MARCH 13, 2020 VOL. 25 NO. 3 THE BUZZ

Last track on the album: Compact Music leaves Centretown 5 Acquired tastes: Pearl likes beets now 4 Centretown: space for everyone residents don’t feel alone or tion. Much of the privately- Jack Hanna bored, and become drawn owned affordable housing in he shortage of af- back into old street habits. downtown is in older fordable housing in al- buildings, built decades ago, T downtown Ottawa ready has some support- and now aged and rundown. is only going to get worse ive housing. Residents can When an older building is with ongoing gentrifica- obtain training in practical renovated, or torn down and tion, said panelists at a skills such as cooking, bud- replaced, the new apartments recent Carleton University geting or proper hygiene, or command higher rents. forum on housing. life skills such as problem “We have a lot of rental But that’s not the only solving or goal setting. stock that is aging and aging problem. The city’s core also “Some people need sup- fast,” said Adamo. “We need has an urgent need for di- ports, so that they not only to make sure we don’t lose verse types of housing. become housed but remain it to demolition, redevelop- “Supportive housing” stably housed over time,” ment and condo conver- is crucial, said Councillor said panelist Abra Adamo, sions.” Catherine McKenney. a researcher with Canada “We have to preserve There are about 500 Mortgage and Housing Cor- our rental stock,” said McK- chronically homeless people poration. enney. “People are being in Ottawa, many of them in The need for affordable pushed out and then the land- the core, McKenney said. housing in the heart of Ot- lords are renovating those Often people with a a long tawa is so great that city spaces into units with higher history of homelessness need council in January declared a rents that the people being social supports in order to housing “emergency.” pushed out can’t afford.” succeed on their own. Some 20,000 households The city wants to hike “Without supports, these in Ottawa need affordable housing density near LRT people end up back in the housing, according to McK- stations. McKenney points shelters.” Supportive hous- enney. (Housing is afford- out the city has identified ing, they said, “is proven. It able if the occupant’s rent is 12 vacant sites within 600 works.” 30 percent of their income.) metres of an LRT station CCOC/The BUZZ Downtown Ottawa has Council has adopted the and hopes these will be used Affordable housing under construction, early 90s supportive housing, provid- target of cutting that need by for affordable housing. But ed by organizations such as 50 percent in the next half that’s far from certain. lands near LRT stations and mixed-use neighbourhoods, Ottawa Salus, Options By- decade. But the panelists “There’s nothing to stop the councillor says those too with access to services and town, and the Shepherds of were not optimistic. City Council from selling should be earmarked for af- frequent, reliable transit.” Good Hope. They provide McKenney says the city those lands to developers. I fordable housing. And Ottawans need to staff support, sometimes cannot come close to meet- have asked city staff to look A successful residen- fight to keep schools, parks, around the clock, connecting ing the need without help. at a public trust to hold these tial neighbourhood needs a rinks and community cen- residents with services they “We need funding and that lands, so they can only go to diversity of housing—and tres, added McKenney. need, such as counsellors, has to come from other lev- public housing.” Otherwise, much more. “In the end, we are all go- nurses or psychologists. The els of government.” “I fear we will lose them.” “Housing disconnected ing to live closer and closer, staff also organize activities As well, existing housing The provincial and feder- from services is not healthy,” and we are going to have to and build community, so that is being lost to gentrifica- al governments have vacant said Adamo. “We need figure that out.” Redrawing Ottawa’s wards: what’s the fair solution? Alayne McGregor lation of 62,848, has more wards were so much geo- In 1991, the Supreme In practice, the federal and residents than West Car- graphically larger. Court of Canada ruled that provincial ridings which ow far can you leton-March (26,003) and Their argument carried “effective representation” cover the City of Ottawa do stretch “one per- Osgoode (28,557) combined. the day, and the city ended up should be the determining not vary in population much: H son, one vote”? Somerset Ward, which with ward populations rang- factor in setting electoral the smallest is 11% below That’s the major issue in covers all of Centretown, has ing from 20,000 to 55,000. boundaries. This “Carter” the local average and the the city’s new ward bound- 42,277 residents–just below One of the rural wards decision said that “rela- largest is 5% above. ary review, which begins the citywide average num- (Stittsville) has substantially tive parity of voting power” “25% is a big variation,” this month. ber of residents per ward. increased in population but should be a prime factor con- Brocklebank said. “But right The structure and vot- Someone living in either the other three have not. sidered to avoid “uneven and at the moment, the varia- ing balance of Ottawa City of the two rural wards thus The Federation of Citi- unfair representation.” tion [among City of Ottawa Council–as well as how has twice the voting power zens’ Associations (FCA), However, other factors wards] is greater than that – much your vote counts–may of someone in Barrhaven, or the umbrella organization of including “geography, com- so even just getting to 25% be affected by this review. 60% more than someone in Ottawa community associa- munity history, community would be an improvement.” Centretown residents Centretown. tions, appealed the boundary interests and minority repre- Currently, he says, “we can learn more at a City It’s been 15 years since decision. The FCA appeal sentation” could be consid- end up with some wards that Hall open house on Tuesday, the city last examined ward was led by Glebe resident ered to ensure effective rep- are much more heavily popu- March 31. boundaries. That was a Bob Brocklebank. resentation of “the diversity lated than others, and there- The review will reex- highly contentious process, Brocklebank is con- of our social mosaic. Beyond fore those people, in a sense, amine the boundaries of ev- which was appealed to the cerned about the current re- this, dilution of one citizen’s receive less representation ery ward in Ottawa to see Municipal Board by view–in particular about its vote as compared with an- on council. Or another way whether they fairly represent several different groups. underlying guidelines. “For other’s should not be coun- of looking at it: some coun- residents and reflect recent Rural residents argued example, what kind of varia- tenanced.” cillors are overcharged with growth. It could also recom- they needed more power tion in population should be A variation of up to 25% work, whereas others have mend more or fewer wards. on City Council in order to permitted between the least either way is allowed for relatively few constituents to Barrhaven, the largest preserve their community and most populated electoral federal ridings, with more in deal with.” city ward, with a 2019 popu- of interest and because their districts?” extraordinary circumstances. (cont on 2) 2 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA MARCH 13, 2020

March 13, 2020 — Vol. 25, No. 3 The Good, the Bad, and the Bumpy

Ryan Lythall The reason why I’m thing like that. And besides, ate the gesture, there’s noth- THE bringing this up is because everyone’s different. De- ing you can really help with. or those of you that this month, I’ll be talking pending on the situation, it’s There’s one other impor- CENTRETOWN don’t know my sto- about how to act around good to at least acknowledge tant thing that I feel needs ry, I’ll give you a personal care attendants and them though. Again, that de- to be addressed here. If you BUZZ Fbrief look at one aspect of caregivers that is respect- pends on the situation. For want to ask me a question, it. I was born in 1975 with a ful to them, and the person example, if you see me in a please ask me, not the atten- AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA SINCE 1995. rare neuromuscular condi- they’re with. public bathroom, it’s okay to dant, or whomever a person tion called Nemaline My- I have 24/7 care: that not to acknowledge them. It with a disability happens 101-210 Gloucester St. opathy. My parents were means wherever I go in pub- has led to some interesting to be with. At many coffee Ottawa, ON unable to look after my lic, one of my staff has to moments though. shops, restaurants, or bars, K2P 2K4 medical needs, and back come with me. This could Some of my staff are fe- staff will completely ignore Phone: 613-565-6012 in the 70s and 80s, wheel- include shopping, going for male. When I use a public me and ask whoever I’m with chair accessible housing coffee, appointments, er- washroom, I always use the what I want. I understand that didn’t exist, at least none rands, movies, concerts, male washroom. This can it’s loud, but at least ask me www.centretownbuzz.com that met my needs. Due to and yes, even dates. For the cause different reactions what I want. If you can’t hear twitter.com/centretownbuzz all this, I lived at CHEO most part, my staff are very from men. My favourite re- me, or understand what I’m facebook.com/centretownbuzz for 19 years. In 1992, I was respectful and understanding action is when a guy walks saying at the second, or third approached by CHEO staff of the fact that this is my life. in and sees a woman helping time, then you can ask the BUZZ Staff about me having to move, They know when to stand me; they’ll do a double take. other me. Don’t automati- because I was getting too back, if I’m in a social set- Often, this means that they’ll cally ignore me. Chances are Managing editor old. ting, or when I want privacy. double check the sign to that you wouldn’t ignore an Alayne McGregor | [email protected] At the time, they pro- They also know to be nearby make sure that they’re in the able-bodied customer at your posed sending me to a long- when I need them. It’s a fine right washroom. Sometimes, table or bar. After you take Associate editor term care hospital or to a balance. they’ll return when they re- my order, I’ll be the one pay- Eleanor Sawyer group home. I chose another How should you act alize that they’re in the right ing for myself, and that may option. I wanted to live on around them? The simple an- place. Other times, they’ll include a tip, or not. I could City Editor: my own. In order for me to swer is be yourself. There’s find another washroom to go on about this topic, but I Robert Smythe | [email protected] do that, I needed to make no handbook that has rules use. There are also times only have so much room. sure that I had 24/7 attendant on how to act around person- where my attendant has been Distribution manager: care set up in my home, and al care attendants. They’re asked if we need help in the Follow Lythall on Twitter Archie Campbell for the times when I go out. not support animals or any- washroom. While I appreci- @rolling_enigma. [email protected] Ward boundaries Welcome Alayne McGregor ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (cont from 1) boundaries late next fall. 2003, she received the City The Centretown BUZZ is created and distributed The 2005 review had Any changes will come into of Ottawa’s Bruce Timmer- in Centretown, Ottawa, located on traditional and real problems, he said, in- effect with the 2022 elec- mans award for her work to unceded Algonquin land. cluding its position “that tions. improve local cycling condi- the urban boundary and the “The most likely scenar- tions. Greenbelt were important io is the least change pos- She served for nine years NEXT ISSUE divisions and should be re- sible,” Brocklebank says, on the Ottawa Public library spected in determining the “because every councillor board, dealing with issues The next issue of The BUZZ will be published wards. Only Cumberland ... already has some sort ranging from Internet porn to April 17. Deadline for ads and submissions: April 6. ward in the east crosses of political machine that is new library locations to bud- ISSN 1204-1604 from a suburban area out related to the present ward get cutbacks. into a rural area. boundaries. So it is in every After Ottawa was amal- Brett Delmage/The BUZZ ADVERTISING “And frankly, I’m not incumbent councillor’s in- gamated, she helped to bring convinced that the rural terest to see as little change he Centretown BUZZ different libraries into one The BUZZ is proud to offer an effective advertising people have that many in- as possible. That does not welcomes a new system. She was also presi- medium that reaches 10,000 Centretown homes and terests that are totally dis- mean that’s the best thing managing editor with dent of her local community businesses each month. Our competitive advertising rates are T tinct from those of the urban for the population as a this issue. association and lost count as low as $31 per issue. people. Or that urban peo- whole, but ... I think that the Alayne McGregor is a years ago of the number of View our rate card and publishing dates at ple and suburban people are minimalist approach is what long-time Ottawa journalist city advisory committees centretownbuzz.com. For more information, email that different! One way to is most likely to prevail.” and citizen activist. she’s served on. [email protected] or call 613-565-6012. address Barrhaven’s prob- This month, the city will If you’re a local jazz McGregor has a degree lem is to incorporate part hold its first round of pub- fan, you may have seen her in computer science and of Barrhaven into the rural lic consultations on ward intently listening and taking worked for many years as a Thank you to our volunteer carriers ward next to it. boundaries, with nine open notes at local jazz shows, software designer. “The idea that, when houses, starting March 10 interviewing jazz musicians, But even when she was André Bigras, Archie Campbell, Bayne Pearen, Betty you cross the urban bound- at Ben Franklin Place. The or videoing everyone from in university, the student Gregory, Brendan Hennigan, Brent McLean, Carol Sissons, ary, those people are totally Centretown session will be student big bands to a group newspaper was a constant Cassidy Beers, Catharine Vandelinde, different – in fact, many of held at Ottawa City Hall on playing in an empty swim- passion and temptation. The Catherine Boucher, Charles Akben-Marchand, Charles the people who live in the Tuesday, March 31, from 3 year after graduation, she Gregory, Chris Edwards, Craig Layng, Colleen McGuire, ming pool. David Seaborn, Debbie Barton, , Don Smith, rural area are not primar- to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 to For the last 10 years, she was vice-president of Cana- Drina Wethey, Eleanor Sawyer, Glynda Newton, Heather ily rural people. They are 8:30 p.m. In late spring, the has been the editor of Ot- dian University Press, work- Elliott, Jennifer Bedwell, Joan Spice, Kathleen Oliver, Ken- suburbanites who commute consultants will bring for- tawaJazzScene.ca, an online ing in the old Rideau Winter ney Vandelinde, Kim Malcolm, Michael Hatfield, Michael into the city to work. They ward options for ward re- news site which covered the Club in downtown Ottawa. Powell, Michelle Kirkman, Mike Gregory, Mindy live basically an urban exis- alignments, and the city will local, Canadian, and interna- She’s also been a regular Sichel, Murray Shaw, Pam Gahan, Pat Shaulis, tence.” ask for comments on those tional jazz scene. reader of The BUZZ. Patricia Marsden-Dole, Patrick Garcia, Richard Coelho, He is also concerned over the summer. She’s also wellknown as “Community newspapers Robert Smythe, Ruth Barrie, Shelley Pearen, Suzanne Nash, that having rural-only wards Learn more about the an advocate for Ottawa cy- are special: they’re more Venita Warren, Wendy Bennett, Wendy Hunter, Wendy means that no other council- process at ottawa.ca/en/ clists, formerly as president, personal and more accessible Sewell, Zsofia Orosz. Laura Mueller lors would have an interest city-hall/public-engage- board member, and a volun- than a Postmedia paper filled To join our distribution team, please call in rural issues: “that’s a ment/projects/ward-bound- teer with Citizens for Safe with wire copy,” she says. way to neglect rural issues. ary-review-2020 Cycling (now Bike Ottawa) “The articles are by peo- 613-565-6012 or email That’s the classic way of for more than 20 years. ple you might know or meet [email protected] dealing with a minority in Read the full BUZZ inter- She was a founding in the grocery store; they’re a gerrymandered system ... view with Bob Brocklebank member of the city’s first about issues that directly af- The Centretown BUZZ is published by the Centretown BUZZ Board you take all [of one kind of] about the issues behind this cycling advisory group and fect you as a citizen and a of Directors, a group consisting of community voters and you put them in ward boundary review at served on the project steer- Centretowner. Even the ads members representing all residents of Centretown. one little riding so they only centretownbuzz.com. ing committee that devel- are more relevant. The Centretown BUZZ operates under the guidelines of the have influence on that one oped the first cycling plans “They’re fun to read Canadian Copyright Act. member of Congress.” for the City of Ottawa and and fun to put together. I’m © 2020 The Centretown BUZZ City Council will vote the former Regional Munici- looking forward to the chal- on any changes to ward pality of Ottawa-Carleton. In lenge.” MARCH 13, 2020 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 3 Skyline: Ottawa’s ice from blocks to sheets

Robert Smythe over by George E. Kings- The Rideau Curling Club efore the refrigera- bury in 1902. Ice-cutting opened its new rink at Coo- tor, supplying Ot- transferred to the Rideau per and Percy in 1949. The B tawa’s thousands River in 1914 when it was club had been established of households and busi- discovered that Ottawa River at the Waller Street skating nesses with natural ice was water was contaminated by arena in 1888. When that fa- a major undertaking. Every typhoid germs. cility was requisitioned for neighbourhood had its own With the development of WWI, the curlers relocated ice house. artificial ice plants and the to a building on the site of Levi Booth started the popularity of electric refrig- what is now the Supreme Ottawa Independent Ice Co. erators, natural ice was no Court. Expropriation of at Percy and Cooper Streets longer needed. Kingsbury that building forced another in 1893. It was a laborious converted his land to a coal, move to the Rideau Winter job. Once the Ottawa Riv- coke, and fuel wood yard— and Badminton Club on Lau- er froze, a year’s worth of although he continued to sell rier Avenue West in 1931. blocks was cut from above some ice, of the man-made When that building was sold, the Chaudière Falls. Teams variety, from a refrigerated they bought the Centretown of horses hauled the harvest building. property in 1948. to his ice house and it was When not needed for Opposition from nearby packed in insulating sawdust. carting ice, the horses were home-owners almost can- The company eventually had pressed into forwarding celled the project. A few a network of five ice storage goods and furniture. The years earlier, a petition from buildings, some located in adjacent Ed Cabeldu black- neighbours had success- the shade of the stone cliffs smith shop, at the corner of fully halted the soft drink below Lorne Avenue. Percy and Lisgar, was a natu- plant hoping to build on the When Booth was ac- ral fit. Kingsbury closed his derelict lot. After the Board cused of forming a price-fix- business in early 1942 and of Control ruled in the curl- ing combine with Ottawa’s died the following year. The ing club’s favour, they were other ice houses, business whole block stood empty un- cleared to start hurrying declined. til another use for ice found a hard. The south and north corners of the Percy Street block in 1940. City Archives/The BUZZ The operation was taken home here. Top: Geo. E. Kingsbury’s coal, coke and fuel wood lot. Bottom: Ed Cabeldu’s blacksmith shop.

Advertisements for the Percy Street ice house from 1893, 1902 and 1914. Ottawa Journal/The BUZZ The tradition of ice at Percy and Cooper continues. Robert Smythe/The BUZZ We all deserve safe streets: SWCHC addresses community concerns

site: swchc.on.ca. • starting a “winter nee- Still concerned? Sign up SWCHC The centre has also taken dle hunter” program in west for regular updates from the How do we improve immediate actions: Centretown with Ottawa centre about neighbourhood community safety in Cen- • creating a “Who to Public Health. City staff will safety trends and its work to tretown? The Somerset West Call” document that gives conduct needle clean-ups ev- address individual and com- Community Health Centre businesses and community ery morning, seven days per munity safety. To be added, (SWCHC) held a public members numbers they can week, and track the needles email Dawn Lyons at meeting last November to call if they see someone in that are found to identify [email protected] gather ideas, sparked by con- distress, find discarded nee- trends and hot spots The centre has also com- cerns about local drug use. dles, or witness a crime in • having the city add two mitted to address the “root They heard about “an progress more needle drop boxes in causes of many of the safety increase in break-ins, van- • launching an after- the neighborhood, one at the issues in our community. dalism, discarded needles, hours outreach program, run- centre and one at St Luke’s These include poverty, a lack trespassing, drug dealing, ning seven days a week from Table. The city is investi- of affordable housing and a indecent exposure, and in- 5 to 10:30 p.m. The team can gating adding another drop toxic drug supply.” creased levels of fear when be reached at 613-447-0029; box on the Somerset Street It’s looking for com- Looking for a good home? walking at night.” More than it will pick up needles and Bridge. munity volunteers to advo- 80 residents, businesses, and support individuals at risk of This fall, the Ottawa Po- cate for policy and system partners were at the meeting. overdose lice will introduce a Neigh- changes to target these is- Based on the “creative • building relationships borhood Resource Team in sues: email Emilie Hayes at and constructive” ideas it re- with the Chinatown business Centretown: a visible pres- [email protected] ceived, the health centre has community, and addressing ence in the community which now published a report sum- their concerns about super- will work with residents and marizing the discussion and vised consumption sites businesses to address com- recommendations. The re- • adding extra security munity safety concerns pro- port is available on its web- staff at the centre’s building actively. 4 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA MARCH 13, 2020 Planet of the Scapes: beets and biscotti

it will improve anything but arugula, goat feta, toasted ¼ tsp salt with a knife steadily and still...) The recipe is from pecans, and a dressing. gently (warning: the cookies Toasted: The New Toaster Beat: break easily.) Separate each Oven Cookbook by Maria Dessert: Almond Biscotti ¾ cup sugar piece by 1/2” on the pan. (If Hauschel (Whitecap Books) ¼ cup butter they don’t all fit, some might but I’ve tweaked the method. Admission #2: I never 2 large eggs be taste-tested. as they are really “got” biscotti until a 1 tsp almond extract cakey at this stage.) Roasted Balsamic Beets friend, Joy, made us hers. ¼ cup lemon zest Bake for another 12-15 She generously had us make minutes. They will still be a 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar some together and shared her Toast: little soft but will harden as 1/4 cup olive oil recipes. Kristine’s Kitchen 1 cup almonds, chopped they cool. You can keep them 1 Tbsp rubbed oregano (kristineskitchenblog.com/ in the freezer for weeks for 1 Tbsp dried Italian spice mix classic-biscotti-recipe/) talks 1/2 cup dried cranberries hot-chocolate emergencies, 4 red beets (about 1 pound) about what happens when (optional) or guests, or both. peeled and sliced you substitute and gives lots Pearl Pirie/ The BUZZ of ideas of things to swap Mix, folding in the almonds Pearl Pirie’s fourth poetry Mix all ingredients in a 9x5 in. Maria also gives some and cranberries as you shape collection, footlights, is Pearl Pirie back of the fridge. They pan. Cover with foil and good troubleshooting and the dough. Shape into 2 logs coming out in the fall of have a food admis- didn’t: good winter keep- bake at 350F for an hour. tips, including how to make on a pan lined with parch- 2020 with Radiant Press. sion – a couple, actu- ers, those beets. So I ad- (To be energy-efficient, foil- it gluten-free at ment paper. Pat until about Watch for her haiku chap- I ally. Admission #1: I mitted a defeat of sorts and wrap squash or potatoes to www.shelovesbiscotti.com/ 8 inches long and 3/4” tall book, Not Quite Dawn, from have never liked beets, not made a dish. share the oven space.) how-to-make-biscotti/ and even. Bake at 350F for éditions des petits nuages in even pickled. We got beets Call me gobsmacked! I When tender, the beets can 30 minutes until it bounces the spring. See all her books in our farm share order, liked it very much, so much be eaten straight as a side Mix dry: back when touched. Let cool and sign up for her newslet- and I earnestly hoped they I’ve made it three times. dish, hot or cold, or be set 2 cups flour, unbleached 30 minutes. ter at www.pearlpirie.com would mould away at the (True, if you add enough fat on top of a tossed salad of 1 tsp baking powder Slice by pressing down

Griffin, Governor General, ing poet and storyteller, writ- alongside poets Monika roots as a place that brings VERSeFest turns 10 and Pulitzer Prize winners. ing instructor, and literacy Rinck, Sara Dignard, and together spoken word and Susan J. Atkinson events will showcase Eng- Multi-award-winning educator. Her latest chil- Robin Richardson. stage poetry, English and lish and French poetry and writer Sheree Fitch is one of dren’s book, Summer Feet, VERSeFest debuted in French poets and the excep- ERSeFest, Otta- highlight the best local, Ca- the world-renowned poets will be published in June. 2011 with 31 poets and 1,000 tional pool of local, national wa’s International nadian, and international po- invited to VERSeFest this On Saturday, March 28 attendees. Its name honours and international talent. V Poetry Festival, ets performing in both spo- year. She has written more at 10 a.m., Fitch will woo the city of Ottawa’s bilingual Almost all VERSeFest will celebrate its 10th an- ken and written word genres. than 30 books in several younger festival-goers at the nature (verse/vers): hence events will occur at Knox niversary this month, with As one of Canada’s largest genres. Since the publica- Poetry and Pyjamas event. the wild upper/lower case. Presbyterian Church, 120 six days of poetry featur- and most successful poetry tion of her first book, Toes She’ll also perform as part of It’s exciting to see how the Lisgar Street at Elgin. More ing more than 80 poets. festivals, VERSeFest’s stag- in My Nose, in 1987, she’s the Writersfest Showcase on festival has bloomed yet has information: versefest.ca. From March 24 to 29, 22 es have featured readings by travelled the globe as a visit- Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m., remained true to its grass- MARCH 13, 2020 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 5 Sloly restarts community policing in Centretown Jack Hanna The new chief acknowl- he said. “We’re doubling ew Ottawa Po- edged the police have “to down on (community polic- lice Chief Peter repair a broken relationship, ing) working.” N Sloly has big am- earn trust, and build respect.” The community polic- bitions—and they start in He encouraged commu- ing teams will be composed Centretown. nity activists to “walk with of “hand-picked” officers, Community policing ar- the officers and introduce Sloly says, who commit to rives in Centretown in Octo- them to your neighbours. remain in a neighbourhood a ber. Officers will be on foot You will help make this suc- minimum of two years. and embedded long-term in cessful, if you are inclined to The officers will work the neighbourhood, aiming do so.” with “existing community to help people rather than to As for the diversity of resources,” the chief said. lay charges against them. community-policing teams, “They will help people have However, at a recent Sloly said, “We’ve just start- access to jobs, equity and CCA forum, Sloly met stiff ed making changes. We don’t social services.” He said of- Brett Delmage/The BUZZ questioning from the audi- have wonderful demograph- ficers working with youth Compact Music: now even more compact ence. He was asked why ics yet, but we’re building.” would know of after-school, people who believe police Sloly invited the audi- social or youth-mentoring Alayne McGregor street construction, and by the end it will be heavily dis- mistreat the disadvantaged ence to help build the future programs. or the last 17 years, the movement of federal counted.” should now trust officers, and police force by encouraging “Increasingly we must Compact Music has government workers out Would he return to Cen- whether community-policing young people to apply. The have a public health re- F sold new and used of downtown, he said. At tretown? “Only if we could teams would reflect the de- force has a recruitment drive sponse,” he said. “We must CDs and vinyl in its down- L'Esplanade Laurier across buy the building.” mographics of the communi- on right now. Sloly has jug- have a public health plan in town store on Bank Street the street, “three years ago Boyd notes that he and ties they patrol. gled the department’s budget which policing is embedded. near Nepean, but no more: they moved everybody out his brother/partner James “The officers will be in to hire 153 new officers this “In the ‘80s we had a war the location is closing in [to Hull]. People [who had] (who runs the downtown the community on a daily ba- year. on drugs. Now we have a May. Owner Ian Boyd said come in three, four times a store) are aging. “We're look- sis,” Sloly said. “You are go- “If you know someone war to promote health.” that the original Glebe week, would no longer come ing forward to going to one ing to learn a lot more about who is thinking of public Centretown’s community store will remain open. in at all.” store to be perfectly honest. them as human beings, rather service, whom you would policing team, which launch- Sales have been hurt by “The most recent one We're not bitter, we're not un- than as a uniformed, gun-tot- trust wearing a uniform and es in October, will have nine a combination of fewer civil was the move of DND. They happy, we're not angry with ing force of invasion.” a gun, and who will provide officers. One will be a con- servants downtown and the consolidated seven down- the landlord other than not the humane, compassion- stable with three years expe- LRT, but the final straw was town buildings into their allowing us to stay for the ate policing you expect, ask rience in Centretown, who a pot store. complex at Moodie and Car- duration of our lease. them to join the Ottawa Po- will orient her newly arrived Boyd said they had con- ling. That's taken a lot of cus- “The nice thing is that lice Service.” colleagues. sidered closing the downtown tomers away.” vinyl's expensive to ship, so Community policing has There will also be a store as of June 30 – with the Government workers are Amazon–which is a big part been tried before in Ottawa school resource officer. The final decision to be made important to all downtown of the reason why many larg- but was dropped in 2017 team's traffic officer will not in late February. They were stores, not just restaurants: er brands are closing stores– during cost-cutting. Sloly only write tickets, but also leaning towards continuing: “There's just not that many isn't interested in selling re- has made its reintroduction conduct public education, “in January, the sales were of them in that part of town. cords, so that's good for us. his signature policy. and might help achieve bet- really quite good.” But on It's really tough. So all you're “I think we're getting “Policing in silos, social ter street design. February 5, they got a letter. left with are the residents, into a bit of a mom-and-pop services in silos, volunteers The store's landlord and the residents are very economy anyways, because New Police Chief Peter Sloly in silos… that won’t work,” had invoked a long-forgotten supportive, but you need the stores that are occupied by clause in the store's lease: office workers, too. long-time personnel know “should the landlord decide “The second thing that's what they're doing. Large to do structural changes to challenged us recently is the brands are populated by tran- the building, then we would train. People get off the train sient employees that really be given 90 days notice to at Rideau Centre.” LRT rid- don't take enough time to vacate.” The cannabis retail- ers don't get off at Parliament learn the products [which er Stash & Co had rented the to shop downtown, he said. makes it difficult to compete space next door and wanted Boyd said the downtown with Amazon]. We're proud to combine the two into a store's last day will be Sat- to say we're a mom-and-pop single store. Compact Music urday, May 2. “We'll move store with knowledgeable had to vacate by May 5. everything to the Glebe start- staff who love what they do, “We were a little shocked, ing on the Sunday.” A sale and I think it will help us win as you can imagine.” will start soon and “towards the war.” Boyd says the two loca- tions attracted somewhat dif- ferent clienteles: the Glebe store now sells primarily vinyl, while customers at the downtown store bought 60% vinyl, 40% CDs – and lots of jazz and classical music. Sales at the downtown store had been affected by

Over 1 million of Canadians have been lifted out of poverty, including 334,000 children and 73,000 seniors. This is the largest 3-year reduction in Canadian history.

COMMUNITY OFFICE CATHERINE 107 Catherine Street, Ottawa, ON 613.946.8682 | [email protected] McKENNA /Catherine.McKenna @CathMcKenna @CathMcKennaOttCen 6 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA MARCH 13 2020 Renowned conductor to inspire Ottawa choir

David Rain concert will be high school 2,000 singers from over 30 choristers from Glebe Col- countries, performing Karl alling all singers: a legiate Institute. Jenkins’ “The Armed Man”, chance to sing with The connection with with the composer conduct- C one of the world’s Matt is a very personal one ing and Nicol as chorus mas- top choral conductors! for me. In January 2019, I ter. “In music you will find had just finished one of my The upcoming master- all unanswered questions of compositions, “Ave Maria.” class/concert with Nicol life to be answered. It is the I posted this on Facebook Matt is a unique opportunity universal language of the and soon after, Matt told me for Centretown singers to soul to heal and the key to he would premiere it in Ger- learn from one of the world’s open your consciousness.” – many with his professional top choral directors. For Nicol Matt. Chamber Choir of Europe! more information, to regis- The Stairwell Carollers I was stunned–even more ter as a singer for the May has invited one of the world’s so as renowned composer 2 workshop, or to attend the top choral conductors, Nicol John Rutter would be at May 3 concert: Matt, to lead a week-long se- the same concert receiving StairwellCarollers.com ries of choral masterclasses. the European Sacred Mu- Centretown singers are sic Award. On July 18, I sat David Rain has sung tenor warmly invited to participate transfixed listening to Matt with The Stairwell Carollers Gail McGuire/The BUZZ Surprising passersby with warmth in the choir’s May 2 “open masterfully guide his choir since 1993. The Carollers workshop” at nearby Glebe on a musical journey that in- will also perform a concert Random acts of hot chocolate at The Well Collegiate Institute, plus cluded several Rutter gems in Centretown on June 6 at their closing concert on May as well as my “Ave Maria.” St Barnabas Church. Gail McGuire a donation?” They saw that The Well day program 3 at Southminster United Matt was also the founder ver a chilly lunch folks were bewildered by (the-well.ca) provides food, Church. Joining the Carol- of the World Choir for Peace, hour on February the idea of a random act of recreation, spiritual care, and lers in both workshop and whose first concert involved O 17, staff from The kindness, and this added to practical support to women. Well drop-in centre served the fun of the experience. In It is situated in the basement free hot chocolate and fact, anyone was served and of St. John the Evangelist cookies to anyone passing no donations were accepted. Church, at the corner of by on Elgin Street. Somerset and Elgin Streets. The event was inspired by National Random Acts of Kindness Week, which be- gan in 2018. In total, about 40 persons were served, in- cluding women at The Well. Staff reported that they heard questions on the street while serving such as, “Do you have to be a woman to take one?” or “ Can I give

Joel Harden MPP, Ottawa Centre

Our office is here for you with: Monthly Town Halls Canvasses Community Organizing Help Accessing Government Services (such as housing, ODSP/OW, healthcare, OSAP etc.) Connect with us and let's get organized!

Joel H arden 109 Catherine St. / rue P: 613-722-6414 MPP / Député provincial, Catherine E: [email protected] Ottawa Centre Ottawa, ON K2P 0P4 www.joelharden.ca MARCH 13, 2020 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 7 Getting ready for the coronavirus: Be aware, not afraid

Marna Nightingale McGill University Health Get your flu shot, and one chorus of a song—go writing this. I just scratched Centre, has a reassuring mes- any other vaccinations to washyourlyrics.com for it with the back of my wrist, e now know sage: a handwashing chart with which isn’t a bad compro- If you feel slightly ill, COVID-19, the you’re due, if you 20 seconds of your favou- mise: germs and viruses are try to stay home, rest, illness caused by haven’t already. rite tune—then rinse and dry much more likely to collect and drink liquids. W “We know that the the new coronavirus, will your hands. If you need the on your fingers and palms as reach Ottawa. majority of people You are far more likely toilet, wash your hands be- you handle things. If you have fever, cough, What matters now is to to catch the flu than CO- fore and after—the first time Make it a game. Give or shortness of breath flatten the curve: to slow who are affected have VID-19, and one of the best for yourself, the second time yourself points. If you make but don’t feel you are in the spread of the virus and no major problems or things we can do to help for others. it through the whole day, immediate danger, call reduce the number of cases, complications from the ourselves and our commu- Carry hand sanitizer for give yourself a treat. Ottawa Public Health so we have enough resources nity right now is to stay as when you can’t get to soap You can open most swing- at 613-580-6744 or to treat those who become ill infection.” healthy as possible, both to and water. If your skin won’t ing doors without touching Telehealth Ontario at until we can develop a vac- If you are a senior, have a increase our resilience if we tolerate the stuff, carry wet them with your hands: push 1-866-797-0000 cine. condition affecting your im- become infected and to low- wipes. They don’t need to be with your forearm. You can (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). mune or respiratory systems, er the overall burden on our antibacterial; ordinary soaps do a lot with your elbow or What can we, as Cen- or have young children, you health care system. and detergents work just as forearm; again, make it a If you are concerned should be extra-careful to If you’re due a check-up, well. game. Cough and sneeze into that you may be in tretowners, do to protect seek medical assistance if or a test, do it soon; when Get some very thick, not- your elbow, not into your immediate danger, call ourselves, our families, you think you may be in- COVID-19 arrives here, fancy hand cream, the kind hand. If you forget, go wash 911. fected. But for most vic- healthcare resources may be farmers and other outdoor your hands. and our communities? tims, a case of COVID-19 is strained. You can help by workers use. Raw hands dis- Some environmentalist This article has been First of all, hard as it is, somewhere between a rotten taking care of routine busi- courage hand-washing and habits may need to take a checked and approved by we can stay calm. cold and a bout of flu: just ness now. Make sure your can make you more vulner- short break: wash shirts af- a Registered Nurse and unpleasant. prescriptions are up-to-date able by creating breaks in ter every wearing, switch is the best information Mostly, what we should and wom’t run out soon. your skin. from handkerchiefs to tissues available as of March 10, We are the last people to do now are the things we Build good public hy- Cover open wounds, (compost them), and wash 2020. ask you to stop reading local should do all the time but giene habits now. however small, before you bedding often. news, but don’t ramp up your mostly don’t. No handshakes. No go out, even hangnails or (cont on 8) stress beyond what’s needed. There are few silver lin- cheek-kissing; hugs are tem- cat scratches. Any break in Check news once a day; ings to this, but here’s one: if porarily off the menu as well. your skin is a place where you won’t miss anything se- we learn and practice these Smiles and kind words are a virus can enter your body. rious. measures now and make entirely safe, and never go Carry extra band-aids, be- Panic and hoarding will them part of our lives, we out of fashion. cause hand-washing is hard harm, not help, efforts to can slow the spread not only Become a regular hand- on them. prevent and treat COVID-19. of COVID-19, but of all vi- washer. Every time you enter Stop touching your face. COVID-19 is very con- ruses. a building, head for the bath- The membranes of your tagious but not, for most That would mean fewer room. Use soap, use water of eyes, nose and mouth are people, very dangerous. Dr. colds, fewer flus, and fewer any temperature (hotter wa- awfully vulnerable. Donald C. Vinh, an infec- cases of “winter vomiting ter isn’t more effective). I know, I know: it’s so tious disease specialist at the bug”. Lather for one verse and hard. My nose itches even 8 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA MARCH 13, 2020

Ready for COVID-19 community, and a close-knit, ficer of Health Vera Etches, caring one. It’s up to us to at the Carleton Dominion- (cont from 7) keep it that way, even when If you want to buy extra Chalmers Centre on Febru- If you’re going to eat we’re worried or afraid. supplies, buy what you ary 25. We’re all in this together, truly need, not all you Sloly talked about the out, or have a meal and we’ll get through it best introduction of community delivered to you, please if we stay together. can get: leave some for policing in Centretown next consider a restaurant in your neighbours. A two- October. See our story on Don’t stop leaving your page 5. Chinatown. week supply is fine. in Dundonald Park on Satur- Etches said one-third of house; isolation has its CCA Report day, April 25. Ottawans live with chronic Chinatown, my neigh- own bad effects on your Apart from basic fair- For kids, there will be diseases and one in five will bourhood, is suffering ness, the worst thing for all Jack Hanna read-alouds, art activities, wrestle with mental-health because people associate health. But do plan your of us right now is for people displays on bees and other issues. A good antidote, she COVID-19 with people of trips. to be going from store to To sprawl or not to sprawl pollinators, and freshly said, is quality communities, Chinese descent so are stay- store looking for essentials, City council is scheduled popped popcorn. “15-minute neighbourhoods ing away. risking an infection they to vote March 30 on whether The read-alouds will be where people can walk or In truth, this is probably If you can manage it, do will then bring back to their Ottawa’s boundary for new run by Ottawa Public Li- roll to everything they need.” the safest neighbourhood in one grocery shop a week in- neighbourhoods. housing subdivisions should be brary, and the art activities The event was organized the city, as the Chinatown stead of several small shops. expanded—permitting great- by the City of Ottawa Art by the CCA and co-spon- community is very aware of If you can work from If you have no symp- er urban sprawl. Gallery. sored by Councillor Cath- the situation. home, do. Several environmental For grown-ups, there will erine McKenney, the Cen- Members of the commu- If you can’t, see if you toms and no reason to groups have launched the be displays on gardening, tretown Community Health nity who had recently trav- can walk, roll, or cycle in- think you’re infected “Hold The Line” campaign, tree planting, growing urban Centre, the Hintonburg and elled to affected countries stead of using transit. If you urging Council to opt for trees, bicycle maintenance Old Ottawa East Community when the news broke were need to use transit but can you don’t need, and greater density within the ex- and safety, and the police de- Associations, and the Fed- scrupulous about isolating use it outside rush hours, won’t be protected from isting urban area, rather than partment’s new community- eration of Citizens’ Associa- themselves on their return, that’s best. It protects both infections by, a mask. sprawl. policing initiative. Sponsors tions of Ottawa. and their neighbours came you and those who have less This decision will be- include Ecology Ottawa and together for them, offering flexibility in when and how The World Health Orga- come part of Ottawa’s new the Ottawa Police Service. Young artists act quickly both practical and emotional they get around. nization reports that supplies Official Plan, governing the The annual Earth Day The deadline for entering support. If your grocery store will of masks and other protec- city’s growth until 2046. Ac- event is sponsored by the the city’s juried competition COVID-19 is no more deliver, consider calling your tive gear are running dan- tivists are calling the Hold Trees and Greenspace Com- for young artists is coming “Chinese” than the “Spanish order in or making it on-line. gerously low and prices are the Line campaign a “once- mittee of the CCA, and the up fast: March 25. The com- Influenza” outbreak of 1919 Your pharmacy almost cer- going up as people buy them in-a-generation” chance to Dundonald Park Working petition is open to youth who was Spanish. tainly delivers, usually for “just to be safe”. combat sprawl, and urge Group. The event, in the park paint, draw, sculpt, do pho- It was first identified free. If you’re a senior, it’s A mask’s best chance of residents to contact their city at Somerset and Lyon, will tography or printmaking, or there—and that’s all. There always worth asking about keeping you safe right now is councillor. run from approximately 10 work in mixed media. are confirmed cases world- delivery discounts. when it’s firmly on the face Ecology Ottawa is or- a.m. to 2 p.m. The rain day is There are two categories: wide now. Don’t lose touch with of someone with symptoms, ganizing a rally outside city Sunday, April 26. ages 12 to 15, and ages 16 Worse than the effects on your family and friends, but or on a healthcare profes- hall at 8 a.m. on March 30. to 20. The juried exhibition businesses, there have been maybe take your coffee dates sional who has been trained Police and health chiefs includes awards and three cases of harassment and of to the phone, or on-line. If to fit and use a mask- cor Earth Day Festival draw big crowd weeks of exhibition at an racist abuse of Chinese Ca- you know your neighbours, rectly. Leave the supplies we There’s plenty for every- 120 people met “the art gallery at Centrepointe. nadians across the country. check in on them, as well, es- have for the sites of greatest one, especially families, at Chiefs”, Police Chief Peter More info: search for “Young Centretown is a diverse pecially any who live alone. need. the Earth Day celebrations Sloly and Chief Medical Of- at art” on ottawa.ca.

Catherine McKenney City Councillor for Somerset Ward

March break camps! The City of Ottawa offers fun and educational camps throughout March Break (March 16-20). Visit Ottawa.ca and click on “March break camps” to get all the info. You can also consult your school board and the YMCA for day camps.

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Questions? We can help! 613-580-2484 | [email protected]