Kitchissippi Times April 2026

KITCHISSIPPI

TIMES

Creating love in community

BY CHARLIE SENACK

In early March, I received an email from Kitchissippi United Church inviting me to its PIE Day service on March 14, a gathering centred on community and belonging. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it felt important for me to attend.

What I found when I walked through the church doors stayed with me. There were rainbow flags on the pews, a sign at the altar reading you are loved, and a room full of people who had come together not just to worship, but to feel safe.

For many of us in the queer community, acceptance is never something we take for granted — especially in religious spaces, which have too often been places of hurt rather than healing.

But it goes beyond that. The world can feel like a very hateful place these days. Police reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in Canada surged by 69 per cent in 2023 — a 225 per cent increase over five years. Even in Canada, 59 per cent of LGBTQ+ people have faced physical or sexual assault since age 15, with over half of reported hate crimes being violent.

While homophobia exists everywhere, there are still countries where it remains illegal to be gay. Punishments range from imprisonment to the death penalty. Entire families can be shunned because of fears that an “evil curse” is in the bloodline.

In this month’s feature, we take you inside God’s Beloved, a ministry at Kitchissippi United Church that has become a lifeline for LGBTQ African refugees who fled

persecution in search of safety. Some of the people you’ll read about were attacked, rejected by their families, or forced to leave home simply because of who they are. Yet here in Ottawa, they are beginning to rebuild their lives in a space that embraces both their faith and their identity. I hope this story reminds all of us to be good to our neighbours and to act with love and compassion — even when someone’s experience is different from our own. Unique identities and perspectives make our communities stronger.

If you support our work, please consider donating through the QR code or on Kitchissippi.com While our news is free to read, it is not free to produce.

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The Kitchissippi Times is an award-winning newspaper that has serviced Westboro, Wellington West, and surrounding communities for the last 20 years. The word Kitchissippi, meaning “great river” in Algonquin, is the former Indigenous name for the Ottawa River.

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Your April guide to events around Ottawa

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Spring is finally arriving in Ottawa!

The snow is melting, bulbs are beginning to poke through the ground, birds are returning, and warmer days are drawing people back outside to explore the city. From festivals and theatre to family activities and markets, there’s plenty happening across the capital this month. Here’s a look at some events to add to your calendar.

OTTAWA COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL

APR 4 Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Ave

The Ottawa Comic Arts Festival brings together comic artists, illustrators, and readers to celebrate the art of visual storytelling. Visitors can discover local creators, explore artist exhibits, attend panel discussions, and take part in workshops focused on comic creation and illustration.

https:// ottawacomicsfestival. com/

EASTER AT THE CANADA AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MUSEUM

APR 3-6

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 901 Prince of Wales Dr

After a long winter, the barns are buzzing with new life. Welcome soft lambs, observe fluffy newly hatched chicks and turkey poults up close, and learn about the transformation of cacao beans into chocolate—complete with a delicious sample. Visit the All About Eggs room to admire beautifully decorated eggs, and let kids of all ages create a springtime craft to take home. Families can also take a break and enjoy a movie together. https://ingenium.ca/agriculture/en/ events/easter-at-the-farm/

EASTER AT THE ESTATE

Billings Estate National Historic Site, 2100 Cabot St 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Celebrate spring with hands-on family activities, including an Easter craft, egg-andspoon races, and a planting activity. Visitors can also meet animal friends from the Zoo Crew. Best suited for kids aged 3 to 8, with fun for the whole family. Advance registration is required. Cost is $22.44 per group. https://ottawa.ca/en/recreationand-parks/facilities/place-listing/ billings-estate-national-historicsite#section-7555d020-e3c1-45718917-b949f02c5c5d

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave

In this lively adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic, tradition collides with impulse in a playful

reimagining of love, pride, and courtship. The play follows spirited Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as they navigate a constantly changing world of rules, characters, and flying wigs. Ticket prices vary. https://thegladstone.ca/shows/pride-andprejudice/

OTTAWA COTTAGE LIFE & BACKYARD SHOW

APR 10-12

EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr Meet exhibitors showcasing docks, builders, contractors, innovative building products, green solutions, décor and style, arts and crafts, food and entertaining, water toys, and more. General admission is $13.50. https://shows.cottagelife.com/ottawacottage-life-backyard-show/

OTTAWA RECORD FAIR

APR 11 Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St

Join music enthusiasts for a day of crate-digging and rare vinyl finds. Early bird access begins at 10 a.m., giving collectors the first chance to explore an extensive selection of records. General admission doors open at 11 a.m. Ticket prices range from $5 to $10. https://www.facebook.com/events/350cooper-st-ottawa-on-k2p-canada/ottawarecord-fair-vii/1129568596044294/

BYTOWN ANTIQUE & VINTAGE SHOW

APR 18 Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Explore antiques, collectibles, nostalgia, vintage finds, art, jewelry and more. Admission is $5 and parking is free. https://ottawacollectors.com/2026-show

OTTAWA PARENT AND CHILD EXPO

APR 18-19 Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave

Join over 5,000 Ottawa parents and families to play, learn and explore. There will be 100 leading local parenting exhibitors covering everything from toddlers to the teenage years. Admission prices vary. https://parentandchildexpo.ca/

CELTIC WOMAN

APR 19 Hard Rock Ottawa Hotel & Casino, 4837 Albion Rd • 7:00 p.m.

The internationally celebrated ensemble Celtic Woman brings a stunning live concert showcasing Irish music and vocal artistry. Featuring accomplished singers and musicians from Ireland, the performance blends traditional melodies with contemporary arrangements in an elegant stage production. Ticket prices range from $83 to $193.

https://casino.hardrock.com/ottawa/ entertainment/event-calendar/celticwomen

OTTAWA GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL

APR 23-26 First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave

Celebrate music and community at this vibrant annual festival of concerts and participatory workshops. The Ottawa Grassroots Festival is a non-profit, volunteerrun organization dedicated to cultivating community at the local level.

https://ottawagrassrootsfestival.com/

OTTAWA WINE AUCTION

APR 24 Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau St

7:00 p.m.

Whether you’re a connoisseur, collector, or a complete beginner, this evening offers a unique opportunity to discover amazing vintages and immerse yourself in the world of fine wines. Tickets are $25 for in-person attendance with a pass, or $50 for just in-person.

https://musicandbeyond.ca/event/ottawawine-auction-encheres-de-vins-3/

APRIL UPDATES

CARAVAN TOUR

APR 24 National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St • 8:00 p.m.

The Great Canadian Comedy Caravan presents a gala evening of stand-up comedy featuring Canadian performers including Rick Currie, Todd Reid, Matt Watson, and Don Kelly. The showcase highlights a range of comedic styles while supporting community initiatives through an evening of laughter and entertainment. Tickets are $37.55.

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/39802

CRACKERS & DEBATE DEBACLE

MAY 10 APR 24 to Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave

A story of two parrots who are definitely not “birds of a feather.” Eric, a fifty-year-old scarlet macaw enjoys reading the paper that lines his cage and watching his favourite daytime soap opera. Then young green amazon parrot Salvadora shows up and occupies the cage next to him. Salvadora is not at all happy and constantly complains to Eric. Eric tries to ignore her but then begins to suspect that Salvadora is much more than the whining boarder she purports to be. Ticket prices vary.

https://thegladstone.ca/shows/comedydouble-bill/

SPRING CRAFT MARKET –MOTHER’S

DAY EDITION

APR 26 National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St • 11:00 a.m. Shop from a curated selection of handmade goods, makers, producers and artists while supporting small businesses in the community. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a Mother’s Day gift. The event is free.

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/40846

CAPITAL COMIC BOOK CONVENTION

APR 26 RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

An event designed for both casual comic book fans and serious collectors. The

show focuses solely on comic books and graphic novels, with material ranging from the Golden Age right up to the present day. General admission is $8 or $12 for VIP access.

https://capitalcomiccon.com/

JADE

CIRCLE 玉環

MAY 10 APR 28 to Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC)

Using Mandarin and English, Jade Circle follows Jasmine, a second-generation Canadian who has lost her mother tongue. Through intimate interviews with her mother and using music, movement, and storytelling, Jasmine finds her place within the legacy of her matriarchs. As she learns Mandarin, she unearths the lost stories of her grandmother’s past. Ticket prices vary.

https://gctc.ca/shows/jade-circle

HINTONBURG FABRIC FLEA MARKET

MAY 2 Fisher Park Community Centre, 250 Holland Ave

9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Don’t miss bargain prices on all things sewing-related: quilting cotton, notions, buttons, wool, patterns, tools and much more.

https://facebook.com/ events/1429543325460865/

CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA

MAY 3 ByWard Market neighbourhood 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Dance to live music, savour mouthwatering cuisine, and admire vibrant folkloric art beneath dazzling papel picado. A fiesta full of colour, culture, and fun awaits.

https://facebook.com/ events/1392852805391145/

Looking for more events to explore? Head to kitchissippi.com to browse our full events calendar

IT’S SPRING!

• Spring recreation programs including dance, sports, art, music, culinary and more begin this month. Register now!

• One-session workshops for April include Robotics, Painting like Monet, Poetry Writing Circle, Candle Making, and Making Magnets.

• Register for Spring 2 swim lessons & Spring registered specialty and aqua fitness starting March 31.

SUMMER CAMP & SWIM LESSONS

Countdown to Summer Camps! Get ready for another summer of fun, friendship and all ‘round awesomeness! Choose from a wide range of camps for ages 4+. Summer Swim lessons are available once a week or 5 days in a row.

FIT PASS

The best value and most fun! 55+/ week classes including group fit, spin, and aquafit classes, fitness centre, pool access and pickleball. Starting at $48/ month.

AFTER SCHOOL

Registration for the 2026-2027 After School program begins Tue. April 7, 8am.

GET SOCIAL

Date night: Friday April 17, 6-9pm, #33156

Inclusion Dance: Saturday April 18, 7-9pm

Climate Fresk workshop: Monday April 13, 5:30-8:30pm

EASTER SCHEDULE

See our holiday schedule for April 3-6. We’re closed Good Friday and Easter Monday.

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Why the Carleton Tavern must be torn down

BY DAVID SALI

The developer behind a plan to replace the historic Carleton Tavern with a new pub and mixed-use highrise says it looked at other options to preserve at least part of the 130-year-old structure but ultimately decided it could not be saved.

Taggart Realty Management has filed a proposal to build a 38-storey highrise with 465 rental apartments on the Hintonburg corner that now houses the venerable pub, which has operated on the site since 1951.

Taggart plans to demolish the current structure, parts of which have existed since 1896, and build a new pub on the southeast corner of Parkdale Avenue and Armstrong Street.

In an email to KT’s sister publication the Ottawa Business Journal last week, Taggart president Jeff Parkes said the soil and underground water at the site, which covers nearly an acre, are contaminated and need to be remediated, “which involves excavating about four storeys deep across the entire property.”

In addition, Parkes said the city is asking Taggart to leave space along Parkdale Avenue to accommodate a future widening of the road.

“Both of these require the removal of the tavern, and although we investigated moving or retaining part of the tavern, it was determined to not be feasible given the building’s age and condition,” he added.

The Carleton Tavern has long been one of Hintonburg’s most recognizable landmarks. Originally a small general store, the building eventually morphed into a hotel and restaurant before being expanded and converted to its current use.

The building is not a designated site under the Ontario Heritage Act and is not listed in the city’s heritage register.

Planning documents recently filed by Taggart describe the rebuilt tavern as “the anchor for the entire redevelopment.”

The company says the new building will resemble the existing pub’s “original form” and will feature “high-quality stone and masonry.”

Parkes said the new two-storey, 3,250-square-foot tavern “will be rebuilt

floor of the highrise in addition to the rebuilt Carleton Tavern next door.

“We are interested in a mix of smallscale tenants that serve the community similar to what is on the property now; a coffee shop, bike shop, personal service retail, restaurants or a small grocer would all be great for the site,” he said.

The proposal also includes about 9,100 square feet of privately owned public space. In addition, the design brief says the developer “envisions closing Armstrong Street or transforming it into a woonerfstyle, pedestrian-priority environment.”

Parkes told OBJ a woonerf-style street “has limited access for vehicles,” adding such roads have historically “been residential streets with limited demand” for traffic.

The city already closes Armstrong Street to cars on Wednesday evenings in the summer so merchants can host a night market, “which has been very successful,” Parkes said. He said it will ultimately be up to the city to decide whether the street should be off-limits to vehicles year-round.

“The vision for Armstrong would be to have it partially closed to traffic to allow for visitors to the Parkdale Park and Market to seamlessly access the public space and shops within the new development,” he added.

in the likeness of the existing building,” adding Taggart is “considering retaining some of the original decor, such as the stained glass windows, the double doors, the beer fridge and the interior wall panelling, which could be re-purposed into the new building.”

In addition to the tavern, the site is currently occupied by other low-rise buildings that contain retail stores and a warehouse.

Taggart’s plan calls for a 38-storey mixed-use residential tower with an L-shaped, six-storey podium. The building would contain 465 rental apartments in a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units along with more than 5,600 square feet of commercial space and a four-level underground garage containing 322 parking spaces.

Parkes said the retail space would include five separate units on the ground

Taggart acquired the site, which is located just south of the Tunney’s Pasture LRT station, in 2022 from two different groups. Noting its proximity to light rail as well as amenities such as the Parkdale Market and shops along Wellington Street, Parkes described it as “a focal point for housing intensification within the city’s planning policies.”

Parkes said Taggart plans to work with city staff and Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper to get their support for the application, noting the firm has yet to file a site plan control application for the project.

As a result, the existing Carleton Tavern “will remain in place for at least a few more years,” he added.

Taggart purchased the tavern business along with the property in 2022. The pub’s current operators have been managing the pub since 2023, but whether they will be interested in running the new business “is yet to be seen,” Parkes said.

The Carleton Taverns lasting legacy in Hintonburg

BY HAU TING NG

The Carleton Tavern has been a gathering place in Hintonburg for nearly a century — a neighbourhood institution with deep roots in the people who passed through its doors.

Before Taggart Realty Management purchased the property, the former owners — longtime community members since 1964 — were active supporters of local charities. Over the years, they helped raise funds for causes including the Children’s Wish Foundation, 65 Roses for cystic fibrosis and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Cheryl Parrot, a board member of the Hintonburg Community Association, said the demolition is a significant loss because the Carleton was one of the last remaining old-style taverns in Ottawa, even if many residents knew its days were numbered.

“I worked with them on some of the fundraising things, and I learned a lot. They were very accommodating to the community association and helped us raise a lot of money in the early years,” Parrot said.“We’re hoping that they (the property developer) try to keep the elements of the Carleton when they rebuild the building in the style.”

Among the tavern’s most distinctive features were its stained-glass windows, originally installed to block views of patrons drinking liquor during Prohibition — a reminder of how long the building has stood at the heart of the community.

“We hope that they do put up information about the history of the Carleton and their connection with the community, because it’s not just the building,” Parrot said, “It’s what we all loved about the Carleton.”

For regulars like Marc Bosse, who had been visiting the Carleton for about a decade, the tavern’s appeal was its welcoming atmosphere and the people inside.

His favourite thing about the Carleton, he said, was how social it felt no matter the time of day — whether someone was a business person or a hard labourer, people could talk about their day.

“New things have to happen in the neighbourhood. Maybe they’re not gonna make the size of the building as big as it was, but I think it’d be nice to see it again here,” Bosse said.

During the holidays, the air would fill with the savoury scent of roasting turkeys as the tavern hosted free Christmas meals for more than twenty years, ensuring no neighbour had to spend the day alone.

On Saint Patrick’s Day, the walls rang with the lively spirit of Celtic tunes and Irish melodies, turning a simple street corner into a gathering place full of warmth and music.

Parrot remembered the days she helped host those Christmas meals at the tavern.

“People couldn’t be alone, you had to sit with people because there were no single tables you could sit at, it was very full in there,” she said.

Christopher Byrne said what he valued most about the Carleton Tavern was the people.

“We have to grow as a society, but I think there are elements in history that we should keep in spirit,” Byrne said.

“I think a local tavern and the history of this place would be the loss of that in terms of cultural speaking. I think it would be a sad thing, but I also respect moving forward and embracing the future.”

written and performed by Jasmine Chen directed by Derek Chan | translation by Johnny Wu

A solo show that is a feast for the senses.

Anita Vandenbeld Member of Parliament for Ottawa

Former Westboro BIA director Michelle Groulx joins race for Kitchissippi council seat

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Longtime community and business advocate Michelle Groulx is stepping forward to run for city council in Kitchissippi ward, becoming one of the first candidates to enter the race after councillor Jeff Leiper announced he would not seek re-election and is instead running for mayor.

Groulx, who currently serves as chief advocate with the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas (ACOBIA), said the timing felt right after years of working to support local neighbourhoods and main street businesses across Ottawa — especially in Kitchissippi.

“I wanted to do it because it’s kind of like the right time and it’s the right opportunity,” Groulx told KT. “With Jeff announcing that he’s not going to be running, I thought, I love this community and I have been championing it and obviously the business community for so long, this might be my time.”

Groulx became a familiar presence in the ward during her time as executive director of the Westboro Village Business Improvement Area from 2018 to 2020, working with local merchants, residents and community groups to strengthen one of Ottawa’s busiest main streets.

She later moved into a citywide advocacy role as executive director of OCOBIA from 2021 to 2024, where she represented 18 BIAs and more than 7,200 businesses. After a brief stint as president of MBC Group, Groulx returned to the organization last June as its chief advocate.

She said those experiences have shaped how she approaches leadership.

“I think that I bring experienced and collaborative leadership. I bring people

I wanted to do it because it’s kind of like the right time and it’s the right opportunity. — MICHELLE GROULX

together. I love working with people,” she said. “I talk to people every day. And I listen and I listen more. And then I kind of get things done and move things forward.”

Although her advocacy work now spans the city, Groulx says Kitchissippi has long been central to her life.

“I’ve been in west Ottawa my entire life,” she said, noting family ties to the former Grace Hospital and spending her younger years at the new closed Whispers Pub.

“This place holds a lot of things that are near and dear to me in a very special way.”

The Westboro Beach resident said the ward’s walkability, natural areas and neighbourhood character are among the things she hopes to protect as it continues to grow.

“What I love about Kitchissippi is that I walk everywhere,” Groulx said. “I love the access to the river and all different types of neighbourhoods. But I also love the heritage buildings that we have here. I love the businesses.”

At the same time, she said she recognizes change is inevitable — and wants to help guide it carefully.

“I accept change, but I like to see things kind of stay the same,” she said. “I love nature first and foremost in our city. And Kitchissippi has a lot of it in our parks and I don’t want it to change.”

Having spent years working directly with merchants in Westboro and across Ottawa’s BIAs, Groulx said supporting local businesses will be a key part of her campaign.

She noted that intensification and new housing can help strengthen commercial streets — but only if independent businesses remain part of the mix.

“What helps businesses stay, first and foremost, is people,” she said. “You can’t sell anything if there aren’t people around. So having more homes and people living here will help the businesses that are authentically Westboro, Wellington West, Hintonburg and throughout the entire area.”

At the same time, she said affordability pressures remain a concern.

“Keeping them here is making sure that their prices and their leases don’t go up crazy because we are such a popular part of town,” she said. “You want to make sure that our commercial properties maintain a level that does not exclude our authentic local indie businesses, because we do need that mix. That’s what makes us so cool.”

Groulx said she plans to keep working with OCOBIA as a part-time contractor. More details about her platform are expected after her campaign registration is finalized in May.

This will be the first time since 2014 Kitchissippi will have new representation after the incumbent Leiper won three consecutive elections. Former Ottawa Citizen and CBC municipal affairs journalist Joanne Chianello has also indicated she plans to run.

Here’s how many parking tickets have been issues in Westboro and Wellington West

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Thousands of drivers have been ticketed since the City of Ottawa introduced paid on-street parking along parts of Richmond Road and Wellington Street West in Westboro and Wellington West last September.

According to data from early March, over 8,000 tickets had been issued since the parking changes came into effect. In the Westboro, Wellington West, and Hintonburg areas alone, 1,325 parking tickets were issued in September, with another 1,676 in October. November saw 1,962 parking tickets issued, followed by 1,153 in December, 1,198 in January, and 956 in February.

During that same period, the bylaw stated that there had been 274,857 paid parking transactions.

The program applies to roughly 700 curbside spaces along the busy commercial corridors. The city said the goal is to improve turnover and make it easier for customers to find short-term parking in areas where demand has steadily increased over the past decade.

Meters were activated following years of study and debate about how to manage congestion in neighbourhood business districts, where parking occupancy frequently exceeded practical capacity. City data showed demand for curbside parking had been rising since at least 2014.

Despite those intentions, reaction from local businesses and residents has remained mixed. Some merchants have expressed concern that paid parking discourages quick stops and short shopping trips, particularly for customers accustomed to free curbside parking along Richmond Road and Wellington Street West.

Morgan Gould, general manager of Fratelli on Richmond Rd, said in

September that many of their employees had been receiving tickets “nonstop.” The local business improvement associations have also indicated their members are seeing negative results.

“In general, the feeling is that the paid parking is going to drive away foot traffic and drive away business, and people will not stop to do their 15-minute shops, they’ll just keep going, and they’ll park in the parking lot down the road,” said Aaron Slipacoff, executive director of the Wellington West BIA.

Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper supports paid parking but said he would have liked to see it implemented after Stage 2 LRT opens.

“Getting to Westboro today is more difficult than it will be when stage two LRT comes into effect,” Leiper said. “But hopefully, by the end of 2026/early 2027, the train is up and running, and that will transform the transit trip to Westboro.”

With files by David Cummings

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Around 60 students who normally don’t qualify for bus service will now after community hazard zones were declared by OSTA. Some of the students attend St. Anthony Catholic School in Little Italy.

Ryan Turley from the Dalhousie Community Association, said the hazard zones stigmatize the community. Above: Sheri Arnott hopes government officials will now pay more attention to problems in Chinatown

BY HAU TING NG.

Community hazard zones created in Chinatown amid safety concerns

BY HAU TING NG

Some families in Chinatown and Centretown are being told their children’s walk to school is no longer considered safe enough to travel alone.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is implementing a

“community hazard designation” for five schools starting March 9, citing concerns about student safety along neighbourhood walking routes.

OSTA said it is responsible for adapting service when the surrounding environment poses a risk to student well-being. The decision follows regular staff observations and on-the-ground

assessments of local walk routes.

In a written statement, OSTA said, “Community safety is fluid, and we will continue to monitor these zones in close collaboration with our member school boards. Designated routes are formally reviewed on a yearly basis, coinciding with our standard review of regular hazard zones.”

Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster said she understands why residents are concerned about issues such as public drug use and discarded needles in the neighbourhood.

“I’d like people to understand that what feels like a security problem, and sometimes can be, is really a public health emergency,” Troster said, “Removing supervised consumption and not immediately offering other solutions has created a real problem, particularly in Chinatown.”

“If people are not properly cared for, they become more desperate, they become less well, and then the community becomes less safe,” Troster continued.

The issue has taken on added urgency after the Ontario government confirmed on March 16 that it is withdrawing provincial funding within 90 days from seven supervised consumption sites,

including programs operated by Ottawa Inner City Health and the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.

The former safe consumption site at the Somerset West Community Health Centre closed last spring after being mandated to do so by the province. A HART Hub, known as a homelessness, addictions recovery treatment centre, opened in its place. Since then the community has reported an uptick in open drug use and discarded paraphernalia.

“Removing supervised consumption and not immediately offering other solutions has created a real problem,” Troster said.

At the same time, a newer private safer-supply clinic operating nearby has become part of the debate around neighbourhood safety.

New Dawn Medical, which originally launched as Northwood Recovery and later moved to Somerset under its new name, operates a hybrid model combining virtual and in-person care. According to the clinic, all patients remain under the direct supervision of specialized physicians.

Troster said there are systemic problems with New Dawn Medical’s privatized safe supply program, people being prescribed huge quantities of narcotics by a virtual doctor who’s not seeing what’s going on outside those doors.

In a written statement, the clinic said, “Patients in our safer supply program must visit the clinic daily to receive their medications, and a significant portion is administered under the supervision of a pharmacist.”

“They also undergo regular testing to monitor for program compliance and diversion. These steps dramatically reduce the risk of diversion.”

For some residents, the language of the designation itself is also raising concerns.

Ryan Turley, chair of the Peaceable Neighbourhood Committee of the Dalhousie Community Association, said naming the area a hazard zone risks stigmatizing the community.

“Some of our constituents have complained of real estate values; maybe there’s a better way to address that than calling it a hazard zone.”

Turley, whose daughter attends Devonshire Community Public School, said his family often takes advantage of

the neighbourhood’s walkability for daily routines.

Police statistics suggest drug-related offences have increased locally in recent years. According to Ottawa Police crime trends for Ward 14, the drug trafficking rate reached 62.98 per 100,000 residents in 2024 — a 63.2 per cent increase in incidents compared to the previous year.

During the same period, the possession rate climbed from 66.72 to 89.39, contributing to a rise in total Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences from 106.34 to 152.38 within a single year.

City-led outreach efforts are also expanding in response.

Various programs and support initiatives are being implemented to improve neighbourhood conditions, including ANCHOR and the downtown

Theresa Kavanagh

Ottawa City Councillor

Bay Ward

110 Laurier Ave. West

Ottawa ON K1P 1J1

Tel: 613-580-2477

bayward@ottawa.ca 3-1-1 for City Services

Theresa Kavanagh

Conseillère municipale d’Ottawa, Quartier Baie

110 av. Laurier Ouest

Ottawa ON K1P 1J1

Tél: 613-580-2477

bayward@ottawa.ca

3-1-1 pour services municipaux

HAPPY EARTH DAY

she continued.

Ottawa editor draws on newsroom life and horse world for debut mystery novel

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Mysteries often begin with a question.

For Ottawa editor Anne Howland, the question was whether the worlds she knew best — journalism and horseback riding — could come together in fiction. The answer became her debut novel and the start of a new mystery series.

Howland, editor-in-chief of the Ottawa Business Journal — which, like the Kitchissippi Times, is owned by Great River Media — recently released her debut mystery novel, Jumping to Conclusions, the first in a planned series centred on Fanta Delaney, a 25-year-old community newspaper reporter who becomes entangled in a murder investigation connected to the competitive horse-show circuit.

“It’s the first in a series,” Howland said. “And my sleuth, who’s named Fanta, she has just started at her local community newspaper … but in her personal life, she loves horses.”

In Jumping to Conclusions, Fanta uses her reporting instincts and familiarity with the equestrian world to investigate the killing of a prominent show-jumping rider near a major competition — someone she had admired from afar.

For Howland, who writes under the name of A.V. Howland, combining those settings felt natural.

She spent much of her youth riding competitively before building a career in journalism, and the overlap between those experiences shaped the foundation of the book. She was also inspired by mystery writers who place their stories inside specialized communities, giving readers a glimpse into worlds they might not otherwise encounter.

“One thing that is a real theme throughout the series is (Fanta's) work in the media,” Howland said. “And I really tried to give an accurate portrait of what it’s like to work in local journalism.”

That realism extends beyond newsroom routines to the uncertainty many reporters experience early in their careers — including the pressure to prove their value while navigating shrinking newsrooms and financial challenges facing the industry.

Although Howland has spent decades working as a journalist and editor, shifting into fiction required rethinking how stories are told.

News writing emphasizes clarity, structure and objectivity, while fiction demands immersion in a character’s perspective and emotional world. Learning how to move beyond the traditional “inverted pyramid” structure of journalism and instead build character arcs, suspense and misdirection took time.

She also faced the challenge of balancing technical accuracy with accessibility when describing equestrian competition scenes. The goal, she said, was to make the book credible for experienced riders without overwhelming general readers with detail.

While the novel centres on a murder investigation, the series also explores broader themes about early adulthood, relationships and identity.

“At its core, it’s about not judging people by their appearance,” Howland said.

Through Fanta's experiences, the story touches on navigating friendships after school, balancing finances with personal passions, building independence from parents and trying to establish a career in a competitive field. Those themes also reflect Howland’s own perspective looking

back across decades of life and work.

“I just turned 60 and you look back and you think about things that you learned or things that you wish you’d known - your relationship with your parents now that both of them are gone - and, you know, it’s a tough journey, I think, for all of us.”

Animals also play an important role in the series. Alongside the horses central to the setting, Howland intentionally gave dogs meaningful roles in the story rather than treating them as background details.

“It was very important to me that the dogs not just be props,” she said.

The novel’s origins trace back to 2021, when Howland began writing during a difficult stretch professionally. After several layoffs in a short period, she stepped away from corporate life and took a job as a grocery store cashier during the pandemic — a period she describes as a turning point.

Above: Anne Howland after winning the division championship with her show hunter Do A Number, or “Dewey”, 40 years ago. PROVIDED PHOTOS.

“In 2021, I’d been laid off from three jobs in the space of three years,” she said. “I probably had a bit of a breakdown, to be honest, and I just wanted out.”

Writing mysteries started as a creative exercise rather than a publishing goal. She approached the process almost like solving a puzzle, experimenting with classic mystery structures and storytelling techniques she admired as a reader.

Over time, that experiment grew into multiple manuscripts. Howland wrote five books before eventually securing representation and moving toward publication. The plan now is to release the books gradually as part of an ongoing series, with the second instalment, Off Course, expected later this year.

Jumping to Conclusions is available for purchase on Amazon, at Perfect Books on Elgin, and at many Indigo locations.

A place to belong Inside the community welcoming LGBTQ African refugees at Kitchissippi United Church

BY CHARLIE SENACK

On a recent Sunday morning inside Kitchissippi United Church, rainbows were everywhere. Small Pride flags rested along the pews. A bright sign near the altar declared in simple letters: you are loved. Voices rose in song — some familiar hymns, others newer and more exuberant. There was community, inclusion, love and acceptance.

That’s perhaps what spirituality should be — but it isn’t always. Many religions still frown upon being gay, lesbian, trans, or any part of the LGBTQ2S+ banner.

Over the past year and a half, a ministry known as God’s Beloved has transformed the west-end congregation into something rare: a spiritual community built largely by LGBTQ refugees from across Africa — many of whom arrived in Canada after fleeing violence, rejection or the threat of imprisonment because of who they are or whom they support.

A MINISTRY BORN OUT OF DANGER

Rev. Daniel Addai Fobi did not originally come to Canada to start a church program. He came because he had to leave.

In Ghana, he was known as a preacher who spoke publicly about the dignity of LGBTQ people. He is not part of the community himself — but has advocated for those who were. He has always believed that love is love.

“In 2017, my brother-in-law, who was a gay man and a minister, was beaten to death for just being gay. He didn’t commit any crime,” said Fobi. “He was married to a man

who was a fellow preacher. They beat and killed him 50 metres away from me. I was hiding and looking. But I dare not interfere with what they were doing.”

Fobi took his brother-in-law to the hospital, but it was too late. The nurses wouldn't attend to him and instead called the police because, in Africa, helping a gay person makes you a criminal.

While South Africa offers progressive rights, over 30 other African countries criminalize same-sex relationships, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to, in some cases, the death penalty.

But that never scared Fobi away. In fact, it only made him preach harder. Some estimates suggest upwards of 50 million LGBTQ2S+ individuals live around the continent.

Fobi preached about the “radical love of God for all humanity,” he said, but that came with consequences. He was fired from his church.

Since then, he was stabbed in the chest once while preaching. His family in Africa have also been attacked multiple times.

Fobi fled to Ottawa for safety, but he’s continuing his mission in Africa from afar. He’s currently hosting a 40-day Zoom session titled Come Out Beautiful. Its mission is to help Africans accept their LGBTQ2S+ identities, but it also carries some risks.

One 17-year-old male in the group was caught having intercourse with his same-sex partner. A group of people then beat and lynched him with a machete. It was filmed and shared around the community.

Stories like that are not uncommon. Another person Fobi knows had ambitions of

becoming a singer — he was a good one too — but he was murdered.

“These queer teenagers, when they are growing up, want to explore,” said Fobi. “You want to be yourself, know the community you are in. But the best thing they can do is keep things private.”

CREATING COMMUNITY IN OTTAWA

In 2024, Rev. Jenni Leslie, lead minister at Kitchissippi United Church, was asked by an immigration lawyer friend to meet for coffee. The lawyer had a proposal.

Because Kitchissippi is an affirming church — a designation that signals a public and explicit commitment to inclusion and justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities — she thought the congregation could be a good fit for some of her clients: LGBTQ2S+ refugee claimants, many from African countries, who were arriving in Canada isolated, traumatized and unsure where they could safely worship.

Leslie said many had already been rejected by churches both back home and after arriving in Canada.

“They’ve been rejected from every Christian community, both at home and coming here,” said Leslie. “People told me stories about going to three, four or five churches and hearing the ministers say something derogatory about being gay and then leaving because why would you want to stay in a situation like that? To me, that never should happen.”

Leslie, who also identifies as queer, met Fobi through church circles and quickly thought he was the right person to help lead

the ministry. She said she was immediately struck when she heard him preach.

“It was radical, beautiful, and so helpful,” she said.

The program began with about seven members. Today, it has grown to roughly 230 people and continues to expand.

Fobi said he felt an immediate sense of belonging when he walked through Kitchissippi’s doors, and soon began helping others find their way there too. He would ride the bus listening for conversations in West African languages he understood. When the moment felt right, he introduced himself and invited people to church. From there, the community spread largely through word of mouth.

People were looking for a place where they could pray and be loved, he said, but many were still carrying the shame and fear

imposed on them in other religious spaces.

“They’ve been to so many churches where they’ve heard if you are gay, lesbian or bi sexual, there is a spirit living inside of you,” he said. “So when they come here, 90 per cent of them still have it in them that God doesn’t love them.”

A REBIRTH AFTER AMALGAMATION

In many ways, the growth of God’s Beloved came at exactly the right time.

Kitchissippi United itself was formed in 2008 through the amalgamation of three congregations — Kingsway, Northwestern

and Westboro United Churches — as part of a broader restructuring across the denomination.

Like many churches, it had spent years adjusting to changing attendance patterns.

Continues on page 20

Solace

& SOLIDARITY

Gods Beloved has grown to a group of over 230 people. It provides community to African LGBTQ+ individuals who have fled to Canada for safety.

PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND.

with Matthew Larkin, Organ DURUFLÉ’S REQUIEM & BERNSTEIN’S CHICHESTER PSALMS

SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH, 7:30PM

SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH, 7:30PM

SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH, 15 AYLMER AVE, OTTAWA, ON

rideauchorale . com

A place to belong

Continues from page 19

Before God’s Beloved, Sunday services might have drawn only a few dozen people. They were primarily Anglo-Saxon Protestants of English and Scottish descent. Hymns were rather traditional, drawn from books dating back over a century.

But now that has all changed. It is not uncommon for more than 100 people to attend a Sunday service. The sanctuary is full of people from diverse backgrounds.

Denise Bonomo, chair of the church’s council, joined the congregation in 2015. She said the rebirth has brought a lot of excitement to services.

“With God’s Beloved, they have a whole different set of musical traditions, singing and dancing, and they’re much more lively,” said Bonomo. “They are up singing, crying, speaking in languages, all these kinds of things, as opposed to sitting in the pew and quietly singing. It’s added a lot of joy to the service. It’s exuberant.”

Bonomo has taken on the role of “granny” to the congregation. She is retired and was looking for ways to spend her time after her husband, who had multiple disabilities, passed away.

“I was worried how I was going to spend my time because being a full-time caregiver changes your life in a lot of ways,” she said. “Gods Beloved provided me with the opportunity to make myself useful.”

Coincidentally, Bonomo’s husband passed away from assisted death on Aug. 18, the same day that God’s Beloved officially became part of the Kitchissippi congregation.

Her volunteer work at the church is done in his memory.

“It’s a significant date for me,” said Bonomo. “My husband was very supportive. He was an immigrant of Italian parents who came over in the 1950s and spoke the language. That immigrant experience was something that

was deep in him, and he always wanted to be welcoming and helpful.”

While the LGBTQ2S+ refugees are now safe in Canada, their fight for acceptance is far from over. Their families back in Africa continue to face attack. Some have small children still back in their homeland. Hearings for permanent residency are ongoing, and the physical scars of trauma are still healing.

When the Kitchissippi Times visited the church following a Sunday service, there was a lineup of members eager to speak and share the most vulnerable parts of their lives. They want it to be known that homophobia still exists in many parts of the world — and that support is still needed.

A warning: many of the details you are about to read are graphic in nature and touch on topics some might feel uncomfortable reading.

Ibidunni Adebero and Tawakalitu Tajudeen

For Ibidunni Adebero, realizing who she was meant learning how to hide.

Growing up in Nigeria, she said it became clear early on that she felt more comfortable forming close emotional connections with women. Over time, those feelings deepened into something she could no longer ignore — even as the world around her insisted she should.

In her community, being openly queer wasn’t simply discouraged. It was dangerous.

People were taught that same-sex relationships were unnatural or even evil. Some were told being gay meant a spirit was living inside them. Others learned quickly that being discovered could lead to violence.

Adebero wanted to travel and see the world. She went to Dubai but found it

wasn’t any more accepting. While filling out her application to visit Canada, she was outed in her own community.

“They just came into the house looking for me,” she said.

The attackers hurt her nine-year-old daughter’s legs. She still finds it difficult to put on shoes.

Leaving became the only safe option.

“It wasn’t just about me anymore,” said Adebero. “I felt the best thing to do was move forward. I wanted to live my life the way I wanted to. When I got here, I realized this was the place I wanted to stay.”

In September 2024, she met Tawakalitu Tajudeen at school. They discovered they spoke the same language and had left their home country for similar reasons. Over time, their connection deepened.

The pair have been dating more seriously for about a year now but aren’t looking to put a label on their relationship. They recently began attending Kitchissippi United Church and go on Sundays when they aren’t working.

“It’s been a positive change. I feel like we are healing what we had dug deep inside. It’s giving us new life,” she said. “I am who I am and I can’t change it.”

Anthonia Eyonse

Anthonia Eyonse was still a child when her life changed in an instant.

After her father died, her mother sent her to live with a woman she calls Mother Margaret, who ran a restaurant. There, she shared a room with another girl named Princess. The two grew up together, helping with work and depending on each other for stability in a household where neither had strong family support.

Over time, Princess began warning her to stay away from men and told her

ALL PHOTOS BY ELLEN

BOND.

about violence she had experienced herself. At first, Eyonse said she didn’t understand what those conversations meant.

“I was still very little, I didn’t know anything,” she recalled.

They lived together for years. Eyonse said she was about 10 when they met. By the time she was 15, their relationship had changed.

For a long time, their lives stayed hidden. Then one night in 2020, their sexuality was exposed.

They had gone outside to buy tomatoes, meat and chicken for the next day’s cooking at the restaurant when Princess made advances toward her.

Other people were nearby.

A group of men attacked her.

“They beat me and dragged me from the floor,” she said. “They wanted to pour burning oil on my private parts, but they put it on my lap and my legs. It hurt so much. I just wanted to end it.”

The attackers left Eyonse believing she would not survive.

A man who had come to the restaurant in search of food saw what happened and stayed hidden until it was safe. When the group left, he carried her away because she could not walk.

He hid her and cared for her injuries because going to the hospital or police could have meant arrest. Over time, the man who rescued her became her partner and later her husband. Together they built a life and had children.

People came looking for them. They

warned her husband he would “pay for this.” Even years after the attack, she said they were still not safe.

Eventually, her husband learned Canada might offer safety. They applied for visas while she was pregnant again. When the opportunity finally came, she left with one child. Another daughter had to remain behind.

Today, Eyonse says she is beginning to feel safe in ways she never could before. She is meeting others with similar experiences, attending therapy and rebuilding her life.

Still, her thoughts often return to the daughter she hopes to bring to Canada one day.

“If she’s here,” she said, “that will be the icing on the cake.”

Oluwakemi Omizu was still in secondary school when the rumours began.

She said she first realized she was bisexual as a teenager in Nigeria. At first, she kept it hidden. But eventually a teacher discovered her relationship with another girl, and the story spread quickly through her school and neighbourhood.

“People didn’t want to play with me,”

she recalled, “people stopped talking to me.”

Her family moved homes more than once. She had to change schools. The pressure extended beyond her own life and began affecting her mother’s health.

“She had high blood pressure, and she was having episodes because of too much thinking, worry and stigmatization,” said Omizu.

Even after relocating to another state to continue school, the scrutiny did not stop. Her mother urged her to marry a man so the rumours would end.

Eventually, in 2017, Omizu married someone she trusted enough to tell the truth about her sexuality. He didn’t see an issue with it. But the situation escalated when Omizu’s sister-in-law caught her in bed with a female partner.

“That was the worst thing,” she said. “My partner was killed.”

Omizu’s husband’s father is known as a kingmaker, a person who brings leaders to power through political influence.

“They really uphold the culture,” she said. “They said it was an abomination.”

Community members threatened that she and her daughter would be “circumcised” — a reference to female genital mutilation, a practice condemned internationally as a human-rights violation.

“It was meant to stop the spirit from being passed to the next generation,” she said.

part of her family. One of her children remains in Nigeria, something she says weighs on her every day.

“I don’t even have peace of mind,” she said. “I was blaming myself all the time. I didn’t trust.”

Gradually, that began to change.

Through friends, she was introduced to the church community at Kitchissippi United. For the first time in years, she found a place where her faith and her identity did not feel in conflict.

“My family rejected me,” she said. “But yet I have a family… people who are not related… but people have humanity.”

because they still get threatening messages and stuff anywhere they go.”

Ganyo said she was first targeted as a teenager after being discovered in a relationship with another girl at school by a security guard, who then raped them. Another time at Vespers — a traditional Christian evening prayer service often called evening prayer — she was exposed after being caught with a girl in the living quarters.

In March 2024, she left the country for Canada after her older sister helped arrange the travel using money she had saved. Her sister died shortly after helping her leave.

Later, Omizu said she was attacked again in her home and suffered serious injuries, including a fractured bone.

She and her husband eventually left their jobs and moved to another state to try to start over. Notices appeared telling them to leave. People continued watching them.

Omizu arrived in Canada in 2023 with

Millicent Emefa Ganyo did not feel safe enough to leave her home for the interview. Even after arriving in Canada, fear still follows her. She spoke over the phone instead, worried about what might happen if she was seen.

Back home in Ghana, Ganyo said her life had been shaped for years by threats tied to her identity as a lesbian. The danger did not end when she left the country. Instead, she says it shifted toward the people she loves most.

“My mom and sister get attacked,

That should have put a stop to the violence, but it hasn’t.

Her mother and her other sister have been forced to move repeatedly to avoid harassment. According to Ganyo, people in their community continue targeting them because of her identity.

A day before the interview, her mother’s door was bashed in. The Kitchissippi Times reviewed video of the damage, along with photographs of injuries to her mother’s eyes after a liquid was poured into them during one of the incidents.

Copies of threatening notes left at the home were also shared. One said Ganyo would be lynched if she were ever seen in the community. Another said she would be killed.

“I still get anxiety,” she said. “I can’t sleep sometimes when I close my eyes, I feel like the pastors are still hunting me or something.”

Now she hopes to continue her education, find stable work and eventually help others facing the same challenges she escaped. She is also raising money to help her mother move again and hopes to one day bring her to Canada.

Nepean High School students walk out over OSAP cuts

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Soon after the afternoon bell rang on March 10, clusters of students began slipping out the doors of Nepean High School, holding signs to stage a walkout against sweeping changes they say will impact their future postsecondary education.

The roughly 100 or so students marched down Broadview to Carling, where they were joined by a few dozen students from neighbouring Notre Dame High School. They shouted “hands off our education” and “our

Algonquin votes to suspend 30 programs

Despite fierce pushback and opposition, Algonquin College’s board of governors voted March 2 to suspend 30 programs amid increasing budget pressures.

The cancelled programs will include many in the Faculty of Media Arts and Design, with journalism, design foundations, museum studies, and music industry arts all getting the chop. In the school of business and hospitality, the paralegal, law clerk, travel, art wing, and events management programs will also soon be gone. Algonquin

education is not for sale” before joining other students who were demonstrating outside the Carlingwood Shopping Centre.

It was just one of countless walkouts planned at schools across Ottawa and the rest of Ontario on that Tuesday. Grade 12 Nepean student Max Wishart said the idea took shape after seeing similar actions planned at schools elsewhere in the province.

“We were working with a larger organizing group to coordinate actions across different high schools,” Wishart said. “We’d been seeing a lot of conversation about

also voted to cut its horticulture programs and its Pre-Health Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas

In an email to students ahead of the vote, Algonquin College said the recommended cuts reflected several factors, including shifts in learner demand, changes in federal policy and provincial funding, and our focus on programs that support strong career pathways.”

A follow-up email said “financial mitigation efforts must continue to ensure the College’s long-term sustainability”, which includes aligning programming with enrolment, labour market needs, and financial reality.

On March 9, a few dozen students protested outside Algonquin’s Woodroffe

the OSAP cuts and people contacting their MPPs. My friend Megan asked if we wanted to take action as well. We started with an Instagram account, and things rolled from there.”

Classmate Ali Hassan said he quickly decided to get involved after learning the protest was happening locally.

“Even people who couldn’t make it were wearing red squares in the school,” he said. “We had people sending supportive messages and teaming up with Woodroffe and Notre Dame — getting school communities together.”

campus, holding union flags and demanding the board of governors reconsider its decision.

Many local groups and organizations, including The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, Ottawa Festival Network, the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas, and the Ottawa Film Office, have written letters to the college stating that they hire from the impacted programs.

Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Chandra Pasma, who spoke at the rally, said Ontario doesn’t have enough educational funding because tuition was frozen for eight years starting in 2018

Last year, Algonquin also voted to suspend 37 programs and announced it was selling its Perth campus.

He added that the crowd reflected a wide cross-section of the school.

“It was really cool seeing a wide variety of people from our school community, people I’d never met before, all sorts of grades, particularly Grade 12s. People outside our friend groups showed up. It was great to see how many people were excited and wanted to show their voice and be heard.”

The backlash came after the Doug Fordled Ontario PC government announced sweeping changes to its Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Currently, students can receive up to 85 per cent of their education paid for through grants, with the other 15 per cent covered by loans. Under a new balance shift, the numbers would rotate.

Slated changes would see only 25 per cent of OSAP covered by grants, with the remaining 75 per cent to be repaid through loans.

Wishart, who plans to attend Carleton University to study biology in the fall, said that while they won’t be severely impacted due to parental support and savings, they fear for students from lower-income families who rely on government funding to get ahead.

Hassan, who hopes to pursue a career in health care and possibly attend medical school, said the concern is just as much about classmates as it is about his own future.

“There are several people around me who I know may not end up being able to go to university due to these cuts,” he said. “Friends who have big dreams of going to medical school, becoming teachers, becoming psychologists — fields we desperately need people in.”

He said seeing those worries spread through his peer group helped motivate him to get involved.

Students also pointed to broader financial pressures shaping their postsecondary plans, including housing costs and a difficult job market.

Wishart said many classmates are already adjusting their expectations.

“For many, we’re choosing schools closer to home because we can’t afford to move,” said Wishart. “My friends aren’t only worried about how they’ll pay tuition. They’re worried about how they’ll find jobs and where they’ll live.”

Wishart added that competition for entry-level work has become tougher as older, more experienced workers take positions that students traditionally relied on.

Hassan said he has experienced that challenge personally.

“I’ve struggled to find employment despite certifications like lifeguarding,” he said. “I’ve been applying widely with little luck.”

Students also raised concerns about how emerging technologies could shape the labour market by the time they graduate.

In a statement, the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence said the funding model changes are necessary to “restore sustainability to OSAP and ensure its availability for future generations.”

OSAP currently costs taxpayers $2.7 billion, the government said, and could rise to $4 billion by 2029 if the current ratio remained in place.

“Our government has been clear, due to billions of dollars of pressure on the program from the federal government’s decision to remove grant eligibility from students at private career colleges, coupled with increased program uptake in recent years, the OSAP framework was no longer sustainable,” the statement read.

But students hope the province should reconsider and said they aren’t equipped to cover such a heavy financial burden to access greater education. Hassan argued the province already ranks low in support compared to other jurisdictions despite hosting major universities.

Students say the March 10 demonstration is unlikely to be the last.

“We will continue doing these walkouts,” Wishart said. “You cannot stop students. Young people are the face of change.”

About 100 students from Nepean and Notre Dame High Schools staged a walkout on March 10, to protest changes to OSAP.

HOMES & RENOVATIONS &

Care concern

A

forward-thinking custom infill went above and beyond to protect the site’s majestic oaks and the broader environment

By Patrick Langston

A bur oak sets a high bar.

Designed and built by Potvin

CoThe majestic tree, a protected species native to this region, soars 30 metres or more, suggesting an aspirational nature. Its massive diameter — as much as three metres — signals presence and strength. Living 200 to 300 years or longer, it embodies endurance.

And, despite its size, the tree possesses a quiet dignity.

A modern-themed house in

Champlain Park that was a winner of a custom home award and finalist in two other categories at the 2024 Ottawa Housing Design Awards lives up to the bar set by the spreading bur oaks in the front and rear yards.

At 5,485 square feet including the finished basement, the four-bedroom home is far from small. But its architecture and placement on the lot, where it replaced an older bungalow, afford the privacy and unimposing appearance its owners sought when they hired Linebox Studio to design it.

Continues on page 26

Local Grassroots Design & Build Ramps Up for Spring

Grassroots Design and Build, located at 84 Sherbrooke Avenue, is getting ready for spring. Known for their signature colorful style, Grassroots Design and Build is a one-stop renovation boutique that works hard to make every job smooth and comfortable for clients. They bring a touch of the old mom-and-pop, human to human business to the neighborhood. Renovation isn’t easy; working with Grassroots is. A sense of humour helps too ;-)

It starts with a consultation. A Grassroots designer meets with you to talk about your dream space. Whether you’re looking for something small like a new furniture layout or a large-scale renovation, Grassroots’ expert designers will walk you through floorplans, colors, materials, styles, and budget.

After a design has been finalized, it’s time for the skilled Grassroots contractors to take over. Every step of your dream renovation will be carried out with the utmost care, from moving walls and redoing floors, to wiring new outlets and fixtures, to putting the final brush stroke of paint, Grassroots will make sure you reach the finish line. Hiccups will happen, but Grassroots finds solutions that don’t feel like compromises.

to a neighborhood name, with a focus on older homes and smaller spaces.

“I believe the best designs begin at the grassroots of the client’s home and surroundings. Unique designs are shaped by your family, your community, your natural surroundings and most importantly, our ability to still get in touch with our imagination,” Doucet said. “When we are lucky, our homes become our stories. They can remind us about where we come from and why it was important to us. “

A strong advocate for mental illness, Emma has always tried to incorporate her lived experiences into how she works with her team, her clients, and her community. Life is easier when resources are available and shame is diminished, and this is particularly important in the design process. Understanding how a space is used and can promote healing isn’t just a concept for Grassroots, it’s a process they’ve witnessed firsthand, and nothing is more satisfying than that.

When we are lucky, our homes become our stories

Then, decorating. Grassroots assists clients to find the perfect furniture, art, and homeware that meets their budget. Each space is curated thoughtfully and tailored to your tastes and design preferences.

Working with Grassroots is designed to be modular, with as much or as little personal involvement as the client wishes. This allows the client and designer to approach the project with flexibility, intention, and creativity!

Grassroots Design began as a side hustle for owner Emma Doucet, who took on small jobs in her spare time when she worked for the federal government. When the government downsized in 2012, she took a leap of faith and dedicated herself to Grassroots full-time. Over the past 14 years, it’s grown from a small basement operation

If there’s one thing Grassroots hopes to impress upon clients, it’s that good design shouldn’t be an afterthought. A good design will keep you on track and your vision focused, which in turn keeps costs down. “If we know your True North, we will make sure we get there with you as safely and beautifully as possible.”

Grassroots also encourages clients not to limit themselves to what’s trendy today or commonly considered valuable for re-sale. A square white kitchen is beautiful and classic, but you shouldn’t feel like you can’t do something different if you want to sell your house. Beautiful designs and craftsmanship sell houses, period.

“Good design costs the same as bad design,” said Doucet, so why not do it right the first time?

Visit the office at 84 Sherbrooke Avenue, call 613-680-6092, or email info@grassrootsdesign. ca to book your free consultation. We love meeting new people and diving into new projects and, of course, espousing all the limitless possibilities that wallpaper provides. It’s what we live for!

HOMES

Care & concern

The way one part of the home steps back from the street, the alternation of horizontal and vertical windows, the mix of wood and dark brick cladding, the playful rhythms of the brick insets, the magnificent bur oak out front: it all helps the home — the exterior of which was a finalist in the awards — fit comfortably on an older street where a number of other modern homes also stand.

Just as importantly, the house incorporates sustainability to its core, according to Linebox architect Josée Anne Pronovost.

“They are one of the most thoughtful clients we've ever had in the sense of whatever we did, every decision we made, the question was always, ‘What's the sustainable aspect to this? What's the longevity of this product, this method, and can we make it better? Can we increase the longevity? They were aiming for, I don't even want to say 100 years, but like a 200-year-old home.”

“Construction is a very wasteful, resource-intensive and environmentdamaging activity,” says one of the homeowners, who prefer to be unnamed. “Our goal was to partially offset this negative impact on the environment by building something that lasts a very long time.”

That insistence on sustainability led to the extensive use of crosslaminated timber construction (CLT), a form of engineered wood with a low carbon footprint and excellent thermal, acoustic and other properties. Craned into place, CLT was used not just for structural elements such as floor and roof slabs but also for the exterior envelope and the main loadbearing interior walls.

Triple-paned windows, extra insulation, a heat pump and other components also contribute to the

home’s sustainability.

Harmony with the environment dictated construction decisions as well, according to Antonio Sanchez of Sanchez Homes, which built the home.

For instance, a 12-foot radius was established around the front oak where no work was permitted. “You couldn't even lean a piece of insulation on that tree.”

Craning the CLT into place also saved the tree’s roots from the impact of standard building methods and equipment.

The rear of the home, which contains the main living areas, was erected on piers to avoid damaging the roots of the backyard oak. First, however, the roots were hydro vacuumed to remove dirt and debris and forestry experts then wrapped the roots in burlap to avoid damage during construction.

“The clients put in a lot of energy and cost to ensure that those trees were protected,” says Sanchez. “And now, when you're in the home and you look out, you really don't feel like you're in the city. You look out and it's just trees everywhere.”

“We love trees,” says the homeowner, who notes there are also sugar maples in the front and rear yards. “Trees transform the environment around them. They are a beautiful sight, ever changing throughout the seasons. They bring shade and cool to our living spaces. They inspire us through their exceptional resilience. Each tree tells a story, year after year.”

Inside the home, which includes a rooftop patio with a view of the Ottawa River, wood sets the tone. Exposed sections of CLT wall panels, a wood inset in the kitchen ceiling and dark walnut floors and stair

treads lend warmth and character to the spaces.

The kitchen, which was one of the finalists in the housing awards, connects visually with a backyard bur oak through the large windows in the adjacent dining room. Sleek, simple and spacious, the kitchen features a cabinet wall containing all the storage and appliances, a large island with plentiful work and seating space, and contrasting dark grey and black surfaces against wood tones that make for a tranquil space.

The rounded edges of the island and porcelain tile flooring, along with the light fixtures and kitchen furniture selected by the homeowners, help soften the linearity that characterizes the home’s interior. That softness is a “welcoming feature” and contributes to the moody serenity of the space, says Pronovost.

“You start your morning and you're mellow.”

Subtle transitional features define the main living area’s zones, including an illuminated glass cabinet where the kitchen meets the dining room and a coffee and tea bar that separates the kitchen from the front room.

Creating a visual connection between the home’s multiple levels, a striking staircase that appears to float runs from the basement to the rooftop. Black metal slats define the staircase while allowing illumination to penetrate from higher floors and create a mix of light and shadow.

Asked about his favourite feature of the home, Sanchez says: “The sense of quiet. You can't hear anything. Nothing. You could have a truck go by and it's so quiet.”

Rather like being in a forest.

PatrickLangstonistheco-founderofAllThings HomeInc.Theveteranjournalisthascovered theOttawahousingindustrysince2008.

Two highrises and a seniors residence proposed for Carling Ave. near Altea Ottawa

By Mia Jensen

An Ottawa real estate investor is eyeing a property just a block away from the Altea Ottawa fitness centre for a new development that would include two highrises and a seniors living facility.

The Properties Group has submitted an application to the city to redevelop a 1.06-hectare site on Carling Avenue. The proposal includes plans to build a 32-storey mixed-use tower, a 28-storey residential tower, a nine-storey seniors living building and a park.

A total of 749 residential units, ranging from bachelors to three-

bedrooms, would be built across the three buildings. The towers’ ground floors would have a mix of commercial spaces and live-work units.

“Together, the buildings and the accompanying parkland dedication will create a dynamic, pedestrian-friendly environment that integrates residential, commercial, and recreational uses in a unified and context-sensitive manner,” an urban design brief for the project said.

Recent investment has brought new energy to a previously tired stretch of Carling Avenue. Northeast of the proposed property are two recently constructed buildings, a 22-storey

tower and an eight-storey building. A 29-storey tower has also been proposed nearby.

A few years ago, wellness and social club Altea Ottawa took over the former Canadian Tire building at 1660 Carling Ave. The location officially opened in 2024.

With proximity to Highway 417, public transit and several attractive Ottawa neighbourhoods, realtor Lorne Scott said in 2023 that the area has major upsides, allowing businesses to be near the city’s core without setting up shop downtown.

“(Nearby) Westboro and Hintonburg are super-cool and

trendy areas to live in Ottawa … The Champlain Bridge to Gatineau is only 4.5 kilometres away,” said Scott, a realtor with Royal LePage Team Realty, whose office is located down the street.

“I think Carling Avenue, while still rundown or tired in some stretches, will be a hot spot for the next 20 years. Any business, regardless of the service or product they offer, should — and many will — consider Carling,” he added. “This stretch of Carling, let’s say from Bronson Avenue to Greenbank Road, will only become more and more popular as our city continues to densify or build up.”

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Creating zones and utilizing the whole yard made for a much more functional outdoor space in this project by Wild Ridge Landscapes.

Making the most of your outd rs spaces

By Anita Murray

How do you make your backyard your own, maximizing its space, function and beauty? How do you find inspiration and what’s trending in outdoor living?

A panel of industry experts put together by All Things Home tackled that very question at the 2025 Ottawa Homes & Garden Show, looking at how to get maximum value, how to get started and trends.

PANEL MEMBERS:

Thomas Hoyle: Owner of Life Long Landscaping and president of the Ottawa chapter of Landscape Ontario, which represents the province’s horticultural industry.

Ed Hansen: Past president of Landscape Ontario, founder of Hansen Lawn and Gardens.

Benjamin Stapper: Multi-awardwinning landscape designer at Wild Ridge Landscapes.

Anita Murray: Moderator and coowner of All Things Home. (This is an edited transcript of the panel discussion.)

WHAT’S TRENDING?

ED: Permeable applications, where you’re managing water on your property, is a huge thing — being as environmentally friendly as you possibly can but still having really good cosmetics.

BEN: We’re seeing a real partnership between health and wellness sectors and backyard living spaces. It’s no longer just a swimming pool and a hot tub; it’s a backyard spa, a cold plunge, a sauna. It’s all those things that allow us to escape or relax at home. And we’re finding new and creative ways to integrate them into a backyard living space.

THOMAS: Lower-maintenance products. So, instead of a deck that needs constant maintenance every

year, it’s using composite materials, or artificial grass, which adds “green” without having to worry about maintaining it.

BEN: Then there’s the backyard fire space — outdoor living where we’ve got a roof, a heat source, a place to hang out with friends and family and really extend the season, essentially repeating what you know and love about an indoor family room but in your backyard.

ED: Another one is going vertical, especially if you have a small space. People want to have a wall behind them so they can stack gardens or herbs.

THOMAS: And a lot of smart connectivity items. With all our lighting now, we have smart hubs with different zones that we can turn on. So, if you just want to entertain in the dining area then you can just turn those lights on. You don’t have to turn the entire backyard on.

WHAT ABOUT PLANNING?

ANITA: Homeowners should have a “road map” for their project that gives them a plan to follow, partly because they may need to do things in phases and it’s important to do things in the right order, but also to create an overall holistic design that’s going to work well. Can you speak to that?

THOMAS: When it comes to planning, you might see something you want for your backyard, but it isn’t achievable right off the bat because it’s an expensive feature. It’s important to plan those things out so that down the road you can put in that fire feature or that wellness corner for yourself. Planning is one of the most important first steps.

BEN: The most important place to start is to connect with a professional who can talk through the questions that will really get to the foundational concepts about where to start. Some of that starts with what you want, some of that is tempered by what we can afford and how do we navigate what we’d like, what we need and bringing all these things together.

THOMAS: The importance of the road map is also discussing with clients their time horizon at the property. Are you planning on being there for five years or 20 years? That might influence your decision on what is going to be feasible.

GETTING THE MOST VALUE

ANITA: How do you get maximum value out of your project? What’s important to keep in mind? How do you start?

BEN: Value looks different for everyone. There’s the budget: How much is this going to cost? That is part of the conversation. But another part is what are we going to get out of this? What is the return for us in terms of wellness, family time, etc. And then there’s the whole conversation around investment. What can we spend? What can we do with respect to landscape that will be returned to me when I need to sell?

Choosing where that falls is going to be a different conversation for everybody, but the important part, at the early phases of creating the road map, is understanding what is valuable to you specifically.

ED: You have to be honest with yourself; most people aren’t. They get held on a budget and can’t see past that because they see the number, they don’t see the value in it. Yet, what is “successful” for someone else doesn’t have to be for you. You don’t have to have a pool or a hot tub or a cold plunge. If all you want is a shaded area in the back corner that’s paved over where you can read, that’s creating the effect of $100,000 of value for you for just $10,000.

ANITA: Speaking of being honest with yourself, it’s also important to be honest with whoever you’re bringing in to do the work, right? It’s a natural tendency for the client to not want to reveal exactly how much their budget is, because they’re afraid the contractor will want to spend all of it.

ED: You’ve touched on the most important part. Knowing the budget means we can help get maximum value for you. It’s so important for everybody to be on the same page about what you want to do. Money is a tricky one though, and there are companies out there who would not be responsible with your budget. But this does not happen with high-end projects.

ANITA: Do you need to have a contingency budget for your outdoor spaces, just like you do for your interiors?

ED: Very much so. In the landscape world, probably the No. 1 issue is what’s underneath the ground, and these are often things that a simple soil test will not uncover. The industry standard for a contingency fund is 10 to 15 per cent.

ANITA: It’s a challenging environment right now. How can you still look to improve your property when there is so much uncertainty out there right now? What’s your advice to homeowners?

THOMAS: If times are uncertain and you’re not sure of the future, spending some time planning your project out and maybe only doing a couple phases will make you feel more comfortable spending an initial amount. And then maybe in five years when things are looking better you might want to spend that next phase. So, planning is a big thing in uncertain times.

AnitaMurrayistheco-founderofAll ThingsHomeInc.Theaward-winning journalisthascoveredtheOttawa housingindustrysince2011.

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Gladstone highrise development could be in jeopardy due to policy change

BY MIA JENSEN

Alocal developer is waiting on a decision from city staff that could affect its ability to go ahead with a multi-tower proposal near the Corso Italia LRT station.

CLV Group plans to build three mixeduse highrises on a one-hectare property at 951 Gladstone Ave. and 145 Loretta Ave. N., steps from Preston Street and the Little Italy neighbourhood.

The towers, ranging from 34 to 40 storeys, would contain a total of 930 residential units.

The official plan and zoning bylaw amendment application for the project is nearing the finish line, but the development has found itself in an awkward position due to a provincial policy change.

Andrew McCreight, manager of central development review for the city, said in a statement that permissions for the project were approved under section 37 of the Planning Act, which has since been replaced by the Community Benefits Charge (CBC) bylaw.

The provincial levy, which funds services and supports capital projects, applies to highdensity residential developments of at least five storeys and 10 residential units.

Rendering of a proposed development at 951 Gladstone Ave. and 145 Loretta Ave. N. IMAGE CREDIT: CLV GROUP

Oz Drewniak, president of CLV Group, said that while the change will ultimately benefit developers by reducing the amounts they must pay, it creates challenges for the Gladstone proposal, which was assessed under the previous formula.

“We were caught in a funny time between section 37 and the CBC,” he said.

“We were caught in a situation where the benefits that were provided to the community were multiple times more (than revised calculations under the new policy). We’re not just talking about double. We’re talking about multiple times, tens of times more than what a developer would be paying today.”

As a result, Drewniak said it may not

be feasible to go ahead with the project if CLV cannot benefit from some sort of reduced levy.

“If (this issue) doesn’t get resolved, the development may not be able to proceed in today’s environment. It may be delayed or may be completely stopped for a bit. Who knows?” said Drewniak. “We’re overburdened beyond, multiple times, what a normal developer would be. We’re just trying to get the city to work with us to get that little bit more right-sized.”

According to Drewniak, the old policy calculated contributions based on the density of the project, while the CBC changed that regulation to a flat contribution rate based on four per cent of the land value.

According to the application summary for the project, the 34-storey tower would be devoted to residential units, while the other two highrises would include residential units plus a five-storey podium with more than 140,000 square feet of office space and 21,000 square feet of retail space along Gladstone Avenue.

Currently located on the site is a fourstorey artist studio, the Standard Bread Building, which is a designated heritage property and will be integrated into the redevelopment.

Drewniak said it’s one of the community contributions that CLV should get credit for.

“We’re providing benefits in different ways and one is with the artists,” he said. “We’re totally committed to the artists and we want to continue to ensure they have a place to return to that is an affordable place, an active place, something that is a community draw.”

Other contributions being made by CLV include providing monetary support to the Laurel Street pedestrian bridge, as well as affordable housing.

An update is expected by April.

From city hall to climate action

David Chernushenko launches Standing With Underdogs

BY HANNAH WANAMAKER

Inside Thyme & Again’s Nest on a grey Sunday afternoon, about 25 people gathered to hear former Ottawa city councillor and environmental advocate David Chernushenko reflect on family history, migration and the long arc of climate action.

The occasion was the launch of his 2025 book, Standing With Underdogs, which traces how his family history has shaped both his personal journey and his public life.

“My book is about how discovering and exploring my Ukrainian roots led me not just to understand where I and my family came from,” he says, “but how the story

Spaniel’s Tale moving Wellington West storefront

BY CHARLIE SENACK

An independent bookstore in Hintonburg is preparing to turn the page on its next chapter.

The Spaniel’s Tale Bookstore will move this spring to a larger space at 1109 Wellington Street West, just about 75 metres from its current storefront. The relocation will allow the shop to expand its selection of books and gifts while creating more space for customers to browse and attend community events.

Since opening in 2022, the store has built a loyal following in Ottawa’s west end, becoming a gathering spot for readers and neighbours alike.

“Since we opened in 2022, the support we’ve felt from our community

of the underdog family, the immigrant finding their way in a new world, came to inform my life and my career.”

Drawing on a brief family memoir his Aunt Raya composed in 2021, Chernushenko explores how earlier generations’ experiences of displacement and resilience influenced his own path. Over the years, his individual trajectory has taken him through roles as a Capital Ward city councillor for two terms from 2010 to 2018, as well as a filmmaker, novelist, journalist, and environmental advocate.

A self-described globetrotter, he describes the book as a universal story about starting again.

“People leave where they are when they need something better. When the place they’re at is untenable, dangerous, there are no jobs, and they need something better for their children, they go where they can start a new life.

“That’s the story of human civilizations all over the world, and we often forget that.”

Chernushenko’s interest in underdog stories extends beyond family history and into his decades-long environmental advocacy.

From promoting cycling infrastructure to advancing renewable energy policy, he has worked as a consultant, an advisor to all three levels of government, and a storyteller focused on climate solutions.

has been incredible,” said co-owner Cole Davidson. “This move will allow us to grow sustainably and continue serving our community for years to come.”

The expanded location will not only increase the retail floor space but also provide more room behind the scenes for operations such as receiving inventory, organizing events and coordinating school book fairs. Staff will also have additional space to prepare book subscription packages and manage growing demand.

Despite the move, the bookstore’s owners say the spirit of the shop will remain unchanged.

“While our space may be growing, you can still expect the same indie bookstore spirit, commitment to great books and products, and the safe,

welcoming, judgment-free space that you know us for,” said co-owner Stephen Davidson. “We’re excited to continue growing with our community.”

The store first opened during the pandemic by the two Davidsons who are partners in life and business. It quickly became known for its carefully curated collection of contemporary fiction, nonfiction and children’s titles. The LGBTQowned bookstore has also carved out a reputation as an inclusive community space, hosting book clubs, author talks and other events.

“It was always a dream of ours, but it was a down-the-road sort of dream, something to do in retirement,” Cole told KT in 2022. “Near the beginning of the pandemic, my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, and, almost overnight, I watched her retirement dreams vanish. So we thought, ‘Why are we waiting?’ because tomorrow is never guaranteed, and if this is something we are passionate about and something we want to do, let’s just do it.”

The larger location will allow the store to expand those offerings, particularly by hosting bigger in-person gatherings. It is expected to open in late spring.

The event on March 22 was organized by the Ottawa Renewable Energy Cooperative, which was founded in response to Chernushenko’s 2010 documentary, Powerful: Energy for Everyone.

According to its website, the cooperative has since been “working towards a democratic and clean energy economy in Ontario.” Today, the collective includes about 1,100 members, has raised more than $15 million in local investments, and has completed 33 projects — including 26 solar installations, 2 wind projects, and 5 energy retrofits.

Still, renewable energy faces challenges in a province where nuclear power dominates electricity generation.

Data from the Independent Electricity System Operator featured in the Government of Ontario’s 2024 Energy Snapshot shows that roughly half of the province’s electricity was generated by nuclear sources, while solar represented less than one per cent.

Public opinion reflects similar tensions. A December poll by Abacus Data found that more than half of Ontarians agreed that Canada could be a global leader in energy and meet its climate goals. However, 48 per cent said they would not support those policies if they harmed the economy, compared with 31 per cent who would and 21 per cent who were unsure.

For Chernushenko, that makes environmental justice an underdog cause.

“The technology is there, the solutions on what we need to do are there,” he says. It’s the programs and policies incentivizing change that are “usually what’s lacking.”

“We need to make it possible and financially advantageous to invest in renewable energy for companies that build the solar panels, the wind turbines and the batteries to do that – to have the incentives to do it, as opposed to continuing to offer the incentives to the most polluting fossil fuel industries.”

Those challenges extend well beyond Canada, he says, including to Ukraine — the country where his family’s story began.

Today, Chernushenko argues that fossil fuels sit at the heart of the war in Ukraine.

“Russia would not be able to fund its war if it didn’t have all of its oil and gas to spend, and didn’t have countries to keep buying it.”

Too often, he says, people think about energy security only in the short term.

Think: “Do I have a heated home? Can I get to work?”

That focus emphasizes whether energy is available when needed, rather than where it comes from or who controls it.

Russia’s ability to maintain geopolitical leverage, he noted, is partly tied to its role as a major global supplier of oil and natural gas. According to the International Energy Agency, Russia is the second-largest producer of natural gas in the world after the United States. Between 2000 and 2023, its crude oil production rose by 66 per cent, and its coal production by 85 per cent.

“Ukraine would be less vulnerable, and could be in the future, the more they can power themselves with renewable energy – be more energy efficient,” Chernushenko says. “Their energy sources would not be as vulnerable to attack from Russia.”

Rather than focusing solely on energy security, he advocates for energy autonomy — generating power closer to home, investing in energy storage systems and maintaining local ownership.

Here in Ottawa, he says that work continues to be shaped by the same roots that inspired his book.

“We are entirely dependent on a healthy ecosystem – we forget that, and I’ve made it part of my life’s project to fight, not just for human justice, but for ecological justice.”

SUBHIR