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NOVEMBER 2026

Moe Atallah turns 80 Page 24 URBAN LIVING, LOCALLY TOLD

436 GILMOUR STREET, OTTAWA, ON.

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PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK

PASSING THE TORCH Joanne Chianello has been elected Kitchissippi Ward’s next councillor, securing more than 65 per cent of the vote. Page 4

GIVING & RETIREMENT Pages 24-35

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

EDITOR’S NOTE

The power of shopping local BY CHARLIE SENACK

A few weeks ago, something pretty remarkable happened along Wellington Street West. When The Spaniel’s Tale bookstore prepared to move into its new, larger home just down the street, about 280 residents came together to lend a helping hand. They formed a human chain along the sidewalk, passing more than 7,400 books from one person to the next over two and a half hours. What makes the story even more special is that the idea came from customers themselves. For years, they had been sharing stories of other bookstores that had moved in similar ways. When the opportunity finally arose, the community was ready to step up. It was a simple gesture, but one that spoke volumes about the kind of community we’re fortunate to have here in Kitchissippi. It was also a great way for residents to meet their neighbours and catch up with some familiar faces. Editor’s note

November 2026 • 2

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In the October issue of the Kitchissippi Times, a paid advertising cover featuring then-city council candidate Joanne Chianello appeared without the clear sponsored content labelling that should have accompanied it. As a result, some readers understandably mistook the advertisement for our regular front page and believed the Kitchissippi Times was endorsing a particular candidate.

In a world where it’s become increasingly easy to order just about anything online and have it arrive at our doorstep the next day, it’s moments like these that remind us why supporting local businesses matters. Our independent shops, restaurants, cafés and other small businesses are more than places to spend money. They’re gathering spaces, familiar faces and an important part of what gives our neighbourhoods their character. They employ people who live in our community and add a certain Hallmark movie-style charm to our streets. With the holiday season fast approaching, I hope residents will consider keeping some of their shopping close to home this year. It’s a tradition I’ve always enjoyed personally. My Christmas gifts for loved ones often include honey from my favourite local farmers, jams picked up at farmers’ markets,

We want to be clear that this was not the case. The Kitchissippi Times does not and never will endorse political candidates. We, as always, remain committed to providing fair, balanced and independent community journalism. Advertising revenue, including from these special covers, helps make it possible for us to produce and distribute this newspaper free of charge. However, there must always be a clear

handcrafted chocolates made with love and homemade soaps — which, once you’ve tried them, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought kind. There’s something special about giving a gift that has a story behind it. Knowing who made it, where it came from and that your purchase helped support someone’s livelihood makes it feel a little more meaningful. Whether it’s picking up a book in Hintonburg, finding a unique gift in Wellington Village or browsing the shops along Richmond Road in Westboro, every little bit of support makes a difference. I recognize that shopping local isn’t always the most convenient or affordable option, particularly when so many households are watching their spending. But even choosing to make one or two purchases close to home can have an impact.

distinction between paid advertising and editorial content. We regret the error and apologize for any confusion it caused. We have reviewed our internal practices to help ensure this does not happen again. Thank you for your continued trust and support. Charlie Senack Editor, Kitchissippi Times

Be Part of Our December Gift Guide!

Reach local shoppers this holiday season with our special Gift Guide feature Don’t miss your spot! Space is limited contact me today for details and pricing. Jennifer Tackaberry • 613-696-9482 • jennifer@kitchissippi.com

BOOKING DEADLINE: November 16th

Great River Media Inc PO Box 91585 Ottawa ON K1W 1K0 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. STORY IDEA? editor@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/kitchissippi EDITOR Charlie Senack charlie@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/charlie_senack CONTRIBUTORS Brian Dryden, Iya Mendoza, Dave Allston, Lauren Koning , Keaton Hills , Sarah J. Harb and Amanda McLeod ADVERTISING SALES Jennifer Tackaberry 613-696-9482 jennifer@kitchissippi.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER Celine Paquette celine@greatriver.ca CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Cheryl Schunk, 613-696-9490 cheryl@greatriver.ca All other enquiries 613-696-9494 info@kitchissippi.com DISTRIBUTION A minimum of 16,000 copies are distributed throughout the Kitchissippi area, from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue, spanning the Britannia and Preston Street communities. Most residents in this area receive the Kitchissippi Times delivered directly to their door. Copies are also available at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre, Hintonburg Community Centre, Produce Depot and dozens of other convenient pickup locations. If you would like to become a distribution point, please contact us. DISTRIBUTOR Comet 2000 info@kitchissippi.com The Kitchissippi Times is published by

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MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2026

November 2026 • 4

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Former municipal affairs Joanne Chianello is the next city councillor for Kitchissippi Ward. PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND.

The new face of Kitchissippi Joanne Chianello wins municipal election with large majority BY CHARLIE SENACK

t wasn’t exactly the way one might expect to find one of Ottawa’s newest city councillors making her victory speech. Perched on a chair in a pair of pumps, Joanne Chianello looked out over a sea of supporters packed shoulder to shoulder inside Newport Restaurant on Oct. 26 with

happy tears in her eyes. Trays of Moe’s famous pizza were being served. When polls closed at 8 p.m., eyes turned anxiously towards the television screens as supporters waited for the results to come in. Chianello captured 65.2 per cent of the vote, receiving 10,722 ballots. Her closest challenger, Subhir Uppal, finished with 16.5 per cent, followed by Brian Innes with 16.1 per cent and Xavier Commerford with 2.2

per cent, according to unofficial results. Chianello will be one of just three new faces around Ottawa’s council table. In Stittsville, Chelsea Walton won the open seat vacated by Glen Gower, while Erin Coffin defeated longtime incumbent Allan Hubley in Kanata South, ending his 16-year tenure at city hall.

The election also marked a historic milestone for women in municipal politics. For the first time since amalgamation in 2001, women will hold a majority of seats on Ottawa city council, with 13 women and 12 men, including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. As she addressed supporters, Chianello became emotional while thanking the volunteers, friends and family members who had helped carry her campaign to victory. Among them were her parents, Mario and Rita, who had travelled from Toronto for the occasion. Rita even made her homemade pasta for the campaign team. When the Kitchissippi Times met Chianello for coffee at Bridgehead in Wellington West the following afternoon, she was still fielding calls and texts from supporters offering their well wishes. Some even stopped by her table to congratulate her in person. “I am extremely excited and a little bit tired and wired on this first day. I’m nervous too, but in a good way, though, because I really feel the weight of the responsibility that I was entrusted by the people of Kitchissippi,” she said. HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING With the celebrations behind her, Chianello is already looking towards the challenges facing Kitchissippi. Among the most

pressing is intensification, which she said dominated conversations with residents throughout the campaign. While the ward continues to welcome new housing, Chianello believes governments have not adequately addressed the pressures that accompany increased density, including traffic congestion, parking, pedestrian safety, and demand for community services. “There seems to be little acknowledgement by government officials that bringing more housing to Kitchissippi also brings other challenges, like traffic and cars parked all over the place that are making streets more congested,” she said. Chianello wants to bring community associations, residents and city staff together to identify traffic concerns across the ward and establish a list of priorities. She also intends to maintain some of the practices established by Leiper during his 12 years in office, including regular newsletters and informal coffee meetings with residents. Chianello hopes to offer some of those gatherings in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate people who work during the day. Another major file will be the future of Bayview Yards, one of the few remaining large city-owned properties in Ottawa’s urban core. Located near the intersection of two LRT lines, the property sits beside the redeveloping Bayview area and across from Tom Brown Arena. Chianello sees an opportunity to explore affordable housing, recreation and other community amenities, but says residents must have a meaningful role in shaping its future. “That full node is a huge opportunity to build something really great, something new and something that this community can be part of on the ground floor and be proud of, something for generations to come,” she said. Chianello’s background covering municipal politics gives her considerable familiarity with the inner workings of city hall as she prepares to take her seat around the council table. During a journalism career spanning three decades, including time at the Ottawa Citizen and CBC, she became known for her investigative reporting and willingness to scrutinize decisions made by elected officials. Her reporting helped uncover problems surrounding Ottawa’s troubled light-rail system, including revelations about

I am extremely excited and a little bit tired and wired on this first day. I’m nervous too, but in a good way, though, because I really feel the weight of the responsibility that I was entrusted by the people of Kitchissippi. —JOANNE CHIANELLO concerns raised by senior transit officials before the Confederation Line opened in 2019. She also broke the story of sexual misconduct allegations against former College Ward Coun. Rick Chiarelli, which led to investigations and raised questions about accountability at city hall. Those experiences gave Chianello an understanding of municipal procedures, budgets and the challenges facing Ottawa, although she acknowledges that serving as an elected official will be a different experience. Her first major responsibility at city hall will be the municipal budget, a process she

knows well from years of reporting but has never experienced from the other side of the council table. As for whether her reputation as a journalist willing to ask difficult questions will follow her into elected office, Chianello said residents can expect an independent voice — but not someone looking for confrontation. “I’m not going to come out guns blazing, right? I’m here to get things done for our community and also our city,” she said. “I think you can be independent and collaborative. I will ask tough questions when they need to be asked.”

How Bay and Somerset wards voted While Kitchissippi elected a new councillor, voters in neighbouring Bay and Somerset wards returned their incumbents to city hall with commanding victories.

Somerset Ward: Keelin Pringnitz won the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board race with 47.4 per cent. Cameron Bonesso defeated incumbent Cindy DescloudsSimpson for the Ottawa Catholic School Board seat with 56.5 per cent.

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SOMERSET WARD Ariel Troster won a second term with 61.9 per cent of the vote (9,061 ballots). Robert Dekker placed second with 19.2 per cent (2,818), followed by Michael Tay at 13.8 per cent (2,019), Nicholas

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE RESULTS Bay and Kitchissippi Wards: Emily Quaile won the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board race with 78.1 per cent, while Jeremy Wittet was re-elected to the Ottawa Catholic School Board with 74 per cent.

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BAY WARD Theresa Kavanagh secured a third term with 82.5 per cent of the vote (11,939 ballots). Spencer Radford finished second with 10 per cent (1,443), followed by Butch Moore with 7.6 per cent (1,095).

Gollé at 2.9 per cent (430) and Dillon Anderson at 2.1 per cent (313).

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MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2026

Jeff Leiper looks back on 12 years at city hall after mayoral loss BY CHARLIE SENACK

November 2026 • 6

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eff Leiper believed he had a real shot at becoming Ottawa’s next mayor. After months of campaigning across the capital, knocking on doors and pitching his vision for a more equitable city, he felt the desire for change — an opportunity to bring a more progressive voice to city hall. But voters had another vision. Incumbent Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was voted back to city hall for a second term with about 46.5 per cent of the vote, a small decrease from the 51 per cent he took back in 2022. Leiper came in second place with 33.9 per cent, or about 33,535 fewer votes. Economist Neil Saravanamutto earned 11 per cent of the votes, with homebuilder Alex Lawson getting 7.5 per cent. The results were similar to those suggested by recent polls. When Leiper sat down with the Kitchissippi Times the following morning, there was little indication of defeat. Gone were the crisp white shirts he had frequently worn on the campaign trail. Instead, Leiper arrived for his first interview as an ordinary citizen wearing jeans, a University of Ottawa Gee-Gees hoodie and a green sweater. He wasn’t particularly sad. In some ways, he was relieved. After more than a decade of dealing with neighbourhood concerns, contentious council meetings and the demands of public office, Leiper was looking forward to a quieter day. He planned to spend the afternoon reading a book from the Spaniel’s Tale in Wellington Village. “I have my head held high. I have had a smile on my face for most of the morning as colleagues and residents have reached out to me. I’m proud of

For the first time in 12 years, Jeff Leiper won’t be city councillor in Kitchissippi Ward. He came in second place for mayor. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

I am in the very fortunate position of loving my neighbourhood more today than I did when I got elected. It has been a privilege of a lifetime. —JEFF LEIPER

what we did,” Leiper said. “I’m a little uncertain as to what comes next, but I am optimistic.” Leiper had actually originally planned to be out of the municipal office by now. When the last race in 2022 was over, he said it would be his last term. But a

strong discontent with the city’s transit service is what made him run for mayor in the first place. Throughout the campaign, Leiper promised a transit service guarantee, offering OC Transpo riders a refund if stats showed unreliability. He also said

a citizen would once again sit on the transit commission — a position he had once supported eliminating — and restore bus cuts effective April 2025. Leiper believes that part of his platform resonated with voters. But he also wouldn't commit to lowering transit fares, unlike his opponent, the incumbent Sutcliffe, who said he’d lower the cost of a monthly pass to $95 — saving the average rider around $500 a year. But what could have helped cost Leiper the election was his unwillingness to give an exact number on how much he’d raise property taxes. It was a jab Sutcliffe regularly took at his opponent during mayoral debates. Sutcliffe said he’d raise them around two per cent hearty for the next two budgets. Lawson said he wouldn't raise taxes this year, and then raise them slowly over the next three years. Leiper said there will be plenty of time over the coming weeks to break down his strategy and discuss what did and didn’t work. “I’m going to spend probably a couple of weeks talking with the team and picking that strategy apart. When I look at the options I had for presenting the need for modestly higher taxes, there were several ways in which it could have been presented,” he said. “I continue to be comfortable that this was the one that was least likely to create a backlash. I'll be thinking about it for quite some time." Despite the loss, Leiper remained proud of his campaign, particularly the camaraderie among volunteers and the involvement of younger residents. He pointed to his proposal to expand eligibility for the discounted EquiPass transit fare to minimum-wage earners as one of the policies that best reflected his values.

His broader message, he said, was that Ottawa could not measure its success solely through the experiences of its more financially comfortable residents. “We don’t succeed as a city unless the most vulnerable people in our city succeed,” he said. A LASTING MARK ON KITCHISSIPPI While Leiper’s bid for mayor ended in defeat, his departure from city hall also marked the conclusion of a significant chapter in Kitchissippi’s history. First elected in 2014, Leiper defeated incumbent Katherine Hobbs and went on to serve three consecutive terms representing neighbourhoods including Westboro, Hintonburg, Wellington Village and Mechanicsville. In each election, he took a strong majority of votes. A former community association activist, journalist and technology industry analyst, he brought a particular emphasis on neighbourhood engagement, active transportation, planning and community development to city hall. Over those 12 years, Kitchissippi changed considerably. New condominium towers rose along major

corridors, businesses opened, public spaces were renewed, and the debate over intensification became a defining local issue. And there was, of course, the arrival of light rail. Leiper supported much of that growth, even when it proved unpopular with some longtime residents. He argued that increased density helped sustain the independent businesses and amenities that made the ward attractive. What developers want built is also allowed to be built, which ultimately comes down to the city’s Official Plan and provincial regulations. “Spaniel’s Tale doesn’t exist without the foot traffic that density creates,” he said. “There are new towers on the periphery of our ward that many people don’t like, but those new residents in their several thousands are contributors to a much more vibrant business and amenity environment.” Among his proudest accomplishments were investments in neighbourhood parks and fieldhouses, including improvements to Laroche Park and Tom Brown Arena, as well as community programming and events.

He pointed to the Kitchissippi Winter Trail, the Hintonburg 5K, and the Parkdale Night Market as examples of communitybuilding initiatives that helped make the area more vibrant. Affordable housing was another priority. Leiper directed developmentrelated community benefits funding toward non-profit housing initiatives, including projects involving Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation and the Ottawa Community Land Trust. But perhaps his most recognizable contribution was the way he communicated with residents. For 12 years, Leiper held regular pop-up office hours, giving constituents opportunities to raise concerns directly. His weekly Saturday newsletter offered updates on planning applications, municipal decisions, neighbourhood events and issues affecting the ward. “I think I’ve changed people’s expectations of the accessibility of a councillor,” he said. Leiper believed those efforts helped residents better understand the city hall and made municipal government more accessible. Still, he acknowledged that

public office came with a personal cost. The demands were relentless, and not every interaction was pleasant. On election night, one resident sent him a mocking animation accompanied by a message laughing at his defeat. “I don’t know whether that guy is proud of his behaviour, but it’s not uncommon. And I will not miss that,” he said. Now, that responsibility passes to councillor-elect Joanne Chianello, who won the open Kitchissippi race with more than 65 per cent of the vote. Leiper — who endorsed Chianello — hoped she would continue to prioritize affordable housing and ensure the ward’s growing prosperity was accessible to residents of all income levels. His own future remained uncertain. He said he would need to find work, preferably in a quieter, less public-facing role involving policy and writing. For now, though, there was time to reflect. “I am in the very fortunate position of loving my neighbourhood more today than I did when I got elected,” he said. “It has been a privilege of a lifetime.”

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CITY HALL

Woodpark residents raise more concerns about proposed 24-storey Edgeworth development BY BRIAN DRYDEN

November 2026 • 8

kitchissippi.com

esidents in Ottawa’s Woodpark neighbourhood are raising concerns about a proposed 24-storey apartment building on Edgeworth Avenue, saying more work is needed to understand how the development could affect traffic, drainage and access to the community. The proposal for 500 and 508 Edgeworth Ave., near the Lincoln Fields LRT station, calls for a 262-unit residential tower with 123 underground parking spaces. The existing properties are occupied by lowrise homes. The proposal also includes a four-storey podium, with the building stepping up to nine storeys on its western side to provide a transition toward the surrounding area. The scale of the proposal has attracted concerns from nearby residents and community groups, who have pointed to the contrast between the proposed tower and the primarily low-rise neighbourhood. The Woodpark Community Association has now submitted comments to the city as part of the site-plan process. While the association recognizes the city’s desire to add housing near LRT stations, it says development needs to be carefully planned so it can be integrated into the existing community without creating negative impacts. “We want to make sure that the development works best for the community,” said Susan MilburnHopwood, head of the Woodpark Community Association (WCA). Among the association’s concerns is stormwater management. The WCA says parts of Edgeworth and the surrounding Woodpark area already lack adequate stormwater infrastructure.

Left: Residents in the Lincoln Fields area worry the development is too large for the neighbourhood. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

Right: Drawings showing what the tower would look like. PROVIDED PHOTO. The association is particularly concerned about an area of Edgeworth north of the proposed development and south of Lawn Ave. that it says regularly experiences flooding. It wants the city to consider whether the proposed stormwater measures, including a cistern, are sufficient given increasingly extreme weather events. The WCA is asking the city to pause site-plan approval until a comprehensive review of the July 1, 2026, rain event that caused significant flooding in Ottawa has been completed, saying that review could result in different standards, additional cistern capacity or other stormwater measures. TRAFFIC AND ACCESS ARE ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN. According to the WCA, Edgeworth is the only signalized entrance into the neighbourhood from the west and is an important route for residents and emergency vehicles. The association says the traffic assessment does not adequately

account for traffic near the development or conditions during the school year. Milburn-Hopwood said the timing of the traffic study is a “big red flag” because it did not account for school-year traffic. The association is asking the city to reassess traffic counts, including during the school session, and to consider how garbage collection, deliveries and moving trucks could affect the street. It also wants dedicated space on the development site for waste containers and moving or delivery vehicles, as well as written assurance from Ottawa Emergency Services that the development will not reduce emergency access times to the neighbourhood. The proposal has also undergone urban design review, with the design incorporating a podium and changes intended to provide a transition between the tower and surrounding lower-rise properties. City planning documents for the area call for measures including minimizing shadow impacts on

Woodpark, providing a low-rise building base and creating pedestrian connections through the site. The city approved a zoning amendment for 500 and 508 Edgeworth Avenue in June, allowing the 24-storey development to proceed through the subsequent development review process. For Milburn-Hopwood, the issue is not simply whether more housing should be built. The province and city are pushing for greater housing density, particularly around transit, and the Edgeworth site is close to the future Lincoln Fields station. The question for the community association, she said, is how that growth can be accommodated while maintaining access and quality of life in Woodpark. “We do not believe enough overall planning has been undertaken on this project,” Milburn-Hopwood said, adding that she hopes the concerns raised by residents will be considered before the project is finalized.

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ARTS

Carling Avenue's quirky artist takes his creativity downtown

Rich Loen's Awesome Boxes are spreading kindness in the ByWard Market BY IYA MENDOZA

November 2026 • 12

kitchissippi.com

ich Loen said he sat at home for just 20 minutes before getting bored after retiring. So when his career in engineering and software development came to a close in 2019, he decided to turn to his artistic side. “I’ve always been the creative heart of the companies I’ve been involved in,” Loen said. “My mom’s an artist, my dad’s an artist, my brother’s an artist … I’ve always been into that kind of thing.” For Loen, creativity had always been a family affair. While his professional career focused on technology, his artistic interests were never far behind. Retirement offered an opportunity to explore that passion in a new way, combining his background in engineering and design with a lifelong appreciation for art. Loen was the owner of the Salone Des Bananes art gallery and Loen Design studio,

located near Carling and Woodroffe avenues. Once home to a tire company, Loen purchased the building the same year he retired, transforming it into a space where art, technology and imagination could come together. “I always walked by it to take my kids to play hockey … I was always looking at it,” he said. “I thought that’d be a cool place. And it has a fun sign out front.” That sign had since become one of the most recognizable features of his studio. Resembling an old theatre marquee, it featured a giant banana and a rotating collection of messages displayed in blocky black letters. Some were funny, others were thought-provoking, and a few were deliberately obscure. “When I moved in, there was a box with all the letters and a stick with a suction cup on the end,” said Loen. “So I put up a message that said ‘HELLO WORLD.’” “Every two weeks, I’ve been putting up different messages on the sign. It’s the longest-running art project I’ve ever done.” The messages ranged from song lyrics and famous quotes to unusual facts

Rich Loen is the face behind Loen Art, located on Carling Ave. PROVIDED PHOTO.

The new awesome boxes give people in the ByWard Market an opportunity to leave behind positive messages. PHOTO BY IYA MENDOZA.

Loen Art is known for its creative signs. PROVIDED PHOTO.

and inside jokes. Some were universally understood, while others, Loen joked, might only make sense to “three people on Earth.” But what began as a playful experiment took on deeper meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the sign became a source of encouragement for passersby. “I would put up messages like, hey, let’s all learn to play the banjo,” he said. “And I’d put up messages of hope.” It wasn’t until the pandemic had passed that Loen realized just how meaningful those messages had become. During his studio’s first show, visitors approached him to share how the sign had helped brighten their days during an otherwise difficult period. “People would talk to me and say, ‘Through COVID, your sign was really important to me.’ And I would look at the person, and they had tears coming down their face,” said Loen. “Saying over and over again how important it was for them.” “That’s an interesting thing, because it’s a sign with words on it. But it’s a piece of art.” That same philosophy — that even

ISTA ON

PARKS

the simplest creative gesture could have a meaningful impact — was at the heart of Loen’s newest project. In June, his roadside sign temporarily became home to the Awesome Box, an interactive art installation designed to spread kindness through recorded messages. With its bright yellow exterior, smiling face and shell resembling an embrace, the box invited strangers to share a little positivity. “The idea was to bring a little bit of joy and a smile to people’s faces,” said Loen. “We’re at a time when kindness is important.” The concept had been in development for some time, with Loen and his team experimenting with ways to combine technology, creativity and human connection. Once the design came together, they knew they had something worth sharing. “We ended up building this great little thing,” he said. “Makers tend to make things because they’re cool. Artists tend to make things because they have a meaning.” “The Awesome Boxes are kind of right in the middle of that.”

Following its initial test run, the project expanded to four locations across Ottawa: the Ottawa sign in the ByWard Market, the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Ottawa School of Art and the National Gallery of Canada, where the newest box was installed in October. The expansion, Loen said, happened almost by accident. Representatives from the Ottawa Art Gallery were visiting his studio when they noticed a couple of Awesome Boxes sitting nearby. “They were like, ‘Those are cute, what do they do?’ So we explained that it’s just a box where you press a button and you hear nice messages,” said Loen. “And if you double-press the button, you get to leave a message.” Not long afterward, the City of Ottawa approached the gallery looking for artwork for the ByWard Market that “was kind.” “Then the OAG people came to me and said, ‘Hey, remember that Awesome Box?’” The rest, as they say, was history. At first, there were concerns about what people might record when given the freedom to leave anonymous messages.

But Loen said the response had been overwhelmingly positive. “People sing songs, people record little short messages, little kids come up and scream,” he said. “And other people record a whole 30 seconds of just a nice ‘I hope you’re doing okay, remember people love you.’” “There were no instructions about the kind of messages to leave,” Loen said. “The messages are beautiful, uplifting. And it’s amazing to me. People just get it.” For Loen, the project was about more than creating something interesting to look at. Like his roadside marquee, the Awesome Box demonstrated how art could connect strangers, spark conversations and offer encouragement when it was needed most. What started as a small experiment had become a public reminder that kindness didn’t always require a grand gesture. Sometimes, it took little more than pressing a button and sharing a few thoughtful words. Loen called the Awesome Box a “beautiful little success story.” “(It’s) a kindness that we’ve created,” he said. “People are still able to appreciate kind things and do kind things.”

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EARLY DAYS

Churchill Avenue, showing 3 houses on the west side 578, 566 and 556 from 1910.

Churchill Avenue Public School.

Churchill Avenue hill, looking south up the hill from Richmond. Circa-1925.

PHOTO BOB GRAINGER.

PHOTO ANNE STERLING

November 2026 • 14

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The street that helped build Westboro Before its bustling shops and restaurants, Churchill Avenue was a rugged trail connecting farms and a growing community

magine standing at the corner of Churchill Avenue and Richmond Road 175 years ago. There were no bustling shops, restaurants or the humming sounds of heavy traffic we are familiar with today. Instead, it was a narrow, stump-strewn trail cutting through dense forest, where wolves howled at night, and early settlers struggled to navigate the rugged terrain.

It’s a far cry from the Churchill Avenue we know today. Over the past two centuries, the 2.5-kilometre roadway has transformed alongside the neighbourhoods surrounding it, becoming one of Kitchissippi’s most important and historic streets. Today, much of Churchill is a “Complete Street” — Ottawa’s first, in fact. Dutch-inspired and designed to balance pedestrians, cyclists, motorists

Nepean police building, circa 1945.

Borts Nepean, what is now Lulu Lemon and some buildings going up the hill. CITY OF OTTAWA ARCHIVES

BY DAVE ALLSTON

and transit users, the $21-million project was completed in 2015. It introduced some of Ottawa’s first raised, physically separated cycle tracks and protected intersections. Despite its transformation, Churchill has retained its classic neighbourhood feel, featuring architecture ranging from early Victorian homes to mid-century houses and modern infills. One constant has been its iconic hill, connecting Richmond Road and Byron

Avenue and offering panoramic views of the Gatineau Hills. In fact, the adjacent neighbourhood was once known as “Laurentian View.” Today, Churchill is a key north-south corridor, much as it was originally intended when laid out as an access road between township lots, allowing early travellers to move between farms and settlements. FROM A TRAIL THROUGH THE BUSH TO MAIN STREET It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when Churchill Avenue first came into existence. On paper, it was established in 1794 when Nepean Township was surveyed and divided into large rectangular lots. Much of Kitchissippi was divided into 200-acre lots stretching inland from the Ottawa River. On early maps, the boundary between lots 30 and 31 was marked with a rare double line, indicating plans for a “side line road.” By the 1860s, between Britannia and Bronson Avenue, only the future Woodroffe, Churchill and Parkdale avenues offered north-south travel. In a 1931 Ottawa Citizen interview, 81-year-old Rev. John Scobie of Westboro recalled that Churchill was then “only a trail leading to the second concession (now Carling Avenue)”. “It was merely a lane through the bush, and was stump-strewn,” he added. The dense forests covering Westboro were gradually cleared by pioneers establishing homesteads and passages. Hand tools could remove only so many trees, while the remaining stumps proved far more challenging.

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5 today’s Churchill Avenue. The arrival of Hon. James Skead and his large sawmill at what is now Westboro Beach in the mid-1870s laid the foundation for further development. The mill could saw 15 million feet of board in a season and initially employed 40 men, eventually growing to hundreds. Workers lived in boarding houses, rented small shacks or stayed in hotels along Richmond Road. The Canada Central Railway also arrived in 1870, running trains from LeBreton Flats to Carleton Place and crossing Churchill, where the Transitway later operated. During the century that trains travelled these tracks, the crossing earned the nickname “Dead Man’s Crossing” because of numerous fatal and serious railway accidents. Following the opening of Skead’s Mill, the Birch family subdivided part of their farm on the east side of Churchill, naming it “Birchton.” Joseph Birch constructed a hotel at the northeast corner of Richmond and Churchill in 1873. The building eventually became Westboro Sports before its demolition in the fall of 2024.

A STEEP HILL, RUNAWAY SLEDS AND A REMARKABLE HORSE South of Richmond Road, development took longer. The hill towards Byron Avenue remains prominent today, but was even steeper in the 19th century. In a 1936 Ottawa Citizen interview, F. H. Pratt, who spent his childhood in early Westboro, recalled the thrill of sledding down what was then Main Street. “Another great sport in those days was sliding down the steep hill on Main

Street, which now leads from the O.E.R. tracks to the Richmond road. We had bobsleighs that could carry eight or ten people at a time. We flew across Richmond Road, frightening horses and very often at the great risk of harm to ourselves. On moonlight nights the crowd was largest. The hill was much steeper than at present and we could slide a long distance past the Richmond road.” Sliding and tobogganing on the hill and sidewalk remained a policing concern well into the 20th century. In 1913, a new sidewalk was laid between Richmond Road and the streetcar tracks. “The walk is a nice, wide one and a great improvement over the rickety old one which has done duty there for many long years,” reported the Citizen. The hill was also the scene of a remarkable story in June 1911, when a horse apparently came back from the dead. The animal had collapsed while hauling a heavy load uphill. Its owner and several witnesses were convinced it had died, or was “done up,” as they called it. Several people went to get assistance to remove the animal, but “when they returned they were surprised to see the horse standing on its four legs and looking very much alive,” wrote the Citizen. Continues on page 16

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Scobie’s father, Walter, arrived in Canada in the 1830s and worked for William and John Thomson, of Maplelawn fame. “While Water Scobie lived alone, he had a pretty lonesome time, as night after night packs of wolves howled around his door,” reported the Citizen. From these primitive beginnings between the farms of the Thomson and Birch families, Churchill gradually developed. The first recorded structure along the roadway was the neighbourhood’s first school, a small frame schoolhouse built in 1851 on land acquired from the Thomson family, where Gezellig stands today. It was replaced in 1866 by a brick schoolhouse, which remained until 1886. The first houses appeared in the 1860s. Carpenter Robert Mather built a modest five-room house behind the schoolhouse around 1865, where his family remained for 26 years. Around this time, the Thomsons began selling parcels of their farm, creating a subdivision called “Baytown.” Few lots sold in the isolated rural community, but the plan laid out about a dozen streets, including “Main Street” —

That same year, Joseph’s sister Jane opened Westboro’s first store, when the community was still known as Skead’s Mills. The building at 379 Churchill remains standing. In 1874, Henry K. Dyer, an agent for Skead, built rental houses along Churchill for mill foremen and engineers. Two, at 361 and 363 Churchill, remain today. Another notable survivor is the Farber-Robillard-Leith law office at 330 Churchill, known as “Westboro Manor,” dating to 1888. North of Scott Street, Churchill provided access to the mill and, later, to the cottage community around Westboro Beach. Early buildings included a farmhouse belonging to John Birch, a small house built by Christopher Coghlan in 1875, and a boarding house constructed by Stewart Woodland near present-day Selby Avenue.

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EARLY DAYS

The street that helped build Westboro As automobiles became more common, Churchill needed a better road surface. The first section to be improved was a 1,000-foot stretch between Richmond and Scott, which was macadamized with crushed stone in 1917. Meanwhile, residential development was transforming Churchill south of Richmond Road. On the east side, Richard Birch subdivided land stretching to Carling Avenue in 1873, creating mostly four-acre lots. The first three houses were built within a year. One remains today at 515 Churchill, constructed by John L. McCullough. Other surviving 19th-century homes include 554 Highcroft, originally 555 Churchill, built in 1880 by Thomas Cundell, and 599 Churchill, built in 1898 by George Statham. On the west side, the land formed the eastern boundary of the Cole family’s Highland Park Dairy Farm. Between 1898 and 1899, the farm became Canada’s first to operate on electricity. John Cole also recognized the potential of the coming streetcar line and subdivided part of the property. In 1899, Skead’s Mills was renamed Westboro. Cole issued another subdivision plan in 1901, creating lots along Churchill between Richmond and Dovercourt. The first two houses appeared that summer: 478 Churchill, built by tinsmith John L. Stewart and still standing, and 624 Churchill, constructed by William O’Neill and demolished around 2005. Other surviving homes include 462, 490, 566, 578 and 606 Churchill, all dating from the early 1900s. The west side is also home to the heritage-designated Masonic Temple, built in 1924, and the preserved façade of Westboro United Church, constructed in 1913. Nearby Churchill Public School also

retains a portion of its original 1910 façade. FROM MAIN STREET TO CHURCHILL AVENUE The street officially became Churchill Avenue in the late summer of 1941, when Westboro adopted several patriotic street names. The changes were required by the Post Office, which was standardizing civic addresses and eliminating duplicate names to introduce mail delivery in the west end. Churchill also extends south of Carling Avenue, with another segment, officially Churchill Avenue South, on the opposite side of the Queensway. That section was known as Cartier Avenue until 1950, when it was renamed for continuity. Today, it is a mix of commercial and industrial properties, but during the mid20th century, it contained a large cluster of houses. Originally, the Grand Trunk Railway ran along what became the Queensway, cutting off access to the southern section. When the tracks were removed, residents battled the National Capital Commission to establish a direct route across, but the arrival of the Queensway ended those efforts. At the opposite end, northern Churchill briefly served as the western terminus of the Ottawa River Parkway when it opened in 1963. Access was eventually cut off as the parkway extended west. Of course, no retrospective of Churchill Avenue would be complete without mentioning its intersection with Richmond Road, the hub of Westboro for more than 150 years. Over that time, the intersection has been home to Nepean’s town hall, a police station, fire station, post office, bank, church, grocery store, hardware store, butcher shops, pharmacy, Beamish’s, Port’s Lunch, the Newport and countless other neighbourhood landmarks.

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Housing experts call for greater action on homelessness at Hintonburg town hall BY LAUREN KONING

November 2026 • 22

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s Ottawa continues to grapple with rising homelessness and a shortage of affordable housing, residents gathered in Hintonburg to hear from experts about what can be done to address the growing crisis. Ottawa Centre MPP Catherine McKenney, the Ontario NDP’s housing critic, hosted a town hall at the Hintonburg Community Centre on Sept. 29, bringing together housing researchers, policy experts and community members to discuss the

root causes of homelessness and possible solutions. The event, titled “Solving Ontario’s Housing Crisis,” explored a range of issues contributing to housing instability, including rising rents, inadequate social supports and the challenges facing lowincome tenants. Joining McKenney were Kaite Burkholder Harris, executive director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa; housing researcher Carolyn Whitzman; and municipal law scholar Alexandra Flynn. About 40 residents attended the discussion.

The conversation focused heavily on a housing-first approach, which prioritizes providing people experiencing homelessness with stable housing rather than requiring them to meet certain conditions beforehand. Burkholder Harris emphasized that safe, secure housing should be considered a basic human right. The challenges facing Ottawa are part of a much larger provincial crisis. Whitzman told attendees that roughly 85,000 people in Ontario are experiencing homelessness, a figure she said has doubled over the past decade. “The figure in Ontario is 37 people per 10,000 are without homes,” said Whitzman. Much of the discussion centred on how Ottawa allocates resources to address homelessness and whether more could be done to prevent people from entering the shelter system in the first place. Burkholder Harris said much of the city’s homelessness funding goes toward emergency shelters. While acknowledging their importance, she cautioned that prolonged stays can create additional challenges for people trying to rebuild their lives. Instead, she advocated for a greater focus on prevention, including helping people maintain personal relationships and access support before they lose their housing. Building strong connections, she argued, can be an important part of helping people regain stability and eventually secure a safe place to live. “We have to be willing to ask those hard questions,” she said, suggesting shelter staff engage in more thoughtful conversations with people seeking assistance. One question she suggested asking was: “you can stay here tonight if you need to, but are there any other safe options?”

A few dozen people attended the homelessness forum in Hintonburg. PHOTO BY LAUREN KONING.

Burkholder Harris said this approach can be particularly effective for young people, who may still have family or community relationships that could provide support and help prevent them from entering the shelter system. She pointed to the Niagara region, where a community-wide shelter diversion approach has helped reduce homelessness locally. The conversation also turned to the growing visibility of homelessness on Ottawa’s streets. McKenney told attendees that roughly 300 people were sleeping outdoors in the city, highlighting the challenges facing residents who have nowhere else to go. “It doesn’t feel good to see people suffering in our streets,” said Flynn, who emphasized the important role municipalities play in responding to encampments. She explained that cities have opportunities to develop safer and more effective responses through municipal bylaws, policies and practices. However, meaningful progress requires co-operation between all levels of government. Flynn also discussed the federal government’s role in addressing the housing crisis, including the importance of stronger legal protections to prevent tenants from being evicted into homelessness. McKenney then asked Whitzman to address the province’s responsibilities. Whitzman identified several factors contributing to Ontario’s housing crisis, including minimum wages that have not kept pace with inflation, gaps in tenant protections and inadequate social supports. “Three out of 100 tenants are evicted every year,” she said, emphasizing the importance of provincial policies in preventing housing instability.

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Even after turning 80, Moe Attalah, owner of the Newport Restaurant, said he has no plans of slowing down. PHOTO BY SIMON MCKEOWN.

At 80, Moe Atallah still finds family at the Newport

GIVING • November 2026 • 24

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By Keaton Hills When former Ottawa mayor Jackie Holzman walked into the Newport Restaurant during a recent interview with owner Moe Atallah, she had a suggestion: he should be mayor. She was joking, but the interruption offered a glimpse of the friendships Atallah has built over nearly four decades at the Westboro restaurant. While he turned 80 on Sept. 29, the longtime restaurateur is still coming to the Newport six days a week. Even Mondays, when the restaurant is closed, he’s there for cleaning or maintenance. His workload has eased. These days, much of his time is spent watching over the restaurant, greeting customers and catching up with friends. He helps where needed, but the people remain the reason he comes through the door.

“I always have a big family here,” he said. That family recently helped pull off a birthday surprise, even though Atallah had tried to avoid a large celebration. His 70th birthday had been marked with a fundraiser, and longtime friend Michael O’Byrne wanted to do something similar for his 80th. O’Byrne, a familiar face to many Ottawa residents after spending 38 years at CTV Ottawa, including as a longtime news anchor, knew Atallah planned to be away from the city on his actual birthday. So he found another date. In early August, O’Byrne gathered guests in his backyard while Atallah believed he was heading out for dinner with his wife Donna and friends. The evening was supposed to include a stop to pick up O’Byrne.

When they arrived, Atallah was told their dinner was delayed and they might have a drink first. Then the garage door opened. Atallah noticed legs, followed by more legs, before his granddaughter came running toward him. For a moment, he could not understand why she was there. “I never thought it’s connected to my birthday,” he said. “But then I realized after, and that was the biggest surprise of my life, really.” The celebration brought together people from different parts of his life. Atallah and O’Byrne had travelled together and shared many dinners over the years, but this was one occasion when his friend had managed to keep him entirely in the dark. Among the guests were Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and former mayor Jim Watson. An Elvis performer provided the music, a fitting accompaniment for a man whose charitable work has long been connected to the Elvis Sighting Society.

BUILDING A LIFE IN OTTAWA

Atallah’s affection for Canada goes back nearly half a century, to his arrival from Lebanon — a day he remembers as the best of his life. He initially stayed in Montreal, where his brother lived, but did not want to become a financial burden. With a friend in Ottawa, he decided to move here and began building a life in the city he has called home ever since.

Atallah had experience in the restaurant industry before arriving in Canada and quickly returned to the business. He worked in Ottawa restaurants before eventually opening the Newport in 1988. Over the years, the restaurant became a place where Atallah came to know customers and their families through weddings, anniversaries and other milestones. Some of those customers have died. Others now arrive with children of their own, remembering visits with their grandparents or great-grandparents. Watching those connections continue across generations is something he finds deeply moving. His contribution to the community has also been recognized beyond the restaurant’s walls. Atallah was among the inaugural recipients of the Order of Ottawa in 2012, an honour recognizing residents who have made significant contributions to the city. Six years later, thenmayor Jim Watson presented him with the Key to the City for his charitable work. Much of that community work had an unlikely connection: Elvis Presley. Donna was a devoted fan, with albums and photographs that prompted Atallah to tease her about when his own picture might take their place. His friendship with journalist and fellow Elvis enthusiast Earl McRae eventually helped turn that shared interest into community fundraising. Together, Atallah and McRae cofounded the Elvis Sighting Society, which became known for raising money for local causes Through the society, they organized golf tournaments and dinners. For Atallah, the work was a way of thanking a country and city that had welcomed him. The restaurant’s Christmas meals grew from the same impulse. What began as an effort to thank the community eventually drew scores of volunteers eager to help,

GIVING

with people returning year after year to support the tradition. At its peak, Atallah recalls serving about 1,500 people on Christmas Day. He credits the volunteers and broader community with making that possible. When the Newport left its longtime Richmond Road location for a smaller restaurant at Churchill Avenue and Scott Street, there was no longer enough room to host the same gathering. The move, announced in 2012, took the Newport from a roughly 125-seat restaurant to one with fewer than 100 seats. The Christmas tradition continued in another form through Meals on Wheels, with meals delivered to seniors who might otherwise have been alone during the holidays. Atallah said that effort has since stopped. Running a restaurant for nearly

four decades has required other adjustments, too. Atallah has watched customers move toward lighter meals, salads and fresh vegetables, and believes staying attentive to their tastes is part of doing the job well. What has remained constant is his enjoyment of the work. A successful restaurant needs good recipes, he said, but its owner must also love the job and the people who come through the door. For all the years behind him, Atallah has little interest in spending his days at home. He intends to keep coming to the Newport for as long as he is able. When people ask what he would do if he won a large lottery prize, his first thought is to open another restaurant. Retirement holds less appeal. “As long as I can come to work, I will not retire,” he said.

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25 • November 2026 • GIVING

Adam Joiner

GIVING

Parkdale and Westboro food centres feeling demand ahead of holiday season

GIVING • November 2026 • 26

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By Sarah J. Harb Grocery prices haven’t gone back down. What used to be two or three bags of groceries has turned into one — often for the same cost. That difference is being felt in cupboards and fridges across Ottawa — and increasingly, at local food banks too. At the Parkdale Food Centre, even basic staples are becoming too expensive to buy at previous levels. “Things like milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs — eggs are huge,” said Beth Ciavaglia, executive director of the Parkdale Food Centre. “Those are really in-need items, but we can’t continue to purchase at the old volume. We just can’t afford it.” The strain shows up in the numbers, too. Food prices rose 27 per cent between July 2020 and July 2025, according to the 2025 Ottawa Hunger Report. In 2024, more than one in four Ottawa households — 25.7 per cent — experienced food insecurity, up from 15.3 per cent in 2019. Meanwhile, visits to programs supported by the Ottawa Food Bank have more than doubled from pre-pandemic levels, reaching 588,866 during the 2024–25 fiscal year. The Hunger Report found 72 per cent of member food banks were also having to purchase more food themselves because donations haven’t kept pace. Parkdale feels that gap directly. The centre gets about half its food from the Ottawa Food Bank; stocking the rest costs roughly $17,000 to $18,000 a month, plus another $5,000 for its community kitchen, Ciavaglia said. Demand explains much of that cost. The kitchen used to serve about 100 meals at a time, a number that’s climbed to between 150 and 170. On one recent day, it served 200.

Left: The Parkdale Food Centre says it’s seeing increased demand. PHOTO BY SIMON MCKEOWN.

Above: Volunteers at the Parkdale Food Centre. PROVIDED PHOTO.

To offset those costs, Parkdale has been partnering with local farms that share its values. “Food is a human right. Good food,” Ciavaglia said. “Everyone deserves access to good food.” Farms including Juniper Farms, Grazing Days and Terramor Farm ask customers to donate to the centre. Those funds are set aside and used to buy food directly from the farms, connecting the centre with new supporters while helping stock its shelves with fresh, local food. “It supports the local farmers, but also allows our neighbours to get the freshest, best food that we all want access to,” Ciavaglia said. The centre continues to look for partnerships with other local businesses.

DEMAND STRETCHES WESTBORO FOOD BANK

At the Westboro Region Food Bank, many of the same pressures are playing out in the basement of All Saints Anglican Church. The food bank operates twice a week — Tuesdays and Thursdays — and takes more than 30 appointments a day, with each appointment representing anywhere from one to 10 people.

That means the food bank can serve dozens — and sometimes hundreds — of people in a single day. Rev. Chung Yan Lam, associate priest at the church, oversees the food bank’s portfolio. “We used to be able to buy more with our money, and we no longer can buy as much… the need for food has increased,” Lam said. Interest rates are higher, which means landlords are charging more, Lam said, while subsidies such as Ontario Works have not kept pace with living costs. “Our food bank, which has never been intended to be a permanent solution of any kind, but a temporary band-aid of sorts continues to be overstretched to cover something that it has never been able to,” she added. Even with less buying power, the food bank has worked to keep its shelves reflective of the people it serves. Through the Ottawa Food Bank’s Global Marketplace grant, Westboro stocks culturally appropriate staples — lentils, couscous, dates, bulgur and certified halal beef — so no one has to choose between their faith or culture and going hungry. Donated pastries from Lionhearts and COBS Bread are on offer too,

something Lam said matters more than it might seem. “It’s the dignity that is returned… to be able to provide some treats,” she said. Winter brings another challenge: getting the food into people’s homes. Many clients arrive on foot, Lam said, and in snow and ice, heavy canned goods become difficult to carry. Seniors in particular can miss appointments altogether. The food bank partners with Feed the City, whose volunteers deliver food directly to seniors and others who can’t make it in during winter weather. The food bank also tries to stockpile ahead of the season, though space is tight in the church basement. Each December, it runs an “Advent calendar of giving” — a daily suggested donation item pairing staples such as canned tuna with small comforts like chocolate and cookies. The donations are used to stock a “Christmas shelf,” alongside donated gifts for children. Starting around Thanksgiving, the food bank ramps up outreach to churches, schools and businesses for food drives. On Dec. 12, the Westboro BIA will run its annual holiday campaign outside the

GIVING church, collecting donations for the food bank and two other local charities. Historically, January and February are the months when the bank experiences shortages, Lam said — part of why she’s encouraging people to think of the food bank when finalizing their year-end giving. Right now, it’s short on staples such as cereal, peanut butter and canned meat. But some of the more persistent shortages aren’t food at all: larger-size diapers, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence supplies and basic toiletries.

PARKDALE SEARCHES FOR A NEW HOME

Back at Parkdale, a different kind of challenge is looming — one that has nothing to do with the price of groceries. Its Mino’Weesini grocery program at 5 Hamilton Ave. N. is set to be displaced by redevelopment,

meaning the centre will eventually need to find a new home for the program in a neighbourhood where suitable space is scarce and costly. “We don’t want to leave the neighbourhood, and we acknowledge that space in this neighbourhood is hard to come by and very expensive,” Ciavaglia said. “There absolutely is a concern amongst all of us about that ability.” The search has already been underway for about a year. “Our worst case scenario is that we move in two years. Our best case scenario is four, but we’re really planning for now,” Ciavaglia said. “We need to put everything in motion right now.” For a centre already trying to stretch every dollar further as the number of people needing help grows, finding enough food is only part of the challenge. Soon, Parkdale will also need to find enough space to keep providing it.

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27 • November 2026 • GIVING

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he holidays are a time for giving, connection and caring for those around us. This year, remember Ottawa West Community Support when you give.

GIVING • November 2026 • 28 kitchissippi.com

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