Capital Current

Creating space to move: A dancer's mission to make dance accessible in Ottawa - Capital Current Give Dance a Chance, co-founded by Carleton University student Manhattan MacLennan, offers pay-what-you-can dance workshops in Ottawa.

Capital Current's Ava Thomas reports on Ottawa dancer creating pop-up dance workshops for adults in Ottawa in the hopes of making the art more accessible. #Ottawa #Dance

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/creating-spa...

As welcoming 'third places' decline, Rough Draft Events is building a community for young adults in Ottawa - Capital Current Founded by Cara Loop, Ottawa’s Rough Draft Events hosts low-cost craft workshops, trivia nights and themed events at local cafes and breweries, creating accessible “third places” for young adults.

Capital Current's Sarah Forrest reports on Rough Draft Events creating more 'third places' for young adults in Ottawa. #Ottawa #OttawaEvents

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/as-welcoming...

Proposed sale of Nepean public school site a sign of more privatization, critics say  - Capital Current Ottawa city officials and advocacy groups are concerned about the planned private sale of the Grant Alternative School and land in Nepean.

Capital Current’s Will Brady reports on a proposal by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board to sell the former Grant Alternative School site in Nepean. #Ottawa

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/proposed-sal...

Advocates question the lack of data collection so far as part of Ottawa's anti-racism strategy   - Capital Current Now at the halfway point of its implementation, the strategy was initially launched in part as a response to a racist incident that occurred in 2019.

Capital Current’s Dexter Nyuurnibe reports on concerns from advocates who say the City of Ottawa is moving too slowly to collect race-based data under its anti-racism strategy. #Ottawa

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/advocates-qu...

Beer festival a reminder of the quality of local suds as U.S. booze ban hits one year - Capital Current One year since the LCBO pulled American-made alcohol from its shelves, an Ontario based beer festival builds community by showcasing local brews.

Capital Current's Capri Derenchuk-Ganaden reports from Ottawa's I Heart Beer festival on how local brews have fared in the year following the Ontario ban on U.S. alcohol products. #Ottawa #IHeartBeerFestival

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/beer-festiva...

Residents fear mercury contamination as Kanata golf club redevelopment begins - Capital Current Redevelopment of the Kanata golf course to build housing is raising concerns about to the possibility of mercury contamination.

Capital Current's Jacksen Friske reports on Kanata residents' worries of possible mercury contamination at a new housing development site. #Ottawa

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/residents-fe...

Famed fossil marking ocean-land shift grabs spotlight in new Museum of Nature exhibit - Capital Current The Canadian Museum of Nature is displaying a fossil that shows how animal emerged from the water to walk on the land.

Capital Current's Brayden Murray reports on iconic fossil landing a new exhibit at Ottawa's Museum of Nature. #Ottawa

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/famed-fossil...

Carleton students split on proposed compensation for transit failures - Capital Current Carleton students debate changes that would improve the reliability of OC Transpo service.

Capital Current's Simon McKeown reports that Carleton students are split on the possible compensation plan to refund riders for unsatisfactory service from OC Transpo. #Ottawa #OCTranspo

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/carleton-stu...

City rebuffs owner, grants heritage status to ‘rare’ Orléans farmhouse - Capital Current The City of Ottawa has designated an Orleans farmhouse as a heritage property over the objections of the current owner.

Capital Current's Isabel Malseed reports that an early Franco-Ontarian farmhouse has been granted heritage status despite the property's owner's intention to demolish the 1920s-built home. #Ottawa #Ottawaheritage

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/city-rebuffs...

‘Tell the truth’: Algonquin poet urges ‘Ottawa 200’ to fully acknowledge Indigenous history before colonization - Capital Current The history of the Algonquin people needs to be recognized during the Ottawa 200th anniversary.

Capital Current's Aatish Karthik reports on how Ottawa's former poet laureate Albert Dumont is urging Indigenous recognition throughout the city's 200th anniversary plans. #Ottawa

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/tell-the-tru...

More than murals: Paint It Up! builds youth skills and neighbourhood pride in Ottawa - Capital Current As Paint It Up! applications open, a Kitchissippi mural shows how Ottawa’s youth mural program supports community identity and public space.

Capital Current's Sarah Forrest reports on how the City of Ottawa's Paint it Up initiative is connecting youth to art. #Ottawa #OttawaArt

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/more-than-mu...

Transit group shows why official OC Transpo numbers don't match reality for most - Capital Current OC Transpo's struggles with bus reliability and availability are discussed at Transit committee.

Capital Current's Matteo Bertinato reports on how an Ottawa transit advocacy group is helping hold OC Transpo's bus reliability reporting to account. #Ottawa #OttawaTransit

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/transit-grou...

Gotta go? Stand-alone public washroom promises downtown relief — at long last - Capital Current The City of Ottawa hopes to open a stand-alone public washroom this year in Somerset Ward.

Capital Current's Brendan Melnic reports on Ottawa's plan to open the city's first stand-alone public washroom in Centretown this fall. #Ottawa #OttCity #OttNews

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/gotta-go-sta...

Ottawa Sport Council urges city to invest more in basketball courts - Capital Current This story includes voices from OSC and OBN board members and local youth basketball coaches on why Ottawa needs to invest into indoor basketball facilities.

Capital Current's Wadane Sougoufara reports on the Ottawa Sport Council's call for increased investment in the city's basketball infrastructure. #Ottawa #Sports #OttCity

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/ottawa-sport...

With events happening throughout the city, residents and visitors still have plenty of opportunities to experience the season’s signature celebration before it wraps up later this month. #Winterlude #Baldeneige #lez_go_ottawa

Winterlude runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 16 across the National Capital Region and hosts activities from skating, to live performances, art installations and other family-friendly events. [Photo by Capri Derenchuk-Ganaden]
#Winterludeca #Baldeneige

Fresh from Canada’s Drag Race, Karamilk emphasized the importance of performing at local shows and connecting directly with community members. She said she’ll be “moving and grooving” to stay warm throughout her performance.
[Video by Capri Derenchuk-Ganaden]

Canadian drag queen Karamilk captivated audiences with a high-energy routine, twirling and sashaying across the outdoor stage despite freezing temperatures.
#Winterludeca #Baldeneigeca #lez_go_ottawa
[Photos by Capri Derenchuk-Ganaden]

Cinder said events like this matter because they celebrate the contributions of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and reflect Ottawa’s diverse cultural landscape, even during the coldest weeks of winter.
#Winterludeca

Canadian drag king Cyril Cinder hosted the evening, introducing each act and keeping the growing crowd energized between performances.
 
From aerial hoop routines to DJs and drag artists, the lineup highlighted a wide range of talent. #Winterludeca #Baldeneigeca [Video by Capri Derenchuk-Ganaden]

For the pair, hosting a Pride-focused event during one of Ottawa’s biggest winter festivals was about building community, celebrating local performers and creating welcoming spaces throughout the city.
#Baldeneigeca #Winterludeca

Lez Go co-founders Jennifer Tennant and Kris Rochard helped bring Glowing with Pride to life. Rochard said the organization has run more than 80 events and “jumped at the opportunity” when Winterlude reached out. #lez_go_ottawa
[Photos by Capri Derenchuk-Ganaden]

Organizers aimed to create a space where everyone could feel included while showcasing local queer artists and bringing a fresh energy to Winterlude’s programming.
#Winterludeca #lez_go_ottawa #baldeneigeca

Glowing with Pride, hosted by Lez Go on Jan. 30, welcomed families from across the city for an evening of music, performance, and celebration.
 
The event transformed the plaza into a lively outdoor stage, filled with dancing, laughter, and cheering audiences.
 
[Photo by Melissa Moore]

Hosted at Marion Dewar Plaza, the festival blended winter celebration with community storytelling.

Families and visitors braved the cold to experience a lineup that set the tone for an energetic and inclusive start to this year’s festivities. [Photo by Melissa Moore]

Wrapped in scarves and warm toques, crowds gathered as Winterlude 2026 kicked off its opening weekend with vibrant performances from Canadian drag artists and local talent. [Photos by Capri Derenchuk-Ganaden and Melissa Moore]

Heritage Ottawa talk highlights Indigenous influence at Kìwekì Point - Capital Current The evolution of Kìwekì Point was built on a foundation of collaboration with members of the Algonquin nation.

Capital Current's Jacqueline Mackay reports on a Heritage Ottawa talk that highlights Indigenous influence at Kìwekì Point. #Ottawa #HeritageOttawa

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/heritage-ott...

Some fans say they bet on sports responsibly, but acknowledge it's a dangerous game - Capital Current % The growing popularity of sports gambling in Canada is affecting socialization and business.

Capital Current's Matteo Bertinato reports on some fans who say they bet on sports responsibly, but acknowledge it’s a dangerous game. #Sports #Ottawa

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/some-fans-sa...

Confederation Heights master plan impresses River Ward residents - Capital Current The master plan to turn Confederation Heights into high-density housing and a transit haven welcomed dozens at a public event.

Capital Current's Simon McKeown reports on the "ambitious" master plan to turn the Confederation Heights area into a bustling campus.

#Ottawa #Ottnews #ConfederationHeights

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/confederatio...

Eating local: Restaurants seek the perfect mix of social media presence and influencer content - Capital Current From TikTok videos to Instagram posts, social media influences restaurant discovery in Ottawa and shapes dining choices.

Capital Current's Luke Martil reports on how restaurants find new customers through social media influencers.

#Ottawa #Ottnews #Food #Localrestaurants

Read about it here: capitalcurrent.ca/restaurants-...