City Hall

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.

City Hall Insider: zoning & CRRRC

It was a busy few weeks, and a busy council meeting, as council members received an update on the controversial purchase of a property in the east end slotted for use as a waste management facility.

‘Government only works when the public is involved.’ A Q/A with the Lookout team about our new City Hall Insider newsletter

We talk to Sarah about her plans for more in-depth city hall coverage and what you can expect in the months ahead

Ottawa moves ahead with $95M landfill purchase as rural councillors raise concerns

Ottawa city council is moving forward with the next steps toward purchasing a privately owned landfill site in the city’s east end — a deal reported to be worth roughly $95 million — in a move city leaders say will secure long-term waste disposal capacity.

City Hall insider Jan 22

Welcome to City Hall Insider, the new place where you can find in-depth analysis, calendars and information about what’s happening at City Hall.

Who’s running? Key races to watch in this fall's Ottawa municipal election

When the next term of council is sworn in after this fall's municipal election, most faces around the council table could look familiar.

City Hall and residents clash over NCC plan to rezone southern greenspace for housing

What began as a technical planning change quietly moving through City Hall has since grown into a flashpoint for community concern.

Councillors debate buying more diesel buses to help reliability

In November, OC Transpo confirmed it delivered 97.8 per cent of its planned trips over a 12-month period, which was less than the 99.5 per cent target that was set. This, the transit organization said, is largely due to the lack of buses in service.

What will cost you more in 2026

As the old calendar comes off the wall and a new one is hung in its place, residents’ finances will also see a reset.

2025 in review