Ten Things to Know About the Giant Radioactive Waste Dump Coming to the Ottawa River

 by Lynn Jones, Ottawa River Institute The Ottawa River is a Canadian Heritage River that flows past Parliament Hill. It has untold value as a beautiful natural and historical treasure. The river is sacred for the Algonquin People whose ancestral territory it defines. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), also

The Evolution of Ottawa: From Wilderness to Capital City

 Nestled on the banks of the Ottawa River, the vibrant Canadian capital, Ottawa, boasts a rich history that spans centuries. Its journey from a remote trading post to a thriving metropolis reflects the country's growth and transformation. Exploring the city's history reveals tales of exploration, conflict, nation-building, and even modern

What to do when in Ottawa

 Ottawa is Canada’s capital city, and as in any capital city there is plenty to see and do while visiting there. No matter what time of year, you will always find something to do and see while on vacation here. But if you are looking for something special to check

Neighbourhood Spotlight: Centretown

 The Ottawa landscape is changing. Soon Light Rail will link more people to more places, making house prices go up and transit times go down. Our downtown juggles politics, business, and culture, a balance which disperses the rest of our city into an eclectic collection of residential pockets. Every neighbourhood

Radioactive Waste Dump on Ottawa River has Citizens Furious

 A massive new radioactive waste dump located on the Ottawa River has been proposed. Residents of Chalk River, Ontario, the community closest to the facility, are voicing their anger and fear. Currently under review by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the proposed 30-hectare “Near Surface Disposal Facility” would dispose of

Making Tracks

 There's a Moose on the Loose and It’s Making Commercial Rail a Reality in the Capital. There’s been quite a buzz around the Prince of Wales Bridge lately. The City of Ottawa bought the bridge that cuts across the Ottawa River in 2005. It has been sitting unused ever since,

Ottawa Needs To Think About the Odawas

 Illustration: Shooting the Rapids by Frances Hopkins (1879) Official Ottawa is struggling to define a new era of relations with our founding nations almost indifferent to the central role they played in the exploration and opening up the continent to trade. In fact, the very savvy Odawa peoples based in

Your Guide to Doors Open Ottawa

 This weekend, the doors swing open on more than 130 of the city’s historically, culturally and functionally significant buildings. Heritage houses and government offices alike will be unlocked for Ottawan's public viewing pleasure. We have selected a few of the many buildings that we think are essential stops on your journey

Before Bytown – Part 2

 Watercolour of Wrightstown in 1830. (Archives of Ontario C10006) On the 18th of June, 1812, the United States declared war on British North America, leading to a two and half year conflict and indirectly to the founding of Ottawa. The City was formed alongside the Rideau Canal, as the British

Before Bytown – Part 1

 Sketch of the Ottawa River and Rideau Falls in 1826. At this point, they’re still untouched, and looked pretty much the same as they did when Champlain passed them. (Archives of Ontario, I0002118)  Ottawa’s story starts with the river that gave it its name. Of course, it wasn’t always called the

Celebrating the Flower of Freedom

 This month the 2015 Canadian Tulip Festival marks the 70th anniversary commemorating the close ties between Canada and the Netherlands. The close ties between the countries can be traced back to the liberation of the kingdom of Netherlands, when Holland’s Princess Juliana and her family sought refuge from the invading German military during the Second World War. In 1943,

Let’s Get Crafty

 Patio season is upon us. There’s no better way to enjoy it than with a cold one from a local craft beer maker. The craft beer industry is incredibly trendy right now, and for good reason. Ontario breweries are creating a diverse marketplace of flavours to savour. There are currently

Dr. GM Geldert: A Pioneer of Radio Broadcasting

 Laudreville Daytime C.K.C.O. Studio, Somerset Street Ottawa native Shirley Shorter recalls a time when Canadian radio broadcasting was no more complex than a local talent performance airing live from the dining room of her Somerset Street West home. A recent interview with Mrs. Shorter, now 94-years-old, captures a period in

Canada’s Greatest Natural Resource Continues to be Our Biggest Global Advantage

 Wood. It’s a well-known fact that it has provided the foundation of human survival, whether as fuel to create heat or as a structure to provide shelter. We owe a lot to trees. As the second-largest country in the world by total area with eight distinct forest regions, Canada’s forests

What Ottawans Want from the Federal Budget: Report Calls for a Breakthrough Year for Ottawa River

 By Ecology Ottawa A recent report released by Ecology Ottawa argues that the budget is an opportunity for the federal government to help Ottawa residents clean up the Ottawa River. The report, entitled Cut the Crap and Fund the Plan: 2014 Should be a Breakthrough Year for Ottawa’s Rivers, argues that the

The Blue Story of the Ottawa River

 As I travel the Ottawa River, I can't help but be impressed with its magnificent diversification. Every turn in the waterway brings a rich new experience. Along the shoreline are subtle signs of those who came before us, and in the tranquility of early morning one can almost hear the

Pedro Isztin “The River”

 On display now at Wallack Galleries is photographer Pedro Isztin’s “The River”. The exhibition showcases large-scale photographs of the Ottawa River and runs until October 5th. The black and white portrayal of the Ottawa River depicts a serenity and peacefulness connecting us with nature. Isztin lives in Ottawa and his award-winning work

Crazy for Condos in Canada’s Capital City!

 Take a look around our city. Condos are sprouting up everywhere,  rejuvenating older, traditional neighbourhoods and filling in vacant lots. New condo sites will forever change a district’s character – specialty retailers, exotic or down-home eateries and unique hole-in-the-wall attractions that are emblematic of an area’s particular ambience and style

Is this the end of the Prince of Wales Railway Bridge?

 I fear for the future of the Prince of Wales railway bridge that crosses the Ottawa River a mile upstream from Parliament Hill. You've probably seen and admired it many times, without knowing its name. Just a short walk from the new Canadian War Museum, the old railway bridge crosses

The master plan for the growth — A Plan for the Capital

 By Katharine Fletcher Capital cities are fortunate entities. Their unique role is to symbolize a people's concept of nationhood. As such, they present particular challenges to planners. Ottawa is no exception. Does Ottawa and the National Capital Region (NCR) embody a sense of Canadian-ness? Marcel Beaudry, chairman of the National