Ottawa's historic Chinatown faces growing pains as residents see neighbourhood changing
One of Ottawa’s oldest neighborhoods is grappling with its future, as it sees an increase in vacant businesses and changes in the community.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
A fixture of Ottawa's Chinatown for over 40 years, Yangtze Restaurant, announced it was putting its property up for sale. The closure is part of a growing problem that residents and business owners have been seeing in the neighbourhood.
Some residents say they have seen in increase in petty crime and social problems related to homelessness and drug addiction that is having an impact on the community's growth.
Peter Yeung, a business owner along Somerset Street West, said he is concerned with the growing number of those in need not receiving support. Chinatown is home to one of the city's safe consumption sites, where anyone can bring pre-obtained drugs and use under professional supervision.
Yeung say he supports safe consumption sites, but says an increase in panhandling could have an impact on businesses in the area.
"This is the centre core of the city of Ottawa, if this area is not growing, all of our collective business are on the line," Yeung said.
"In terms of the injection site I think it has an impact in terms of concern if they come here panhandlers and so forth, I have nothing against them. I think the city needs to help them."
Daphne Millar is a resident who lives just off of Somerset Street West and says the community is welcoming and vibrant, but is showing strains from the cost of living.
She sees the sale of businesses like Yangtze as a sign of the times, with traditional family businesses having a difficult time.
"It's obviously very sad to see, I’m sure it’s a big family business here. I know lots of people have been to Yangtze," Millar said.
"I would like to see that small business community stick around. I want to see this community thrive."
The area's business improvement association (BIA) is working to grow business in the area and help residents feel more secure.
"What we hope is from the city's perspective is we could get some support in terms of more police presence in the neighborhood so that when people are in need, their concerns can be quickly addressed," said Yukang Li, the executive director of Chinatown's BIA.
Even with challenges, the community is welcoming residents to shop eat and celebrate daily, with special events growing.
The annual Chinatown night market is taking over Somerset Street for three days starting on May 31.
Planning for this year is well underway with a waiting list for venders to participate.
"That list was full very quickly and now we have a very long waiting list," Li said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401 leaves 4 dead, including infant
A wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. last night has left four people dead, including an infant, Ontario’s police watchdog says.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.