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Convocation Day at Algonquin College

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 […]

Office of the President

Photos:

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.

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Claude Brulé

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Taking care of one’s own mental health should be top priority

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 […]

Office of the President

Photos:

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.

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Algonquin College students cheer on Ottawa Senators in NHL playoffs

Students have mixed thoughts on how far the Senators will go in the post-season

Ellie Hazelwood

Photos: Ellie Hazelwood

April 20, 2026
Revised: April 20, 2026 8:52am

Photo: Ellie Hazelwood

Thomas Chabot, Tyler Kleven, Timmy Stützle, Travis Hamonic and Nikolas Matinpalo on the ice at the CTC waiting for O Canada in this file photo.

Algonquin College students have high hopes for the Ottawa Senators in the NHL playoffs.

The Senators pushed their way into a playoff spot on April 11.

They were eighth in the wildcard standings, but they battled hard every game, earning themselves the second-best record in the NHL since Jan. 17.

Starting goalie Linus Ullmark has been rock solid after coming back on Jan. 27, from his one month personal leave. The offence, specifically Drake Batherson, Timmy Stützle, Michael Amadio, Dylan Cozens, and defence, centred around Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, Jordan Spence, Tyler Kleven, Nikolas Matinpalo, and Artem Zub, were strong in front of him, giving their all to this playoff push.

Now that the Senators officially squeaked into a wildcard spot, the question on fans’ minds is, how much hope do they have in going far?

The Senators are playing the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round with the first two games in Carolina. Ottawa has a tough time winning there.

The Senators fans at Algonquin College are still clinging to hope.

“I honestly don’t think they’ll make it much farther,” first-year student Jaime Thomas said. “Just based on how they have been playing recently, and how they barely made it to the playoffs. I still have hope, though, and there is still a possibility for sure.”

Second-year graphic design student Shabana Ahmad has a faith in the Senators and believes they could have a great playoff run.

“Even though they just squeaked into the playoffs, that kind of momentum can actually work in their favour,” Ahmad said. “Teams that get hot at the right time are always dangerous, especially if their goaltending stays strong and their key players step up. I definitely think they have a real shot at making a solid run if they keep that energy going. The fans were super hyped and I’m hoping that will give the team the confidence they need to pull through.”

Ahmad has always been a Senators fan and nothing is going to change that.

“I like the Ottawa Senators because I grew up watching them with my dad, so they’ve always felt like my team,” she said. “Being from the area made it feel even more personal, and going to a game when I was around nine or 10 just made me love them even more. I really respect how passionate and community-focused they are, even in such a competitive league. They play with a lot of heart, and their work ethic and resilience are a big part of why I’ve stuck with them.”

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Ellie Hazelwood

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Moving blitz: How students are planning end-of-term move-outs

Algonquin College students are planning ahead for the summer months as the school year comes to a close

Tianna Lawless-Musgrave

Photos: Tianna Lawless-Musgrave

April 19, 2026
Revised: April 19, 2026 2:56pm

Photo: Tianna Lawless-Musgrave

Beth Coe, a graphic design student, is moving out of residence.

While many Algonquin College students are paying fees to stay in residence over the summer, others are preparing for the headaches that come with moving out.

Students described the challenging aspects of moving away at the end of the term, mostly due to overcrowding on campus during moving season.

“I stay at home in my own parents’ house over the summer; they come and get me to move out,” said Maylin Hart, a bachelor of science and nursing student.

“The most annoying part is just how clogged the elevators get because everyone is doing it at the same time, so you’re sitting there waiting for an elevator for three years.”

One strategy used by students involves taking a load of belongings home a couple of weeks in advance to lighten the load on moving day.

“On Monday, we came back up, and I packed up 75 per cent of all of the stuff I had, so I’m just working with the stuff I need for the next couple of weeks,” Hart said.

“When that day comes, I have a wagon to carry all of my stuff in.”

Plumbing student Caleb Hutchinson is staying at Algonquin over the course of the summer. — Plumbing student Caleb Hutchinson is staying at Algonquin over the summer. Photo credit: Tianna Lawless-Musgrave

Student Caleb Hutchinson is staying in residence for the upcoming months while he takes plumbing courses.

“I’m here until August. It costs around $6,000. I’m staying here because of convenience,” Hutchinson said.

According to Hutchinson, the price makes a big impact, especially the cost of the meal plan offered to students living in residence.

“I can sleep in and get to my classes at the last second. I would say the only ‘con’ is that it’s not worth the price; for the first semester, you have to get a meal plan. Overall, it’s just not worth it in my opinion,” he said.

Most students are eager to get home but need to strategize around obtaining the moving carts offered by residence services during moving season. The small, blue four-wheeled carts are highly sought after by students moving out at the end of the term.

Carts are available for students moving out, located in the main lobby at the front desk at R-building. Photo credit: Tianna Lawless-Musgrave

“My strategy is just to get a cart as early as possible. They don’t have a lot because literally everyone moves out at the same time, so it’s hard to find them,” said Beth Coe, a graphic design student at Algonquin.

“I would also say try to pick a time of day that’s not usually super busy because when it gets busy, it can get too hard to get in and out of the doors.”

Adding to the list of unpleasant aspects of moving, Coe elaborated on the difficulty of making space and staying organized.

“The most annoying part would be getting everything organized and finding room to make it fit in the vehicle, or however you get back,” Coe said.

“People have a lot of stuff.”

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Ottawa 67’s fall to Barrie 3-2, now on the verge of elimination

A game of ups and down and old habits early in the series come to bite the 67’s as they almost made a comeback but didn’t execute in Game 4

Scott Crowell

Photos: Scott Crowell

April 18, 2026
Revised: April 18, 2026 8:47am

Photo: Scott Crowell

67's defenseman Frankie Marrelli celebrates Ottawa's second goal during R2G4 at TD Place on April 16, 2026.

Game 4 of the second round series between the Ottawa 67’s and Barrie Colts had its moments and saw some bad relapses creep back and rear its ugly face, along some moments where the team and fans saw success like in Game 3.

It was another solid start for the Ottawa 67’s. They used the home ice as fuel to fire off chances at Barrie and their goaltender Ben Hrebik. Ottawa seemed to be on track for what was a similar recipe to Game 3 where they took over the play.

Ottawa got complacent and allowed Barrie to control the point in the defensive zone which turns out wasn’t a great recipe for the 67’s. They also allowed Barrie to send guys to the net either unmarked or getting right in front of 67’s goaltender Ryder Fetterolf.

The 67’s after Game 3 preached trying to replicate that success and carrying over the same play but Barrie was prepared for it all and tightened up their game after that loss on Tuesday.

It would be Barrie who would strike not once, not twice, but three times to take a 3-0 lead, controlling the game.

Carter Lowe had his third of the playoffs and kicked off the scoring in Game 4, four straight games Barrie has done so. He was able to cash in an Emil Hemming rebound shot that bounced right to his stick and Ryder Fetterolf was already far out of the crease.

Carter Lowe scores his third goal of the playoffs at TD Place on April 16, 2026 during R2G4. Photo credit: Scott Crowell

Emil Hemming scored his seventh of the playoffs and was able to give Barrie the 2-0 lead as he received a contested Cole Beaudoin pass right in front of the net and out-beat Ryder Fetterolf.

Joe Salandra cashed on the power-play for his second of the playoffs on a loose puck off a Calvin Crombie shot that he wrapped around the back of the net and slid under Ryder Fetterolf who was already down in his crease for the third goal.

Joe Salandra scores his seventh of the playoffs and celebrates with teammates at TD Place during R2G4 on April 16, 2026 — Joe Salandra celebrates his second goal of the playoffs at TD Place during R2G4 on April 16, 2026 Photo credit: Scott Crowell

The 67’s look absolutely dejected after the third goal and you could see the frustration build on the bench.

67’s head coach Dave Cameron never lets his players go down without a fight and you could see how much he wanted his team to keep fighting and not back down despite being down three to a strong defensive team in Barrie.

With just under five minutes to go in the third period Barrie’s Justin Handsor took a boarding penalty and chaos ensued which caused a massive momentum switch. The crowd was verbal all night long with the officials.

67’s veteran forward Nic Sima buried a power-play goal for his fifth goal of the post-season to get Ottawa to within two with a greasy goal in the crease put past Ben Hrebik off a Spencer Bowes shot.

67's forwards Sam McCue and Nic Sima celebrate Ottawa's first goal during R2G4 at TD Place on April 16, 2026. Photo credit: Scott Crowell

A brawl ensued resulted in another Barrie penalty as Calvin Crombie threw a sucker punch to Ottawa’s Sam McCue.

Frankie Marrelli struck again, making Barrie pay on Ottawa’s power-play, after receiving a pass from Cooper Foster and ripping it top left corner past Ben Hrebik. You could feel destiny fall into Ottawa’s hands.

67's defenseman Frankie Marrelli celebrates Ottawa's second goal during R2G4 at TD Place on April 16, 2026. Photo credit: Scott Crowell

Frankie Marrelli saved an empty net goal and put Ottawa on the penalty kill. Ottawa pushed with the net empty shorthanded and missed a wide-open net to tie the game. 67’s forward Spencer Bowes couldn’t believe it and the crowd thought he had scored.

Ottawa fell to Barrie 3-2. They are now heading back to Barrie down 3-1 and are on the verge of elimination in Game 5.

67’s goaltender Ryder Fetterolf saved 40 of 43 shots for his third loss of the series and playoffs.

After the game, 67’s captain Cooper Foster talked about the push they made to almost tie the game after being down 3-0.

“I think we showed at the end what we’re capable of, so I think if we do that for a full 60 next game, it’s going to be a different result,” said Foster.

Foster also spoke on what they need to adjust in their game as they head back to Barrie.

“Yeah, I think again just being more discipline, like there’s a few penalties we could have avoided but it’s hockey, sometimes it just happens. So, I honestly think, like, we’re playing good hockey, I think the bounces are going to go our way and I think we just got to keep a good mindset going into next game,” said Foster.

67’s forward Nic Whitehead is looking for himself and his team to tighten up but also take late-game push as a high-heading forward.

“Yeah, well, we know we can beat them, they’re a really good team but you know we have a really good team too. Offensively we’re really good, we just showed we can score really quick, for us it was just too late. For us it’s we have to stay calm, stay poised and we’re going to be fine,” said Whitehead.

67’s head coach Dave Cameron has a positive outlook on Game 5 despite being down 3-1 in the series.

“I’d like us to maybe score a little bit earlier in the game and get Barrie back on its heels and give us a little bit of a boost. They’re a real good team, they’re going to be ready to come and stomp us out but we’re ready to accept that challenge and we’ll see what happens,” said Cameron.

Game 5 is April 18 at Sadlon Arena in Barrie.

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Scott Crowell

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Mallory Armstrong

Lauren Levean-Allard

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April 17, 2026
Revised: April 17, 2026 8:20pm

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Lauren Levean-Allard

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April 17, 2026
Revised: April 17, 2026 8:19pm

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Rising cost of living has slashed delivered supplies for SA’s Food Cupboard

Food banks are facing the same food insecurity they're meant to alleviate, says the Ottawa Food Bank

Tyson Purvis

Photos: Tyson Purvis

April 17, 2026
Revised: April 17, 2026 12:27pm

Photo: Tyson Purvis

The Food Cupboard's Abby Muir stands between shelves of food to be given out to students in need.

For over a year, Algonquin College’s Food Cupboard has been receiving a fraction of the supplies once delivered by the Ottawa Food Bank due to the rising prices of food.

Abby Muir, coordinator of the college’s Food Cupboard in B102, said the supplies the Food Cupboard received from deliveries were cut in half in January 2025.

The Food Cupboard is an Algonquin Students’ Association-run service meant to discreetly provide students facing food insecurity the supplies they need.

Despite the slash in supply, the Ottawa Food Bank still supports local food banks and food cupboards in any way it can.

“We receive weekly deliveries from the Ottawa Food Bank which is very nice,” Muir said during an interview in the Food Cupboard. “It stocks most of what you see here.”

The Food Cupboard’s services have felt the effects of the decreased supply from the larger food bank, though.

“We used to order milk and eggs but now we’re having to try different ways to get what people need,” Muir said. “We’ve tried cutting egg cartons in half, only giving six at a time.”

According to Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount 2025, food bank usage across Canada has doubled since 2019.

Ottawa Food Bank’s numbers tell the same story.

“The Ottawa Food Bank works with nearly 100 community and emergency food programs across the city,” said Alex Noreau, advocacy and policy officer at the Ottawa Food Bank. “The entire network has seen a sharp rise in demand.”

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, 588,866 visits were made to the Ottawa Food Bank, Noreau said.

The Food Cupboard is one of the many community and emergency food programs the Ottawa Food Bank supports.

A shelf at the Algonquin College Food Cupboard stocked with a variety of food items for students to choose from. — A shelf at the Food Cupboard stocked with a variety of food items for students to choose from. Photo credit: Tyson Purvis

With the network being as expansive as it is, Noreau said the Ottawa Food Bank feels every cent of the rising price of food.

The Ottawa Food Bank had a budget of over $32 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“Ninety-nine per cent of this funding comes from community donations and support (and) one per cent from the City of Ottawa,” Noreau said.

As a result of the limited amount of resources, coupled with the increased demand for food, the Ottawa Food Bank has had to stretch its budget to “ensure that food remained accessible across the entire network,” Noreau said.

The Algonquin College Food Cupboard provides students with a "shopping experience" to pick what food they need. — The Food Cupboard provides students with a "shopping experience" to pick what food they need. Photo credit: Tyson Purvis

In addition to the weekly shipments from the Ottawa Food Bank, the SA’s Food Cupboard relies on the college community for support, Muir said.

The Food Cupboard often receives these donations through events held on-campus.

“We have quite a few programs to support the cupboard across the college,” Muir said. “The life drawing initiative is a good example. They’ve been a long-standing program that donates to the food cupboard since before I began.

“We also have our Feed the Pack games with our varsity teams. We collect donations on those specific games. It’s one of our more consistent ways of getting donations.”

The Students’ Association hopes to up the ante in the fight against food insecurity.

Abby Muir manages the Food Cupboard located in room B102 of the B-building. Photo credit: Tyson Purvis

“We also have Fresh for $5,” Muir said. “We’re trying to do that once a month where it’s $5 for a fresh bag of fruits and veggies.”

Muir said the Fresh for $5 events have been extremely successful.

A long line formed at the first Fresh for $5 event held Jan. 22 at Algonquin College. Photo credit: Rory Haley

The event started at 11 a.m. and was meant to last until 1 p.m. It sold out in half an hour.

“We’re trying to find more creative ways besides just the Food Cupboard service to address food insecurity,” Muir said. “One of those ways in which we’re doing it is with our SA thrift store — which we try to host once every semester — because it’s not just food that’s expensive. Everything is.”

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Speakeasy Night blends entertainment with support for OCISO

Algonquin College PR students bring Speakeasy Night to Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, combining entertainment and fundraising in support of an immigration services organization.

Noureddine Zerrad

Photos: Noureddine Zerrad

April 17, 2026
Revised: April 17, 2026 12:18pm

Photo: Noureddine Zerrad

Public relations student Sarah Okusanya emcees SpeakEasy Night as the Blind Tiger Duo animates the event with jazz music.

Algonquin College public relations students transformed Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club into a lively speakeasy-style fundraiser on April 10, supporting the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) and its newcomer programs.

The event unfolded in a warm and energetic atmosphere as guests gradually filled the venue. The Blind Tiger Duo set the tone early and carried the evening with lively jazz performances, featuring guitarist Bruce Wozny and saxophonist Bruce Eveleigh.

Their jazz music contributed to a relaxed and welcoming environment, helping guests settle into the speakeasy-inspired atmosphere and encouraging friendly interaction throughout the night.

Co-organizer Sharon Mwepu said the team’s months of preparation were quickly rewarded by the strong turnout, noting that “we were a little bit anxious, but with the steady flow of people and the positive atmosphere, we began to feel relieved.”

Organizers said the campaign not only supports OCISO’s efforts to promote integration and a sense of belonging for immigrants, but also gives students practical experience in event planning, media relations and community outreach.

“This is, in fact, an Algonquin College event that aims to foster relationships between academia and the community,” said the co-organizer Jalila Ouraieth. “This campaign helps students practise their PR skills and allows future graduates to gain a better understanding of community challenges.”

Items sold during Speakeasy Night to raise funds for OCISO. — Items offered for purchase during Speakeasy Night to raise funds for OCISO. Photo credit: Noureddine Zerrad

The evening was marked by a series of speakers whose stories offered moments of reflection and connection.

Hanady Rahme, a fashion designer who arrived in Canada in 2013 from Lebanon, shared an emotional reflection on her journey of rebuilding her life after immigration.

She outlined the importance of supporting organizations that help newcomers find stability and belonging.

“As an immigrant, I understand how important it is to support organizations like OCISO, which provide the means and skills for newcomers so they can feel part of Canada and proudly call it home,” Rahme said.

She also took the opportunity to acknowledge Algonquin College, highlighting how the community and justice services program she completed there played a key role in supporting her integration.

Wondewesson Baheru, a spiritual care provider who arrived in Canada in 2009 from Ethiopia, also spoke about the challenges of starting over in a new country and the opportunities Canada has offered him.

He credited OCISO for playing a key role in his transition.

“I immigrated to Canada as a skilled worker but I had to start from scratch. I found the necessary support in OCISO. They gave me the skills I needed, like how to write a Canadian résumé and how to apply for jobs,” Baheru said.

Spiritual care provider Wondewesson Baheru, originally from Ethiopia, shared his immigration journey. — Spiritual care provider Wondewesson Baheru, originally from Ethiopia, shared his immigration journey during the Speakeasy Night. Photo credit: Noureddine Zerrad

The importance of community support in helping newcomers rebuild their lives was echoed by Beth Macgillivray, a council member of Faith Ottawa Lutheran Church, who said OCISO’s support extends far beyond individual newcomers, noting that “the benefits of OCISO reach every community, even the church I am part of. It actually enriches our lives.”

Throughout the night, attendees responded positively to both the performances and the personal stories, with many describing the event as uplifting, engaging and meaningful.

Leza Alwan, an immigrant from Yemen and freelance life coach, said the event created a valuable space for connection, describing it as “an opportunity to open up to Canadian society and a chance for networking.”

Meliva Zapfack, a newcomer from Cameroon, said she appreciated the welcoming environment throughout the evening, calling it “a nice vibe” and adding that it is “always good to meet new people,” while noting that the event also helped her learn from the experiences and challenges shared by others in the community.

As the night continued, guests participated in a silent auction featuring books, clothing and games, contributing to the fundraising efforts while engaging in conversation and enjoying the cozy atmosphere.

Organizers said the fundraiser successfully met its goals, with the strong community response adding to the sense of accomplishment felt by the student team after weeks of preparation.

“The outcome reflected the dedication of everyone involved. I feel really happy with our event,” said Sarah Okusanya, who emceed the evening. “Everything went according to plan, and everybody on the team did a great job.”

Volunteer Erin Chappel said the experience was both enjoyable and rewarding, adding that “we had a great time. We raised a significant amount of money for OCISO, and that’s what matters most.”

As the evening came to a close, organizers reflected on the sense of pride and connection created by the event.

“We are really excited with how everything turned out. Seeing people enjoy the night and support the cause made all the hard work worth it,” said Mwepu.

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Programs and projects awarded at Algonquin College’s Technology Project Showcase

First combined showcase allowed students to share projects and learn from other programs

Evan Mullen

Photos: Evan Mullen

April 17, 2026
Revised: April 17, 2026 11:29am

Photo: Evan Mullen

Adam Thompson and Mike Kelly were eager to show off their year-long project.

Algonquin College’s Technology Project Showcase on April 10 in the ACCE building was the first time different programs presented together. Previously, individual programs had separate showcases.

The event was massive, covering the entire bottom floor of the ACCE building in projects. The variety was immense. From wildfire drones to cultural event planning websites, there was something for everyone.

“These are projects that students have either worked on for one or two terms,” said Jenn Lexmond, the lead operator for the event.

What technology will the man be taught next? Photo credit: Evan Mullen

“I’m excited to see the ones that are outside of the school of advanced technology, like game development and all that… they’ve made a video game as well,” Lexmond said prior to the event.

One of the projects, Operation Phoenix, was a virtual reality drone game designed to serve in wildfires. Developers built a chair specifically for the controls, made a virtual map and designed gameplay simulating how their project would work in real life.

Team member David Cottin said the map they use to simulate the gameplay is based on Jasper National Park’s record-breaking wildfire season in 2024.

Kayvohn Masoumi virtually getting rid of wildfires — Kayvohn Masoumi is virtually getting rid of wildfires in Jasper National Park. Photo credit: Evan Mullen

Another project at the showcase was created by students in the electrical technology program, which automated the distillation process for a client.

“We fitted a homemade still with temperature sensors, connected those sensors to a microcontroller and programmed the microcontroller so it automatically controls a heated coil, which basically creates a closed loop autonomous system,” said Mike Kelly, one of the team members of the distillation control system.

Most groups were happy with the attention they received from visitors, but it was more than just a fun showcase. It was also a competition.

“We have 68 judges circulating from the industries and college, a big community, and they’re going to be scoring them,” Lexmond said.

Anaya Ramesh, one of the judges, was scouting talent for the government.

“I’m here to see who’s creative, who’s very passionate about technology and innovation because we’re trying to build that at the National Defence,” said Ramesh.

Judges voted on the winning projects, which received awards at the end of the event.

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News Briefs: Ottawa River could reach major flood levels this weekend

Top stories in your community and around the world as noted by Algonquin Times journalists

Kindra Paul

Photos:

April 17, 2026
Revised: April 17, 2026 9:43am

Local

CTV News: Water levels along the Ottawa River are rising quickly because of recent rain and melting.

Officials say flooding could get much worse by the weekend.

Some areas are already seeing minor flooding and people living nearby are being warned to stay prepared because conditions could change fast.

National

CTV News: A Canadian grandfather who was deported from the U.S. and held in a detention centre nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” has now returned to Canada.

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Kindra Paul

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Kindra Paul

Coast2Culture fundraiser raises awareness for Ottawa’s immigrant community

Algonquin College's public relations students hosted an event showcasing local newcomers' talent

Ellie Hazelwood

Photos: Ellie Hazelwood

April 16, 2026
Revised: April 16, 2026 2:49pm

Photo: Ellie Hazelwood

Savanah Negari both performed at the event and helped fellow students from Algonquin College's PR program host the evening.

The Coast2Culture Cultural Showcase on April 9 in the Observatory had public relations students celebrating local talent while raising funds for the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO).

There were balloons scattered around the room, a busy bar and an active silent auction as people laughed, chatted and cheered.

Several Culture2Culture campaign events were run by the college’s public relations program in support of OCISO.

The funds will support OCISO services and the fundraising campaign teaches people about the challenges newcomers face.

Public relations students worked hard to make this event, and six others, possible. OCISO is grateful for everything the students put into their cause.

“They’ve been amazing,” said Donnielle Roman, an OCISO employee. “Just the turnout that we’ve been getting, the passion that they put into putting all of the activities together.”

Donnielle Roman (right), and her colleagues from OCISO. Photo credit: Ellie Hazelwood

Everyone in the public relations program worked hard behind the scenes, sorting everything out to organize this event. They got to know each other and faced challenges by turning the event into a great experience for themselves and those around them.

“Being first-time event hosters, we need to work together as a team, and not by ourself,” said Anton, a public relations student. “Getting to know all the sponsors, singers and people from OCISO is important as well. It’s been a really fun experience.”

Savannah Negari is a student in the public relations program who also performed at the event.

“I think it’s truly important to showcase that immigrants come to the city with more than just struggles and things to learn,” Negari said.

“They come with a skillset, a culture that really diversifies the community that we have here. Me coming here and singing as a first-generation immigrant, knowing that my parents had to enter this society, and did so successfully….I think it’s beautiful to be able to showcase my talent, and what can come out of the immigrants that come to our city.”

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