WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT
📷 The Ottawa Police Service wants all constables to have body worn cameras by 2027. Chief Eric Stubbs says that a trial of 30 body worn cameras worked out well and he wants to see it expanded to 850 cameras. – Nathan Fung at CBC
↪Researchers at Western University and the University of Toronto found that 9.3 per cent of the 1,000 charter violations in court cases between 2015 and 2025 were by the Ottawa Police Service.
🛻 Former Member of Parliament whose Convoy-related charges were thrown out due to time is back in the dock. Randy Hillier, once Member of Parliament for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, had his charges of assaulting a peace officer, mischief, counselling others to commit mischief and resisting or obstructing a peace officer thrown out because the Crown took too long to bring the case to court. The Court of Appeal for Ontario disagreed with how the previous judge counted the number of days that passed and reinstated the charges. – Paola Loriggio in the Canadian Press
🌳 If you live in Centretown, there are 50 tree saplings available to plant, no questions asked. Okay, Centretown NeighbourWoods might ask something, such as "which one of the 14 different species would you like". The trees must be planted in Centretown. Sign up here. – Darlene Pearson in the Centretown Buzz
↪For everyone else, plantyourplace.ca has 2,400 trees for planting across all wards.
📛 Nominations have opened for commerative naming of streets, minor indoor and outdoor assets, major facilities and parks. For smaller assets – think playgrounds – the decision will be made by the City’s Recreation, Cultural, and Facility Services in consultation with the local ward councillor. Major facility naming will be approved by City council. The deadline for nominations of names is May 1.– City of Ottawa
🍻 Ottawa’s Night Mayor approves of allowing those large quadricycles to serve alcohol. Operating as ‘fun’ teambuilders, these bikes have six to eight riders – plus a driver – who pedal around town. While companies have been operating these bikes since 2018, THE OTTAWAN cannot conceive how anyone has been convinced to take part without booze.– Josh Pringle at CTV
THE DAILY POLL
Should the Ottawa Police Service constables wear body cameras?
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Previously in ottawan polls:
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We asked, ‘Should the City open not-for-profit grocery stores to help fight food costs?’
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20% Yes, take profit out of food prices
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7% No, there are few things more competitive than giant companies fighting tooth and nail for consumers’ business
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65% Are you really asking if the entity who built the O Train and approved Lansdowne 2.0 could run a shop efficiently?
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8% Let Ottawa ByLaw do it. There will be a store on every block, with ever-increasing hours.
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Commentary
▪️ Completely in favour of non-profit grocery stores serving the city. Corporations don’t have the public’s good in mind, no matter what they claim.”
▪️ “The city has enough trouble managing the usual city roles of sewers, police, transport, roads. And he wants to take on something new to mismanage?”
▪️ “Love the idea. Skeptical of this council’s ability to implement.”
▪️ “They would be eaten alive in the grocery store world. The supply chain is complex. Perishable goods are called that for a good reason.”
▪️ “A stable year round grocery store with space for local vendors is a win all round.”
▪️ “I think that even just lowering the profit made by grocers would be soooo helpful!”
▪️ “Yes, help folks out. I worry how families are coping during these tough times. Also, donate to food banks if you’re able to, please!”
▪️ “By-law can also increase city revenue by ticketing any and all cars who dare to park anywhere near one of these stores ...”
▪️ “Public options always increase competition and help prevent monopolization of industries.”
▪️ “Ottawa needs a grocery mayor who can revitalize grocery stores like the night mayor has for night life.”
▪️ “Great idea.”
▪️ “Take profit out of basic human needs: food, housing, health, culture.”
▪️ “The idea isn’t bad. But after Lansdowne 2.0, I have no faith that the City and council possess the needed financial savvy to navigate any form of business.”
▪️ “This is a really interesting idea because money hungry private corps can’t be trusted. I think we all need to pay attention to Leiper. He’s an interesting guy with interesting ideas.”
▪️ “Let’s the entire Weston family in the shins while we’re at it. I don’t mind waiting in line.”
▪️ “Or we could just encourage more grocery and retail co-ops. Other cities have many, and the city itself doesn’t have to be involved.”
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
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✳️ Don’t miss your chance to be a part of an experience by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour. BL_NK came about when Soleimanpour was unable to leave his country and he created a play that will travel without him. The script is unknown to both performer and audience and is literally riddled with blanks. The performer and audience then work together to reveal the story. Tuesday through Sunday until March 29 at GCTC (Hintonburg)
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It’s not easy to categorize Careful, the 1992 feature by Winnipeg-born Guy Maddin. Take a chance and see the 4k restoration of the film at the Mayfair Theatre tonight, when the director himself will introduce the screening. (Old Ottawa South). Presented as part of The International Film Festival of Ottawa.
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Today’s other screenings at the International Film Festival of Ottawa: Mile End Kicks (Canada, 2025) with short film Fan (Canada, 2025), Bayaan India, 2025) with short film Mercenaries (Québec, 2024), and Twelve Moons (Mexico, 2025) with short film Living Grounds (Québec, 2025). Following tonight’s screenings, head to the Albion Rooms to meet up with fellow festival goers (Downtown).
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The National’s Matt Berninger brings his solo tour to the Bronson Centre.(The Glebe)
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Rockers Raw Sugar play the Carleton Tavern. (Parkdale)
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Visit a medium, palm reader, tarot card reader, or intuitive healer at the Ottawa West Psychic and Crystal Fair. Continues until Sunday. (Bells Corners)
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Ottawa Home + Garden Show continues at EY Centre (YOW)
Cinema
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ByTowne Cinema: Space Cadet, My Beautiful Montréal (Montréal, Ma Belle) International Film Festival of Ottawa: Mile End Kicks, Secretary
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Mayfair Theatre: Sentimental Value, Hamnet, Careful
Gigs
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80s Dance Party. House of TARG
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Corridor, Still Youth. The 27 Club
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Dueling pianos. The Robo Lounge
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C.A. & Sonny. Stray Dog Brewing Co
SATURDAY
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✳️ Award-winning Canadian pianist Lucas Porter will perform two sonatas - Beethoven’s “Pathétique” and Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 8 - in The Art of the Sonata, the first of a two-concert recitals series by Master Piano Recital Series. Southminster United Church (Old Ottawa South)
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NPHL Capital Branch final series game 1! After a thrilling 3-2 OT win in game 4 against the North Dundas Rockets, the Mariners became the NPHL Capital Branch Eastern Conference Champions. The Eastern Conference champion Manotick Mariners take on the Western Conference champion Tweed Oil Kings in game 1 of a best-of-five series for the NPHL Capital Branch Championship! (Manotick)
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🆓 Stray Dog Brewing is inviting hypnotist Mai Ego to the taproom from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
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Despite the current wintery landscape, Friday is the start of Spring. To celebrate, Forest Therapy Ottawa will be rejoicing in the early hours at the Spring! Sunrise Celebration.
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Survey says it’s going to be good fun when Family Feud Trivia pops up at the Royal Oak in Barrhaven.
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Ottawa Black Film Festival opens with L'Été de Jahlia (Belgium, 2025)
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Today’s screenings at International Film Festival of Ottawa: Sneak preview of Ozmanthus (Canada, 2025), Primavera (Italy, 2025) with short film Jazz Infernal (Québec, 2025), Where to Land (USA, 2025) with short film Le’Atelier Martineau (Ottawa, 2025), Forastera (Spain, Italy, Sweden, 2025) with short film In Lieu of Flowers (Ontario, 2025)
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Catch tonight’s programming at Youth Infringement Festival: The Fire in Which We Burn, Angsty Puppet Play, and Negative Space (Downtown)
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Hot Jupiter rocks the Carleton Tavern.
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Hometown boy Jon Dore plays two gigs at Yuk Yuk’s.(Lincoln Heights)
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Galerie St-Laurent + Hill presents a new exhibition of Lenni Workman. Vernissage from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. (Lowertown)
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Ottawa Mystic Market returns to Next Door today and tomorrow.(Little Italy)
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Come and get some new-to-you puzzles and trade your old puzzles! Our puzzlers bring hundreds of high quality puzzles to sell and trade, and you're sure to find one you like. Bring puzzles if you'd like to swap/sell or cash if you'd like to buy. Check out the Facebook event for more details. (Parkdale)
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It’s a bibliophile’s spring cleaning dream: bring at least two volumes to the Silent Book Club Spring 2026 Book Swap and bring home something new (to you). The focus is on fiction, but there will be a small table for non-fiction. Don't forget to purchase something from the host venue, Beyond the Pale. (Centretown West)
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Pick up unique touches for your wardrobe and your surroundings at 613Flea. (Lansdowne)
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Not only will you be supporting a great cause when you shop at Artisan Legion Market, you can also get a delicious weekend breakfast (cash only) when you need a break. Win, win. (Orléans)
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It’s the final Winter edition of the Cumberland Farmers Market. (Cumberland)
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Lairds of the Locks: The Scots of Bytown is a one-person historical drama that examines the profound Scottish influence on the early development of Bytown, told through the pioneering life and legacy of Thomas McKay—stone mason, canal builder, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founding father. One performance only, Saturday March 21 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Downtown)
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The Ottawa Home & Garden Show continues at EY Centre (YOW)
Cinema
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ByTowne Cinema: Klassic Kidz: Frozen with Princess meet and greet, Montréal, My Beautiful (Montréal, Ma Belle), International Film Festival of Ottawa: Primavera, Miroirs. No 3
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Mayfair Theatre: Hamnet, The Phantom Carriage
Gigs
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Dylan Scott. Hard Rock Ottawa
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Melwood Cutlery. The Robo Lounge
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Comedy. Pour Boy Pub
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Prairie Comeau. National Arts Centre
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Matt Falvai Duo. Hard Rock Ottawa
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Thievery Corporation. Bronson Centre
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Desert Stragner, Nick James Beaton, James Leclaire. LIVE on Elgin
SUNDAY
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Wear your pjs to the 40th Sunday Morning All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal Cartoon Party at Mayfair Theatre. This week’s event has the added excitement of comic book giveaways for kids in the audience. Advance tickets are now available. (Old Ottawa South)
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Ottawa Mystic Market continues at Next Door (Little Italy)
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Silver Lining Band plays Broadhead Brewing this afternoon (Orléans)
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Tate Britain has compiled an exhibition celebrating a fierce artistic rivalry from more than two centuries ago. The ByTowne Cinema screening of Exhibition on Screen: Turner and Constable, explores the art and stories of 18th Century artists J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, both of whom used landscape painting to document their changing world.(Lowertown)
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House of TARG unlocks all the games for FREE PLAY from 8:00 pm to midnight. Just pay the $12.50 cover. Adults only. (Old Ottawa South)
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Settle in for a session of classic folktales read by Ottawa Storytellers. Grimm: Dark Paths and Wild Wonder begins at 2:00 pm and runs approximately 2.5 hours. Arts Court Studio (Downtown).
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Ottawa DJ Maréva, who is ‘known for blending dark melodies, intricate drum work, and haunting vocals into bass-driven journeys that resonate on a physical and emotional level’ appears with Sor and Dubonaut in Coveted Gem, an afternoon of deep bass at Poa Tiki Bar (2:00 pm to 6:00 pm). (ByWard Market)
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🆓 Standing with Underdogs: Book Launch with David Chernushenko and Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-Operative. For over three decades, David has been a leading voice in sustainability, and his 2010 documentary Powerful: Energy for Everyone was a primary spark for the founding of OREC. Now, David returns with his most personal work yet: Standing with Underdogs. Part family memoir and part political voyage, this book retraces David's roots to explore why we fight for the things we love—and how a lifetime of advocating for the "underdog" can inspire a more just and ecologically healthy world. (Wellington West)
Cinema
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ByTowne Cinema: Exhibition on Screen: Turner and Constable, Miroirs No. 3, Montréal, My Beautiful (Montréal, Ma Belle), Twin Peaks: Season 1, episodes 6-8 (Season finale)
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Mayfair Theatre: All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal-Cartoon Party, Sentimental Value, Marty Supreme, Scarlet
Gigs
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Demon King, Celestial Scourge, Sentiment Dissolve, Thalassophobia. Dominion Tavern
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Lynn Miles. Westboro Masonic Hall
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Rod's Blues Jam (matinée). Atomic Rooster
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Brother Paul & Blues Revival (early show). Atomic Rooster
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Experimental Ambient Night with Ardea & Partygirl. Art House
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Justice Tysick, Natalina Huot, Kyle Stumpo. Avant-Garde Bar
MONDAY
Cinema
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ByTowne Cinema: Montréal, My Beautiful (Montréal, Ma Belle), Miroirs No. 3, Sympathy for the Underdog
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Mayfair Theatre: Marty Supreme, Tender Mercies, Colors
Gigs
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From Campus to Stage: Triplicate (Wayne Eagles, Roddy Ellias, Jesse Stewart. The Robo Lounge
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Karaoke Mondays. Atomic Rooster
JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING
MADE IN CANADA DEAL OF THE DAY
SHARE THE OTTAWAN
BUT, ONE MORE THING ...
Monday’s Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee meeting will discuss a sea change in the way the City treats small, home-based food businesses. Currently, someone who bakes cookies or bread in their home, for money, needs to be licensed and to the same standards as restaurants or professional kitchens.
If approved, makers of low-risk foods like:
- Breads and buns without meat or cream fillings
- Most baked goods without custards
- Chocolate, fudge, toffee, brittles and hard candies
- Granola, trail mix, nuts seeds
- Cakes, brownies, muffins and cookies that do not require refrigeration
- Coffee beans and tea leaves
would no longer need to get a food premises license from the City. It doesn’t, however, exclude these bakers from health and hygiene laws.
RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL
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THE END
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the ottawan is written and edited every working weekday by Martha and Darren.
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