The Ottawan Newsletter

QUOTE

[W]hat surprised me when I got here, is how thirsty people were for this, how much they wanted [a thriving scene]
– Night mayor Mathieu Grondin, on the one year anniversary of his appointment, in one of the better interviews he has done. He also admitted: ‘I might not be allowed to say it, but I think Kettleman’s Bagels are as good as Montréal’s’.

– Willemijn Bunskoek in Apartment 613

SPORTS

⚽ Canadian Championship Atlético Ottawa 1 – Vancouver FC 0, yesterday
Despite the win yesterday, Atlético still loses on total points and is out of the Canadian Championship.

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WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

No meetings Monday

Agenda

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

🖐️ Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has announced his five point plan to make Ottawa the most housing-friendly city in Canada. The Mayor’s five steps are:

Simplify the regulatory environment and expedite approvals processes
Evolve city culture to be housing development friendly
Introduce more flexibility in fees and charges
Consolidate and strengthen capacity for Affordable Housing development
Unlock urban intensification and Transit-Oriented Development

. – City of Ottawa

🚕 Blue Line Taxi drivers have gone on strike today. The 494 drivers are members of the union, Unifor, which says the issue is over the taxi stand fee – the amount that cab owners must pay the taxi company, Coventry Connections. Cabs currently pay $435 per month to the company in order to pick up fares. Coventry wants to increase it to $550 per month now, $600 in 2026, and $650 by 2027. Other Ottawa services are not affected. – Nathan Fung and Jayden Dill at CBC

🚨 Expect traffic snarls downtown this weekend – pick your routes and travelling methods carefully.

The most number of street closures will be Sunday because of Canada’s Army Run. Closures will be in effect from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. Check out the City’s page for details.

Whether or not the Draw the Line movement gets the 40,000 people it hopes to come tomorrow, it has asked those who want to ‘build a renewable future’, ‘uphold Indigenous sovereignty’, ‘fight for migrant justice’, ‘stand up for peace and democracy’, and invest in people and public services to bring their bikes to the corner of Elgin at Wellington at at 11:00 am.

And on Monday, the Assez c’est assez of Québec truck drivers will cross the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge to Boteler Street, turn around, and travel back to Gatineau. The rolling protest starts at 5:00 am and is protesting what the Québec trucking industry’s lax training standards and weak enforcement.

🛫 The US Air Force has an explanation about why one of its rare Boeing E3 Sentry airborne warning and control system planes was flying around Ottawa Tuesday. It was for training, ‘beginning in Bangor, Maine.’ said a US Air Combat Command spokesperson and included a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot ‘as a co-manner pilot on board with the training crew’. – Ted Raymond at CTV

When asked Wednesday about the distinctive looking plane, Defence Minister David McGuinty said ‘I know nothing about it’.

Former deputy commander of North American Aerospace Defence Command, retired RCAF Lieutenant-General Christopher Coate, said there are three reasons one of these planes would circle a city: ‘It may have been conducting a routine training mission, providing enhanced security for an event, or ensuring the military has an up-to-date ‘air picture’ of the region’. – CBC

↪ While you can no longer fly Air Canada to England this winter, you will be able to take the airline to Fredericton and Moncton. Starting December 15, Air Canada will fly daily between both cities and Ottawa. Air Canada announced the other day that it would be ceasing Ottawa – London flights for the winter October 25.

↪ One more ViaRail train on the Toronto – Ottawa route is dropping stations. Train 50, which originates in Toronto, won’t be stopping in Belleville or Kingston any longer. The new schedule begins September 29.

🌊 The Museum of History has reopened after being closed for a few days due to two watermain breaks in Gatineau. The boil water advisory around Rue Laurier is still in effect. – The Ottawa Citizen

THE DAILY POLL

What can the City do to create more affordable housing?

Reduce or eliminate fees charged to developers

Provide no-interest loans to groups who want to build apartments or coöps

Create a department to direct where and when housing should be created

Remove zoning and approve everything as it comes

Other

Previously in ottawan polls:
We asked, ‘Do you think the City should keep fighting the golf course over green space in Kanata?’
- 12% Yes, Kanata is known for its green space
- 16% No, the Courts have decided the golf course can build houses
- 39% This just seems so Ottawa: complex, based on ancient contracts, and ultimately developers do what they want
- 33% This just seems so Ottawa: against development in Kanata but full speed ahead on Tewin
Commentary

▪️ “Developers always win. They give substantial donations to elect local mayor and enough friendly councillors. Developers win either on Council or with ruthless lawyers in the courts. There are some ethical good developers but they are outnumbered.”

▪️ “A golf course is not green space.”

▪️ “What can the city fight? Once the courts have rendered a judgment, and the Supreme Court has declined to intervene, there is not much fighting left.”

▪️ “As a resident of Kanata Lakes, can we please move on? We need more housing. Golf course does not = green space.”

▪️ “So why does the greenspace agreement lapse because the city of Kanata no longer exist but the stupid plan to put a tunnel under Terry Fox Drive is still alive?”

▪️ “Disappointingly as usual, developers get to do whatever they choose.”

▪️ “This seems like a real shame but not surprising sadly.”

▪️ “Cynical part of me thinks City knew that there was faint hope of winning but went through the theatre of ‘standing with’ Kanata voters, while never actually threatening developer interests.”

▪️ “We need more housing and that means green space will have to be sacrificed for future generations. Less housing equal higher cost. If we have more housing there is a better chance to keep housing costs from rising so drastically.”

▪️ “Green space is very important in a city.”

▪️ “Golf courses are monumental wastes of land, water, and time. We need homes (preferably affordable, unlikely in Kanata). Grass is useless. Maybe stop cutting down the small woods to develop expensive condos.”

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THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR

Is there an event we should know about?
Please use our easy event submission form

✳️ Means change from previous edition

FRIDAY

✳️ You have hours left to bid in the Walk for Dementia Auction
🆓 No tickets are required at the Cranium Festival show at Ogilvy Square. See PVRX, Banggz, Mindflip, Theolodge, and Queenn perform. Testament will be the host, other music provided by DJ Karyen.
🆓 Watch the classic The Great Dictator in Beechwood Cemetery.
Art Battle is back at Overflow. Every round is 20 minutes of pure talent and creativity.
The Quilt Walk is back today through Sunday at 2477 Huntley Road in Stittsville. If you’re unfamiliar, it's Mad About Patchwork’s outdoor pathway lined with 200 quilts in a dazzling collection of colours and patterns.
Performed by the Odessa Orchestra & Friends and the Nairobi Chamber Chorus, conducted by Grammy-nominated Matt Dunkley, and curated by the composer himself, The World of Hans Zimmer brings the music of the movies to life. Canadian Tire Centre.
The Lionyls release their new EP ‘Leona’ at the Gladstone Theatre tonight, supported by The New Hires and Loch Nisse Monster.
The Ottawa Wine Auction in support of Music & Beyond will be led by guest auctioneer Stephen Ranger. Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, Woodside Hall, from 6:30 pm.
ByTowne Cinema: Peak Everything (Amour apocalypse), The History of Sound, Deconstructing Abbey Road with Scott Freiman, Drunken Cinema: Mean Girls
Mayfair Theatre: Splitsville, Riefenstahl, The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Gigs
Close Enough. No Go Coffee Co (Osgoode)
I’m in Love Indie Dance Pop. The 27 Club
80s Dance Party with DJ Remi Royale and One Vision. House of TARG
Pimienta. Art House
The Bush Pilots, Ken Dirschl. Irene’s Pub
Sussex. Rainbow Bistro

SATURDAY

Today’s festivals:

✳️ The 14th annual Asinabka Festival is excited to present the best contemporary Indigenous film, music, and arts from Canada and around the world. Until Sunday at Club SAW.
✳️ The all-ages, feel-good Kichesippi Shores Music Festival returns to BeetBox Co-Op Farm on Saturday September 20. Enjoy live music from 1:00 pm to 11: 00 pm, food trucks, and a chill vibe.
The inaugural Kanata Craft Beer Festival’s full day features pours from some of your favourite brewers.
🆓 Cranium Festival continues: Juno-award winning Canadian actress and R&B singer Aqyila takes to the stage.
↪ Join the cool kids at the Cranium Afterparty at Hyde & Seek. You'll need to pay for this one.
🆓 Billed as the ‘world's longest street festival’ Taste of Wellington is a massive street party with tastings from many Hintonburg and Wellington Village restaurants, live music, circus acts, activities for kids, and local shopping, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Donations to Parkdale Food Centre are always welcome.
🚗 🆓 Road Trip: Ogle the classic and vintage automobiles at Milliken Landscaping Garden Centre’s 2nd Annual Car Show in Braeside. Visit the food trucks and Cold Bear Brewing when you need sustenance.

Today’s markets:

Cheerfully Made leaves the charm of Almonte behind for their big Ottawa Fall Market at Bells Sensplex 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission $5
Ottawa Mystic Market sets up at Next Door. Find all the candles and witchy decor that you need for the season. Continues tomorrow.
🥕 Road Trip Go to Carleton Place Farmers Market Harvest Festival for the vendors and stay for the petting zoo.
Cumberland Heritage Village Museum’s annual Harvest Market is an outdoor experience with vendors, crafters, farmers, and food.
After a successful inaugural summer session, Metcalfe Plaza waves goodbye to the 2025 session with a Closing Party by White Rabbit. The outdoor rain or shine event gets underway at 5:00 pm.
The Richmond Fair begins with a parade.
✳️ Visit the neighbourhood of New Edinburgh for the community wide Garage Sale. It’s happening on lawns, porches, and driveways all over the area.
✳️ Curious about kilts? The Scottish Society of Ottawa presents a virtual visit from Tartan Historian Peter Macdonald in Scotland. 11:00 am at the Royal Oak in Centrepointe. $15 per person.
Katimavik Craft Sale is a hyper-local event in Kanata that features 14 makers and entrepreneurs.
There are so many artists taking part in the West End Studio Tour that it takes two weekends to visit them all. Check it out today or tomorrow and again next weekend.
🆓 Take a midday break with Ottawa Music Industry Coalition's City Sounds Live, at Fourth Avenue Baptist Church in the Glebe.
Mad About Patchwork’s gorgeous outdoor Quilt Walk gallery continues in Stittsville.
Pull the dirndl and lederhosen out of the closet because it’s time for Oktoberfest at Tavern at the Gallery.
There are 11:00 am starting points in Ottawa and Gatineau for the Draw the Line Ottawa-Gatineau March and Rally at the US Embassy.
Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club presents its 57th Annual Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show and Sale at Nepean Sportsplex. $8 admission; kids 12 and under free.
ByTowne Cinema: Sing-Along: The Greatest Showman, Peak Everything (Amour apocalypse), The History of Sound, City on Fire
Mayfair Theatre: Riefenstahl, Splitsville, D(e)ad

Gigs
The Dirty Nil, Heart Attack Man, Spite House. Bronson Centre Music Theatre
Keith Urban. Canadian Tire Centre
The Barrow Gang. Carleton Tavern

SUNDAY

🆓 Cranium Festival’s final day starts with a dance battle at Ogilvy Square by House of Paint. No ticket required.
Catch Cheko7even, Raxx, Teigwan The Trip, J Chinnasz, YardBoyK, Niyah Ritch, JustJamaal ThePoet & JAAWORD, Theolodge, Badda & Fauxcuss in concert at the final show of this year’s Cranium Festival Tickets $15.
Let Heritage Ottawa guide you down one of Ottawa's prettiest streets, Island Park Drive. Learn about the history of the street and its connection to the NCC, as well as famous residents over the last century.
Pawsitive Steps Dog Rescue visits Stray Dog Brewing Co for a fall-fest for pup lovers. Meet animals looking for forever homes, give your doggo a Bark-cuterie board (or have his or her ears cleaned), and enjoy the human kid-friendly activities too.
The day that many have been training for is finally here. Will you run the 5K, the 10K, or the Half Marathon in the Ottawa Army Run? Maybe you’ll be cheering on the runners and walkers. All races start near Ottawa City Hall.
Asinabka Festival continues at Club SAW
Join the 1K Walk for Dementia and help the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfew support caregivers and people living with Dementia.
Whiprsnpr Brewing is going to have a chill Harvest event this afternoon with the release of its IPA, Hop On It!
Ottawa Mystic Market continues at Next Door.
Sean Collins steps up to the mic at Yuk Yuk’s Ottawa West.
ByTowne Cinema: Golden Age: Gold Diggers of 1933, The History of Sound, Peak Everything (Amour apocalypse), Spectacle: La Haine
Mayfair Theatre: Wolf Children, Riefenstahl, Megalopolis

Gigs
Plain Jane and the Crossroads Blues Band. Rainbow Bistro
GodzillaWTDTDT. Acid Moth, Rotual. Avant-Garde Bar
Al Wood and the Woodsmen. Irene’s Pub
The Sunday Night Revue. Irene's Pub

MONDAY

🆓 Think you’re Ottawa’s biggest Swiftie? Be fearless. The Taylor Swift Music Bingo Night at Boston Pizza Barrhaven could prove you right.
Oktoberfest fun isn’t just for weekends. The Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern’s Steinholding Competition will feature Beyond the Pale’s four Oktoberfest beers but the highlight will be the traditional stein hoist.
ByTowne Cinema: Peak Everything (Amour apocalypse), The History of Sound, Spectacle: La Haine
Mayfair Theatre: Splitsville, Wolf Children, Magadoc

Gigs
Yungblud. Hard Rock Live
Stick to Your Guns, Big Ass Truck, Soulkeeper, Burn the Evidence. Overflow Brewing
Karaoke Mondaze. Atomic Rooster

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

Ottawa Farm Fresh’s Carrot Fest is the most fun you'll have pulling veggies from the soil.
JoJo CoCo’s Chocolate with... Wine event offers five of each in a cozy evening with sommelier Robert White. $55 per person plus tax. Thursday October 16 at 7:00 pm. Call for tickets or visit the store. 613-435-7722