Year in review: Local community stories from 2025

As the year draws to a close, people are beginning to look back at what made Ottawa Ottawa in 2025.

From unique efforts to help feed those in need, to business anniversaries, babies born on the side of the road and a new ranking as a city of cat lovers, these happenstances unique to Ottawa show it’s certainly not the city fun forgot.

Below you’ll find a selection of stories and photos that are being republished to look back on the year.

Ottawa teen runs to P.E.I. in support of local food bank

Running took a boom in 2025, but not many people have ran as much as Louis Jacques who completed 1,400 km between Ottawa and Georgetown, P.E.I. in support of a local food bank.

The 17-year-old told CityNews he was inspired by his volunteering at the St. Joe’s Supper Table food bank in Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood.

“I’m in a position to succeed and I should take advantage of my luck,” he said. “I have a duty to these people to make sure that they get to eat too.”

If running 1,400 km wasn’t enough, Jacques completed most of the journey while driving back and forth to finish out the school year, running multiple marathons on the weekends.

Curling club rebuilds after devastating fire

A fire that broke out at the Carleton Heights Curling Club showed just how special that community is.

Within days donations poured in and curling clubs from across the globe were calling in their support.

Without hesitation, the curling club’s board and many of its members sprang into action. Ryan Wright, former president of the club said he is overwhelmed by the amount of support and the swift action of his fellow curlers.

Wright said staff have “bent over backwards” to help with assessments, organize members, and create a timeline and plan of action. He himself was part of the club’s fundraising campaign.

“Everything from a table and chairs and down to our Christmas decorations and our Thanksgiving decorations. Anything you could think of that you’d use to either supply your home goods, your home or a restaurant or an ice rink, essentially we had all of it and it’s all gone,” he said.

In a social media post in July, the club said repairs would take eight to nine months and that there would be no on-site curling for the 2025-26 season.

Ottawa Mission launches vertical gardens

As grocery prices continue to climb, the Ottawa Mission teamed up with Growcer, an Ottawa-based company, to grow hyper-local fresh greens to use in its community food programs.

The $1.5 million project supports two Growcer hydroponic farms which can produce approximately 20,000 pounds of fresh greens each year.

“Not only will this bring more local food, but we also hope to see Ottawa serve as an example for what other cities can accomplish to increase local food resilience with indoor agriculture,” Corey Ellis, co-founder and CEO of Growcer, said. “This is just the beginning of what passionate organizations across the country can do to make local food part of their daily lives.”

The greens will also give training opportunities to students of the shelter’s Food Services Training Program, which helps people gain work experience to get them out of poverty.

This Ottawa neighbourhood is full of cat lovers

Cats were the big dogs in 2025, stealing people’s hearts by storm.

According to PetSmart Canada, cat adoptions have outpaced dog adoptions in the country for the past several years.

In July, to celebration National Adoption Week, the company has released a list of Canada’s Top 10 cat-loving cities, and one Ottawa community made it into the top five.

Nepean, Ont. was ranked fourth based on factors such as the highest number of adoptions while considering spending on cat toys, treats and other products.

“This index shows us that cat parenting is more universal than you might think, and those old stereotypes no longer apply. More people than ever are enjoying the playful nature of cat companionship,” Amiee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada, said. “Cats can thrive in smaller living spaces, and their independence often makes them incredibly appealing to pet parents who can’t get out for regular walks.”

From healthy heart to healthy heart

When Zackery Liberty heard Billie Mendel’s story of her heart diagnosis at 28, he knew he wanted to help her raise money to support the Ottawa Heart Institute.

Liberty himself had made a complete 180 with the help of the institute, going from smoker to marathon runner.

“It was very brave of [Mendel] to not only post it (her story), but to commit herself to raising money on her own for this cause,” Liberty said.

Together, the pair started From Heart To Finish, a grassroots effort.

But it’s not only money the pair wants to raise. Mendel is sharing her story of the diagnosis and treatment of a 2.5 cm hole in her heart so that people know the signs of when something is wrong.

“I was having palpitations my entire life, thinking that you’re supposed to feel your heartbeat,” Mendel said. “I realize now that I wasn’t able to take big deep breaths….Everything was ‘my normal’ for such a long time that I didn’t know anything different.”

A roadside birth

Sometimes being a police officer is all about being in the right place at the right time, and on a morning in October Cst. Nicolas was in the right place to help deliver a baby, right on the side of the highway.

Jeremie and Kaitlyn were travelling en route to the hospital on Highway 174 when they spotted Nicolas near the Montreal Road exit. Jeremie called Nicolas in to assist knowing Kaitlyn would not make it to the emergency room.

“I was flagged down by Dad on the 174 when he told me that his wife felt the baby’s head,” Cst. Nicolas said in the release. “I immediately escorted them off the highway and was told that the baby was out.”

“It was a very unique and surreal moment I will remember for the rest of my career,” Nicolas said” he added.

BeaverTails + Rideau Canal Skateway celebrate 45 years

There is no treat more quintessentially Canadian than a BeaverTail. The fried dough representing the back appendage of the eager rodent rolled in cinnamon sugar and other toppings has been bringing the winter cheer for generations.

This year BeaverTails celebrated 45 years on the Rideau Canal Skateway. The mashup is perhaps the most Canadian experience one could ask for.

The occasion was also marked with a new five-year agreement between the company and the National Capital Commission (NCC), ensuring the longevity between the two partners for the skateway.

“We are equally grateful to the countless skating families, friends, and visitors who have shared so many winter memories here — enjoying not only the Skateway but also our signature treat,” Grant Hooker, president of BeaverTails Ottawa Incorporated, said.

“We are very pleased to remain a part of the winter magic that the Rideau Canal Skateway brings to our city.”

A special honour for a motherly hero

Stephanie McDougall was awarded with an honour very few civilians will ever achieve.

Ottawa Fire Chief Paul Hutt awarded her with a Challenge Coin, dating back to the First World War this honour was used to bestow respect to those who demonstrated outstanding work in fire services.

But McDougall is one of a handful of citizens who have received the honour, hers for shielding her special needs son from the flames when her home went up in a blaze in Dec. 2024.

“I started crying right away,” she told CityNews in an interview. “It just makes me sad and happy. Happy because I’ve never really received anything like that ever, and to be recognized like that… It’s very big. (But) I’m sad because it was a very sad night for me.”

McDougall was home with her three sons at the time of the fire. Her two older sons escaped on their own. McDougall and her youngest son spent several days recovering in hospital but now everyone is doing well.

A GoFundMe set up for the family raised approximately $44,000 to rebuild the family home.

20 years and counting for a one-of-a-kind Ottawa business

In 2006 the modest Red Apron opened its doors at 410 Gladstone Ave. and since has become a staple for the community.

Serving ready to eat takeaway meals from fresh, local ingredients, co-owner Jennifer Heagle values her employees and the community she serves.

From sporting a mostly female staff, to providing reusable takeout containers and donating funds to local organizations, the Red Apron prides itself on giving back to the community it calls home.

In an era of rising costs, holding true to your values might not always be easy, but Heagle says it is their number one priority.

“Our philosophy about everything is If you make the right decision, over time it is the best decision,” she said. “It may not be that on the surface or in the moment, but over time, it will turn out to be the best business decision that you can make.”

The team is planning a host of celebrations for two decades in January which includes a fundraising goal of $20,000 that will be matched dollar for dollar.