February 20, 2026 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Dear Residents:
Over the past several months, my office has been flooded with messages from residents across Rideau-Rockcliffe who are fed up with a transit system that keeps letting them down. The stories are strikingly consistent: buses that never show up, routes that are unreliable day after day, and commuters left with no good options. Parents have written to me about being late to pick up their children from school and daycare. Students have missed exams. Workers have arrived late or dipped into money they don't have to pay for a last-minute Uber. For many residents in our ward, transit is not a convenience: it is the only way they get where they need to go, and right now it is failing them far too often.
One of the issues residents have raised most consistently is the problem of "ghost buses," trips that appear in real-time tracking apps, only to be cancelled at the last minute with little or no warning. Residents are planning their mornings around buses that simply never arrive, leaving them stranded at unsheltered stops with no time to make other arrangements. Peak morning trips on routes like the 17 and 18 are being cancelled, removing the only option for many people to reach downtown or school before 9 a.m. That is pushing students and workers to walk long distances, pay for taxis or Ubers, or arrive late.
It is worth noting that OC Transpo management has acknowledged the scale of these problems. On January 9, 2026, management issued a formal apology and a comprehensive action plan, publicly stating that service levels do not meet their own standards. The action plan includes immediate prioritization of critical routes and fleet repairs, recruitment of additional mechanics, delivery of new electric buses, and enhanced preventative maintenance. While these are welcome steps, the reality is that improvements will take time to materialize, and residents are bearing the cost of that gap every single day.
This is not just a service reliability problem. It is a transparency and communication problem, and it is one I believe we can begin addressing now, using tools and resources that already exist.
On February 12, 2026, I introduced a motion at Transit Committee to take direct aim at this gap. The motion directs OC Transpo staff to implement a consistent, standardized communication protocol to notify all Councillors' offices of temporary or planned trip cancellations, recurring route reliability issues, and significant schedule adjustments with anticipated impact on riders. Right now, my office is often learning about cancellations and service gaps the same way residents are, after the fact. That makes it much harder to respond to your inquiries accurately and to advocate effectively for improvements on specific routes.
The motion also asks OC Transpo to report back to Transit Committee on how real-time service information is managed, including what triggers updates in tracking systems, where delays in those updates occur, and how riders who depend on specific trips are proactively informed when cancellations are introduced or extended. Riders deserve accurate, timely information so they can make informed decisions about how to get where they need to go.
Critically, the motion also directs OC Transpo staff to ensure that network stabilization efforts do not unintentionally eliminate essential peak-period access for riders with fixed work start times, and that any such trade-offs are transparently identified and reviewed. Stabilizing the network cannot come at the cost of silently cutting the trips that workers and students depend on most.
My motion on communication and transparency was not the only action I took on this issue. I also supported motions at the February 11, 2026 Council meeting calling for rider compensation for service failures, and for a transit reliability and accountability framework to ensure that management is held to measurable standards going forward. Residents who have been let down by this system deserve acknowledgment and accountability, not just promises.
Better communication will not fix the buses overnight. But residents should not be left guessing. You deserve a transit system that is honest with you about what service is actually available, and I will keep pushing until that standard is met.
If you have experienced ongoing issues on specific routes, please contact my office. Your reports matter.
Rawlson King
City Councillor
Your Councillor in the Community
Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
Free Income Tax Clinic - Bookings now welcome
The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard offers a free income tax clinic for Rideau-Rockcliffe residents (area codes K1K, K1M and some K1G) from March 2 to April 30. Appointments are required and are being accepted now at this link. For those with barriers to booking online, please call 613-745-0073 ext. 180. For details, please visit www.facebook.com/CRCRideauRockcliffeCRC.
Ottawa Family Cinema presents The Greatest Showman at The Rideau Community Hub, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard on Feb. 21 at 2 pm. Tickets on sale now at familycinema.ca or at the door.
New Edinburgh Open Mic at the Fieldhouse - Feb. 21
Bring your senses to be entertained or your talent to share at New Edinburgh’s open mic at the Fieldhouse on Feb. 21 from 7 to 10 pm. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Performers can register at [email protected] or in person at 6:00 pm. First come, first to fill the bill. Details: www.newedinburgh.ca
Rideau Winter Trail Loppet - Feb. 22
Black History Month Tennis Tournament Finals - Feb. 22
Celebrate Black History Month with an exciting, high-energy indoor tennis event that brings together elite competition, community, and culture on Feb. 22 at 3 pm at the Rideau Sports Centre, 1 Donald Street. The Black History Month Afro-Caribbean Indoor Tennis Team Tournament, hosted by Ottawa Loves Tennis, features four teams named in honour of iconic Black trailblazers: Team Arthur Ashe, Team Nelson Mandela, Team Harriet Tubman, and Team Viola Desmond. This unique team-based tournament blends adult competition and high-performance junior play in a fast-paced, spectator-friendly format. Players compete for their teams across multiple matchups, creating nonstop energy and momentum throughout the weekend. Admission is free. To RSVP, please visit Eventbrite.
Black History Month celebration - Feb. 26
The African, Caribbean and Black Wellness Resource Centre at 610 Donald Street hosts Black Expressions, a Black History Month celebration. Taking place on Feb. 26, from 5 to 7 pm, this evening will feature powerful performances, great cultural food, games, prizes, and community tables. For details, please visit Facebook.
An Evening of Jazz - Feb. 27
Multifaith Housing Initiative is pleased to share an upcoming concert in partnership with MacKay United Church, featuring acclaimed jazz guitarist Mike T. Kerr. The concert celebrates the release of Mike T. Kerr’s latest album, Late Night Libretto, described as “a jazz guitar love letter to Canada’s live music scene.” He will be joined by special guests Aretha Tillotson, Bruce MacKinnon, and Jared Higgins for what promises to be an intimate and memorable evening of live music. For details and tickets, please visit: www.multifaithhousing.ca
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Doors open: 7:00 PM | Show starts: 8:00 PM
Location: MacKay United Church, 39 Dufferin Rd, Ottawa
Tickets: $25
Cause: A portion of proceeds will be donated to Multifaith Housing Initiative
Invasive Species and the Richelieu Forest - March 2
The Vanier Community Association’s Beautification Committee invites you to Invasive Species and the Richelieu Forest: A call to action to identify and manage ecologically disruptive plants on Monday March 2, from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Vanier Sugar Shack in Richelieu Park.Guest Speaker: Christina Keys, ecological landscape designer, owner of Cardinal Glen Ecological Landscaping, and member of the Ottawa Valley Buckthorn Network.
- invasive species in the Richelieu Forest
- how to remove and dispose of common invasive plants
- native plants in the forest that can help restore biodiversity
- how to get involved in the VCA initiative to remove invasive species in the forest
Comedy in New Edinburgh - March 7
Enjoy an evening of comedy featuring some of Ottawa’s best professional and up-and-coming comics on March 7 at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, located at 203 Stanley Avenue. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Doors open at 7 pm. The laughs begin at 8 pm. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
Vanier Museopark Soup(e) Splash - March 9
The Vanier Museopark announces the return of the Soup(e) Splash for a 19th edition this year as part of the 2026 Sugar Festival activities!
- WHEN: Monday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Kiwanis Hall at the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre (300 des Pères-Blancs Ave.)
For tickets, please visit this link.
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
211 Ontario - Connecting people to social services, programs and community supports
211 Ontario is a free, confidential service jointly funded by the Province of Ontario, United Ways and other funders, and is available to 100% of Ontarians. Accessible 24/7 in more than 150 languages by phone, text, chat, and web; 211 is a helpline that connects residents to over 60,000 government and community programs. Learn more: 211ontario.ca
Lunar New Year Parade - Feb. 21
The annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebration takes place Feb. 21 from 12 to 2 pm along Somerset Street West in Chinatown. Details: www.facebook.com/ottchinatown
Repair Café - Feb. 21
Solid Waste Services is excited to announce the start of the 2026 Repair Café series. The series will be kicking off on Feb. 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, located at 102 Greenview Avenue. Repair Cafés aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and building community. Ottawa Tool Library’s fixers and menders will be sharing their knowledge and skills around fixing everything from darning socks to re-wiring kettles. There will be free repairs of electronics, clothing, small appliances, jewelry, and more! At the same time, community members can learn new skills, enjoy coffee and snacks, and bring their children along too for some family friendly activities. For more information visit, Ottawa Tool Library. For details, please visit ottawatoollibrary.com/programs/repair-cafes.
Enjoy an exclusive preview performance of Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Feb. 22
Don’t miss out on an exclusive preview performance of ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ with Ottawa Little Theatre and the Zonta Club of Ottawa on Feb. 22 at 2 pm. It’s going to be a killer show that you won’t want to miss. For details and tickets, please visit Eventbrite.
You’re invited: Public Engagement Strategy virtual meeting - Feb. 23; survey open until Feb. 28
The City’s Public Engagement Strategy hasn’t been formally updated since 2013. In 2025, City staff reviewed the strategy and developed proposed updates. These updates strengthen the City’s engagement framework with refreshed guiding principles, clearer tools, and measurable goals. Together, these improvements will help build deeper trust with residents and support more responsive, equitable, and effective decision‑making. On Feb. 23 at 6 pm, the Public Engagement team will be hosting a virtual meeting to walk through the proposed updates and hear your ideas on how we can continue to improve the strategy. Join the meeting using this link: https://ottawa-ca.zoom.us/j/85722393421 Meeting ID: 857 2239 3421
You are invited to review the proposed update to the Public Engagement Strategy and Workbook and share your feedback through the City's survey before Feb. 28.
Build. Buy. Believe. The Role of Black Entrepreneurs in Building Our Future - Feb. 24
Invest Ottawa, in partnership with Wesley Clover International and the Kanata North Business Association, will host the third annual celebration of Black innovators, founders, entrepreneurs and businesses building Canada's economy and community today and tomorrow. This year’s edition of Building Our Future titled Build. Buy. Believe explores the vital role Black entrepreneurs play in Canada’s Build Canada movement. This special in-person event, taking place on Feb. 24 from 9 am to 12 pm, at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata, will feature a roundtable with key ecosystem leaders, followed by an audience Q&A and collaborative discussion. The event will also include a marketplace featuring Black-owned and Black-led businesses. Admission is free. For details and to reserve your spot, please visit Eventbrite.
The Library in partnership with Library and Archives Canada invites you to take part in a compelling series of public programs that spotlight the vital role intellectual freedom and civil discourse play in democratic life and public libraries.
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Talking to Each Other: The Importance of Civil Dialogue in an Era of Division | Tuesday, February 24 at 7 pm | Cumberland Branch
Join acclaimed author and journalist Sébastien Pierroz for an engaging evening exploring freedom to read through the lens of a local writer-journalist. (French event)
- Thinking Out Loud Together: Why Civil Discourse Matters More Than Ever | Wednesday, February 25 at 7 pm | Library and Archives Canada
Hear from celebrated author and public intellectual Randy Boyagoda as he examines why open, respectful discourse is more important than ever—and how libraries help make it possible.
Ottawa 200 - Funding Programs - Deadlines: Feb. 25 & 27
A year’s worth of innovative programming and collaborations were unveiled at the official launch event to celebrate Ottawa’s 200th anniversary. The City has launched the following Ottawa 200 grant programs:
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Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Fund
The Artist/Creator Grant Program, is a one-time funding stream within the existing Arts Funding and Creation and Production Fund for Professional Artists Programs offered by the City of Ottawa in celebration of Ottawa 200: the 200th anniversary of Bytown. The stream was developed in partnership with the City of Ottawa’s Cultural Funding Support Unit, Arts Ottawa and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG). This initiative encourages artistic expression that explores the people, stories, lands and legacies that define Ottawa. Artist/creator-led projects may take the form of visual arts, performing arts, media arts, or interdisciplinary practices, including community co-creation, temporary public installations and activations under the Ottawa 200 theme of “Celebrate Together”.
Application Deadline: February 25, 2026 Learn more and apply! -
Ottawa 200 Civic Events Funding Program
Civic Events Funding is available to Ottawa-based non-profit organizations to implement family-friendly events and activities that bring Ottawa residents together to celebrate civic pride and community connection, between April and December 2026, as part of Ottawa 200. This one-time funding program opportunity is offered in collaboration with the Community and Social Services Department’s Social Development & Funding Branch to support the production of community events that are free to the public and encourage events that reflect Ottawa’s cultural diversity and history.
Application Deadline: February 27, 2026 Learn more and apply!
Further details about each grant and Ottawa 200 can be found on the City’s website: ottawa.ca
City of Ottawa Summer Camp registration opens Feb. 26
Get ready for the summer months and plan the school holidays with the City of Ottawa. Registration opens on Thursday, February 26 at 9 pm. In-person registration starts the next day. Find camps for every interest: ottawa.ca
Ontario Trillium Foundation capital grant - deadline to apply is March 4
Applications for the Ontario Trillium Foundation's Capital Grant Program can be submitted until March 4 at 5 pm ET. Capital grants provide funding over one year to help organizations respond to the capital needs of Ontario’s communities, by improving community facilities and physical spaces. For details and to apply, please visit otf.ca.
St. Patrick's Day Parade - March 7
Ottawa's St. Patrick's Day Parade, hosted by the Irish Society of the National Capital Region, takes place March 7 beginning at 12 pm. The parade begins at the Supreme Court of Canada, located at 301 Wellington Street, then heads east on Wellington in front of the Parliament Buildings and on to Sussex Drive. For details and the full parade route, please visit www.irishsocietyncr.com/parade.
Rain Ready Ottawa Multi-Unit Residential Building Rebate - Survey open until March 11
The City is seeking your input to help design a new Rain Ready Ottawa pilot rebate for low-rise, multi-unit residential buildings. The new stream aims to support more retrofit projects that improve the health of Ottawa’s waterways and strengthen climate resilience. Since launching in 2021, Rain Ready Ottawa has supported hundreds of residential stormwater projects, including rain gardens, permeable pavement, and soakaway pits. Now, the program is looking to help larger residential complexes achieve similar results. If you are a resident, board member, or property manager of a low-rise condominium, co-op, rental, or affordable housing building, the City wants to hear from you. Share your feedback through the survey on the Rain Ready Ottawa Engage page by March 11.
- Call 613-580-2444 and select option 3, where an agent will help complete your declaration over the phone
- Call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service
- In-person: Visit any City Client Service Centre. Visit ottawa.ca/csc for locations and business hours.
Emergency Services Updates
Ottawa Police Service hosts 2026 Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics - Feb. 21
The Ottawa Police Service invites the community to join us for the 2026 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics, taking place Saturday, February 21, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, an exciting new venue and proud community partner of this year’s event. Held in partnership with the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run, the Polar Plunge raises vital funds in support of Special Olympics Ontario and its athletes and families across the province. Last year’s Ottawa Polar Plunge set a new fundraising record, bringing in more than $70,000 in support of Special Olympics Ontario. Details: ottawapolice.ca
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Location: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, 4837 Albion Rd S
Registration Opens: 11:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks: 1 p.m.
Plunges Begin: 1:20 p.m.
The 2026 Thomas G. Flanagan S.C. Scholarship Award is now accepting applications - until Feb. 28
