The year 2025 in Ottawa was a story told in powerful images, a visual narrative that began with the eerie haze of distant wildfires and concluded with the solemn glow of candlelight at a vigil. In between, photographers for the Ottawa Citizen bore witness to the full spectrum of public life in the nation's capital, capturing moments of ordinary beauty, extraordinary events, public triumph, and private grief.
A Year in the Life of the Capital
From the frozen expanse of the Rideau Canal to the sweltering heat of a summer advisory, daily life unfolded with quiet persistence. The camera found couples skating hand-in-hand past love locks on the Corktown Footbridge in January and later, in June, a man named Andrew Wolff reading calmly by Dow's Lake despite a heat warning. It documented the gritty reality of a man seeking donations at Rideau and King Edward in February and the serene focus of window cleaners high above Laurier Avenue in a March snow flurry.
The rhythm of the city was marked by construction observed by elderly residents, morning jogs along the Rideau River, and the simple pleasure of reading with a dog on a Bank Street patio. These frames, often overlooked, formed the essential backdrop against which the year's larger events played out.
Moments of Celebration, Sport, and Power
Public life in 2025 erupted in vibrant colour and shared energy. Comedian Tom Green brought his signature humour to the Rideau Canal for a music video in January, while thousands of runners filled downtown streets for the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend marathon in May. The city rallied behind its teams: fans celebrated the Ottawa Charge's historic run to the Walter Cup finals at TD Place, and the kazoo-wielding 'Kazoo Crew' became a symbol of passionate support. In April, the Senators flag flew proudly at City Hall as the NHL playoffs began.
The summer brought iconic festivals. Bluesfest drew over 250,000 visitors, with Green Day attracting a crowd of 35,000, while Shania Twain graced the RBC Stage. Canada Day saw the Snowbirds soar past Parliament Hill, watched by enthralled children. Autumn tradition held with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees facing the Carleton Ravens in the 56th Panda Game, with the Ravens reclaiming the Pedro trophy.
The year was also defined by political transition and royal pageantry. The camera captured Mark Carney playing goalie at a winter carnival before his journey to becoming Prime Minister, his swearing-in at Rideau Hall on March 14, and the dejection of Conservative supporters on election night, April 28. In a historic moment, King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by thousands on May 27 as the King opened Parliament, inspecting the Guard of Honour on the Senate grounds.
Hard News, Resilience, and Faces of Change
Not all images were of celebration. Photographers documented the aftermath of tragedy, such as the heartbreaking embrace of family members on Provendeer Avenue in April and the stark reality of the opioid crisis on Bank Street. They covered the suspicious fires at illegal mushroom shops on Rideau Street and emergency responses to a house fire on Weston Street.
Yet, resilience shone through. The story highlighted citizens driving change, like 10-year-old Japnam Bharaj, who advocated for a speed camera outside her Stittsville school after a student was hit. It featured innovators like Dr. Guy Trudel, comparing patient rehab to astronaut recovery, and Professor Menna Agha, celebrating the transformation of a Vanier parking lot into a vibrant community hub.
The environment remained a pressing theme, from masked visitors on a smoke-hazed Parliament Hill in June to the tranquilization and relocation of a juvenile bear in Kanata in April. The debate over a potential landfill in Carlsbad Springs was personified by activist Lucie Régimbald on the contested site in November.
From the joyful opening of a new urban swimming dock at Dow's Lake to the solemn visits of families to the National Military Cemetery before Remembrance Day, these 51 frames collectively form an indelible portrait of Ottawa in 2025—a year of contrast, community, and captured history.
