January 29 Newsletter 2021

January 29, 2021 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

Anti-Racism Secretariat Action Planning Sessions

We are reaching out to spread the word about our upcoming virtual community action planning sessions that will be starting this week.  

The sessions will offer residents an opportunity to shape the next steps of the Secretariat. These sessions will determine immediate actions within the six key priority areas of employment equity, housing, equity in governance, economic development, health outcomes and youth development - all of which are within the City’s jurisdiction.  

The first phase of action planning sessions will be for African/Caribbean/Black, Indigenous, Asian, Jewish and Muslim communities. 

To register for one of following engagement sessions, residents can visit the secretariat’s Engage Ottawa page: 

• Asian residents: Wednesday February 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm 
• Jewish residents: Monday February 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm 
• Muslim residents: Friday, February 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm 

• Date for Indigenous residents session to be announced at a later date, after consulting with the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and other Indigenous stakeholders  

Please share this information with your networks and clients who you think may be interested in participating. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

The federal government is responsible for approving COVID-19 vaccines, buying them and distributing them to the provinces and territories.

The Province of Ontario distributes doses to the various cities and regions. It is also responsible for determining the sequence of who gets the vaccine. Priority is given to the people who are at highest risk: residents of long-term care homes, caregivers, health care workers, etc. This work is already underway in Ottawa.

The City of Ottawa is supporting the administering of the vaccine to residents locally. The City’s Emergency Operations Centre is mobilized and brings together Ottawa Public Health, the Ottawa Hospital, and other partner organizations to coordinate this work.

Along with continuing to follow public health guidelines, getting vaccinated is an important step people can take to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in our community. Ottawa Public Health’s website includes information about vaccine safety, effectiveness, myths and misinformation and more.

Vaccines will not be mandatory, but when supply permits, everyone who is able to receive the vaccine will be strongly encouraged to do so.

The City is ready to receive and continue to administer more COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available.

Phased approach

The City’s rollout will follow the Province of Ontario’s plan to distribute the vaccine in three phases.

Phase 1: In progress

Eligible high-risk populations:

• Long-term care: residents, staff, essential caregivers (including family caregivers) and other employees in congregate living settings for seniors
• Retirement home residents and staff
• Health care workers, including hospital employees, staff who work or study in hospitals and health care personnel
• Adults in First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations
• Adults receiving chronic home health care

Free Counselling for Ottawa Residents

Tired of pretending everything is fine? If you need to talk about it, Counselling Connect provides quick access to a free phone or video counselling session. You choose a convenient date and time. This service is for everyone: children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area. There is no waiting list.

Sessions are offered for all ages by Ottawa community agencies, including community health centres, Crossroads, Family Services Ottawa, Ottawa Community Immigrant Service Organization, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Youth Services Bureau and more. Visit www.counsellingconnect.org. 

Age-Friendly Winter Walkability and Pedestrian Safety Audits for Seniors and Other Valuable Pedestrians

Snow Moles are volunteers who report on what it’s like to walk outside on a winter day in Ottawa. Anyone can be a snow mole, but we are particularly looking for seniors and children to participate, as well as people who use mobility devices (e.g., canes,walkers, and wheelchairs).

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 Audit.

Pick a time of day when you need to go out (best after some winter weather such as a snowfall or freezing rain), and a destination (e.g., bus stop, store, school, bank, seniors centre, library).

Use the Snow Mole questionnaire to audit your walk. Do as many audits as you like on different days between January 1 and March 31.

Fill in the questionnaire online (www.coaottawa.ca/snowmoles) or mail a completed paper copy to the COA, boul. 217 –815 boul. St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, OntarioK1K 3A7

January is Mentoring Month!  

 If you’ve ever had a mentor or been a mentor -- at work, at school or in your life - then you know that mentoring can change lives. Mentoring amplifies relationships, learning, and career opportunities. Over 15,000 young people across Canada are waiting for a mentor, someone just like you.  Visit becomeamentor.ca to learn more.

Online engagement opportunity – Spartan Avenue (January 29 to February 12)

The City of Ottawa continues to take precautionary steps to protect members of the public. As an alternative to hosting in-person public information sessions, information is being posted to Ottawa.ca. The City remains committed to keeping the public informed of projects occurring in your neighbourhood.

The City of Ottawa invites you to review and provide comments on the Drainage Improvements to Spartan Avenue Project by February 12, 2021. Information can be submited by email or by phone to the City’s project manager named below.

Spartan Avenue project display boards [ 430 KB ]

Spartan Avenue proposed drainage improvements [ 540 KB ]

What: The City of Ottawa is undertaking the design for the installation of a new storm sewer on Spartan Avenue as an extension to the existing system from 333 Spartan Avenue and Lola Street.

Why: The new section of storm sewer will improve local drainage and alleviate surface drainage and surface capture on Spartan Avenue.

Where: The proposed work will occur on Spartan Avenue between 333 Spartan Avenue and Lola Street.

When: The design work for this project is ongoing. Construction is expected to start in Summer 2021, pending approvals and overall construction coordination. The timing for the project will be confirmed closer to construction.

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the consulting firm, Robinson Consultants Inc., to complete the design.

For further information about this project and/or to submit comments on the project, please contact the City project manager:

James Porter, P.Eng.
Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
Design and Construction - Municipal
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 30339

OPL St-Laurent branch closed on Friday, February 5
Due to planned testing of the electrical system, the St-Laurent branch of Ottawa Public Library (515 Côté) will be closed on Friday, February 5.  

• There will be no returns or holds pickup that day.
• Holds on the shelves at the St-Laurent Branch will be extended for one day.
• The book drops will be closed.

The closest locations available for library services are:

• Vanier: 310 Pères Blancs – open from 1 pm to 6 pm
• North Gloucester: 2036 Ogilvie – open from 10 am to 4 pm
• Rideau: 377 Rideau – open from 10 am to 4 pm

For current services, please visit: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/current-branch-services   

Although the branch will be closed, online services are always available at https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en.

The St-Laurent Branch will reopen on February 6 at 10 am