City Hall

Over 16,000 housing units proposed on abandoned Confederation Heights office site

As the city plans to grow by half between now and 2051, it’s looking to build a new mixed-use community in Confederation Heights

City releases plan to promote economic development in Metcalfe

As Ottawa continues to grow and expand, community advocates want to make sure that growth doesn’t pass Metcalfe by.

Here's who’s running so far to be your next city councillor and mayor

City Hall Insider: bubble bylaw

A new bylaw establishing “safe access zones” will take effect in August, prohibiting protests within 50 metres of certain buildings, after the controversial bylaw was approved 20 to four by council on Wednesday.

City council passes ‘bubble bylaw’ with 20-4 vote

A new bylaw establishing “safe access zones” will take effect in August, prohibiting protests within 50 metres of certain buildings, after the controversial bylaw was approved 20 to four by council on Wednesday.

Could high-speed rail ever reach downtown? Councillors say no

Downtown Ottawa is being considered for a new high-speed rail station, but councillors say it would be better suited on Tremblay Road

Is a 'ring road' in southern Ottawa fantasy or reality?

A possible transportation solution that began as a pipe dream and evolved to a proposal at city hall has once emerged as rural Ottawa residents retain hope for a ring road south of the urban core.

What is the answer to improving transit service in Ottawa?

A promised provincial upload of Ottawa’s light-rail system is once again raising a bigger question: if the city gets financial breathing room, what should it do differently this time?

Ottawa’s noise rules back in focus as council faces competing priorities

As Ottawa heads into another festival and patio season, city hall is quietly preparing to revisit a rulebook that shapes everything from backyard air conditioners to late-night concerts.

What the future holds for Mooney’s Bay Beach and its sledding hill

The hill was a popular sledding spot, but it has been fenced off for years after the tragic death of 11-year-old Josée Abi Assal, who lost her life after colliding with a metal signpost while tobogganing.

How former city councillor Keith Egli turned trauma into a message for survivors

Before entering municipal politics, Keith Egli spent decades in a career that, like his time on council, required composure under pressure and careful judgment. But an inner battle had been brewing.

Committee approves long-debated sidewalks for Manor Park

Councillors have greenlit next steps for installing sidewalks along some roads in Manor Park as part of ongoing road modifications, despite ongoing controversy in the community.

Growing pricetag, LRT washroom closures raise questions about proposed downtown public toilet

Long-awaited plans to install a stand-alone public washroom in Centretown are set to come to fruition this year, but as the city’s other public restrooms face vandalism and safety hazards, the Centretown facility could be on the chopping block.

Looking back on rural amalgamation, 25 years later

It’s been 25 years since Ontario absorbed Osgoode township and other rural areas with the City of Ottawa, but Doug Thompson still stands by his belief that it was a poor decision.

Inside Ottawa’s nightlife strategy: Night Mayor Mathieu Grondin on progress and what comes next

Two years into his role, the Lookout sat down with Grondin to check in what he's accomplished, his vision for the city's nightlife and criticisms from local businesses

Weighing the wins and trade-offs of Bank Street’s bus-lane pilot project

The city once said the idea of permanent bus-only lanes was off the table, but now, it wants to make that vision a reality with permanent and temporary solutions rolling out next summer.

Baseline bus rapid transit ‘closer than it’s ever been,’ says College Ward councillor

As turmoil and maintenance issues continue to plague Ottawa's transit system, Coun. Laine Johnson weighs in on some of the projects that could make a difference

New ByWard Market proposal one step closer to reality

For years, Ottawa has talked about revitalizing the ByWard Market. Plans have been released, consultations held, and visions sketched out for what the historic district could become.

Ottawa's transit predicament

Ottawa’s long-awaited eastern extension of the O-Train Confederation Line should still open this spring after reaching a key construction milestone.

The debate over a cricket pitch in Barrhaven

A proposal to build a cricket pitch at Barrhaven’s Beryl Gaffney Park is sparking debate among residents who say the popular greenspace should remain in its current state.

Demands for literacy, communities and a 'third place' drive plans for more libraries

Bookworms and families in Hunt Club are celebrating the potential of a new library branch now that councillors have approved the next steps to lease space for a fresh library space on McCarthy Road. But this news is just the latest development as the City of Ottawa works to address steadily rising demand for libraries and local branches.

City Hall Insider: Trusting transit

Without any major developments, like the zoning bylaw or garbage dump acquisition of the previous meeting, last week’s city council meeting was back to regular business. Here’s what happened:

Q&A: Jason Burrggraaf talks housing supply, zoning and red tape — and what we can do to fix it

The Lookout sat down with Jason Burggraaf, director of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association (GOHBA), to learn more about housing supply, zoning, the role the city plays in promoting home building, and whether the city’s most recent promises will make an impact.

City Hall Insider: Acquiring a garbage dump and rezoning Ottawa

It was a busy day for city council last week as councillors kicked off the first official council meeting of 2026 with deliberations that lasted nearly six hours.

Could a home builder be Ottawa’s next mayor?

Alex Lawson says his decision to run for mayor isn’t based on a lifelong ambition to be in politics. Instead, he is entering the race because, in his view, Ottawa has stopped delivering basic services effectively.