MPs take a group photo in January 2019 inside the new House of Commons in West Block. (Photo via Speaker’s Office/@HoCSpeaker) The new homes of the House of Commons and Senate are now open for tours. The two houses of Parliament relocated, the Commons to West Block and the Senate to the old Government Conference Centre, because of the closure of Centre Block for rehabilitation work that is expected to last at least 10 years. ...

A look at the Bank of Canada Museum’s exhibit on Viola Desmond, the first woman to be put on a Canadian banknote. (Via BOC Museum) Learn about Viola Desmond, laugh at Yuk Yuk’s, explore local art and more during Ottawa Black History Month events. ...

Photo by Alan Wainright via the OttawaStart Flickr Group Family day is Monday, February 18, 2019 Who gets Family Day? Most employees get a day off with pay unless you work for the Federal Government. From the Ministry of Labour: “Most employees will be eligible to take off Family Day. ...

Heritage schoolhouse on Slack Road (near Merivale) in Nepean. Tuesday, February 19 is Heritage Day in Ottawa, and all this week is Heritage Week, a nation-wide celebration that encourages all Canadians to explore their local heritage, to get involved with stewardship and advocacy groups, and to visit museums, archives, and places of significance. ...

“Give us the deets.” (Screenshot from The Room) There’s a scene in The Room, greatest film ever produced, in which Tommy Wiseau asks his best friend a truly relevant question. “Anyway, how’s your sex life?” Apt613 has also got some questions in their Big O-Town Sex Survey. ...

Here’s the city’s schedule and service changes for Family Day 2019. The City of Ottawa would like to remind residents of the following schedule changes for Family Day, Monday, February 18. Client services: Ottawa City Hall and all seven Client Service Centres, including the Government Service Centre located at 110 Laurier Avenue West, will be closed. ...

The city is warning commuters to expect traffic delays due to a two-day protest downtown. (OttawaStart photo) Downtown commuters are advised to plan ahead for traffic delays on Tuesday, February 19 and Wednesday, February 20 as a result of the United We Roll Convoy for Canada. ...

One of Ottawa Public Health’s 2018-2019 condom designs. (Via OPH) UPDATE Ottawa Public Health opened voting for their condom designs and they are… pretty lame. You can head to sexitsmart.ca to vote on your favourites… (Original blog below) Ottawa Public Health is looking for the new wrapper designs of their 2019-2020 condom series, and you can vote on what they’re going to be, starting on Valentine’s Day. ...

Sunrise on Parliament Hill, by Derek Mellon via the OttawaStart Flickr pool. We’re nearly halfway through February and the winter is just flying by. But with spring only starting March 20, there’s still plenty of time left if you want to squeeze some last few winter experiences out. ...

Tom Schonberg, CEO of the Queensway Carleton Hospital, died suddenly after heart failure on Monday. (Photo via QCH) (Via Queensway Carleton Hospital) It is with great sadness that Queensway Carleton Hospital announces the sudden passing of its President and CEO, Tom Schonberg. ...