The following is an excerpt from the President Claude Brulé’s October 28 address at the 2020 Convocation; learn more about Algonquin College first virtual convocation here. As your President, I am both humbled and honoured to have this opportunity to celebrate your resilience and success. Amidst the events reshaping our global reality, be they the […]
Office of the President
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November 4, 2020 Revised: November 4, 2020 10:37am
The following is an excerpt from the President Claude Brulé’s October 28 address at the 2020 Convocation; learn more about Algonquin College first virtual convocation here.
As your President, I am both humbled and honoured to have this opportunity to celebrate your resilience and success.
Amidst the events reshaping our global reality, be they the pandemic, climate change, the fight for social justice and equality, or automation and the world of Artificial Intelligence, we come together to celebrate your incredible achievement, which is all the more remarkable given these extraordinary times.
In this age of great uncertainty, I can be certain of one thing…. The steadfast determination you have displayed will serve you well in the new environment being shaped so rapidly before us.
The world you are entering, upon graduation, looks nothing like the world from even a year ago. Yet, along with the challenges that lay ahead, the future holds promise and opportunities the likes of which have not been presented to any generation for a long time.
The door is open for you to really change the world, and not in a clichéd sense, but in real and tangible ways, emboldened with fresh ideas and new perspectives.
It also stands ready for your generation’s champions of social justice, to address issues of inequity, and the lack of diversity and inclusion that recent events have brought to the forefront in ways that can no longer be ignored.
Whatever your path forward, you will have the opportunity to help lead a true transformation –
to recalibrate the socio-economic inequities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour on a scale never seen before. And to reshape the modern workforce and break new ground in your chosen field.
Embracing our community will hopefully be one of the enduring legacies to emerge from these times, and you will be the ones to pass this on to the next generation.
Education, in its many forms, is a significant touchstone. It helps form the solid ground beneath our feet. It allows us to adapt, pivot and anticipate rather than merely react when change inevitably challenges our lives.
The knowledge and skills you have acquired here at Algonquin College are now part of your “tool kit”, helping to “future-proof” your career.
I want to borrow now from my colleague, Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Algonquin’s Vice President – Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenization. He often uses the metaphor of arrows in a
quiver. An arrow on its own will snap easily, however when they are bundled together, they are strong and resilient. Having many arrows in your quiver provides strength, and will enhance your confidence when faced with the many challenges set to come your way.
So … going forward … be inspired to learn new things and develop new skills. Fill your quiver with more arrows and make your mark.
Everything of value starts with an idea. What ideas are you preparing to share with the world? What script are you about to write?
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the author, Neil Gaiman, and I’d like to borrow what I think is an appropriate quote from his book, Art Matters: “It is easy to pretend that nobody can change anything, that society is huge and the individual is less than nothing. But the truth is, individuals make the future, and they do it by imagining that things can be different.”
So, when you think about your future, where does your imagination take you? The world needs your creativity, your energy and your resiliency more than ever before. It needs you to dream big dreams, and to go forward and be fearless.
Be unafraid to fail and to learn from your missteps. To borrow again from Neil Gaiman: “Now go, and make interesting mistakes…Make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here.” History is filled with the stories of entrepreneurs and leaders in every field whose ideas met with initial dismissal, failure, and seemingly insurmountable odds before they achieved success.
So let opportunity be what defines you. I know you already possess the determination, imagination and innovative spirit to overcome any obstacles in your path.
The Fall term has always been a time of excitement – but also of increased responsibility and stress within our College community. Amidst the pandemic, I know many of us are struggling with additional feelings of anxiety and isolation this year. That’s why I call on each and every one of you to make mental […]
Office of the President
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October 14, 2020 Revised: October 15, 2020 6:54pm
The Fall term has always been a time of excitement – but also of increased responsibility and stress within our College community. Amidst the pandemic, I know many of us are struggling with additional feelings of anxiety and isolation this year.
That’s why I call on each and every one of you to make mental health your top priority.
Six years ago, the Mental Health Commission of Canada released a report highlighting how post-secondary student populations across the country are at a higher risk of mental health issues.
The report detailed how half of all lifetime cases of diagnosable mental illness start by 14 years-of-age, and 75 per cent by the age of 24. Half of all Canadians will have, or will have had, a mental illness by the age of 40.
In the intervening years since that report, Algonquin College has taken many steps to enhance its support networks and resources to help our learners and employees look after their mental health.
That work continues with an even greater sense of purpose today, as we now face new personal challenges brought upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a return to normal still on the horizon, taking care of ourselves has become even more critical.
Algonquin College takes pride in being an inclusive, caring community. We strive each day to support and respect one another – to show kindness and empathy. By doing this, we break down the old and harmful stigmas around mental health.
Building awareness is crucial, and I encourage every learner and employee to take the time to reflect on how they are feeling and coping during these unprecedented times. Part of being aware is accepting that it is okay to be vulnerable. Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. Never hesitate to reach out when in need. In addition to the resources referenced above, there are also many apps and online tools available to you, and excellent resources offered by Ottawa Public Health.
One of the recent developments in our continuing efforts around mental health is the expanded partnership Algonquin College has with The Royal. This summer, thanks to a $250,000 contribution from RBC Foundation, more of our learners in need will be able to meet online with a psychiatrist from The Royal and get the support they need through a customized treatment plan.
We also offer a complete range of counselling services and general supports in an effort to cater to the individual needs of every learner, understanding the broad range of challenges and lived experiences across our student population. These services are provided by professionals who can accommodate you virtually from the comfort of your own home.
Like everyone, I am looking forward to the time when we can all safely be together again, enjoying the vibrancy and energy of being on campus. Until then, please know you are not alone. We want you to turn your dreams into lifelong success and are committed to helping you on the journey.
Amid the forest of pines, the heart of the farm lies not just in the activity, but in the family stories behind it
Lara Simard
Photos: Lara Simard
December 22, 2025 Revised: December 22, 2025 11:59am
Photo: Lara Simard
A revisiting family, Elizabeth Leung (top), Kateri Leung (14) (left), Meaghan Leung (middle) and Damien Leung (7), sitting by the fire after a fun day at Thomas Tree Farm on Nov. 28.
Just as the morning sun has barely risen over the trees, Christine Thomas steps out onto her 50‑acre coniferous property. These are the quietest moments of the day for her. She loves to feel the fresh breeze on her face, anticipating another heartwarming day at the farm.
“I love the early mornings when it’s just me, my husband and the kids organizing before the crowds arrive,” she said.
Nearly three generations strong, Thomas Tree Farm was founded by Gary and Ruth Thomas in 1990. They passed down their love of the outdoors and strong work ethic through the generations.
The three generations of the Thomas family stand together on their property in North Gower Photo credit: Lara Simard
Located in North Gower, Ont., it has become a place where faithful customers build lasting memories rooted in family traditions. Although the farm has undergone minor changes over the years, it has kept its charm, down to the stones that intricately frame the front of the house.
“The house that we live in was built by my husband, his two brothers, his sister and his parents. They built this house themselves, and there’s a story behind every part of it,” Christine said.
It all started when Gary and Ruth bought the property in 1985. In his early adult years working as an engineer for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Gary was surrounded by passionate foresters — so much so that he soon became interested in what kind of farming he could do himself. The land quickly became the canvas upon which the family would paint its future.
Gary’s son, Ian, continued down the engineering path. He now works part-time and spends the rest of his week on the farm with the help of their three children.
This year marks the farm’s 35th year in business, open Thursdays to Saturdays. Families have already started gathering their favourite trees for the winter season since opening day on Nov. 21.
With bells ringing and laughter chiming, the farm is more than ready to bring the spirit of Christmas festivities to life. Its exuberant and brightly decorated atmosphere makes this cherished family-owned property a source of special memories for all.
“Gary and Ruth, my in-laws, really built the foundations for the business. But every year we try to add something new or do something different,” Christine said.
Recently, Ian and Christine added an evening opening where families can gather. After 5 p.m., cut-your-own trees are unavailable, but the family makes the most of the time by creating an atmosphere where couples and families alike can form lasting memories, with music playing and lights strung over the fire’s glow.
The wreath shop and hot chocolate shack lit up for a beautiful evening at Thomas Tree Farm on Nov. 28. Photo credit: Lara Simard
Some nights, in the calm of the evening, when everyone has brought their trees home to decorate, the couple loves to sit beneath the starry sky and dazzling lights and enjoy a soothing bottle of wine.
On a typical day, visiting families take a tractor-drawn hayride through the forest, where they explore a selection of hand-pruned trees — Scotch pine, spruce and balsam — and enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate and cookies around the fire, made from a secret recipe that has carried through for 35 years.
Each tree takes about eight years to grow, undergoing a meticulous process of planting in the spring, mowing the grounds, irrigating the fields and pruning the trees.
The selection of trees at Thomas Tree Farm’s 50-acre on Nov. 29, ready to be hand-cut
“Every tree gets hand-pruned, which takes about 400 hours annually,” Christine said.
The Thomases like to hire students and family members to help with the maintenance and care of the farm.
But the cookies and trees are not the only things with long-standing traditions. Even the wreaths sold at the wreath shop were first created by Ruth Thomas. When the farm was passed down to Ian and Christine in 2018, Christine quickly grew a love for wreath decorating, which is now her favourite pastime.
Christine loves greeting people as they walk in and seeing families’ children grow up.
“We have one family that’s been coming since it opened, pretty much,” she said. “Now all of their grandkids come, and they have a big family reunion here basically every year. They buy, like, ten trees because all the kids come.”
For Christine, nothing is more important than family. Her son Matthew is hopeful to take ownership of the farm in the near future. He would like to expand and modernize the farm to make it more accessible to visitors.
Matthew Thomas (Left) and David Olynik (Right) pause from their daily tree bailing activities at Thomas Tree farm on Nov. 28 Photo credit: Lara Simard
“I’d say my vision for the farm moving forward is to keep our cozy, forest vibe at the farm, but hopefully get some new things like a new building soon, and maybe improvements with things like parking,” he said.
Matthew, who is finishing school in April, said the transition will likely be a slow process, especially as he continues to work at his federal government job as a student. Eventually, he hopes to work with his family to ensure a smooth handover.
“I’m excited to continue the legacy that my grandpa started so long ago,” he said.
His sister Sophie is also excited to continue the legacy of the farm, hoping to have dual ownership alongside her brother.
“Growing up on the farm has been very fun — lots of hard work — but it’s made me into the person I am today,” she said.
In the summer, Sophie would work at her full-time job and help her parents with pruning and planting in any spare time she had, supporting them where she could.
Sophie (Left) and Christine Thomas (Right) pose for a picture at Thomas Tree Farm during one of the busiest days this season on Nov. 29 Photo credit: Lara Simard
In a modern world where everything feels rushed, the Thomas family truly values long-lasting memories, meaningful moments and a welcoming environment for generations to come.
“These days we have fast fashion, fast food, fast everything. Just getting time outside with your loved ones and spending time together — it’s special,” Christine said, a little teary-eyed.
As the legacy lives on, Thomas Tree Farm will continue to be a truly special wintry experience for all.
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Haitians look to Canada for escape as homeland becomes unsafe
Janella Milord Ashford
Photos: Janella Milord Ashford
December 22, 2025 Revised: December 22, 2025 11:53am
Photo: Janella Milord Ashford
Sebastienne Carine Durand, a single mother of two daughters who recently emigrated in Ottawa from Haiti following gang violence.
Sebastienne Carine Durand had no choice but to leave Haiti with her two young daughters in 2022 because her life was at risk.
“These girls have really been able to adapt to different environments, different circumstances, especially my eldest daughter,” says Durand. “When we had to go to the border to leave, all I told her was that we were going to leave the country. I told her, ‘We’re not coming back’.”
As long as they weren’t separated, her daughters were ready to brave any storm.
The island had undeniably been struggling post-earthquake since 2010, but things got worse when Haïti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated on July 7, 2021.
The latest displacement tracking matrix report from the International Organization for Migration shows that, as of October 2025, the number of people displaced by violence and instability in Haiti reached abnormal levels, with over 1.4 million people forced to evacuate their homes this year.
The month of July 2025 marked a noticeable increase in asylum claims after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration decided to end the Temporary Protected Status.
The Canada Border Services Agency reported a 263 per cent rise in asylum requests at a port of entry in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, just south of Montréal, compared to the same period last year.
After many hardships along the journey of leaving Haiti, Durand was able to get help from an old friend she used to go to school with back home. Communications and community engagement officer at Centre Toussaint L’ouverture de Service et d’Orientation (CETSO), Daphnée Orizier, who now resides in Ottawa, assisted Durand with joy.
“We helped her find a place to rent since the city was helping with rent allocation,” says Orizier. “Once she settled in her one-bedroom apartment, we started the job hunt and she landed a corporate job at the Transport Canada office in January 2024.”
Durand is now residing in the city’s east end and is pursuing her masters in business administration with a major in human resources.
THE START OF HER PROBLEMS
Back in Haiti, Durand lived a comfortable life where she studied secretarial practices. She holds a bachelor in law and worked for the American government as a consular assistant.
Her life took a turn for the worst when all she needed was her car fixed.
“I had to get a new transmission for my car. I paid for the item and labour which was supposed to take 24 hours,” says Durand. “The gentleman mounted the first transmission to the car. The car wasn’t running properly. I went back to see him and said it wasn’t good. The situation then turned sour. He didn’t want to reimburse me, then tried to intimidate me, telling me you don’t know who you’re messing with.”
Durand took matters into her own hands and contacted authorities but then, she started getting followed home which also led to intimidating phone calls.
“It’s a rather corrupt system. There was a matter of conflict of interest and some commissioners didn’t bother passing over the file to someone else,” says Durand.
As she was trying to wash her hands of the situation and clear her name from vehicle ownership records, the same men, who were linked to gangs, began making death threats.
After much thought and many years in hiding, Durand grew tired of her lifestyle.
“I told myself no more battles, then I saw myself folding my life away in two briefcases with my children, leaving a career, my life, my stability and really facing the uncertainty and everything that comes with it,” says Durand.
Durand had an American tourist visa from previously working at the U.S. embassy in Haiti, so as soon as she left Haiti in 2022, she took that chance to go to New York and stay with her parents. This gave her some time to process everything she went through along with preparing herself for what’s to come.
After some time, Durand decided it was time to leave Brooklyn. She arrived in Canada on July 11, 2022 where, at the time, you didn’t need family or relatives to cross the border.
Following a few months of couch hopping, she was able to secure an appointment with social services to secure stable housing for her small family.
“Once I got to the office, they didn’t want to believe that I was homeless or that I needed help. One of the workers told his colleague ‘she looks like a hijacker’ and I’m like ‘No. Who are you to tell me I’m a hijacker, is it because I’m Black?’,” says Durand.
There was also much difficulty for her to find a job in her field of administration once she got to Ottawa. But with much prayer and drive, she conquered.
“It was only when a random recruiter from the office called and told me ‘I looked at your resume. There’s no way that you can’t work with us,’” says Durand. “There are things that I experienced in Canada where no one gave me a briefing on how to manage.”
FROM POLITICAL TURMOIL TO A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
As Durand settles in Canada, the violence in Haiti continues.
Just recently, Associated Press reported on an incident that took place over the weekend of Nov. 28, 2025, where gangs in Haiti’s central region left hundreds of locals to flee gunfire and burning homes.
Gang leaders cover all entry and exit points inside Port-au-Prince, where local authorities and politicians left the capital with no one left to protect citizens.
As of late June, Trump’s orders put over 300,000 Haitians living in the U.S. at risk of deportation. A federal judge temporarily blocked the order, but legal challenges are ongoing, and the situation remains unclear.
This leaves many Haitians in the U.S. with a feeling of uncertainty and unease. According to CBSA, more than 5,500 asylum seekers have turned to Canada since July, with a significant portion of people coming from the U.S.
LIFE IN HAITI
Menesly Alexandre was born in a coastal commune called Léogane, Haiti in 1989 then moved to La Plaine, the fourth communal section in the Nippes department of Port-au-Prince, Haiti where he currently resides. Alexandre studied social work but is in need of a higher education.
Neighbourhood in La Plaine, Port-au-Prince. Alexandre tries to display the living conditions in which him and his neighbours are subject to. Photo credit: picture provided by menesly alexandre
“Nowadays, it’s become a little tough to find a good job if we don’t have a master’s degree, although we have a social work license, the positions are really demanding,” says Alexandre. “This is why I would like to get a master’s degree in Canada. It can increase my chances to find a job, and return to my country.”
Canada was Alexandre’s first choice for a new home after much research and his appreciation for its welcoming ambiance, plus many of his friends live in Laval.
He applied recently for a student visa to complete social work studies at Laval University but was denied when he couldn’t prove he had enough money to fund his schooling.
Temporary study permits in Canada are $150, but many other costs are for medical records, police checks and other identification purposes.
In September 2025, the Canadian government also increased the financial proof requirements for international students applying for student visas in order to reflect the higher cost of living in Canada.
Despite Alexandre’s different motivations for leaving the country, he says that the living situation in Haiti is still a major cause for concern. He says he and his two year-old son were attacked on the way home one day.
Guards stop and threaten locals for money all the time, Alexandre says.
As a practising Christian, he says only his faith keeps him hopeful for a brighter future.
THE NEXT GENERATION
Because of the country’s collapse, many people lost jobs and some public servants, especially teachers, had to get out of Haiti which could potentially leave a lot of children with no education.
“Unfortunately, the situation in Haiti is extremely worrying. If it continues like this, we may come to a stage where universities and schools will have to close their doors,” adds Alexandre.
Despite the need for acceptable living conditions, Alexandre believes what needs to be prioritized is the next generation. He says the youth are targets and are being molded into joining gangs.
“There is the social pressure that exerts itself when living as a teenager for all young people,” says Alexandre. “You can be influenced and easily integrated into the armed groups as well. These people give them (the youth) money without difficulty. Young girls have relationships with whom they would never have a relationship with.”
Priscilla Zelaya and Bertrhude Albert, two alumnae of the University of Florida, co-founded “P4H” (formerly known as Projects for Haiti), an organization who offers training programs for educators in Haiti with over 16,000 teachers trained.
P4H is currently running a fundraiser with a goal of $50,000 to bring quality education to another 35,000 students in 2026.
Durand is currently awaiting her permanent residency card and Alexandre says he will not stop fighting for his study permit.
Undefeated by all difficulties put against them, both Alexandre and Durand are looking to help the next person facing similar barriers and are hoping others can do the same.
“The first thing I want people to do is not to stigmatize us,” says Durand. “I say this because, not everyone comes to Canada with the idea of lying or taking advantage of the system.”
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Since their arrival to Bytown, the Sisters have provided social infrastructure, despite minimal recognition
Vasileios Tselios
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December 20, 2025 Revised: December 20, 2025 12:44pm
On Feb. 20, 1845, the church bells of Bytown were ringing as residents rushed out onto the frozen Ottawa River. Mother Élisabeth Bruyère, along with three other Grey Nuns of Montreal, had completed their two-day journey to the town. By the request of Kingston’s Bishop Phelan, Bruyère was sent to establish social infrastructure for the women, children and elderly of Bytown, now Ottawa.
“Bytown was rejoicing with the arrival of the Sisters. They knew there would be all kinds of activities that would enhance their quality of life,” said Sister Louise Charbonneau, the vice-postulator of the cause of the venerable Élisabeth Bruyère.
The Sisters of Charity of Ottawa were established on that day and 2025 marked their 180th anniversary. The original celebrations were counter-intuitive to the charity’s humble nature. The Sisters seldomly celebrate their own achievements.
They carry on Bruyère’s legacy in silence through the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse and the Bruyère Health hospital on Bruyère Street.
The Motherhouse exhibits multiple artifacts of the Sisters’ foundress, including Bruyère’s coffin which features a vase with her heart in it and a museum in their Historical Site.
“I like to think of Bruyère as one of Ottawa’s best kept secrets,” explained Charbonneau. “Most people have never heard about Bruyère, and even less about her works of charity and the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa.”
Charbonneau and Sister Louise Séguin, the curator of the Historical Site, have guided many tours of the Motherhouse, educating visitors on Bruyère and her impact in Ottawa, alongside her Sisters of Charity.
Emma Anderson, a University of Ottawa professor who specializes in religious studies, has been arranging class field trips with the Sisters for years.
“I have been taking students there for almost 20 years,” said Anderson. “It shows visitors a lot about the flavour of Canadian Catholicism in the mid-19th century.”
The Sisters of Charity often find themselves in Anderson’s lectures across various courses, such as religion in Canada and saints and heretics. Despite teaching religious studies, Anderson admitted most students had never heard of the Motherhouse before their class trip.
“It is pretty rare for people to know about it. The only time I had a student who did know about the Motherhouse was because one of his aunts was a nun there,” she said. “It is a real shame that the Historical Site is so little known: it is a little jewel of local history.”
As the vice-postulator of Élisabeth Bruyère’s cause, Charbonneau aims to spread the word of Bruyère and her works in a Bytown with very few social services.
“Bytown was a small and rough lumber town. There weren’t a lot of social, medical, or educational services,” said Anderson. “The Sisters of Charity undertook to provide all of these: a huge job for a very small number of nuns.”
The plaque on the sign of Élisabeth Bruyère coffin inside the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa
By her fourth month in Bytown, Bruyère became a pioneer of social innovation. The Sisters of Charity had established a school, an orphanage, a home for the elderly and a hospital, which would become Bruyère Health.
“Others might have seen what the need was, but they didn’t commit to making a difference. Bruyère and her group committed to making a difference,” said Charbonneau.
In 1847, the typhus epidemic hit Bytown, due to a large number of Irish immigrants who migrated over in unsanitary ships. The small number of Sisters in the town cared for hundreds of patients. Most of them, including Bruyère, ended up getting sick because of the constant exposure to the disease.
Bruyère’s group gained the trust and adornment of the Bytown citizens for their medical bravery. However, this reputation would be questioned in 1871, when Ottawa experienced its first smallpox outbreak.
Patients were treated very poorly, at the time, due to the contagiousness of smallpox. The Sisters would care for people in private isolated spaces, to limit the spread of it. Any dead bodies were buried at night, so the citizens did not see them.
The community criticized the efforts of the Sisters, as they were not as visible as they had been during the typhus epidemic. Bruyère chose to not publicly defend her group.
“One of the priests wanted Mother Bruyère to speak up and defend herself. She said, ‘No, God knows what we are doing and that’s sufficient’,” said Charbonneau.
The Sisters continued to treat patients with smallpox, away from the public eye and to minimal fanfare.
Bruyère passed away on April 5, 1876. Her medical legacy is carried on to this day by the hospital she helped build.
Bruyère Health beside the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse on Bruyère Street
Originally known as the Ottawa General Hospital, Bruyère Health took after the Sisters’ foundress, in her name and values. The hospital’s mission statement mentions compassionate care, the Catholic mission and educating the future generation. All the while focusing on rehabilitation, complex care and research.
“(Bruyère Health) truly fits a gap in our system. I often say if Bruyère wasn’t here, there would be a slow down in the entire healthcare system in Ottawa,” said Marie-Eve Pinard, Bruyère Health’s director of mission effectiveness.
As of April 2025, Bruyère Health had 863 beds across their four locations, and had 58,200 visits in the last fiscal year across their two Academic Family Medicine facilities.
A Sister has not been on the board of Bruyère Health since the early 2000s, however the hospital still maintains its Catholic values thanks to the Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario.
Today, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa are less visible than ever before, but their impact is still apparent all around their city. Rather than singing their own praises, they prioritize the causes their foundress did 180 years ago.
“Our nature as a religious institute is humility and support in the background. People might think, ‘The Sisters have gotten older and we don’t see them as much anymore,’” explained Charbonneau. “We’re still there and our heart still beats to the rhythm of Élisabeth Bruyère’s heart for God’s people.”
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AC radio broadcasting alum Beau Santana joined a local band earlier this year. Now they're anticipating the release of their first single.
Mila Leclair
Photos: Liam Murphy
December 17, 2025 Revised: December 18, 2025 10:06am
Photo: Liam Murphy
Beau Santana hyping up the crowd at a House of TARG show on Aug. 7, 2025.
Ottawa-based alt-rock band, Broken By Friday, is making a name for themselves in the live music scene and can hardly wait to release their first single, Empty Little Jars.
Broken By Friday formed in the beginning of 2025, with lead singer Beau Santana joining over the summer. The group’s music combines elements of punk, prog rock, classic rock and thrash metal.
Balancing a band while in school with a side job leaves very little room for deep, intensive recording sessions. Most of the band’s time gets put towards practising for gigs. Still, they try to make sure they bring new originals and covers to their shows.
“We are the pioneers of our generation, of our stage,” said Santana, an Algonquin College radio broadcasting alumni.
Beau Santana hyping up the crowd at a House of TARG show on Aug. 7, 2025. Photo credit: Liam Murphy
Santana works in construction during the day, and at night, he brings electric energy to live venues across the city. At every show, he rocks a bold makeup look with a gothic, clown-inspired flair that makes him impossible to ignore.
“I don’t think I’ve had a night where it hasn’t been sweated off completely,” Santana said. “I’m not one for the fancy pants products. I’d rather let the makeup tell a story of what happened, like a footprint can tell you where it’s been.”
Beau Santana pictured with a fan at the Avant-Garde Bar on Oct. 26, 2025. Photo credit: Gabriel McAlpine
Kuba Kaczorek, Broken By Friday’s former drummer and current bassist, writes solo music and practises game development. He has spent the last two months recovering from a leg injury he sustained at a Korn and Gojira concert, an accident that now has him walking with a cane.
“I was in the mosh pit during Gojira, and someone pushed me,” he said. “I tried to land on my leg and ‘snap.’ Next thing I know, two good Samaritans were dragging me over to the security.”
“I got to watch the rest of Gojira from the back of the venue as we tried to figure out the paramedic situation,” Kaczorek said. “I didn’t even see a single song from Korn.”
Broken by Friday playing a show at Berlin Night Club for an event hosted by Frabjous on Aug. 21, 2025.
Sami Zeng, the band’s lead guitarist and writer of Empty Little Jars, has been surfing the job market since graduating from Carleton University this year with a bachelor of arts in psychology and a minor in design.
“I was working at Tim Hortons over the summer, but that, plus the biweekly shows we were doing, killed my body,” Zeng said.
Zeng also pursues photography recreationally and enjoys attending concerts.
The band has recently resumed practice after taking a short break following their last gig in late October. They have a show coming up at the Rainbow Bistro with Four Eyed Muscle Man and Juventud on Dec. 20, and a New Year’s show on Jan. 2 at LIVE! on Elgin with Shirley and The Burningtree, if your wallet isn’t broken by Christmas.
Broken By Friday thrives on the rush of performing live, treating every gig like a party while helping turn Ottawa into a band city. Each member brings a different musical background to the group. With several ideas in the works and some still on the back burner, the band loves writing together. When they find a break between shows, Broken By Friday plans on returning to the studio to bring some unfinished ideas to life and build on their release of Empty Little Jars.
Local organizations in are reducing textile waste by giving unwanted fabrics a second life as the volume of textile waste continues to grow
Hau Ting Ng
Photos: Hau Ting Ng
December 17, 2025 Revised: December 17, 2025 10:11pm
Photo: Hau Ting Ng
EcoEquitable is a registered charity with a dual purpose of textile waste reduction and women’s empowerment that intersect through the art of sewing.
Textiles are the fifth-largest category of plastic waste in Canada, with most ending up in landfills. Approximately 98 per cent of plastic textile waste ends up in landfills, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
EcoEquitable, a registered charity dedicated to reducing textile waste, collects fabric and donations from Ottawa for reuse in sewing projects. They also promote women’s empowerment through sewing.
Nana Adu, the communications coordinator at EcoEquitable, said textile waste is a global problem. Around 290 kilotons of synthetic textile products were purchased in Canada in 2020. In that same year, around 280 kilotons were discarded as waste, according to Statistics Canada’s Physical Flow Account for Plastic Material.
Textile waste is defined as any fabric-based material, such as clothing, shoes, upholstery, and other items.
According to the City of Ottawa, between four and six per cent of residential garbage sent to landfills is textiles. This amounts to over 410 tonnes of textile waste annually. EcoEquitable received over 10,000 pounds of donated fabric from Ottawa in 2024, which Adu said is an increase in the amount of fabric over the years.
Nana Adu, the communications coordinator at EcoEquitable, said textile waste is a global problem. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng
“When you look at the landfills, so many of the textiles didn’t need to end up there. What we do here is make sure those still usable get a second life,” Adu said.
When people come to donate fabric, after a quick check, the donations are weighed and stored. They are then handed off to volunteers who spend the week processing them. Rolling fabric onto bolts, colouring-coding buttons, tagging pieces and preparing everything in the back-of-house.
By recycling and reusing fabrics, EcoEquitable gives them a second life as pouches, bags, rompers, and more. They recently finished 500 tote bags made by the women in the EcoEquitable program.
“We pass it back to the community at an affordable price, so it stays out of the landfill and can be used more intentionally by people who care about being even a little more eco-conscious,” Adu said.
Adu said the rise in fabric donations is encouraging, but it also creates pressure on the organization. As a non-profit, EcoEquitable is often stretched for space, resources and storage capacity needed to process the rising volume of materials.
“The more people are aware, the more people are going to come in and donate, but if we cannot accommodate them, then that’s a problem,” Adu said. “We always find a way to make it work, but it’s still a constraint.”
EcoEquitable offers sewing classes that help women build skills, confidence and community through fabric reuse. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng
Funding and grants are the primary sources of revenue for most non-profit organizations. Vivian Nguyen, an associate professor at the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science at Carleton University, said funding is always a limiting factor for community-based organizations.
“A lot of the provincial governments and the federal government were saying resources are limited, especially when it comes to the environment as well,” Nguyen said.
“Right now, the economy is kind of the big thing. So they’re saying there needs to be more collaboration between the government and local organizations that have similar interests to get to the same goals.”
In March, the Canadian government allocated $662,161 to Fashion Takes Action through the Canadian Circular Textile Consortium. The funding supports collaboration among experts, industry, non-profits and Canadians, helping to reduce resource duplication and foster partnerships toward a circular textile economy in Canada.
Nguyen said local organizations are key champions who can push for change, fill gaps left by limited government resources and play a vital, yet often under-recognized role in advancing environmental stewardship. Nguyen mentioned that policy decisions and funding are closely linked.
“It comes down to where the money is, because policy will decide what programs are running. It’ll choose where money will be put into and what priorities the funds will go to,” Nguyen said.
“If policy decisions don’t align with an organization’s mandate, it’s going to affect their funding or drivers.”
EcoEquitable is a registered charity with a dual purpose of textile waste reduction and women’s empowerment that intersect through the art of sewing. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng
Local organizations are trying to address the broader textile waste problem, but public awareness remains insufficient, even as people are becoming more eco-conscious.
An Ontario-based textile waste study published on ScienceDirect found that most textiles tossed out are still usable — about a quarter are in good condition, and nearly 40 per cent could be reused with only minor repairs or cleaning.
Sixty-five per cent of textile waste is considered reusable and is categorized through grades A to F. Grades A to D are given for waste suitable for reuse but may require repair or refurbishment. Grade E and F, on the other hand, need recycling, contamination treatment, and end-of-life processing.
Data source from Ontario textile waste study published on ScienceDirect. Chart recreated by Hau Ting Ng. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng
Reusing fabric by giving it a second life is a common way people handle fabric they no longer need. For example, Mehdi Htite, a student at Algonquin College, cuts unworn clothes into pieces to use as desk wipes.
“If clothes are worn out beyond repair, I cut them into pieces to use as cleaning cloths,” Htite said. “With the economy the way it is, it’s more practical than buying new rags.”
Fabric waste is no longer a hidden environmental issue, and many people are taking action. However, there are still limited options for what to do with clothes they no longer need.
Greetee Mogun, a student at Algonquin College, noted that public awareness of textile waste is still insufficient. For clothes she doesn’t wear often, she stores them in the garage to avoid cluttering her closet. Sometimes, she donates them to people in need instead.
“I think (the) thrift shop is a good way for recycling. Collecting clothes and doing a fundraiser in school could raise more public awareness about the specific issue,” Mogun said.
Adu shows the process of fabric donation, rolling the fabric onto a bolt. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng
Addressing Canada’s textile waste requires coordinated action from organizations, individuals, and the government. Adu said EcoEquitable is allocating resources and time to educating the younger generation for the next couple of years.
“A lot of people want to do better and be more eco-conscious, but if you don’t know where to go or what to do, you can’t take action,” Adu said, “but it all comes down to resources; if people don’t know their options, nothing changes.”
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The Ottawa Black Bears beat the Saskatchewan Rush 11-8 during the annual teddy bear toss game in support of the Salvation Army’s Toy Mountain
Jaiden Martin
Photos: Greg Mason / NLL
December 16, 2025 Revised: December 16, 2025 10:05am
Photo: Greg Mason / NLL
Jeff Teat and Rob Helleyer celebrating after a goal being scored
The Ottawa Black Bears beat the Saskatchewan Rush in an 11-8 lacrosse thriller at the Canadian Tire Centre on Dec. 12 during the Black Bears’ annual teddy bear toss game.
The Black Bears came into the game winless after losing their home opener and first game of the season 16-13 to the San Diego Seals on Nov. 29.
The Saskatchewan Rush started the season off hot with a win against the Calgary Roughnecks 16-13 and looked to continue that momentum in the nation’s capital.
Last year, the Black Bears lost in their only matchup against the Rush.
Ottawa-born-and-raised Sam Firth opened the scoring for the Black Bears from a great behind-the-back feed from Jeff Teat. Balls were not falling in Ottawa’s favour, but the offence was running at high speed and cutting through the middle, leading to opportunities across the floor.
On the defensive end, Zach “Teddy Bear” Higgins was a brick wall, stopping all 12 shots in the quarter, and the defence in front of him was staying structurally sound, playing a wall system.
“To start that first quarter like that, definitely gave everybody some confidence, and we kind of carried that throughout the game,” said Higgins.
Connor Kearnan scored the second goal of the game for the Black Bears and the first goal of the second quarter, which led to fans throwing a rain of teddy bears being onto the floor. The annual teddy bear toss game supports the Salvation Army’s Toy Mountain campaign.
Family prepared to toss the teddy bear on the floor. Photo credit: Greg Mason / NLL
The stuffed animals boosted the Black Bears into scoring their third goal of the game and almost their fourth after Black Bears head coach Dan MacRae challenged the referee’s crease violation call on Firth’s “air gait” attempt for his second goal of the game to put Ottawa ahead by four.
Saskatchewan forward Will Manns decided that he had had enough of seeing the zero on the scoreboard and netted two unanswered goals and an assist to tie the game at three heading into halftime.
The National Lacrosse League originally made a pit stop in Ottawa back in 2001 with the Ottawa Rebels until 2003. After a period of being inactive, the club relocated to Edmonton in 2005. Fast forward to 2025 — that team has now moved around cities and ended up in Saskatchewan.
That sparked a flame in the lacrosse community in Ottawa, which led to Julien Belair, Thomas Kiazyk and Mathias Houlahan dreaming of becoming NLL players. Now the three play in the NLL and play in Canada’s premier university field lacrosse league, the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association. Kiazyk plays for the Carleton Ravens, while Belair and Houlahan play for the Ottawa Gee-Gees.
While it’s Houlahan and Belair’s first appearance in Ottawa for the Rush, they did not suit up for the Rush after the first warm-ups. Kiazyk made his second appearance while manning the door and backing up Frank Scigliano.
Sam Firth on ground after a dunk attempt
The third quarter began with four straight from the Rush jumping out 7-3 lead in just the first five minutes of play. But the Black Bears kept clawing away. Rob Helleyer buried a goal midway through the quarter and Larson Sundown followed with another two and a half minutes later. Manns decided that the run for Ottawa ended there, burying his third goal of the game to extend the Rush’s lead to three goals.
Going into the fourth quarter, the score was 8-5 for the Rush.
The fourth quarter opened with the Black Bears on the power play and Teat capitalized on the man-up opportunity. Three minutes later, Teat added another goal to the stat sheet, cutting the lead to just one goal. Teat wasn’t done there, scoring his third straight goal in five minutes to tie the game up at eight.
A great passing play finished by Larson Sundown boosted the lead by one for the Black Bears with just eight minutes remaining. Helleyer tried to extend the lead by two, but after a challenge flag was thrown by Rush head coach Jimmy Quinlan, the goal was overturned.
Teat went on to score his fourth and final goal of the game, to achieve his 500th point in the NLL. He finished the game with four goals and five assists, tallying nine points on the night. Helleyer sealed the deal for the Black Bears scoring the 11th goal of the game to secure his hat-trick, making the score 11-8 which ended up being the final score of the ball game.
“I’ll get a lot of credit for it, but I’ve been playing with a good chunk of these guys for five years now,” said Teat, talking about how he gets the credit but his offensive line mates like Sundown, Helleyer and Reilley O’Connor do all the dirty work for him.
With the game out of reach for the Rush, they decided that fighting was their way of leaving a mark on Ottawa. In the final two minutes of play, there were 50 minutes of penalty minutes assessed, with 38 of those minutes going to the Rush.
“We want to be smart number one, but protect ourselves and protect our teammates. We’re not trying to go out there and jump anybody and if that happens to one of our guys, I just want to make sure that everybody’s sticking up for the guy that’s on the ground. And I thought that that’s exactly what happened,” said MacRae.
The Black Bears hit the road for their next game on Dec. 20 against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs.
Fall 2025, Episode 5: Times journalist Vasuman Ravichandran joins hosts William Barritt and Mickey Banks to discuss his reporting on an Algonquin College professor leading research into energy-positive homes
Mickey Banks
Photos:
December 12, 2025 Revised: December 16, 2025 4:02pm
Algonquin College professor Carolyn Lorimer's latest plan is an energy-positive learning home for architecture students over the summer
Vasuman Ravichandran
Photos: Vasuman Ravichandran
December 12, 2025 Revised: December 12, 2025 4:10pm
Photo: Vasuman Ravichandran
Professor Carolyn Lorimer is back at Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence.
Algonquin College professor Carolyn Lorimer is spearheading an energy-positive home she believes could redefine affordable, low-carbon construction in Canada after her recent return from cancer treatment.
Earlier this year, Carolyn Lorimer, a professor at the Centre for Construction Excellence, led a research team in designing a first-of-its-kind greenhouse tailored to Canadian conditions. The prototype used an aquaponic system that grows fish and plants together in a self-sustaining loop — one that eliminates the need for fertilizer.
After completing 35 rounds of radiation treatment over the summer, Lorimer is focused on a new challenge: building an energy-positive home that will serve as a hands-on learning lab for architecture students. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2026.
Despite being diagnosed with cancer in spring, Lorimer said she couldn’t wait to get moving on her idea.
“Cancer didn’t scare me. It scared those around me more. But what they probably weren’t thinking about was that I had other plans,” Lorimer said.
Her goal is to create a proof of concept that demonstrates how affordable, regenerative, carbon-sequestering homes can be built with technology already available today.
“Concrete is one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide – and it’s a lousy insulator too,” Lorimer said. “This house will use minimal concrete for those reasons.”
The design incorporates heating systems that, she says, cost a fraction of what most homes rely on.
“The in-ground air tube we bought is about $2,200 and has a lifespan of roughly 50 years,” she said. “Compare that to a furnace, which costs around $10,000 plus all the ducting, and needs to be changed every seven years or so.”
The home is designed not only to reduce energy use but to generate more than it consumes.
“It produces one-and-a-half to two times more renewable energy than the home needs,” Lorimer said. “We’re going to use solar panels and possibly a wind turbine for cloudy, windy days.”
Attached to the home will be a mini-greenhouse roughly the size of a two-car garage, again using an aquaponic system.
“The greenhouse can grow enough organic produce and fish to feed half a dozen people throughout the year,” she said.
The building will be equipped with sensors to monitor internal and external conditions over long periods, creating a data stream for both students and researchers.
Lorimer says the project brings together technologies already tested internationally but slow to take hold in Canada.
“These solutions are being used around the world,” she said. “They just haven’t been adopted here on a large scale, largely because the construction industry has resisted change in order to keep selling old technology.”
Santa, selfies and lights bring back Algonquin's holiday magic
Elyse Barker
Photos:
December 11, 2025 Revised: December 11, 2025 9:40pm
Algonquin College ushered in the holiday season on Dec. 1 with its 14th annual tree-lighting celebration, drawing students, staff and families.
Held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Commons, representatives from Student Services and the Algonquin Students’ Association highlighted the long-standing partnership between the two groups, noting that the tree-lighting has become a beloved tradition on campus.
Vice-President of student services Krista Pearson thanked the Students’ Association, volunteers, staff teams and community partners who made the event possible.
“Our college community is incredibly diverse, and events like this remind us of the importance of togetherness and belonging,” Pearson said.
Once the formal remarks wrapped up, organizers invited the crowd to join in on the countdown.
Voices rang through the building before the tree burst into light, met with applause and cheers.
Santa smiles as the annual Christmas tree is brought to life.
The celebration then shifted into full swing as attendees lined up for photos with Santa, and of course, a chance to pet his special helper, Ollie.
Santa's secret worker Ollie posing for pictures.
As Santa asked the boys and girls what they wanted for Christmas, staff guided others to the treat table. There, the Students’ Association had hot chocolate, cookies, brownies, cupcakes and mini candy canes.
Among the first to take part were second-year child and youth care students Quinn Gagnon and Hailey Lavergne.
Gagnon said she learned about the celebration through the Students’ Association Instagram page.
“It was great marketing on the school’s part,” Gagnon said.
Gagnon expressed her happiness that college funds are being used to make student life a bit more enjoyable during stressful times.
“I love knowing that our tuition dollars can go towards fun events like this,” Gagnon said.
“Everyone really needed this breather.”
Lavergne agreed that events bring friends closer together.
“We get to make new friends and run into some old ones too,” Gagnon said, noting she unexpectedly ran into a former high-school classmate at the event.
As the afternoon went on, E-building buzzed with holiday spirit.
Cupcakes disappeared quickly, hot chocolate warmed cold hands, and Ollie soaked up all the attention he could get from laughing students waiting to see him.
For some more Christmas cheer and creative events, students are encouraged to check the Students’ Association site.
Ottawa's Ontario Hockey League team picked up a huge 6-3 win as they beat the North Bay Battalion on home ice.
Scott Crowell
Photos: Scott Crowell
December 11, 2025 Revised: December 11, 2025 9:28pm
Photo: Scott Crowell
Thomas Vandenberg scores power play goal against North Bay Batallion on November 30, 2025 at TD Place.
The Ottawa 67’s came out of a Sunday home afternoon matchup with the North Bay Battalion, securing two points with a 6-3 win on Nov. 30 at TD Place in a game that had some fiery moments.
The previous and only meeting between the 67’s and Battalion this season came on Sept. 26, when Ottawa won 3-1 in North Bay.
The Ottawa 67's come on to the ice for the first period against the North Bay Battalion at TD Place on November 30. Photo credit: Scott Crowell
The Battalion started strong, forcing the 67’s to make some crucial mistakes at both ends of the ice.
The Battalion tested 67’s starting goaltender Ryder Fetterolf very early on and forced him to make some key saves. To keep the Battalion off the board early.
However, it was only a matter of time as the Battalion made the 67’s pay at 6:10 of the first period after a failed clearing attempt was thrown on net by Battalion defenceman Adrian Manzo and tipped in by forward Parker Vaughan to make it 1-0 Battalion.
The 67’s responded when 67’s forward Spencer Bowes stayed patient off a juicy giveaway from Battalion goaltender Mike McIvor and buried a backhand.
Spencer Bowes stays patient as he ties the game , 1-1 against the North Bay Battalion on November 30, 2025 at TD Place. Photo credit: Tim Austen, Ottawa 67's
The 67’s started off the second period with a huge power-play goal to take their first lead of the game, from forward Thomas Vandenberg for his eight of the season with a re-direction shot from the point that he didn’t give up on.
Thomas Vandenberg scores power play goal against North Bay Batallion on November 30, 2025 at TD Place. Photo credit: Tim Austen, Ottawa 67's
Battalion Cam Warren snuck behind the 67’s defence and walked in all alone to burry his fourth of the season past Fetterolf to tie the game up at two.
The 67’s had a couple of good shifts before being awarded another power-play, they did not disappoint as forward Vandenberg scored his second of the game and his ninth goal of the season to put the 67’s back up 3-2.
After Vandenberg scored, Battalion forward Shamar Moses cross checked a celebrating and defenceless Vandenberg near the face and chaos ensued. This resulted in another power play for the 67’s and allowed them to control the first 10 minutes of the second period. North Bay started to become reckless with penalty after penalty.
At the 11:29 mark of the second period, a hard shift paid off as the 67’s took a 4-2 lead. The puck managed to land right on the stick of 67’s defenceman Ondrej Ruml and he wired it past the glove of McIvor.
Ondrej Ruml scores go ahead goal against the North Bay Battalion on November 30, 2025 at TD Place. Photo credit: Tim Austen, Ottawa 67's
North Bay did not go away at all and managed to cut the 4-2 deficit to 4-3 as Battalion captain Ethan Procyszyn took advantage of a big rebound and roofed the puck upstairs on the diving Fetterolf at 12:42 of the second period.
Just as the second period came to a close, 67’s defenceman Connor Bewick and Battalion forward Nick Wellenreiter were jawing and yapping at each other until they finally agreed to drop the gloves and threw heavy and hard punches.
Bewick had the crowd absolutely fired up as he waved his hands up and headed to the penalty box.
Just 37 seconds into the third period, the 67’s regained their two goal lead as forward Shaan Kingwell went shot top shelf on McIvor to make it 5-3 for the 67’s.
Tempers continued to flare heavily in the third period, as with 8:09 remaining in the third period, a vicious high stick from Battalion captain Ethan Procyszyn led to another fight between Procyszyn and 67’s defenceman Kaleb Dietsch. Dietsch was given a two and 10 minute penalty game miscount for being an instigator in the fight, along with a five minute major for fighting which ended his night.
After the chaos settled down, the 67’s came out of it all with a four minute power play which didn’t take them long as 67’s captain Cooper Foster cashed in on a loose rebound that trickled in past McIvor to make it 6-3 at 12:01 of the third period.
Ottawa closed out the game and secured a hard fought 6-3 win over the Battalion to end the month of November with a win. In the month, with the win over North Bay, they finished the month with a record of 10-2.
67’s defenceman Kohyn Eshkawkogan said he was happy with the way the team ended the month.
“Yeah it’s a great way to have this weekend ending, two games this weekend and two wins. In December we will look to carry that momentum and next weekend, we’re looking to keep that streak going,” said Eshkawkogan.
Eshkawkogan said coach Dave Cameron had a message for the team as tempers increased during the game.
“The message we got from out coaches was to play between the lines and whistles and that’s what we did for the most part. You have to stick up for your teammates sometimes and that’s the way it goes,” said Eshkawkogan.
![Beau Santana pictured with a fan at the Avant-Garde Bar on [date].](https://algonquintimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/beau.jpg)
![Broken by Friday playing a show at Berlin Night Club for an event hosted by Frabjous on [date].](https://algonquintimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/berlin.jpg)
