Rise of Cozy Games
Let’s be real: gaming used to be all about competition. High scores, battle royales, grinding for XP, and proving you were the best. But lately, there’s been a huge shift. More and more people are picking up games not to win but to unwind. Cozy games are meant for relaxation, creativity, and pure good vibes. […]
Canada’s Power While Ottawa’s Sour
It’s an odd time to head to the beach but that’s what the bulk of the National Hockey League’s skaters are up to for the next week. The others? The top stars from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland? It’s the awaited return of best-on-best international play as the 4 Nations Face-Off debuts. We’ll […]
A Bright Light in a Dark Sky: Professor Gil Troy’s Fight Against Antisemitism
On Sunday, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa hosted an event at a synagogue in Ottawa, featuring guest speaker Professor Gil Troy, a Harvard-educated scholar, former history professor at McGill University and leading Zionist thinker. Troy has authored numerous articles in prominent newspapers such as The Jerusalem Post, The Daily Beast, and The New York Times. […]
Comedy or Controversy? The CBC, Danger Cats, and the Fight for Free Expression
As one of the main sponsors of the annual Mike MacDonald Summer Comedy Competition at Yuk Yuk’s Ottawa—where our writers also serve as judges—we know better than anyone that comedy isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Audiences vary; a comedian who kills one night might get crickets the next. But while judges pick the winner, it […]
Bringing Back the Magic of Travel: Hamad International Airport Sets the Standard
When I was young, travelling was thrilling. It wasn’t just the anticipation of the destination that excited me; the journey itself was an adventure. Times have changed, though, since I received my BOAC Junior Jet Club pin from a friendly stewardess—as they were then called—who invited my sister and me to the cockpit to meet […]
The Archduke Game (Redux)
Note to readers: This article echoes my earlier, much shorter and more lighthearted article “The Archduke Game”, which appeared in this magazine on May 23, 2017, but has been updated and expanded to reflect the more extreme present situation in U.S. politics and our rather more perilous times. My PhD supervisor was an elegant Hungarian […]
Chinese Electronics Brands Eye Increased Global Sales in 2025
Chinese brands are playing an increasingly prominent role in the global consumer electronics market, which is projected to have reached $809 billion in 2024. Despite fierce competition, these companies are making significant inroads through rapid innovation, improved quality, competitive pricing, and efficient supply chains. To further accelerate their success in international markets, global commerce and […]
Credit Where Credit Is Due for Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
When Mayor Sutcliffe launched the Fairness for Ottawa campaign last summer, it seemed like the attempt of a relatively new mayor to shift his city’s financial problems onto the provincial and federal governments. His argument was that the federal government’s PILTs were too low, causing a financial shortfall. Sutcliffe took office with a broken public […]
Fall in Love With These Valentine’s Day Wines
Valentine’s Day arrives soon, and this year, it can be a pleasant distraction from all the political shenanigans around us. This week is also an ideal time to splurge on a special wine since it’s our last chance to save on the HST. Champagne is always a hit. Is it the bubbles . . . […]
True North Strong and Free: Canada’s Fight to Control Its Own Economy
Canada’s Long Struggle for Economic Sovereignty U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea of making Canada the 51st state is like trying to fit a hockey puck into a baseball glove—it’s never going to work. We’ll stick to our maple syrup, moose, Mounties, polar bears, and Canada geese, thank you very much. Trump isn’t the first American […]
The Girl on the Train: A Haunting Ride Through Mystery and Redemption
Rachel Watson is a woman derailed. Once on a promising track, her life now moves in endless circles, stuck in a loop of self-destruction. She appears to be the engineer of her own train wreck, a character who, at first glance, garners little sympathy. As an audience member, you want to cry out, “Put the […]
Experience Thrilling High-Intensity Fun at The Diefenbunker Escape Room
By David Johnson As the centre of government, Ottawa was a prime target during the Cold War. To prevent a decapitation of the federal administration, John Diefenbaker commissioned the construction of a bunker to protect key members of the government in the event of a nuclear war. The bunker now hosts the largest escape room […]
Building Better Voters Builds a Better Canada
It does seem as if there will soon be a federal election in Canada. It will take place during a period of some upheaval in our relations with the United States, and very soon after a period of some turmoil within the Liberal Party of Canada. The questions before the electorate this time around, both […]
Album Reviews: Franz Ferdinand, Ethel Cain, Father John Misty
Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear Glasgow, Scotland Never ones to slow down their approach, Franz Ferdinand seems as charged as ever with their new bandmates on The Human Fear. Balancing their iconic sound with some new ideas and a powerful vitality in their sound, this is more of the band you love, only losing […]
Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door?
Right into the guts of winter and right into the guts of hockey season. Early February, brothers and sisters, and it’s the best time to be a fan of the NHL. Here are a few examples as to why. OTTAWA REJOICES, THERE’S MOVEMENT FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARD: A genuinely interesting development in the nation’s […]
Online Gambling Australia vs Canada: Surprising Market Shifts
Online Gambling Australia vs Canada: Surprising Market Shifts Australia and Canada are two growing markets where gambling trends change swiftly. Mostly due to regulatory implementations, but also technological advancements. While Australia grapples with stricter regulations and responsible gambling measures, Canada’s provinces are increasingly embracing digital gambling platforms, creating a unique landscape for operators and players […]
Yarbo Donates Two Autonomous Snow Blowers to Mon Sheong Foundation
In a ceremony held at Richmond Hill Municipal Offices, robotics company Yarbo donated two of its autonomous snow blowers to the Mon Sheong Foundation, marking the first commercial deployment of these devices in North America. “We are very committed to ensuring that our residents are safe and to creating a peaceful environment,” said Eumie Leung, […]
Ottawa Charge Forward Danielle Serdachny’s Impressive Rookie Season
Ottawa Charge forward Danielle Serdachny didn’t have to wait long before celebrating her first PWHL goal. Serdachny, selected second overall by Ottawa in the 2024 PWHL draft, had a debut to remember when on Saturday, November 30, at Place Bell during a season-opening 4-3 shootout loss against Montreal Victoire, she experienced the thrill of scoring […]
Sylvia Ng’s ReturnBear is Simplifying Product Returns and Changing the E-Commerce Game
Anyone who shops online knows the hassle of returning items to vendors. Major retailers often face significant issues, with online commerce becoming the primary way many people shop. Returning anything—from snug jeans to faulty electronics—can feel like a frustrating ordeal. Customers often have to wait for the product to return, undergo inspection, and eventually get […]
Bear & Co.’s Upcoming Production ‘The Children’ Poses Questions That Hit Close-to-Home
Self-described as an equity-actor collective that adapts to the needs of each new production, Ottawa’s Bear & Co. is a professional group founded in 2012. Known for performing “Compelling theatre. Close to home,” the company stages productions across Ontario and Eastern Canada. The Gladstone Theatre will host their latest production, The Children by Lucy Kirkwood, […]
Trump is the Economic Carpetbagger-in-Chief and Canada Should Yank His Rug
“True friends stab you in the front.” – Oscar Wilde. Donald Trump, never one to let diplomacy, facts, or the truth get in the way of a good political stunt, is playing the role of the ultimate economic carpetbagger—slapping a 25 percent tariff on all imports with a separate 10 percent tariff carved out for […]
Claim Free Cash No Deposit Bonuses at Canada’s Best Online Casinos
Through no deposit bonuses, online casinos in Canada provide players with a great chance to investigate games without running personal financial risk. Available as free cash or free spins, these bonuses let fresh gamers engage in real-money gaming for nothing. This page explores how to claim these bonuses, the best casinos using them, and the […]
Video Chats: How Virtual Face-to-Face Interaction is Changing Social Connections in Canada
Video chat technology has reshaped the way Canadians connect. What was once a niche tool has now become an essential mode of communication across personal, professional, and educational settings. The ability to see and interact with others in real-time has helped maintain relationships despite geographical barriers. As remote work, online education, and digital socialization become […]
Dress it up With Jimmy Suits on Gladstone
A nondescript structure with a nameless storefront – save for a signboard on 486 Gladstone Avenue, leads to Fine Men’s Clothing – Jimmy Suits. Inside lies one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets: a compact store with racks of branded suits, rows of shirt-lined shelves, suit accessories on display and two fitting rooms. A wall-mounted TV above […]
Cruising Into February With A Bellini In My Hand
The Dry January and Dryish January trend has really gained traction this year (yes, even amongst sommeliers), and at last, there are lots of options for those wishing to drink low alcohol and dealcoholized wines. Maybe you’ve done a Dry January, or maybe there are health reasons not to drink, or perhaps it’s simply a […]
