Public Works blocks entrance to National Press Building

I have a new story on the main page of OpenFile Ottawa today, which looks at the upcoming closure of a sidewalk on Wellington Street here in Ottawa, and how that closure affects the National Press Building, and by extension the National Press Theatre. It's something that not only affects journalists here in town, but any group or politician who would make use of the Theatre, and the fact that the main entrance is going to be blocked for two-and-a-half years is clearly an issue. It's also part of the pattern that seems to keep the most important street in Ottawa as far as tourism and public democracy continues to be a permanent construction zone, and it should be something that we are concerned about.

Sir John A's Name Belongs On Downtown Building: Biographer

I have a story up today on the main page of OpenFile Ottawa, wherein I spoke to Richard Gwyn, the most recent biographer of Sir John A. Macdonald, and we spoke about the governments' recent renaming of the old Bank of Montreal building on Wellington Street in Macdonald's honour. Gwyn approves, but had a few other interesting anecdotes to pass along. It was a great conversation, and I'd like to chat with Gwyn at some future point as well, given that I am quite fascinated with early Confederation history (not to mention that his two-volume biography is a fantastic read).

Homophobic group to help award Diamond Jubilee Medals

I have a new story up on the national page of Xtra.ca, which looks at how the group REAL Women has been inited to be a partner organisation for the Diamond Jubilee medal programme. It's one of those particular stories that does fit nicely into the niche of Xtra, which can be fun to write. Unfortunately, not all of the quotes I gathered made it into the final piece (especially one about "honouring unReal women"), but I'm glad to have gotten the story out there.

Expert says Lawful Access bill will be used for surveillance

I have a new story on the national page of Xtra.ca today, which is another look at the Lawful Access bill. I decided to take the approach of looking at the bill from the surveillance angle, which largely hasn't been touched until now. Unfortunately, not all of the context and explanations, such as the language around the lower standards for issuing warrants, survived the editing process.