The Coolest Canadian Gifts

 Welcome to Day 11 of the 25 Days of Ottawa Life Christmas Calendar. We’ll be updating with a new treat daily so be sure to keep checking under the OLM Tree to see what’s new. With a year of celebrating Canada’s 150th milestone, there are a number of nifty gifts that would make

Celebrating Canada 150 and before: Krystle Retieffe’s Dreamworks

 Ottawa, July 3, 2017 – Alpha Art Gallery and Ottawa Life Magazine are proud to welcome Krystle Retieffe, the powerful Mi'kmaq female artist born on Nova Scotia's South Shore, who will be presenting her celebrated works at the 25 Murray Street gallery from July 6 to 23, 2017. Vernissage: July

Ottawa Life Wants to Get YOU Free Fallin’ Into Bluesfest!

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals! Like a good sunscreen, Ottawa Life

Breaking News: Based On New Evidence, Group Calls for Judicial Inquiry Into Mayerthorpe

 En français The Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada (MPPAC), a Professor of Criminology from Carleton University and the Publisher and Managing Editor of Ottawa Life Magazine are calling for a judicial inquiry to review the conduct and decision making of the RCMP’s senior leadership before, during and after the

Luxury Byward Boutique Hotel Opens with a Bang

 All photos by Danika Leminski. Ottawa is now home to the first Canadian luxury boutique hotel by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market marked its historic grand opening with a spirited evening of festivities, food, and drinks in an exciting preview of what will be offered at this dazzling new

A Trainload of Memories

 All photos by David Eisenstadt. Raised in Calgary, I visited Banff year ‘round, travelled by car through the Rogers Pass and saw much of BC’s interior. I never travelled there by train. That changed when my wife Rhoda and I discovered the Rocky Mountaineer and their various routes through the

Theatre Thrives at the 1000 Islands Playhouse

 All photos/graphics courtesy of 1000 Islands Playhouse. The 1000 Islands Playhouse sits where local culture and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking views meet. Right now, the Gananoque theatre is gearing up for its 35th season and 10 performances that promise love, mystery, music and unforgettable performances. The playhouse operates out of

Criminology expert Darryl Davies calls on city to do something about Police Association president’s actions

 Dear Mr. Egli, The latest instalment of policing chaos in this city comes at the hands of Matt Skof, the President of the Ottawa Police Association. It's beyond belief that Matt Skof would post a video to YouTube and publicly call Charles Bordeleau, the Ottawa Chief of Police, a liar without

Blackiron Takes Shape

 Gerry McGillvray, the founder and president of Blackiron. With a sleek new name, an airy office overlooking the Ottawa River and some fresh faces amongst its staff, Ottawa’s new Blackiron advertising agency has found its shape. Formerly BBandM Advertising + Media, Blackiron was forged out of the older agency’s smoothest

Perth’s World Record Kilt Run

 Nowhere is the past more present than in Perth, Ontario. The little town just outside of Ottawa is now in its 200th year, and celebrations recognizing its long history in Canada are in full swing. And nothing stands out more than Perth’s World Record Kilt Run. Originally envisioned by Terry

Ottawa Race Weekend: Improving Health and The Community

 It was a weekend full of athletic gear, encouragement and perseverance through the heat. With over 48,000 runners participating the largest multi-distance run in Canada, Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend was a success, as always. However, this year’s success was not only great for the participants; but organizations and the community

A Good Life, A Flawed Novel

 A God in Ruins - Kate Atkinson Reviewed by Don MacLean June 2016 Kate Atkinson likes to write about ordinary individuals swept up in extraordinary circumstances. In two separate but companion novels, Life After Life and A God In Ruins, Atkinson tells the stories of Isabel Todd and Teddy Todd,

Ending Homelessness Through Housing First Initiatives

 Up to 15 per cent of the homeless population in Canada is struggling with mental illness. Could giving them a permanent home be a way off the streets and into a healthier life? In this interview, Evidence Network's podcast editor Mélanie Meloche-Holubowski speaks with Dr. Jino Distasio, Director of the Institute of Urban Studies

A Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax is not the Answer

 There has been increasing interest in the use of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax to curb the burden of obesity in Canada – call it a ‘pop tax’ if you like. A recent Senate report on obesity in Canada recommends assessing the possibility of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and points to

Why American Doctors Are Calling For Canadian-Style Medicare

 And How Canada Risks Losing the Health Advantage it Has. In a dramatic show of physician support for deep health care reform in the U.S, more than 2,200 physician leaders have signed a “Physician’s Proposal” calling for sweeping change. The proposal, published May 5 2016 in the American Journal of

Ottawa Police Services Crisis: The Cart Pulling the Horse

 Ottawa Life Magazine has been writing about the problems with the Ottawa Police for the past five years. In 2011, we said that Councillor and Ottawa Police Services (OPS) Board Chair Eli El-Chantiry should resign over his all too cozy relationship with then Police Chief Vern White. El-Chantiry saw no

Fly Katie Fly

 Photo courtesy of K. Temple. At their best, journalists are supposed to speak truth unto power. Sadly, too many utter power unto truth. This was made startlingly clear for me when my sister who lives in Britain gave birth to her second child. Katie was born several weeks premature and

Pour A Cold One: CRAFT Beer Market Opens in Lansdowne Park

 Photo courtesy of Alexandra Gunn. Could it be a coincidence that CRAFT Beer Market opens its doors on one of the hotter days this spring? Likely, but there couldn’t be a better excuse to head to Lansdowne Park to taste test one (or two) of their 100 plus beers on

Safe, Secure and Affordable Housing is a Health Issue: Why Canada Needs a National Housing Strategy Now

 "Social factors, like housing, income and wealth, educational background and race are more powerful determinants of health outcomes than our behaviours, genes or even the healthcare system." When you're feeling unwell, whether from a minor cold or a devastating terminal illness, the feeling of home, the desire for a safe

Five Unique Ways to Enjoy Ottawa’s Nightlife

 Clubbing and bars not your thing? Fortunately, Ottawa has so much more going on once the sun goes down. From fantastic quick food to quirky stops downtown, there’s always a way to turn your evening into a blast. We have a list of five off-the-wall things you can try in

Breaking New Ground with Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016

 Photo courtesy of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.  Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce the seven astounding athletes that will be receiving the country’s highest sporting honour. These inductees have not only made a huge impact in their field of sport, but have utilized their influence in making

Glen Bloom on the Art of Collecting

 Glen Bloom and wife Deborah Duffy with Leslie Reid’s 'Cape Pine: The Barrens,' 2012, Oil on canvas, 127 x 182.9 cm. When Glen Bloom thinks about the Ottawa Art Gallery’s annual Le pARTy fundraising art auction, the first thing that comes to mind is the list of talented Ottawa artists

Letter to the Editor: Paul Champagne on the Attawapiskat Crisis

 This letter to the editor from Baynes Lake resident Paul Champagne outlines a strategy for improving conditions in Attawapiskat, a Northern Ontario First Nation suffering under a recent suicide crisis that has put it in the national media spotlight. You can read the full letter, sent on April 23, below:

Tips For Selecting A Quality Greek Restaurant

 Are you looking for a great restaurant to enjoy? If so, you are going to quickly discover that there are more than a few to choose from when you search your neighbourhood. However, if you are searching for the best Greek food in Ottawa, you should use the tips here

Ottawa Boxers Bring Home Gold

 Photo Courtesy of Erica Adjei. Two local boxers are putting Ottawa's name on the boxing-world map, bringing home a national title and medals from this year’s boxing championships in Quebec City. Erica Adjei (26) and Dave O'Reilly (28) competed at the 2016 National Canadian Boxing Championships earlier this month. When they