The Ottawan Newsletter

Hello Ottawa

In Today’s Edition

→ Same day delivery from Amazon is now a thing in Ottawa

→ Get your cat a mani-pedi at the Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue tomorrow fundraiser

→ Today’s Deal of the Day is from Habitat for Humanity ReStores

🎄The Compendium of Christmas Festivity

We’ll be reminding you until Friday that next week we’ll publish our Compendium of Christmas Festivity, highlighting made-in-Ottawa and made-in-Canada gift ideas.

We’re open to suggestions: if you have an idea for the perfect made-in-Ottawa or made-in-Canada gift, let us know at cof@theottawan.com.

If it’s your business or product, that’s okay. A good idea is a good idea.

– Martha and Darren

WEDNESDAY DINING + DRINKING UPDATE

🍨 Clearly, a road trip to Carleton Place is in order. As we mentioned last week, Black Tartan Kitchen has made the OpenTable Top 100 List for Canada. Now we hear that Carp Custom Creamery has purchased a building on Bridge Street in Carleton Place, and has already moved in. The Creamery vacated its previous rental parlour location on Moore St.
🍷 In Perth, Gather had its grand reopening in its new space last Friday. Now located at 71 Gore St, the restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner services.
🥪 Having started in Chicago back in 1983, Jimmy John’s Sandwiches has expanded across the USA and Canada in recent years. That expansion now includes an Ottawa franchise, which opened in October (Riverside South)
🍬 Mallard’s Milk Bar has launched this year’s Christmas Ice Cream Pies, which are available for pre-order until December 14. Choose from Candy Cane Ice Cream Pie (also available as diary free and gluten free) or the vegan and gluten free-only Chocolate Orange Ice Cream Pie. Limited quantities will also be available in-store December 17-24. (Arnprior)
🍸 The Château Laurier has opened a pop-up ‘speakeasy’ for the Christmas season, named "1912" in honour of the year the hotel opened. On the menu are Lady Zoe’s Mistletoe Martini, Emilie’s Sleigh Ride Espresso Martini, and Sir Wilfrid’s Old Fashioned Noel all made with private-label spirits from Dunrobin Distilleries.
🥧 The Life of Pie bakery in Old Ottawa South will be closing in the new year.

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

-9.59%
The decrease in car thefts in Ottawa between January and November this year as compared to the same period in 2024.
Gloucester-Southgate and Alta Vista had the most thefts, with 102 and 98 respectively.
Josh Pringle at CTV

LANARK COUNTIANS OF THE DAY

Mattea Crabtree and Kimberly Lemaire,
The two are the winners of the 2025 Lanark Lit Writing Competition in their respective categories.
Perth resident Crabtree won the under 17 award for her short story Code Duello. Carp resident Lemaire won the adult category for her story Hold On.
The duo, as well as the runners-up, will be fêted with an Awards Gala, at the Almonte Public Library, December 6 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Jessie Carson and Jenn Snider Cruise in Milestone News

QUOTE

“
But maybe the motive behind the mandate is the most obvious one — to make as many employees unhappy enough to quit ...
–Bruce Deachman in the Ottawa Citizen wonders if a rumoured return to a five day week in the office is just a method of reducing the workforce.
Deachman also has some funny suggestions for the Treasury Board to encourage resignations, such as six day-a-week mandate, seven foot cubicle walls, and bringing back punch clocks.
‘Is the goal to make Ottawa's public servants quit?’

SPORTS

🏒 PWHL Ottawa Charge 1 – Minnesota Frost 5, last night

🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators 5 – Montréal Canadiens 2, last night

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN

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WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
Thursday, December 4 at 10:00 am

2026 Draft Operating and Capital Budget – Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
Third Concession Municipal Drain – Appointment of Engineer

Agenda

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

🛒 Same day delivery from Amazon is now a thing in Ottawa. It’s not available for everyone – you must be a Prime member, which has a yearly fee of $99 ($49 students) – and not everything can be delivered the same day, only what they have already stocked. But what they have stocked is still thousands of items. Items ordered before midnight should come between 10:00 am - 3:00 pm the next day, items ordered before 10:30 am should be delivered between 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. – Josh Pringle at CTV

🎂 The City is hoping the ByWard Market will become a National Historic Site before its 200th birthday next year. The City’s Built Heritage Committee will discuss making an application to Parks Canada’s National Historic Site programme at its next meeting. – Rachel Morgan at CityNews

📚 Ādisōke, the new joint Ottawa Public Library / Library and Archives Canada project will not open next summer as planned. The building was originally scheduled to be finished in January 2026, with a six month period for the two organizations to move in. The building is now expected to be finished next September. While Ādisōke is a joint effort, it should come as no surprise to find that the City of Ottawa is responsible for delivery of the building . – Arthur White-Crummey at CBC

🚌 OC Transpo says that if Federal workers are indeed required return to the office five days per week, it will be ready. OC Transpo general manager Troy Charter told the City’s Transit Committee that it has no inside information about the rumoured return-to-office days of the Federal givernment, but his department will be able to handle the increased business. – Aedan Helmer in the Ottawa Citizen

THE DAILY POLL

When will Ādisōke open to the public?

🔘 End of 2026

🔘 Sometime in 2027

🔘 2028

🔘 Simultaneously with the opening of the O Train Stage 2

Previously in ottawan polls:
We asked, ‘Is tipflation irking you?’
- 11% Yes, I loathe being asked to tip at non-food businesses
- 43% Yes, I loathe being asked to tip at any counter, food or not
- 41% Tipping is voluntary. Tip if you like, press 'No' if you don’t
- 5% I don’t even tip in sit-down restaurants
Commentary

▪️ “Grateful to establishments who survived the COVID and fwheedom convoy lockdowns.”

▪️ “Tipping is just the owner of the company not paying their staff properly.”

▪️ “Tipping is appreciating a service worker for their service. if a service worker is spending time chatting with you — hairdresser, tattoo artist, whatever — they deserve a tip.”

▪️ “Tip stands for: To Insure Prompt Service. I rarely tip above 15%. I try to only tip 10% on counter service. It has gotten crazy!! People want a tip to just talk to you now!! ARRR.”

▪️ “I used to be 15% annoyed, now I am 20-25% annoyed ... I feel bad for the employees, and now I more or less tip so I don't look cheap or receive bad service as opposed to rewarding good service.”

▪️ “Why can’t we pay people a living wage? Why do we support an economic system where someone’s labour isn’t compensated to allow for someone else’s profit??”

▪️ “I use my age (75) as a ruse for confusion & clerk will pouch the buttons to ‘skip tipping’. I don’t feel bad or embarrassed anymore about having them do it after these years of avoidance avoiding the tipping prompt.”

▪️ “Requesting/expecting a tip when the customer has done all the work is plain wrong.”

▪️ “Businesses will cry they’ll have to raise prices to cover a living wage. But, we're already covering their living wage, so I’m happy to pay a higher price w/o tipping!”

▪️ “As long as there is a No tip option, agree ... some systems make it hard not to tip something, without asking a staff member how ... especially don’t like such systems in coffee shops and other places where there was no table service.”

▪️ “And starting tips at 18% on credit card payments is ridiculous.”

▪️ “Not even sure if half those Tips go to the paid employees who are doing their jobs OR the employer/business owner scoops them up and adds to their profits!”

I▪️ “It has gotten way outta control. Minimum wage up here is totally decent.”

▪️ “One of my favourites things about visiting the UK, is the posted price is actually the price. No tipping, and tax is included.”

▪️ “It is out of control. I definitely do not tip whenever prompted to do so. It’s my choice.”

▪️ “Tip = gratuity (ie, gift). It’s not the job of the patron to ensure a proper wage; that is the employer’s job. 15% tip is more than fair for good service as a thanks. Shouldn’t be expected or shared.”

▪️ “It also irks me that most places will ask for tip on the total amount including tax and not the subtotal. Tipping is getting out of hand.”

▪️ “It’s really about appreciation for the service received. I personally think it’s a nice way to say thank you but understand that it isn’t for everyone and that's OK too.”

▪️ “I bought a cell phone cover case at Carlingwood Mall and there was a tip option. NO!!! Enough is enough. Do NOT expect a tip if you just hand me something. Just NO, NO, NO!”

▪️ “Tipping culture is out of control. Effectively businesses are increasing their prices by stealth so they can notionally pay their workers more. But I doubt many actually workers see those tips.”

▪️ “The whole tipping thing has gotten completely out of control since COVID to the point that I don’t want to ever tip anyone for anything.”

▪️ “I loathe tipping culture now just as much as I for when I moved to Canada 4 years ago. Just pay your staff a decent salary.”

▪️ “I have come to the pre-COVID logic of navigating the payment device to $0 for Take out and Non-Food services.”

▪️ “I tip for any food or drink service. My main concern is if the tips don’t actually go to the workers. Tip theft is a huge issue!”

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

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

Ogilvy’s Department Store T-Shirt

Charles Ogilvy Limited began as dry goods shop on Rideau Street in 1897, and ended its reign as Ottawa's greatest department store in 1992.

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

WEDNESDAY

University of Ottawa Theatre Club presents Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, running through December 6. (Little Italy)
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 today and tomorrow, and participate in the silent auction and art sale from 7:00 pm tomorrow.
The focus is on Bach at the noontime Doors Open for Music at Southminster concert. (Old Ottawa South)
Indulge in lunchtime gift hunting at the Holiday Mini Market on Preston St, continuing every Wednesday through Friday. (Little Italy)
It’s not the 1996 slasher film of the same name but rather the more recent (2014) allergic-Santa-runs-into-rambunctious-talking-kittens caper Santa Claws at tonight’s Bad Night at the Movies. OPL Main Branch (Downtown)
Turn a regular old Wednesday night into something special as the 7-piece jazz-funk collective Solstice brings the grooves and electric should to Bar Robo. (SOPA)
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

ByTowne Cinema: Sentimental Value, Warren Miller’s Sno-Ciety
Mayfair Theatre: The Mastermind, Meadowlarks, The Smashing Machine

Gigs

Four-Eyed Muscle Man, bathwash. House of TARG
Bluegrass Junction. Red Bird
The Prime Rib Big Band. Irene’s Pub

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 members of the All In A Day Book Club will be onsite hosting a 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.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

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

Tickets are now on sale for the 5th annual Snowsuit Fund 50/50 draw, which will give one lucky supporter the chance to win a life-changing jackpot that could exceed $500,000.