CityNews Ottawa • 27th September 2022

Ottawa protest condemns the murder of Mahsa Amini

A protest was held in downtown Ottawa on Sunday, Sept. 25 in solidarity against the murder of a young Iranian woman.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old, was killed by Iran's "morality police" last week for not properly wearing her compulsory hijab.

Goldie Ghamari, a Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Carleton and an Iranian-Canadian, attended the weekend rally in solidarity with the riots in Iran, she told The Rob Snow Show on Sept. 27.

Ghamari's parents immigrated to

CityNews Ottawa • 25th September 2022

One lone occupant dies following small plane crash in Frontenac, Ont.

One person has died following a small plane crash in Frontenac, roughly an hour from Kingston.

According to a release from the Frontenac Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on Saturday, Sept. 24, at approximately 3:18 p.m., officers received multiple calls from the public indicating they had seen a small plane go down in a wooded area near Buck Bay Road in Frontenac.

Police, along with South Frontenac Fire and Rescue, Frontenac Paramedic Services, the Joint Rescue Coordination Ce

CityNews Ottawa • 25th September 2022

Indigenous artist's work that 'makes you think' on display at Wabano Centre

The Wabano Centre is encouraging people to mark the national day for Truth and Reconciliation by viewing the works of Indigenous artist Carl Beam.

Natalie Lloyd, the general administrator at the Wabano Centre, told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 20 that Beam was a residential school survivor and his work explores the relationship between Indigenous people and the government.

Beam was the first contemporary Indigenous artist to have his work acquired by the National Gallery of Canada, and in 200

CityNews Ottawa • 22nd September 2022

Group against proposed Kemptville prison holds silent march

A coalition is standing against the province's plan to destroy farmland to build a proposed jail in Kemptville.

Victor Lachance, a member of the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison (CAPP), told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 21 that the group's silent march was to highlight the irony of the province celebrating agriculture while planning to destroy farmland for a proposed jail.

Lachance noted that if today's march was any indication of support, the waving, honking and cheers are a positive si

CityNews Ottawa • 21st September 2022

An Ottawa organization has helped 75 Ukrainian families settle in Canada

An Ottawa organization is helping Ukrainian refugees settle in their new country.



Kostya Khomutov, founder of Ukraine to Canada, was born in Ukraine, 50 kilometres from the border and moved to Canada as a teenager, he told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 20.



After Russia invaded his birthplace, he joined forces with local entrepreneurs to help people fleeing the country.



So far, they've helped 75 families settle in Canada, and he soon expects an influx of more people as the cold

CityNews Ottawa • 21st September 2022

Ottawa group says there's enough evidence to support a basic income program

An Ottawa group is advocating for a basic, livable income for those living below the poverty line.



Joe Foster, who is involved in the Basic Income Ottawa group, told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 20 that it would ensure people meet their basic needs regardless of their work status.

He added that the recent spike in people accessing food banks in Ottawa indicates greater poverty problems.



Foster, whose background is in economics and engineering, said the concept of a basic income has

CityNews Ottawa • 20th September 2022

Collective grief and respect felt at Queen Elizabeth II funeral

As Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest today at Windsor Castle's chapel, many were united in grief and respect as they remembered and honoured her long reign.

Dr. Timothy Foran, the curator of British North America at the Canadian Museum of History, told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept.19 that he was deeply moved by the ceremony and that the Queen would've been proud to see her funeral come together and her family reunited.

He believes Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as one of the best sove

CityNews Ottawa • 16th September 2022

Racism in healthcare still exists and must be called out, local doctor says

When a patient questioned how Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng could be the head of the critical care department and remarked that he was more likely to be the head of something in Africa, it left him feeling emotional and triggered.

Kyeremanteng told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 16 that although racist incidents are less frequent these days, the moment made him think about all the events in his career where his race impacted how he was treated.

"We are better than we were years ago, but it's still an

CityNews Ottawa • 16th September 2022

Recent donation going toward opening Ottawa clinic for those suffering from schizophrenia

A recent donation provides hope, and much needed support for the 12,000 people in the Ottawa area suffering from schizophrenia.

Chris Ide, president of the Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation, told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 16 that a $2.5 million donation is going toward launching The Royal's Ozerdinc Grimes Family Regional Psychosis Clinic, which will provide specialized support and services for people with schizophrenia.

Ide said that the disease is highly treatable, and the clinic provides

CityNews Ottawa • 10th September 2022

Canadians reflect on the past of Queen Elizabeth II and the future of King Charles III

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Canadians are reflecting on what the monarch meant to them.

Catherine Clark, daughter of former Prime Minister Joe Clark, had the privilege of meeting the Queen on several occasions as a child, she told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 9.

One of her longer encounters with the monarch was when she was 10 years old and attending a cocktail party in Vancouver.

"The Queen walked in and was greeted and introduced to me, and she was very, very gracious," she sai

CityNews Ottawa • 28th August 2022

Capital Pride continues to stay true to its activism roots

This year, thousands of people have come to the nation's capital to participate in the pride events and continue to advance the message of equality and inclusivity.

Councillor for Somerset ward, Catherine McKenney, told The Sam Laprade Show, live on location Aug. 27 and with guest host Jason White, that they can still remember the days when it was just a few hundred people getting together to walk up and down Elgin Street.

"We didn't have the rest of the city joining us," they said. "It was a

CityNews Ottawa • 28th August 2022

Programs helping low-income families are experiencing a spike in services

Programs providing support to citizens in need are asking for help as they experience a spike in their services.

Marilyn Matheson, executive director for ED Caldwell Family Centre, told The Sam Laprade Show on Aug. 22 that compared to July 2021, there has been a 55 per cent increase in people accessing food at ED Caldwell Family Centre.

"It's just grown incredibly, we're trying to do our best to keep up, but we need help," Matheson said.

Although the centre receives funding from the municipal

CityNews Ottawa • 27th August 2022

Those who were gay during the 'Fruit Machine' era will find acceptance and support at Capital Pride

The Capital Pride Festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and is a beacon for inclusivity and love. But decades ago, it wouldn't have been possible, the climate in Ottawa far more hostile and less accepting toward the community.

George Hartsgrove, a member of the Ottawa Seniors Pride Network, told The Sam Laprade Show with co-host Jason White, live on location for Capital Pride on Aug. 27, that 30 years ago, he never would have imagined a pride festival like this.

"It was illegal to be who we

CityNews Ottawa • 25th August 2022

Local organizations are trying to help outfit Ukrainian newcomers for winter

Today is Ukrainian Independence day and an opportunity to reflect on the resilience and bravery Ukrainians have shown the world. It's also a chance to ask how Canadians can continue to support those who have fled the war.

Olenka Bastian, a volunteer at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Ottawa Branch (UCC), told The Sam Laprade Show on Aug. 24 that the most significant hurdle UCC is facing is preparing the newcomers for winter, with many of them unable to pack jackets or warm clothing before comin

CityNews Ottawa • 17th August 2022

$10-a-day child care could leave private centres bankrupt

As the opt-in deadline for the $10-a-day child care program approaches for Ontario operators, it's still unclear how exactly the program would work.

Maggie Moser, director of the Ontario Association for Independent Childcare Centres (OAICC), told The Sam Laprade Show on Tuesday, Aug. 16, that the 74-page guideline the provincial government released in April is "problematic" and could potentially leave private centres bankrupt.

The funding formula states that the government will fund eligible e

CityNews Ottawa • 15th August 2022

Sense of helplessness and desire for a community may fuel people to believe in conspiracies

This weekend saw several followers of the self-proclaimed "Queen of Canada," Romana Didulo, attempt to arrest Peterborough police officers for what she described as their "COVID crimes."

The event has left some wondering why anyone would believe Didulo or any of the various conspiracy theories circulating the internet.

Tim Caulfield, Canada research chair in Health Law and Policy, told The Rob Snow Show on Monday, Aug. 15, that a sense of helplessness and wanting to be part of a community play

CityNews Ottawa • 14th August 2022

Father looks to community to help raise money for his son's illness

For the past few years, Gregory Brown has been fundraising for his son Jack. However, the father is now battling high-risk cancer, leaving him unable to work and without private insurance to cover his son's life-sustaining medical supplies.

"I'm on my fifth lease of life," Brown told The Sam Laprade Show on Friday, Aug.12. "Initially, they gave me six months…I have a lot of positive energy around me...and I'm just thankful to wake up every day."

Brown said that Jack is a happy boy despite bein

CityNews Ottawa • 10th August 2022

Ottawa Carleton District School Board of trustees divided on optional masking in schools

Amidst the recent announcement that masks would not be required for the upcoming school year, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) of trustees is divided on the issue.

Lyra Evans, OCDSB trustee for zone 9, told The Sam Laprade Show on Tuesday, Aug. 9, that several trustees were not in favour of having a meeting to discuss reintroducing mask requirements in schools.

Evans said she's frustrated that some of her colleagues wouldn't even consider having the debate, which means no meet

CityNews Ottawa • 3rd August 2022

Art in the park event gives platform for mental health

A non-profit organization is hoping to raise mental health awareness through art.

The Mental Illness Caregivers Association of Canada (MICA) will hold their annual Art in Strathcona Park event on August 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will see up to 70 artists and artisans come together to sell their work.

Paul McIntyre, president of MICA, told CityNews that it would be a day to come together and enjoy meeting the vendors — some of whom live with a mental illness — and provide information abou

CityNews Ottawa • 2nd August 2022

Lung cancer is leading cause of cancer deaths

August 1 is world lung cancer day and a reminder that it is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women.

According to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), lung cancer is expected to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada, with an estimated 30,000 new cases in 2022.

“The projected high burden of lung cancer indicates a need for increased tobacco control and improvements in early detection and treatment,” the study states.

The study notes

CityNews Ottawa • 31st July 2022

Online petition calls for more police presence in Barrhaven amid rising crime

Barrhaven saw the highest crime spike in Ottawa last year, and one municipal candidate wants to do something about it.

Jay Chadha, who is running for councillor in Barrhaven West, created an online petition calling for more police presence in the ward amidst the 20.7 per cent jump in crime rates.

He’s heard from residents who say their cars were broken into, damaged and even stolen from their driveways.

According to the petition, Cobbie Hill residents and co-creators of the petition, Kiranpal

CityNews Ottawa • 31st July 2022

Survey suggests Catherine McKenney leads mayoral race

A recent survey indicated Catherine McKenney has the largest support base in the Ottawa mayoral election.

According to the Mainstreet research survey, which interviewed 663 adults living in Ottawa between July 22 and July 23, 34 per cent of respondents said they were leaning towards voting for Catherine McKenney. The candidate with the second most support was Mark Sutcliffe at 15 per cent, while 38 per cent remained undecided.

Of the demographic supporting McKenney, the strongest support is am

CityNews Ottawa • 28th July 2022

Ukrainian refugees face housing challenge

Five months into the brutal war Russia has waged against Ukraine, civilians continue to be killed and the targets of military attacks.

For Ukrainians who have escaped the war and landed in Canada, Cassian Soltykevich, national secretary for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, told The Sam Laprade Show on July 27 that they often arrive with little to no support.

"We continue to call on all levels of government to provide funding to settlement agencies because the biggest number one issue like it i

CityNews Ottawa • 25th July 2022

Canada's fertilizer tariff increases cost of production for Ontario farmers'

Agriculture groups say that Canada’s tariff on Russian imported nitrogen fertilizer puts Canadian farmers at a competitive disadvantage and will impact consumers.

Keith Currie, the vice president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, told The Rob Snow Show on July 25 that because eastern Canada doesn’t produce nitrogen, the 35 per cent cost increase means Ontario farmers have put out one of their most expensive crops in recent history.

He said that although the Federation understands the s