Punch Up Collective

Summertime Radical Historical Walking Tours
2026-04-30 08:00 - 2026-09-30 17:00 (America/Toronto) | City of Ottawa-Gatineau streets
Ottawa radicals have been fighting for greater social justice for more than 200 years. This summer you can learn more about past protests, strikes, and campaigns during a radical historical walking tour.
My name is Brian McDougall. Since 2014, I’ve given hundreds of tours about Ottawa-Gatineau’s radical past for tourists, residents, and local activists. I believe that historically informed activists are more effective.
Why do we need to know our history? It’s true that history doesn’t repeat itself and can’t provide us with ready-made formulae to guide us today. But knowing how past generations of radicals fought for social justice – stories our rulers either rewrite or suppress – helps to sharpen our ability to think through the strategic and tactical issues we face today.
What kinds of struggles have Ottawa-Gatineau’s radicals mounted in the past? What strategies did they adopt? When did they win and why did they often lose? Those are some of the questions I pose while doing the nine tours offered through Peoples’ History Walking Tours.
Current tours:
• Building the Rideau Canal and the making of the Ottawa working class
• Protest, strike, and rebellion in the history of Canada’s capital
• An unauthorized history of Parliament Hill: From Indigenous land to headquarters of Canada’s elite
• Indigenous peoples and colonialism in the history of Canada’s capital
• From sacred site to industrial wasteland: colonialism and class struggle in the Chaudière District
• More than taverns and brothels: French Canadian, Irish, and Jewish struggles against oppression in Lowertown
• The rise and fall of federal public service militancy in Ottawa-Gatineau, 1965-2023
• Colonialism and resistance in Canada’s capital: lessons from Indigenous, Irish, Black South African, and Palestinian struggles
• Failure to revolt? Why Winnipeg had a general strike in 1919 while Ottawa’s was aborted
How good are the tours? In 85 reviews on Trip Advisor, 79 tour participants rated their experience 5 stars out of 5. You can read their comments here: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g155004-d7035441-Reviews-Peoples_History_Walking_Tours-Ottawa_Ontario.html
What does a tour involve? Tours are given in English, last from 3 to 3.5 hours, and take place in the center of Ottawa, May through September. Tours are organized on demand, for four or more people.
Who leads the tours? I do. I’m a former university teacher and federal public servant, long-time socialist, trade unionist, and social justice activist in Ottawa-Gatineau. I’m currently active in my trade union, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (Palestine solidarity caucus and the National Education Committee) and with the Tempest Collective – an American/Canadian socialist group.
How much does a tour cost? Tours cost $35 per person and require a minimum of four participants. Groups can be as large as 20, with those of 10 or more eligible for a discount.
How do you book a tour? Organize a group and select a preferred day and time. (Tours are organized on demand.) Then send me an email brian.phwt@gmail.com or book through my website https://ottawahistorytours.com
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or want to book a tour.

Free Food Distribution / Repas Gratuit
2026-07-04 12:00 - 14:00 | Dundonald Park, 516 Somerset St W
Are you hungry? We are! We’ll be setting up in Dundonald Park on July 4th from noon to 2pm for a serve. We hope to see you there! 🥕
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Vous avez faim? Nous aussi! Nous serons au parc Dundonald le 4 juillet, de midi à 14 h, pour vous nourrir. On espère vous y voir! 🥕
