January 19, 2024 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
To view the above image in more detail, please refer to the Health & Public Safety section of my website.
Reporting issues: Once a winter weather event has passed, should you become aware of an issue on the City-maintained transportation network, submit a Service Request by calling 3-1-1, emailing [email protected] or visiting online here.
Updates: For more information on the City's winter operations, please visit ottawa.ca/winter.
Winter Weather Storm Parking: Roads and Parking Services has been working closely with their partners in Parks Maintenance and Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services to expand the number of available parking alternatives during a winter weather parking ban for the 2023/24 season. For this season, 18 additional parking lots are being piloted to determine their level of use and success in consideration for permanent implementation for use during winter weather parking bans. In Ward 13, the following lots are available:
- Dr. John Hopps Park – 300 Den Haag Drive
Find out when a winter parking ban is called by signing up for the winter parking mailing list: eSubscriptions sign up form | City of Ottawa
For more information about City of Ottawa winter operations, please visit Ottawa.ca/winter.
No access to the web or need to report a concern that requires immediate attention? Please call 3-1-1 or TTY 613-580-2401. The City of Ottawa is pleased to provide the Canada Video Relay Service (VRS) for people wishing to contact the City. Callers using VRS are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. To reach the City of Ottawa through VRS, please dial 613-580-2400.
Elementary School Immunization Clinic - Jan. 23
Clinics will offer routine childhood vaccinations including the three vaccines typically given in Grade 7 at school (human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and meningococcal), along with COVID-19 vaccines. To learn more about what vaccines your child may need, please visit our website at: ParentingInOttawa.ca/Immunization. Clinics will be open to children and youth up to 18 years of age. Those attending the schools as well as children and youth in the surrounding community can attend. Parents and guardians can also accompany their children at the school clinic. No appointment is required. Additional information including clinic locations, dates, times and eligibility is available on the Ottawa Public Health Parenting in Ottawa website.
Ottawa Public Health hosts an elementary school immunization clinic in Ward 13:Free Children’s Playgroup at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse - every Thursday
Children from newborns to four years old and their parents or caregivers are welcome to attend a free drop-in playgroup at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, on Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 am. This is an informal and unstructured opportunity to socialize with other children in your community. For more information, please email [email protected]
🛍️ Local artisans
🤫 Silent auction
✂️ Kid crafting table, hot cocoa, and treats
For more information and to let them know you will be attending, RSVP here.
I will be joining Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier, Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard, Rideau-Vanier Councillor Stéphanie Plante and Beacon Hill-Cyrville Councillor Tim Tierney in co-hosting a New Year's Levee on Jan. 28 from 2 to 4 pm. Drop by the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre at 300 des Pères-Blancs Avenue for beverages, music, food and fun. Everyone welcome. Entry is free.
Hydro Ottawa will be completing a a project that involves replacing three critical electrical poles on St. Laurent Boulevard. In an effort to minimize traffic disruption in the area, the road closure will take place on Sunday, January 28, from 7 am to 5 pm. To safely complete this project, Hydro Ottawa has coordinated with the City of Ottawa to temporarily close St. Laurent Boulevard for approximately 150 metres north of Montreal Road. Once the work has been completed, St. Laurent Boulevard will reopen to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Temporary detour signs directing traffic and pedestrians away from the construction site will be in place. There are no scheduled power outages impacting multiple customers associated with this work. The one customer who will experience a power outage has been notified in person. Homes and businesses in the area will receive a written notice advising them of this work. Residents will notice increased construction presence during the day, including a crane. Hydro Ottawa staff and contractors will conduct this work safely and efficiently, ensuring that any inconvenience is minimal. In case this work must be postponed, the alternate work date is Feb. 4.
Building an Inspiring Capital
Reflecting the mandate of the National Capital Commission (NCC) – to build a great Capital for Canadians – CEO Tobi Nussbaum will speak to a number of exciting NCC projects, plans and initiatives that are driving an ambitious agenda towards achieving that vision, and address local issues.
Wednesday, January 31, 8 pm, at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, located at 380 Springfield Road. For details, please click here.
The public is invited to attend Winter Celebration on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 12:30 to 4 pm at Rideau Hall. Once again, this event is officially part of Winterlude. All activities are free of charge. A free Winterlude shuttle bus will run in a loop from downtown (intersection of Metcalfe and Queen Streets) to Rideau Hall every hour between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. with the last bus departing Rideau Hall at 4:30 pm. Once the list of activities is available, it will be posted here.
- 3 - 5 pm - Manor Park Winter Classic Hockey
- 5 - 7 pm - Skating Party & Chili Cook-Off
Could you be the next Chili Champion? Enter the chili cook-off to find out! See the winning recipe from 2023 HERE!
- DATE AND TIME: Saturday, February 17, 9 am to 12 pm;
- MEETING POINT: in front of the Vanier Sugar Shack (320 des Pères-Blancs Avenue – Use the parking lot at the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre);
- Registration is not required.
Members of the public are invited to lace up their skates and enjoy the historical Rideau Hall skating rink this winter season. The Winter Pavilion, a restored heritage building, is available for visitors to warm up and lace up their skates. The public is invited to visit the skating rink for free during the following hours:
Until March 3, 2024 (weather permitting)
- Monday – Friday, 5 – 8:30 pm. Last entry at 7:45 pm.
- Saturday – Sunday, 12 – 8:30 pm. Last entry at 7:45 pm.
- Please note that the skating rink will be closed on Friday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 30.
Full details are available on the Rideau Hall skating rink page.
Be a part of a great Canadian Winter tradition - outdoor rinks! The Manor Park Community Council is looking for outdoor enthusiasts to help build and maintain their skating rink this season! Plus instructors for Skating Lessons! Ideal candidates love skating, working outside and are not afraid of a little snow shoveling. Rink attendants are responsible for rink building, maintenance, including shoveling and flooding of the ice. Please send your expression of interest and resume to Melanie Proulx, Recreation Supervisor: [email protected]
The proposed work includes:
- replacement of 22 poles along the right-of-way
- replacement of the remaining 34 poles along the existing Hydro Ottawa rear-lot easements
- replacement/installation of 11 new anchors for pole line support
Confirmation of the work schedule and additional details about this project will be communicated as they become available.
Outdoor community rinks
If you are looking to enjoy one of the four refrigerated rinks in the City, make sure to check online before heading out. Outdoor rink preparations are complete or underway in many of our neighbourhoods around Rideau-Rockcliffe. For the community rink closest to you, take a look at the City of Ottawa's interactive skating rink map. Status is not online for community rinks. Rink locations in and near Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward include:
- New Edinburgh Park outdoor rink at 203 Stanley Avenue
- St. Ambroise Park outdoor rink at 120 Landry Street in Vanier
- Optimiste Park outdoor rink at 43 Ste. Cécile Street in Vanier
- Lindenlea Park outdoor rink at 15 Rockcliffe Way
- Village Green Park outdoor rink at 270 Springfield Road in Rockcliffe Park
- Richelieu Park outdoor rink at 300 des Pères-Blancs Avenue in Vanier
- Manor Park outdoor rink at 100 Braemar Street
- Overbrook Park outdoor rink at 33 Quill Street
- St. Paul's Park outdoor rink at 469 Donald Street in Overbrook
- Presland Park outdoor rink at 369 Presland Road in Overbrook
- Cummings Park outdoor rink at 1060 Cummings Avenue in Gloucester
- Dr. John Hopps Park outdoor rink at 300 Den Haag Drive
Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library - Overbrook location
The Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library is an initiative of the National Capital Region Equitable Recreation Network, a federally-registered not-for-profit organization. The Library's mission is to respond to barriers experienced by racialized and marginalized communities to nature-based experiences, land-based programming, outdoor recreation, and the associated mental and physical health benefits derived from time outside. Visit ottawaoutdoorgearlibrary.com for more information. If you have gear to donate, please click here.
Locations and Hours of Operation:
- Main location: 877A Boyd Avenue. Tuesdays from 2:30 to 6:30 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
- Winter pop-up location: the Overbrook Community Centre at 33 Quill Street. From January 7 to the end of March. Saturdays from noon to 4 pm.
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
Black History Month launch - Jan. 27
Join Black History Ottawa, a registered Canadian charity, for the kickoff to Black History Month 2024 with an unforgettable opening ceremony celebrating a rich heritage and culture. Taking place on Jan. 27 from 2 to 4:30 pm at the National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive. The event is free to attend. For more information and for tickets, please click here.
Kindergarten Registration at the Ottawa Catholic School Board!
If your child was born in 2020, it's time to register them to start Kindergarten in September 2024. Registering is Easy: Simply complete the online registration form and upload your documents. If you have questions, please email our Admissions team at [email protected], and they will be happy to help. Take a Peek Inside your Classroom: We have virtual 3D tours of our Kindergarten classrooms. No need to wait — visit your child's class today!
Annual Frozen Water Pipes - Service Notices
The City of Ottawa provides clean and safe drinking water to more than 950,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The water is delivered through more than 3,200 kilometers of underground pipelines. Depending on location and the installation year of a water service pipe, some are not buried as deeply or properly insulated as others, meaning they are at risk of freezing at this time of year. Approximately 2,000 Ottawa homes and businesses may be impacted by frozen water service pipes. Resident notification process: During typical winters in Ottawa, some homes and businesses experience a frozen water service pipe that prevents water from reaching their internal plumbing. To minimize the risk of water service interruption, as many as 2,000 customers may proactively receive Frozen Water Service Warning – Run Water Notification letters. The City will issue notices to customers who have previously experienced a frozen water service pipe and have not had the service replaced at a lower level, using a phased notification process. The first notice was mailed on January 9. Click here for more information and to learn how to prevent frozen water service pipes.
Registration for Planning Primer - Jan. 23
The Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department offers the Planning Primer Program to help residents become more aware of, and more involved in, the land-use planning process.
- January 23, from 6 to 8 pm
Location: a Zoom link will be sent to those who register. To join one of the sessions, please register here. Please send any questions to [email protected].
You are invited to take part in the Ottawa Indigenous Student Career Fair on January 25, from 1 to 5 pm, at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, 299 Montreal Road. The Ottawa Indigenous Student Career Fair (OISCF) is a cross-campus initiative organized by Algonquin College, Carleton University, La Cite College, and the University of Ottawa! These campuses are home to approximately 3,000 Indigenous learners, and many are seeking employment opportunities, whether that is part-time as they study, summer internships, or full-time as they approach graduation. Recent graduates are welcome, so bring your friends! Whether you study criminology, construction, social work, or journalism, we invite you to attend and learn about the many opportunities available to you! Refreshments and transportation will be provided. For more information, please click here.
Recreation Passes - Public Consultations and Survey - Jan. 29
2024 Community Economic Development Funding Program - Applications accepted until Feb. 9
- creating jobs
- creating businesses
- developing entrepreneurship and employability skills
- lower-income youth
- new Canadians
- racialized communities
Governor General's Foot Guards Youth Achievement Awards 2024 - Deadline for applications/nominations is Feb. 15
Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest - Deadline is Feb. 23
The Ottawa Public Library is calling all young writers to participate in the Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest, a fantastic opportunity to showcase your storytelling prowess and join a community brimming with creativity and passion! If you have a thing for storytelling, drawing or writing, 2024 might be your year to become an awesome author.
About the Contest:
- Dates: The contest is now open, with submissions accepted until February 23, 2024, at 11:59 pm.
- Eligibility: Open to Ottawa residents aged 9-18 (who have not completed high school) and holding a valid library card. Submissions from outside residents with a non-resident card (family membership) are also welcome.
- Categories: Participants can enter in one of seven categories - short story, poetry, comic, nouvelle, poésie, bande dessinée, and book cover.
Recreation and Parks Funding: Community Partnership Minor/Major Capital Programs - Deadlines: March 1 and May 1
The Community Partnership Minor and Major Capital Programs are initiatives designed to implement capital improvements to parks and recreation facilities by partnering with community groups and sharing costs. For more information about these programs please visit the City’s website. Note that the deadline to apply for the Community Partnership Major Capital Program is March 1, 2024 at 3 pm. Note that the deadline to apply for the Community Partnership Minor Capital Program is May 1, 2024.
Become a Hydrant Hero
This winter, consider becoming a hero – a Hydrant Hero! Hydrant Heroes help City of Ottawa crews by keeping 1.5 metres clear around their neighbourhood hydrant. Students can even get community involvement hours! For more information, please click here.
Ottawa PC Users' Group & Ottawa Public Library - Free Presentations
The Ottawa PC Users' Group is partnering with the Ottawa Public Library to give free presentations on a variety of computer and photography-related topics. For full descriptions and to register, please click this link. Keep checking back for updates. All presentations are given in English
Nominate a Snow Angel
Do you know a Snow Angel who deserves recognition? A Snow Angel is a neighbour or friend that 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. Nominate a Snow Angel before March 31 at this link or call 3-1-1. For more information about the Snow Angel Program, please contact [email protected].
Complete the Vacant Unit Tax declaration by March 21
The Vacant Unit Tax declaration is online. Complete it by March 21. Alternate and in-person options are available. For details, please visit this link.
Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program
The City of Ottawa is eager to support Ottawa property owners in making their homes more affordable, resilient and comfortable in 2024. The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program has had early success in doing so with over 150 completed projects since its launch in late 2021. Through the Program, all Ottawa homeowners can get a low-interest loan equal to 10 per cent of the current value of their home (up to a maximum of $125,000) to cover the cost of home energy improvements and climate adaptation measures. You can combine the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program with other available energy efficiency rebates and incentives such as the Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program, through which applicants can get up to $10,000 in rebates. You can learn more about the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program and apply today at betterhomesottawa.ca. Contact [email protected] should you have any questions.
Make the Best Call
Emergency Services News
Ottawa Police Service
Demonstrations - Roles, rights and responsibilities
The Ottawa Police Service continues to work to ensure a safe environment for hundreds of demonstrations held in Ottawa each year. Cooperation between the Ottawa Police Service, By-law and Regulatory Services and some demonstration organizers has been constructive, but challenges persist. Phave seen some recent disruptions that have impacted public safety, property, and local businesses. For the full statement, please visit ottawapolice.ca.
Ottawa Police warning the community about Fraudulent Liens and Mortgages