Hello Ottawa

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• 6

• – Where Ottawa is found on a list of Canada’s Sexiest Cities according to some report by an online adult toy purveyor. Victoria is number one.

  However, more is going on than previously assumed in the Ottawa Valley, as Pembroke, Petawawa, and Carleton Place were deemed the #1, #2, and #5 sexiest towns in Canada. 

OTTAWANS OF THE DAY

• Marc Marier and Joanne Higgs

• – As teens, the two dated at Highland Park High School then went their separate ways. Forty plus years later, they are dating once again, having been reunited at their supportive housing, the Hope Living residence.

• When Higgs originally asked ‘Are you Marc from Highland Park?’, Marier took out a piece of paper from his wallet with her high school phone number on it, which he had kept it all these years.

• Bruce Deachman in the Ottawa Citizen

QUOTE

• Why do people with disabilities or seniors . . . have to be picked up at the back of the building in the same way they deliver and pick packages?

– Ottawa City Council’s accessibility advisory committee member Ana Maria Cruz-Valderrama on how Para Transpo has ‘pushed riders to a breaking point’.

• Lelah Shaheen in Capital Current

• 
  SPORTS

• 🏒 OHL Ottawa 67s 3 – Peterborough Petes 7, yesterday

• 🏒 CHL Les Olympiques de Gatineau 1 – Le Phœnix de Sherbrooke 2, yesterday

• 

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  WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

  No meetings Monday

  Meetings and agendas

  

  WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

  🚨 A 13 year-old girl has been seriously injured by a chairlift in a ski hill near Wakefield. The girl was on a school ski trip to Centre Vorlage yesterday when her clothes got tangled as she disembarked at the top. She has been taken to CHEO.  – David Fraser at CBC 

  
  📚 Algonquin College puts the cancellation of 30 programmes on pause. The Provincial government has lifted the moratorium on tuition fees for colleges and universities today and changed the some student loan programmes to debt rather than grants, in addition to an extra $6 billion to total funding.  – Josh Pringle at CTV

  
  🚑 City Council has approved building a new paramedic centre in Barrhaven. The current building in Heron Gate was designed for 350 staff and 80 ambulances, it currently handles 900 staff and 160 ambulances. The new centre will be built at 4061 Strandherd Dr, near the Costco.  – Natasha O’Neill at CityNews

  
  📝 Arnprior is getting its Service Ontario branch back. The town had one for many years until it was closed during the pandemic – yes, we know it is ‘not over’, no need to write to us – and never reopened. The new branch will open at 74 River Road in late February.  – Oldies 107.7

  
  🗞️ Shawville’s weekly newspaper, The Equity, is seeking applications for a two month local journalism internship. They can even provide a studio apartment if needed.  – The Equity

  

  THE DAILY POLL

  Is Ottawa really Canada’s #6 sexiest city?

  🔘 Yes, if you rank it out of 100

  🔘 Yes, if you rank it out of six

  🔘 There is nothing sexier than a city that goes to bed at a decent hour, gets up early, and keeps a steady pace

  🔘 We should have some sort of Heated Rivalry with Oslo to spice things up

  • 
    Previously in ottawan polls:

  • We asked, ‘Do you have any dating horror stories?’

    • 20% Yes, but I’m not going to tell you

    • 16% Yes, and I’ll put it in the commentary

    • 42% No, and I have nothing to say

    • 22% No, and I’ll tell you all about it in the commentary

    •  
      Commentary

  ▪️ “Having a coffee and the guy keeps trying to look down my top! Needless to say, that was our only date!!!”​​​
  
  ▪️ “A guy shouldn’t have to see a girl naked to realize that he’s not over his ex. 🤷‍♀️”​​​
  
  ▪️ “No dating fiasco stories to tell or I would. Sorry :(”​​​
  
  ▪️ “I’ve been dating my partner since we were in highschool, so I have never opened a dating app. Not gonna lie, pretty curious about how terrible the experience is.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “We tried to go for a romantic walk along the canal but it was late in the year and it had been drained. It was dark and smelled overwhelmingly like dying fish. 0/10 stars for both of us, and the fish presumably.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “What happens in Ottawa stays under wraps in Ottawa – after all we are a government town!”​​​

  
  There was one other comment that probably should have started with, ‘Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me ...’ and that we are declining to print. However, we advise our correspondent that they may find Pembroke quite welcoming.

  

  HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

  Talisman Motor Inn T-Shirt The Beachcomber Room tiki bar at the Talisman Motor Inn was where Ottawa swingers could be found in the early 60s Help support the ottawan by buying one of our historic logo t-shirts. Shop for t-shirts

  

  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

  • ✳️ Winterlude 2026 goes out with a bang this weekend. The weather couldn't have been better for the festival, and while it looks like cold is finally easing up there’s still plenty to do in Confederation Park, Gatineau's Jacques-Cartier Park, Sparks Street, ByWard Market, and other locations 'round town.

  • ✳️ The Gatineau Loppet is the largest international cross-country skiing event in Canada (Gatineau).  

  • Kaskade headlines at Igloofest, with guests Swimming Paul and Queenyy.  Place des Festivals Zibi (Gatineau) 

  • North + Rose lead a cozy Valentine’s Day Candle Class at Lume Club. (Manotick) 

  • Club 90s brings you a Heated Rivalry Night, where there is no doubt that smouldering glances will be flying across the dance floor.  Bronson Centre Music Theatre (Somerset Ward)  

  • Capital Tease Burlesque takes over Stray Dog Brewing for STRUT, where craft beer meets classic - and classy - striptease.(Orléans)   

  • Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures continues at Canadian Tire Centre (Kanata) 

  • August: Osage County continues for four more performances at Gladstone Theatre.  

  • The Piano Teacher continues at GCTC

  Cinema

  • ByTowne Cinema: The Secret Agent, Hamnet, Sirat, Galentine’s Interactive: Breaking Dawn Part 2

  • Mayfair Theatre: The Choral, All That’s Left Of You, Jason X 

  Gigs

  • Questionable Behaviour Trivia. Overflow Brewing

  • Uno. The Prescott

  • Look Upon the Heart + Closeout + Somet + Curl. Rainbow Bistro

  • Kasador, The New Hires, Loch Nisse Monster. Club SAW

  • Beer & Bingo. Calabogie Brewing Kanata Taproom

  SATURDAY

  • ✳️ 🆓 From the street curling to the horse-drawn wagon rides, there’s lots going on at ByWard Market today. 

  • ✳️ The Royal Canadian Mint marks 2026 Lunar New Year with the chance to strike your own Year of the Horse themed token (ByWard Market)

  • Steve Aoki headlines at Igloofest, with guests Audien and Jessica Audiffred. Place des Festivals Zibi (Gatineau)  

  • A celebration of African-American pianist and composer Themonius Monk, Belgian choreographer Benjamin Vandewalle and Zonzo Comganie bring Thelonius to the Big Bang Festival on Saturday and Sunday (Downtown)  

  • It didn’t start with the NHL:  view the vintage photos and the story of the sport’s evolution in Cool History: Hockey at the Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau) 

  • Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Canadian Guitar Quartet bring Guitarist! to Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. In addition to quartets and octets, the program features a rousing finale with help from local guitarists. 

  • Find a romantic, locally crafted gift at the Eastern Ontario Craft & Gift Valentine Market. Walter Baker Centre (Barrhaven)  

  • 🆓 Join CBC Ottawa and the Ottawa Public Library at Ben Franklin Place on Saturday, Feb. 14 for a free, family-friendly afternoon. Experience the excitement of the Olympics surrounded by your community and enjoy an afternoon packed with activities for all ages. (Centrepointe)  

  • The special Valentine’s Day Art Battle will be extra electrifying. 12 artists, three rounds and only one champion.

  • We already crush hard whenever Brief Encounter shows up on TV, so we can’t imagine how it will feel when those powerful impossible-love vibes bombard us from the Mayfair Theatre's big screen on Saturday (3:45 pm) and Sunday (6:00 pm). Black and white, released in 1945, directed by David Lean; this film will break your heart.

  • 🆓 Wander through the more than 150 vendors, makers, and bakers at 613Flea.  

  • Undercurrents festival continues at Arts Court, which is a good thing especially if you’re looking forward to completely ignoring the hearts and roses of Valentine's Day. There's nothing better than hunkering down in a darkened theatre, watching the creativity unfold on stage. (Downtown) 

  • With its mix of free and paid programming Big Bang Festival is a family-friendly two days of music and mayhem at the National Arts Centre (Downtown) 

  • Roast marshmallows at the bonfire, buy a bowl of chili ($5), build a snow fort. Do it all at the Westboro Beach Winter Carnival. It's free but you need to book a ticket so organizers know how much chili to make. (Westboro)

  • The Drowning Girls completes its run at the Ron Maslin Playhouse (Kanata)  

  • It's Valentine’s Day. Don't panic.  Getting your hands on a classic heart-shaped box of Made in Canada chocolates is as easy as walking into St. Laurent Shopping Centre, Carlingwood Mall, Place d'Orléans, or Bayshore Shopping Centre, where you’ll discover Purdy’s huge range of Valentine’s sweets. 

  • Grab a Valentine’s dinner for two at Broadhead Brewery, where Meatings Barbecue will serve up a luscious three course meal. $120 per couple, reservations recommended. (Orléans)  

  • Road Trip: There’s a lot to see and do at Perth’s Frost & Fire Festival. In Code Park you'll find activities, live chain saw demos, and outdoor laser tag. Enjoy marshmallow roasting and maple taffy tasting at Crystal Palace. Do some crafting at Perth Museum. All around town local businesses will offer weekend specials. (Perth)    

  • The Piano Teacher continues at GCTC, with two performances today.   

  • Keep Valentine’s Day casual with two beers and a pizza for $35 at Spark Beer. They've also got cava pours and desserts. Reserve a spot and prepare to bask in the glow of a romantic night secured.(Chinatown) 

  Cinema

  • ByTowne Cinema: Sirat, Hamnet, Valentine’s Day: Amélie, Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie 

  • Mayfair Theatre: Brief Encounter, Casablanca, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Super Secret Saturday Sinema  

  Gigs

  • The Yodas. Broadway Bar & Grill

  • Kim Mitchell and David Wilcox. Hard Rock Ottawa 

  • Tyler Shaw - Valentines Day. Bronson Centre

  • Matt Andersen, with Mariel Buckley. Southam Hall at National Arts Centre 

  • Late Night Love: A VAlentine's Burlesque Show + DJ Remi Royale's Red-Hot Dance Party. House of TARG

  • Shovel, Ceased, Untucked. Dominion Tavern

SUNDAY

• 🆓 Orléans Comic Book and Novelty Show opens its doors at Place d’Orléans  

• 🆓 Visit the vendors at the Black History Month Market (ByWard Market)   

• 🆓 Create live and interactive art with your own body at Lumitri (Sparks Street) 

• 🆓 MPP Stephen Blais will be at the Family day Skate at Bob McQuarrie Recreation Complex (Orléans)  

• 🆓 The Gatineau Olympiques players and their mascot Hully will visit Snowflake Kingdom from noon to 2:00 pm (Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau)  

• You don’t need any experience to enjoy the Drumming Workshop by Wandara. Art House Café ( Centretown West)  

• Party like it’s the Cold War at the Diefenbunker Museum’s Winter Carnival. (Carp) 

• If you’re not running in the Embrace Winter Run there’s a handy spectator guide so you’ll know where to watch the action (LeBreton Flats)  

• 🆓 🇨🇦 Celebrate the National Flag of Canada at Confederation Park, with trivia, a Photo Booth sculpture, and lots of family fun. 

• Pick up pantry staples, baked treats, dairy products, and more fresh goods procured from within 100km of the city at Ottawa Farmers Market (Lansdowne Park)  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Sirat 

• Mayfair Theatre: Best in Show, Brief Encounter, Scott Pilgrim vs The World 

Gigs

• Wooden Nickels. Stray Dog Brewing

• Paddy Paystub (1:00 pm to 5:00 pm) . Broadhead Brewing

• The War and Treaty. 27 Club

• Pat Moore and the Vinyl Frontier. Red Bird

• Broken by Friday, STATIC, Pareidolia. Avant-Garde Bar

   

MONDAY – FAMILY DAY

• 🆓 The Rink of Dreams at City Hall is free today from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Expect a live DJ, a free family fitness class, and hot chocolate – compliments of the Salvation Army. 

• The Greater Avalon Community Association invites you and your fam to the Family Day Celebration, including a skating rink (no hockey sticks permitted), a fire pit, kids' activities, and more. (Orléans) 

• 🆓 The RA Centre has family-friendly drop-in activities from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

• Be sure to dress up the kids in 70s gear as Monkey Rock Music puts on three performances at Overflow Brewing.  

• Take in the LAC: Explore the Winter Games exhibits at Library and Archives. (Downtown)  

• Road Trip: Proceeds from the Carleton Place Comic Con support Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop and Lanark County Interval House. Pay $2 entry or bring a non-perishable food item or personal hygiene product. Kids 12 and under get in free. (Carleton Place) 

• Road Trip: Even though Perth’s Frost and Fire Festival is over, you can still bring your tube for a slide on the snow hill at Herriott Street beside Code’s Mill. (Perth) 

• 🆓 🇨🇦 Celebrate the National Flag of Canada at Confederation Park, with trivia, a Photo Booth sculpture, and lots of family fun.

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Secret Agent, Hamnet, Sirat, Children of Men 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Choral, Best in Show, Scott Pilgrim vs The World 

TUESDAY

• FREE Visit the Heritage Day celebration at Jean Pigott Place, City Hall. ‘Voices of a City: Celebrating Two Centuries of Collective Histories and Local Heroes in Ottawa’ marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown and the beginning of the Rideau Canal construction. Look for other events over the coming days as Heritage Week continues. From 12:00 pm. (Downtown)  

• Create a Vision Board with Daisy & Doodle at Stray Dog Brewing (Orléans)  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema:  Sirat, Hamnet, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie   

• Mayfair Theatre: All That’s Left of You, The Choral, Blades of the Guardians 

Gigs

• Trivia. Broadhead Brewery

• Spring Birds. Night Oat

• Tuesday Trivia. Irene's Pub

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• The full lineup of the International Film Festival of Ottawa has dropped. The festival runs March 12 through 22 at Ottawa Art Gallery, Mayfair Theatre, and ByTowne Cinema.

• Musicians: check out Making YouTube Work For You on Saturday February 21 (The Glebe)

• Tickets are now on sale for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, Saturday June 6 at the National Arts Centre. (Downtown) 

• Senators Hockey Camps 2026 are now taking registrations. The week long camps start July 6 and run through the end of August at Bell Sensplex (Kanata/Stittsville)  

   

   

MADE IN CANADA DEALS OF THE DAY

Save 14% on everything at Laurentian Chief when you use the code LOVE14

 

Montréal's Heirloom Hats is offering a special on gift cards: buy a $100 gift card and receive a second for $25 absolutely free. Buy a $200 gift card, and receive a $50 card. Buy a $300 gift card, and receive a $75 gift card. Offer valid until February 21.

 

Save up to 67% on tickets to some of Saunders Farm’s most popular attractions throughout the year, in the Bloody Valentine Sale

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BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

Gary Dimmock in the Ottawa Citizen follows the staff of the Ottawa Student Transportion Authority on how it determines whether buses are cancelled or not. It’s not an easy call.

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

THE END

the ottawan is written and edited every working weekday by Martha and Darren. Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email to us at hello@theottawan.com. We read every single comment.