APRIL 16, 2021 VOL. 26 NO. 4 THE BUZZ

2021Ottawa Women’s March is distanced, 8 Downtown mural will return, 10 FoodWorks gives chef new direction Jack Hanna training for youth. And now, Stock says he ou would expect won’t be looking back. “I ab- FoodWorks, a non- solutely love it. I don’t think Yprofit business teach- I will ever go back to restau- ing job skills to youth, to rants.” change the lives of street kids. FoodWorks, an offshoot After all, that’s the whole point. of Operation Come Home, But the Centretown so- has been imparting job skills cial enterprise has also given to at-risk teenagers for half a senior chef a new a decade, operating as a ca- direction in life. tering service for corporate Before COVID-19, Tim lunches and conferences. A Stock had a good – and con- year ago, FoodWorks shut ventional – career as execu- down because of COVID-19. tive chef at Thyme and Again, When it reopened last a top-flight takeout and cater- month, there was no demand ing service in Ottawa. Then for catering, so FoodWorks the pandemic hit and he was pivoted to providing frozen laid off. takeout meals. Within months, he landed Customers order online Chef Tim Stock and assistant Thaden Coltess preparing meals in the FoodWorks kitchen. at Operation Come Home, at the FoodWorks website which provides a variety and pick up frozen meals at Photo courtesy FoodWorks of services in Centretown the takeout window of the for at-risk youth. Initially, FoodWorks kitchen at 571 Stock prepared breakfasts at Gladstone Avenue, just east Centretowner on the wrong side of the the youth drop-in centre on of the McNabb Arena. The Gloucester Street between most popular items are la- Ottawa Public Library’s digital divide Bank and O’Connor. How- sagna, turkey and vegetar- Alayne McGregor ing, Bassett has limited WiFi enter branches to use public ever, last month his role ex- ian pot pies and biryana, a he pandemic has access, she said, but it’s un- computers is a hardship for panded and he relaunched chicken curry. exposed a “digital stable and insecure. Library them.” FoodWorks, a takeout and cont on p 7 “FoodWorks” T divide” among Ot- computers also have more cont on p 11 “Library” catering service providing tawa Public Library (OPL) diverse software available patrons. Those who regu- than she has on her 12-year- Cambridge Street Public School larly use library comput- old refurbished laptop, which ers have been locked out, is on its last legs. And most making it difficult for them of all, she needs to use the li- needs to find more students to do many everyday tasks brary printers, scanners, and including making appoint- photocopiers – services she ments or learning about doesn’t have at home. Com- government programs. mercial services are simply As of April 8, library pa- outside her budget: she esti- trons are again no longer al- mated that it would cost her lowed in branches, with only $18/hour to use a computer curbside returns and hold at Staples, for example. pickups available. The OPL The 61-year-old con- said this decision was to keep sultant researcher primar- customers and staff safe, and ily uses the Main branch in was in response to the recent Centretown and occasionally provincial emergency and the Rideau and Sunnyside stay-at-home order. branches. She does research However, that order does for seniors without Internet not require libraries to keep access. “The library is my The Centretown school only has 55 in-person students, and 18 online. Brett Delmage/The BUZZ patrons out of branches. Al- lifeline.” Alayne McGregor grades. In its catchment area, up from 40 percent in 1998. though the province forbids Especially in the last ith the increased 166 students are going to The solution, says local browsing the shelves, it does year, she said, she has met preference of other schools. OCDSB school trustee Justine allow entering branches to many other people who also W parents for Two other public elemen- Bell, is a dual track school, with “facilitate the contactless depend on library computer French immersion, a Cen- tary schools serving Cen- both an English and a French drop-off and pick-up or ac- services, who either have no tretown elementary school tretown – Elgin Street and immersion program. She points cess computers, photocopi- computer or no printer. “It’s is losing students and could Devonshire – are at or over out that other Ottawa public ers or similar services.” not just older people. It’s a be in danger of closing – de- capacity. Centennial is at schools offer both programs. The OPL decision has wide range.” spite the fact more students 75 percent capacity, and is a Either early or middle French left Centretown resident and When The BUZZ asked are likely to move nearby in hub for special education. All immersion are possibilities, she passionate library user Diane the OPL about this policy, the next few years. three offer French immersion. said, depending on what’s best Bassett furious and frustrated staff responded that they are Cambridge Street Public The difference: Cambridge for the community. at “yet another demoralizing “aware that many people School currently only has 55 only provides a single track On March 22, Bell held lockdown.” Access to library in our community depend students studying in-person English (with core French) an online community meet- computers, printers, scan- on the public library for ac- and another 18 online, out program for Grades JK-6. In ing about the future of the ners, and photocopiers is, to cess to computers and WiFi of a capacity of 323. It has the Ottawa public school board school, which attracted 51 her, “essential.” for very important needs, several split grade classes, (OCDSB), 72 percent of stu- participants. In her high-rise build- and that not being able to including one with three dents are in French immersion, cont on p 5 “Cambridge” 2 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA APRIL 16, 2021 The Lighter Side of the Pandemic, by Karen Munro-Caple April 16, 2021 — Vol. 26, No. 4 THE CENTRETOWN BUZZ AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA SINCE 1995.

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BUZZ Staff

Managing editor: Alayne McGregor [email protected]

Associate editor: Eleanor Sawyer

City Editor: Robert Smythe [email protected] The Good, the Bad, and the Bumpy: Distribution manager: Archie Campbell [email protected] shouldn’t disabled people get priority? Ryan Lythall nations from the start. Their failure to and deaths among people with disabili- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT do so is putting lives at risk, and their ties in the province. (See joelharden.ca) y now, most of us have heard lack of investment in a plan to remove While phase two doesn’t specifi- The Centretown BUZZ is created and distributed about the ongoing issues in any and all obstacles for people with cally state that people with disabilities in Centretown, Ottawa, located on traditional and B trying to book an appointment disabilities trying to access their vacci- are eligible for the vaccine, the list does unceded Algonquin land. to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Al- nation is a serious problem.” include those with specific health con- though I’ve tried, I haven’t yet been This statement has also been sup- ditions. Personally, the following stands able to book an appointment. ported by Ottawa Dr. Melanie Bechard. out for me: “People with neurological NEXT ISSUE As a person who uses a ventilator Dr Bechard produced a new research re- diseases in which respiratory function and has round-the-clock care, I often port on behalf of Harden’s office titled, may be compromised (e.g., motor neu- The next issue of The BUZZ will be published worry about getting COVID-19. I take “Prioritizing People with Disabilities ron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple May 14. Deadline for ads and submissions: May 3. every precaution that I can, including for COVID-19 Vaccination in .” sclerosis).” ISSN 1204-1604 wearing a mask and limiting my physi- In it, she notes the following: Based on this description, it appears cal and social interactions. 1. Disability must be recognized as a that I do qualify. I tried to book an ap- I understand about the priority to factor that significantly increases a per- pointment last week, but I was told by ADVERTISING vaccinate the elderly no matter where son’s risk of COVID-19 infection, com- Ottawa Public Health that even though I they live and their caregivers, as well plications, and death. Disability should qualify, they’re not taking bookings for The BUZZ is proud to offer an effective advertising as front-line health care staff. But what be taken into account when decisions those groups yet. I hope to provide an medium that reaches 10,000 Centretown homes and about people with disabilities? Where about COVID-19 vaccine prioritization update in the next edition of The BUZZ. businesses each month. Our competitive advertising rates are are we on the list, if not even as a priori- are being made. I agree that 100 percent of people as low as $31 per issue. tized group? 2. People with disabilities should be with disabilities should be a priority View our rate card and publishing dates at Fortunately, for those living in Cen- explicitly mentioned within Phase 2 of when it comes to the vaccine. For many centretownbuzz.com/advertising. tretown, we have at least one person on the vaccination rollout to ensure consis- persons, their disabilities affect their For more information, email our side. Recently, our MPP, Joel Hard- tent practices across the province. health or cause them to be susceptible [email protected] or call 613-565-6012. en, raised concerns about people with 3. COVID-19 vaccination must to various illnesses. disabilities being left off the list of pri- be accessible to people of all abilities. As with everyone, getting vaccinat- Thank you to our volunteer carriers ority groups. His request to the premier People with disabilities should not face ed would put my mind at ease and I will is to include persons with disabilities barriers in scheduling or receiving vac- have less anxiety. Ahmed Shalabi, Amanda Asquith, Anne O’Connor, during phase two of the vaccine rollout. cination. Archie Campbell, Arwyn Holmes, Bayne Pearen, Harden said that “The government 4. The Ontario Ministry of Health Follow Ryan on Twitter: Betty Gregory, Brendan Hennigan, Brent McLean, should have placed people with dis- should collect data on the number of @rolling_enigma Brett Delmage, Carol Sissons, Cassidy Beers, abilities on their priority list for vacci- COVID-19 infections, complications, Catharine Vandelinde, Catherine Boucher, Charles Akben-Marchand, Chris Edwards, Craig Layng, Colleen McGuire, David Seaborn, Debbie Barton, Editorial: Remembering that there’s a world out there Alayne McGregor Diane Holmes, Don Smith, Drina Wethey, Eleanor Sawyer, It was challenging and sometimes to COVID-19 to other health condi- Emily Graves, Emma Chamberlain, Glynda Newton, his is my 12th edition of The frustrating, but I still figured I had it easy tions that were let to sit untreated too James Bruce, Jennifer Bedwell, Kathleen Oliver, BUZZ as managing editor. The compared to my neighbour working at long because of diversion of medical Kenney Vandelinde, Kim Malcolm, Laura Mueller, T day after my first issue was the Ottawa Hospital, the clerks at gro- and hospital resources. And knocking Michael Hatfield, Michael Powell, Michelle Kirkman, dropped off across Centretown last cery stores, and other front-line workers. on our shoulders every day is a feeling Mike Gregory, Mindy Sichel, Neil Parkinson-Dow, March, everything shut down be- I’ve also had the pleasure of inter- of doom from the statistics, only made Pam Gahan, Pat Shaulis, Patricia Marsden-Dole, cause of the pandemic. viewing and profiling many people who worse by the inefficient vaccine rollout. Regan Meloche, Robert Smythe, Shelley Pearen, It’s been a strange ride ever since. have kept our community together in So not everything in this issue is Suzanne Nash, Venita Warren, Wendy Bennett, Last spring and again in January, we these horrendously difficult times, and about COVID-19. We figured you Wendy Hunter, Wendy Sewell, Zsofia Orosz pivoted to an online-only edition. The stepped up to help those in need. might want to read about everything BUZZ had never done that before, but I It’s been a hard slog for many of our else going on. We were able to pub- To join our distribution team, please call had experience publishing online - and it neighbours: those without reliable Inter- lish 12 pages this month and we still 613-565-6012 or email worked. Our longtime advertisers stayed net to access all the services and inter- couldn’t print everything that had been [email protected] with us, as did loyal readers, and we cov- action that’s moved online, those who submitted or planned. ered a lot of important news and issues. were laid off from their service jobs, Most importantly, we’d like the The Centretown BUZZ is published by the Centretown BUZZ Board We adapted. And adapted again. The those who have to bear the brunt of frus- experience of reading The BUZZ to be of Directors, a group consisting of community BUZZ board switched to phone confer- trated customers as front-line workers, interesting and even a bit upbeat. We members representing all residents of Centretown. ences instead of discussing the paper in those who find the bureaucratic maze would prefer to tell you about issues The Centretown BUZZ operates under the guidelines of the person. I watched City Council on You- twice as difficult to negotiate when they you can actually do something about, Canadian Copyright Act. Tube, attended way too many meetings can’t meet face to face. and the hyperlocal that doesn’t gener- © 2021 The Centretown BUZZ on Zoom, and mostly talked to writers Too many (including me) have lost ally get covered by larger media outlets. and interview subjects over the phone. beloved friends and relatives, if not Enjoy! APRIL 16, 2021 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 3 Heritage Skyline: What’s behind St-Marc’s teetering tower? ciation. In the early 1970s, St- The church flourished in Marc’s Church hall was the following decades and, leased to Counterpoint, an by 1965, the local Unitarians alternative school run by par- were prepared to make the ents dissatisfied with public move into their architectur- education. The lower level ally stunning new building was used by a variety of cof- on Cleary Avenue by the Ot- fee houses, musical perfor- tawa River Parkway mance and gathering venues favoured by the countercul- Eglise Unie St-Marc pushed ture generation. St-Marc’s is out of now home to a diverse con- Luckily, this coincided gregation from many parts of with the Eglise Unie St- the world. Marc’s need for new quarters once their 656 Wellington Tower repairs typical Street building had been ex- The church’s current propriated for the redevelop- structural problems are typi- ment of LeBreton Flats. cal for historic churches. This French-speaking in- Towers are the heaviest part stitution, descended from the of the building, and construc- Huguenot sect, bought the tion material flaws or sinking property for $147,500 with foundations frequently call the settlement they received for their repairs or remov- from the NCC. They planned al. Many of Ottawa’s old to spend a further $15,000 on churches have been shorn of The Unitarian Church in the 1940s. (City of Ottawa Archives) renovations after taking pos- their towers and belfries. session on July 1, 1965. Thankfully, St-Marc’s is Robert Smythe an Ottawa outpost operating 300 worshippers, was being The Church of our Father Thereafter, the Unitarian being spared from that am- out of rented halls during the completed. The high well-lit was dedicated during a spe- congregation held its servic- putation and, with some new catastrophic struc- late 1890s. As their member- basement contained a public cial service on October 28, es in the Elgin Street Public underpinning, its small but tural failure is ship grew, the search was on reading room, a dining room, 1900, with the assistance of School gym until their new mighty square tower will con- A threatening the Eg- for a permanent home and the kitchen and several lava- “eminent divines” from the west end church was fin- tinue to be a monument to our lise Unie St-Marc’s stone this lot was purchased in tories. American Unitarian Asso- ished. neighbourhood history. tower. After cracks began 1899. The total cost of the to appear last year, an in- property and the new church vestigation revealed that it building was $8,000, with was in imminent danger of the funds loaned by Ameri- collapse. can supporters. Heritage work orders It was described as being were issued by the city and cozy and constructed in the a building permit to carry out cottage style similar to other the work was recently grant- Unitarian churches in New ed. Meanwhile, this modest England. The sanctuary’s landmark at the corner of vaulted interior was deliber- Elgin and Lewis Streets has ately kept free of ornament been shored up with heavy save for two memorial stained timber bracing. glass windows dedicated to This calls for another in- the pastor’s father and a Mr. vestigation into the church’s Holland who had drowned in spiritual foundations. Today, Britannia Bay. it anchors the southwest cor- At the rear, with a sepa- ner of the Minto Park Heri- rate entrance on Lewis tage Conservation District. Street, was de Normandie But when it was constructed Hall, named for a Unitarian in 1900, the church was just church leader from Boston part of the building fabric of and used for Sunday school The tower of Eglise Unie St-Marc is now shored up pending repairs. Robert Smythe/The BUZZ Centretown’s emerging resi- and prayer meetings. As the dential community on lower Ottawa Citizen put it: “This Elgin Street. bright and airy room will be rendered doubly cheerful in First, the Unitarians winter time by a large grate The building, first known fire that will be kept burn- as the Church of our Father, ing during services.” For a was erected by the American time, the congregation met Unitarian Association. The here while the church prop- Unitarians had established er, which seated some 250- New ideas for Rideau Canal? Alayne McGregor ow can the Rideau Canal reach its full potential as an “outdoor paradise”? That’s the question H Parks Canada is asking Canadians. It’s released a draft management plan for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the section in Centretown, outlining how it will protect and present the canal as a recre- ational and cultural destination. It envisions paddlers going through the canal locks, and offering trip planning tools and facilities such as docks, show- ers, and camping sites. It also proposes improving five lock stations and commemorating their history. Until April 30, you can read the plan and submit com- ments at www.rideauplan.ca/home . In its comments, Heritage Ottawa said it is concerned that this plan does not reach beyond a 30m buffer zone along the canal, resulting in “development that has had a negative im- The church after cracks were discovered in the tower. Robert Smythe/The BUZZ pact on the Canal’s Outstanding Universal Values.” 4 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA APRIL 16, 2021 HighJinx helps their neighbours practically and : Vaccines, directly, skipping the bureaucracy town hall on long-term stretch further. There’s a lot try to keep space for the vul- of families that just don’t get nerable because that is our care & more space to walk enough.” priority – that we can help In their previous jobs people and feed them and do Catherine McKenney Please remember: you with the city, Nielsen and our outreach work. must find out if you’re- eli Reid had proposed it create a “We’ve had to do some t has now been just gible for the vaccine before furniture bank, so they knew online sales and be more over one year since we making an appointment by that was a need. When they creative selling things out I have been apart from visiting:secureforms.ottawa- started HighJinx, it was to of the store window. We do our loved ones and from publichealth.ca/vaccines/ provide furniture and food. more work in the communi- each other. We need to COVID-19-Vaccine-Screen- In order to fund this, ty: visiting, dropping things keep this up a while longer ing-Tool they “begged and borrowed off, checking on people. We until we are vaccinated. To make your appoint- from our friends and family spend a lot of time on the But the warm weather ment through the province for all their unused things, phone with people who are has given us a wonderful op- of Ontario booking system, and started the store. People isolated or can’t get out to portunity to enjoy fresh air call 1‑833‑943‑3900 or visit thought we were crazy, but it make sure they have what and sunshine, some hope for https://covid-19.ontario.ca/ seems to be working.” they need.” an end to this pandemic and book-vaccine/ The store’s eclectic stock They’ve also spent time the isolation it has brought to You can keep up to date was inspired and informed referring people to city ser- so many. on the vaccination program by Nielsen and Reid’s per- vices and educating people On the subject of fresh with the Ottawa Public sonal “real joy for garage- about COVID-19. air and sunshine, I am work- Health vaccine newsletter. saling.” The store’s twitter “There’s been a lot of ing with city staff, local busi- Register for it at: https:// feed (@HighJinxOttawa) learning this year. We’ve had nesses and the National Cap- app06.ottawa.ca/esubscrip- regularly features interest- to learn new safety protocols ital Commission to open up tions/signup-form-en.html ing pieces for sale. Recent to do home visits, for exam- space on our streets to pedes- Or keep up to date by items have included Denby ple. We try to conduct most trians and other active trans- visiting: www.ottawapubli- Karen Nielsen (l) and Leigh Reid (r) in front of HighJinx, pottery, a blanket box, Easter things outside if we can.” portation users this summer. chealth.ca/en/public-health- their Centretown social enterprise which celebrated its 10th Bunny figurines, an antique During the lockdown, This will give us more topics/covid-19-vaccine.aspx birthday on March 15. Brett Delmage/The BUZZ pine pedestal table, dim- Nielsen and Reid completely room to walk, shop, and mable grow lights, plastic renovated HighJinx’s kitchen exercise, while physically Town hall on long-term Alayne McGregor HighJinx’s work is heav- accessories for Potato Head “to keep ourselves busy” and distancing. I look forward to care ighJinx celebrated ily supported by volunteers, toys, and a barrister’s book- to get more room. They use seeing you out and about! I will be holding a virtual its 10th anniversa- including those who bake case. the kitchen for making some Town Hall on long-term care H ry this March, pro- muffins, make home-cooked “Right now I’m sitting meals, as well as distributing Province-wide lockdown on May 6, 2021, at 6 p.m. in viding non-bureaucratic, meals, or provide fruits, veg- in front of a Tiffany lamp premade food, she said. Ontario is under another coordination with Canadian practical help to people in etables, and canned goods. that was brought in today. The store relies heavily lockdown order for four Association of Retired Per- need, supported in part by It regularly receives food It’s huge and gorgeous! on volunteers. Pre-pandemic weeks in an effort to reduce sons (CARP) Ottawa. selling vintage collectibles from restaurants and farms, We’ve had dishes that are re- they had a roster of 25 people COVID-19 infections, in Our keynote speaker is to those who can afford she said, but not from the ally worth something. But, who would rotate through, particular, those caused by André Picard, the health them. Ottawa Food Bank because if someone drops something doing different tasks, but the more harmful strains. columnist at The Globe and The Centretown social en- it doesn’t meet the Food off and we find it’s quite since the pandemic they can This will continue to be a Mail and the author of six terprise is located at 290 Kent Bank’s criteria. valuable, we contact that only have one volunteer to necessary hardship for many books, including the cur- Street, just north of Somerset person just to make sure they help in the store. Right now, people, including those who rent bestseller Neglected No Street West. HighJinx gives “People can ask for what- know what they were gifting. people are volunteering to are already isolated and More: The Urgent Need to out free food, clothing, and ever they need” Most times they know and help with outreach or donat- those businesses that depend Improve the Lives of Cana- furniture, with no questions In order to keep social that’s their generosity.” ing groceries. on in-person customers. da’s Elders. asked. Two former social distancing, food and other Some items stick around The people HighJinx I am working with busi- The event will also fea- workers, Karen Nielsen and necessities are currently while other things quickly serves come from across the nesses and community ture a panel discussion fo- Leigh Reid, founded the handed out without people go out the door, Nielsen said. Ottawa, especially if they members toward our post- cused on transformative store after deciding they entering the store. The store “I don’t know how to ex- need housewares or furni- pandemic city and how we culture change in long-term wanted to take a different ap- is open four days a week – plain that. We never know.” ture to set up a new home, can help small businesses care homes and increasing proach to social services. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, If an item hasn’t sold after a Nielsen said. “We don’t have rebuild. awareness about the existing “We were just tired of and Saturday – from 1 to 4 while it will be given away any boundaries. Anyone can innovative models. (I wrote the traditional system, work- p.m. Unlike the Food Bank, in the store’s furniture bank come here.” Vaccination updates about in this in the March ing in that field and trying to there’s no limit on how of- or on the free shelf outside But HighJinx does serve Vaccinations continue to BUZZ.) help people with our hands ten people can request food, the front door. “We clean out many street-involved people increase across the city with I will share further tied, basically. So we found she said. “It’s not just once a the store a lot by just giving from Centretown, and the anyone age 60 and over now details soon on my website an easier way to do it, and month. They can come every people in the general area of eligible. at catherinemckenney.ca, that was HighJinx, with no day.” the store are the biggest per- As the federal and pro- through my newsletter, in government involvement. “We just have a sharing centage of their clients. vincial governments provide The BUZZ, and on social Just simply neighbours help- model. We share what we What’s next for more and more vaccines to media channels. ing neighbours.” have everyday. Some days HighJinx? “We don’t really Ottawa, we hope to see these Nielsen told The BUZZ it’s plentiful and other days plan that. We’ve been wing- numbers go up quickly. We 406-408 Bank Street they never expected to still it’s not. That’s how we get ing it for 10 years. When we are aware that provincial The City of Ottawa has be running HighJinx 10 through. opened we didn’t know it booking has reached capacity received Zoning Bylaw years later. “Honestly, no. “People can ask for what- would evolve into this. We but have been told that book- Amendment and Site Plan We didn’t know when we ever they need – diapers, had no idea.” ings will reopen to new regis- Control applications for started where this would socks, a kettle. If we have it, Their latest experiment, trations in the near future. 406-408 Bank Street, a va- go. It’s gone to the greatest we give it.” which they will unveil in late The province has chosen cant property at the corner of place. But 10 years – that’s Nielsen said she and Reid Brett Delmage/The BUZZ spring or summer, is a pod- certain pharmacies to admin- Bank and Florence Streets. quite something.” also separately help people cast series telling behind-the- ister the AstraZeneca vac- The applicant proposes a who need assistance with [things] away. We can only scenes stories, and including cine to persons 55 plus. I’m six-storey mixed-use build- Donations fuel the store government agencies. The keep so much.” interviews with neighbours disappointed that there are ing with commercial units They accept donated pandemic has allowed more Sometimes clothing, such and community members. no Centretown/West Cen- on the ground floor and 30 items and either sell them time for those one-on-one as winter outerwear, will also “We find that Centretown tretown pharmacies chosen, residential units above. The or give them away, she said. meetings. be left hanging alongside is a very generous and com- with the closest one on Ride- development will feature 15 “We use that money – the The need for HighJinx’s the free shelf to be picked passionate community. What au Street at King Edward. underground bicycle parking profits from the sales – to pay services has increased over up. “We put coats up there, we hear from people is that I will continue to push spaces and one vehicle park- our bills. We don’t take any the last decade, she said. clothes, food – and little sur- they’re learning that there’s the province for more equi- ing space at-grade. government funding and the “Especially in this last year, prises in the pockets.” vulnerability in this com- table distribution of pharma- Questions or com- help that we give comes from but we’ve only seen the need The pandemic “changed munity that they weren’t cies and vaccines. ments? Visit the Planning those sales and the generos- increasing. We see new faces everything” for HighJinx. aware of, that they are more In Somerset Ward, there Applications and Stud- ity of the community provid- every day. Things are just “We had to make room in inspired to get involved and is a permanent vaccination ies page on my website at ing food and goods that we more expensive, housing the store, and we haven’t had help their neighbours direct- clinic at Ottawa City Hall catherinemckenney.ca. can give to neighbours.” stability is difficult to main- the store open very much be- ly, one on one,” Nielsen said. and pop-up clinics at Plant She emphasized that tain, and the dollar doesn’t cause of the lockdown. We Community Centre. APRIL 16, 2021 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 5 Living within your 15-minute neighbourhood inner city, there are strips personal examples. When of stores, restaurants and I was working, I was al- some clusters of amenities ways a half hour to one hour (doctors’ offices, pharma- travel distance from home cies, etc.) along a few main to the office. The work lo- streets. These may or may cation changed a few times not be inside one’s circle. from one side of the city Downtown, if you live in to the other, while home a high rise where people are has always been near the warm and friendly, you are centre. My doctor is a half lucky. If you are in a high hour drive to the southeast rise where people stay pri- and my dentist a 20-minute vate, you can be very cut off drive southwest. Most of my from community. grocery shopping is a 20 to Older parts of Ottawa 30-minute drive south, as are were designed to be walk- the shops where I buy hard- able. As you go outward in ware, household items and the city, residences become clothing. To get to the library further separated from ame- and several festivals that I nities, with driving to work regularly attend, I have to and shopping the expected walk five to 15 minutes fur- mode of transportation. In ther than the 15-minute limit. the last 40 to 45 years, the For me, a 30 to 45-minute urban metropolitan area has walking circle works best. exploded in size as it rapidly This allows me to travel to expanded into huge subur- all parts of Centretown, the ban areas. These areas are ByWard Market area, part highly focused around cars, way down Rideau Street, to Being able to shop for food and other necessities close to your home saves time and energy. Stephen Thirlwall/The BUZZ trucks and buses, and the the University of Ottawa, Ot- what different from others you, you have to get out and Most importantly, how movement of large numbers tawa East along Main Street, Stephen Thirlwall but many will overlap to a do the walk and your own many of these services do of people across long dis- , Chinatown, Little aking a con- high degree. survey of the environment. you currently use and how tances. Italy, Dow’s Lake, and Hin- scious effort to The concept of a 15-min- What do you see within this many people do you know M get to know your ute neighbourhood is an in- circle? How much of the close to where you live? Are community better is al- teresting and appealing prop- area is residential? What are they friends or just acquain- ways good. In the future, osition. We will be hearing a the different types of homes: tances? Can this area and it may become a necessity. lot about it during the next single family houses, multi- these people be your social The current pandemic has year as the city determines unit houses, older apart- and safety network? shown us that sometimes its long-term direction for its ments, and newer mid-rises If you are not a walker, we may have to rely heav- Official Plan. and high rises? How are they you will have difficulty ily on nearby services. The concept suggests that distributed? How much of knowing your neighbour- To understand your im- almost everything you need the area contains businesses, hood or making others living mediate community, the best could be available to you organizations, and govern- there aware of you. Assis- way is to walk through it, within a 15-minute walk, ment offices? tance must be provided for participate in it, and experi- and that you know many of Are all these types of those unable to walk even ence what it has to offer. your neighbours well enough buildings in separate districts moderate distances so that Take a walk southward that you can rely on them for or more mixed together? they can keep in touch. from your home walking at some assistance and they can What groceries, pharma- a moderate pace. How far rely on you. Your neighbour- cies, banks, hardware stores, My own neighbourhood can you go in just 15 min- hood would function like clothing and other shops are crosses boundaries utes? That marks the south- a small village. You would present? Can you see doctor As a specific example, my ern extent of your 15-minute save a great amount of time and dentist offices, health 15-minute neighbourhood community. Do the same and energy, and decrease clinics, community and cul- extends from Queen Street in walking north, east and west. pollution by avoiding lots tural centres, hairdressers, the north, the Queensway in You might also go southeast, of daily driving. Everyone restaurants and pubs, cafés, the south, O’Connor Street southwest, northeast and would also get regular exer- bakeries, gyms, post offices, to the east, and the intersec- northwest in zigzags along cise walking to all their im- libraries, museums, cine- tion of Chinatown and Little the blocks. These trips map portant destinations. mas? How many parks serve Italy at to the out the full circle of your the area and are they large west. This neighbourhood How far would you need to walk to get to the stores where readily accessible neigh- What to look for on a walk or small? Do street festivals, includes much of western you regularly shop? The library? The pharmacy? Your local bourhood. Each individual or To truly understand how parades, or other events ever Centretown, a long stretch pub? Your doctor? Your hairdresser? Stephen Thirlwall/The BUZZ family circle will be some- well this concept applies to happen here? of Bank Street and the heart of Chinatown. So you see, Older shopping centres tonburg. Add another 10-20 New vision for Cambridge Street Public School one’s personal neighbour- along are minutes and I can also reach hood does not strictly reflect disappearing as more resi- Old Ottawa South and Bill- cont from p 1 better-off families – including her own – are the named and defined dis- dential high-rise develop- ings Bridge Plaza. For indi- Those 51 participants included local poli- sending their children to other schools for tricts throughout the city. ments are rolled out there. viduals who prefer cycling, ticians, the school principal, and school board French immersion. This means there’s no par- How does the 15-minute Does this make sense? Or do their circle is automatically representatives. At the meeting, many parents ent fundraising for school extras and less op- idea match with the current we need to start redeveloping doubled for short and moder- said they lived close to the school and would portunities for clubs and sports. “In so many form of Ottawa–an increas- other areas to provide ameni- ate trips. move their children back there if it offered different ways we are further disadvantaging ingly complex metropolitan ties to those new high-rise Take a walk through the French immersion. They also asked for more a disadvantaged population.” city–and with our current dwellers? 15- (or 30-)minute neigh- opportunities at the school, including music, Bell said board staff have told her that, lifestyles and patterns of bourhood around your home. sports, and clubs. because of other pressures, it would be nearly daily activity? Is it practical? Restructuring and lives Does what’s there meet most Bell said she thought the voices of the impossible to start French immersion at Cam- There are many barriers of your needs? Are there community were heard at the meeting and bridge next fall. Everywhere in Ottawa? to us adopting a 15-minute gaps? Could they be filled? noted that one parent, a new immigrant, Normally a change like this requires a Different parts of the city neighbourhood. We would Then think about other wanted French immersion for his son: “I want Pupil Accommodation Review examining support this concept to vary- have to restructure many parts of Ottawa where you the best for my child and I know here he must multiple schools which might take years, she ing extents. There are many things in our lives, especially work or where your friends have French in order to have the best.” said. As well, the province has imposed a fairly distinct community our daily habits and our pat- or family live. Do people liv- More students are expected to move into moratorium on these reviews. A review could areas in Ottawa. However, terns of thinking. And soci- ing there have to travel long the Cambridge PS area in the next seven be done on a one-off basis, she said, but that’s in both the inner city and the ety would have to restructure distances for their basics? years, with two major Ottawa Community not as effective. suburbs, amenities such as itself as well, for example, And let your city coun- Housing developments – Mosaïq and Glad- Bell said she was currently leaning to- grocery stores and shops are with more people working cillor and community as- stone Village – creating more than 1000 new wards requesting the public board conduct in shopping plazas or small regularly from home and/or sociations know about your homes, many specifically for families. an emergency review of elementary schools malls that are well outside with more offices closer to conclusions, and your sug- Currently, she said, Cambridge PS has serving Centretown, with any new programs the 15-minute circle for the our residences. gestions for remaking Otta- primarily lower-income students because to come into effect in September 2022. majority of residents. In the Again, I will give some wa on a more intimate scale. 6 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA APRIL 16, 2021 Planet of the Scapes: Almost instant

Pearl Pirie Main Dish: Venezuelan • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, very cookbook and Arepas (no gluten) grated (optional) cook has pet fla- Add the salt to the corn- E vours: favourite These South American meal in a bowl. Add water spices that give a unifor- patties came about by ac- slowly, stirring until it is mity to what is cooked. My cident when I bought PAN smooth and thick. Preheat weak spot is cumin, but precooked white cornmeal a cast iron pan with a thin now I’m on a tarragon kick. figuring it was the same as coating of olive oil. It shakes up the normal in regular cornmeal. (Not ex- Add the cheese to the a manageable way. (Who actly, folks.) cornmeal mixture. Knead the wants too much shake-up It did, however, have a very solid dough for a few during COVID-19?) recipe on the package, which minutes, then let sit five min- Prepared frozen meals wasn’t very good. Online I utes. Split into 10 to 12 balls are like paying extra for old found better procedures. and flatten into patties. leftovers. I can make my Cook the patties for seven own leftovers. Meals don’t • 2 cups precooked white minutes on each side until Venezuelan arepas with chopped salad (above), orzo peas (below) Pearl Pirie/The BUZZ have to take three hours; they cornmeal (Harina P.A.N.) smooth and brown. Put the can be not so intensive and • 2 1/2 cups warm water patties in a 350F oven for six slightly puffs and, when you yet have new flavours. • 1 tsp salt to seven minutes until each tap the patty, it sounds hol- low. Split open and enjoy as Please wear a mask and stay safe! you would an English muffin. Shown with a mixture of chopped salad: 1 cucum- ber, 2 avocados, 1 tomato, 1 clove garlic, and 1/2 cup Joel cooked lentils, with sprin- kles of pepper, cumin, pa- • fresh black pepper pasta and vegetables. Top prika, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 • 1/2 tsp orange peel, dry with almonds. Harden Tbsp tahini, and a handful of • 1 Tbsp olive oil Pearl Pirie’s fourth poetry chopped parsley. Boil for 7-8 minutes: collection, footlights, is MPP, • 2 cups/500ml orzo pasta getting good reviews! Get joelharden.ca Side Dish: Orzo Peas • pinch of salt your copy at Perfect Books. 109 Catherine St. (4 servings) Add: Coming in April: online Ottawa, ON. K2P 2M8 Toast: • 1/2 red pepper, chopped classes. See www.pearlpirie. • 1/4 cup sliced almonds • 2 cups frozen peas com Keep staying home, [email protected] Mix: Bring back to a boil for washing your hands, phones 613-722-6414 • 2 Tbsp olives, minced two minutes. Drain. Stir the and masks to protect your • 1 Tbsp dried tarragon olive spice mixture into the neighbours.

Catherine McKenney City Councillor for Somerset Ward

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for them enough to make do more things.” FoodWorks gives chef them a meal that is very well And, just like his mentor prepared.” And as a result, chef Stock, he takes satisfac- more purpose in life Stock says, “my work has a tion in working in a helping lot more meaning.” vocation. “It’s nice to cook FoodWorks aims to give for people who really need youth “skills that will help it.” them find stable work,” To place a takeout order go Stock says, “and a passion to: www.foodworksottawa.ca/ and enjoyment in what they are doing.”

Training youth Thaden Coltess currently CURBSIDE. is training with Stock. “It is really fun,” the 17-year-old ONLINE. says. “I like cooking. I final- TAKEOUT. ly have something to do and LOCAL it feels good doing it.” For Coltess, growing up SERVICE AU VOLANT. did not go smoothly. “I had EN LIGNE. a rough childhood and CAS was in my life pretty much POUR EMPORTER. all of my life.” He has lived in shelters Tim Stock serves a customer through the FoodWorks window. and a group home. For a Photo courtesy FoodWorks Catherine McKenna Constituency Office | Bureau de circonscription : couple of years, he bounced M.P. for Ottawa Centre Telephone | Téléphone : 613-946-8682 cont from p 1 tions seem “superficial and in and out of his mother’s Députée de Ottawa-Centre Email | Courriel : [email protected] Stock divides his time meaningless.” Cooking for house, crashed with friends MonarchistLeague_VicTimes_Colonist_5.21x2.75ad2.qxp_Layout 1 2021-03-07 1:30 PM Page 1 between running FoodWorks and working with at risk- and spent a lot of time play- and preparing breakfasts at youth bring a more profound ing computer games. Now he the youth drop-in centre. reward. “Everything we is mastering cooking skills “This is a big change for me, do here is for at-risk youth. and earning a wage. His monarchy: THE BEST POLICY? a career change,” he says. There is a lot more purpose. training has included first- Canada’s Crown: essential “When you are a chef, you Here, if I didn’t cook for aid and food safety courses are passionate about prepar- them, someone might not and Smart Serve training for to our governance and way of life ing fine food and being cre- eat. My work is appreciated bar staff. ative, but you really are do- in a whole different way.” Beside working at Food- GET THE FACTS ing it for yourself.” At least once a week, the Works, Coltess attends high There are compliments master chef prepares indi- school and has an apartment, The Monarchist League of Canada from patrons and online re- vidual omelets at the youth and a savings account. As for will send you The Case for the Crown. views. His central concern drop-in centre. It is a new the future, he hopes to do a Request it from [email protected] tends to be, “What do people experience for the youth and bit of travelling, perhaps to think of me as a chef?” Now for the chef. “No one has Hawaii, and to get additional monarchist.ca Stock says, those preoccupa- ever taken the time to care training as a cook “so I can PO Box 1057, RPO Lakeshore West, Oakville, ON L6K 0B2

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*Terms and conditions apply. Cyclists must be on a road that is accessible to emergency vehicles. Motorcycle coverage is only valid on CAA Plus® and CAA Premier® Memberships. * Terms and conditions apply. 8 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA APRIL 16, 2021 Ottawa Women’s March goes virtual - and local Alayne McGregor people to the Hill and along Although earlier marches he Ottawa Women’s Elgin Street. Sams was also had been coordinated across March moved the involved in organizing the Canada, Sams said that T 2021 march up by 2020 event, held downtown Women’s March Ottawa now two months to try to beat March 7 just before the pan- works independently and is the pandemic. But it wasn’t demic struck. focused on the Ottawa com- enough. The group’s event, Even now, after Trump’s munity. She said the group May 1 to 8, will be on- defeat, Sams said, there are strives to create partnerships line, highlighting a diverse many other important femi- with other women’s groups, range of issues affecting nist issues to march about. which is reflected in the di- women in this city. “Feminist spaces are always versity of its 2021 event. Participants are still important. Regardless of Panels will discuss black urged to parade outside on who is being elected, we al- feminist organizing in Otta- May 8, bringing a feminist ways need to work for more wa (May 1), trans-inclusive message and the spirit of the equitable societies and soci- feminism (May 4), sex work- march to their own neigh- eties that will support wom- er advocacy and sex-worker- bourhoods with people in en and all people.” inclusive feminism (May 5), their own social bubbles, For example, she noted and indigenous women and rather than in a large crowd that the Canadian Femicide Two-Spirit people (May 6). on Parliament Hill. Observatory for Justice and “We’re really excited to “Bring signs if you want Accountability recently re- get other feminist and social to. Bring noisemakers if you ported that 160 women and justice groups working with want to,” said Emily Sams, girls were killed in 2020 in us. We’re trying to be inter- the group’s interim co-chair. Canada. sectional with our panels. “Even if it’s just going on a The current pandemic We’re trying to cover a lot of In 2021, women can’t gather on the Hill as they did in 2020. Cynthia Munster/Ottawa Women’s March walk reflecting what are your has also had an ongoing gen- topics, but we also recognize feminist values, what does der impact, she said. It put we aren’t able to cover every ronto which combats whore- Associate Deputy Minister motion, Zoom costs, and gender equality mean to you, more women than men out single feminist issue, and so phobia and argues that sex for Canadian Heritage. honoraria for speakers and and how can you make so- of work, it has forced many we’re hoping this year to cre- work is real, legitimate and However, the week also workshop leaders. Any left- ciety a safer, more inclusive women to take on extra un- ate broad opportunities for valuable work. includes less serious and over amount will go to mi- place for women and gender- paid child care because of advocacy and for learning.” Other issues are also be- more supportive gatherings. crogrants to support the work diverse people?” school closures, and many The topics also reflect cur- ing covered. On Sunday, May 3 has a Maker Monday of feminist organizers in Ot- Sams was in the crowd women are working in es- rent advocacy supporting BI- May 2, the virtual brunch workshop on art, self-love tawa, Sams said. at the first Ottawa Women’s sential jobs. POC (black, indigenous, peo- event will discuss food se- and community care, led All events are free and March in January 2017, held “I think it’s still really ple of colour) communities, “to curity as a feminist issue, by Ottawa artist K.J. For- open to all. They will take in solidarity with the wom- important for women and make sure when we talk about with representatives from man (www.luckylittlequeer. place over Zoom, mostly in en’s march in Washington, folks of all genders to con- feminism we’re also talking the Parkdale Food Centre com/). On May 4, the group the evening, and last 60 to DC, against the inauguration tinue to march for gender about racism and we’re talking and other groups. The May 7 hosts a feminist trivia night. 90 minutes. Sams said they of then-President Donald equality and to continue the about racial justice.” panel will discuss the impact And, on May 7, you can planned to record the ses- Trump. That Ottawa march, march for social justice and For the sex worker pan- of climate change through a dance in your bubble in a sions and publish them on and its successor a year later, activism. There’s so many el, she said, they’ve invited feminist lens, including the virtual dance party with Ot- YouTube so those with con- were reported to have at- reasons we need to continue Maggie’s, a sex work advo- added impacts of barriers tawa DJ Roxysunset (https:// flicting work or childcare tracted six to seven thousand marching.” cacy organization from To- caused by poverty and gen- soundcloud.com/roxanne- responsibilities could still der. The week will close on akhtar). watch them. May 8 with keynote speaker While the group is all- Learn more about the Gina Wilson, the Deputy volunteer, it is asking for week’s events at http:// Minister for Diversity, Inclu- donations to help pay for www.womensmarchottawa. sion and Youth and Senior expenses for the week: pro- ca/2021-program.html Comment Child care is not a labour of love Amanda Quance ford, 2020). The Conference care directly and make early have a dirty secret to Board of Canada published childhood education a desir- tell you. It’s a lie that findings in 2017 that showed able profession by funding I has been told over and every dollar spent on early educators’ wages so we can over and so often that I childhood education pays make a decent living. sometimes thought it was back six dollars. There are several reasons true. Child care is not a Training as an ECE re- why EC educators have such labour of love. It is work. quires that you learn about low wages. There’s the un- It is paid labour and really child development, program dervaluing of women’s work quite terrible pay at that! planning, health and safety, which has traditionally been I learned recently that the working with families and unpaid when done in the lowest return on a post-sec- building relationships with home by mothers. There’s ondary education in Canada children. Over and over again, the fragmented approach to is to invest in training as an research shows that high- what little government fund- early childhood educator. quality child care is linked to ing exists, and this results in When you train as a social the training and qualifications a divided sector. And there’s worker, an animator, a law- of staff. So, it is worthwhile the low rate of unionization. yer or a pastry chef, you will for children, families, and so- We have seen child care as a earn much more. In the field ciety, in general, that there be market product and not as a of early childhood education investment in post-secondary public service. We have re- (ECE), your investment is education for early childhood lied on child care workers to not worth it. education. provide the public service for The irony, of course, is Not long ago the federal next to nothing in wages. that when governments invest government announced $420 There’s an obvious and in child care the return is re- million in grants and bursa- easy solution: provide public markably high, and a univer- ries to help provinces and funding for a universal, regu- sal, publicly funded system territories train and retain lated and high-quality sys- would “pay for itself” (Stan- qualified early childhood tem. There are lots of people educators. Yet there is a tug who love working with chil- Don’t miss an issue! of war going on with parents dren and we are ready to in- paying unaffordable high vest in giving this care. Subscribe to The BUZZ fees and the EC educators Is the federal government notification list, and we’ll let you taking home wages so low ready? know as soon as the next issue is that the profession is unat- Amanda Quance is a published. Email tractive. The only way to end member of Child Care Now- [email protected] this is to publicly fund child Ottawa: ottawa.ccnow.ca/ APRIL 16, 2021 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 9 Dalhousie Community Association elects new board, learns of new potential neighbours Archie Campbell 550 new housing units these proposals as an initia- This provided a perfect tive to reverse the decline in he Dalhousie Com- segue into the next presen- affordable housing. munity Association tation by Robert MacNeil With more families mov- CCA report to speak about a favourite ture trees that comprise the T (DCA) held its first and Cliff Youdale for Ot- ing into the area if the in- shop or restaurant to a neigh- urban canopy, and the pres- Annual General Meeting in tawa Community Housing tentions of these plans were Jack Hanna bour.” Blaszczyk spoke at ervation and creation of parks nearly two years on April 7 showing plans for the con- realized, many expressed the CCA’s recent forum on and greenspaces, so that by Zoom call. More than 70 struction of over 550 new optimism that such an influx Help a local business supporting Centretown busi- denser cities are liveable. persons joined the meeting. housing units approved for might even keep Cambridge Here are some concrete nesses through the pandemic. The highlight of the eve- the city-owned lands on the Street Public School open. things you can do right now Oppose nuclear-waste site ning was two presentations Rochester Heights and Glad- to help a shop or restaurant Centretown farmers’ market The CCA asked City about the Dalhousie com- stone Village areas. (See the DCA influence significant? make it through the pandem- Centretown could use a Council to oppose a pro- munity, one by the Somer- March Centretown BUZZ: Just before the board ic and give them a boost. farmers’ market. The CCA is posed nuclear-waste disposal set West Community Health “A new diverse community elections, Michael Powell First, write a Google re- working with the organizer site at Chalk River, upstream Centre (SWCHC) and the takes shape in Dalhousie”.) delivered his final Presi- view. “Google reviews are of other farmers markets in from Ottawa on the Ottawa other by Ottawa Community These units will be built dent’s Report. For Michael, big,” said Christa Blaszczyk, the city to launch one. What River. The proposed site Housing. on the site of recently torn the main insight of his tenure the owner of boogie + birdie is envisioned is a weekly would hold low-level radio- The meeting concluded down public housing and was that, although the DCA on Elgin Street. market in Boushey’s Square active wastes from nuclear with the election of a new new areas recently acquired suffered many setbacks in Here’s how to do this: off Elgin Street on Sunday facilities in a giant, above- Board of Directors, over half by the city, notably the disputes with developers and First, Google the business. mornings. To help, contact ground mound. of whom were new recruits. Canada Lands area south city officials, the DCA’s in- A column for that business [email protected] The CCA said the site is Under the DCA bylaws, and west of the Plant Pool fluence as a local residential pops up on the right side of only one kilometre from the the board elects its president Recreation area. association was significant. your screen. Scroll down to New Official Plan input Ottawa River, on porous and and other executive mem- While housing density He then assigned to the the Reviews section. Hit the The CCA likes the central fractured bedrock, and in an bers at a subsequent meeting. will be greatly increased, DCA an influence value of button. Write a review. You thrust of the draft new Official earthquake zone. There are However, Michael Powell, city developers and planners 10 percent. Ten percent may will be asked to log in with Plan (OP) for Ottawa: greater also questions about whether the current president, an- have taken great care to de- not seem like much, but it is your Google (gmail) account. population density in existing the design accords with in- nounced that he was step- sign townhouse housing for better than nothing. Keep the review short–just a neighbourhoods. However, in ternational best practices. ping down after being at the families that would normally Moreover, by being per- handful of words. Award five its submission to the city, the In late March, a City helm for the last eight years, be deemed too large and sub- sistent and putting ideas out stars. CCA had concerns. Council committee de- although he will continue to urban for a downtown area, there, the DCA had proposed While online reviews New buildings and infills clined to oppose the pro- sit on the board. as well as larger high-rise a plan of action for others help, the oldest form of ad- must “preserve and enhance” posed nuclear-waste facility. buildings along Raymond in the community to follow, vertising – folks talking to the existing neighbourhood However, councillors raised Report shows less afford- Street. such as the hoped-for lane their neighbours – matters character. For that to happen, concerns and called for the able housing Though some worried reductions on Albert Street. even more to a neighbour- the CCA says, residents must be federal government to con- Emilie Hayes, SWCHC’s about increased traffic these Small victories over time hood business. “Word of involved in setting density tar- duct a review of all nuclear- manager of Community En- developments would bring, can lead to bigger changes mouth is our number-one gets for their neighbourhoods. waste disposal projects in the gagement, told the meeting especially along Booth down the road (to coin a most effective advertising,” The CCA also called for Ottawa Valley. about the centre’s recent Street, others welcomed phrase.) Blaszczyk said. “Be sure the safeguarding of big, ma- “Building Community To- gether” report, which she edited. The report was pro- Looking for a good home? duced with the aid of urban MPP report: Community solidarity and planning students from Mc- Gill University who anal- evidence-based decisions are needed ysed census data from 2006 and 2016. Hayes highlighted trends to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the West Centretown Joel Harden gatherings. This means wear- On April 8, I wrote to (Lyon to the O-Train) area, ing a mask when outdoors. Ontario Minister Steve Clark which would be familiar to ike many of you, It is frustrating to see and Solicitor General Sylvia observers of most urban ar- I was shaken by non-compliance in our city. Jones. I urged them to speak eas – growing gentrification, L CBC’s interview There were Easter dinners out against Randy Hillier, a small population decline with Dr. Michael Warner, with extended family and MPP for Lanark-Frontenac- due to the conversion of head of the Intensive Care friends; many joggers in tight Kingston, who’s been telling multiple unit dwellings into Unit (ICU) at Michael formation, or on crammed people to defy pandemic reg- single-family ones, and less Garron Hospital during basketball courts, and soccer ulations and making absurd, affordable housing available the Easter long weekend. games; picnics with multiple offensive parallels between for single renters and even “Four floors below me,” he people, or backyard parties the Nazi regime and public less for families. said, “Patients in their 20s, with neighbours. health rules. The report is available on 30s and 40s are fighting for I know the weather is ter- Hillier held a mask the centre’s website (swchc. their lives.” rific. I know people are sick burning party on April 8 in on.ca). Who were they? As Dr. and tired of being sick and Kemptville and brought a Warner explained, “partner tired. But this is the worst crowd to the front doors of a of a child care worker, wife possible moment to let our gym, a 20-minute walk from of a factory worker, ride collective guard down. We my own home in Ottawa. As share app driver, checkout are reaping the cost of more he did so, COVID-19 case clerk at a dollar store.” These than a year of half-hearted counts in Ottawa reached re- were essential workers and pandemic measures but the cord levels. their family members. The end is in sight. To his credit, Minis- same people we hailed as he- Our opposition caucus ter Clark spoke out, as did roes were fighting to survive will keep pushing for sys- Mayor Nancy Peckford, the COVID-19 variants fill- temic fixes from the Ford whose electoral district in- ing our ICUs. government such as a real cludes Kemptville. None of Why does an ICU doc- paid sick days plan, or an us should be silent at a time tor do media interviews? immunization strategy that when vigilance is necessary. To shock us into action. To prioritizes essential workers. So please, stay safe, and impress on us that we must, But we need your help. encourage those you love to MUST follow public health If someone you love isn’t do likewise. Community sol- rules. There is currently a doing their part, give them idarity and evidence-based stay-at-home order with a a gentle reminder to do the decisions are the only way maximum of five for outdoor right thing. Lives are at risk. forward. 10 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA APRIL 16, 2021 Letter to the editor Watson doesn’t like detractors ayor Jim Watson has long been called out for not handling criticism well. Now, as the longest- M serving mayor, responsible for listening to residents’ voices, it seems counterintuitive to the job. In 2018, Watson’s actions caught up to him when he was told he couldn’t keep blocking people on Twitter. While Wat- son often believes those criticizing him online are personally attacking him, they’re often just residents asking for change. For example, on Feb. 26, in promoting an International Women’s Day event in Ottawa, Watson was largely criticized because the graphic displayed a picture of him–the largest im- age–and only featured white women as speakers. The optics weren’t great. Online users rightfully criticized the mayor’s prominence in the graphic and the lack of melanin present. Three days later, the promotion had changed. Watson’s photo was smaller and moved to the background, while a young Black woman was added to the line-up. It could have been a learning moment. But Watson and the city never addressed the issue publicly or admitted their mea culpa. Nor did featured speakers Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vera Etches or Councillors Theresa Kavanagh and Catherine Kitts comment about it. It seemed as if a Black woman was added as a mere token and they called it a day. Yes, the people had spoken but City Hall was just chang- Part of the “We gon’ be alright” street mural at Bank and Lisgar blew down March 12. The Downtown Bank BIA, which had ing things to placate them without actually having to explain commissioned the mural, said the base of the hoarding was rotten in several areas and the high winds blew a portion of it any growth or acknowledging the public’s call-out that allowed down onto Bank Street. The cut-up pieces can be seen behind the fence. The BIA tweeted that it plans to replace the mural as them to amend things. On International Women’s Day, those soon as possible, and is working with the property owner to get a quote for the new hoarding, to be installed in late spring. in power should be trying to raise voices that have long been The work has been delayed by the lockdown, but the BIA said they will reinstall it as soon as they can. Brett Delmage/The BUZZ ignored and marginalized in society, not silence them further. It also sounds like that’s what Mayor Watson was doing again on March 2 at a joint Community and Protective Services Bank Street closure helped hard-hit local restaurants Committee. In a clip posted online from a consultation for the Alayne McGregor local area; when it was open, The closure could be ex- able and safe warm inviting city’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan, a delegate spoke Closing Bank Street on they tended to come from fur- tended to Friday nights as spaces. I spent three hours on about her experiences and concerns. In the meeting, Watson Saturdays last summer was ther afar. She said that might well as Saturdays, she said, the street with my site opera- interrupted, spoke over the woman countless times, questioned a success, says Downtown have been because people and Flora Hall Brewing is tions guy to figure out where her qualifications and belittled her statements. It was unfair and Bank BIA executive director thought that Bank Street be- also looking at closing Flora we will put benches on the unprofessional behaviour. But, for those who follow Watson’s Christine Leadman. “It sup- ing closed meant that they and possibly Frank Street street this year, to set them history when disagreed with, it wasn’t surprising; it showed ported those businesses that couldn’t go there. this summer. up so people feel safer.” what we already knew. Watson’s recent support for Interna- were the hardest-hit, and it The closure allowed res- The BIA will also enliven He said that his BIA real- tional Women’s Day was just for show. gave an opportunity for resi- taurants, which had been Bank Street with public art ized that “we weren’t forging On March 6, users also criticized Watson for publicly ac- dents to walk and feel com- particular hard-hit by the and visuals: “just to make the a proper relationship with the knowledging he was out dining with Councillor Eli El-Chan- fortable and safe.” pandemic, to open patio street a little more fun, enter- people who live around us.” tiry, while Dr. Etches was warning residents to stay within The BIA recently con- space right on the street – taining but also safe.” He urged residents to “take their household bubbles as cases of COVID-19 went up. ducted a public survey, adding more tables for dis- What you won’t see there a chance” by checking put Watson has said the pandemic has been difficult for him be- which received more than tanced dining – and other this summer is the large-scale local businesses they hadn’t cause he lives alone. But, even if he wanted to have company for 600 responses, to get feed- businesses to place tables events like Glowfair that ran tried before. breakfast, he didn’t need to post it online sending further mixed back on the street closure. “It and signs outside. pre-pandemic. “Events are “No one defines Ottawa messages. Nonetheless, he thanked someone who called people was very positive. We didn’t The BIA also worked not going to be a mainstay by Kanata or Orleans or Bar- who criticized his choices idiots, showing dialogue and criticism get any negative responses with local service agencies on downtown Bank Street. rhaven. It’s the personality are again unwelcome in Watson’s Ottawa. from the public.” and the city to place porta- We are looking at redirecting that we create down here.” Over less than 10 days, the mayor made it clear he’ll continue Leadman was speaking potties on Bank Street to our efforts focusing more on Ultimately, Leadman to help those who side with him and alienate those who don’t. at a community conversation provide access to washroom the local and our residents in said, it’s important to support Watson has long been known for his retail politics and has on supporting small busi- facilities for all. the area. And not engaging main street businesses, in always been affable with constituents when attending local nesses in Centretown. The Leadman said the closure people to drive in.” whatever way is comfortable events. And it can be difficult to hear criticism and negative online meeting on March was part of an effort to re- McHale said the Sparks for you. “The main streets feedback about work you’ve done. But listening is a skill that 30 was an initiative of the build consumer confidence. Street BIA was also doubling that you have are important needs to be nurtured, especially in public service. Centretown Community As- People hadn’t felt comfort- down on placemaking in to the vitality of your com- Maybe, it’s time we got a new mayor next year. sociation. It also featured able going into stores and order to “create a comfort- munity.” Amy Yee Kevin McHale, the executive walking down the street, so director of the Sparks Street the BIA put decals on the BIA, and Christa Blaszczyk, ground to tell people about the owner of the Elgin Street keeping your distance. business boogie + birdie. “People are afraid to go The BIA arranged for beyond and of course with Bank Street to be reserved the numbers moving up and for pedestrians, cyclists, and down, it makes it very chal- scooters from 9 a.m. to mid- lenging to make decisions: night every Saturday from ‘Should I go out or shouldn’t July 11 to September 5. While I go out? Am I safer in this motor vehicles weren’t al- store or in that store?’ ” lowed on the street, they could She argued the small still be parked on intersecting stores were safer than big- side streets. Leadman said box stores, because they that some BIA members had contained fewer people and concerns about deliveries, and it was easier to monitor the “we worked around those.” number of people in them. The cost was $12 to $15 Will the Bank closure thousand a day, she said, for happen again this summer? security, medical assistance, “We’re working on it. We’ll signage, and other costs. most likely look at doing a An analysis of visits be- street closure again – in what fore, during, and after the clo- format, we’re not sure yet.” sure didn’t see a significant The BIA’s board will review change in numbers, but “it the results of the public feed- was a different kind of visit.” back and an Environics study, When the street was closed, as well as polling its members, The new Corso Italia LRT station is currently under construction in the LRT Line 2 trench just north of Gladstone Avenue. Here, visitors were more from the before making a decision. a worker applies anti-erosion spray. Brett Delmage/The BUZZ APRIL 16, 2021 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 11 What’s on(line) this month in Ottawa and beyond Tony Wohlfarth nadian Underground Film Festival in Calgary. It will then be available for screening via the DOXA Documentary Film The Irish Film Festival of Ottawa Festival site in mid-May: www.doxafestival.ca/ ast year, the Irish Film Festival was postponed due to the pandemic. This year’s version is online Canadian Film Day 2021 L from mid-April, with feature films, documenta- April 21 is Canadian Film Day–a celebration of films ries, shorts, and question and answer sessions. made by Canadians. On its website (canadianfilmday.ca/), For tickets and film information, check out: https://www. you can learn about and view the films there. All the National irishfilmfestivalottawa.ca/ Film Board (NFB) selections are available for free at https:// nfb.ca Other films are available via Netflix, Crave and CBC South-by-Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival Gem. SXSW is an annual celebration of music, film and the On that day, you can also see a free screening of Atom arts in Austin, Texas. For 2021, SXSW was held virtually in Egoyan’s 2015 thriller, Remember, starring the late Christo- March and The BUZZ was there. pher Plummer, plus an interview with Egoyan discussing his experiences of working with Plummer on two films. Register Joe Buffalo for tickets at canadianfilmday.ca/remember-2021/ Joe Buffalo is a 16-minute Canadian film about a 43-year- . old Indian residential school survivor who became a champi- National Arts Centre (NAC) onship skateboarder. Joe attended a residential school in Le- The NAC is live-streaming performances by renowned bret, Saskatchewan, until 1992. Set in Calgary, the film uses jazz pianist Kris Davis (April 30), and Senegalese-born mas- archival footage to tell his life story and link it to the demise ter percussionist and singer-songwriter Élage Diouf (May 1). of the buffalo, which once roamed the Canadian prairie. For tickets and event information, visit: https://nac-cna.ca/en/ Joe Buffalo overcomes his inner demons and years of ad- calendar/list/2021/04 diction to succeed in a sport which I found fascinating to watch. And check out the NAC’s free live-stream performances on The film is directed by Syrian-born filmmaker Amar Chebib Friday evenings, free conducting classes with Music Director The Frank family on the Merwedeplein, May 1941. From the (www.amarchebib.com/), who currently lives in Vancouver. Alexander Shelley, and musical creation workshops for children. photo collection of the Anne Frank Stichting (Amsterdam). Joe Buffalo will have its Canadian premiere at the Ca- Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) dation in Amsterdam. It chronicles the incredible story of the You can get your virtual Canadian theatre fix at the GCTC Frank family, who spent two years in hiding from the Nazis. this month. Until April 22, you can hear a pre-recorded au- The museum is currently closed. It has said it will extend dio version of John Mighton’s award-winning play, Half Life, the exhibit, and new dates will be announced on its website. presented in conjunction with the Tarragon Theatre. You can see the opening video for the exhibit at www. On April 29, actor and playwright Mark Crawford will warmuseum.ca/annefrank/ To know more about Anne’s short present a new script about an urban transplant who finds him- life (she died at age 15), readers can watch this short video at: self unexpectedly owning a small-town radio station. Chase www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/who-was-anne-frank/ the Ace will be live-streamed from Crawford’s home in Strat- Her book was published posthumously by her father Otto ford, with a Q&A afterward. and has been translated into more than 70 languages. More information at www.gctc.ca I sincerely regret any harm done by suggesting that Anne herself survived the Holocaust. Anne died (probably of ty- Museums phus) in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945. The Local museums and galleries are closed this month be- only member of her family to survive the war was her father cause of the current provincial emergency order. Otto.

Anne Frank: A History for Today Tony Wohlfarth is an Ottawa-based freelance film, arts and The Centretown BUZZ had an opportunity to visit the entertainment writer. He participated in the virtual SXSW Anne Frank exhibition at the Canadian War Museum last Film Festival last month and was a guest of the CWM to wit- A still from the film Joe Buffalo (courtesy the director) month. The exhibition is on loan from the Anne Frank Foun- ness the Anne Frank Exhibition. Library removes access to “essential” services cont from p 1 her prebooked one-hour slot, and discovered that there were “Governments need to recognize that libraries are essen- “This is something that is top-of-mind for OPL and we are three people who had reserved that very same time on differ- tial services,” Bassett said, and the computer and related ser- actively exploring ways in which to assist with technology ent library computers. With only one computer now avail- vices in particular. She said she truly appreciates the library needs such as outdoor WiFi access, access to Chromebooks, able, she said, the staff offered each of them 10 minutes. and recommends it to everyone but, in the last year, her exas- printing, photocopying, etc.” The library then cancelled all her computer bookings later peration levels with the library have risen. So far, they said, the library has “loaned out more than in the week, she said, forcing her to rebook them. And then all In March, the OPL reported that it had an operating surplus 200 Chromebooks and 20 WiFi hotspots via 30 community access to computers was removed on April 8. of $6,277,755 (or 12.6 per cent of its budget) in 2020. That was partners.” Bassett said these resources did not address the Bassett has complained several times to the OPL admin- 24 times as large as the 2019 surplus of $256,724. It attributed needs of people who use computers and other facilities in the istration and board members about limited computer access the surplus to branch closures and operational changes (such as branches. during the pandemic, but has not seen any improvement. She fewer hours) due to the pandemic. The library board decided “I don’t believe they’re really aware of how great the need said she had one response last fall from Anna Basile, the li- to transfer $5 million of the surplus to the new central library is,” Bassett said. She has become steadily more frustrated brary’s division manager for Corporate Services, saying her project and the remainder to library reserves. with library computer access during the pandemic. concerns would be brought to the attention of the library When the Main branch first reopened last August, she board. Bassett said she didn’t remember any follow-up. Need to walk more? said, the number of computers available was reduced to five, The library has also imposed other pandemic restrictions with all the computers on the locked third floor inaccessible. which Bassett considers “bordering on asinine” and without Why not deliver The BUZZ Users were only allowed to book one hour of computer time reason: each month? per day, which Bassett said is hardly sufficient. • not allowing access to washrooms (as of April 3), “If all the of OPL management and staff … had access which she says shows a lack of compassionate un- to the above resources for (barely) one hour a day, exclud- derstanding and respect for dignity, especially for the Email circulation@ ing Sundays, and furthermore had to travel to access those vulnerable. resources, very little would be accomplished. Yet, that is what • refusing to accept cash to pay fines or photocopy centretownbuzz.com is imposed on those without access to one or more of the ap- bills. Bassett has had to make complicated arrange- plicable equipment, devices, or services in their own home, ments to pay for photocopying because of this policy 24/7.” and because the change kiosk to load photocopy In addition, the number of hours the Main branch is open cards is on the closed third floor of the Main branch. were reduced from 59 to 42 per week. The library is now • removing access to print newspapers. “Digital [news- closed Monday and Wednesday evenings; Bassett’s preferred papers] don’t do you any good if you don’t have [In- work time is in the evening. ternet] access.” She said she would regularly see four More recently, on April 3, the library decided that only or five people in a branch reading the newspapers one public computer would be available per branch, even in every day. large branches like Main – a decision she describes as un- • waiting to check books in until after they’ve quar- reasonable and excessively restrictive compared to what’s antined for up to a week, possibly putting user ac- required for stores. counts into default for books that have already been Bassett said she went to the Main branch on April 6 for returned. 12 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA APRIL 16, 2021

PURSUE YOUR PASSIONS VIRTUAL SEMINARS HOSTED BY AMICA THE GLEBE

Amica The Glebe, an upcoming senior lifestyles residence, is pleased to invite you to pursue your passions, old or new, at our upcoming virtual events.

ART AT HOME Join us as we watch a video from the Vancouver Art Gallery, curated exclusively for Amica: The Curious World of Emily Carr. Learn about the B.C.-born painter on her journey towards bold and expressive abstractionism. Registration includes a package of art supplies, so you can apply what you learned to create your own art. Wednesday, April 23 | 2:00- 3:00pm RSVP by April 20

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