Ottawa groups rally to welcome Syrian refugees
While the government announced details today of its ambitious plan to resettle Syrian refugees to Canada, organizations and people in Ottawa continued to work frantically to make sure they are up to the task. “There’s a lot of energy and excitement,” said Carl Nicholson, executive director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants. Nicholson said he is optimistic the city is ready, having heard “tons of good ideas” from people across the...
Gun violence sweeps across Ottawa
Ottawa Police troubled by recent increase in gun-violence in and around the city. Police worry that “innocent” persons might be struck by gunfire – urge residents to report any incidents involving guns and gangs to local police.
Climate talks heat up in cold capital
Ottawa’s first blast of winter came just hours after the federal government made its first move of many in the fight against rising temperatures. Prime Minister Trudeau met with the country’s premiers — besides those of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories — at the Canadian Museum of Nature Monday night to discuss a plan to combat climate change. It was the first meeting of its kind in seven years but it’s far from...
Ottawa’s transgender community cautiously optimistic
“I once thought I was the only one in Ottawa,” Amanda Ryan says. “I once thought I was alone.” Imagine what it would be like to leave behind everything you know — everything that is comfortable and familiar — and start over. That’s exactly what Ryan had to do. The Ottawa resident remembers the first time she went out in public as a woman. “I went to the door a dozen times” before stepping outside, she says. “I came back in to...
Geek spirit invades Ottawa
Nerding out has become a social norm in Ottawa, where geek spirit is cultivated and celebrated. Conventions, businesses, organizations, and clubs have formed and culminate the growing geekdom in the nations capital.
Refugee resettlement deadline pushed back two months
The federal government now aims to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February 2016, missing its initial year-end deadline by two months. According to Health Minister Jane Philpott, chair of a special committee coordinating the government’s Syrian resettlement effort, a minimum of 10,000 Syrian refugees will arrive in Canada by Dec. 31; the remaining 15,000 will follow by the end of February 2016. Fifteen-thousand refugees...