News Headlines / September 28, 2007

Affordable housing back on the table   In a “long overdue” project finally made possible by a joint effort in government grants, one of the last remaining lots earmarked for affordable housing in Centretown will soon be the site of 195 new homes for families with modest incomes.   Fundraising, recovery continues month after fire   A month after a fire destroyed three apartment buildings at Somerset and Booth Street, victims are regrouping and fundraising continues to help them put their lives back together.   Condo, retail plan approved for pub site   The James Street Feed Co. is one step closer to demolition after city council this week unanimously approved a proposal to build a seven-storey condo in its place earlier this month.   Council axes trans-fat ban despite restaurant support   City of Ottawa signs aren’t going to read: “Trans fat free” – at least not yet.   NCC openness policy receives mixed reviews   A National Capital Commission initiative to make the secretive body more transparent has received lukewarm reviews from local activists and politicians.   Parents say parole office needs new home now   The Ottawa District Parole office has yet to pinpoint a new location away from the neighbouring Elgin Street Public School, and that has some parents concerned that it might not move.   Bridge name honours Irish canal builders   After a year of serving pedestrians, the footbridge over the Rideau Canal, newly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, finally has a name.   Ottawa Centre Votes Headlines The Issues Educators, experts split over funding faith-based schools   Like millions in this country, Cheikh Ahmed practises his religion. He is Muslim and though his three sons attend a French public school in Ottawa, he sends two of them for religious study on Sundays because it is free. He cannot afford to send them to a Muslim private school.   Many residents still unaware of referendum   It is a historic opportunity for Ontario’s 8.5 million registered voters to change the face of representation at Queen’s Park. But with less than two weeks until the Oct. 10 vote, the referendum on electoral reform seems to be relatively unnoticed by the public.   The Candidates NDP candidate wants cities to get 'fair deal'   Ontario NDP candidate Will Murray was propelled into politics after winning a court battle in 2004 that ensured that mentally ill suspects would be sent to hospitals instead of jails – a decision he says has been ignored by the McGuinty government.   Electoral reform tops Green agenda   Electoral reform is top of the agenda for Ottawa Centre Green party candidate Greg Laxton; it became his passion and the subject of his master’s thesis.   Conservative pushes tougher, zero-tolerance approach to crime   The McGuinty Liberals’ “revolving door” of justice is to blame for the capital’s rise in drug related offences, graffiti and aggressive panhandling says the Progressive Conservative party candidate for Ottawa Centre.   Grit puts community first   When he was 15 years old, Yasir Naqvi immigrated to Canada from Pakistan after his father was imprisoned for leading a pro-democracy march.   Communist candidate focuses on education   Education in Ontario is the key issue in this election, says the Communist party’s candidate in Ottawa Centre.   Family values top priority   Family Coalition Party (FCP) candidate Danny Moran believes that our society is crumbling.   Recycling key issue for Independent   Born, raised and educated in Ottawa, Richard Eveleigh is running as an Independent candidate in next month’s election in hopes of making his city a cleaner, greener place.