Many swear by an ice-cold plunge but the health benefits are murky, experts say
As cold plunging has risen in popularity the benefits are being promoted over the risks, but how good for you is the polar plunge after all?
Rise in workplace injuries indicates trouble for healthcare workers in Ontario, WSIB data finds
An analysis of data from the Ontario Workplace Safety Insurance Board obtained through a freedom-of-information request indicates trouble for healthcare workplace safety as the number of accepted workplace compensation claims for healthcare workers jumped more than 60 per cent between 2020 and 2022. This is the most significant increase among all occupations that made claims during the same period.
Cannabis prices are low, even though inflation is high
Unlike just about every product, the price of recreational cannabis is actually falling. Experts say it's because of lower demand than expected and too many stores.
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.
Ottawa wins historic first, loses next in back to back games at home
PWHL Ottawa celebrated an historic first home win Tuesday over Toronto but lost in regulation to Boston Wednesday.
Skincare business booming but rash of doubtful advice online making experts blush
The skincare industry has boomed over the past decade. In Canada, revenues for the sector are expected to exceed $2 billion U.S.
Councillors welcome developer’s money for affordable housing, traffic calming
Planning and Housing Committee passes a motion for Katasa Group development company to voluntarily contribute 300,000 dollars to traffic calming and affordable housing in Ward 17.
Expanding services across the city may help ease ByWard Market’s overdose crisis, advocates say
Advocates for local addiction programs have raised concerns that clustered shelters and social services in ByWard Market may pose more harm than good for those living with substance use disorders. Alongside these concerns, they call for the city to spread these facilities more across the municipality to address the current overdose crisis better.
To buy or not to buy: Young Canadians face tough choices on home ownership
Today, many factors determine a young person’s likelihood of purchasing a house in the future. They’re facing more difficulties in being able to afford a down payment, resulting in fewer young people thinking they will one day become homeowners.
The student dilemma: Pay more and live close to campus or pay less and commute
As rents continue to climb in Ottawa, many students are struggling to find a compromise between living close to school and finding a unit that's affordable. But with so many students competing for rentals, that balancing act is getting harder.
An endometriosis rapid detection kit under study by College La Cité could facilitate early diagnosis
College La Cite and SYNG Pharmaceuticals have begun a study to develop a non-invasive endometriosis detection kit meant to help facilitate early diagnosis of a debilitating condition.
Experts welcome high tech and AI in wildfire response but say coordination, resources on the ground are key
As some regions make strides in implementing AI to predict wildfires, experts emphasize the need for more coordination and resources nation-wide.
Two Ontario towns will decide in 2024 whether to accept a massive graveyard for nuclear waste
Canada is looking to find a permanent solution for its millions of nuclear fuel bundles, but Canadians must first be convinced it is safe for them, the environment and future generations.
The horror, the horror: Deadly Grounds Café and Curiosities offers a scarily warm welcome for fans of the genre
The Deadly Grounds Café and Curiosities is offering fans of the horror genre of films a chance to experience their passion with a warm cup of coffee.
The 25th Hour: Episode 2, A New Perspective
In this episode of the 25th Hour, our journalists look at life through a new perspective. The stories explore the future of railway travel and charities, how animals and psilocybin are helping people, and Tracy Chapman's groundbreaking win for country music.
The 25th Hour: Charities Need Help Too
Charities have seen a recent decline in charitable giving, however the demand has soared. Emma Weller looks at how charities are surviving through the drought and what the future holds for them.
Local residents form ‘Bronson Team’ to push Ottawa to make the busy avenue safer
Many residents near Bronson Avenue are fed up with safety issues around the busy thoroughfare and they're trying to do something about it.
Beau’s bounty: Unique therapy dog comforts grieving families at Tubman Funeral Homes
A therapy dog named Beau at Ottawa's Tubman Funeral Homes on Richmond Road is helping those who are grieving cope with loss.
Where there’s smoke: Debate over safe drug inhalation sites on a slow burn while overdose deaths rise in Ottawa
The debate over the efficacy of safe drug inhalation sites is raging in Ottawa.
Living under the Taliban: Afghan women call for more international support to fight gender-based violence
Carleton University invited Afghan activists to Richcraft Hall’s resource centre to share their experiences of resistance and resilience as women living under the Taliban. This event marked the 16th day of a global movement to tackle gender-based violence.
As grocery prices continue to rise, this Ottawa Reddit user is helping people find deals
Nearly two-thirds of Canadians have substantially changed their grocery habits, according to a recent survey.
Public health data shows food service inspection failures are rising in Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health food inspection data has been showing an increase in food safety infractions throughout the city.
The Christmas tree debate: It’s just evergreen
The debate continues: real Christmas trees or artificial ones.
Ottawa’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness goals seem further out of reach than ever
Ottawa's 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan is facing some serious headwinds and is a reminder of the limits of what a municipality can do on its own to deal with a deepening crisis.
Many Canadians forced to make cuts to holiday gift budget
Although inflation has eased, many Ottawans are tightening their belts as they do their Christmas shopping this year.
Tents on the agenda: City of Ottawa eyeing temporary ways to shelter those in need this winter
As rents rise and homelessness grows, the City of Ottawa is looking for ways to provide temporary shelter for those in need.
Barrhaven is Ottawa’s car-theft hotspot, and residents aim to do something about it
Facing a high rate of car theft, many Barrhaven residents are adding additional security measures to protect their vehicles.
Battery energy storage facility in rural Ottawa gets council blessing
Ottawa city council is backing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Rideau-Jock Ward.
Feeling unsafe: Sandy Hill residents concerned with lack of policing, drug-related crimes around safe injection sites and other services
Residents of Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood voiced some strong concerns with under-policing in the area, especially around safe injection sites and other community services.
Hate on the rise: Ontario sees increase in police-reported crimes
Toronto and Ottawa police hate-crimes statistics show rise of uttered threats and hate crimes as a whole in Ontario.
Budget 2024: Ottawa Fire Services requests more funding to address mental-health needs
The Ottawa Fire Services department is seeking a budget increase to allow the hiring of a mental-health specialist to help firefighters cope with increased workload and the impacts of traumatic incidents they confront.
Sports Hall of Fame collection finds new home at Museum of History in Gatineau
The Canadian Museum of History acquired the Order of Sports Collection from Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, consisting of 100,000 artifacts.
Nail file: Ottawa salons failing inspections at high rates
As the numbers of health inspections fell, the numbers of failing inspections at nail salons in Ottawa have risen.
High-rise housing in limbo over concerns about casting shade on Experimental Farm
A proposed high-rise housing development at the corner of Baseline Road and Fisher Avenue will remain in limbo until city staff can determine the impact of the shadows the towers will cast on the nearby Experimental Farm.
Ottawa councillors divided on next steps after report found inappropriate support for West Barrhaven development
A controversial development in West Barrhaven is under scrutiny because city officials offered a letter of support for the project.
Ottawa’s new ‘nightlife economy’ plan needs more focus on safety, businesses say
Some businesses worry Ottawa's new "nightlife economy" plan doesn’t prioritize the problem of public safety after dark.
Ottawa police board approves $13.4M budget increase with plan to hire more officers
The Ottawa Police Service wants to hire 555 sworn and civilian positions over the next three years.
City to try out new sidewalk machines in a collective push to reduce road salt use
The city will pilot new sidewalk machine salt controllers this winter. Others are pushing to reduce salt usage, due to its ecological damage.
Ottawa-Gatineau property crime at an all-time high, most recent statistics show
The Ottawa-Gatineau area had the highest rate of reported incident-based offences in 2022.
Jewish students say they feel unsafe as reports of antisemitic hate rise in Ottawa
Jewish students say they have felt a shift in people’s attitudes toward them since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent air strikes in Gaza.
Ottawa’s emergency shelter task force is only a “band-aid,” says shelter CEO
The task force's first move was to shut down the Heron Road Community Centre for five months and turn it into an emergency shelter.
City builder: Sledge hockey star Tyrone Henry inspires youth
Tyrone Henry is a four-time world champion para ice hockey player who received the Ottawa Sports Award for Male Athlete of the Year 2022.
High-rise complex at Bronson and Carling approved … without a fight
The City of Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee approved a new apartment complex at its Nov. 15 meeting.
Ottawa Community Lands Development Corp. aims to rebrand, focus on affordable housing
The City of Ottawa’s Housing and Planning Committee has approved a report to allow Ottawa Community Lands Development Corporation to change its name to Build Ottawa.
The 25th Hour: Performance, Puppetry and Sobriety
A local comedian finds a way to cope with his addiction through puppet-making.
The 25th Hour: Conquering cancer through running
When Cheryl Kardish-Levitan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, she kept running. Today she's a top fund-raiser for Ottawa's Run for the Cure.
City builder: ‘Loud and proud,’ Sally Thomas works hard to bring parity to OC Transpo
Sally Thomas is a "loud and proud" adaptive public transit advocate working to close the disparity between conventional transit and para transit.
New colouring book helps people have fun while learning about the human brain
A new colouring book offers an accessible way to learn about the human brain and the importance of keeping it healthy.
Delayed start: Even though it’s bad for us, dropping the annual time change is on hold
Ontario passed a law to end the annual time change but the province needs New York State and Quebec to do the same for it to come into effect.
City builder: Devinder Chaudhary uses business success to give back to Ottawa
Ottawa businessman Devinder Chaudhary, owner of Aiana Restaurant Collective, partners with local charities to help the community.