OBJ staff

Ottawa businesses affected by the weeks-long protests against vaccine mandates will be eligible for grants of up to $5,000 to help recoup their losses, the province said Friday.

Ottawa Real Estate Board president Penny Torontow said “unrelenting high demand” for housing is driving up prices despite the bump in supply. 

Treasury Board president Mona Fortier gave the green light Monday for federal departments and agencies to begin bringing public servants back to the office.

Katasa Group recently filed an application with the city to build a nine-storey residential project at 1509 Merivale Rd., just south of the intersection of Clyde Avenue.

Innovative technology is not just the domain of Ottawa’s “Silicon Valley North.” This mature industry, whose roots are in Ottawa, has grown beyond the capital’s borders and now finds itself in enclaves all over Eastern Ontario.

Relief measures approved Wednesday include $450,000 in grants to BIAs in areas affected by the three-week protests against vaccine mandates. 

While a “considerable number” of new units were added to the city’s rental housing stock last year, the agency said demand rose enough to keep the vacancy rate unchanged.

Eastern Ontario is home to some of the most scenic parks, picturesque waterfronts, historic towns and cities and overall attractions. All are beacons to tourists.

Developers launched 640 new builds last month, agency says, down three per cent from the 661 starts recorded in January 2021.

The new development would include 51 apartment units and 59 parking spots, with 56 of those spaces in a two-level underground garage.