August 22, 2025 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Your Councillor in the Community
Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
Rehabilitation of the NCC's Rockcliffe Pavilion
The NCC will soon begin the work to restore the Rockcliffe Pavilion, located off Rockcliffe Driveway and the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway in the Rockcliffe Park community. The scope of work includes civil and infrastructure upgrades, structural repairs and upgrades, and waterproofing of the foundation and basement. The NCC is ensuring that the heritage aspects of the Pavilion are preserved and that continued access for the public is maintained following restoration. The rehabilitation is scheduled to start in August 2025. Construction work will take place from 8 am to 5 pm. To facilitate construction and ensure public safety, additional fencing will be installed around the pavilion. This will require the closure of the entire structure, including its access stairs, pathways, and the adjacent parking area.
On September 2, students in the OCDSB will be returning to school after summer break. At Ottawa Technical Secondary School, Head Chef Graham Anderson and Vice-Principal Matt Armstrong are launching a new Free Lunch Program to ensure that all students who don’t have a lunch are provided with one at no cost. After all, a hungry student is just not ready to learn and do their best work. OTSS is asking for support from individuals and businesses in our community to make the Free Lunch Program a success, and to ensure that no student is going hungry. Here is how the program works:
- A $50 donation = a free lunch every day for 1 month
- A $250 donation = a free lunch every day for 1 semester (5 months)
- A $500 donation = a free lunch every day for the whole school year (10 months)
All donations to the Free Lunch Program are tax deductible. All lunches are prepared in the kitchen at OTSS under the supervision of Chef Anderson. The prep work and cooking is done by students enrolled in the school’s Hospitality program who are working towards their high school diploma. If you are interested in supporting the Free Lunch Program at OTSS, please contact [email protected] to get the donation link and to have all of your questions answered. Matt is getting the program started with a donation of $1,000 which will provide 2 students with a free lunch every day for the 2025-26 school year. Thank you for supporting students in your community.
Ward 13 author hosts book signings - August 23, 24 & Sept. 20
Matthew Sancton, federal public servant and Ward 13 resident, will be releasing a children’s book on Tuesday, August 19. The Ripple Effect: How Small Actions Can Change the World is a rhyming and beautifully illustrated story that shows kids how even the smallest good deed can create ripples that change the world for the better. The book is dedicated to his niece and nephews and it was developed in collaboration with Alyse Mercey, an Ottawa-based illustrator. A book signing event will be held at Indigo – Innes (2025 Mer-Bleue Rd.) on Sunday, August 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can also find Matthew at the Alta Vista Market on August 23 (2345 Alta Vista Dr.) and the Beechwood Market (203 Stanley Ave.) on September 20. A copy is also available at the St. Laurent branch of the Ottawa Public Library (515 Coté St.) and copies will be available for purchase at: Singing Pebble Books (206 Main St.), Books on Beechwood (35 Beechwood Ave.), Octopus Books (116 Third Ave.) and Westboro Books (314 Richmond Rd.), as well as through Amazon, Indigo and a number of online retailers. Further details can be found at: linktr.ee/msancton.
Ottawa Public Library programming at the St. Laurent Branch
- English conversation group - Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 pm
- French conversation group - Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 pm
- Knitting and Crochet Club - Tuesdays from 1 to 3 pm
- Family story time - Mondays at 10:30 am
- Babytime - Tuesdays at 10:30 am
- Contes en famille en français - les mercredis, 10 h 30
For details, visit the branch website for the programming list and for hours of operation, to access online resources, browse books, search programs and events and more!
The 23rd Marie-Médiatrice Scout Group in Vanier, a French-speaking, non-religious, co-ed, non-profit organization, is welcoming new youth for the 2025–2026 scouting season. They proudly serve Vanier and the surrounding communities in the heart of Ottawa. They offer enriching activities for French-speaking youth aged 7 to 17. Their scouts experience the great adventure of scouting while developing essential life skills, building lasting friendships, and creating unforgettable memories. For details, visit www.scoutsducanada.ca or email [email protected].
Vanier BIA AKOUSTIK at St. Charles Market - August 27
Join the Vanier BIA this summer for AKOUSTIK, a FREE outdoor live music event at the St. Charles Market at the corner of Beechwood Avenue and St. Charles Street. Live music, warm evenings, and local talent—this free outdoor concert series brings the rhythm of summer to Vanier from July to September. Enjoy takeout from your favourite local spots with special AKOUSTIC meal deals! For details and updates, please visit vanierbia.com/akoustik.
- Wednesdays 6pm – 8pm • St. Charles Market
- Dates: August 27 • September 3, 10, 17
Electrical Equipment Installation and Planned Power Outage - Blasdell Avenue, Jeffrey Avenue and St. Laurent Boulevard - August 28
On August 28, 2025, Hydro Ottawa will be installing electrical equipment that will impact residents on Blasdell Avenue, Jeffrey Avenue and St. Laurent Boulevard. In order to undertake this work safely, a planned power interruption will be required. You may notice increased construction presence throughout the day. Traffic control and lane reductions will be implemented to ensure that roads and sidewalks remain safe for residents and staff. Construction activities will occur on the City of Ottawa Road Right-of-Way. A power outage will be required to proceed with this work. All impacted customers are contacted by phone, text or email - depending on the communication preferences indicated on their account - and informed by a written notice delivered to their door, if applicable. In the case of circumstances beyond our control, the outage may be rescheduled. Our qualified staff and contractors will conduct this work safely and efficiently, ensuring that any inconvenience is minimal.
Impacted streets: Blasdell Avenue, Jeffrey Avenue and St. Laurent Boulevard
Date: August 28, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contractor on site: Lourenco & Botelho Inc.
Total customers impacted: 18
Jeffrey Avenue, Arundel Avenue, Farnham Crescent et al. Integrated Renewal - Survey open until August 30
The City of Ottawa is starting pre-construction work in the Manor Park community, such as pre-construction surveys and utility locates, in advance of the construction on the new sewers, watermains and associated road reconstruction work as part of the Jeffery Avenue, Arundel Avenue, Farnham Crescent et al Integrated Renewal project. Construction equipment and materials will be mobilized to the site shortly thereafter. As the project limits are quite large, you may not see work in your neighbourhood until next year.
** This is not the start of full construction, but rather preparatory work to ensure utilities are properly identified before excavation begins. That said, components of the project, including traffic calming measures and sidewalks, are still under consideration.
What: Construction activity related to the installation of new sewers, watermains and associated road reconstruction.- Arundel Avenue, from Farnham Crescent to St. Laurent Boulevard
- Braemar Street, from Ava Road to Arundel Avenue
- Farnham Crescent, from Arundel Avenue to north-side dead-end
- Finter Street, from St. Laurent Boulevard to west-side dead-end
- Jeffrey Avenue, from St. Laurent Boulevard to Braemar Street
- Kilbarry Crescent, from Sandridge Road to Ava Road
For details, please visit the project webpage at ottawa.ca/ArundelAvenue. Your feedback can be submitted via the City's online form. Councillor King is inviting Manor Park residents to complete a sidewalks survey at this link by August 30.
Doors Open at Rideau Hall - August 30 to Sept. 1
Throughout the weekend of August 30 to Sept. 1, visitors can discover the State rooms of Rideau Hall at their own pace and tour the greenhouses and gardens, which are not open to the public during regular tours. Guides will be on-hand to answer any questions about the history and the role of Canada’s governor general. Rideau Hall is located in Rideau-Rockcliffe at 1 Sussex Drive. Details: www.gg.ca
BeechFest - Sept. 6
- 5:30 - 7:30 PM - Rock the Block
- 7:30 - 9:00 PM - Outdoor Movie
- annual pie baking contest
- outdoor games
- local community displays
- vendors
- food & drink
- glitter tattoos
- ice cream & popcorn
- music and more!
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
Extreme Dry Conditions
Even though the heat warning has ended, the extreme dry conditions continue in Ottawa due to a prolonged period of below-average rainfall and hot temperatures. The rainfall currently forecasted is not significant enough to remove these dry conditions. During extreme dry conditions, expect water levels in our smaller rivers and other waterways to be lower than normal. There is also a greater risk of fires due to dry grass and brush. Residents must follow the open air fire ban restrictions and practice extreme caution outdoors and on their properties. For more details, please visit ottawa.ca.
Backgrounder: Preparing for Ottawa’s Rental Renovation Licence By-law
- The City of Ottawa is exploring a Rental Renovation Licence By-law to ensure tenants are not unfairly displaced under the pretense of repairs or renovations.
- The proposed by-law would require landlords to prove that tenants must vacate for legitimate work, helping to protect housing affordability and stability.
- Public engagement will begin this fall, with final recommendations expected in spring 2026.
The Cleaning the Capital campaign is a citywide cleanup that occurs in the spring and fall of every year. Residents come together as a community and combine efforts to make our city clean and green. Litter pickup projects must be registered, and participating teams, upon request, receive a cleanup starter kit to assist them with their projects. 2025 marks the 32nd year of the Cleaning the Capital Program! Registration for the Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign begins on August 15, with litter cleanup projects taking place across our city between September 15 and October 15. Participants can choose to clean public spaces such as parks and greenspaces, roadsides, shorelines, or even areas around bus stops. Every cleanup project helps keep our city clean. Cleanup kits, which include nitrile gloves and garbage bags, will be made available for pickup by registrants between September 2 and October 12 at fourteen City of Ottawa facilities across the city. Visit ottawa.ca/clean for more details and to register.
- August 15, 2025: Registration opened
- September 2 - October 12, 2025: Cleanup kits available for pickup at participating City facilities
- September 15, 2025 - October 15, 2025: Fall Cleaning the Capital campaign
- September 30, 2025: Registration closes
- October 31, 2025: Deadline to submit your online cleanup report
Heritage Ottawa 2025 Walking Tour Season - August 27 to Oct. 5
Explore the history and heritage of some of Ottawa's most interesting neighbourhoods with Heritage Ottawa's knowledgeable tour guides! For tickets and details: shop.heritageottawa.org/en/heritage-ottawa-walking-tours
- Hintonburg: An Early Streetcar Suburb - August 27 at 2 pm. Depart from The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, 20 Fairmont Avenue.
- Art and Nature - Landscapes of Cornelia Oberlander - Sept. 14 at 2 pm. Meet in the north end of Major's Hill Park.
- Island Park Drive - August 21 at 2 pm. Depart from Kitchissippi United Church, 630 Island park Drive.
- New Edinburgh - Sept. 28 at 2 pm. Depart from the Fraser Schoolhouse, 62 John Street (Janet Uren will be your guide.)
- Sandy Hill: History and Housing - October 5 at 2 pm. Depart from Église Sacré-Coeur, 591 Cumberland Street.
Rain Ready Ottawa Webinar: Permeable Pavement: Ask an Expert - August 27
Have questions about permeable pavement? Join landscape expert Lindsey Best for a webinar on August 27 at 7 pm as she answers FAQs about costs, performance, maintenance, and what works best in our Canadian climate. Stick around for a live Q&A! Register at Eventbrite.
Afro-Caribbean Thrive Conference - August 30
Welcome to the Black Immigrants Thrive Conference Career & Business Growth! Join us on August 30 at 10 am at the Rogers Centre for a day filled with networking, learning, and empowerment. This event is all about celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black immigrants in the workforce and business world. Come connect with like-minded individuals, attend workshops on career development and entrepreneurship, and gain valuable insights from successful Black immigrant professionals. Expect good vibes, real talk, powerful workshops, and an amazing community that gets you. Come network, learn, and most importantly — THRIVE. For details and tickets, please visit Eventbrite.
O-Train Line 1 service adjustments - August 31
On August 31, there will be adjustments to Line 1 service for integration work on the O-Train East extension. The work has been scheduled to occur at the same time as other infrastructure activities, such as inspections in the St-Laurent tunnel, to minimize impacts on customers. Every effort is being made to minimize customer impacts while the O-Train East Extension testing and commissioning continues. Customers are encouraged to use the Travel Planner and Transit app to plan their trips. Customers can also visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-560-5000. For details about the adjustments, please visit octranspo.com.
Nominations open for the 14th annual Order of Ottawa and Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching - Submission deadline Sept. 3
The City is now accepting nominations for the 2025 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 the Order of Ottawa award webpage. The submission deadline is Wednesday, September 3 at 11:59 pm. Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission. The Order of Ottawa, now in its 14th year, recognizes the professional achievements and outstanding service of exceptional Ottawa residents – those who have made significant contributions through their professional endeavours, to life in the city in any of the following areas: arts and culture, business, philanthropy, health care, education, public service, labour, communications and media, science, sports and entertainment and other fields that benefit Ottawa. The Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching recognizes the contribution of an amateur coach who exemplifies the qualities of leadership and commitment that have been the hallmarks of Brian Kilrea’s career. Mr. Kilrea is a retired hockey head coach, general manager and player, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Ottawa 67’s. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, has played and coached in the NHL, and with more than 1,000 career victories, he is the most successful coach in Canadian junior hockey history. You can find more information about both awards on the Order of Ottawa award webpage.
EcoYouth Council - applications open until Sept. 5
Ecology Ottawa is thrilled to accept applications for the second year of its EcoYouth Council. The EcoYouth program responds to growing eco-anxiety among young people and highlights the power of local environmental action. Through the Council, school presentations, and the Youth Summit, youth participate in practical environmental solutions, deepen their knowledge, and develop leadership skills. This is a fantastic opportunity for youth aged 16–23 to make a real impact in their community.
Ecology Ottawa invites interested youth to access their website for more information and to apply. Applications are open until September 5th, 2025
Black history in Ottawa Streets tours - Saturdays and Wednesdays (Sept. 3 & 10)
Discover Canada’s Black history with the Black History in Ottawa Streets bus tour, available Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, May to October. Upcoming tours are Sept. 3 & 10. Details: Eventbrite
The City of Ottawa will release the third and final draft of the new Zoning By-law on September 8, 2025. A 28-day public consultation period will follow, ending on October 8, 2025. Residents are invited to learn more about how the new Zoning By-law will shape growth in Ottawa at several upcoming events:
- Virtual Open Houses: September 17 and September 25
- Statutory Open House (in-person): September 23 at the EY Centre
Bytown 200 Bicentennial Storytelling Challenge - Submissions due by Nov. 30
The Historical Society of Ottawa has launched their new "HSO 2026 Bytown200 Bicentennial Storytelling Challenge" web page! 2026 will mark the 200th anniversaries of the beginning of both the Rideau Canal and Bytown. The Society is working to create a showcase of stories pertaining to the Rideau Canal, Bytown (1826-1855), the Ottawa area’s history beforehand, as well as stories exploring the impact that the establishment of both had on the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous people. This dedicated section on the HSO website will be accessible to all, including educators. Let’s hear your stories about Bytown and the Rideau Canal as we begin to mark 2026, the 200th anniversary of the beginning of both! All contributions are welcome. Submissions are welcome by November 30, 2025. For details and to submit a story, visit www.historicalsocietyottawa.ca.
Emergency Services Updates
Safety First: OPS Shares Tips for 2025 Back-to-School Season
As students return to class next week, the Ottawa Police Service is reminding everyone to stay alert and help keep roads and school zones safe. With more children walking, cycling, and taking the bus, it’s important for drivers, parents, and students to do their part.
- Drivers should slow down in school zones, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and be prepared to stop. Always obey school bus signals, stop in both directions on roads without a median when red lights are flashing and don’t forget yield to pedestrians at both crossovers and intersections.
- Parents can help by reviewing safe routes to school with their children, reminding them to make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and ensuring young cyclists wear helmets. Cyclists should also dismount before crossing the road. Students are encouraged to follow the directions of crossing guards, stay alert by putting phones and headphones away, and use sidewalks or marked crossings whenever possible.
The start of the school year can be an exciting time, but it may also bring feelings of stress or anxiety for some students and families. Support is available through Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario (PLEO), YouthNet, the Youth Services Bureau’s 24/7 Crisis Line at 613-260-2360, and Centre LeCap.
Hate has no place in our community. Talk to students about inclusion and kindness, and report hate-motivated incidents to police at ottawapolice.ca/report or 613-236-1222.