Mark Carney discreetly campaigns in the shadows of Nepean

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Good morning! 

I’m glad to be back after breaking a rib last week. Definitely the worst pain I’ve ever experienced… Ottawa was lucky to avoid any major hassles as a result of the freezing rain over the weekend. Warmer temperatures are now on the way. 

You might have seen Liberal Party leader Mark Carney campaigning in Nepean over the weekend, or perhaps you didn’t because almost no media was allowed to attend. I was among the local journalists who were barred entry from his campaign office kickoff on Saturday. To say this surprised me would be an understatement: I’ve been working in journalism for eight years. I’ve written for the Barrhaven Independent — the community newspaper which serves Nepean — for all that time. I’ve covered dozens of campaign office openings across the city for all levels of government without any issues. 

After I shared the experience on X, it quickly blew up with over 474,000 views on my original tweet. The party was quick to call me and apologized saying it was a “misunderstanding.” They said they were well aware of my journalism credentials and said they’d add me to the list for future campaign notices. But so far that hasn’t happened. 

I also asked for an interview with Mr. Carney because Nepean residents deserve to hear from the man who wants their votes. The party said they’d see what they could do, and I await a response. 

Online, some people argued the media should not have been there because it was a campaign strategy session. It was not; it was a 45-minute photo opportunity with a roughly four-minute speech. It was broadcast live on CPAC and a small handful of journalists travelling with the Liberal Party were in the room. 

One of the differences between a press pack and local journalists is the angles we take with coverage. While a national reporter will highlight the campaign promises for all of Canada, we narrow in on aspects that will impact you here in Ottawa. I want to know specifically what Carney plans to do for Nepean, and I also want to gauge how up-to-speed he is on the local topics voters care about. 

Unfortunately, this is becoming a trend in election campaigns — and it goes above party lines. During the recent provincial election, almost no Conservative candidates gave media interviews or attended debates. In this federal election, the Conservatives barred entry to journalists on the campaign plane. The Liberals early on in the campaign asked reporters to turn off their microphones at an event. Other reporters have also been denied access to rallies. Not only is this an issue for the free press, but transparency as a whole. 

I remain hopeful that Carney will agree to an interview. His Nepean Conservative counterpart Barbara Bal has agreed to one and we are meeting later this week. If a Nepean NDP candidate is later chosen, the same invite will be given. I plan to do the same in other ridings, including in Carleton where Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is seeking re-election in the riding he’s represented since 2004. 

As I always like to remind those in politics (many who I’m sure read this publication), an interview with your local publication is not a waste of time. You’re able to speak directly to voters and address issues they care about in their neighbourhood. I look at the Lookout as a perfect example: We have over 45,000 readers who are involved, passionate and educated. Chances are many of your are people who go out and vote. 

No surprise, today's main story covers federal politics since there is a big Ottawa angle. It’s about Liberal leader Carney’s campaign stop in Ottawa and the limited details we have, and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who was campaigning in the contentious riding of Ottawa Centre. 

Let’s get to it!

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor

[email protected]

X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Monday: 13 🌡️ -3 | 🌧️ 

Tuesday: 1 🌡️ -7 | ☀️ 

Wednesday: 1 🌡️ -2 | ❄️

OTTAWA NUMBERS

🗄️ 3,300: The number of job cuts coming to Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Another 2,000 employees are expected to see salary reductions. [Ottawa Citizen]

💰 $100,000: Take a look at the top 100 workers on Ontario’s Sunshine list. [CBC]

☔️ 7: The number of people injured in Ontario after freezing rain toad through the province over the weekend. One person is also dead. [CBC]

🚗 2: The number of drivers caught speeding over 150 km/h on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa. [CTV]

FEDERAL ELECTION

Mark Carney discreetly campaigns in the shadows of Nepean

No time for media: A week into the federal election, Liberal Party leader Mark Carney was campaigning in Nepean on Saturday, the riding he hoped to win for a seat in the House of Commons. 

Rumours of an event at his Antares Drive campaign office began swirling Friday night, but when local media reached out, they were told it was pool coverage only. By 10:00 am, about 50 people had gathered inside, including former Liberal MP Bob Chiarelli and newly elected Liberal Nepean MPP Tyler Watt. 

Carney entered to a cheering crowd, shook some hands, and gave about a four-minute-long speech. He called this “the most important election of our lifetime.” 

• “It’s critical in redefining our relationship with the United States. It’s critical in redefining our economy on our own terms, standing up for Canada, creating one economy, one strong economy,” he said

As he has before, Carney referenced his friendship with Nepeanite Peter Chiarelli, former general manager of the Edmonton Oilers. He also said Nepean was the best riding in the country. 

• “This is what we are, the community, the community that grows and believes in each other and stays together,” said Carney. “And I hope to have the honour of representing you in Ottawa at this crucial time for Nepean, for Ottawa, for Ontario, or Canada, for the world.” 

Where’s the transparency? The few media representatives in the room were not allowed to ask questions with the last media availability being held Friday. 

On Sunday, Carney held two events in Nepean, both of which were “closed to the media,” per a press release. One of those was a private gathering at a home in Half Moon Bay, where the Liberal leader celebrated  Eid al-Fitr. A video posted to X showed him and his wife Diana packing food boxes for the Muslim Food Bank. 

So why no questions? Given Carney’s sudden decision to run in the riding, without much history in the area, the campaign could be acting overly cautious about answering questions from local media who, the Lookout included, would focus on questions related to Nepean and less on national issues. It remains to be seen if that’s the case as we wait for the opportunity to interview him.

• The controversy around Carney’s plan to run in Nepean first started after current Liberal MP Chandra Arya was told just a weekend ago he wouldn’t be allowed to run. No reason was given, but reports have since indicated it has to do with a 2024 trip to India. 

Many local journalists — like myself — also want to ask Carney what he wants to do for Nepean, and his knowledge about the place he’s running in. Speaking outside of Rideau Hall after calling an election last week, he referenced Bells Corners, which is in fact no longer part of Nepean. A boundary review now means voters there are part of Kanata. 

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh campaigns in Ottawa Centre 

Also in Ottawa on Saturday was NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who stopped by the Mino'Weesini Grocery Program near Parkdale. 

Speaking next to shelves and a grocery cart stocked with food, the NDP leader committed to introducing emergency price caps on food items like pasta, frozen vegetables and infant formula. Sigh also advocated for higher taxes on grocery chain profits and tighter competition regulations for the sector, reported CityNews.

• "A lot of Canadians are worried about how much it costs them when they go to the grocery store," Singh said, noting those fears have intensified due to anxiety about the impact of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. “I want folks to know that we see you and we hear you," said Singh.

Food agencies are feeling the strain: The Mino'Weesini Grocery Program is Parkdale Food Centre’s catchment-based grocery service. In October 1,650 people used the service, the highest level of need ever seen. The initiative, which allows clients to go around the store and purchase food through a points program and costs about $18,000 a month to run, reported the Kitchissippi Times. 

It will be a competitive race: Things aren’t looking good for the federal NDP who could lose official party status. The CBC estimated they could go down to three seats, and would be unlikely to take more than 14. Even Singh may lose his Vancouver area seat. 

What the polls say: In Ottawa Centre Liberal incumbent MP Yasir Naqvi is showing a strong lead in the polls. Early projections on 338 Canada show Naqvi winning with 57 per cent of the vote. Conservative candidate Paul D’Orsonnes is projected to come in second place with 21 per cent — something the party hasn’t pulled off since 2011. NDP candidate and former Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden is trailing behind in third with 16 per cent. The projections are based on polls, electoral history and other data. 

THE AGENDA

🚎 A new inquest into the 2019 Westboro bus crash is bringing hope for justice for the families. The inquest jury will investigate the circumstances that led to the deaths of three passengers — Bruce Thomlinson, 56, Judy Booth, 57, and Anja Van Beek, 65 — and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths. It will hear from 15 witnesses. [Ottawa Citizen]

☔️ Ottawa was mostly spared, but thousands in eastern Ontario were without power Sunday night after freezing rain brought down power lines and trees. In a news release Sunday, the City of Kingston said that "multiple power lines" were down across the city and that crews were working "around the clock to clear debris and restore power." [CBC]

🧑‍🎓 Algonquin College hosted an open house over the weekend despite facing extensive cutbacks. Krista Pearson, vice president of student services at the college, said it hasn’t impacted interest. “A part of the reason for that is that we continue to offer programs that are in high demand, for not only the labor market, but for those students and their interests also,” she said. [CTV]

🍄 A magic mushroom shop in downtown Ottawa was damaged Saturday morning by fire, and police have said it remains an active crime scene. Additional resources were called to the scene and firefighters began to search the structure for anyone inside. Two full searches of the building found no occupants. [CTV]

🏒 Ottawa Senators fans will need to wait at least another four to six years before they can attend a hockey game at a LeBreton Flats arena. “We are making progress there; I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Sens president Cyril Leeder. “We’re about to get into another phase there where we’re into design, development and approvals and financing. That’s all going to have to get done and that’s going to take a bunch of time. We still think it’s the right place for the arena to be downtown.” [CTV]

👮‍♂️ Ottawa Police are investigating after a homicide occurred near Chinatown Saturday night. The victim has been identified as Paul Scott Landymore, 63, of Ottawa. No arrests have been made, but police say there is no threat to public safety. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚧 Oops! An Incorrect sign installed near Limebank LRT Station gave Ottawa a second Main Street. It has since been removed. Local councillor Steve Desroches said the street should be labelled “Town Square Place.” [CTV]

🔥 Ottawa firefighters battled three fires in a 12-hour period Thursday night and Friday morning, including a blaze in an old schoolhouse on Prince of Wales Drive. Little information can be found about the old educational facility online, though it was later turned into housing and has been left abandoned for decades. The building will need to be torn down. [CTV]

SPORTS

Senators get three of possible four points in weekend back-to-back games

By Jeff Morris 

The Ottawa Senators gave up an overtime power-play goal to Sidney Crosby Sunday as they fell 1-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. It was the fifth straight one-goal game for the Senators.

The Senators got superb goaltending from backup Anton Forsberg, who stopped 34 shots before giving up the game-winner on Crosby’s one-timer that beat him glove side.

The Senators had two chances to win the game as Shane Pinto and Jake Sanderson had breakaways, but both hit the post.

• “Forsie played great,” Senators forward Drake Batherson said in the media scrum following the game.

Batherson said the team lost momentum in the game and ran out of gas. The team had played Saturday night in Ottawa before travelling to Pittsburgh for Sunday’s game.

• “It’s a quick turnaround,” Batherson said. “We’ve had three or four of them this year. Give them credit, they played a solid game and it was a tie game right until the end. We’ll take the point for sure, especially this time of the year. Obviously, we would like to get the win, but a point’s a point.”

Saturday night in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Ottawa, the Senators hung on for a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson and Ridly Greig scored for the Sens, and Linus Ullmark made 29 saves, including a couple of big ones in the final two minutes after the Jackets had pulled their goalie.

Sens vs. Leafs in playoffs? The Sens are listed as having a 99 per cent chance of making the playoffs. They are in the first wildcard spot with 84 points, seven ahead of Montreal with 77. The Canadiens, who hold the second wildcard spot, gained a point on the Sens by beating Florida Sunday afternoon.

• The Panthers’ loss vaulted the Toronto Maple Leafs into first place in the Atlantic Division. Should the Sens hold onto the first wildcard spot, they will play the Atlantic Division winner in the first round. 

Special night for Sanderson family: Against Columbus Saturday, Jake Sanderson’s goal against Columbus had special meaning. He scored on the anniversary of when his father, Geoff Sanderson, scored four goals to set a Blue Jackets record that still stands in a 6-4 win over Calgary on March 29, 2003.

• If you really want to go deep into Ottawa sports history on this one, all four of his goals were assisted by Andrew Cassels, one of the greatest players in Ottawa 67s history.

Third-period woes: In both weekend games, the ice was titled against the Sens. In a script that is becoming all too familiar, the Columbus Blue Jackets fought back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to score a goal, and then absolutely ambushed Senators goalie Linus Ullmark in the final three minutes. Ullmark made several key saves to preserve another too-close-for-comfort one-goal victory.

In Pittsburgh Sunday, the Sens were completely dominated by the non-contending Pittsburgh Penguins throughout the third period. A costly penalty at the end of regulation time gave Pittsburgh a four-on-three advantage in overtime. 

ON THIS DAY

Bridges, fire and a building collapse

This is a new occasional section we are adding to the Lookout where we take a look at some of the news headlines which occurred on publication day over the years. 

1958: Crowds gathered on Bank Street to watch a fire at the Bank Street Chambers at Albert Street. The blaze flared up from the Modern Miss Dress Shop and ate through the upper floors to the roof before firemen brought it under control. More than 30 offices above the dress store were damaged by fire and water. 

1964: Alfred Cathcart, 57, of 256 Main Street in Stittsville, was killed after a crash on Highway 15. A four-year-old girl also died, and three others were transported to the Civic Hospital. The car was bumped from behind a three-ton truck driven by Donald G. Wright, of Scarboro. 

Stittsville council has complained about the turnoff and was told last year the "corner" would be corrected. Correction would mean widening Highway 15 and putting in curb channels and lights. 

1966: Three people died and 25 people were saved after a building caved in on Elgin Street. There was a roar like a flight of low jets, or, some said, an avalanche, reported the Ottawa Journal. A panic shout of warning on a sun-filled morning, and a high scream of terror, it was a disaster.

Four floors of the 14-storey building collapsed. Frederick Gall, 40, was working in a second-floor office across Elgin Street from the scene of the accident. He described the scene. 

• “I heard a rumble and looked out. While I was watching she began to collapse. There were about 15 men that I could see on the top level of the structure. They ran for their lives as it folded up underneath them. One fellow was left hanging onto a beam. He slid and then dropped into the wreckage. He got out — I think. Nearly half of Elgin Street is blocked off by the rubble. Firemen and workmen are digging furiously for survivors. There was no steel framework to the building. It seemed to be made of concrete reinforced with steel rods. The sound of it collapsing was a roar. It only took about 20 seconds for the thing to collapse. There are three or four concrete pillars still standing."

Information is from the Ottawa Journal archives on newspapers.com

EVENTS

Discover Technata Career Fair 2025 | The Brookstreet Hotel, 525 Legget Drive, Kanata| Apr. 2, 10:00 am | Free

Latin American Film Festival | Saint Paul University, 223 Main Street, Ottawa | Apr. 4-6, 11-13, 25-26, 6:00 pm | Free

Fifty-Five Plus Lifestyle Show | EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr | April 4-5 | Free

Sugar Bush at the Log Farm | 670 Cedarview Rd | Until April 6 | Tickets are $11.50

Outaouais Film Festival | Various locations in Gatineau | April 3-11 | Get tickets here

Boogát | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St | April 11 |Tickets are $20

Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show | EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr | April 11-13 | Get tickets here

Ottawa Record Fair | Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St, 10 am | April 12 | Tickets are $5-$10

Ugadi Cultural Festival | Earl Of March Secondary School, 4 The Parkway, Ottawa | Apr. 12, 3:30 pm | Tickets from $27

Lisa B. Band at LIVE! on Elgin | 220 Elgin St | April 13 | Tickets are $20

Want to see your event here? You can purchase them through our self-service portal here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Did you know the Ottawa hospital still uses leeches on patients? [CBC]

• This Gatineau woman has an extensive collection of Hudson Bay memorabilia. [CBC]

• The Canadian Ringette Championships got underway in Ottawa this weekend. [CTV]

• The Arnprior Humane Society has been buoyed by community support after flooding. [CTV]

• Jade Yi’s Kitchen should be your Kanata Chinese food staple. [Capital Eats]