NCC Headquarters in downtown Ottawa. (Via NCC) Vehicle Access to Greenbelt Temporarily Closed Like many organizations, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is doing its part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With that objective, we are temporarily closing vehicle access to the Greenbelt as of 9 pm on Friday, March 27, 2020, until further notice. ...

Things truly took a turn when Ontario declared a state of emergency recently due to the spread of COVID-19. From reduced services, closures, to lay-offs, people across the province have been impacted in one way or another. For small businesses that are new to Ottawa’s business scene, their plans to grow have been halted. ...

The Ottawa Food Bank has a special fund for COVID-19 relief. The Ottawa Food Bank needs your help to respond to the community’s needs during the COVID-19 outbreak. The organization says there are many reasons why they need extra help to keep up with demand: ...

Ottawa Public Health has opened the first testing centre for novel coronavirus disease in Ottawa. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is taking proactive measures in the COVID-19 response by partnering with The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO to open a COVID-19 Assessment Centre. ...

COVID-19, or novel coronavirus disease, has reached Ottawa. Ottawa Public Health is reporting Ottawa’s first confirmed case of COVID-19. The individual is currently in self-isolation at home with mild symptoms. The confirmed case is a man in his 40s and a resident of Ottawa, Ontario with recent travel history to Austria. ...

Skating on the Rink of Dreams. Photo by Dave Yin from the OttawaStart Flickr Group Kids Activities Looking for something to do with your kids during March Break or on a PD Day? Here are some ideas for some great family activities in Ottawa. ...

Three buckets. Collecting sap in Vanier during maple syrup season. Photo by Tony Bailey. Visiting a sugar bush has been a springtime activity in our area for generations. Several farms and maple syrup operations in Ontario and Quebec offer tours and programming for kids and families. ...

COVID-19 info from Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa Public Health. Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s medical officer of health, recently released this video where she discusses some key information regarding novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. It's important to think about the things we can all do to prepare for possible cases of #COVID19 in our community. ...

First day of the Rideau Canal skating season (2015). Photo by James Peltzer via the OttawaStart Flickr pool. (Via NCC) The National Capital Commission (NCC) is disappointed to report that the Rideau Canal Skateway will not reopen this winter, marking the end of its 50th season since its first opening in January 1971. ...

Snow (or wintery despair) coming? Here’s a list of links to help you get through the day: The latest forecast Ian Black (from CBC Ottawa) usually has the latest and most accurate info re: weather in Ottawa. Here’s Environment Canada’s weather forecast and the official weather warnings. ...