Ottawa cafés navigate changing lines between remote workers and the idea of community culture
Ottawa cafés are taking different approaches to laptop-users, as workers and students use coffee shops as informal workspaces, raising concerns about how businesses can balance this trend with traditional café culture.
HuBar owner ‘first to bite the apple’ on Asian-inspired nightlife in ByWard Market
The bar, which opened in September on Clarence Street, is described as "East meets West" by owner Nick Mou.
Election Ottawa 2026: Parents want expanded library hours — and issue could determine their vote
Ottawa families face limited access to public libraries that are closed on Sundays.
Adult roommates: Some young Ottawa renters are managing housing costs by sharing a living space
As Ottawa’s rental market begins to ease, some young adults say living with roommates still helps them manage costs.
Ottawans ask why Ontario is still changing the clocks twice a year
Some would like Ontario to follow the lead of western provinces and stay on either standard and daylight saving time.
Aberdeen Pavilion closure leaves local markets feeling squeezed
The Aberdeen Pavilion has just closed its doors to undergo a major restoration project – forcing local markets and community events to relocate.
Mayoral candidates push for affordable transit and more trees at forum
Seven candidates for Mayor of Ottawa offered their views on how to make the city more resilient, inclusive and “greener” on a panel at the Nepean Sportsplex on Aug. 26. These included Ali Shayvard, an instructor at OC Transpo and self-described democratic socialist, Jeff Leiper, the three-term councillor for Kitchissippi Ward, economist Neil Saravanamuttoo, Zed Chebib, a former limo driver...
Eurovision dreams: Hope for an Ottawa talent to make it to the 2027 contest
Canada is set to make its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. What could an Ottawa artist bring to the competition?
Grassroots groups work to empower Ottawa residents struggling with affordability issues
As Canadians continue to face rising costs, Ottawa grassroots intiatives are setting out to empower communities and build safety nets.
As Ottawa animation festival turns 50, creators draw attention to industry challenges
Animators see employment challenges ahead, even as Ottawa animation festival marks its 50th birthday.
Something in the water: The capital is quickly becoming a ‘River City’
On a hazy August afternoon, a lineup of families with children filled the entrance to the swimming area adjacent to the River House on the Ottawa River. An attendant sat under an umbrella administering bands to people intending to swim. A wraparound dock enclosed an area in which two rafts were anchored in the middle. Children climbed on and jumped...
Ottawa Police stretched too thin for city-wide traffic enforcement, says chief
Ottawa police say they don’t have the resources to enforce traffic safety across the city despite concerns by some residents about speeding and unsafe driving.
Election Ottawa 2026: As Stittsville grows, residents want roads and transit infrastructure to keep pace
Stittsville is growing quickly, but residents say the roads and transit needed to support that growth aren’t always keeping pace.
Election Ottawa 2026: Riverside South-Findlay Creek residents want more ‘third spaces’
The area has one main park, Diamond Jubilee Park, and a hockey arena, Fred Barrett Arena. The winter months limit park gatherings, making booking the arena competitive.
Election Ottawa 2026: ‘Nightmare’ on Bank Street a key issue for Capital Ward voters
Capital Current is looking at the concerns of residents in wards across the city as they prepare to vote for a new Mayor and Council on Oct. 26. With Ottawa’s municipal election day looming, traffic on Bank Street continues to be a key focus in Capital Ward. Capital Ward stretches from Dow’s Lake east to the Rideau River, north to the...
Election Ottawa 2026: Crowded routes 75 and 74 in political spotlight in Barrhaven East
Barrhaven transit users say Routes 74 and 75 can become crowded during peak travel times, as transit connections emerge as an issue in the Ward 24 municipal election. Candidates and commenters are weighing how service could better connect Barrhaven to the rest of Ottawa.
Election Ottawa 2026: Summer floods making infrastructure a top concern of Knoxdale-Merivale voters
Knoxdale-Merivale residents are unhappy over infrastructure in their ward after this summer's storms.
Election Ottawa 2026: Safety concerns grow in Somerset Ward as homelessness, public drug use more visible
A Somerset Ward mother is concerned about public safety in the community associated with homelessness and public drug use.
Election Ottawa 2026: O-Train rolling into Orléans East-Cumberland but voters wary transit will improve
The O-Train Line 1 extension to Orléans is set to begin pre-trial running in October, but residents say better connections and local transit service are still needed.
Election Ottawa 2026: The debate over Lansdowne 2.0 is still echoing in the mayoral race
The majority of Ottawa voters now view the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment plan negatively, according to polls,along with three out of four of the leading mayoral candidates behind Mark Sutcliffe. Will the opposition overturn Sutcliffe’s re-election bid?
Election Ottawa 2026: Relentless flooding, crumbling roads top of mind for Bay Ward voters
Bay Ward residents have been left with unmanageable potholes due to poor road construction and lack of proper drainage systems. This challenge has moved residents to reconsider who will end up on their ballots on Oct. 26.
La dolce vita: Despite ups and downs, Ottawa’s Italian community still treasures its roots on Preston Street
Along Preston Street from Carling Avenue north to Somerset Street gives one a taste of Italy in Ottawa. The thoroughfare is dotted with signs, plaques, monuments, a mural under the Queensway bridge and a large portal archway, all hailing the Italian heritage of the area. Even though Preston Street BIA runs an Italian Festival every June in Italian Heritage month,...
Election Ottawa 2026: Community-building in Barrhaven West needs to focus more on older residents, seniors’ council says
Seniors in Barrhaven lack community spaces - and say they want more recognition from the local government.
Election Ottawa 2026: Kitchissippi voters face the pressures of ‘a growing city’ this election
As Ottawa Coun. Jeff Leiper leaves his Kitchissippi seat to run for mayor, four fresh candidates are focused on the ever-growing ward.
Election Ottawa 2026: Road access and transportation big concerns for West Carleton-March
Road safety, growth and rural services are all key issues facing voters in Ward 5 ahead of Ottawa’s Oct. 26 municipal election. As this community continue to grow, residents want to know whether the next councillor can keep up.
‘MIST’ trial success legitimizes minimally invasive heart bypass surgery, surgeon says
Despite an active lifestyle, genetics caught up with Diana Wilkinson when she underwent a triple heart bypass, something her brother and father had done before her. While that introduced her to the surgery, unlike her relatives, hers was performed by an innovative, minimally invasive technique. “They didn’t have to cut me open,” Wilkinson said, who says she’s grateful for the...
Election Ottawa 2026: Route 24 riders call for better-timed connections in Beacon Hill-Cyrville
Some Beacon Hill-Cyrville residents say poorly timed connections at Blair station can lead to longer waits between buses. [Photo © Eileen Hyun]
Election Ottawa 2026: Orléans South-Navan residents say current plans for high-speed train off track
Some residents in the Orléans South-Navan ward of Ottawa have expressed concerns over how Canada's first high-speed rail network will affect the area.
Election Ottawa 2026: ‘Flood fatigue and rainfall anxiety’: Stormwater infrastructure a top priority in College Ward
After Canada Day’s record-breaking rainfall where thousands of west-end buildings flooded, College Ward residents are looking towards the city for answers on what future extreme weather events will look like for them.
‘Truer than True:’ Tanglewood celebrates new splash pad in the style of Dr. Seuss stories
A new neighbourhood splash pad in Knoxdale-Merivale Ward was celebrated recently with a little magic for the children who will enjoy the cooling water starting next spring and for years to come. The splash pad will feature water spray infrastructure inspired by the shapes and colours found in Dr. Seuss stories. “We look forward to having everybody back in spring...
Infrastructure upgrades needed for wards seeing intensification, councillor says
Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine is pushing for infrastructure upgrades to established wards such as his that are seeing intensification while struggling with flooding from extreme weather events. “We’re not so good (at) improving conditions for areas where there’s no (new) growth to improve the conditions of assets and quality of life,” Devine said, referring to the pattern of outlying developments...
Election Ottawa 2026: Homelessness, addiction major concerns in Rideau-Vanier
Homelessness in Rideau-Vanier Ward could impact voting in October municipal election.
Councillor calls for ‘holistic’ urban planning amid province’s housing push
College Coun. Laine Johnson is advocating for the province to stop undermining municipal governments and let city planners do their work to help create as much new housing as possible in liveable neighbourhoods. Citing 53 recommendations that the city has made to accelerate housing development, Johnson said the provincial government is ‘punching down’ on the city’s ability to build housing....
Residents of fast-growing Barrhaven critique planned civic centre, library
An Aug. 10 open house for a sprawling new civic centre and library branch in Barrhaven gave local residents a chance to see plans for the community complex and give feedback directly to municipal staff and city councillors. The open house for the civic complex was held at the Minto Recreation Centre with Barrhaven East and West councillors Wilson Lo...
‘No Pigs BBQ and Roast’ draws calls for police reform after misconduct cases
A vegan barbecue, speeches from community advocates and the symbolic destruction of a pig piñata marked a protest outside Ottawa City Hall on Monday, where demonstrators demanded Ottawa police officers accused of gender-based misconduct be fired rather than allowed to resign quietly. The event, titled “No Pigs BBQ and Roast,” was organized by the Punch Up Collective, an Ottawa-based activist...
Citing popularity of River House, Dow’s Lake, NCC opens two more swim sites
Two new swimming docks opened in July on both shores of the Ottawa River, giving visitors additional places to cool off in the water. One is located on the shoreline at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, while the other is directly across the river at East Wharf, near the Rideau Canal locks at the foot of Major’s Hill...
Poet’s ‘Forest Teachings’ workshop brings Indigenous ways of knowing to forefront of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary
Ottawa’s former English poet laureate and Indigenous cultural leader Albert Dumont hosted a film screening and art-making workshop on July 14 at the Diane Deans Community Centre in Greenboro. The event was facilitated by the School of Never-Ending Learning, a local intergenerational education initiative that secured grant money from the city’s 200th anniversary fund. The workshop series — titled Forest...
Closed work permits in Canada akin to modern slavery, advocates say
“Your housing is dependent on that person, your access to health care, your status, everything is tied to that person. Is that an employer? Is that a farmer? Or is that your master? ” Alladua said, echoing sentiments from his book.
Collaboration and improv key to Ottawa’s only hip hop jam sessions
The booming sound of live music fills Red Bird on Bank Street where Ottawa’s only hip-hop jam session takes place.
Living the dream: Ottawa songwriter keeps a promise to himself with release of new track and video
Ottawa-based musician Victor Gabriel-Hanson, also known as Victa, has kept a promise he made to himself, releasing a new track early in the new year, followed by a music video. The track, “Promises,” was released Jan. 6, while the video came out on March 13. “The vision behind it was just to create a fun dance song,” Gabriel-Hanson said. He...
Ottawa cricket players welcome plan to build six new pitches across the city
The city of Ottawa is planning to build up to six new cricket pitches to meet demand. Players and clubs are excited to see the continued growth of cricket on Ottawa.
Ottawa’s first Brazilian bakery seeks to be a cultural hub
Ottawa has just gained its first Brazilian bakery. "That's Bananas" seeks to be a cultural hub serving authentic Brazilian food for Ottawa's Brazilian community.
Just Food is sprouting food sovereignty in Ottawa
Urban agriculture in Ottawa is building skills, strengthening communities, and reshaping local food systems beyond the grocery store.
Local food businesses build community and profits with the help of social media
The Great Canadian Poutinerie sits in the heart of a kilometre-long commercial stretch of Bank Street in Ottawa’s Centretown. Mustard-yellow crossing signs along its bustling sidewalks match the restaurant’s retro storefront. A small black sign outside the entrance frames a cartoon of Patrick Morin, who recently went viral online for his General Tso -flavoured poutine — a testament to the...
Changing the landscape: Algonquin’s program suspensions underscore importance to community
30 of Algonquin's programs have been suspended, highlighting the community impact the college brings.
Ottawa entrepreneurs test demand for New York-style bagels with pop-ups
Small business Baci's Bagels is bringing New-York inspired bagels into the capital city. The couple behind it talks about their plans and popular bagel pop-ups.
Bearing damage means full LRT Line 1 service won’t return until at least late May, says OC Transpo
OC Transpo says it will take at least six weeks to fully restore O-Train Line 1 service, but that there is no longer a risk of a long-term shutdown.
OC Transpo finds more damage on LRT cars, delaying a return to full service on Line 1
OC Transpo says full service on the LRT may not resume until late May or early June, after additional damage was discovered in the cartridge bearing assemblies of the cars.
As coffee prices climb, Ottawa roaster works to keep cups affordable
Gord Fitzpatrick has had seen the spike in coffee prices first hand. “This is the highest the prices have been,” said the owner of Kafia International Coffee and master roaster. “It peaked around September or October and has dipped slightly, but still high.” Fitzpatrick imports “green bean” coffee, the unroasted crop bought from wholesalers that finds its way to local...
Data shows hard-hit Ottawa topped Toronto in per capita rate of flu cases
Like many who had the flu last winter, Piper Long was fighting off feverish hot flashes and shivers that left her bedridden for a week in November. At first, Long said she thought it was a cold. But when her fever topped 100 F, she said she knew she had taken a turn for the worse. “It was just awful,...