Arts & Events

Crackup to Comeback: One Comedian’s Journey from Opening Act to Festival Emcee

Ten years ago, when I was almost still brand new to comedy, I found myself...

By: Ottawalife Contributor

Inside Ottawa’s Forgotten Heavy Metal Era: Sean Murphy’s New Book Reveals All

Ottawa-Gatineau is not normally top of mind when talking about heavy metal music. Sean Murphy,...

By: Tom Middleton

Megadeth in Ottawa: A First‑Time Metal Fan’s Thrilling Dive Into Thrash

When people are asked that question, most say, “I love everything.” That’s rarely true. Every...

By: Keith Whittier

Ottawa Little Theatre Brings Agatha Christie’s ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ to Life

Ottawa Little Theatre opened its 2026 season with The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, adapted by...

By: Karen Temple

My Ottawa

Where to Find the Best Sugar Bushes Near Ottawa This Spring

As the snow finally gives up and the thermometer begins its slow climb, maple trees...

By: OLM Staff

The Power of a Simple Conversation

Recently, while reading scripture at my home church in Mississauga, forty-one verses from the Gospel...

By: Brian Crombie

Why Fragility Changes Us: A Personal Reflection Inspired by David Szalay’s ‘Flesh’

There are weeks that move forward. And there are weeks that rearrange you. I’ve just...

By: Brian Crombie

Why Cozey’s Bedroom Collection Works for Modern Living—Without the Showroom Hype

For years, Cozey built its reputation on living‑room essentials—sofas that arrived in tidy boxes, furniture...

By: OLM Staff

Politics

International Women’s Day Is Not a Celebration — It’s a Warning

International Women’s Day is often framed as a celebration. We celebrate the progress women have...

By: Brian Crombie

Canada Cannot Lead Globally Until It Confronts Antisemitism at Home

By Andrew Faas “I worry about antisemitism not just as a bad idea that originates...

By: Ottawalife Contributor

Why It’s Easier to Get Street Drugs in Canada Than a Product That Helps You Quit Smoking

Canada has arrived at a moment where its public‑health policies no longer simply contradict one...

By: OLM Staff

How Iran Fell into Darkness And Why Canada Has a Direct Stake in What Comes Next

In the decades leading up to 1979, Iran was a nation undergoing rapid transformation. The...

By: Dan Donovan

Sports

As Expected, Sens Go Quiet at Trade Deadline

The Ottawa Senators clearly relish what they have, and outside of a pair of middling...

By: Dave Gross

Two Canadian Snowboarders, One Olympic Stage: Spalding and Blouin Look Back on Milan–Cortina

Canada’s snowboarders wrapped up the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics with plenty to be proud of....

By: David Johnson

Ottawa Native Abbey McMillan Lives her Varsity Hockey Dream

For the past five seasons, Ottawa’s Abbey McMillan has been living out her lifelong dream...

By: Neil Becker

Canadian Hearts Broken by Hellebuyck

Connor-freakin’-Hellebuyck. Sure, Canada lost a dramatic gold medal game against the despised USA team on...

By: Dave Gross

Food & Wine

‘Vineyard Melody’: How One Woman Rebuilt Her Life — One Grape At A Time

How did a young mother living in a strict, oppressive Indian family end up living...

By: Jane Staples

Discover Ontario’s Fabulous Icewines

Due to an extraordinary combination of climate, location and savoir faire, Ontario has become world...

By: Jane Staples

Magical Terroir of Alsace: Exploring Three Opulent White Wines That Showcase the Region’s Unique Soils

The iconic white wines of Alsace are famous for their pure aromas, freshness and their...

By: Jane Staples

Christmas Cheer: Five Wines That Make Exceptional Gifts

Just in time for the festive season, I have curated a list of mouthwatering wines...

By: Jane Staples

Reviews

From Apartheid to America: The Unsettling Relevance of ‘We Inherit the Fire’

Kagiso Lesego Molope’s novel about South Africa during apartheid has eery and uncomfortable parallels with...

By: Don MacLean

Irish Roots That Shaped a Nation: Inside ‘Fifty Irish Lives in Canada’

Fifty Irish Lives in Canada, written by Dr. Eamonn McKee and Dr. Mark G. McGowan,...

By: Dan Donovan

Album Reviews: Gorillaz, Peaches, Altın Gün

Gorillaz – The Mountain London, England/Hawarden, Wales/World With a very Plastic Beach-like full world embodied...

By: Owen Maxwell

Megadeth in Ottawa: A First‑Time Metal Fan’s Thrilling Dive Into Thrash

When people are asked that question, most say, “I love everything.” That’s rarely true. Every...

By: Keith Whittier

Travel

St. Pete Beach: The Perfect Florida Getaway for Sun, Culture and Family Adventure

If you’re dreaming of a Florida escape that blends soft white sand, family‑friendly adventure, and...

By: Dan Donovan

Why Meliá Casa Maya Cancun Is a Top All‑Inclusive for Canadian Winter Getaways

There’s a point every Canadian hits in winter — usually somewhere between the third freezing‑rain...

By: Dan Donovan

Transported Back in Time to Another World, in Just Under Four Minutes

In about four minutes, I was transported to another world! I barely had time to...

By: Bruce Sach

Guadeloupe Uncovered: The French Caribbean’s Best-Kept Secret

It may share a name that echoes Guadalajara or Guatemala, but the Guadeloupe Islands are...

By: Madi Donovan

Business

How Local Community Dairy, Laiterie de L’Outaouais Plans to Become a Household Name in Ottawa

Fifteen years ago, Gatineau-based Laiterie de L’Outaouais was born from a positive regional community mobilization...

By: Beryl Menezes

Carleton Students Take on AI Agents in MindBridge’s 2026 Data Science Challenge

‘This year’s competition pushes students to build intelligent AI systems capable of detecting financial anomalies...

By: OLM Staff

Beyond the Blueprint: Ottawa’s Experts Redefining Home Renovation

Ottawa homeowners are increasingly investing in renovations to reimagine spaces, improve functionality, and add long-term...

By: Ottawalife Contributor

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: How Stéphane Giguère is Redefining Community Housing in Ottawa

More than 33,000 Ottawa residents call Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) home. A home is more...

By: Karen Temple

Health

The Real Reason Your Old Eating Habits Aren’t Working Anymore

Many people go through life eating much the same way year after year, and I...

By: Susan Alsembach

The Quiet Pressure to Hold It All Together — and the Possibilities We Rarely Consider

On the surface, many people are doing remarkably well. They manage demanding lives. They show...

By: Patricia Carr

The Best High-Protein, Low-Cost Pantry Staple: Why You Should Eat More Legumes

As food prices continue to rise and health challenges persist for many of us, it’s...

By: Susan Alsembach

Canadians Rethink Wellness on International Self-Care Day

July 24 isn’t just another summer date—it’s International Self-Care Day, a global reminder that taking...

By: OLM Staff

Best Picks

Irish Roots That Shaped a Nation: Inside ‘Fifty Irish Lives in Canada’

Fifty Irish Lives in Canada, written by Dr. Eamonn McKee and Dr. Mark G. McGowan,...

By: Dan Donovan

Garant’s New Cordless Snow Blowers Built for Ottawa Winters

Ottawa winters don’t ease up — and neither does Garant. The Canadian brand has launched...

By: OLM Staff

Bruno Marc MaxFlex MotionHigh Men’s Chelsea Boots 

Looking for an everyday boot that’s equal parts polished and practical? Bruno Marc’s Sleek Men...

By: OLM Staff

Dream Pairs DALLAS Knee-High Boots

Looking for the boots everyone will be talking about this season? Meet the Dream Pairs...

By: OLM Staff

Good reads

How Online Platforms Like Dudespin Casino Fit Into Ottawa’s Digital Life in 2026

Ottawa in 2026 looks a lot like a city that has quietly completed its digital...

By: Allen Brown

Why the Ottawa Senators are becoming a serious contender in the NHL again

The return of the Ottawa Senators to serious competition in the NHL has drawn attention...

By: Allen Brown

Essential Tips for Stress-Free Long-Distance Relocations

You can feel a move slipping when boxes pile up, but the key choices stay...

By: Allen Brown

How to Improve Business Order Fulfillment Efficiency Before Courier Collection

Fulfillment of orders is an important aspect of modern business, particularly when companies use the...

By: Allen Brown