February 28, 2025 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Dear Residents:
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our community members who participated in last weekend's Coldest Night of the Year walk to support the Ottawa Mission. The Church of St. Bartholomew in New Edinburgh deserves special recognition for raising an incredible $34,623 to address homelessness in our community and throughout Ottawa. Your generosity and commitment to helping our most vulnerable residents truly exemplifies the caring spirit of our Ward.
Homelessness remains one of our City's most pressing challenges, and I want to share some important initiatives underway to address this critical issue. Recently, the City of Ottawa conducted a comprehensive Point-in-Time (PiT) Count survey reaching over 85 percent of Ottawa's homeless population. This significant snapshot provides valuable insights that will guide the development of services, programs, and policies specifically tailored to meet the needs of residents experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
The 2024 PiT Count, which took place from October 23-28, 2024, revealed that 2,952 individuals were experiencing homelessness in our City - a concerning increase from 2,612 in 2021 and 1,654 in 2018. The survey reached a record 2,595 respondents through improved methodology, including extending the survey period to five days and transitioning to digital data collection.
Some key findings from this survey highlight the complexity of homelessness in our community:
- 49% of respondents experience chronic homelessness
- 42% identified as immigrants, refugees, or refugee claimants, with 56% having been in Canada less than one year
- 56% identified as racialized individuals, with 64% of those identifying as Black
- 19% identified as Indigenous or having Indigenous ancestry
- 10% were accompanied by children, with 72% of those being women
- 42% reported mental health issues and 37% reported substance use issues
- 30% cited insufficient income to address increased rents and cost of living as the primary reason for housing loss
Particularly concerning was the significant increase in unsheltered individuals, rising from 190 in 2021 to 556 in 2024. While part of this increase reflects improved data collection methods, it also underscores the growing challenge of encampments in our City.
The City of Ottawa recognizes that collaboration between all levels of government is essential to tackle this complex issue effectively. In late January 2025, we witnessed a significant step forward when Mayor Mark Sutcliffe joined Minister Jenna Sudds, MP Mona Fortier, and MP Yasir Naqvi to announce over $39 million in funding to support people living without homes, including those in encampments. Through this agreement, the City of Ottawa will contribute over $24 million, while the federal government will provide more than $10.4 million over two years.
This funding will support the implementation of Ottawa's Community Encampment Response Plan, including a 24-hour respite site that will broaden the range of services available to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Beyond providing basic needs like washrooms and meals, these sites will offer health and mental health services, along with housing case management to help individuals find and maintain permanent housing.
Additionally, Ottawa will receive significant funding through Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy, with just over $21 million allocated to the City of Ottawa and more than $8 million to the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres.
Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Housing provides stability, security, and is the cornerstone of overall well-being. I remain committed to working alongside our community partners and other levels of government to ensure we deliver real, lasting solutions for our most vulnerable residents.
Rawlson King
City Councillor
Your Councillor in the Community
I attended the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association AGM to discuss local priorities and community initiatives. Engaging with residents on key issues is essential to building a stronger, more connected neighbourhood. Thanks to RPRA for organizing this important gathering!







Ottawa MPs Mona Fortier and Yasir Naqvi announced funding for multiple Black community initiatives at the Rideau Community Hub this week focused on entrepreneurship, additional social services, mental health and newcomer integration.


Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
Winter Operations Update for Feb. 28
An Alberta Clipper is bringing significant snowfall to Ottawa, with up to 15 cm expected from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. The city's crews are fully deployed, focusing on clearing and treating sidewalks, roads, bus routes, the Transitway, and the winter cycling network. Given the amount of snowfall, some residents may experience delays in having their residential streets and sidewalks cleared.
Since February 17, city staff have been working around the clock on snow removal operations, removing over 1.1 million cubic metres of snow—enough to fill TD Place Stadium four times! Snow removal efforts will temporarily pause to focus on clearing roads and sidewalks but will resume once the main transportation network is restored. However, in the urban core and select areas, snow removal will continue throughout the storm and into the weekend.
A Winter Weather Parking Ban will be in effect Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vehicles must be removed from city streets during this time unless parked in an exempted area. Alternative parking options are available at Ottawa.ca/winterparking.
Your cooperation is essential:
- Give plows space to work—stay at least three car lengths behind and never pass them.
- Avoid unnecessary service requests—crews are already working hard to clear snow across the city.
- Be a Snow Angel—consider helping neighbours in need by clearing snow from their driveways and walkways.
For the latest updates, visit Ottawa.ca/winter or check my Facebook page. Stay safe and travel with care!
The City encourages you to be a hydrant hero this winter and keep your local hydrant clear of snow. Clearing 0.5 meters around a hydrant maintains access for our firefighters and helps them keep you, your family and your community safe. Contractors are reminded to not pile snow over or against hydrants when clearing pathways and driveways in the winter. If you are unable to clear the hydrant on your property, please call 3-1-1.
Receive your Hydrant Hero certificate! Hydrant Hero Certificate Request Form
Students can also request confirmation of their community involvement hours by contacting [email protected].
Rideau River Flood Control Operations are Underway - March 1st

Every year, the City of Ottawa’s Roads and Parking Services team works in partnership with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority to prepare for its annual Rideau River Flood Control (RRFC) operations and blasting. This unique process that has been in place since the late 1890s, puts the city's team on the ice – first to clear the snow, then to cut the ice and finally to blast it. These operations are critical to mitigating the risk of flooding in the communities along the Rideau River.
Although it still looks like winter out there, spring is on the horizon and operations are officially underway! On February 10, the Rideau River Flood Control team was mobilized and began preparing equipment and drilling test holes at several locations throughout the river corridor. Once these preliminary steps conclude, the team begins working on clearing snow and cutting keys in the forebay, before working their way towards Porter Island.
To ensure everyone’s safety as we continue preparing for these operations, the City is reminding everyone to stay off the ice for the remainder of the winter season.
Rideau River – a dangerous place for winter activities
The Rideau River Flood Control team is actively working on preparing the area for blasting, and clearing snow from its surface is included as part of these operations.
It is imperative that everyone stays off the ice and away from staff's workspace. This year, we have already seen people using the frozen river for winter activities once the snow has been cleared off the ice. Although the ice surface appears to be frozen, it is unstable due to the ongoing blasting preparations, and is unsafe. The frozen river is a very dangerous place, and at no time should anyone be using it for any type of winter activity. When crews are on the ice, they are using appropriate protective equipment and are trained to work safely in areas with thin ice or open water. Residents do not have this training and are at risk of falling into open water or through thin ice.
Walking or skating on an open river, like the Rideau River, is dangerous and residents and visitors are to remain off the ice. We’ve placed signage in the area as a reminder but want to spread the word to protect residents and visitors from the dangers of playing on the Rideau River.
Rideau River Blasting
Weather and ice conditions permitting, blasting on the Rideau River is scheduled to begin tomorrow, March 1. Please visit Ottawa.ca for more information.


Come and join us for an incredible evening and experience a Mohawk Social. There will be songs and dancing and laughter.
When: Feb 28, 2025
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Grand Gathering Space
Details: Wabano.com
Young Canadians Invited to Submit Ideas for Innovation Challenge - Application deadline Feb. 28
- Up to $10,000 in funding to kickstart their vision
- Mentorship & networking with innovators
- Expert resources to guide them through the process
- Deadline to apply: February 28, 2025
Regional Awards: Up to 200 winners receive $1,000, plus mentorship and learning opportunities.
National Awards: Regional winners can compete for 13 finalist prizes of $1,000 each or one of 5 top awards of $10,000!
Have questions? Reach out to: [email protected] Learn more: ingeniousplus.ca Have an idea and need some mentorship? Contact [email protected]
Ottawa Family Cinema presents Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm

With the approach of tax season, Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier is hosting free tax clinics to help Ottawa-Vanier residents prepare their tax returns. The tax clinics will take place on the following Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at 233 Montreal Road. For more information, please contact the constituency office at [email protected] or by calling (613) 998-1860.
- March 1
- March 15
- March 29
- April 12
- April 26
Oakhill Road One-Way Proposal – Comments welcome by March 3
The City of Ottawa is considering converting Oakhill Road to one-way travel from Acacia Avenue to Beechwood Avenue to improve safety at the intersection of Oakhill and Acacia. Your feedback is essential in shaping this decision. Share your thoughts by participating in the engagement process here: engage.ottawa.ca/oakhill-road-to-one-way The deadline to submit comments is March 3.

Lloyd Axworthy: My Life in Politics
Drawing from his recent candid memoir, Mr. Axworthy, former Minister in the Trudeau and Chrétien Cabinets, will speak of the many sides of a political life and of his roles in significant events over his 21 years in Parliament. These include notably the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canada-U.S. free trade debate, the global treaty to ban land mines, and the creation of the International Criminal Court.
When: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 8 p.m.
Where: Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Rd. Rockcliffe Park.
Don Newman, former senior CBC parliamentary broadcaster, will interview Mr. Axworthy.
NCC PUBLIC MEETING ON SUSSEX BLOCKS PROPOSAL & CORE AREA PLAN
Please come and learn more about the Sussex Blocks development proposal as part of the Core Area Plan of the National Capital Commission. NCC planners will be attending to present the proposal and answer questions.
Date: March 6, 2025
Time: 7-8:30 pm
Location: St. Bartholomew's Church, 125 MacKay St. - Parish Hall
A short description of the development proposal appears on the New Edinburgh website with links to the NCC’s website.
Visit newedinburgh.ca for event listing.
- Explore the world of Pokemon - Ages 5-8 - In English on Mondays from 6 to 6:45 pm and in French on Mondays from 5:15 to 6 pm
- Painting and drawing - In English on Mondays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm and in French on Thursdays from 4:45 to 5:45 pm
- Play School programming - Ages 3-5 - Saturdays from 9 to 11 am. March 29 to May 31
Are you looking to get involved in your community? Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of your neighbours in need? Sign up to become a Food Bank volunteer at the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre! One 4-hour shift per week. Please note that a 3-month time commitment is required
St. Laurent Library branch programming - March
English Book Club featuring Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley on March 27th from 10 am to 12 pm
Drop-in adult programs
- English Conversation Group - Thursdays 6:30 - 8 pm
- Groupe de conversation en français - Les mardis 18 h 30 - 20 h
-
Free movie nights
- March 3rd at 6:00 pm (James Bond. Quantum of Solace)
- Knitting & Crochet Club - Tuesdays from 1 to 3 pm
Drop-in children's programs
- Family Storytime in English - Mondays at 10:30 am
- Babytime - Tuesday, March 11 and 25 at 10:30 am
- Contes en famille in French - Wednesdays March 12 and 26 at 10:30 am
- Homework club for ages 6 to 12 - Wednesdays at 5 pm
- Sensory Storytime in English - March 6th at 10:30 am. This program provides a welcoming environment and respects the needs
of children from 18 months to 6 years who live with developmental
disabilities and/or autism, or who show signs of a developmental delay.
March Break Programs - Registration required
- Buildaroo: Science & Engineering Foundation-Build simple prototypes and test them! Ages 4-6. - March 12 at 2:00pm.
- Métamorphoses à la Galerie d’art d'Ottawa
(en français / in French) Le lundi 10 mars, 2025 à 14h. Pour les 7 à 12 ans.
Drop-in programs
- Codes and Ciphers 101- Breakout room edition! (in English) - March 13 at 2:00pm
- Game On! March 15 at 10:00am. Play card games or board games at the library (ex : Connect 4, Checkers, Chess). Ages 6-12.
- LEGO Party - March 15 at 2:00pm
Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub services in Ward 13 - February
Drop by the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub located at The Rideau Community Hub at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard for employment and social services, Aging Well in Ottawa programming, vaccinations and free dental screenings. For details and the schedule, please visit ottawapublichealth.ca.
- The Rideau Community Hub - March 12 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
Freedom to Read Week
From February 23 to March 1, 2025, Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is inviting everyone to celebrate Freedom to Read Week, devoted to highlighting the essential role that libraries play in defending intellectual freedom. This annual campaign prompts Canadians to consider the value of unfettered access to information and ideas—a cornerstone of any thriving democracy. OPL is dedicated to promoting literacy, preserving open dialogue, and offering a diverse collection of materials that encourage readers to explore, question, and engage with multiple perspectives. For a list of events marking this important week, please visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca. To read banned books, visit OPL’s book sanctuary: Book Sanctuary | Ottawa Public Library. For more details about Freedom to Read Week at OPL, visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.
City Wide Sports leagues: Hit the courts and diamonds this spring
Join a City Wide Sports league. Whether it’s on sand, a court or a diamond, City Wide Sports has something for you. It’s a great and fun way to stay active with new or old friends. Individual and team registrations are now open on register.ottawa.ca for a variety of mixed and women’s leagues for ages 18 and up. The deadline for many is Friday, May 23. When registering, you join an existing team or set up your own team. League schedules, standings and leaderboards are available online throughout the season for easy planning and tracking. Options include mixed and women's beach volleyball leagues, women's pickleball leagues, and women's softball leagues. The mixed Spikeball® league runs from the beginning of July to mid-August at Mooney’s Bay Park. Registration opens in May. Men’s and women’s hockey leagues run from October to February. Registration opens in August.
Summer Camp Registration opens Feb. 27
Summer camps are affordable and offer children and youth, ages 4 to 14, a wide variety of activities and themes in a safe, fun, and supervised environment. Camps are offered in English or French. Check out register.ottawa.ca for a wide variety of themes, activities, and interests at affordable prices. Registration is Thursday, February 27 at 9 pm. Details: ottawa.ca
Awesome Authors Contest - Submissions due Feb. 28
Until February 28, budding Ottawa writers between the ages of 9 and 18 have the incredible opportunity to enter the 2025 Awesome Authors contest organized by the Ottawa Public Library. Entries are accepted in the following categories: short story, poetry, comic, nouvelle, poésie, and bande dessinée. For the past several years, OPL has added a special touch to the contest with the “book cover” category, which gives youth free rein to illustrate the cover of the anthology of winning entries. For those who are passionate about drawing and illustration, the “book cover” category is an opportunity to showcase their hidden talent. As in previous years, the contest judges—Catherine Austen, Apollo the Child, Amelinda Bérubé, Pierre-Luc Bélanger and Éric Péladeau—will be hosting writing workshops where participants can gain valuable insights into the fundamentals of writing and explore various literary genres. Workshops will be held online and at OPL branches. For more information about the Awesome Authors contest, criteria and other details, visit the Awesome Authors youth writing contest web page.
Community partnership major capital program - Grant applications due March 1
The City of Ottawa's Community Partnership Major Capital Program is an initiative to implement major capital improvements and additions to facilities related to parks and recreation on a cost-sharing basis between the City and community groups. The project may relate to an asset that is owned by the City, or operated by a community partner who delivers service on behalf of the City or assists the City in the delivery of programs and services. The funding program applies to major capital programs for new facilities, renovations and expansions. It will only apply to fixed assets. It will not fund other components such as furniture, equipment, feasibility or fundraising studies.
What projects are eligible?
- Major capital projects for new facilities, renovations and expansions that result in the development of fixed assets relating to parks and recreation located within the City of Ottawa.
- The project may relate to an asset that is owned by the City, or operated by a community partner who delivers service on behalf of the City or assists the City in the delivery of programs and services.
The deadline date for submitting proposals is March 1 at 3 pm. For more information and to apply, please visit ottawa.ca.
Applications are now open for the 2025 Paint It Up! program - Deadlines: March 3
Those interested in participating will need to keep two deadlines in mind:
- You must submit your location for approval by Monday, March 3.
- The complete application will need to be submitted by Wednesday, April 2.
Draft Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy released - Comments welcome by March 4
The City of Ottawa’s Recreation and Facilities Department has released the Draft Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy for public review. The strategy is the product of extensive consultation and engagement with a wide range of partners, including municipalities across Canada, residents, municipal membership tennis and pickleball clubs and local sport associations. Input from partners shaped the direction of the strategy and guidelines have been designed to reflect and balance the priorities of each group.
Key Considerations:
- Outdoor Court Minimum Standards
- Pickleball Noise Mitigation
- Outdoor Court Equity, Diversity and Access
- Outdoor Public Court Equipment/Infrastructure
- Outdoor Public Court Conditions of Use
Residents are invited to share feedback regarding the Draft Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy by email to [email protected] by March 4, 2025. It is anticipated that the strategy will be finalized in Q2 2025.
Civic Events Funding application process opens March 5
Starting March 5, community organizations can apply for Civic Events funding. Civic Events funding helps support family-friendly events in local Ottawa communities. It will prioritize events that are directed towards equity-denied populations and priority neighbourhoods. A total of $50,000 is available, with an eligible maximum amount of $3,000 per event and funding provided one-time per organization, per year. To learn more about the Civic Event fund, including eligibility, timelines and how to apply, visit the City of Ottawa website. For questions and inquiries on this funding process, contact [email protected].
Young At Art - Submissions due by March 6
Calling all young visual artists in Ottawa: step into the spotlight and let your art shine! The City of Ottawa's Young at Art program is a professionally assessed art exhibition that brings the work of talented young visual artists between the ages of 12 and 19 to local art galleries. Selected works are displayed and are eligible for several awards. Submit your artwork by 1 pm on March 6, 2025.
Public Information about Accessibility Features in Parks Survey – Open Until March 6
City parks are important community assets that provide residents with opportunities for leisure, sport and play. Over the last several years, the City has included many enhancements to its parks to make play in our playgrounds more inclusive, and to provide park features that are more accessible for everyone to enjoy. Staff are seeking your input to learn what accessibility features you would like to know about when visiting City of Ottawa parks. Staff also want to know how you would like to access this information. The information you provide will be used to develop options for providing residents with information related to accessibility features in new and existing parks. The survey is open until March 6 at Engage Ottawa.
Introducing the new Property Standards Search Tool
The City of Ottawa's newly launched Property Standards Search Tool, located in the Rental Housing section of the City of Ottawa's website, provides residents with the ability to search residential addresses in the city to determine if there have been any property standards violations within the past five years. It is meant to help residents make more informed choices about where to rent. This initiative originated with the Rental Accommodations Study and was approved with the adoption of the Rental Housing Property Management By-law and Rental Accommodation Study Update in August 2020. It has been developed in consultation with and input from ACORN Ottawa, the Eastern Ontario Landlords Organization, and Ottawa Small Landlords Association, in addition to internal departmental partners. Using this tool, residents can search any residential address in the city. Commercial and institutional properties are not included in search results. The tool meets the requirements of privacy legislation. Search results will include a general description of the type of property, such as “Multi-residential building with 50 or more units,” using data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Results will display any recorded violations of the Property Standards (By-law No. 2013-416) or Property Maintenance (By-law No. 2005-208) that have occurred in the past five years, including the date, the type of violation and whether the case is open or has been resolved. Please note that this does not include all complaints, only those where a Property Standards Officer has confirmed that the property was in violation and enforcement action was required. No case details or personal information are provided.
Vacant Unit Tax property status declarations - due March 20, 2025
Homeowners are reminded to complete their Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declaration for each residential property they own before the March 20 deadline. A $250 late fee will be applied to declarations submitted after the deadline.
To complete the declaration, visit ottawa.ca/vut:
- Click “Submit your declaration now”
- Log on with roll number and access code (found on last year’s property tax bill or information notices that were sent by email or Canada Post)
Residents registered with My SeviceOttawa can go directly to the declaration from their property tax account. Notices will be sent to property owners in January, with email delivery used whenever possible.
Alternate and accessible declaration options are available.
By phone (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm):
- 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.
Grants available for community environmental projects - Deadline is March 31
The City of Ottawa is now accepting applications for the 2025 Community Environmental Projects Grant Program. This grant program provides funding to non-profit organizations interested in undertaking small-scale, community-based initiatives that support an environmentally sustainable Ottawa. This year’s application deadline is Monday, March 31 at 4 pm. Grant recipients must complete their projects by June 30, 2026. For details about eligibility, the application process, profiles of past projects and to complete an application form, please visit Community Environmental Projects Grant Program
Emergency Services News
The Ottawa Police Service is now accepting applications for the 2025 Thomas G. Flanagan S.C. Scholarship Award. Established in 1993 in memory of former Ottawa Police Chief Thomas G. Flanagan (1989-1993), this annual $2,000 scholarship supports Indigenous and racialized women pursuing post-secondary education with aspirations of a career in policing. Applications will be accepted until February 28, 2025. Click here for more information about the 2025 Thomas G. Flanagan S.C. Scholarship.
Tow truck non-compliance results in 168 charges laid
Since January 1, 2025, the Ottawa Police Service has been conducting tow truck compliance checks to ensure adherence to the Towing and Storage Safety Enforcement Act (TSSEA), Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA) and the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). Police checked tow truck operators, drivers, and vehicle storage facilities for compliance, resulting 168 charges against multiple companies and drivers. The main goal of this operation was to keep the public safe and protect consumers by making sure tow truck operators and drivers followed the rules. Key issues covered included showing information clearly, obtaining consent for services, and respecting inspection guidelines.
The towing enforcement team’s efforts demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding residents from unlawful towing activities," stated Acting Inspector Dave Merkel. "We will continue enforcing regulations that address public safety and accountability in the tow industry.” The Ottawa Police Service will continue to enforce towing industry compliance. If you need a tow, know your rights Know your rights when getting a tow | ontario.ca. If you have a towing complaint, you can submit it to the online portal Landing Page | TVSO. Businesses and drivers should be aware of their legal responsibilities under the TSSEA, CAIA and HTA.
Are you interested in a career with the Ottawa Police Service?
The Ottawa Police Service is hiring for numerous roles, including:
- New and experienced officers
- HR Advisor
- HR Marketing Specialist Manager
- Technology Adoption
- Police Communicator
- Business Continuity Analyst
Visit Ottawapolice.ca/careers for more information!
Make the Right Call
www.ottawapolice.ca/en/who-we-are/contact-us.aspx
When to Call 911:
- For crimes in progress and life-threatening emergencies
- You witness a dangerous or impaired driver
- There is a vehicle collision with injuries
- Fire or medical emergency
When to call 613-236-1222. Please listen to the prompts.
- Residential or commercial break and enter
- Missing person
- Suspicious activity or vehicle (drug trafficking in progress)
- Stolen vehicle
- Assault where no medical attention is required
- Animal abuse
- Vehicle collision where no injuries are reported
When to call and make a report with the Ottawa Police Reporting Unit 613-236-1222, extension 7300. Open seven days a week between 10 am and 8:45 pm.
- Alcohol and drug use in public (for example, in city parks)
- Reporting to the police after the fact – an incident has occurred, but no one has remained on scene
- Disputes or harassment (for example, argument with neighbour, stalking, fear for non-immediate safety)
- Sexual assault reported, where there is no longer evidence
When the Ottawa Police Reporting Unit (PRU) is closed between the hours of 9 pm and 10 am, an automated attendant will provide you with options on how to redirect your call.
When to make a report using the Ottawa Police online system at ottawapolice.ca/onlinereporting:
- Theft (excluding theft of passports or other citizenship documents)
- Lost Property (with a visible serial number or distinct marking such as a custom engraving)
- This does not include: cellphones, credit and debit cards; please phone your banking institution or cellphone company
- Mischief/Damage to Property
- Theft from Vehicle
- Traffic Complaints
- Drug Complaints (drug trafficking information)
- Fraud Complaints
- Hate-Motivated Incidents
- Add information to an existing report
Crime Stoppers: If you have information about a crime but want to remain completely anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at crimestoppers.ca.
Best wishes,
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Un message du conseiller King

Chers résidents,
Je tiens à exprimer ma sincère gratitude aux membres de notre communauté qui ont participé, la fin de semaine dernière, à la collecte de fonds annuelle « La nuit la plus froide de l’année » pour soutenir la Mission d’Ottawa. L’église St. Bartholomew de New Edinburgh mérite une reconnaissance toute particulière pour avoir recueilli la somme incroyable de 34 623 $ pour lutter contre l’itinérance dans notre communauté et partout à Ottawa. Votre générosité et votre engagement à aider nos résidents les plus vulnérables illustrent réellement l’esprit bienveillant de notre quartier.
L’itinérance demeure l’un des défis les plus urgents de notre Ville, et je tiens à vous faire part de certaines initiatives importantes en cours pour résoudre ce problème critique. Récemment, la Ville d’Ottawa a réalisé un sondage du dénombrement ponctuel exhaustif auprès de plus de 85 % de la population itinérante d’Ottawa. Cet aperçu important fournit des renseignements précieux qui guideront l’élaboration de services, de politiques et de programmes précisément conçus pour répondre aux besoins des résidents en situation d’itinérance ou à risque de le devenir.
Le sondage du dénombrement ponctuel de 2024, qui s’est déroulé du 23 au 28 octobre 2024, a révélé que 2 952 personnes étaient en situation d’itinérance dans notre Ville, une augmentation inquiétante par rapport aux 2 612 personnes en 2021 ou encore par rapport aux 1 654 personnes en 2018. Le sondage du dénombrement ponctuel a rejoint un nombre record de 2 595 répondants grâce à une méthodologie améliorée, notamment en prolongeant la période du sondage à cinq jours et en passant à la collecte de données numériques.
Certaines des principales conclusions de ce sondage du dénombrement ponctuel soulignent le caractère complexe de l’itinérance au sein de notre communauté; parmi les répondants :
– 49 % sont en situation d’itinérance chronique;
– 42 % se désignent comme immigrants, réfugiés ou demandeurs d’asile, dont 56 % étaient au Canada depuis moins d’un an;
– 56 % se désignent comme des personnes racisées, dont 64 % s’identifient comme des personnes de race noire;
– 19 % s’identifient comme des Autochtones ou ayant une ascendance autochtone;
– 10 % sont accompagnés d’enfants, dont 72 % étaient des femmes
– 42 % signalent des problèmes de santé mentale et 37 % des problèmes de consommation de substances;
– 30 % indiquent un revenu insuffisant pour faire face à l’augmentation des loyers et du coût de la vie comme principale raison de la perte de logement.
L’augmentation importante du nombre de personnes sans-abri, qui sont passées de 190 en 2021 à 556 en 2024, est particulièrement préoccupante. Bien qu’une partie de cette augmentation reflète également l’amélioration des méthodes de collecte de données, elle souligne aussi le défi croissant relatif aux campements dans notre Ville.
La Ville d’Ottawa reconnaît que la collaboration entre tous les ordres de gouvernement est essentielle pour s’attaquer efficacement à cet enjeu complexe. À la fin de janvier 2025, le maire Mark Sutcliffe s’est joint à la ministre Jenna Sudds, à la députée Mona Fortier et au député Yasir Naqvi pour annoncer un financement de plus de 39 millions de dollars afin de soutenir les personnes sans-abri, y compris celles qui campent. Grâce à cette entente, la Ville d’Ottawa versera plus de 24 millions de dollars pour s’attaquer à cet enjeu, tandis que le gouvernement fédéral fournira plus de 10,4 millions de dollars sur deux ans.
Ce financement appuiera notamment la mise en œuvre du Plan d’Intervention dans les campements de fortunes de la communauté d’Ottawa, y compris un site de répit ouvert 24 heures sur 24 qui élargira la gamme de services offerts aux personnes sans-abri. En plus de répondre aux besoins de base comme l’accès à des toilettes et la fourniture de repas, ces sites offriront aussi des services de santé et de santé mentale, ainsi que la gestion de cas de logement pour aider les personnes à trouver et à conserver un logement permanent.
De plus, Ottawa recevra un financement important dans le cadre de l’initiative « Vers un chez-soi : La stratégie canadienne de lutte contre l’itinérance », avec un peu plus de 21 millions de dollars alloués à la Ville d’Ottawa et plus de 8 millions de dollars à la Fédération des centres d’amitié autochtones de l’Ontario (OFIFC).
Tout le monde mérite d’avoir un endroit sûr et abordable où se sentir chez soi. Le logement procure stabilité, sécurité et constitue la pierre angulaire du bien-être général. Je demeure déterminé à travailler avec nos partenaires communautaires ainsi que les autres ordres de gouvernement pour nous assurer que nous fournissons des solutions concrètes et durables à nos résidents les plus vulnérables.
Rawlson King
Conseiller municipal