January 13, 2023 Newsletter

A Message from Councillor King

Happy New Year to everyone in Ward 13. It has been a very busy start to 2023.

Councillor Stéphanie Plante and I had a productive walkabout with the Overbrook community on Jan. 12 to discuss traffic and safety concerns along North River Road. Thank you to everyone who attended. I look forward to continuing the conversation and finding solutions.

I will soon be hosting virtual budget consultation meetings for Ward 13 residents, including an opportunity for Black, Indigenous and racialized communities in partnership with the City of Ottawa’s Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations Office. Stay tuned for more information. Details will be posted here, on my website and on my social media channels: Facebook and Twitter.

As well, my new Rideau-Rockcliffe Roundtable community engagement series, which launched in December with a ward-wide Roundtable meet-and-greet opportunity, will resume this month. Keep checking my website and my Facebook and Twitter channels for upcoming dates, locations and for the signup sheet. I look forward to connecting with Ward 13 residents to discuss City- and Ward 13-related issues. 

Councillor King in the Community

Black Youth Entrepreneurship

Thank you to the ACB Wellness Resource Centre, Incubator 13, Le Conseil Économique et Social d’Ottawa Carleton and the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub at Carleton University for connecting with me and my Equity and Diversity Liaison on Jan. 13 to discuss entrepreneurship programs for Black youth. 

Overbrook Walkabout

I was joined by Councillor Stéphanie Plante and members of the Overbrook community for a traffic- and safety-themed walkabout along North River Road on Jan. 12.

New Edinburgh New Years Brunch

I enjoyed connecting with New Edinburgh residents during the Crichton Community Council's New Year’s brunch at the New Edinburgh Fieldhouse on Jan. 7. 

Kwanzaa with Jaku Konbit

I enjoyed the Kwanzaa celebration by Jaku Konbit on Dec. 30 at the Ukrainian Banquet Hall. The event featured performing artists from the African, Caribbean and Black community. Jaku Konbit’s mission is to support and improve the lives of disadvantaged individuals and families of African and Caribbean descent through partnership with all communities and programming that results in everyone’s successful economic and civic participation in Canadian society.

Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities

Winter Operations Update

• A Winter Weather Parking Ban is in effect until 7 pm tonight (Jan. 13). When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide open roadway.
  
  
• Travel conditions today will be challenging, if you must be out, please adjust to the conditions of our sidewalks, roads and winter cycling network. Our priority will continue to be on clearing and treating priority sidewalks, roads, and the winter cycling network. Given the amount of snowfall accumulation, crews were expected to start moving into residential neighbourhoods and streets this morning, and will continue their cleanup into the evening hours. 
  
  
• The City’s Roads team continues snow removal operations and once today’s snowstorm abates, crews will also focus on the City’s winter cycling network.
  
  
• Updates are posted here: ottawa.ca/winter

Rideau Sports Centre - Yoga and Fitness Fun Day - Jan. 14

Join the Centre on Jan. 14 for Yoga and Fitness Fun Day. Sample classes, meet the instructors during the Centre’s Open House on Jan. 14 from 9 am to 1 pm. Classes are free to attend though pre-registration is required. Visit the Centre’s website for the schedule or sign up here. The Rideau Sports Centre is located at 1 Donald Street.

Overbrook Basketball Program for older youth - Saturday nights

The Overbrook Community Centre presents a free basketball program for older youth, ages 18 to 25, on Saturday nights from 8 to 10 pm beginning in January 2023. The centre is located at 33 Quill Street. Call 613-742-5147 for details. 

Immigrant and Racialized Youth Virtual Career Fair - Jan. 17

Details: immigrantscan.org/youth-hub

Manor Park Knitting Circle - begins Jan. 18

The Manor Park Knitting Circle resumes Jan. 18 at the Manor Park Community Centre. The knitting circle is self guided, however experienced guides will be there to assist. Bring your own supplies. Coffee and tea are included. Admission is free. Donations are welcome. Some minimal supplies will be on-hand for those who require knitting needles or yarn to get started. For details, please visit manorpark.ca.

Rockcliffe Park Speaker Night - Feb. 1

The Rockcliffe Park Residents Association hosts Speaker Night on Feb. 1 at 8 pm at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Rd., featuring Andrew Leslie who will be discussing Russia’s War in the Ukraine: What Next? For details, please click here.

Manor Park Skating Party and Chili Cook-off - Feb. 4

The Manor Park Community Council hosts its annual Skating Party and Chili Cook-off at the Manor Park Community Centre, 100 Thornwood Road, on Feb. 4. The fun begins with exhibition games from 3 to 5 pm, and from 5 to 7 pm there will be food, hot drinks, music, a bonfire, s’mores and skating. Chili Cook-off details are available here. For more event information and to RSVP for the skating party, please click here.

Musical Ride Open House - Feb. 4

In 2023, the RCMP is marking 150 years of service to the public and security of our country. For this major milestone, the RCMP is excited to once again welcome visitors back to their stables for their RCMP Musical Ride Open House and Ottawa Food Bank Drive as part of Winterlude. Bring your family and friends to visit the home of the Musical Ride and meet police officers from the RCMP in support of the Ottawa Food Bank. The Stables are located at 1 Sandridge Road. The event is Feb. 4 from 10 am to 3 pm. For details, please click here.

Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall - Feb. 11

After two years, the wait is finally over. The Winter Celebration is back on at Rideau Hall on Feb. 11 from 12:30 to 4:30 pm, as part of Winterlude. The event will feature skating, tours and outdoor activities. For details, please click here.

Black Expressions showcase during Black History Month - Feb. 18

Join the ACB Wellness Resource Centre for Black Expressions, a special Black History Month event on Feb. 18, from 4 to 7 pm, at 610 Donald Street featuring an art showing, African drummers, guest speakers and a poetry slam. Admission is a $5 donation in support of ACB programs and services. Details: acbwellness.ca

Rockcliffe Park Speaker Night - March 8

The Rockcliffe Park Residents Association hosts Speaker Night on March 8 at 8 pm at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Rd., featuring Thomas d’Aquino who will offer personal insights on four decades of private sector leadership at the apex of power with the Business Council of Canada. For details, please click here.

Manor Park Community Council seeks art submissions

Submissions are open to display your work at the Manor Park Community Centre and at 1805 Gaspe Avenue. All mediums, ages of artists (including children and youth) and skill levels will be considered. For details, please click here.

Women on Skis

Women on Skis is a non-profit club run by a group of experienced volunteer skiers who raise funds for local women's health and social issues. Join them for cross-country ski outings in various ski areas around Ottawa/Gatineau. For details, click here.

Upcoming scheduled outings:

• Friday, January 27
• Thursday, February 9
• Friday, February 24
• Thursday, March 9

Become a Snow Mole

Snow Moles are volunteers who report on what it is like to walk outside on a winter day. You are invited to ensure healthy, accessible, and safe winter walking conditions in Ottawa by becoming a Snow Mole and completing a Winter Walkability and Pedestrian Safety Questionnaire. Your answers will be part of a 2023 Winter Walking in Ottawa: Snow Moles Report shared with the City of Ottawa for better understanding of the safety of winter walking in Ottawa.

1.   When you go out for an errand or a walk, please use the Snow Mole Questionnaire to note features and conditions that are “safe” (e.g., a bench cleared of snow) as well as “unsafe” (e.g., snow piled up in intersections).
2.   We encourage you to take and submit photos of both safe and unsafe features and conditions. If possible, include street signs in your photo.  Send photos to [email protected].
3.   Complete the questionnaire onlineor drop off/mail it to: The Council on Aging of Ottawa 217-815 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON K1K 3A7.

Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club Hiring

The Club is looking for a new General Manager for the 2023 season for the Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club. Please share the job posting with your friends and family. For details, please visit the RLTC General Manager Job Posting.

Rideau Canal Skateway

The National Capital Commission’s Skateway team is preparing for the upcoming season of the Rideau Canal Skateway. The Skateway will open when a 30-cm thickness of good quality ice has formed. To get there, our ice experts need about 10 to 14 consecutive days of temperatures between -10°C and -20°C. Keep checking here for updates.

Winterlude 2023

Winterlude has finally arrived! From Feb. 3 to 20, 2023, rediscover the joys of winter activities with family and friends. Click here for more information.

Ottawa Public Health News

Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs

Ottawa Public Health offers free drop-in services to all residents of Ottawa at our accessible Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. Find updated information on our website: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/NeighbourhoodHubs

Reduce Your Risk of Falling

Anyone can fall. But as we age, our risk of falling becomes greater. The first step to avoiding falls is to understand what causes them. Poor balance, decreased muscle and bone strength, and winter snow and ice can increase your chance of falling. Staying safe and on your feet is a matter of taking some steps to protect yourself. For more information, visit Ottawapublichealth.ca.

Here are some resources to help reduce your risk of having a fall.

• You Can Prevent Falls!
• Winter Walking
• Strength and Balance Exercises

Weekly Snapshot and Dashboard

Our weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshots are shared through OPH’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels and posted on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Check out the dashboard displaying information about respiratory virus activity: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport

Key Takeaways

• We continue to see high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in our community, and we are still seeing a concerning increase in the levels of COVID-19.
• Between the presence of these viruses, and new COVID-19 variants emerging, it’s very important to do everything you can to protect yourself and those around you.
• This is especially important for those at higher risk. Overall risk increases with age, and respiratory viruses can also be more difficult for those with complex medical needs & those who are immunocompromised.
• If you’re going to be in an indoor public setting, wearing a well-fitted high-quality mask will go a long way towards helping to keep you & the people around you safer from virus transmission.
• Same goes with staying home when sick, especially with school resuming. If you’re feeling sick, please stay home to protect those around you.

Lastly, get your flu vaccine & stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. The bivalent booster offers significant protection against severe illness and hospitalization...protection you’ll want to have as we get through these colder months.

City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities 

Light-Rail Transit Review

City Council has been advised that OC Transpo, RTM and independent engineering experts are conducting a full review, root cause analysis and lessons learned of the events that occurred on Line 1 on Jan. 4. This work will take a number of weeks to complete. Findings are expected to be presented and questions answered at the Feb. 9 Transit Commission meeting. 

2023 Community Economic Development Program - Now open for project grant funding applications

Registered Non-Profit Corporations with at least two years of financial statements are eligible to apply. Projects must be new, or scaling-up, activity to help targeted historically under-represented populations to overcome identified impediments to their participation in Ottawa’s economy. Funds will be awarded in April 2023 and must be expended by November 30, 2023. Projects may not commence until funds are received by program recipients. The City will accept project applications until 4 pm on Feb. 24. For details, please click here.

Planning Engagements:

Bill 109 and Bill 23 

In an effort to keep the community informed of the impacts of the new legislation and how the City intends to implement the necessary changes, a new website was created. This will be a centralized page where residents can read summaries of Bill 109 and Bill 23, review FAQs,and learn more about next steps.

Official Plan Implementation - The City’s new Official Plan as approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs can be found on the Official Plan Engage Ottawa website. In Q1 2023 the Community Planning Unit will be coordinating the integration of Official Plan amendments passed between adoption of the Official Plan and ministerial approval. Staff will also be conducting Planning Primer education sessions. The Primer has been completely revised for 2023 to reflect the approved Official Plan as well as recent changes to legislation in the Province.

• February 7 & 15 – Public Planning Primer

This session is open to the public and will provide an overview of the legislative and policy basis under which land-use planning decisions are made, the way policy documents are amended and how to make a development application. Registration will be open in the coming weeks here.

• Mid-February – New Comprehensive Zoning By-law Discussion Papers

The Zoning Discussion Papers will be residents’ first opportunity to have their say about the future of zoning in the city of Ottawa. The responses received will form the basis of an “As We Heard It” report that will be released later this year.

• March 7 – Public Open House

This session is open to the public and will provide a high-level update on the City’s review of the impacts of Provincial legislation and an overview of how the City is adapting as a result of these changes. Topics will include Bill 109, Bill 23, the Official Plan, and the impact on planning-related matters. Registration can be done here.

New Zoning Bylaw

Staff are working to implement the policies of the Official Plan and prepare a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law. Now that the Official Plan is in force and effect, staff are now preparing to launch a series of Discussion Papers, surveys, and an update to the review timeline. Information on the upcoming Discussion Papers is available on the Engage Ottawa project website at engage.ottawa.ca/zoning, with additional material being posted in the coming weeks. Residents are also able to provide their questions and comments to City staff as they continue to share the full effect of these changes with the Province.

Vacant Unit Tax Declarations

Complete your Vacant Unit Tax declaration in just a few quick steps. A declaration is required for each property that you own, even if it is your principal residence: bit.ly/3Gw6nFF

Deadline: March 16.
The City has set up declaration options for residents who require accessibility related supports, and for those without access to the internet or digital devices – like computers, tablets and other hand-held devices:

• Call Revenue Services at 613-580-2444 and select option 3 to complete a declaration over the phone, or to book an in-person appointment at the Mary Pitt Centre at 100 Constellation Drive.
• Call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. The service uses internet and mobile phone technologies to connect the caller with real-time sign language interpretation.

A second notice was sent to residential property owners this week. If you have already completed the declaration, you can disregard the second notice. For details, please visit ottawa.ca/vut.

March Break Camps and Programs

Browse March Break camps and programs with the City of Ottawa’s new registration platform: bit.ly/3GThPwh 

Get your wish list ready for registration night on Jan. 25 at 9 pm.

Join a City Committee or Board

Make a difference in your community by providing your unique voice and expertise as a volunteer member of a City of Ottawa committee or board. Reminder: The deadline to apply to most boards and committees is Jan. 23 at 4:30 pm. For details and application information, please visit bit.ly/3VJHcG3.

Young at Art 2023 program

Calling our talented Ottawa youth to the spotlight! Visual artists between 12 and 19 years old will have a chance to have their work displayed at local art galleries and be eligible for a number of awards with the Young at Art 2023 program. Apply now: bit.ly/3VbKO3r

Snow Angels

Do you know a Snow Angel who deserves recognition? A Snow Angel is a neighbour or friend who has volunteered to help you, or someone you know who is elderly or has a disability, by clearing snow or ice from their driveway, steps or walkway. If you know a Snow Angel, the City of Ottawa wants to thank them! Snow Angel nominations are accepted from December 1 to March 31.

To recognize a resident as a Snow Angel:

Complete a Snow Angel Nomination Form, or

Call 3-1-1

Details: bit.ly/3uUalQN

Heat Pump Evaluations Webinar

Jan. 19, from 7 to 9 pm on Zoom. Sign up here.

Heat pumps are very efficient heating and cooling systems and can significantly reduce energy costs. In this webinar, Gil Amdurski from Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will present everything you need to know about heat pumps – technology, types, and prices. In addition, you will hear about the TRCA’s Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) and learn from real-life examples of heat pump projects.  

Emergency Services News

Ottawa Police Service

➤ Festive RIDE results in 83 Impaired driving related charges

The Ottawa Police Service held their annual 2022 Festive RIDE Campaign between December 1st 2022 and January 5th, 2023 and laid a total of 83 criminal charges for impaired driving-related offences. Click here for details.

➤ Annual Hate Crimes data shows a 13% increase in reporting to police

The Ottawa Police Service Hate and Bias Crime Unit released its 2022 Annual statistics. The Hate and Bias Crime unit saw 377 total incidents, including 300 criminal and 77 hate incidents, which marks an increase of 13% over 2021. For details, please click here.

Ottawa Police Services Board

➤ Suzanne Valiquet re-appointed as Interim Board Chair until the expiration of her appointment  

For details, please click here.

➤ Chief Administrative Officer Blair Dunker retires from the Ottawa Police Service effective Jan. 6, 2023 

For details, please click here.

City of Ottawa Committee and Council Updates

Upcoming Meetings

➤ Built Heritage Committee - Jan. 17, 2023 at 9:30 am.

➤ Planning and Housing Committee - Jan. 18 at 9:30 am

➤ Ottawa Police Services Board - Jan. 23 at 4 pm. This meeting will be live streamed over Ottawa City Council’s YouTube channel.

➤ City Council - Jan. 25 at 10 am

➤ Planning and Housing Committee - Jan. 31 at 9:30 am

➤ Ottawa Board of Health - Jan. 30 at 5 pm

➤ Ottawa Public Library Board - Jan. 31 at 5 pm

For a list of upcoming Committee and Council meetings and to access the meeting agendas, please click here. Watch or listen to meetings in progress or access the video or audio of past meetings on YouTube or on the City’s agendas and minutes web portal. Regular City Council meetings are also broadcast live on RogersTV Cable 22 and live streamed on the RogersTV website.