Canada Sees Big Tourism Gain as American Getaways Fade
Canadian tourism is on the rise. Many Canadians are choosing to explore their own provinces instead of heading south of the border for their getaways. This is happening more now than at any point in recent years. It’s a great thing for local economies, as millions of dollars that once flowed out of the country […]
Toast the Last Days of Summer With These Refreshing White Wines
Sunny September is here! According to the weatherman, we have a stretch of warm weather ahead, making the patio season alive and well. I have curated a selection of refreshing wines to enjoy as we toast these last summer days, with a focus on delectable white wines from Spain, France and Ontario. Sotavento Verdejo Sobre […]
A Capital Mystery: Ottawa’s Shadows Come Alive in New Anthology
Ottawa’s quiet streets and storied past are about to get a thrilling twist. A Capital Mystery, a new anthology from Ottawa Press and Publishing, hits shelves on October 15, 2025, bringing together 21 gripping tales from local mystery writers—all set in Canada’s National Capital. Co-edited by Mike Martin and Bernadette Cox, the collection features contributions […]
Hiking and Sleeping in the Middle of the St. Lawrence River
Next time you’re thinking of rolling down Highway 20 on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, I would suggest you stop to smell the roses. More exactly, stop and spend time on two islands in the middle of the St. Lawrence, just north of Rivière-du-Loup. Both islands belong to Duvetnor, a private conservation […]
Why ‘Canada First’ in Tech Is More Than Just National Pride
Canadian tech has grown into a global force over the years and is now heralded as a world leader in the industry. No longer a follower of Silicon Valley trends, Canadian tech entrepreneurs are carving their own paths. Whether it’s gaming or fintech, the ‘Canada First’ phrase has gone beyond a mere slogan now and […]
Tickets Now on Sales for BAC’s production of CLUE
Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Directed by Casey Hushion and based on the fan-favourite 1985 movie, CLUE is the […]
When Debate Dies: The Dangerous Normalization of Political Violence
The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a horrific tragedy for civility in American politics that came on the back of several other horrific incidents in an escalating climate of political violence being normalized across the Western world since the end of President Obama’s administration. It should be pointed out that Donald Trump’s base, for the […]
Wahi Brings Data, Transparency, and Cashback to Ottawa’s Housing Market
The Ottawa housing market in 2025 is sending mixed signals. On the one hand, the data from Wahi, a Toronto-based real estate platform, shows that in the second quarter, 95 percent of neighbourhoods saw homes sell below asking price. On the other hand, the gap between list and sold prices has been relatively modest—just $9,000 […]
Slow water movement is growing around the world
By Lynn Jones Most of us don’t think very much about what happens to rainwater during a downpour, but perhaps we should. How quickly the water runs off the landscape into streams and rivers has a significant impact on the health and well-being of our communities. Natural vegetation in forests, meadows and wetlands reduces the […]
Bailey, Bermudez Chase World Championship Boxing Glory In Ottawa
The boxing world will descend on Ottawa’s new Hard Rock Casino & Hotel on Saturday, as a pair of women chase unified World Championship boxing glory. Toronto’s Sara Bailey is 6-0, the fastest Canadian to ever win a world title in boxing; Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez is widely considered the best 108-pound female fighter in the […]
Ultimate Guide to Supercharge Your Fitness Journey
Hectic work routines have overtaken individuals’ fitness goals. No one has enough time to engage in fitness activities and workouts to stay well and active. If you’re a fitness lover and want to be healthier and energetic at all times, focus on ways to supercharge your fitness journey. Here’s a breakdown of crucial things to […]
A Thrilling Start to the 57th Season: Kanata Theatre’s ‘Deathtrap’
The 2025–2026 season of Kanata Theatre opened this week with a terrific staging of Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, directed by Michael Gareau. This clever thriller is sure to convince any fence-sitters to trade single tickets for a five-play subscription—and frankly, you should anyway, since it remains the best bargain in town. First premiering in 1978, Deathtrap […]
Think Big, Build Bold: What Mark Carney and Canada Can Learn from China’s Belt and Road Success
When China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, many Western analysts dismissed it as overly ambitious and unlikely to succeed. The plan to build a sweeping network of roads, ports, railways, and digital infrastructure across continents was widely seen as unrealistic. A decade later, the results tell a different story. At the […]
A Hike Along the St. Lawrence River
All photos by Carole Jobin A road trip down the St. Lawrence River is so full of beautiful places that it is truly hard to decide where to stop and for how long. So, let’s start with the best. The best? Le Bic provincial park, near Rimouski, and Forillon Park, at the end of the […]
Council Kicks Off 2026 Budget Debate
At its September 10 meeting, Ottawa City Council set the stage for the 2026 operating budget by debating the “budget directions” that guide staff as they draft the document. The discussion centred on three key motions: capping next year’s transit fare increase at 2.9 percent (the same as the proposed property tax hike), limiting staff […]
Your Home Holds More Possibilities for Your Future Than You Might Think
Owning a home is often described as a milestone, a sign of stability, and an investment in your future. But for many Canadians, a home is more than a place to live. It is also a powerful financial tool that can unlock opportunities, reduce stress, and make dreams more achievable. If you have been thinking […]
Gaming Ontario Names Joseph Hillier as New President and CEO
Canada’s regulated online gaming industry has appointed a new leader with proven experience in the iGaming industry. Joseph Hillier will assume the roles of president and chief executive officer of iGaming Ontario on September 8, 2025. He will be taking over from David Smith, who held the position temporarily after Martha Otton’s retirement. This appointment […]
Album Reviews: The Hives, Hayley Williams, The Beaches
The Hives – The Hives Forever Forever the Hives Fagersta, Sweden To see a band like The Hives maintain the spark in their sonics and delivery after 20+ years, it’s inspiring. But while the album wouldn’t go amiss at most points in their discography, they’ve reached a point lyrically as a punk band where they […]
Still Pretty: The Northern Pikes Rock On at ‘Retro’
“I had two jobs, I had dishwater hands. And on the weekend in a rock and roll band.” In 1990 and ‘91, that song lyric was stuck in my head for the better part of two years. Those lyrics are the opening line to the song “She Ain’t Pretty” by The Northern Pikes from their […]
What Traditional Brands Can Learn from Crypto Marketing Tactics
In the past decade, cryptocurrency has shifted from a niche topic to one of the most talked-about movements in finance and culture. While the market itself has gone through wild swings, the way crypto brands have marketed themselves is just as remarkable as the coins and tokens they promote. Campaigns that started as jokes have […]
Senators: Mark These Dates Down
If you like to plan in advance, you’re going to love this column. If not, well it will at least give you a few ideas/hints about when to get out, dust off the snow (in some cases), deal with icy roads (in some cases) and tangle with bad drivers (in all cases) on your way […]
Ottawa to Shine on Global Stage as 2026 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships Near
Ottawa is preparing to host one of the most significant events in international sports when the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships arrive in the Canadian capital. From September 9-19, 2026, the city will welcome 28 elite men’s and women’s national teams competing in nearly 100 games across 11 days. This tournament represents the first […]
Intergenerational Childcare: A Canadian First at Ottawa’s Perley Health
There were speeches, applause, and words of gratitude at Perley Health on September 8, but one unscripted moment captured the spirit of the day best. A toddler in OshKosh overalls and a pint-sized construction hat toddled over to an elderly man in a wheelchair, handed him a second hard hat, and clapped with delight as […]
How Did Dr. Tony Jacob Build a Million-Dollar Practice in Lockhart Within 18 Months?
Summary: Dr. Tony Jacob built his million-dollar Lockhart practice through four key strategies: leveraging a property that was already set up for eye care, creating strong community connections, delivering exceptional patient experiences, and implementing efficient business systems from day one. How did chance lead to Dr. Tony Jacob’s business breakthrough? A random drive through Lockhart […]
Generation at Risk: Youth Jobs and Canada’s Economic Future
With Murray Simser A couple of weeks ago, I wrote in OttawaLife that Canada’s job market was crushing young Canadians; a situation that, in a societal sense, is criminal. And that all Canadians will pay the price if youth unemployment is not given a higher priority. Response to that article was swift and sharp — a […]
