Hello Ottawa
In Today’s Edition
→ Masks are mandatory again in Gatineau hospitals and care homes
→ If you hurry, you can Paint Your Own HintonGoat tonight
→ Today’s Deals of the Day are a Create Your Own Holiday Nail Polish Set from BKIND and a future sale at Alicja Confections.
– Martha and Darren
STATISTICS OTTAWA
NUMBER
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8
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– Where Ottawa lies on Orkin pest control’s annual ‘Canada’s Rattiest Cities’ list, which is unfortunate as Ottawa had been number 12 since 2021.
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For Ontario, Ottawa is in third place, up from number four last year. Toronto is number one, both provincially and nationally.
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OTTAWAN OF THE DAY
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Annabelle Cloutier
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Cloutier is the new president and chief executive officer of the National Arts Centre.
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Employed by the Centre since 2018, she most recently was executive strategy and communications director and corporate secretary to the board. Before that, she worked in the Governor General’s office.
QUOTE
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“
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Shovels will be in the ground next year
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– New Edinburgh resident Prime Minister Mark Carney on the announcement of a $400 million agreement between the Federal government and the City to build 3,000 affordable homes through the Build Canada Homes agency. The agreement is the first nationwide.
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WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL
City Council
Wednesday, December 9 at 10:00 am- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets
- Committee of Adjustment - Draft 2026 Operating Budget
- Ottawa Board of Health - Draft 2026 Operating Budget
- Ottawa Public Library Board - Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets
- Ottawa Police Service Board - Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budget – Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets – Audit Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets – Community Services Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budget – Environment and Climate Change Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets – Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets - Finance and Corporate Services Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets – Planning and Housing Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets – Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
- Draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets – Transit Committee
- Zoning By-law Amendment – 5651 First Line Road
- Zoning By-law Amendment – 6371 and 6409 Perth Street
- 1500 Thomas Argue Road – Request for Municipal Support Confirmation for a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
- Zoning By-law Amendment for Part of 2555 Marchurst Road and Part of 2625 Marchurst Road
- 2025 KPMG Financial Statement Audit Plan
- Office of the Auditor General (OAG) – Council Expenses Audit
- Office of the Auditor General (OAG) – Audit of Ottawa Paramedic Service
- Office of the Auditor General (OAG) – 2026-2027 Audit Work Plan
- Application for Demolition at 208 Slater Street, a property designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Bank Street Heritage Conservation District
- Nomination of the ByWard Market as a National Historic Site in Honour of its 200th Anniversary
- Financial Statements for In-House Solid Waste Collection – External Audit Results
- Municipal Land Strategy – Surplus Land Declaration and Authority to Transfer City-Owned Lands for Housing (Second Round)
- Zoning By-law Amendment - 258 Durocher Street
- Motion – Councillor C. Kitts – Road infrastructure
- Potential Implications of Bill 60 on Cycling Projects and Recommendations for the 2026 Capital Budget
- Motion – Councillor W. Lo – 2026 bus procurement
- Third Concession Municipal Drain – Appointment of Engineer
- Office of the Auditor General (OAG) – Audit Charter Update
- Long-Term Care Accreditation Governance Standards
- Motion - Councillor J. Leiper - Potential for CCOC affordable housing development at 261A Hinchey Avenue
- Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment – Part of 1900 and 2000 City Park Drive
- Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment – 829 Carling Avenue
- Treasurer's Report on 2024 Growth Related Revenues
This item has attachments.
Plus the Committee of Adjustment meets at 1:00 pm.
WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT
😷 Masks are mandatory again in Gatineau hospitals and care homes. The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais made the order, in effect until further notice, to help emergency rooms from being overwhelmed by the early flu season. – CBC
↪ Gatineau’s doctors’ association says that 40,000 people in the Outaouais could lose access to a family physician as doctors leave the region over Bill 2. The Bill links doctors’ pay to the number of patients that they see. The group says that 41 physicians are considering leaving.
📦 A dozen items belonging to the Inuit have been returned by the Vatican and were shown at the Museum of History. The items, including a traditional Inuvialuit kayak built over a century ago, are part of a collection of 62 that were returned and will ultimately be given back to their originating communities. – Kitchissippi Times
⚖️ Ottawa’s City Manager says managers are reviewing hybrid work requests on a ‘case by case’ basis. In August, Wendy Stephanson mandated that all City employees would return to the office five days per week, ending five years of various versions of work-from-home. Currently, they are required to be in the office at least two days per week. – Josh Pringle at CTV
🤿 A carbon monoxide leak at TD Arena forced the Ottawa Charge to cancel yesterday’s practice. The team was told that the arena was closed due to emergency repairs after a carbon monoxide leak was detected in the arena. The Ottawa 67s won’t need the arena until next Sunday, the Charge are away until December 27. – Josh Pringle at CTV
THE DAILY POLL
How many books do you read annually?
🔘 At least one per week
🔘 At least one per month
🔘 At least one per year
🔘 I have read a book, I promise
🔘 Read? I think you meant ‘listen to’, didn’t you?
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Previously in ottawan polls: -
We asked, ‘Will you be going away this Christmas?’
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42% No, I'm staying home
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24% I’m going somewhere else in Canada
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14% I’m going somewhere south / overseas
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11% I have an Air Transat ticket, so I assume that I’ll be spending it stranded somewhere
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9% Geez, OTTAWAN. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. For shame.
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Commentary
▪️ “Home is where the heart is and I’m going to be at home.”
▪️ “Ottawa and the valley are so beautiful over Christmas we are staying put.”
▪️ “Ottawa is the perfect Xmas place with snow and good cheer!”
▪️ “The holidays always seem most special when celebrated at home.”
▪️ “South America.”
▪️ “Staying home and getting as much family together as possible. I look forward to spending some one on one time with my kids.”
▪️ “No real need to travel — staying home in Ottawa and enjoy the beautiful city we live in!”
▪️ “England to see my family and some football.”HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS
If you are thinking of one of our t-shirts as a Christmas gift, it’s too late for delivery.
Ottawa Valley Ale T-Shirt
Long forgotten, but Ottawa’s first craft brewery was Ottawa Valley Ale, incorporated in 1985.
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
TUESDAY
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✳️ If you’re free tonight, head to Hintonburg Public House for the Paint a HintonGoat night. You'll paint your very own mini goat created by artist Daniel Martelock (Hintonburg).
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🆓 Library and Archives Canada launches a new Traditions and Techniques virtual workshop series with a session about Book Preservation. (Online)
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It’s going to get very competitive at Orléans Brewing Co's Music Bingo: One Hit Wonders! (Orléans )
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Ottawa Senators take on New Jersey Devils at Canadian Tire Centre (Kanata).
Cinema
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ByTowne Cinema: Closed (new projector install)
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Mayfair Theatre: Begonia, The Mastermind, Tangerine
Gigs
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The Tenors. National Arts Centre
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Katherine & Nicholas. Night Oat
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Bonginator. Dominion Tavern
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Karaoke Night. Mort's Pub
WEDNESDAY
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✳️ Visit Canadian artisans at the Originals Christmas Craft Sale at EY Centre, today through Sunday (Airport).
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Flautists Four! peform music by McIntyre, McMichael, and Guiot at the noontime, by-donation Doors Open for Music today (Old Ottawa South).
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L’Harmonie des saisons perform Handel's Messiah in Christ Church Cathedral. Presented by Music & Beyond (Downtown).
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Take a trip on A Sentimental Journey to the Parajanov Planet, a documentary about the life and art of filmmaker and artist Sergei Parajanov. (Old Ottawa South)
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The difficult to categorize but highly entertaining The Storyville Mosquito by Montréal's Kid Koala settles in for a series of shows at National Arts Centre. (Downtown)
Cinema
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ByTowne Cinema: One Battle After Another, Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio
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Mayfair Theatre: The Baltimorons, Bugonia
Gigs
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Sean Desman, Jamie Fine. Bronson Centre Music Theatre
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Jazz Jam with the Beeched Wailers. Irene’s Pub
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Upstairs Neighbours, Perry & The Wobbly Pops, Runner Up, Delusions. House of TARG
THURSDAY
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Coyote Watch Canada will present an information session to learn how to co-exist safely with the animals in suburban settings. No registration necessary. (Kanata)
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Wear your cutest vintage holidaywear to A Very Retro Holiday Sip & Shop with Curious Times Collective (Wellington West)
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The streets will be filled with rapidly moving Santas and elves in Run Ottawa's Annual 5K Light Run in support of Ottawa Food Bank. Register now and meet at Ottawa city Hall at 7:00 pm (Downtown).
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Bring your Christmas list to the Glebe Glimmer Holiday Shopping Night along Bank St (The Glebe).
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Think you know a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun from ZuZu's petals? Prove it at Christmas Trivia on Broadway (Fisher Glen).
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Experience a winter wonderland blending sparkling lights with vibrant Indigenous traditions at Mādahòkì Farm. You’ll find family-friendly festivities such as the Trail of Lights & Traditions, an Indigenous Craft Market, interactive beaded earring and ornament workshops, and cozy Indigenous Christmas feasts all waiting for you. Thursdays through Sundays until December 28 (Green Belt).
Cinema
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ByTowne Cinema: Sentimental Value, Ciné-Club d'Ottawa: En Fanfare, Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind.
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Mayfair Theatre: The Baltimoreans, Tangerine
Gigs
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Mulch, Carences, The Dark Plains. House of TARG
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Virginia to Vegas, The New Hires. SAW Centre
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Aversed, Ghost of a King. Avant-Garde Bar
JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING
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Oriental Legend makes its Canadian debut December 18–20, 2025 at the Canadian Museum of History.
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Dec 21 Lawrence Wall hosts the Christmas with Music & Beyond concert. (Downtown)
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New Years Eve is hurtling towards us. You could plan to stay home in your joggers with a bowl of popcorn, but why not dig out your finery and head to Stray Dog Brewing Co for NYE With Mixtape Magic. Backstreet to Britney, Blink to Beyonce, it will be a night to remember. Dress to impress and come ready to dance. Tickets include a champagne toast at midnight. (Orléans)
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MADE IN CANADA DEALS OF THE DAY
Create your own Holiday Nail Polish Set at BKIND, and pay just $48 (instead of the regular $54)
Get ready to save 40% on Postcard Chocolate Bars at Alicja Confections on Saturday (December 13).
BUT, ONE MORE THING ...
Mountain climbing magazine Gripped has a lovely piece on climbing pioneer Helmut von Microys, who died in Ottawa this week at age 91.
During the 60s and 70s, Microys and friends made 120 first ascents along the Niagara Escarpment and at Bon Echo and made more than 700 climbs in the Rockies and the Alps.
Quoting Alpine Journal from 1970, Gripped has this entry from Microys climb of The Gunks in New York State:
‘“Lunch in the pub down the hill. Sandwiches on dark brown rye bread, German beer. Many other climbers competing for the few tables. Is it the beer? The morning warm-up? Ambitions are rising, the climbs are getting harder. Drowsy on the belays — must get to bed early tonight. Beautiful rock. The sun is low. The last climb. Supper in the dark as usual: steak, baked potatoes, sour cream, peas, and a bottle of wine. It looks like a rough lot in the light of the open fire. Climbs are re-climbed, choice routes are recommended, a fall becomes a laughing matter because you are here to tell about it. Out of the dark: going to the pub? Yes, of course, comes the answer, and it is late again.”
RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL
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THE END
the ottawan is written and edited every working weekday by Martha and Darren.
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