December 3 Newsletter 2021

December 3, 2021 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

Today, December 3, 2021 is International Day of People With Disabilities. This day aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the barriers persons with disabilities face in political, social, economic and cultural environments. As we mark this most important day, it is critical to also recognize how much more still needs to be done to achieve equity and advance the interests of people with disabilities. One thing that has made shortcomings even more glaringly obvious is the pandemic. As we continue to slowly move beyond pandemic life, it is my hope that we persist in imperative strides towards equity and inclusion. 

Many residents may have recently heard that the land at 50 Beechwood Avenue is for sale. This news is gravely concerning, and while the land itself resides in Rideau-Vanier ward, my office will be work with Councillor Fleury’s office as we have done on many other issues in the past. I would also like to note that Ottawa Public Health has released a list of upcoming after-school COVID-19 vaccination clinics. A list of clinics in and around Rideau-Rockcliffe ward can be found in the second item of this newsletter. Additionally, starting Monday, December 13 at 8 am, individuals aged 50 and over will be eligible to schedule a third dose appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine if at least 6 months have passed since their last dose. Finally, residents may wish to participate in Solid Waste Services’ waste free holiday contest. Full details can be found on the City's Facebook page. 

Sale of Land at 50 Beechwood Avenue 

Recently, it has become known that the land at 50 Beechwood where the Metro grocery store is located is up for sale. Although this land resides in neighbouring Rideau-Vanier ward, the sale of this land and the potential loss of a grocery store will have undeniable impacts on all residents, including those in Rideau-Rockcliffe ward. I am extremely concerned about what the sale of this land could mean for walkability, accessibility, and the preservation of Beechwood. 

At this time, Councillor Fleury’s office has asked City Legal and Planning staff to review options to attempt to include grocery use as a historical requirement. My office will be working closely with Councillor Fleury’s office on this issue and we will be sharing information with the community once more is known.  

Upcoming After-school COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics  

As of December 2, 2021, after-school COVID-19 vaccination clinics are open to anyone born in 2016 or earlier who lives in a neighbourhood near the school and does not need to be students at that school. Parent or guardian consent is required for children ages five to 11. 

Drop-in appointments are available on a first come first served basis during clinic hours. If the clinic is very busy, appointment cards may be given with a return time. Ottawa Public Health is working with Ottawa school boards to promote after-school clinics to parents and guardians, and students at the school, and to students at other nearby schools. 

• December 3, 2021: 3:15pm to 7:25pm. École élémentaire catholique Montfort (350 Den Haag Drive)  
• December 5, 2021: 10am to 3:25pm. Queen Elizabeth Public School (689 St Laurent Blvd) 
• December 10, 2021: 3:20pm to 7:25pm. St. Michael School (437 Donald Street) 
• December 11, 2021: 10am to 3:25pm. École élémentaire catholique Horizon-Jeunesse (235 McArthur Avenue) 
• December 12, 2021: 10am to 3:25pm. Carson Grove Elementary School (1401 Matheson Road) 

Expanded eligibility - Third dose of COVID-19 vaccines available starting December 13 to residents aged 50 and older 

Starting Monday, December 13 at 8 am, individuals aged 50 and over (born in 1971 or earlier) will be eligible to schedule a third dose (booster) appointment if at least 6 months (168 days) have passed since their last dose. This aligns with the recent provincial announcement on expanded eligibility and provides Ottawa residents with an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 and its variants.  

Individuals already eligible for booster doses, who can book an appointment now, include: 

• Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier) 
• Health care workers 
• Staff and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (such as long-term care and retirement homes) 
• Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine) 
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults (16 and over) and their non-Indigenous household members. 

Ottawa residents who meet the criteria  are encouraged to reach out to local pharmacies using the provincial pharmacy locator to find those that provide the booster dose. Some primary care physicians are also providing boosters. 

While Ottawa Public Health continues to focus on the implementation of the vaccine for the five to 11 population, additional appointments are being allocated at its community clinics for December to support the increased vaccination demand for adult boosters. Eligible residents can book an appointment at a community clinic through the Provincial COVID-19 Vaccination Portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. Drop-in spots are limited, so it is recommended to book an appointment. Please note for newly eligible adults aged 50 and older, booking will begin on Monday, December 13 at 8 am. 

The province announced on December 2, 2021 that a limited supply of the single dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine will be available to individuals aged 18 and over who have an allergy or contraindication to mRNA vaccines or at the request of an individual who has not yet been vaccinated. Ottawa Public Health is not currently offering this vaccine but looks forward to implementing its use in its clinics. More details will be available on how to access this vaccine in the weeks to follow. 

Solid Waste Services’ Waste Free Holiday Contest 

This holiday season, waste less and win more! Check out the City of Ottawa’s Facebook page for your chance to win one of three prizes by sharing how you will consider the environment in your festivities: https://fb.watch/9CbnrKtpdg/. The contest closes on Monday, December 6 at 11:59 pm. Wishing you good luck and a waste-free holiday season!   

Montreal Road Revitalization 

Please find below a two-week update (Monday, November 29 to Friday, December 10) for the Montreal Road Revitalization project. The work activities planned for the next two weeks will include: 

• Vanier Parkway/Montreal Road intersection – Construction of the concrete curb and sidewalk in the southwest quadrant of the intersection is now complete and the southside cross-walk is open.   

• North River Road to Vanier Parkway – The hydro poles are now removed between North River Road and Palace Street and reinstatements at the pole locations are complete.  

• Vanier Parkway to Marier Avenue – This year’s work is complete for this section for Montreal Road 

• Marier Avenue to Lafontaine Avenue – This section of road continues to be the primary focus for the next two weeks, specifically on the south side of the road. Weather permitting, crews are continuing to place concrete sidewalk which will be wrapping up this week.  Sidewalk areas that will not be finished with concrete over the next two weeks will be filled with temporary asphalt for the winter.  Paving of the section of base asphalt between Marier Avenue and Altha Avenue, as well as side streets, are scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks.     

• Lafontaine Avenue to de l’Église Street – Concrete curb, sidewalk and base lift asphalt is now complete between Cantin Street and Granville Street. The south side of Montreal Road from Ducharme Boulevard to de L’Église Street has been paved. All watermain work is now complete for the year.  Some asphalt work on side streets will continue for the next two weeks. 

• De l’Église Street to St. Laurent Boulevard – Outstanding work for this section includes placement of temporary pinned curb to allow for the closure of the north side of Montreal Road, where both Enbridge and Hydro Ottawa will be working early next year.  

• Continued traffic impacts and road closures – Montreal Road is reduced to one westbound lane from Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard. All streets are closed between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard, except for Olmstead Street, Marier Avenue, Granville Street/Lafontaine Avenue and Cantin Street. Beginning December 19, 2021 until late April 2022, Montreal Road will reopen to two-way vehicle and transit traffic between the Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard. In addition, all side streets with the exception of Savard Avenue will also reopen, providing full access to Montreal Road.  

• Month-long construction outlook – Construction for the year will be complete within the next two to three weeks. Over the next several weeks, the focus will be on preparing the site for winter conditions, including the temporary paving of granular surfaces, installation of temporary pinned curbs, line painting and site cleanup.