Health issues swept under with toothless ‘motherhood’ bills: opposition

I have a new story up on iPolitics.ca today, which looks at the work of the Commons health committee the past few months, and the frustration that opposition MPs are feeling as the work they're trying to do is being subverted by a government they feel is committed to the status quo, and which blocks any attempts to challenge it. More than that, they feel trapped into supporting the toothless measures because they don't want to be seen as voting against measures for suicide prevention, breast cancer awareness, or the like. It was a great story to write, and nice to be able to sink my teeth into it with all of the research that went into it.

Doors Open: Rideau Hall offers nature tour, wildlife presentation

I have a new story up on the Ottawa page of OpenFile today, which looks at the Doors Open activities at Rideau Hall, which have a bit of a twist - on top of the regular indoor tours, they'll also be doing a number of outdoor activities on the grounds. It was a fun story, and while I've been to Rideau Hall half-a-dozen times, it was nice to get a bit more of a private tour, including one of the rooms that wasn't previously open to the public before.

Unveiling the new tabard of the Chief Herald of Canada

I have a second story up on OpenFile today, which connects to my first one, and it was a bit of a treat in that I got to get a preview of a one-day-only event, which was happening at the opening of the 90 Wellington exhibition, but I also got to have a great discussion with the Chief Herald about this new tabard that has been created for Canada. It was definitely a fun piece to write, and I had a great time discussing heraldry with the Chief Herald, and some of the work that she and her office have done.

What the former Capital InfoCentre looks like on the inside

I have a new story up on OpenFile Ottawa today, which follows up on my story from last week, and shows the new Canadian Honours exhibition that now inhabits the space. As someone who has recently become interested in the Canadian Honours System - and who is a fan of the office of the Governor General - this was a really fun story to be able to cover. I updated the text over the course of the day with a couple of interviews of attendees at the opening event today, and I posted the full interviews on my Routine Proceedings blog here and here.

90 Wellington exhibit to showcase great Canadians

I have a story up on OpenFile Ottawa today which looks at who is moving into the former Capital InfoCentre space on Wellington street. This particular piece is a bit of a teaser, with more to come next week on just what's going to be part of the exhibition.

Bill to repeal hate speech prohibitions faces Commons committee

I have a story up on iPolitics.ca today, which follows Bill C-304 as it headed to the Commons justice committee. This is an issue I've been following for the past few years, since it was something that Xtra's editorial policy was in support of, so I was certainly familiar with the various aspects and arguments to it. And it's nice to now be doing reporting for iPolitics.

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.