Ariel Troster
@arieltroster.com
City Councillor for #SomersetWard in Ottawa. Queer Jew. A better city is possible. Let’s build it together. 🏳️🌈
I am teaming up with @stephanieplante.bsky.social and Marty Carr to try classes at as many local gyms as possible. So far, we had a blast at Collective Movement on Catherine and Oxygen Yoga and Fitness on Rideau. Do you have a class you love? Send us your suggestions so we can #SweatLocal.
January 12, 2026 at 12:27 PM
I am teaming up with @stephanieplante.bsky.social and Marty Carr to try classes at as many local gyms as possible. So far, we had a blast at Collective Movement on Catherine and Oxygen Yoga and Fitness on Rideau. Do you have a class you love? Send us your suggestions so we can #SweatLocal.
It was so nice to see so many friends and neighbours at @catmckenney.bsky.social’s New Year’s Levee. Wonderful to see amazing organizations like the Carleton University Students’ Association and ANCHOR honored as well.
Great to see you, @jleiper.bsky.social and @riverwardriley.bsky.social!
Great to see you, @jleiper.bsky.social and @riverwardriley.bsky.social!
January 11, 2026 at 8:26 PM
It was so nice to see so many friends and neighbours at @catmckenney.bsky.social’s New Year’s Levee. Wonderful to see amazing organizations like the Carleton University Students’ Association and ANCHOR honored as well.
Great to see you, @jleiper.bsky.social and @riverwardriley.bsky.social!
Great to see you, @jleiper.bsky.social and @riverwardriley.bsky.social!
Daisy and Moose are getting along suspiciously well tonight. They must be plotting something …
January 11, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Daisy and Moose are getting along suspiciously well tonight. They must be plotting something …
The latest edition of the Somerset Ward newsletter is out, with updates on a new public bathroom, warming spaces, ANCHOR expansion, and more! Read it and sign up at www.arieltroster.com/swm_63
January 10, 2026 at 3:35 PM
The latest edition of the Somerset Ward newsletter is out, with updates on a new public bathroom, warming spaces, ANCHOR expansion, and more! Read it and sign up at www.arieltroster.com/swm_63
If you are looking for hope and catharsis during this dark time (and have already binged the gay hockey series multiple times), go see live music. Neko Case’s voice healed something in me last night.
Also, I noticed the crowds at her shows are getting older. Wait, I resemble that comment …
Also, I noticed the crowds at her shows are getting older. Wait, I resemble that comment …
January 10, 2026 at 2:34 PM
If you are looking for hope and catharsis during this dark time (and have already binged the gay hockey series multiple times), go see live music. Neko Case’s voice healed something in me last night.
Also, I noticed the crowds at her shows are getting older. Wait, I resemble that comment …
Also, I noticed the crowds at her shows are getting older. Wait, I resemble that comment …
Also, we got to see one of the snow plows that was named by members of the public. Meet Plowasaurus Rex!
January 9, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Also, we got to see one of the snow plows that was named by members of the public. Meet Plowasaurus Rex!
The Ward 14 team visited the Catherine Street Yard today, and got to meet with meet some of the amazing city staff members who operate plows and other snow removal machines. Thank you to Bryden Denyes and Shawn McGuire for the warm welcome and for answering our many questions.
January 9, 2026 at 7:31 PM
The Ward 14 team visited the Catherine Street Yard today, and got to meet with meet some of the amazing city staff members who operate plows and other snow removal machines. Thank you to Bryden Denyes and Shawn McGuire for the warm welcome and for answering our many questions.
With the temperatures rising today, you can help the city prevent flooding by chipping the ice away from your nearest catch basin. Be a drain hero! We really appreciate your help.
January 8, 2026 at 3:36 PM
With the temperatures rising today, you can help the city prevent flooding by chipping the ice away from your nearest catch basin. Be a drain hero! We really appreciate your help.
Happy New Year! Here’s a little preview of the big issues and local wins we will see in 2026 at City Hall and in our community.
January 6, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Happy New Year! Here’s a little preview of the big issues and local wins we will see in 2026 at City Hall and in our community.
Did you know that when people are released from prison in the winter, it is often with only the clothes on their backs? They accept donations of coats and boots at the courthouse at 161 Elgin. Just ask for the cellblock to drop them off.
January 6, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Did you know that when people are released from prison in the winter, it is often with only the clothes on their backs? They accept donations of coats and boots at the courthouse at 161 Elgin. Just ask for the cellblock to drop them off.
I am trying to listen to new Neko Case before her show at Bronson Centre this Friday, but this 2006 album is perfection and I can’t stop/won’t stop.
January 6, 2026 at 2:39 PM
I am trying to listen to new Neko Case before her show at Bronson Centre this Friday, but this 2006 album is perfection and I can’t stop/won’t stop.
This is the energy that my wife are bringing into our January closet purge (Alison Bechdel knows what’s up).
January 4, 2026 at 7:52 PM
This is the energy that my wife are bringing into our January closet purge (Alison Bechdel knows what’s up).
Daisy is supervising the takedown of Christmas.
Happy New Year! Wishing only good things to you and yours.
Happy New Year! Wishing only good things to you and yours.
January 1, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Daisy is supervising the takedown of Christmas.
Happy New Year! Wishing only good things to you and yours.
Happy New Year! Wishing only good things to you and yours.
This (Encampment by Maggie Helwig) is one of the most beautiful, profound and relevant books I have ever read. My inbox is frequently flooded with complaints about visible homelessness and public drug use. We must seek to understand the choices our neighbours make when they have no alternatives.
December 29, 2025 at 7:59 PM
This (Encampment by Maggie Helwig) is one of the most beautiful, profound and relevant books I have ever read. My inbox is frequently flooded with complaints about visible homelessness and public drug use. We must seek to understand the choices our neighbours make when they have no alternatives.
Enjoying some antifascist musical theatre while visiting family in Toronto.
(Also, message to Leisel: DUMP HIM.)
(Also, message to Leisel: DUMP HIM.)
December 28, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Enjoying some antifascist musical theatre while visiting family in Toronto.
(Also, message to Leisel: DUMP HIM.)
(Also, message to Leisel: DUMP HIM.)
It looks like we're in for some significant freezing rain accumulation. Most frequently due to branches falling, freezing rain storms can cause power outages. Visit Hydro Ottawa's outage safety at hydroottawa.com/en/outages-s... for tips on getting prepared.
December 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
It looks like we're in for some significant freezing rain accumulation. Most frequently due to branches falling, freezing rain storms can cause power outages. Visit Hydro Ottawa's outage safety at hydroottawa.com/en/outages-s... for tips on getting prepared.
I will not ruin the last episode of Heated Rivalry for you, except to say that it’s perfect, full of quintessential Canadiana, and apparently the second book is set in Ottawa. THIS IS OUR MOMENT.
December 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I will not ruin the last episode of Heated Rivalry for you, except to say that it’s perfect, full of quintessential Canadiana, and apparently the second book is set in Ottawa. THIS IS OUR MOMENT.
Devouring one of my Christmas gifts. This book is 10/10, a story of a queer Jewish girl who road trips to San Francisco with her high school girlfriend in 1996.
December 25, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Devouring one of my Christmas gifts. This book is 10/10, a story of a queer Jewish girl who road trips to San Francisco with her high school girlfriend in 1996.
Merry Christmas from Moose, who is thrilled to have so many boxes around.
December 25, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Merry Christmas from Moose, who is thrilled to have so many boxes around.
My sister in law has the two floofiest cats
December 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
My sister in law has the two floofiest cats
Christmas Eve weather report: the snow is corgi-deep
December 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Christmas Eve weather report: the snow is corgi-deep
My mother in law received a wide selection of Amish romance novels in her Little Free Library, a genre I didn’t even know existed.
December 21, 2025 at 11:33 PM
My mother in law received a wide selection of Amish romance novels in her Little Free Library, a genre I didn’t even know existed.
Had a blast at the Queer Holiday Dinner, organized by Elaina Martin. Thanks to Chef Ric’s for providing the food and for feeding thousands of people a year from the food truck and at the Ottawa Mission. It takes a village!
December 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Had a blast at the Queer Holiday Dinner, organized by Elaina Martin. Thanks to Chef Ric’s for providing the food and for feeding thousands of people a year from the food truck and at the Ottawa Mission. It takes a village!
If haven’t had a chance to check out one of the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective’s singalong nights at Beyond the Pale — you need to go. Who knew that belting out songs about being lost at sea and sick with the drink would serve as primal therapy?!?
December 20, 2025 at 2:08 PM
If haven’t had a chance to check out one of the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective’s singalong nights at Beyond the Pale — you need to go. Who knew that belting out songs about being lost at sea and sick with the drink would serve as primal therapy?!?
And they sang Fairytale of New York, so my holiday is made already
December 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
And they sang Fairytale of New York, so my holiday is made already