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January 8, 2026 • Volume 39, No. 18

LOCALLY OWNED

Next edition January 22

L’édition de cette semaine à l’intérieur...

Changes in effect for 2026 By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

With the advent of the new year, there are several changes and new initiatives Orléans residents should be aware of. First of all, the cost of everything from taking the bus to taking a swim in a municipal pool has gone up as of January 1. A single-ride fare for riders 13 and over on OC Transpo and the O-Train is now $4.10 if you pay using your Presto card and $4.15 if you pay cash. The single-ride fare for preteens age 11and 12 is now $2.05 with a Presto card and $4.10 if you pay cash. The adult monthly pass was already increased to $138.50 on Dec. 15, while the senior monthly pass was increased to $59.75. Senior Para Transpo users did get one break this year. As of Jan. 1, Para Transpo users age 65 and up are eligible for four free trips a

• Custom orthotics • Heel, hip, knee & back pain • Flat feet • Swift laser

month when they use a registered Presto card to pay per trip. The free monthly trips will be issued as a refund in the form of a Presto credit at the beginning of the following month. However, the credit for the first part of the year won’t be issued until later this spring and will move to monthly credits after that point. Park & Ride rates are now $31 for a regular parking permit and $70 for a gold permit. The average water and sewer bill for urban ratepayers will increase by 4.5 per cent starting this month costing the average single-family home an extra $47.30. The solid waste services fee will increase $2 a month on the tax bill, for a total of $24 extra on the bill in 2026. The average property taxpayer will pay $267 for solid waste services in 2026. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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January 8, 2026 • Volume 39, No. 18 • 1

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

List of recyclable items grows under new collection service Continued from page 1

Orléans Lions members Kevin Frost and Sylvie Blanchette present a cheque for $1,000 to the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre representative Chad Chartrand. The money was raised in support of the Resource Centre’s Christmas program. PHOTO SUPPLIED

New Year rings in changes to blue and black bin collection

OTTAWA – As of Jan. 1, the City of Ottawa is no longer responsible for the collection of recyclables. Blue and black bins will now be collected by Miller Waste Services. As part of this new recycling system, Ottawa residents will be able to recycle more, including plastic bags, toothpaste tubes and deodorant. A full list of items can be found at circularmaterials.ca/resident-provinces/ontario/. Although the date for collecting recyclables will remain the same – blue and black bins will still be collected on alternating weeks – the time of day they are collected will vary.

Ottawa residents advised to get flu shot amid recent outbreak OTTAWA – There has been a rapid and significant rise in Influenza A across Ontario, including the Eastern Ontario region, especially among children. CHEO is reporting a higher-than-usual number of flu cases and complications for this time of year. The Medical Officers of Health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) are strongly urging everyone six months and older to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccination is especially important this season for children due to the rise in severe illness. Parents and caregivers can help protect children by being vaccinated themselves. As the vaccine takes about two weeks to reach full effectiveness, getting vaccinated now will help provide protection during the season when there is often increased circulation of the flu. While the vaccine may not always prevent infection, it still offers strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and complications. Free flu shots are available at a number of pharmacies in Orléans including Shoppers Drug Mart. It is advisable to call ahead to your local pharmacy to confirm availability.

2 • January 8, 2026 • Volume 39, No. 18

User fees for the city’s recreation facilities have gone up by 2.9 per cent across the board, along with the admission fees for the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Museum memberships have gone up as well from $39.51 last year to $40.68. On-street parking permits have also increased between 2.8 and three per cent. Winter residential parking permits have increased from $167 to $172 a month, while winter permits for a week or less have increased by $1.25 to $43. Staff have the authority to increase the maximum hourly rate for municipal parking lots in the City of Ottawa. According to the 2026 budget, the maximum hourly off-street rate in all lots for a maximum of 30 minutes will be $8 ($6.50 in 2025), while the maximum daily rate will jump $1 to $26. Fees for police and criminal record checks have also increased, as has the fee for a false alarm, which has increased $6 to $182. The cost of saying “I do” has also gone

up. The cost of a marriage license has increased from $186.55 to $192.14. The cost of a death registration has also gone up from $52.28 to $54. Although Hydro Ottawa rates have remained unchanged for 2026, the utility has filed an application to increase distribution rates $6.08 a month in 2026. If approved, the increase will come into effect on Nov. 1. Another big change this year is that the City of Ottawa will no longer responsible for the collection of recyclables. Blue and black bins will now be collected by Miller Waste Services. As part of this new recycling system, Ottawa residents will be able to recycle more, including plastic bags, toothpaste tubes and deodorant. A full list of items can be found at circularmaterials. ca/resident-provinces/ontario/. Although the date for collecting recyclables will remain the same – blue and black bins will still be collected on alternating weeks – the time of day they are collected will vary.

Friends set up GoFundMe campaign for Orléans teacher fighting cancer STAR STAFF – To say that it has not been an easy last few months for Orléans resident Ghazia Sirtaj would be the understatement of the year. The devoted teacher who dedicated her life to caring for other people’s children is now facing a mother’s worst nightmare. After losing her own children in a painful custody battle, she was recently diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 cancer. To make matters worse, upon learning of her illness, her landlord asked her to vacate the property she had been renting, leaving her to face the fight of her life without her children and, as of January 1 – without a home. The situation has escalated after new tests confirmed the cancer has spread to Ghazia’s lymph nodes. Her medical team has had to change tactics immediately, starting her on aggressive chemotherapy and hormone therapy as of Jan. 5 to stop the cancer from spreading further before surgery can be performed. In effort to help her out financially during her treatment, a group of friends

have set up a GoFundMe page. with the goal of raising $ 35,000. According to the page’s administrators, $9,000 will be used to pay for the immunity and hormone injections, which are not covered by the health care system. A further $5,000 will be used to cover the first and last months’ rent on a new apartment, plus moving costs. Another $5,000 will be spent on creating a “sterile” environment in the new apartment which includes the purchase of a new bed, mattress, hypoallergenic household items and specific clothing to create a sterile space where she can go through treatment without worrying about infection. The lion’s share of the money, $16,000, will be used to cover day-to-day expenses for the next six months. Due to her illness and the treatment she requires, Ghazia who works on contract, is unable to continue teaching. As of Jan. 3, $12,126 had been raised, fulfilling 35 per cent of the $35,000 goal. To find out more visit gofundme.com and search for “A Teacher’s Fight for Life”.

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

More than 400 east end residents rang in the New Year with a New Year’s Day fireworks display behind the Richcraft Sensplex in Canotek Park on Jan. 1. The spectacular fireworks display began at 7:45 p.m. and ended just after 8 p.m. with a grand finale that included several large bursts. The early start time was scheduled to allow children to attend the event which also included free hot chocolate and music provided by DJ Animal. The event was co-hosted by Beacon HillCyrville city councillor Tim Tierney and Jeff Kaluski, past president of the Beacon Hill Community Association. Among the VIPs who shared the stage with Tierney and Kaluski was Orléans West-Innes councillor Laura Dudas, Orléans East-Cumberland councillor Matt Luloff, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Vanier MP Mona Fortier. In the lead-up to the fireworks, Tierney said he was thrilled with the turnout, especially when you consider the event coincided with one of the coldest nights of the winter so far, with the temperature dropping to -17 by 7 p.m.

The event also marked the unofficial kick-off of the city’s 200th anniversary. The original settlement of Bytown was first founded in 1826 on the south side of the Ottawa River, across from Wright’s Town which eventually became Hull and is now present day Gatineau. Bytown was originally established by land speculators after the British military announced plans to build a canal from the Ottawa River to the St. Lawrence using parts of the Rideau River. They chose the name Bytown after the project’s chief engineer Colonel John By. By the time the Rideau Canal was completed in 1832, Bytown’s population had grown to 1,000 inhabitants. In 1855, Bytown was renamed Ottawa and incorporated as a city, and two years later Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as the future capital city of Canada. Ottawa’s 200th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year with a number of events to be held across the city using the theme “Celebrate Together” with a focus on civic pride, diversity and shared stories. The biggest event announced so far is a special day at the Ottawa Bluesfest planned

FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

Canotek Park site of New Year’s Day fireworks display

Close to 400 people gathered behind the Richcraft Sensplex in Canotek Park on New Year’s Day to watch a spectacular fireworks display. for July 19 featuring Canadian rockers The Guess Who. The commemoration will also include outdoor youth and family-friendly events at Marion Dewar Plaza, the launch of the “downtown Arts, Culture and Entertainment District” with mural and asphalt art projects, and 200th anniversary programming and/or

branding integrated with existing festivals and events. The Historical Society of Ottawa is sharing stories about Bytown’s history for the bicentennial on its website and it plans to hold a special 2026 Bytown200 speaker series throughout the year at the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library.

January 8, 2026 • Volume 39, No. 18 • 3

Happy New Year In years past, I’ve used the first newspaper of the New Year to opine about the possibilities of the year ahead with a certain amount of optimism. I mean, if you can’t be optimistic from the outset, there’s no place to go but downhill. Heading into 2026, my optimism is a product of my feeling that things can’t possible get any worse than the year we’ve just been through. Let’s face it, we’re not starting from the best of places. Russia and Ukraine are still at war, Palestinians in Gaza, including children, are still getting killed despite a negotiated ceasefire and Donald Trump is still president of the United States. If that doesn’t make you want to take up residency in the nearest mountain cave for the next 12 months, nothing will. With that said, there are still several things to be optimistic about as we turn the page on 2025 and begin a brand new year. First and foremost is the fact that the east end extension of the O-Train should finally be open to commuters in 2026. Exactly, when it will be open in 2026 is anybody’s guess. The hope is that it will be open sometime this spring. When it finally does open, the trains will be able to pick up passengers at the Trim Road Park & Ride, Place d’Orléans, Orléans Blvd. and Jeanne d’Arc Blvd., and take them all the way downtown and points further west. That will be good news to City of Ottawa employees who were expected to return to the work spaces five days a week starting this week. It will also be good news to federal government workers who already must return to work a minimum of three days a week. 2026 is also an election year. After having both a provincial and federal election in 2025, Ottawa residents will be heading to the polls next fall to elect a new city council. Here in the east end, that will very likely mean re-electing all four incumbent city councillors, all of whom deserve to be re-elected. It also means that Mark Sutcliffe will also likely be re-elected, as it’s almost impossible for an incumbent to lose, especially an incumbent who is completely devoid of any controversy. 2026 will also include its share of distractions starting with the Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy, in February. Orléans native Rachel Homan has a very real shot at winning a medal in women’s curling and Orléans speedskaters Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann have a legitimate chance to add to the medals they won in Beijing in 2022. Last but by no means least, 2026 is also the year Canada will compete in the World Cup of Soccer on home soil. So while 2025 didn’t turn out to be as wonderful as we had hoped, 2026 could still make up for it. – Fred Sherwin, publisher

Jody Maffett

Editor The Orléans Star

Fred Sherwin

Owner and publisher

fsherwin@orleansstar.ca

Jean-Marc Pacelli Editor L’Orléanais

The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication distributed to over 40,000 residences in Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.

4 • January 8, 2026 • Volume 39, No. 18

The quiet crisis facing boys and young men in today’s society I want to talk about something many parents, to mothers; moms concerned about sons who teachers, coaches and employers are already noticing: are struggling to find confidence, direction and the growing challenges facing boys and young men. belonging. This isn’t about blame or There is another quieter ideology. It’s about outcomes, consequence we rarely discuss: and the trends are hard to ignore. family formation. As educational From an early age, boys are and economic gaps widen, it more likely to struggle in school, becomes harder for young adults particularly with literacy. They to form stable relationships. are more likely to disengage, to Highly educated women report be disciplined, and to fall behind difficulty finding partners with Stephen Blais academically. By post-secondary similar stability and goals, while education, young women enroll and graduate at much many young men feel disconnected from pathways higher rates than young men, a gap that continues to work and purpose. The result is delayed family into the labour market where many young men face formation and greater isolation. instability and underemployment. In Orléans, these trends are not abstract. They The consequences ripple outward. Young men appear in conversations with parents, coaches and are more likely to experience substance abuse, employers trying to keep young men engaged. homelessness and involvement with the justice system. Addressing these challenges does not mean taking Mental health indicators are especially troubling: men anything away from girls and young women. Helping make up the majority of suicide deaths, yet are the boys succeed strengthens families and communities as least likely to seek help. Too often, we talk about these a whole. issues only after something has gone wrong. As we await the Legislature’s return at the end of When boys and young men feel disconnected March, this is an issue I will be working on, listening, from school, work, and purpose, many retreat further learning, and pushing for practical, evidence-based online. There, algorithms reward grievance and solutions. outrage. Some are pulled into spaces that reinforce This conversation is long overdue. resentment, fuel misogyny and normalize hostility This work starts with listening. That means hearing toward women. We increasingly see the real-world from educators, coaches, parents, and young men consequences of this dynamic, including gender- themselves, and grounding future action in evidence, based harm and, in extreme cases, violence. not ideology, so solutions strengthen opportunity, Many of the most worried voices I hear belong responsibility, and belonging.

Queen’s Park Corner

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The Orléans Orléans Star Star would would like like to to honour honour the the many many local local businesses businesses The and organizations organizations whose whose continued continued support support makes makes it it possible possible to to and publish this this newspaper. newspaper. publish Our community community is is truly truly blessed blessed by by business business owners owners who who are are Our tremendously supportive supportive of of our our minor minor sports sports teams, teams, artists artists and and tremendously neighbourhood events events from from Navan Navan to to Blackburn Blackburn Hamlet. Hamlet. neighbourhood Now, more more than than ever, ever, they they need need our our support support to to make make it it through through Now, these difficult difficult times. times. Please Please support support your your local local business business in in these whatever way way you you can. can. whatever Fred Sherwin, Sherwin, Owner Owner –– Fred Orléans Star, Star, L’Orléanais L’Orléanais Orléans

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News of Ottawa’s first baby of 2026 sparks racist comments - “Great news more Indian people, they replecate by thousends (sic) every millisecond” – itoldyouso_50 - “that’s not a Canadian baby” – byronmack22 - “they’re multiplying like a disease” – spinge.binge These are just a couple samples of the several dozen negative comments that were left on a “613trending” Instagram post about the first baby born in Ottawa in 2026, who just happened to have parents of East Indian descent. Dixabahen and Mehulkumar Patel welcomed their baby boy 23 minutes after midnight at the Montfort Hospital. News of the birth didn’t hit the Internet until 12 hours later. It took less than a nanosecond for the scumbags to come out of the woodwork and start spewing their ridiculous comments. Most accused the baby of not being Canadian, because how could he be if his parents are of East Indian descent? Well, number one, they are assuming the parents aren’t already Canadian or naturalized citizens. And number two, the last time I checked, if you are born in Canada to parents who live this country you are born Canadian. Several of the posts referred to the new-

Up Front Fred Sherwin born as an “anchor baby”. This is a new one for me. I had never heard of that term before, so I decided to search the term on Google and two references popped up – one Canadian and one American. The Canadian reference described “anchor” as an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident who agrees to support a relative’s immigration application and help them settle in Canada. The anchor provides financial support for basic needs like housing and food for a specific period (e.g., one year) and assists with integration into Canadian society. The American reference was much more onerous. It defined “anchor baby” as a derogatory and offensive term for a child born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents. Because of birthright citizenship under the 14h Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,

the child is automatically a U.S. citizen. The term implies that the parents had the child specifically to create an “anchor” that could eventually help the family gain legal residency or citizenship. All of which made me pause for thought. Perhaps some of the racist comments that appeared on the post did not originate in Canada. Perhaps they came from south of the border from people who had confused Ottawa, Canada, with Ottawa, Illinois, or Ottawa, Kansas. After all, the far right in the United States aren’t exactly known for being the sharpest tools in the shed. But then I realized it only explains a small portion of the comments. The fact of the matter is that racism is alive and festering in Canada and the racists comments left on the post proves just that. And here I thought I was going to write a whimsical column about the futility of making New Year’s resolutions. Most Canadians don’t see this country as being overtly racist and for the most part we aren’t, at least not on the scale of our neighbours to the south. And to be clear, the post did register over 2,500 likes and the vast majority of the 418 comments were congratulatory. But there are racists among us and prob-

ably more than you think – much more. There are the racists out there who feel emboldened by the anti-immigration rhetoric in the U.S. and across the pond in Europe. And then there are the closet racist who begin every discussion about immigration with the words “I’m not racist, but...” These are the people who think Canada is being overrun by immigrants even though only 1,347,715 respondents to the 2021 Census identified their country of origin as India which makes up less than four per cent of the population. 65,555 respondents identified their country of origin as Somalia, or 0.6 per cent of the population. 1,775,715 respondents identified themselves as being Muslim, or 4.9 per cent of the population and 1,600,000 identified themselves of either being Hindu or Sikh, or 4.4 per cent of the population. Not exactly overwhelming numbers. But try to explain that to your average racist who thinks Canada is being overwhelmed by immigrants. The fact of the matter is you can’t and never will. You can’t convert a racist any more than you can convert a staunch homophobe. All you can do is call them out when you see their racist comments and relegate them to the fringe of society where they belong.

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2026, we’ll see an unprecedented number of residential road renewals and progress on a massive expansion of the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans, resulting in a brand-new gymnasium. We will see the LRT fully extend all the way to Trim. Our community will be even greener with well over 1,000 trees planted at the former St. Joseph Boulevard convent property. And of course, my favourite part: getting to connect with you at events across the community in celebrating everything that makes this incredible place we call home so special. Every passing day reaffirms the decision my family made all those years ago to put our roots down here. I’m equally grateful for all of you – the residents whose passion and commitment make our community and our city incredible. Here’s to a year of progress, connection and shared community pride. Happy New Year everyone!

There’s something special about skating volunteer-run outdoor rinks, with opening in the winter. Whether it’s a quiet glide dates dependent on weather conditions. under the lights, a pick-up game with These rinks offer safe, monitored spaces friends or helping kids to skate and are a great take their first steps on way to connect with the ice, skating brings neighbours. Tim people together and Safety should always Tierney come first on the ice. keeps us active during the colder months. Frozen stormwater As the season gets ponds, rivers and creeks underway, it’s a good Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward 11 may look solid, but time to think about how we can enjoy the they are unpredictable and dangerous. Ice ice safely – and responsibly. thickness can change quickly, and skating With groundwater levels still recovering, on natural ice can be life-threatening. the City is asking residents with private For everyone’s safety, it’s best to stick to wells to skip building backyard rinks this maintained rinks. winter. Maintaining an outdoor rink takes Protective gear also makes a difference. a significant amount of water and can place Falls happen – even to experienced skaters. strain on household wells and nearby water Wearing a CSA-certified helmet can help systems. Choosing a shared community prevent serious head injuries. The City rink is a simple way to help conserve water requires children aged 10 and under to wear while still enjoying winter activities. helmets in indoor arenas, and it’s a smart All community outdoor rinks, including habit for skaters of all ages. those in rural areas that use well water By choosing safe places to skate, wearing systems, will open this season following proper safety gear, and looking out for one consultation with conservation authorities. another, we can all enjoy a fun, active and The City supports more than 250 safe winter on the ice.

IN MEMORIAM

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD SATURDAY, JAN. 10 THE ORLEANS BREWING CO. presents an acoustic concert by Justin Gow from 7 to 10 p.m. No cover with consumption. The Orleans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. TUESDAY, JAN. 13 NEW YEAR’S LEVEE hosted by the Orléans Conservatives from 7 p.m. at the Orleans Brewing Company (OBC), 4380 Innes Rd. across from Precision Automotive. Complimentary snacks for everyone and both the bar and kitchen will be open for business. TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub

is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d’Arc. For more info visit facebook.com/ RoyalOakPubsOrleans. MUSIC BINGO at the Orléans Brewing Co. from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. hosted by Shine Karaoke. Free to play with consumption. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. across from Precision Automotive. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14 TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Reservations are a must to secure a spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way. OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the

Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, tabasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., across from Precision Automotive. THURSDAY, JAN. 15 OPEN MIC NIGHT at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way. Registration begins at 7 p.m. Music at 8 p.m. with your host Matthew Palmer. FRIDAY, JAN. 16 SDBC TAPROOM CONCERTS PRESENTS Rory Taillon live and in concert at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 510 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Doors open 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

André Dufault, 66 Passed away on December 23, 2025 Peter William Murdock, 65 Passed away on December 17, 2025 Robert “Bob” Burns, 93 Passed away on December 13, 2025

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January 8, 2026 • Volume 39, No. 18 • 11

Several local businesses celebrating milestones in 2026 By Jody Maffett The Orléans Star

A number of local businesses will be celebrating significant milestones in 2026, starting with the Régimbal Group which will be celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Horace Régimbal started the business in 1926 as a jewelry and watch repair shop which operated in the backroom of a barbershop on Sussex Drive. Four years later, he moved the business to Dalhousie Street. At the end of World War II, he moved the business again to Marier Avenue in Vanier. After Horace’s death in 1960, his three sons Jean, Jacques and Pierre took over the business and eventually branched out into the trophy making. In 1992, the company’s current owners Luc Régimbal and Stéphane Giroux took over the business.

By 1996, the company was flourishing has grown into the largest health food and and Luc and Stéphane decided to open supplement store in Orléans. up a second location on Youville Drive in Two other local businesses will be celeOrléans where they remained until 2014 brating their 30th anniversary in 2026. when they moved to a much bigger location Precision Automotive on Vantage Drive in Canotek Park, where they have become first opened in 1996. Since then, owner Rob the “go to” place for trophies and plaques Brouwer has grown the business into the and other promotional items. largest automotive service centre in Orléans, But the Régimbal Group isn’t the only with 10 bays, six licensed technicians and business celebrating an milestone in 2026. three apprentice technicians. S&R Plumbing will be marking it’s 40th Sticking with the theme of family run anniversary this year, as will the Orléans businesses that are celebrating anniversaries Star which turns 40 on May 16. in the area, Rob’s son Spencer is now an The Little Turkish Village Restaurant on integral part of Precision’s day-to-day St. Joseph Blvd. will be turning 35 in 2026 operations. along with Pantry Plus. The other local business that will be Pantry Plus was started in 1991 by Gilles celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 is and Lynda Chenier as a health food store at the Garlic King and owner Adel Azzi. the corner of St. Joseph and Orléans Blvd. The now-famous shawarma and donair Over time and as the business continued restaurant started out as Really Lebanese to grow, their daughter Nathalie took on the T:10.25" Food in 1996 in Alta Vista. day-to-day operations of the business which In 1999, he moved to a modest location on

St. Joseph Blvd. next to the Dairy Queen. At the same time he rebranded the business as “The Garlic King” and he took on the role of figurehead and spokesman. Dressed in full royal-purple velvet regalia with a golden crown and sceptre, Adel would often do promotional appearances on local radio and TV, repeating his signature catchphrase, “I am the Garlic King, I can do anything.” From there, the business took off, with no looking back. After moving to Montreal Road in Beacon Hill for several years, the Garlic King returned to Orléans and its current location at 2586 St. Joseph Blvd. in 2021. During the past 30 years the Garlic King has been recognized for serving up the “Best Shawarma in Ottawa” several times by three generations of loyal customers. So there are just five of the local businesses that will celebrating milestones in 2026.

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12 • January 8, 2026 • Volume 39, No. 18

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