Lest we forget: Canadians commemorate the sacrifice of those who served in wars
The solemn sounds of bugle horns, bagpipes, cannon fire and moments of silence echoed across Ottawa on the grey morning of Nov. 11, 2024, as thousands of Canadians gathered around the National War Memorial to honour and remember those who sacrificed their lives serving the nation.
City Builder: Wendy Stephanson wants to leave a legacy of collaboration
Ottawa city manager Wendy Stephanson oversees an operating budget of $4.6 million for the municipality.
City Builder: Dr. Christina Romulus works to inspire the next generation of Black doctors
Dr. Romulus is known for her work as a mentor and physician in Ottawa. Her involvement in mentorship and outreach has made her well known in spaces that support women, racialized communities, and small business owners.
City Builder: Adam Miron stresses the importance of giving back after finding success
Ottawa entrepreneur Adam Miron has contributed to startups and businesses across Ottawa.
City builder: Dulcie Clark is the mentor behind Ottawa’s animation success
The CEO of PIP Animation Services, Dulcie Clark, has been celebrated for her contributions to Canadian children’s programming.
City Builder: GCTC’s Sarah Kitz amplifies under-represented voices
Sarah Kitz champions IBPOC, female, trans, non-binary and other voices while trying to reflect Canadian society on the threatre scene.
Tenants at Bank and Lisgar fear for their future as ‘demoviction’ date approaches
Time is running out for the tenants at Bank and Lisgar Sts., who face a February 2025 deadline to leave their homes, which will be demolished and replaced by a midrise apartment building.
City of Ottawa’s new focus on person-centred, long-term care a welcome shift
Francis Dixon says the City of Ottawa’s shift toward person-centred care has enhanced his sense of independence and dignity at Carleton Lodge, a long-term care home by the Rideau River — one of four run by the city. “I can wake up when my body allows, and the staff genuinely care about my needs,” the 87-year-old retired clergyman told Capital...
Aboriginal Coalition hopes to secure funding soon for Ottawa’s first family healing lodge
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition (OAC) says it’s hopeful it will soon obtain the funding for Ottawa’s first family healing lodge, one key project that’s part of Ottawa’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.
So far, so good: Person-centred care pilot program in Ottawa long-term care deemed success
Person-centred care is an integrated health-services approach that relies on a variety of factors to strengthen resident comfort and safety.
Ottawa to study ‘bubble bylaw’ that would restrict protests at schools, hospitals and other locations
Despite objections and concerns brought up by some councillors, City Council voted in favour of a study examining whether a ‘bubble bylaw’ is necessary in Ottawa.
Ottawa homeowner dismayed to find high levels of radon, a potentially deadly gas
A 2024 Health Canada statistic showed that radon exposure may result in as many as 3,200 deaths annually, more than car accidents (1,898), carbon monoxide (300) and fire (109) deaths combined.
Some downtown Ottawa convenience store owners say it’s not worth the risk to sell alcohol
Weeks after the Ontario government allowed convenience stores to sell beer, wine, and coolers, many store owners in Ottawa are taking a cautious approach, saying they have concerns about the impact on safety and the potential for increased shoplifting.
Transit commission asks OC Transpo what it needs to fix bus reliability
Members of Ottawa’s Transit Commission are concerned that bus reliability is far below where it needs to be in advance a major overhaul of bus routes across the city planned for next Spring. New Ways to Bus, is to begin in April, some months after the opening of the LRT Lines 2 and 4, expected in November. The bus plan...
Ottawa’s new garbage restrictions could have gone further, say waste reduction advocates
Ottawa's new three-item garbage limit aims to extend the life of the Trail Road Landfill but has divided residents. Some say it's too restrictive, while others fear it may lead to illegal dumping or difficulties for larger households.
Ottawa students, teachers see positive impact of new cellphone rules
Many Ottawa teachers and students say the new phone rules in classes is making a positive difference this school year.
After 50 years in business, Mountain Orchards’ co-founder has no regrets
Mountain Orchard celebrates its 50th season this year. Co-owner Shelley Lyall tells Capital Current about the highs and lows of the last 50 years.
More than a year after Oct. 7 attack on Israel, debate remains fraught
More than a year after the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attacks by Hamas against Israel, reasonable dialogue about the long-standing conflict seems as difficult as ever.
Indigenous homelessness plan ambitious but needs to succeed, Ottawa councillors told
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition (OAC) gave city councillors an update on its plan to address Indigenous housing and homelessness, which the coalition acknowledged is ambitious and requires systemic changes.
Help stray cats as winter approaches, Ottawa rescue groups plead
Ottawa cat rescues urge residents to take initiative in helping stray cat populations as winter approaches.
Dark Fork: Ottawa’s new dining experience ‘pulls out all your senses’
Dark Fork, Ottawa’s first dine-in-the-dark restaurant, invites customers to explore a unique experience.
Sparks Street BIA set for huge expansion among Centretown businesses
Ottawa's Sparks Street BIA is about to grow far beyond its namesake, following approval from City Council.
Music students have a message: Female classical composers matter
In concert halls around the Western world, classical music remains overwhelmingly male-dominated, but a concert held at the University of Ottawa is a reminder that female composers have also made important contributions to the art and must not be ignored.
Invasive buckthorn: Ottawa volunteers call for more support to remove it from local parks
Sharon Boddy and Nora Lee are working to remove invasive buckthorn from Ottawa's forests.
‘A lose-lose situation’: Upcoming closure of Somerset supervised consumption site weighs heavily on the community
Problematic drug use likely to increase with loss of Somerset West's supervised consumption site, say community members
City Builder: Allan Reesor-McDowell changes leadership roles, from refugees to released prisoners
On Sept. 6, 2024, Allan Reesor-McDowell became the new Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Ottawa.
City to hand transit riders worrisome fare increase in 2025
Despite Statistics Canada indicating slowing inflation for public transit fares, the City of Ottawa is considering significant fare hikes, increased property taxes and service cuts as it debates the budget for 2025. Those impending increases concern Ayesha Khan, a fourth-year student at Carleton University. She lives in Orléans and uses public transit to get to school. She is worried about...
Land removed from Greely despite objections that more housing development needed in the village
The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) passed a motion deciding that a new subdivision will not be part of the village of Greely.
As Ottawa considers more boundary expansion, councillors fear more sprawl
Ottawa is one step closer to a new urban boundary expansion application process, though councillors expressed concerns that the new process could add to the city’s sprawl.
Young immigrants finding it tougher to land a job than their Canadian-born counterparts
After uprooting his life in Saudi Arabia and relocating to Canada, Omar Hussein spent two years of his teenage life handing out resumes anywhere he could. Hussein arrived in Canada with his family in 2018 at 15. By 2020, 17 year old Omar got his a permit and was ready to search for work. Hoping to find a source of...
“It’s worrying:” Unemployment rate for young immigrants more than doubles in past year
It took eight months for Abyssinnia Abebe to find a job. Abebe, from Ethiopia originally, is now a permanent resident in Canada. Even with that status, the 20 year old immigrant university student, says she applied to more than 150 jobs within that eight-month period. The struggle to find a job is not a unique problem. Unemployment among immigrants aged...
Ottawa’s new bike locker project spinning its wheels in first few weeks
Ottawa's new Bike Locker initiative is off to a slow start.
Climbing rents in Ontario have tenants feeling stuck
With the cost of rent increasing in an already competitive market, tenants face mounting hurdles to secure shelter that fits their needs and budgets. According to Capital Current’s data analysis from Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), rent prices in Ontario rose by 7.1 per cent in August 2024, compared to the same time last year. The increase for all...
One month later, convenience store booze sales are making many customers happy
How has the booze business been affecting convenience stores?
GCTC marks half a century of boosting Canadian theatre with an eclectic 50th anniversary season
The Great Canadian Theatre Company is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the 2024-25 season.
City Builder: Renée Amilcar embraces OC Transpo leadership amidst transit turmoil
Renée Amilcar, General Manager of Transit Services at OC Transpo, welcomes the challenges that arise while striving to improve Ottawa's public transit.
ByWard vendors finding creative ways to stay afloat after the outdoor market closes for winter
ByWard Market has been the heart of the Ottawa community since its establishment in 1827. As the outdoor market prepares for closure this year, vendors reflect on the declining state of Ottawa's downtown sector.
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.
Meet some of the Black women pursuing and building community in Ottawa
In the city of Ottawa Black women are working to find and create spaces for engaging in Black sisterhood.
Ottawa councillors want more provincial help as police crack down on stunt driving
City councillors are pushing for updated provincial legislation to help police efforts to combat stunt driving
More Ottawa commuters are carpooling, cycling, walking or taking transit as traffic backs up in Ottawa
Since the government’s Sept. 9 return-to-office mandate, Ottawa’s streets have become much more congested, pushing commuters to seek alternatives in order to avoid long delays. As public transit struggles to keep pace and traffic worsens, cycling, carpooling, and walking have come in-clutch as popular solutions among commuters.
As Ottawa’s film industry continues to grow, more local talent opts to stay in the city
Despite a global pandemic and several industry strikes, the Ottawa Film Office has reported record-breaking profits in 2023.
Ottawa councillors push for review of bylaws amid increase in dog attacks
Some Ottawa city councillors are pushing for better enforcement and a review of bylaws following a reported increase in the number of dog attacks. From 2020 to 2023, the city saw nearly a 20 per cent increase in the number of reported dog attacks, according to statistics provided by city staff in response to an inquiry by Stittsville Coun. Glenn...
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
Rideau Centre CAMP Cube experience helps business spread the word to customers
In mid-August, a large, mysterious cube appeared inside the Rideau Centre. Located next to Bento Sushi and tucked underneath an escalator, it attracted a line of curious mall-goers. Some had seen it on Instagram; others had not. Turns out the Cadillac Fairview (CF) CAMP Cube is a futuristic marketing tool that provides shoppers with a sci-fi gameshow experience. It will...
Walking tours on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offer a window into Canada’s colonial past
The Assembly of Seven Generations is marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with guided walking tours to shed some light on Canada's colonial history.
Orleans housing development approved in minutes after land deal to save local forest
It took Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee just five minutes to approved a low-rise development project in Orleans, something the local councillor attributes to a community-engaged process and a land-swap deal to save a local woodland.
City Builder: Michael Wood advocates for small business and 911 services in Ottawa
Michael Wood, a professor at Algonquin College and business consultant, is widely recognized in Ottawa for his advocacy for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to improve emergency services across the city.
Orléans arts venue moves diversity to centre stage with new collaboration
The 15th anniversary season at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans features a new partnership with Axé WorldFest — an organization that empowers BIPOC artists, newcomers to Canada and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. The initiative reflects the centre’s strengthened commitment to ensuring that its annual lineup of performers includes traditionally unrepresented groups. Born and raised in Brazil and living in Canada for...
Council approves demolition of heritage buildings in Lowertown
Ottawa City Council has approved the demolition of three heritage buildings on St. Patrick Street, which the local community association describes as “the poster children for demolition by neglect.” The decision means that the buildings, at 227-229, 231-233and 235-237 St. Patrick St., just west of Dalhousie, can be torn down and the property redeveloped. City staff supported demolition, noting the...