Historic first: Fewer than half of eligible voters cast ballots in Ottawa Centre
For the first time ever in Ottawa Centre’s history, those who didn’t cast a ballot in the Feb. 27 provincial election made up the majority of the riding’s eligible voters. Out of 116,980 eligible voters in Ottawa Centre, just more than 58,300 people or 49.85 per cent made the trip to a polling station. With a provincial voter turnout of...
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...
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...
Neighbourhood health hubs playing key role in city immunization efforts
Any Ottawa parent with a child who’s missing immunizations should be expecting mail soon — if they haven’t already received it. Since December, Ottawa Public Health has mailed about 11,000 incomplete immunization advisory letters to families with children missing one or more vaccines on their health record. Soon, the agency will send school suspension notices to those who have not...
Can I Skate? Ottawa couple develops app tracking Rideau Canal ice conditions
Skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway was always a family affair for the Owens. Every February, Stephen and Leslie Owens would drive more than four hours from Caledon, Ont. to visit their son Tyler in Ottawa. The couple, their sister and their two sons would spend Family Day on the Canal. “That’s been a tradition since I arrived (in Ottawa),”...
Somerset West health centre transitioning to HART hub
The Somerset West Health Community Centre will transition from a drug consumption site into a Homelessness Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub. This is part of the Ontario government's new rule to close all drug consumption sites within 200-metre proximity of schools and child-care centres.
Renewal of Bay Ward’s Frank Ryan Park to include new field house, playground
Renewal projects in a west-end Ottawa community park will begin in 2025. The city has planned renovations to the park's facilities and field house.
New dog park in Barrhaven to feature separate runs for big and small pooches
New and inclusive dog park to come in 2025.
Controversial Rockcliffe Park residence once again ready for construction
Residents of Rockcliffe Park have lost a fight to halt the redevelopment of a property in the upscale Ottawa neighbourhood. A Divisional Court appeal panel has rejected the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association’s bid to prevent the construction of a large home at 480 Cloverdale Rd. According to the RPRA, the home is oversized and too contemporary for the heritage district. ...