Economy
| Communities |
Politics
| Canadian and World Events |
Local
Events | Personalities |
Religious and Social
Aspects
| Arts/Culture
Economy
Ottawa’s high-tech community grew steadily in the 1990s. Over 1,500
advanced technology companies employed more than 65,000 people. Ottawa
boasted one of the highest-educated workforces in Canada, with more
engineers, scientists, and PhDs per capita than any other city in the
country. Ottawa became one of the world’s top five sites for research
and development. However, as we approached the end of the millennium,
Silicone Valley North’s bubble began to burst and before long lay-offs
and company closures became common. Today’s technology sector is more
settled with more level growth than the spurts of the 90’s.
This era
also saw the introduction of the $2 coin or toonie and debit cards
(where would we be without debit cards?).
Today’s
amalgamated Ottawa boasts a population of over 800,000 people – a long
way from the 10,000 souls of 1855. We are the fourth largest city in
the country and span over 1,800 square miles.
Communities
The biggest news for communities in this period is the amalgamation of
Ottawa and the seven surrounding cities and townships in 2001. However,
it’s no surprise that each community still holds its own identity
closely. We are truly a community of communities.
As
Canadians, weather is always a big part of our news but during this
15-year period, we experienced some frightening weather phenomenon,
including earthquakes, a tornado, a solar eclipse and of course the Ice
Storm of 1998. Beginning January 5th, it rained ice for five long
days. With the exception of a few stolen generators, most local
residents reached out to help their neighbours, many of whom were
without power for weeks.
For the
past few years, we have watched the redevelopment of Lebreton Flats,
finally. We look forward to better uses for this area and the
development of housing, museums and commercial activity.
And of
course, in 2005 we are celebrating the City of Ottawa’s 150th
anniversary!
Politics
Ottawa had four different mayors during this time period: Marc
Laviolette (1991), Jacquelin Holzman (1991-1997), Jim Watson
(1997-2000), and Bob Chiarelli (2001 – present).
Four Prime
Ministers held office during this time period: Brian Mulroney
(1994-1993), Kim Campbell (1993), Jean Chretien (1993-2003), and Paul
Martin (2003 to present). In 1995, the Referendum in Québec was held
and Ottawans piled on to busses headed for Montreal to rally for the
“No” vote. Nationalism came out ahead, but barely.
Our growth
as a capital city is demonstrated by the famous visitors we received
during this period, including: Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris
Yeltsin, Nelson Mandela and the Royals – Prince Charles and Princess
Diana, the Duchess of York, Sarah and of course Queen Elizabeth.
Canadian and World Events
We celebrated
the end of a millennium and worried over the coming of “Y2K”. It went
off without a hitch.
In 1998,
Pierre Trudeau’s son Michel was killed in avalanche while skiing in
British Columbia. And a few years later, one of Canada’s greatest Prime
Ministers and personalities, Pierre Trudeau, passed away. After
lying-in-state at Parliament Hill with mourners filing through night and
day, his funeral train left for Montreal where he was buried.
Local Events
This was a sad period for Ottawa. In 1995, CJOH sports-caster, Brian
Smith, was shot and killed. In 1999, four OC Transpo employees – Clare
Davidson, Brian Guay, David Lemay and Harry Schoenmakers – were killed
at work. The community’s out-pouring of grief was unprecedented.
The Voice
of Fire and Meat Dress were bought by the National Gallery of Canada,
prompting at least one local farmer to paint a “replica” Voice of Fire
on the side of his barn.
In 2005, we
are celebrating the 35th season of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway
– the longest skating rink in the world.
Personalities
We watched the rise of Alanis Morissette with the release of her Jagged
Little Pill album in 1995 that sold over 30 million copies. And we
heralded the arrival of Pinchas Zukerman in 1998, who later married
cellist Amanda Forsyth.
Who can
forget Marlen Cowpland’s gold breastplate and 15-karat diamond nipple at
the 1999 Corel Gala? The Cowplands certainly know how to spice up
Ottawa’s social calendar.
Religion/Social
Our
Ottawa Senators hockey team resurfaced in 1992, decades after the team
won several championships in the early part of the century. The team
moved to the Corel Centre in 1996, where just a few years ago, Ottawa
welcomed Canada’s best entertainers for the annual Juno awards.
And while
we said goodbye to the Ottawa Rough Riders, we welcomed the new Ottawa
Renegades. Just last year, we hosted an incredibly successful Grey Cup.
Arts/Culture
The first Fringe Festival was born in the late 1940s in Edinburgh,
Scotland; a love child of the prestigious Edinburgh Festival.
Resourceful artists saw their chance to offer their lesser-known and
sometimes experimental shows to the same audiences, and held their own
performances in parks, rented spaces, and street corners. In the 1980’s,
Fringes began cropping up all over Canada, all adhering to the same
tenets, and by 1997, the Nation’s Capital had its own Fringe Festival,
started by two theatre professionals living in Ottawa.
Clarence
Clemons took the stage in 1994 and helped kick off what would become
Canada’s fastest grown celebration of Blues and Gospel music. Five
thousand people descended on Majors Hill Park that first year in the
nation’s capital, probably not realizing the tradition they were helping
to create. In the years since, more than 800,000 people have tuned in
their ears and opened their heart to the biggest names in Blues, Gospel,
and R&B. entertainers such as Buddy Guy and John Hiatt.
The CKCU
Ottawa Folk Festival had its inception in 1994. The festival was
established to showcase Canada’s folk traditions through music, dance,
storytelling, and crafts. Ottawa is home to many festivals. The CKCU
Ottawa Folk Festival is known for its relaxed atmosphere, enthusiastic
grassroots following and loyal volunteer contingent.
On May 8,
2005 we look forward to the opening of the new War Museum on Lebreton
Flats.
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