Beer Store site at College Square could be targeted for Chick-fil-A
Ben Charles
Photos: City of Ottawa development application
April 6, 2026 Revised: April 6, 2026 1:04pm
Photo: City of Ottawa development application
A rendering of a proposed Chick-fil-A restaurant at the College Square plaza filed with the land owner's development application.
Algonquin College students are reacting positively to the possibility of a Chick-fil-A opening in the nearby College Square plaza, with many expressing interest in the proposal and support for the potential new dining option.
Chick-fil-A has applied to the City of Ottawa to open a new restaurant, planning to take over the current Beer Store location in the College Square plaza. The application, which has not yet been approved, was recently submitted as part of the company’s proposed expansion into the area. The restaurant would be built at the existing retail site, though a final decision from the city is still pending.
The Beer Store’s College Square location remains open and continues to serve customers.
First-year TV broadcasting student Jayden Cruise welcomes the possible addition of a restaurant at College Square.
“I really appreciate the variety of different food options available in College Square. This wider selection is beneficial for the community,” Cruise said.
A new restaurant would offer more choice for students and the surrounding community and add to the growing appeal of College Square as a dining destination near campus.
First-year accounting student Tim Rwamirego also expressed enthusiasm.
“I don’t really have any concerns about the new location — just hope the lines aren’t too long,” he said.
College Coun. Laine Johnson invited residents to provide feedback on the proposal until April 1, giving the community an opportunity to weigh in on the plans for the new restaurant.
College Square Beer Store Photo credit: Ben Charles
Chick-fil-A’s first location in Canada opened in Toronto on Sept. 6, 2019, at the corner of Yonge and Bloor streets. Since then, the restaurants have expanded across the country.
The restaurant chain currently has two locations in Ottawa: one at CF Rideau Centre and another at Tanger Outlet in Kanata.
Students are defending their discipline and wondering what it could mean for the future
Pedro Mendez
Photos: Pedro Mendez
April 6, 2026 Revised: April 6, 2026 12:19pm
Photo: Pedro Mendez
Algonquin College culinary students.
Culinary students at Algonquin College don’t like seeing administrators target their discipline in recent program cuts.
The board of governors in March agreed with a recommendation to suspend the honours bachelor of culinary arts and food science program, one of 30 programs cut across the college.
The diploma program in culinary management and certificate program in culinary skills remain.
Culinary students worry about what the program cuts mean for future students.
“People should get to do those programs, and it sucks that they’re getting removed. And then there’s less opportunities for education here,” said Victoria Champion, a second-level Algonquin College student in the culinary management program.
Another student defended the culinary programs and students’ passion for their work.
“It’s a part of our course to get out in the industry, and most of us do that by working in the cafeteria and providing food for other students,” said Jaiydn Clarke, a second-level Algonquin College student in the culinary management program.
“It’s very important. It just shows how student-oriented our school it is. It’s very important to the other students as well, seeing their friends make their food or we know the quality of it is going to be good.”
Clarke said the culinary program is more than academics.
“At Algonquin, we have a big, friendly community with all of us and taking that away from us, it’s you’re taking away our community. You’re taking away our friends and everything else that the culinary programs bring into this college,” said Clarke.
An Algonquin College culinary student grating cheese. Photo credit: Pedro Mendez
Students aren’t the only ones shocked by the recent program cuts.
Matthew Shepherd, a culinary arts and food science professor, says the impact could go beyond the programs that have been cut.
“There is potential negative impact on students who are considering the program. If they feel like the course or the program that they’re taking is no longer offered, then they might be hesitant to sign up for it,” said Shepherd, who teaches in the honours bachelor of culinary arts and food science program.
While the situation seems negative, Shepherd offers a different point of view.
“There’s many programs within our department that have been affected by this. Our culinary department, along with the baking courses of programs, are getting a bit of a retooling,” said Shepherd.
“It’s an opportunity to protect and safeguard our programs so that they are viable and sustainable for the future, as opposed to being completely wiped off of the table.”
Students, alumni and professionals gathered on March 30 in the D-building to network, share ideas and celebrate each other
Reilly Armstrong
Photos: Reilly Armstrong
April 3, 2026 Revised: April 3, 2026 7:55pm
Photo: Reilly Armstrong
(Left to right) Laura Wiley, Alise Wang, Aparna Shanker, Roslyn Bern, Sheena Brady, Katherine Rodger and Katherine Root. Organizers and panelists pose for a photo after the panel discussion.
May Bradford, an Algonquin alumna of the motive power technician program, was inspired to become a mechanic in high school when she took an automotive class.
Now, she’s the only woman in a group of six men in an auto shop.
And she’s tired of being “babied.”
“If I start even slightly (to) struggle, they’ll just jump in and do it for me. They won’t let me struggle and figure it out, or try and do whatever I can to figure it out,” said Bradford, who was one of many women who attended the Women in Tech and Trades event on March 30 in Algonquin College’s D-building.
AC alumna May Bradford says as the only woman in her workplace, she's constantly being "babied" and she's tired of it. Photo credit: Reilly Armstrong
Bradford said networking at events like the WiTT panel has empowered her and boosted her confidence.
“I’ve been to about three of these kinds of events now, and it’s every time I go, I build more of a backbone, and I’m a lot more assertive of, ‘No, stop what you’re doing. This is my project. I am working on this car. I am asking for assistance, not for you to do it.’ And they’ve started to respect me on that, but it’s… I’ve been there for two years and it’s an uphill battle every day,” said Bradford.
The event was set to start at 4 p.m., but people began streaming in early and the room was full by 3:45 p.m. Companies set up booths where students could ask about different pathways and potential job opportunities after graduation.
Attendees network and check out booths set up by companies including McDonald Brothers Construction Inc. and CGI. Photo credit: Reilly Armstrong
“We’re always trying to find new ways to hire women in our R&D roles. I think it’s an ongoing struggle for a lot of companies. So having events like this helps us to reach those goals of having diversity in the workplace,” said Meagan O’Leary, HR specialist and campus lead at Ross Video.
Algonquin College’s WiTT program, revamped in September 2025 and previously named We Saved You a Seat, supports women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated industries.
By increasing the visibility of women as leaders, WiTT encourages women to consider a wider range of career paths. Representation brings a wide range of perspectives, particularly within these industries that thrive on innovation and diverse thinking.
The panel consisted of four professionals in tech or trades, with Katherine Root, dean of the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, acting as moderator and asking questions.
Themes that each of the women kept coming back to were taking initiative, getting out of your comfort zone and being bold.
Katherine Rodger, estimating manager at Black & McDonald, had advice for graduating students.
“I find a lot of the times I’m interviewing new grads, and I can’t hear you across the table, I have no confidence I’ll be able to hear you in the workplace,” said Rodger. “But speak up, speak clearly, and ask questions.”
Alise Wang, cybersecurity operations manager at CGI, recalled spending late nights studying for midterms. She said she’d browse the Eventbrite pages, looking for networking events like this one.
“That was actually how I met one of my mentors. It was on — it was very symbolic — it was on an International Women’s Day breakfast,” said Wang.
“And she is still one of my very close friends, but if I hadn’t put myself out there, hadn’t registered for a random Eventbrite… you know, I wouldn’t have met amazing people.”
(Left to right) Panelists Alise Wang and Sheena Brady sharing the challenges they've faced working their way up in their careers. Photo credit: Reilly Armstrong
Aparna Shanker, IP professional services and PLM head at Nokia, had advice for cementing a strong professional foundation early in your career.
“In the beginning, when you just start off in your career, nothing beats hard work. We need to put in the work. Put your head down and work and be good at what you do. There’s no excuse for being lazy, for being inefficient,” said Shanker.
“If you don’t know an answer, I don’t mind it…You’re never gonna have all the answers.”
After the panel discussion, the floor was opened to audience questions. One student asked how they deal with sometimes being the only woman or only person of colour in the room.
“I would challenge a reframe of being the only one in that room to being early in the room, and really look at it through that lens,” said Sheena Brady, AC alumna and general manager at Fullscript Canada.
“Are you, in fact, early to the room and do you have incredible, unique perspective, experience, not just professional, but lived experience?”
Students networked with each other and employers after the question portion.
Algonquin student Albatoul Abusneina, in her last semester of business entrepreneurship, said organizations need to be better at considering the needs of a diverse workplace, even when it comes to worker protection. For a final project in one class, her group is making work wear for women in trades.
Business management entrepreneurship student Albatoul Abusneina is using her specific skills to support women in trades. Photo credit: Reilly Armstrong
“I’ve had people come tell me their daughter’s got a hi-vis vest, and then it was way too big on her shoulders. It kept falling off and that’s a safety issue,” said Abusneina.
“There’s so many issues that are not being addressed, and I think that if we want to look back throughout history, things don’t happen unless we force it, and we make those changes, and we make those spaces.”
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Top stories in your community and around the world noted by Algonquin Times journalists
Noureddine Zerrad
Photos:
April 2, 2026 Revised: April 2, 2026 8:06pm
Local:
CTV: Ottawa police were seeking witnesses after a man was critically injured in an assault near the Rideau Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency crews responded around 2:15 p.m. near Colonel By Drive and Rideau Street, where an adult male suffered injuries consistent with blunt force trauma and was transported to hospital in critical condition.
Police said one man is in custody while the investigation continues into possible additional suspects. No charges had been announced. Authorities were asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact the Ottawa Police Service or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
National:
CBC: The B.C. Court of Appeal has overturned a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that limited the Nuchatlaht First Nation’s Aboriginal title claim over part of Nootka Island.
The appeal court found the lower court used an “arbitrary boundary” and made legal errors in assessing the extent of the nation’s land title, concluding that the Nuchatlaht had demonstrated sufficient historical occupation of the territory.
The decision expands recognition of the claim beyond the earlier ruling and reflects evidence of the nation’s long-standing use of the land for hunting, fishing and gathering. It allows the Nuchatlaht to move forward with land-use planning for infrastructure and housing on the territory.
International:
CBC: U.S. President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her position amid reported dissatisfaction with her performance, including her handling of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump announced that Bondi will transition to the private sector, while Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general.
Bondi confirmed she will remain for about a month to oversee the transition before moving into a new private-sector role, which she said she is “thrilled about,” though she provided no further details.
The 67’s have the chance to close out the series on Thursday after 4-1 win against the Frontenacs
Scott Crowell
Photos:
April 2, 2026 Revised: April 2, 2026 7:42pm
The Ottawa 67’s defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 4-1 on Tuesday night in Kingston. The victory gives Ottawa a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round series.
Kingston brought the fight to Ottawa in both Game One and Game Two, but it was all Ottawa in Game 3 giving a full effort and continuing the heavy physicality of the series and rivalry.
The offensive explosion and consistency that was featured in the first two games of the series in Ottawa slowed down in Game 3 despite what the score indicated.
For the third straight game, 67’s head coach Dave Cameron stuck out his fourth line, which has dropped the gloves in the previous two games. The same thing happened in Game 3.
Teddy Spitznagel (Ottawa) and Will Bishop (Kingston) dropped the gloves after Spitznagel came barreling in to finish his hit on Bishop 24 seconds into the hockey game.
Ottawa put the puck in the net twice in the first period — well, technically, as they had an ice breaker from Nic Sima that was disallowed for goaltender interference on a lengthy review.
The 67’s still struck first in the hockey game as Spencer Bowes scored his second goal of the series to put the 67’s up 1-0. He was able to break in all alone and put it past Kingston goaltender Matthew Minchak off a pass from captain Cooper Foster.
It was a very quiet second period. Both teams had their chances but both goalies were sharp.
Ottawa had goals in the third period from Jasper Kuhta, who scored his second of the series, and Sam McCue, who scored his first OHL playoff goal.
Kingston pushed back with a power-play goal which was their lone goal of the game from Matthew Henderson as he received a pass from Landon Wright and stepped into the left dot and ripped it pass Ryder Fetterolf.
However, Ottawa’s Nic Sima raced down the ice on the missed empty net attempt and put away the game with his second goal of the series to seal the deal for the 67’s to make it 4-1 and secure the win.
Ottawa has the chance to move onto the second round against the winner of the Barrie Colts and Niagara Ice Dogs.
Ryder Fetterolf stopped 17 of 18 shots in his third straight win of the series.
The city ramps up parking enforcement at Ben Franklin Place and Mary Pitt Centre
Mohamed Abdallah Jbili
Photos: Mohamed Abdallah Jbili
April 2, 2026 Revised: April 2, 2026 11:30am
Photo: Mohamed Abdallah Jbili
Parking Lot 10 at Algonquin College along with the sign showing the parking fees. College Square is in the background.
The City of Ottawa was issuing dozens of parking fines every day at the Mary Pitt Centre and Ben Franklin Place starting Feb. 2, responding to what officials described as a significant rise in unauthorized parking by Algonquin College students.
City staff said signage reserving the lots for employees and visitors has been in place for several years, but since the September 2025 unauthorized parking by students has increased. The city contacted nearby institutions, including Algonquin College, on Nov. 27 and again on Jan. 27, asking them to warn people about enforcement and to remind them the lots are not intended forcampus overflow.
The city provided the Algonquin Times with the ticket statistics, which showed there were about 50 to 100 fines per day as the college warned people about parking at the city-owned lots. One vehicle had been towed for blocking an exit lane, the city said.
The crackdown came as many students were already struggling with the costs of parking on campus.
Algonquin’s annual permits can run at hundreds of dollars, and daily rates add upquickly for those coming and going several times a week.
Monthly parking permits range from $132 to $187, while annual passes can cost anywhere from $801 to over $1,100, depending on the lot.
Parking Lot 8 at Algonquin College. Photo credit: Mohamed Abdallah Jbili
For some, that price gap is enough to push them off campus into surrounding neighbourhoods.
“Ottawa is expensive, and I can’t afford to spend money all the time,” said Abbey Treanor, a finishing interior design student who parked off-campus to avoid fees.
Fourth-level business-accounting student Matthew Baskett said parking fees are a regular pressure on his budget.
“Parking costs way more than it should. I’m already budgeting carefully as a student, so having to drop that much money just to park my car just feels unreasonable,” said Baskett.
Others have tried to avoid paying altogether, but parking enforcement made them reconsider.
“I usually try to save money by parking on nearby streets instead of paying for a spot on campus, but on a really busy morning I couldn’t find anything and ended up having to pay anyway,” said Chen Shen, a second‑semester practical nursing student.
The issue isn’t confined to Centrepointe lots.
College Square, the large plaza adjacent to campus, has repeatedly warned students not to leave their cars there unless they are actively shopping. Enforcement at the plaza has been a recurring problem for more than a decade, with students regularly getting parking tickets and their cars towed.
The city says the parking at Mary Pitt Centre and Ben Franklin Place is limited and must remain available only for staff and visitors.
While long‑term solutions are being considered, city officials say enforcement will continue.
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Ann Saratu Balogun
Photos:
April 1, 2026 Revised: April 1, 2026 10:06pm
Local
CTV: April Fools’ Day brought a wave of light-hearted pranks from Ottawa institutions.
Museums and city services joined in with humorous announcements, including the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum promoting “donkey yoga” sessions and the Canadian Museum of Nature claiming the discovery of a new “Canadian Wolf Bird.”
These playful posts offered some levity as several costs rose in Ottawa with the start of the new month.
National:
CBC News: Canada Post is moving ahead with the plan to end home deliveries for about four million addresses.
The Crown corporation says it will turn the remaining home-delivery locations into community mailboxes, apartment boxes or rural delivery points.
The changes stem from last fall’s declaration that Canada Post could face an “existential crisis” with billions of dollars of losses.
Shifts are expected to happen over the next nine years, with the bulk of it expected in the next three to four years, as part of a broader modernization plan which also includes retail network changes.
International
Global News: Surging gas prices tied to the Iran war are prompting a growing number of Canadians to look at purchasing electric vehicles instead.
Prices have risen 47 cents per litre over the past month to around $1.77 per litre.
Searches on pre-owned car platform Clutch have grown 54 per cent since the start of the conflict.
Experts say cheaper models and federal rebates are making the switch feel more realistic, but high prices are still the biggest issue, with nearly six in 10 potential buyers saying they can’t get past the upfront cost.
Top stories in your community and around the world noted by Algonquin Times journalists
Madelene Mcneely
Photos:
March 31, 2026 Revised: March 31, 2026 10:45pm
Local
Ottawa Citizen:The National Arts Centre will broadcast the April 1 launch of the Artemis II on its glass tower.
The event is free to the public. The first launch window opens at 6:24 p.m., but the mission is not guaranteed to launch on time.
Artemis II will be a 10-day mission that aims to send four astronauts around the moon.
Jeremy Hansen will be aboard as the first Canadian, and first non-American, to participate in a lunar mission.
National
CTV News: Canada Post says it’s moving ahead with the plan mandated by the federal government in the fall which could permanently end door-to-door mail delivery.
This decision could affect four million addresses, converting door-to-door delivery into community mailboxes.
In late September of last year, the minister of government transportation, public works and procurement announced that Canada Post was facing an “existential crisis” with billions of dollars worth of losses.
International:
Global News: U.S. President Donald Trump says countries upset with high fuel prices should “go get your own oil” as Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, who has vacillated between insisting there is progress in diplomatic talks with Iran and threatening to widen the war, shared footage of an attack on Isfahan.
Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, hovered around US $106 a barrel, up more than 45 per cent since the war started Feb .28.
Algonquin College students launch a new campaign in hopes of raising money for the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization
Pedro Mendez
Photos: Pedro Mendez
March 31, 2026 Revised: March 31, 2026 2:55pm
Photo: Pedro Mendez
Brain Matos Rodriguez, an Algonquin College Level 2 public relations student.
ACPR students are promoting several student-led events to raise money for Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization during their Culture2Culture campaign.
The Algonquin College public relations program (ACPR) has been running charity events for over 40 years and has raised nearly $600,000 for a multitude of different causes. The main purpose is to provide experience at Algonquin College for future professional public relations workers.
OCISO strives to raise money for refugees and immigrants to help them to integrate in the communities. They also strive towards promoting connection between communities by being inclusive. Those services have supported nearly 10,000 clients each year since 1978.
“OCISO helps people from the beginning of their journey to Canada all the while until they no longer need their services,” said Justin Lemoine, a second-level public relations student. “OCISO has a goal that we share in the ACPR program and that is to make sure that newcomers and immigrants can feel welcomed and connected.”
On March 19, Algonquin PR students held press conferences to promote the events in support of the Culture2Culture campaign.
One group decided to host a trivia night called Trivia Throwback at Cassette, located at 2257 Baseline Rd.
Simon Delgaty, a second-level PR student working on the Trivia Throwback event, explained that the goal of the Culture2Culture charity campaign is to highlight the importance of having diverse cultures.
“”Our goal as an event would be to raise $450 and conservatively to sell between 30 to 50 tickets,” he said.
B2B (Bridge2Belonging) Fest will be a block party-style event with local vendors and live DJs performing. The event will be hosted at Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St. on April 12 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Comedy for a Cause and will be held at the Cultures Comedy Club and will feature eight different comedians.
“This event brings people together through humour while supporting programs that help individuals and families feel at home in Ottawa,” said Isabella White, a second-level PR student and one of the comedy event organizers.
The Voice of Ottawa variety show will be held on April 2 at the Bridge Public House.
“We will be hosting a variety show featuring local musicians, poets and as well comedians at the Bridge Public House down on Donald Street,” said Brandi Fournier, a second-level public relations program student and one of the event organizers. “They each will get 10-to-15 minutes to showcase any original stand-up comedy they have done, any original song they have preformed as well any beautiful poetry.”
The tickets for each event will be on Eventbriteand the information about all seven events and the campaign is on the campaign website.
Top stories in your community and around the world as noted by Algonquin Times journalists
Ellie Hazelwood
Photos:
March 31, 2026 Revised: March 31, 2026 1:38pm
Local
CTV News: The Ontario government released its annual list of public servants who made over $100,000 last year.
Many of those listed in Ottawa are medical staff, first responders and managers.
National
CTV News: Federal public servants could be eligible for early retirement under a new program.
The Early Retirement Incentive Program allows employees to retire early without pension reduction based off of their years of service.
“The Early Retirement Incentive Program is proceeding with an emphasis on voluntary, structured options to retire early with clarity and predictability,” Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali said.
International
CBC News: Artificial intelligence “fruit slop” stories are getting millions of views on TikTok and Instagram.
The AI fruit stories draw viewers from dramatic storylines filled with betrayal and romance. The creators started basing their stories off of reality TV shows, earning even more views.
“It’s absurd, it’s brain rot,” digital strategist Fana Yohannes said. “It is a contagious format.”
