— Your Evening Update — 

December 2, 2024

Since the start of the pandemic, bars have had a difficult time keeping afloat. That may be especially true for places in the ByWard Market. Oz Cafe, Pub 101, Saslove's Meat Market...the list of mainstays of the Market closing their doors is a growing one.

But it's not all doom and gloom. The Rainbow Bistro has managed to survive, making it to its 40th anniversary this past weekend.

How? As reporter Lynn Saxberg explains, it's thanks to the generosity of the community that the Rainbow has managed to stick around. She spoke to the owner about how he's finally able to sleep at night, after years of worry.

So here's to some good news on a Monday evening. This and more in your news of the day.

Stacy Sivyer and her father, Danny Sivyer

PHOTO: Jean Levac / POSTMEDIA

How the Rainbow Bistro survived the pandemic and made it to its 40th anniversary

By Lynn Saxberg

The Rainbow Bistro is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend, three years after owner Danny Sivyer ran out of money during the closures and capacity restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He made the difficult decision to close the doors at the end of September 2021, a move that was covered by the Ottawa Citizen. It looked to be the end of an era for the ByWard Market live-music venue at the corner of Murray and Parent streets. 

The response was remarkable.

THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER

 HINT: A LOT, FOR SOME 

How the Canada Post strike impacts Canadians

Today's Evening Update was curated and assembled by Lois Kirkup. Our entire newsroom is proud to produce and share the journalism you see in this newsletter. If you’d like to support the Ottawa Citizen's mission to challenge the capital to be an inspiring, world-class, livable city, why not sign up for a digital subscription? We'd love to have you on board. 

Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan

PHOTO: Jean Levac / POSTMEDIA

Canadian military morale sees uptick but problems persist: report

By David Pugliese

There has been a slight increase in morale in the Canadian military but a growing workload, lack of housing and shortages of equipment continue to affect the rank and file, the country’s top soldier has been told.

Morale had been earlier assessed as “mixed to low” by military chaplains but that is now ranked as “mixed,” according to an Oct. 29 briefing for Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan. The briefing, which outlines a summary of assessments by military chaplains about the current welfare of the Canadian Armed Forces, was obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.

Among the reasons for the boost in morale were improvements in pay and efforts to modernize the military, the briefing pointed out.

WHAT PROBLEMS PERSIST

 EMERGENCY HOUSING 

City of Ottawa worker fired after audit uncovers kickback scheme with landlords

PHOTO: Jean Levac / POSTMEDIA

Layoffs could be on the table for public servants. Here's everything you need to know

By Catherine Morrison

The federal government is currently looking for ways to tighten its budget and curb the size of the public service. In order to do that, it’s undertaking a multi-billion dollar spending review.

Here’s what you need to know about the review and how it could impact federal employees.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW

 MOUNTING FISCAL PRESSURES 

Battle lines drawn between public servants, taxpayers over public service pension surplus

• Man seriously injured in one of three Ottawa fires overnight Saturday

• Workers at Ottawa Salvation Army vote to strike

• 'Thanks for dinner': Trudeau meets with Trump, cabinet nominees at Mar-a-Lago after tariffs threat

• $3.5B in Liberals' COVID business loans went to ineligible recipients, auditor general finds

• Ontario snow storm strands vehicles, knocks out power as town calls emergency

THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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PHOTO OF THE WEEKEND