Latest news with #OttawaJazzFestival
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: June 27-29
looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario during the final weekend of June. Ottawa Jazz Festival The sounds of jazz music will fill the air of downtown Ottawa this weekend. The Ottawa Jazz Festival will host several concerts at venues in downtown Ottawa, including at Confederation Park, Marion Dewar Plaza and the National Arts Centre. Here is the lineup for Confederation Park this weekend: Friday: Atlantis Jazz Ensemble and Samara Joy Saturday: Thanya Iyer and Chris Botti Sunday: Jazz Youth Summit and the Branford Marsalis Quartet For tickets and the full concert lineup, visit RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremonies Don't miss the RCMP Musical Ride Canadian Sunset Ceremonies Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It's your chance to see the Musical Ride at its home at the RCMP Stables in Ottawa. The shows begin at 7 p.m. at the Musical Ride Centre on Sandridge Road. Admission is free. CHEO Teddy Bears Picnic The CHEO Teddy Bears' Picnic is a family day full of fun, games and entertainment. Don't miss the event on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lansdowne Park. The event celebrates the community's support of CHEO, CHEO Research Institute and Roger Neilson Children's Hospice. Ottawa Titans The Ottawa Titans host the New Jersey Jackals for a three-game series at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium. Friday night's game starts at 7 p.m., followed by games Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Friday night is the pre-Canada Day game, with fireworks after the game. For tickets, visit Ottawa Redblacks Start your Canada Day celebrations early at the Ottawa Redblacks game. The Redblacks host the Toronto Argos at TD Place on Sunday at 7 p.m. The game includes a concert by JJ Wilde before the game and post-game fireworks. Ottawa BlackJacks The Ottawa BlackJacks host the Montreal Alliance on Saturday afternoon TD Place. Game time is 3 p.m. On Canada Day, watch the BlackJacks face the Winnipeg Sea Bears at 1 p.m. at TD Place. For tickets, visit 1000 Islands Regatta It's a weekend of hydroplane races, concerts and fun for the whole family in Brockville. The 1000 Islands Regatta at the Blockhouse Island runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Races will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Friday night, see Honeymoon Suite. Shania Twain performs Saturday night during the 1000 Islands Regatta. FireFit Championships The Ottawa Fire Services hosts the Northern Ontario regional event for the FireFit Championships this weekend. The event runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ray Friel parking lot. Canada Day in Barrhaven The midway is open this weekend at the Barrhaven Canada Day festivities. Drop by Clarke Field Park on Houlahan Street all weekend for activities. Saturday night is movie night, featuring Indiana Jones and the Dial of the Destiny at dusk. On Sunday, take part in a 10-minute NERF game on a giant battlefield during the Velocity Games Nerf Battles. For more information, visit Kanata Fun Fair The Kanata Fun Fair runs until July 1 at the Kanata Recreation Complex. Enjoy a ride on the midway, play games and enjoy delicious treats and eats. Admission is free, with ride tickets sold on site. Oohttawa Oohttawa Fest is a three-day vintage market and open-air party in the ByWard Market. Visit over 120 vendors, enjoy live DJs and visit the popular area all weekend. Oohttawa Fest runs Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. Ottawa Valley Stomp The Ottawa Valley Stomp and LumberJack Festival runs Friday to Sunday in Petawawa. The festival celebrates the spirit of the Ottawa Valley. Events include the Great Canadian Backyard BBQ Smoke Off, the Buttertart Festival, the Hot Wheels Show and Shine, Christmas in June, Ribfest and musical acts. For more information, visit Sesame Street Live Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and their friends drop by the National Arts Centre on Friday. Sesame Street Live is at the NAC at 6 p.m. Say hello, sing, dance and play alongside your favourite friends. National Arts Centre The Ottawa Jazz Festival headlines the events at the NAC this weekend: Friday: Kepler Friday: The Bill Frisell Trio featuring Rudy Royston and Thomas Morgan Friday: Anke Helfrich Trio Saturday: New Jazz Underground Saturday: Mike Stern Band Saturday: New Jazz Underground Saturday: Mike Stern Band Saturday: Utopia Ontario Ottawa Little Theatre See the quirky comedy 37 Postcards until Sunday at the Ottawa Little Theatre. The play is written by Michael McKeever and directed by Riley Stewart. For tickets, visit NCC bike days The National Capital Commission's weekend bikedays continue all weekend. The NCC will close the parkways and Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles for active use. Here is a look at what's open for cyclists, runners, walkers and other active use: Kichi Zībī Mīkan (Vimy Place to Carling Avenue): 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Queen Elizabeth Driveway (Somerset Avenue to Fifth Avenue: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Lansdowne Farmers Market The Lansdowne Farmers Market is back at Lansdowne on Sunday. Connect with over 85 local vendors in the historic Aberdeen Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Main Street Farmers Market The Main Street Farmers Market is open for the season. The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grande Allee Park. Carp Farmers Market The Carp Farmers Market is open every Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This week, the market is celebrating Canada Day and there will be live music from EMTees. Metcalfe Farmers Market The Metcalfe Farmers Market has kicked off a new season. The market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds. Westboro Farmers' Market The Westboro Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market is located in Byron Linear Park. Barrhaven Farmers Market The Barrhaven Farmers' Market is every Sunday at the Nepean Woods Park and Ride. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Museums Click on the links for the schedule at museums in Ottawa and eastern Ontario: Parliament of Canada Tours Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block. For tickets and tour times, visit Parliament: The Immersive Experience Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience. Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019. The self-guided tour is 45 minutes. Tickets are available at no cost at visit Events in Kingston Here is a look at events happening in Kingston this weekend. Friday: After/Always at the Kingston Grand Theatre Friday: Pretzel Logic – A Steely Dan Tribute at The Spire Monday: Mo Pitney at the Kingston Grand Theatre U19 Girls' Pan-Am Cup Kingston hosts the women's U19 Pan American volleyball cup this weekend at the Queen's University Athletics and Recreation Complex. See teams from Canada, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United States and Venezuela. The gold and bronze medal matches are on Saturday. For more information, visit Artfest Kingston Artfest Kingston is a celebration of creativity and culture. Don't miss the event from Saturday until Canada Day in City Park. For more information, visit Canine Watersports Canada The 3rd annual Make a Splash on Canada Day event is this weekend in Prescott. It's a weekend of dog jumping in Prescott. Brockville Ontario Speedway Saturday night is race night at the Brockville Ontario Speedway. Racing starts at 7 p.m. Cornwall Motor Speedway Sunday is race night at the Cornwall Motor Speedway Enjoy racing around the quarter-mile dirt track, with the first race at 6 p.m.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: June 20-22
looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend. Ottawa Jazz Festival It's the opening weekend for the Ottawa Jazz Festival. There will be concerts at several venues across Ottawa, including Confederation Park, Marion Dewar Plaza and the National Arts Centre. Here is the lineup for Commissioners Park this weekend: Friday: Allison Russell and Carl Mayotte Quintet Saturday: Mavis Staples and Deborah Davis and Segue to Jazz Sunday: The Roots and Shuffle Demons For tickets and the full concert lineup, visit Escapade Music Festival Enjoy a weekend of electronic dance music this weekend at the RA Centre. The Escapade Music Festival runs Friday to Sunday. Here is a look at the headliners: Friday: Kygo and Subtronics Saturday: DJ Snake the Outlaw and Jason Ross Sunday: The Chainsmokers and Vintage Culture. For tickets, visit Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival Dragon boats take over the water at Mooney's Bay this weekend for the Tim Hortons Dragon Boat Festival. More than 125 teams will compete in two days of events. For more information, visit Brockville Tall Ships Festival The tall ships dock in Brockville this weekend for the Tall Ship Festivals. The festival runs Friday to Sunday The fleet includes Playfair, EcoMaris, Fair Jeanne, When and If, Pride of Baltimore II, Empire Sandy, and Liberty Clipper. For more information, visit Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Experience Canada's diverse Indigenous cultures at the Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival this weekend. Activities include the competition Pow Wow, Indigenous horse experiences, culinary experiences, a marketplace, workshops and demonstrations and a drone show. The event runs Saturday and Sunday at Wesley Clover Parks. Admission is free. Festival L'Outaouais en Fête The 49th Festival L'Outaouais en Fête runs until Tuesday at Parc des Cedres in Gatineau. It's a celebration of Francophone culture, with musical performances, activities for the family, giant games and fireworks on Tuesday. Ottawa Fringe Festival The Ottawa Fringe Festival continues until Sunday. The festival is a hub of creativity and expression, showcasing works of art that push the boundaries of traditional theatre. The theme for this year's festival is 'Le Show Must Grow On.' For more information and show times, visit Cirque de Paris Europe's most famous circus family presents Cirque de Paris at Ottawa's Tanger Outlets. The Cirque Anouchka Bouglione presents a one-ring spectacle full of thrills, humour and elegance. See Cirque de Paris until Sunday. For tickets, visit Ottawa Rapid FC Ottawa Rapid FC hosts Calgary Saturday afternoon at TD Place. Game time is 2 p.m. For tickets, visit Maxville Fair Kick off the summer this weekend at the Maxville Fair. The fair runs from Friday to Sunday at the Maxville Fairgrounds. For a list of activities, visit NCC bike days National Capital Commission's weekend bikedays continue all weekend. The NCC will close the parkways and Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles for active use. Here is a look at what's open for cyclists, runners, walkers and other active use: Kichi Zībī Mīkan (Vimy Place to Carling Avenue): 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Queen Elizabeth Driveway (Somerset Avenue to Fifth Avenue: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday National Arts Centre The Ottawa Jazz Festival headlines the events at the NAC this weekend. Friday: Christine Jensen Quartet Friday Richard Bona Friday: Francois Houle's The Secret Lives of Colour Saturday: Open Thread Saturday: Marc Copland Trio featuring John Hebert and Colin Stranahan Saturday: Sexmob Saturday: Anna Webber's Simple Trio Sunday: Marc Copland and Roddy Ellias Sunday: Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog Sunday: Eve Risser-John Hollenbeck Duo Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe Here's a look at what's happening at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe this weekend: Friday: Stand-Up Comedy Show by Hussein Kaouk and Hussein Dayekh Saturday: Jashan Ottawa Volume 1 Shenkman Arts Centre Until June 29: The Zine Scene: Tools for Social Change Friday: Poems for Fools Who Fell in Love Launch Friday: Grease the Concert Saturday: Goddo – 50th anniversary Who Cares Ottawa Little Theatre See the quirky comedy 37 Postcards at the Ottawa Little Theatre. The play is written by Michael McKeever and directed by Riley Stewart. The play 37 Postcards runs until June 28. For tickets, visit ByWard Market Here is a look at the events in the ByWard Market this weekend: Friday: Summer Solstice Indigenous Market Saturday: Th3rd Fridays with Moov Ottawa Dance Sunday: Salsa Sundays 613flea 613flea returns to Lansdowne Park on Saturday. Checkout 150 vendors in this ever-changing market that features eclectic goods, handmade, antiques, vintage clothing, great foods and one-of-a-kinds. 613flea runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lansdowne Farmers Market The Lansdowne Farmers Market is back at Lansdowne on Sunday. Connect with over 85 local vendors in the historic Aberdeen Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Main Street Farmers Market The Main Street Farmers Market is open for the season. The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grande Allee Park. Carp Farmers Market The Carp Farmers Market is open every Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market is celebrating its 35th birthday this weekend. Metcalfe Farmers Market The Metcalfe Farmers Market has kicked off a new season. The market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds. Westboro Farmers' Market The Westboro Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market is located in Byron Linear Park. Museums Click on the links for the schedule at museums in Ottawa and eastern Ontario: Parliament of Canada Tours Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block. For tickets and tour times, visit Parliament: The Immersive Experience Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience. Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019. The self-guided tour is 45 minutes. Tickets are available at no cost at visit Kingston Princess Street Promenade The Princess Street Promenade is back this weekend in Kingston. The promenade features over 100 businesses and community groups for a day of family fun and discovery. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Saturday is also the Montreal Street Vintage Market. The River Art Show and Sale The River Art Show and Sale is this weekend at the Arts Hub Brockville. The event celebrates creativity, community and the power of nature to spark artistic expression. Admission is free. Knickers! It's the final weekend to see Knickers, a 'brief' comedy, at the Seaway Valley Theatre. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit Brockville Ontario Speedway Saturday night is race night at the Brockville Ontario Speedway. Racing starts at 7 p.m. Cornwall Motor Speedway Sunday is race night at the Cornwall Motor Speedway Enjoy racing around the quarter-mile dirt track, with the first race at 6 p.m.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
iHeartRadio Weekenders: June 19, 2026
Events in Ottawa this weekend: Pure Country 94's Boat Cruise, the Maxville Fair and Ottawa Jazz Festival.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
22 things to do in Ottawa this summer
looks at some of the major festivals, concerts and events happening in Ottawa this summer. Ottawa Jazz Festival The Ottawa Jazz Festival kicks off the summer festival season in Ottawa. It's the 45th anniversary of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. The festival runs from June 20 to 29, with concerts in Confederation Park, Marion Dewar Plaza and at the National Arts Centre. The lineup includes The Roots, Gary Clark Jr., Mavis Staples, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Broken Social Scene, Samara Joy, Allison Russell and the Branford Marsalis Quartet. For tickets and information, visit Escapade Music Festival The sounds of electric dance music will fill the RA Centre for the Escapade Music Festival June 20 to 22. The headliners include The Chainsmokers, Kygo, Subtronics, and The Outlaw. For tickets and information, visit Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival Dragon boats take over the water at Mooney's Bay Beach for the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. The festival runs June 20 to 22. 'The 2025 regatta is a premier race on the North American dragon boat calendar and is a Drag Boat Canada Race Series event,' organizers say. Besides dragon boat races, there will be food trucks and a number of exhibitors. For more information, visit Music and Beyond 2025 The 2025 Music and Beyond Festival runs from July 4 to 15 at venues across Ottawa. 'Each year, the festival offers a variety of programming to highlight exciting connections between classical music and other art forms,' organizers say. The opening gala on July 4 features a Night in Vienna with Karina Gauvin. For tickets and a list of performances, visit Ottawa Bluesfest Ottawa Bluesfest takes over LeBreton Flats in July for nine nights of music. The headliners include: July 10: Lainey Wilson and The Red Clay Strays July 11: Hozier and Charlotte Day Wilson July 12: Turnstile and Pixies July 13: Shania Twain and Alan Doyle July 16: Def Leppard, Tom Morello and The Decemberists July 17: Sean Paul and Peach Pit July 18: Green Day and The Linda Lindas July 19: Papa Roach and Daughtry July 20: Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood Bluesfest runs from July 10 to 20. For tickets, visit H.O.P.E Volleyball Summerfest Volleyball takes over Mooney's Bay on July 11 and 12 for the H.O.P.E. Volleyball Summerfest. One of Ottawa's biggest summer parties features over 10,000 players and 700 volunteers for two days of volleyball. Musical performances include The Glorious Sons and Sloan. For more information, visit The Ottawa Lebanese Festival Celebrate the very best in Middle Eastern cuisine at the Ottawa Lebanese Festival. Enjoy five days of food, entertainment and heritage from July 16 to 20 at the St. Elias Cathedral. For more information, visit Ottawa Chamberfest Ottawa Chamberfest features a vibrant celebration of chamber music from Canada and around the globe. Enjoy performances by world-renowned artists from July 19 to July 27 at venues across Ottawa, including Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, the National Arts Centre, Rideau Hall and Tabaret Hall. For tickets and information, visit Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy Fireworks will light up the sky over the Ottawa River for six nights this summer. The Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy runs July 30 to Aug. 16 at the Canadian Museum of History. July 30: The Grand Opening Aug. 2: Japan Aug. 6: Australia Aug. 9: Mexico Aug. 13: Canada Aug. 16: The Grand Finale The festival includes a pyromusical show, food and drinks, entertainment and more. For tickets, visit The Great India Festival Experience the multicultural splendor and heritage of India during the Great India Festival. The festival runs Aug. 7 to 10. Ottawa International Busker Festival Street performers take over Sparks Street for the Ottawa International Busker Festival. Enjoy three days of performances by over 20 performers at five stages. Busker Fest runs Aug. 8 to 10 in Ottawa. Ottawa Greek Festival Celebrate a day the Greek way at the Ottawa Greek Festival. The festival runs Aug. 14-17 and Aug. 22-24 at 1315 Prince of Wales Drive. Enjoy live Greek music, the Zorba show, Odyssey Dance Troupe, the arts court, Greek language lessons, and food. For more information, visit 2025 Capital Pride Festival The 2025 Capital Pride Festival runs from Aug. 16 to 24 in Ottawa. Events include the Pride Parade on August 24 and the Street Festival on Aug. 23 and 24 on Bank Street. For a full list of events, visit Nostalgia Music Festival The Nostalgia Music Festival is the ultimate tribute event. Enjoy music of the 70's, 80's and 90s Aug. 20 to 24 at LeBreton Flats. The lineup includes The Hip Experience, Pearl Jamming, J.D. Fortune Rocks INXS, the Beach Bums, the Blushing Brides and Carla Sacco. Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival The hot air balloons are the star attraction at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. The festival runs Aug. 27 to 31 at La Baie Park in Gatineau. There are events for the whole family, including an amusement park, night glow, fireworks and entertainment. The musical lineup includes Flo Rida on Aug. 28, Talk on Aug. 29 and Alessia Cara on Aug. 31. For more information, visit Photo of the Day - Sep. 3, 2013 The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Gatineau, Que. from across the Ottawa river at the Rockcliffe Lookout. (Michel Lanthier/CTV Viewer) Canadian Tire Centre Here is a look at the events at Canadian Tire Centre this summer. June 22: Three Days Grace and Volbeat July 2-6: Cirque du Soleil presents Ovo July 29: Katy Perry Aug. 22: Tate McRae For more information, visit Fair season Here is a look at the fairs in eastern Ontario during the summer. June 20-22: Maxville Fair Aug. 7-10: Navan Fair Aug. 8-10: Merrickville Fair Aug. 14-17: Russell Fair Aug. 14-17: South Mountain Fair Aug. 14-17: Vankleek Hill Fair Aug. 14-24: Capital Fair Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Shawville Fair Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Perth Fair Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Stormont County Fair Ottawa Redblacks See the Ottawa Redblacks this summer at TD Place. Here is a look at the schedule: June 29 vs. Toronto Argonauts at 7 p.m. July 20 vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats at 7 p.m. July 31 vs. Calgary Stampeders at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 vs. Edmonton Elks at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 vs. B.C. Lions at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit Atletico Ottawa Atletico Ottawa will play at TD Place this summer. Here is a look at the schedule. July 12 vs. Forge FC at 3 p.m. July 18 vs. Halifax Wanderers at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 vs. York United at 4 p.m. Aug. 23 vs. Cavalry FC at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 vs. Vancouver FC at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 vs. Pacific at 7 p.m. Ottawa Titans The Ottawa Titans play on the following dates at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium this summer. June 27-29 vs. New Jersey Jackals July 8-10 vs. Tri-City July 11-13 vs. Quebec July 22-24 vs. Down East July 25-27 vs. Evansville Aug. 5-7 vs. Trois-Rivieres Aug. 8-10 vs. Quebec Aug. 12-14 vs. Florence Aug. 22-24 vs. Brockton Aug. 29-31 vs. Tri-City Ottawa Rapid FC See the Ottawa Rapid FC at TD Place this summer. June 21 vs. Calgary at 2 p.m. July 25 vs. Halifax at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 vs. Calgary at 4 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Toronto at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 vs. Vancouver at 2 p.m. Aug. 28 vs. Halifax at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 vs. Montreal at 12 p.m. Ottawa BlackJacks Here is a look at the Ottawa BlackJacks schedule for games at the Arena at TD Place. June 28 vs. Montreal at 3 p.m. July 1 vs. Winnipeg at 3 p.m. July 17 vs. Edmonton at 7:30 p.m. July 21 vs. Brampton at 7:30 p.m. July 26 vs. Saskatchewan at 2 p.m. July 29 vs. Scarborough at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 vs. Calgary at 2 p.m. Aug. 8 vs. Montreal at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 vs. Vancouver at 3 p.m.
Ottawa Citizen
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Hersh: New security measures at Ottawa City Hall are excessive
Late last Friday afternoon, without any consultation or public meetings and just before a long weekend, the City of Ottawa announced it is enacting sweeping new changes to how residents can access City Hall. Article content Article content A press release relayed the implementation starting May 26 of 'enhanced security measures,' including metal detectors at all entrances and the need to go through security screening. Article content Article content This will mean that even residents needing to access services at Service Ontario such as getting a new health card or driver's licence, getting married or replacing a lost birth certificate will be subject to screening. Article content Even those who need to access City Hall to use one of downtown Ottawa's few public washrooms (there are only 22 of them, according to the GottaGo! campaign) would face these excessive security measures. Article content When I moved to Ottawa almost a decade ago, there were no barriers to enter City Hall. It was open as late as 11 p.m. for people to walk through freely. Many also used the facilities during festivals that would take place in Marion Dewar Plaza, such as the Ottawa Jazz Festival, among others. Article content Historically, City Hall isn't just the seat of our local government. It's also what some would describe as a 'third space,' where people can congregate and connect with others. These new measures severely limit that. Article content Article content And yet, very few incidents, that were cause for concern, if any, occurred. Article content Since the pandemic, however, the doors started closing earlier. Many thought it was just a temporary measure but the opening hours remained extremely limited. Article content In a more charged and even hostile political climate, I can understand concerns around security. But there are already metal detectors at the council chambers, and most of the time, you cannot just waltz into a councillor's office without an appointment. Article content So this prompts the question: What evidence does the City have to implement these sweeping changes and how can they do it without speaking to residents? This is supposed to be our building, after all. It's our dollars that will go into making these unnecessary changes. Article content The City's press release argues that other cities and government buildings are enhancing their security. But this alone should not be enough to close off access. The matter ought to be reconsidered and brought to City Council for public discussion.
