement as in this election, Ontario only saw a 45.40 per cent voter turnout. Across Ottawa, turnout...
Tories hold Glengarry-Prescott-Russell as voter turnout stays below 50 per cent
Voter turnout in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell was up slightly in last week’s election compared with the previous provincial vote in 2022. But for the second straight time, fewer than half the eligible voters in the riding cast their ballots — a significant drop from the 2018 Ontario election. Even with an election called in response to Ontario and Canada’s high-profile clash over...
Liberal keeps hold on Ottawa South in Ontario election that generated low voter interest
It’s no shock Ottawa South stayed red in the recent Ontario election. Liberals have held the riding steadily since 1987, with this vote marking the fifth consecutive win for John Fraser. What is shocking, however, is, despite Fraser taking half the ballots cast, only 22.6 per cent of eligible voters in Ottawa South put an X next to his name....
NDP keeps Ottawa West-Nepean as turnout matches provincial average
With a voter turnout of 45.02 per cent, the riding of Ottawa West-Nepean closely mirrored province-wide participation rates of 45.4 per cent in the recent Ontario election. Ottawa West-Nepean’s NDP incumbent Chandra Pasma dramatically expanded her support across the riding in last week’s vote, taking 49.33 per cent of the ballots — an 11.79-point increase from the last provincial election...
Liberal Blais wins again in Orléans as turnout remains 15 percentage points below 2018
Faced with the decision to brave Thursday’s wintry conditions to vote or stay home, most Orléans residents chose the latter. Just 47.74 per cent of Orléans’ eligible voters cast their ballots in the recent provincial election. The turnout is a minute uptick from the 2022 election, when just 46.59 per cent of voters showed up. However, it’s a substantial...
After strong push to get out the vote, student group laments PC victory
After making a strong push to get young people to the polls on Feb. 27, the federation representing 350,000 college and university students in Ontario is lamenting the re-election of a Progressive Conservative government that it believes “will not prioritize post-secondary education and students.” The Ontario branch of the Canadian Federation of Students worked hard to motivate and mobilize postsecondary...
Tories renew mandate in election that majority of eligible voters sat out
Ontario Premier Doug Ford secured a historic third straight majority government after winning a snap election on Feb. 27. In a vote that saw the second-lowest voter turnout in provincial history, Ford’s Progressive Conservatives won 80 of 124 seats in the legislature, the NDP captured 27, the Liberals 14 and the Green Party two. One independent MPP was elected. Ford...
AI interference, misinformation raise concerns ahead of Ontario election
Earlier this month, uOttawa’s AI + Society Initiative and research group IVADO released “AI in the Ballot Box,” a policy brief outlining recommendations for global governments to “safeguard election integrity and uphold democracy.”
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.
Members of Nightlife Council eager for a community approach to promoting Ottawa’s culture
Recently-announced volunteer members of Ottawa’s Nightlife Council say they are looking to highlight and promote the city’s cultural and artistic diversity, as well as safety, in their inaugural term.
Poll shows Canadians fancy Kamala Harris
A new poll from non-profit Angus Reid Institute shows that a sizeable majority of Canadians approve of U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The current vice president will be confirmed in her candidacy for president of the United States next week at the Democratic National Convention. Two thirds of the 1,605 Canadians polled responded they hold favourable views of Harris compared...
Lebanese Canadians say Canada needs to do more the help end Gaza war before conflict escalates in Middle East
Lebanese Canadians are raising concerns over the Liberal government’s stance on the Gaza war after Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly urged Canadians in Lebanon to fly home. Several airlines have already suspended service to Beirut as fears over a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified. “If tensions escalate, the situation on the ground may not allow us to...
Words matter: Seeking asylum in Canada is not illegal
Earlier in June, U.S. President Joe Biden announced measures on migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border that allow authorities to deport or turn them back to Mexico without having the chance to claim asylum. One of Donald Trump’s main campaign agendas is to deport millions of undocumented migrants and prevent others from crossing borders. In recent years, tensions over Quebec’s Roxham Road...
Letter demands removal of Liberal MP as point person on Jewish community and antisemitism
A letter signed by hundreds of Canadians is demanding the prime minister replace Anthony Housefather as the federal government’s special advisor on Jewish community relations and antisemitism. The letter accuses the Montreal MP of pushing “anti-Palestinian racist and Islamophobic narratives” for months. Addressed to MPs and Senators, the letter asks for a full re-assessment and evaluation of the appointment. and...
The “Bratification” of Kamala Harris: Gen Z at the intersection of internet culture and politics
Bright lime green, simple font, Charli XCX’s hit album “Brat” is everywhere these days. It’s even put its stamp on Democratic presidential candidate and current U.S. vice president Kamala Harris’ social media accounts. “Brat” is a dance-pop album defined by a gritty authenticity, capturing the vulnerability of the cool-girl aesthetic. But it’s more than the music. Charli herself says Brat...
Most Canadians fear Trump re-election: poll
A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) shows two-thirds of Canadians dread another term in the White House for Donald Trump. Some 28 per cent polled say another four years of Trump would be “terrible news” for Canada, while 38 per cent say a Trump win would be “bad.” Fifteen per cent say it would be good or...
Canadians want all party leaders to read full foreign interference report: survey
Canadians want accountability and answers — and federal party leaders who are fully informed of the unredacted contents of a special parliamentary report on foreign interference in the country’s political affairs. New survey data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute showed that a solid majority of Canadians — 66 per cent of respondents — feel that all federal leaders should accept the...
Canadians concern about acts of hate against Jews and Muslims waning, poll concludes
Canadians remain concerned about antisemitic and anti-Muslim acts but their concern is eroding.
Senate passes new bill tackling environmental racism
The Canadian Senate announced the passing of Bill C-226 that will address environmental racism and justice in Canada.
More public servants support new federal return-to-office policy than oppose it: poll
New survey shows that more public service union members support the federal government's plan to have workers in the office three days a week.
Call for noise bylaw change echoes again at Ottawa city hall
Protesters were back at city hall to demand an amendment to the city's noise bylaw which limits the use of megaphones and speakers in public.
Liberal support falters with Muslims and Jews as Trudeau responds to Israel-Gaza conflict
A new Angus Reid poll shows support for the federal Liberals slipping with Canadian Jews and Muslims.
Canada’s national party leaders reach new lows in popularity all at the same time
Canadians are disapproving of all three national party leaders at the same time, new polling shows.
Conservative rally to ‘axe the tax’ previews federal vote over carbon price
WTF? “Where’s the funds?” That’s what federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says Canadians need to ask about the April 1 increase in the national price on carbon under the Liberal government’s centrepiece policy to fight climate change. Conservative supporters at a recent “Axe the Tax” rally at the Infinity Convention Centre in in the city’s south end were part of...
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.
Environmental groups call for windfall tax on ‘excess’ oil and gas profits
Environmental groups are calling on the federal government to levy a windfall profits tax on the profits gained by oil and gas companies since the Russian war on Ukraine began two years ago.
Alarmed by chaos in Haiti, expats urge Canada to do more to help resolve crisis
Local Haitians speak out about their worries for their home country and how Canada can alleviate the situation.
Diabetics welcome the prospect of drugs covered by federal pharmacare plan
For Canadians living with diabetes, new pharmacare legislation could save them thousands.
CUSA fights visa cap, while minister insists international students mustn’t end up ‘slinging pizzas’
The battle lines are drawn over the recently announced cap on International student visas.
Pro-Palestine protest targets Canadian government, alleged weapons suppliers
Protestors criticize Canada's role in bringing a ceasefire to the ongoing war in Gaza and the arms being sold to the Israeli Defence Force.
Protesters rally for trans youth as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visits Ottawa
Hundreds packed Parliament Hill on Monday to protest the arrival of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in town, after she announced proposed restrictions on transgender youth. Smith was in Ottawa to mark the opening of a provincial office in the city that will be used to make Alberta’s case to the federal government and to participate in at an event near...
City council to consider approval of high-rise project despite concern it will cast shade on Experimental Farm research
The City of Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee has approved the proposal to build two high rise towers on Baseline Road, despite lack of direction from the federal government. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have raised concerns about potential shadowing over the farm.
Advocates urge Ottawa to adopt a tenant defence fund to help those facing eviction
Activists urge a city committee to consider a legal defence fund for tenants facing high rent increases or eviction.
Frustration over affordability has young Canadians leaning towards federal Conservatives
Young Canadian voters are considering electing Conservatives as they struggle with affordability issues such as inflation and housing costs.
New Carleton reporting award honours slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Carleton University unveils a new scholarship in honour of the slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.