August 11, 2023 Newsletter

Your Councillor in the Community

It was amazing to provide opening remarks at the opening reception for the “We Do Not Dream of Labour” exhibition on August 10 at the Ottawa Art Gallery featuring 38 incredible local artists. This exhibition, curated by Yanaminah Thullah, OAG’s Commercial, Community Guest Curator, continues until Sept. 10. For details, please visit oaggao.ca/whats-on/exhibitions/we-do-not-dream-of-labour.

Vanier BIA Friday Family Fun - August 11

Music, skateboards, and longboards!!! That's the theme for this evening. If you aren't considered a pro, don't worry. The Vanier BIA will have experts on site from the Ottawa Longboard Community to help you learn. There will also be free food, kids' activities and more.

See you tonight, Friday, August 11 at the Vanier HUB from 6 to 8pm. The HUB is located on Marier Avenue at Montreal Road.

Free Dental Screenings at the Rideau Community Hub - August 11 & 25

Ottawa Public Health is offering free dental screenings two Fridays per month at its Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub at the Rideau Community Hub at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard. The next screenings are August 11 and 25, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 to 4 pm. All ages are welcome. No appointment is needed. First-come, first-served. For details, please click here. 

Overbrook Day - August 12

Overbrook residents are invited to celebrate Overbrook Day on  August 12 from 11 am to 2 pm in Overbrook Park, 33 Quill Street. There will be games, fun and food!

Ottawa-Vanier Community BBQ - August 12

Join Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier and her team for their Ottawa-Vanier Community BBQ on August 12 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Vanier Richelieu Community Center, 300 avenue des Pères Blanc.

Shakespeare in the Park performances 

The Company of Fools presents a Hamlet that’s bigger and better than ever. For more information and for the full schedule, please visit fools.ca/hamlet.

Shows in and near Rideau-Rockcliffe:

• August 14 and 21 at 7 pm in Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill

Vanier BIA - Live music Wednesday evenings

Spend your evening with the Vanier BIA moving and grooving to music presented by local artists this summer! The St. Charles Market will be hosting Akoustik on the following Wednesdays: August 16, August 30, and September 13. Bring your loved ones and join the BIA for this free event from 7 to 9 pm at 135 Barrette Street.

Refugee Stories in support of Carty House - at the St. Laurent Shopping Centre - Starting August 16

Each semester, DeSerres Art Store, at St. Laurent Shopping Centre, offers Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) high school co-op students a chance to work with a professional artist to learn develop their art skills, as well as relate to the wider community. Carty House, the only transitional home for female refugees in Ottawa, was selected as their community partner for their summer co-op program. Most of us will never have to fee our home country in search of safety. Most of us will never have to rebuild our lives from scratch. These women did. Carty House current and past residents will be sharing their experiences. The students will be using 100-year-old doors to bring their stories to life through art. They are very excited to create, to learn, to share. PASSAGES - Doors to Refugee Stories will be on display in Centre Court at the St. Laurent Shopping Centre beginning Wednesday, August 16. For more information on this project or Carty House, please visit CartyHouse.org.

Summer Corn Roast - August 19

Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard hosts a Summer Corn Roast on August 19, from 11 am to 3 pm, at Optimist Park, 43 Cécile Street in Vanier. Enjoy fresh corn on the cob and take part in a variety of family-friendly activities through the day, including face painting, yoga, live music, and enjoy the wares and talents of local artisans and artists. Click here for details. 

Vanier BIA Family Pride Carnival - August 20

The Vanier BIA Family Pride Carnival is hosting Drag shows, a Drank Dunk Tank, a barbecue, snow cones, cotton candy, games, prizes - all for free - at the Vanier HUB at 271 Marier Avenue on August 20 from 2 to 6 pm.

King Kong at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse - August 26

The Crichton Community Council presents King Kong for its next Films at the Fieldhouse presentation on August 26 at 7:30 pm. Join the Council for this original classic and 8th Wonder of the World: KING KONG. From the wild jungle to 1930s New York City, Kong remains a thrilling film from start to finish. Featuring then ground-breaking stop motion special effects, though it has had many remakes and knockoffs, the first Kong roars the loudest! (Note, some scenes may be frightening to younger children). Admission is free. The New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse is located at 203 Stanley Avenue.

City Sounds Live Summer Sounds Showcase

Enjoy 20 free outdoor concerts until Sept. 22. Details: ottawamic.com/citysoundslive

Performances in and near Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward:

• Sept. 14 from 6 to 8 pm at The Hub, located on Marier Avenue at Montreal Road in Vanier. 

Road Rehabilitation Works in Rideau-Rockcliffe 

As part of the City of Ottawa’s annual infrastructure maintenance cycle, road resurfacing is taking place in the following locations.

• Clarke Avenue from St. Laurent Boulevard to Claude Street - Sod to be completed shortly.
• Donald Street from Vera Street to Alesther Street - Construction ongoing. Asphalt tentatively scheduled to begin mid-August. 
• Crichton Street from Dufferin Road to Beechwood Avenue and from Charles Street to Keefer Street - Paving is complete. Pavement markings and site cleanup will be completed in the coming weeks.
• Springfield Road from Beechwood Avenue (OR 44) to Maple Lane - Concrete and asphalt complete. Landscaping and line markings ongoing.
• McArthur Avenue from Lafontaine Avenue to St. Laurent Boulevard - Work is ongoing.
• And in nearby Ward 12:
  • Belisle Street from McArthur Avenue north to the dead end - Work ongoing.
  • Eastwood Place from McArthur Avenue west to the dead end - Work ongoing.

The roads will remain open to traffic with lane closures expected. Traffic control personnel will direct traffic. The City has retained contractor R.W. Tomlinson to complete the work.

City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities

• Clean up

Road Works and Traffic Updates

• Highway 417 closure and bridge replacement postponed

The Ministry of Transportation Ontario has advised the Percy Street bridge replacement on Highway 417, originally scheduled for August 10 to 14, has been postponed. The revised date for the highway closures and bridge replacement has not been confirmed.

• Riverside Drive southbound lane reductions

The 24-hour construction work to the 150-metre length of Riverside Drive will be conducted in stages over several weekends to minimize traffic impacts during regular peak periods. The lane reduction is expected over the following three weekends:

• Saturday, August 12 at 12 pm until Tuesday, August 15 at 3 pm
• Friday, August 18 at 9 am until Monday, August 21 at 3 pm (tentative)
• Friday, August 25 at 9 am until Monday, August 28 at 3 pm (tentative)

Click here for more information. 

Register soon for fall recreation and culture programs - August 14 and 16

You can now browse register.ottawa.ca to start planning your fall activities and PA days for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration opens for:

• Fall swimming lessons on August 14 at 9 pm
• All other fall activities and PA days on Wednesday, August 16 at 9 pm

The start of school is just around the corner and registration for the City's before and after school programs is in full swing! New this September, you can register for after school care on single days to accommodate hybrid working schedules. Does your child need a little extra help? Our Inclusive Recreation team provides Shared Care 1:1 integration support. Go to register.ottawa.ca to find a location in your neighbourhood and sign up today.

Cleaning the Capital Fall Campaign - Registration opens August 15

This year’s Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign will proceed with registration starting August 15, for cleanup projects taking place between September 15 and October 15. Participants can register their cleanup projects by using the online registration form available at ottawa.ca/clean. The registration form populates an interactive map, showing which locations have been chosen for cleanup projects. Cleanup kits, which include garbage bags, recycling bags, and gloves, will be made available for pick-up by registrants at one of ten City of Ottawa facilities across the city. Organize a cleanup project with your family, friends, neighbours, or colleagues and help keep the City of Ottawa clean and green. Register your project by October 1.

Key Fall campaign dates:
August 15: Registration begins
September 15 to October 15: Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign
October 1: Deadline to register
October 31: Deadline to submit online cleanup reports

Volunteer for City Committees by August 24

Looking for a great way to provide your expertise, knowledge and lived experience? Become a volunteer to serve as a public member on the City of Ottawa's French Language Services Advisory Committee and Planning Advisory Committee. Application deadline: August 24. For details, please click here.

Black Youth Entrepreneur and Innovation Program - Starts Sept. 9 - Application deadline is August 25

Are you a Black youth age 18 - 30 with a good business idea? Have you been trying to get it started? Would you benefit from a quick and efficient learning program, networking with like-minded peers, and accessing business funding opportunities? If so, you should apply for Jaku Konbit's Black Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation (BYEI) Program! Through 12 informative workshops over six weeks to a rewarding pitch competition, BYEI is helping Ottawa's Black youth bring business dreams to life. It can do the same for you! For details and to register, please click here.

• Northern Lights Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill - Thursday to Monday until Sept. 4. Details here.
• The Great India Festival takes place August 10 to 13 at Ottawa City Hall. Details: www.tgifottawa.ca
• Halal Ribfest at Lansdowne Park - August 11 to 13. This is North America's largest Halal food event, plus entertainment, shopping and activities. Details here.
• Ottawa Greek Fest - August 11-13, 15, 18-20 at 1315 Prince of Wales Drive. Free admission. Click here for the schedule.
• Capital Ukrainian Festival - August 19 at the Ukrainian Banquet Hall, 1000 Byron Avenue, and August 20 at Lansdowne Park. Details: capitalukrainianfestival.com
• Capital Pride Festival - August 19 to 27. Details: capitalpride.ca/2023-festival
• Capital Pride Parade - August 27, starting at 1 pm in Centretown. Click here for details.
• Palestinian Festival Ottawa - August 25 to 27 at Marion Dewar Park near City Hall. Details: palestinianfestival.ca

ByWard Market - Upcoming Events and Showcases

• OOH Music, Arts & Streetwear Festival - August 12 and 13 from 12 to 8 pm on York Street at the OTTAWA sign. Free admission.
• Salsa Sundays - August 13, 20 and 27 from 3 to 5 pm at the George Street Plaza. Admission is free. No experience or partner necessary.
• Ottawa Street Fashion III photoshoot - August 13 at 3 pm at the William Street Plaza. 
• Summer Showcase featuring more than 70 local artisans - August 19 from 11 am to 6 pm on York Street.
• City Sounds Live performances featuring Jessica Pearson & the East Wind, as well as Sam Stone. August 23 from 6 to 8 pm at the OTTAWA sign on York Street. 
• ByWard Night Market - August 26 at 8 pm - William Street Pedestrian Way

For details, please click here.

Odyssey Theatre presents The Miser! until August 20

Odyssey Theatre presents Moliere's The Miser! for its 37th season of Theatre Under the Stars at Strathcona Park. Catch it Tuesday through Sunday at 8 pm or a Sunday matinee at 2 pm until August 20. Audience members will be encouraged to wear masks. This will be a requirement for those sitting in front of the bleachers and closer to the stage. Tickets can be purchased online at this link or at the park an hour before the show starts. 

What's Happening at City Hall & Lansdowne Park

• Enjoy Salsa dancing for free at the Rink of Dreams at City Hall on Wednesday evenings until August 30. Workshops begin at 6:30 pm/ Social dancing to Latin DJs takes place from 8 to 11 pm.
• Latin at Lansdowne: Free outdoor classes on Saturdays at the Aberdeen Plaza until Saturday, August 26. Beginner- or improver-level dance lessons begin at 6 pm, and social dancing is from 8 to 11 pm. Solo and partnered-style dancing workshops.
• Full Moon Yoga on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne - Free! August 30 from 8 to 9 pm. For details, please click here.
• Lansdowne Summer Arts Showcase - Free musical performances at Lansdowne Park, every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 pm until August 31. Bring your lawn chair. 
• Movies in the Park at Lansdowne Park - every Thursday until August 31 starting at sundown. 
  
  • Thursday, August 17: Coda: Life with Music
  • Thursday, August 24: The Mummy
  • Thursday, August 31: Jurassic World

For details and for information about other activities this summer at City Hall and Lansdowne, please click here.

Masters Indigenous Games & Festival at Lansdowne Park - August 25 to 27

The 2023 masters Masters Indigenous Games will be held from August 24 to 27 at Lansdowne Park on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, who have inhabited the lands from time immemorial. The four-day sport and cultural event will be a celebration of athletic ability, with 1,500 Indigenous athletes from around the world expected to compete across six different sports: athletics (track & field and cross country), basketball, canoe/kayak, golf, lacrosse, and volleyball. Visitors and local residents, will also be able to immerse themselves in a spectacular showcase of local, regional, and global Indigenous culture and sports at the MIG Cultural Festival. Open August 25 to 27, this family-friendly festival will be located at the world-class Lansdowne Park (TD Place) on the Great Lawn, a 5- to 10-minute drive between most of the sporting venues. The festival is free, open to the public, and will feature traditional Indigenous sport demonstrations, engaging cultural performances, food trucks, a vendors’ village with Indigenous handcrafts, and much more. Click here for details.

Lansdowne 2.0 Public Session - Sept. 6

A second Lansdowne 2.0 public session is scheduled for Sept. 6 at 6 pm. This session will be identical to the one held on July 13. Residents can register in advance to receive the meeting link by clicking here. A series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment applications have been posted on the Lansdowne 2.0 Engage Ottawa page. Additional questions or comments may be submitted to [email protected].

The Order of Ottawa and Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching - Nomination Period Open until Sept. 8

The City is accepting nominations for the 2023 Order of Ottawa and the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching. You can complete nominations for both awards either online or by downloading a nomination form from Ottawa.ca/orderofottawa. The submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 8 at 11:59 pm. Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission.

Personal Electric Vehicle Strategy - Survey available until Sept. 10

How can the City of Ottawa support the uptake of electric vehicles? Moving away from gas and diesel vehicles is one of the most important actions that we can take to achieve Ottawa’s greenhouse gas reduction targets. Electric vehicles are one key way to do this. To support the uptake of electric vehicles, the City of Ottawa is developing a personal electric vehicle strategy. Have your say by completing the survey. The deadline to complete the survey is Sept. 10. Please click here for more information.

Wildlife Strategy Review - Second Survey available until Sept. 15

City staff have received hundreds of comments and questions in response to the first round of consultation regarding the City's Wildlife Strategy which is now undergoing a full review. A second survey is now available until Sept. 15. Click here for details. Click here for the survey.

Avoiding Problems with Wildlife

Our wild neighbours have the same basic needs as we do: food, water and shelter. Sometimes, this can lead to conflicts. Farmers can't afford to lose their crops and livestock to predation, so they invest in preventive measures such as fencing, noisemakers, watchdogs or other guardian animals. Homeowners also need to consider how they can prevent wild animals from moving into their walls or attics, or rummaging through their compost bins, by animal-proofing their homes. There are steps you can take to prevent vermin, including rats, mice and cockroaches, on your property. Please click here to learn how to eliminate food and water sources, eliminate hiding and living places and protect buildings. If you are experiencing a vermin infestation and require professional services, you may wish to contact a licensed pest control company. 

For more information about wildlife-proofing and avoiding problems, there are a number of resources available at this link.

If your neighbour/neighbour's property is attracting unwanted wildlife, including mice or rats, that are also impacting your property, the City of Ottawa has a number of regulations within its bylaws that govern the maintenance of properties to prevent pest infestations. To report a concern, please call 3-1-1 or submit a Service Request via this link. Ottawa Public Health offers important information related to rat control, including how to manage rats on your property. Click here for details.

Upcoming Deadlines for City of Ottawa Cultural Funding Programs

1. Cultural Facilities Fund, Major Capital Projects - Sept. 15 at 11:59 pm - Details here.
2. Capacity building program - Sept. 20 at 4 pm - Details here.
3. Cultural facilities fund (minor projects) - Sept. 27 at 4 pm - Details here.
4. Equity and inclusion in the arts fund - Oct. 4 at 4 pm. Details here.
5. Heritage funding program - Oct. 24 at 4 pm - Details here.

City Council and Committee News