STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• 39% 

• The per centage of grade nine students in the Ottawa Carleton District School Board who are below the standard in math, according to Education Quality and Accountability Office standardized testing reports. 

• Katelyn Wilson at CTV

•  

KEMPTVILLIAN OF THE DAY

• Pud Johnston

• At 100 years old, Johnston still tends the Christmas tree farm that he opened more than 70 years ago.

• The Johnston Brothers Tree Farm is open until 5:00 pm every day until December 23.

• Dave Charbonneau at CTV
   

QUOTE

• “

• I think it changes the calculus … by providing a new variable

• –Orléans East-Cumberland ward councillor Matt Luloff on the possibility that the City will lose interest in building an incinerator for the city’s waste if it successfully buys the Taggart family-owned landfill in Osgoode. 

• Kate Porter at CBC

• 

  PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN

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  WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

  Ottawa Police Service Board
  Friday, December 5 at 9:30 am

  • Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa – Report on outcomes of grant funding
  • Ontario Association of Police Service Boards: 2026 Membership Renewal
  • 2026 Draft Operating and Capital Budget
  • Appointment and Re-Appointment of Special Constables – City of Ottawa (Transit Services)
  • 2024-2027 Strategic Plan: Semi-Annual Report
  • Performance Report – Third Quarter 2025
  • Workforce Management Report – Third Quarter 2025
  • Financial Status Report – Third Quarter 2025
  • Report on the Special Investigations Unit 25-OCD-105
  • Report on the Special Investigations Unit 25-OCI-154
  • Report on the Special Investigations Unit 25-OFI-170
  • Ratification: Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement for Community Safety and Policing
  • Ratification: Appointment of Police Service Officers
  • CSPA Update: Policies Le-001 Community Patrol, LE-003 Crime,
  • Call and Public Disorder Analysis

  Agenda

  

  WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

  🏌️  Helpful handbooks on early retirement have been sent to 68,000 Federal public employees. Early retirement is voluntary but in a bid to reduce the Federal workforce by 40,000, a strong take up of the Early Retirement Initiative will go a long way to achieving that goal. For those Federal public employees who joined before 2013, they can retire at 50, those after 2013 can retire at 55, both with no penalties. For comparison, THE OTTAWAN’s retirement plan allows employees to retire at never..  – Ben Andrews in the Ottawa Citizen

  ↪ The Federal government has authorized the use of collection agents and lawsuits to collect overpayments to Federal public employees by the screwy Phoenix payroll system. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says that some of the people affected were never informed of the overpayments.

   

  🚌 Strong Towns Ottawa is looking for volunteers to build support for 24/7 Bus Lanes along Bank Street. City Council will be voting on the Bank Street Corridor Study in January. Volunteers would talk directly to transit riders at stations across Ottawa before the vote. – Ottawa Transit Riders 

  ↪ In Neil Saravanamuttoo’s latest 613 column, he goes line by line through the City’s draft budget and says that the only savings that he can verify is the $10,000,000 cut to transit services. 

  
  🚨  The homicide rate in Ottawa-Gatineau has risen 45%, according to Statistics Canada. The data shows that the Capital region had a murder rate of 2.1 per 100,000 people, higher than the Canadian average of 1.9. In actual numbers, 21 people in Ottawa in 2024 and six in Gatineau were murdered in 2024, up from 13 in Ottawa in 2023. Gatineau also had six murders in 2023. Across Canada, the homicide rate decreased by four per cent in 2024. – Natasha O’Neill at CityNews  

   

  🚧 Ottawa’s tallest building could be across from Dow’s Lake. The City’s Planning Committee approved a a 50 storey, mixed-use high-rise building with 503 residential units at 829 Carling Avenue. If approved by City Council, it will overlook Ottawa’s current tallest building, the 45 storey Claridge Icon across the street. – Josh Pringle at CTV

  

  THE DAILY POLL

  What kind of Christmas tree will you use?

  🔘 I cut my own

  🔘 I buy it from one of the fundraiser lots

  🔘 From a supermarket/big box store

  🔘 I’m proud of my artificial tree, regardless of Charlie Brown’s opinion

  🔘 So you think everyone celebrates Christmas, do you OTTAWAN? For shame, for shame.

  • 
    Previously in ottawan polls:

  • We asked, ‘When will Ādisōke open to the public?’

    • 3% End of 2026

    • 41% Sometime in 2027

    • 5% 2028

    • 52% Simultaneously with the opening of the O Train Stage 2

  • 
    Commentary

  ▪️ “How come ALL of these large scale projects ALWAYS fall behind schedule??”
  
  ▪️ “I would just really really love for them to open a tiny, actually downtown branch when the current main branch opens. The new main branch is beautiful — but not super accessible to those in Centretown tbh.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “If there’s one thing Ottawa and the federal government share, it’s the inability to meet a project target.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “When has a construction project ever been on time? I’m guessing either the project plan had some seriously optimistic timelines and they planned for the best scenario knowing full well it was a dream ...”​​​
  
  ▪️ “There needs to be corruption and rackeetering charges placed on everyone atp.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “This news is not surprising given the scale of the project. I for one can’t wait for it to open! It is going to be beautiful and so good for the city.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “More proof that the City of Ottawa cannot do big things either on time or budget.”​​​

  

  HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

  The last day for orders that could possibly make it for Christmas is Monday, December 8.

  BNR T-Shirt Bell Northern Research was founded in 1971. In 1996, it was purchased by Nortel and eventually shared that companies fate. The BNR campus in Ottawa was fondly deemed the 'Big Nerd Ranch', and is now the headquarters of the Department of National Defence. 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

  THURSDAY

  •  Give your feline a festive season mani-pedi at the Fisher Glen Animal Hospital Nail Trim Fundraiser for Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue. (Fisher Glen) 

  • Find something special as uOttawa students, staff, and alumni present a two day Holiday Market at Alex Trebek Hall. (Lowertown) 

  • Flock Boutique celebrates 20 years of Canadian fashion with a gathering at the shop (Wellington Village). 

  • Sample the house cider, shop for unique Christmas gifts, and support local artisans at the Saunders Farm Sip & Shop event (Munster) 

  • SKETCH Art Sale and Auction Fundraiser at SAW Centre is the perfect opportunity to source something new for your collection. Preview the works from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm  and participate in the silent auction and art sale from 7:00 pm (Sandy Hill)

  • Explore gift ideas at the Elgin Street Shop Hop, where you’ll also find deals, treats, and giveaways. Plus, you'll be supporting Centretown Community Food Centre. Win, win. (Centretown)

  • Watch inspiring stories from some of the most majestic peaks on the planet as the Mountains on Stage festival stops at Mayfair Theatre. (Old Ottawa South). 

  • Support the home team as the Sens meet New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre (Kanata). 

  • Do some holiday shopping and sampling at the Grace in the Kitchen Holiday Party (Kanata). 

  • Unitarian House hosts a Craft Sale from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm today (Woodroffe North)  

  • Standard pricing is over after today’s Magic of Lights. Starting tomorrow you’ll pay more to view the two kilometres of festive displays from the warm comfort of your car. (Wesley Clover Parks)  

  Theatre

  • A married comedy duo explores some Big Stuff, namely, how to coexist when one of you keeps everything while the other wants to throw it all away. GCTC until December 7. (Wellington West)

  • University of Ottawa Theatre Club presents Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, running through December 6. (Little Italy)  

  • Bop to the music of the Go-Gos in Head Over Heels: the Musical by Suzart Productions.  

  • Ottawa Little Theatre’s production A Sherlock Carol is sold out but thenproduction team says that tickets sometimes open up. Check the website frequently. 

  Cinema

  • ByTowne Cinema: It Was Just An Accident, Warren Miller’s Sno-ciety

  • Mayfair Theatre: The Mastermind, Mountains Onstage

  Gigs

  • John Muirhead. Red Bird

  • Gerard Van Herk, Eddie Gazel, DJ Shanker. House of TARG

  • Original Soundtrack. Avant-Garde Bar

  • 20th Century Boys Holiday Concert. Rainbow Bistro

  • Upstairs Neighbours, Runner Up. LIVE on Elgin

FRIDAY

• CBC will be broadcasting live from Hurdman Station from 5:30 am to 8:30 am.  

• CBC’s All In A Day with Alan Neal will be broadcasting live from St. Laurent Shopping Centre  from 3 to 6 p.m. Stop by and enjoy live performances, and explore the All In A Day Book Club used book sale, with all proceeds going to the Ottawa Food Bank.  

• Hiking Through Your Mind (Ottawa) will be meeting for a walk along the easy main loop in Torbolton Forest at noon. (Constance Bay) 

• Be the first to see the premieres from the 60-Day Filmmaking Challenge, meet the creatives, and celebrate another year of incredible creativity in Ottawa at  the 21st Digi60 Filmmakers' Festiva. (Downtown) 

• If you’re mystified about the decisions made by city planners, check out Our Neighbourhoods, Our Say: Planning Basics for a Caring City at Rideau High School. The workshop, by City for All Women Initiative and the Peoples Official Plan, will cover the basics in city planning and zoning, and much more. 

• Ottawa Swing Dance Society’s regular Friday Night Lesson becomes the Snowball Ball if you dress in the theme colours of white, silvers, blues, or cozy textures (and you'll save on the door entry price too) (Sandy Hill).  

• If Salsa is more your jam, drop in to Rahim Salsa Friday. No experience necessary, and no outdoor shoes allowed. (Sandy Hill) 

• Station 71 rural firefighters’ Lite the Nite is about cookie decorating, hot chocolate, the man in red, and one stupendous tree lighting. (Navan)  

• Urban Legends Poetry Collective presents Scribbling’ in the Margins, the BIPOC Poetry Slam. PWYC at the door (suggested donation of $10) (Tunney's Pasture).  

• Get all the festive feels with Sing the Messiah at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre 6:00 pm.

• It will be a Magical Christmas Evening at Robert Plante Greenhouses, with live music, a guest appearance by the Grinch, and special sales. (Navan) 

• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum brings the holiday season of the 1920s and 30s to life. Look at the displays and try your hand at gingerbread cookie decorating (Cumberland) 

• Have a retro good time at Starships: 2010s Dance Party Ottawa Launch. (Downtown) 

• The weekly Gloucester Holiday Night Market returns for shopping with local businesses, artisans, and makers. (Gloucester) 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Sentimental Value, One Battle After Another, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

• Mayfair Theatre: The Baltimorons, The Mastermind, Tangerine

Gigs

• Rock Out For Jack. The Brass Monkey

• Scorching Tomb, Bruiserweight, Mortal Rites, Skull Gate. House of TARG

• Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Elizabeth Copeland, Issy Rose. Bronson Centre Music Theatre

• Same Fears, Gallowspine, Pity Fountain. The 27 Club

• The RockPhiles Live! Busters Bar & Grill

SATURDAY

• Caithream Celtic Dance Fusion returns with their popular Celtic twist on Dickens' classic holiday tale A Christmas Carol, told through dance. Two performances today and one tomorrow. (Orléans)  

• Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs a Canada-ccentric version of The Nutcracker, with performances until Sunday.

• Do ghosts celebrate Christmas? Feel a shiver run down your spine at the Bytown Museum's Nightmare Before/After Xmas Ghost Tours.

• Take the kids on a trip into the past as the Nepean Museum explores Christmas in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

• Roast marshmallows over a campfire, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and skate on the Rink of Dreams (bring your own skates) at the Mayor's 23rd Annual Christmas Celebration.

• Take a break from holiday mayhem with a trip to the Sensory Program – Hands-On History at Goulbourn. Museum (Stittsville). 

• Soak up the country vibes at Richmond Village Christmas Parade. (Richmond) 

• The shopping has an old-world charm at Watson’s Mill & Dickinson House Christmas Market. You'll find 35 vendors as well as a used book store on site (Manotick)  

• 🆓 Bicycle Craft Brewery’s 12th Annual Holiday Toast is a day of new beers – and mulled beer! – , live music, and food by local purveyors. Dog friendly (Industrial Ave.). 

• Face the colder weather head on at Orléans Brewing Co’s High Gravity Fest, featuring high ABV brews from 10 Ontario Breweries, an après-ski vibe, and a live DJ. Did we mention it's outdoors? Dress warmly (Orléans). 

• Find local vendors, activities for the kids, and entertainment at the Orléans Holiday Arts Market. (Orléans).

• The third annual Urban Art Collective Not Your Typical Holiday Market runs both days this weekend at Zibi on Albert Island with food, drinks, live painting, and surprises.

• More than 90 vendors are waiting to serve you at the Eastern Ontario Craft & Gift Market (Nepean Sportsplex). 

• Ottawa Farm Fresh’s Winter Market is a cozy affair with vendors, treats, and a rural vibe.  (Gloucester)  

• There are more countrified good times in store at the Cumberland Farmers Market Christmas Market. It’s spread across four locations within Cumberland Village, is partially pet-friendly (check event description), and is a great place to finish (start??) your Christmas shopping. (Cumberland)  

• Entry is Pay What You Can at the Move Over Martha Get Stuffed Market on Wellington Street, where proceeds will go to Highjnx. (Different Martha, btw - editor). (Downtown)

• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum brings the holiday season of the 1920s and 30s to life. Look at the displays and try your hand at gingerbread cookie decorating (Cumberland) 

• Christ Church Cathedral presents A German Christmas Celebration, in collaboration with Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal (Downtown).  

• Meet the brewing team from Kichesippi Beer at The Commons Ottawa.

• Author David McNally discusses his new book Slavery and Capitalism with Adrian Harewood at Octopus Books.

Road Trips

• It’s the final Pews Monthly Market in charming Merrickville. Stop by for locally handcrafted creations, baked treats and art. (Merrickville)   At the same time, check out Christmas in Merrickville with its hay rides, hot dogs, and marshmallows, extended shopping hours, and more. 

• Visit Smiths Falls or Brockville for the Gemmell’s Garden Centre Handmade for the Holidays events (9:00 am to 4:00 pm). (Brockville, ON and Smiths Falls, ON)   

• Johnie’s Vintage will hold its Christmas Party, where you’ll find vintage gifts and treasures, snacks, and deals from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. (Arnprior, ON) 

• You’re bound to find a treasure or two at the Army Navy and Air Force (ANAF) 3rd Annual Sip N Shop. (Carleton Place) 

• Pakenham Santa Claus Parade is at 1:00 pm  (Pakenham, ON)

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio, Edward Scissorhands with live burlesque     

• Mayfair Theatre: The Polar Express, The Thin Man, The Mastermind, Bugonia     

Gigs

• One Night Stand Dance Band. Bar Robo

• The Tea Party, Headstones, Finger Eleven. The Arena at TD Place

• Sustain 2, The Sun Through a Telescope, Level of Existence, They Grieve, High Grove. House of TARG

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• Make plans now for when the chaos of the holidays subsides. Big Bang Festival returns February 14-15, bringing a series of music performances for the whole family.