January 30, 2026 Newsletter

January 30, 2026 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
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
Emergency Services Updates

A Message from Councillor King

Dear Residents:

Council approved a new Zoning By-law for Ottawa this week. After five years of community consultation and three draft iterations, this comprehensive framework will help improve housing affordability, streamline the development process, and manage the significant population growth projected for the years ahead.

The new by-law enacts the policies of the Official Plan that Council approved in 2021, as well as responds to multiple legislative directives by the Province to accelerate and accommodate growth and address Ontario’s housing affordability crisis. It significantly streamlines zoning regulations through simpler, easy-to-use rules based on building size and location rather than building type. This includes straightforward permissions for mid-rise and high-rise development near transit, flexible parking rules that let market demand determine needs, and streamlined provisions to gently increase density in existing neighbourhoods.

Each community in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward has its own story to tell through its buildings, its streets, and its public spaces. Rockcliffe Park, with its estate properties and mature tree canopy, presents a very different built form than Manor Park’s compact, walkable grid. New Edinburgh’s heritage streetscapes differ markedly from Lindenlea’s mid-century character. Overbrook is undergoing its own transformation as a community with significant growth potential.

The new Zoning By-law attempts to address this diversity through its graduated Neighbourhood zone structure – N1 through N6 – and through subzones A through F that reflect the spectrum from “fully urban” to “fully suburban” character. The application of these zones across Rideau-Rockcliffe varies significantly, and rightly so.

However, a zoning by-law, no matter how sophisticated, cannot capture every nuance of local context and concern on paper. That is why I look forward to continuing productive conversations with planning staff that recognize these distinct characteristics and seek thoughtful ways to reflect them as Ottawa continues to change and grow. The by-law provides the framework, but its success will depend on how sensitively it is administered and interpreted at the neighbourhood level.

For Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward, several specific provisions in the new by-law reflect the unique character of our major communities. City staff confirmed that it would maintain the 11-metre height limit in residential zones within New Edinburgh, which was a key community request. Beechwood Avenue received standard mainstreet zoning that permits diverse commercial uses and mixed-use development, providing the flexibility required for business diversity. For Wateridge Village, staff made technical adjustments to zoning mismatches, removed daycare prohibitions, corrected visitor parking schedules and clarified park zoning, so that the new zoning by-law aligns with the community’s secondary plan, preserving its original development vision. In Lindenlea, an exception was maintained for the Thomas Adams area, in order to preserve its 8.5-metre height limit. The by-law also corrects previous zoning errors in Rockcliffe Park, ensuring that properties at 550 and 560 Maple Lane maintain appropriate three-storey rather than four-storey height maximums.

These adjustments to the new zoning by-law, made in consultation with the community, recognize some of the planning priorities, distinct built form and heritage values of our established neighbourhoods. However, important work remains. Many residents have expressed concerns about the removal of the heritage overlay for properties outside Heritage Conservation Districts. While designated properties remain subject to the Ontario Heritage Act, we must ensure that heritage continues to be actively considered in development applications. My office will examine legislative intervention to harmonize heritage and land-use planning considerations. Questions also remain about angular plane requirements, which are critical protections for managing transitions between different building heights. While angular planes apply in some zones, their application isn’t consistent across all contexts where high-rise development abut lower-density neighbourhoods. A direction was provided to staff during debate and deliberation of the by-law to study these applications to ensure that transition standards function effectively in practice.

Another theme of importance to residents during consultation has been the question of infrastructure capacity. Can our streets, sewers, parks, and schools accommodate the increased density this by-law enables? This is not an abstract concern. It is a legitimate question about livability and quality of life. The by-law includes important provisions to address these concerns. The by-law’s new On-Site Stormwater Management Program requires all low-rise residential developments that increase hard surface area to implement on-site stormwater management. For water and wastewater services, the City is implementing a risk-based approach. While lower-density development will be tracked and monitored, developments of four to 10 units will undergo active review to ensure adequate fire flow capacity and service levels. This graduated approach balances efficient development with public safety.

But infrastructure goes beyond technical systems. It includes parks, recreation facilities, traffic patterns, and parking availability. The by-law’s elimination of parking minimums in urban areas has been particularly contentious. While this change supports climate goals and reduces development costs, we must monitor its real-world impacts on street parking availability, particularly in areas with limited transit service. The comprehensive review of on-street parking permit programs, scheduled to report back in 2027, will be particularly important.

In addition, as part of the approval of the new Zoning By-law on January 26, 2026, a motion was approved by City Council directing the General Manager of the Planning, Development and Building Services Department to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee by mid-year of 2029 concerning the removal of minimum parking requirements for residential developments with respect to how it is working in practice and whether any changes or improvements are recommended by staff.

The City must remain vigilant about whether the elimination of parking minimums creates unintended consequences in residential areas that will experience intensification.

Balanced growth remains critical to ensuring that intensification aligns with infrastructure capacity and quality of life. This is not about opposing growth, it is about ensuring that growth is context-sensitive and sustainable, that it enhances rather than diminishes livability, and that our existing residents are not asked to bear unreasonable burdens as our city evolves.

It is also important to clarify that zoning sets out only what could be built, not what will be built. According to statistics, in practice, only a small number of properties redevelop in any given year, with an average citywide turnover of about one per cent. While the new Zoning By-law allows for additional development potential, it does not mean development will automatically increase or occur at that scale.

As a consequence, Council approval of the New Zoning By-law is just the beginning. Open dialogue between residents, Council, and staff will be essential as this by-law moves from policy to practice. Specific monitoring frameworks are needed to track infrastructure capacity, parking impacts, housing production rates, and tree canopy preservation. I am committed to ensuring that growth in Rideau-Rockcliffe is balanced, sustainable, and respectful of the distinct character that makes each of our communities special. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns as we navigate this new planning framework together.

Rawlson King
City Councillor

Your Councillor in the Community

Great discussion with journalism students from Carleton recently alongside Councillor Laura Dudas at Ottawa City Hall! Their sharp questions about City Council leave me optimistic about the future. Thanks Professor Aneurin Bosley!

Very pleased to visit the offices of Jaku Konbit this week to learn about the debut of their new system navigation program designed to create better access and equity in the justice system for local youth.

It was a pleasure to celebrate the heritage and cultural ties between Egypt and Canada with His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Hafez this week at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt!

I was happy to drop into Incubator13 at the Rideau Community Hub this week to honour John Verdon’s 25-year contribution to grassroots digital civic engagement and social innovation in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward as the founder and manager of the Lindenlea community listserve.

Attended the National Holocaust Ceremony with many elected officials, members of the diplomatic corps and residents at the National Holocaust Monument this week.

Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities

Ottawa Family Cinema presents The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants in 3D - Jan. 31

Enjoy a production of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants in 3D at Ottawa Family Cinema at The Rideau Community Hub, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard on Jan. 31 at 2 pm. Hoping to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob follows a mysterious, swashbuckling ghost pirate known as the Flying Dutchman on a seafaring adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the ocean. Save $2 by booking online. Tickets on sale now at familycinema.ca or at the door.

New Year's Levee reception - Feb. 1

Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester MP Mona Fortier hosts her New Year's Levee reception on Feb. 1 from 3 to 5 pm at The Bridge Public House, 1 Donald Street.

Artemis II: Celebrate Canada’s Moon mission - Feb. 2 to 16

From February 2 to 16, 2026*, from 9 am to 5 pm, join the Canada Aviation and Space Museum as we mark Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s historic journey to the Moon on the Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years. Countdown to the launch with hands-on demonstrations that explore orbits, craters, and the mechanics behind this incredible mission. Take on the Canadarm challenge, explore lunar photos and 3D models in the Moon gallery, and hunt for key elements of Hansen’s mission patch throughout the museum. This interactive program gives visitors of all ages a chance to celebrate Canada’s role in space exploration and witness history in the making. *Please note: Mission launch dates may change, and the program will adjust accordingly if the launch is postponed. This program is included with museum admission. Details: ingenium.ca/aviation

To watch the launch live, join the Canadian launch event livestreamed on the Canadian Space Agency’s Facebook account and YouTube channel (available in both official languages, with simultaneous interpretation).

Rockcliffe Park Speakers Series - Feb. 4

The Rockcliffe Park Residents Association hosts the next edition of its Speakers Series on Feb. 4 at 8 pm featuring Alex Neve, a visiting and adjunct professor in international human rights law at the University of Ottawa and Dalhousie University, and a Senior Fellow with the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Member of the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela. He was Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada’s English Branch from 2000 to 2020. He is a lawyer, with a Master’s Degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex. Alex Neve is an Officer of the Order of Canada and was also the 2025 CBC Massey Lecturer, addressing the theme Universal: Renewing Human Rights in a Fractured World, which will be on sale in the foyer. The event takes place at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Road. Details: rockcliffepark.ca

Black Futures in Focus - Virtual Black Community Town Hall - Feb. 7

Councillor Rawlson King, who serves as Council Liaison for Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations Initiatives, invites Ottawa’s African, Caribbean, and Black communities to Black Futures in Focus, a virtual town hall taking place during Black History Month. This session will focus on funding opportunities, entrepreneurship supports, and resources available to help Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused (B3) organizations and Black entrepreneurs grow and thrive. Participants will receive practical information about grants, programs, and supports across government and community systems, with time for questions and dialogue. This town hall is intended for Black entrepreneurs, small business owners, leaders of B3 organizations, and community members interested in learning more about available opportunities.

Event details:
Saturday, February 7, 2026
1 to 3 pm
Virtual (Zoom)
French-language questions will be supported via chat or live interpretation.

Registration is required: Please click here or scan the QR code in the poster.

Manor Park Skating Party and Chili Cook-Off - Feb. 7

The two Manor Park rinks come alive with hockey games and pleasure skating during the Manor Park Community Council's annual Skating Party & Chili Cook-Off. On the first Saturday in February, the party opens with the 'Manor Park Winter Classic' exhibition hockey games between local teams. Following the games, families take to the ice to build up an appetite for the Chili Cook-Off entries, hot dogs and s'mores! Glowing bonfires and a fun playlist will keep everyone toasty until they crown the Chili Champ at the end of the event. For details or to enter the chili contest, please visit manorpark.ca.

Saturday February 7, 2026
Manor Park outdoor rinks next to Manor Park Community Centre, 100 Thornwood Road
5:00 - 7:00 pm - Skating Party

Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall - Feb. 7

Experience the joy of winter at Rideau Hall with your family and friends during Winter Celebration on February 7, from 12:30 to 4 pm. An afternoon of free outdoor activities, captivating performances and more than a few surprises will delight young and old alike. Explore the snow-clad grounds of Rideau Hall and discover winter games and pastimes from all over the world. Lace up your skates on the superb natural ice of the Rideau Hall Rink! Take your best photos against the enchanting backdrop of the Governor General’s official residence, or warm up with a tour inside. Walking and public transportation are the best ways to get to Rideau Hall (1 Sussex Drive). A free Winterlude shuttle bus will be running in a loop from downtown to Rideau Hall, with the last bus departing Rideau Hall at 4:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with Winterlude and the National Capital Commission. Details: www.gg.ca/en/visit-us/rideau-hall/events/winter-celebration

Overbrook Community Association board meeting - Feb. 10

Join the Overbrook Community Association on Feb. 10, from 7 to 9 pm for their next board meeting. It will take place at the Overbrook Community Centre in the craft room. Come and share your thoughts and ideas on how the OCA can improve the neighborhood!

Road Closure - Glynn Avenue - Feb. 17 to March 2

Glynn Avenue from Sharp Street to Vera Street will be closed from Feb. 17 to March 2 to allow a contractor to connect new site services. Area residents and businesses will receive advance notification. Local traffic only will be permitted on either side of the work zone.

City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities

Winterlude - Jan. 30 to Feb. 16

Experience the best the Canadian winter has to offer at Winterlude, featuring three weekends of ice sculptures, shows, exhibitions, Snowflake Kingdom, and events across Ottawa and Gatineau. Many activities are free. Details and programming: Ottawa Tourism and Canadian Heritage.

Ride free Sno-Bus service during Winterlude

Ride the free Sno-Bus shuttle on weekends and Family Day to travel between Winterlude event sites.

Black History Month 2026

Every February, we recognize Black History Month, an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the contributions of African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Canadians to the history and culture of our nation. The 2026 national theme is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” This theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the enduring legacy of Black Canadians, whose leadership, creativity, innovation and resilience have shaped our past, continue to influence our present, and will inspire future generations. Over the next month, there are many opportunities to learn about and celebrate the contributions of African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) Canadians to the history and culture of our nation.

Black History Month event listing

For a complete lineup of Black History Month events taking place in Ottawa during the month of February, please visit blackhistoryottawa.org/black-history-month-2026.

February is Black History Month—a time to honour Black voices, stories, and contributions that have shaped our communities and continue to inspire generations. This year, Ottawa Public Library is especially excited to welcome award‑winning author André Alexis for a special free event. Joined in conversation by Ottawa poet, performer, and arts educator Jamaal Amir Akbari, this evening promises thoughtful discussion, storytelling, and insight from one of Canada’s most acclaimed literary voices. Join us on February 5 at 7 pm at Bayview Yards for this Black History Month highlight. Registration is free—save your spot today!

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.

Celebrate Winter Walk Month!  

Winter Walk Month is an event that encourages students to arrive at school by walking use fun winter travel methods on their way to school in the winter. Active transportation can help students concentrate in school, get fresh air and sun during the darker winter months, and keep the school zone safe!  Enjoy the quality time you get to spend with your family as you travel to school together! Check out this poster for activity ideas to celebrate Winter Walk Month.  

A Fresh New Look Has Arrived at Ottawa Public Library!

OPL’s new brand has officially launched! On January 27, branches across the city marked the occasion with warm, in-branch welcomes, and many residents may have already spotted the fresh new look. The new brand reflects OPL’s role as a hub for literacy, creativity, and community — inspiring learning, sparking curiosity, and fostering connection. Rest assured, everything you love about OPL remains the same; the new brand simply makes it even easier to explore and engage. For details, please visit collections.biblioottawalibrary.ca.

Governor General's Foot Guards Youth Awards 2026 - application deadline is Feb. 1

The Governor General’s Foot Guards presents the GGFG Youth Achievement Awards, featuring four $2,500 awards to youth whose ability, hard work, and perseverance merits special recognition. Email submissions to [email protected] are requested no later than February 1, 2026. Details: www.ggfgra.ca/youth-award

Applications are Open for the 2026 Paint It Up! Mural Program - Info sessions Feb. 3 & 5; Location applications due by March 3

Looking for a way to help deter vandalism and beautify the community while empowering our youth through public art? Look no further than the Paint It Up! program. Paint It Up! is a youth engagement program funded and administered by the City. Organizations interested in applying can attend a virtual information session on Tuesday, February 3 or Thursday, February 5. Please register on the City’s Paint It Up! page. Before applying for funding through Paint It Up!, applicants must get authorization from the property owner and apply for preliminary location approval for their mural project using the mural application form on the City’s mural program page. Please apply for location approval as soon as possible between Friday, February 6 and Tuesday, March 3.

City accepting applications for Ottawa’s community-led greening initiatives and gardening program - deadline is Feb. 3

The City of Ottawa is inviting community groups to submit project proposals under the Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program, which supports the creation and expansion of gardens and greening projects on City land. The program promotes sustainable public spaces, biodiversity, community well-being, and climate resilience. Eligible projects include food gardens, pollinator and native plant gardens, rain gardens, ornamental gardens, and other greening initiatives connected to gardening and ecological restoration. Applications can be submitted until February 3.
Details: ottawa.ca

Community Conversation on Homelessness - Feb. 5

Let's come together to chat about housing and solutions for homelessness in our community and how to fund more supportive housing. This second community conversation on homelessness, taking place on Feb. 5 from 6 to 8:30 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church, moves past problem framing and focuses on how to fund, build, and sustain supportive housing using real world examples from Toronto and Ottawa. The evening will feature leaders running some of the most effective supportive housing programs in Canada, followed by a panel discussion with federal, provincial, and municipal representatives on what it would take to scale up these models in Ottawa. Admission is free however, advance registration is required. RSVP at Eventbrite. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Drag Bingo Community Fundraiser - Feb. 8

A family-friendly fundraiser in support of Capital Feis/St Brigid's. Join Ward 12 Councillor Stéphanie Plante and other special guests for a fun-filled afternoon of Drag Bingo with Ottawa Drag artists Zak Zinya - Mr. Capital Pride! and DLo Vtton on Feb. 8 from 2 to 4 pm at St. Brigid's Well Pub. All proceeds from the event will support Capital Feis and St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts. Details and tickets are available at Eventbrite.

City of Ottawa spring recreation program registration opens Feb. 10 & Feb. 12

Whether you’re into team sports, spin classes, board games, dance, cooking, swimming, drawing, yoga, science or any other activity that keeps your body and mind active, there’s something for small children to older adults at register.ottawa.ca. Activities will be available to view online starting Tuesday, January 27, with registration opening at 9 pm on Tuesday, February 10 for aquatics and 9 pm on Thursday, February 12 for all other programs. In-person registration takes place the day after online registration, during business hours.

Beechwood Foundation presents "Ottawa the Great - The Bytown Museum" - Feb. 12

Step into Ottawa’s past with an evening at the Bytown Museum, the city’s oldest community museum, dedicated to preserving the stories of Bytown’s early days. Founded in 1917 and housed in Ottawa’s oldest stone building (1827), the museum offers a unique window into the city’s origins. On February 12, from 6:30 to 8 pm, the Beechwood Foundation hosts a special talk by Chloe Dennis, Exhibition and Collections Manager, at 280 Beechwood Ave. Chloe will explore the museum’s role in preserving Ottawa’s early history — from the building of the Rideau Canal to the events that shaped Bytown’s early years. To learn more and register, visit: landing.beechwoodottawa.ca/thebytownmuseum

Let's Tech Together networking event - Feb. 9

Join the Ottawa tech and innovation community to celebrate and connect with our collaborative ecosystem. Let's "tech" together again on February 9 to celebrate our collaborative community, meet and greet, and build new relationships and opportunities with innovators, entrepreneurs and business owners right across our region. Join us to mix and mingle with tech and innovation enthusiasts alike! Let's raise a glass together to celebrate our collaborative ecosystem. All are welcome:

Date: February 9, 2026 (Drop in and out at your leisure)
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Standard: 360 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON
Dress Code: Business Casual
Parking: Ample street parking is available in the surrounding areas.

For details and tickets, please visit Eventbrite.

Heritage Day celebration - Feb. 17

The City of Ottawa invites residents to Heritage Day 2026, celebrating with the theme: "Voices of a City: Celebrating Two Centuries of Collective Histories and Local Heroes in Ottawa.” This free, in-person event takes place Feb. 17 from 12 to 2 pm at City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West. More than 50 local historical societies, museums, and heritage organizations will be featured in Jean Pigott Hall before and after the official ceremony at noon. You’ll have the opportunity to meet heritage professionals and volunteers, ask questions, and plan your next cultural adventure. Join the Cultural and Heritage Programs and Spaces Branch, in partnership with Capital Heritage Connexion, to embrace, explore, and celebrate the rich heritage of Ottawa on Heritage Day and throughout the year. Celebrate Heritage Week from February 16 to 22, with activities and events that showcase Ottawa's diverse and vibrant cultural history. For details, please visit ottawa.ca and heritageottawa.org.

Grant Writing Workshop and Information Session - Feb. 18 & 19; Register by Feb. 9

The City of Ottawa and the Government of Ontario host a grant writing workshop and information session, one in English on Feb. 18 and the other in French on Feb. 19, both from 8:30 am to 3 pm, at Bayview Yards, 7 Bayview Station Road. Registration is required by Feb. 9. Hosted in partnership with the City of Ottawa and the Ontario Government - Regional Services Branch, this event is your opportunity to learn effective strategies for writing successful grant proposals, funding opportunities, and connect with other organizations. Gain practical tips on addressing community needs and crafting compelling funding proposals. This session is designed specifically for non-profit organizations. For details and to register, please visit this link or scan the QR code in the poster.

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 February 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.

City of Ottawa Summer Camp registration opens Feb. 26; programs available for viewing Feb. 3

Get ready for the summer months and plan the school holidays with the City of Ottawa. Summer camps will be available to view on Tuesday, February 3. Registration opens on Thursday, February 26 at 9 pm.

Coldest Night of the Year - Feb. 28

The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there. Join us on February 28, 2026 - across the country, close to home! Funds raised during one of the downtown portions of the event support The Ottawa Mission, which has been serving those who are homeless, hungry and vulnerable by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills since 1906. For details, to donate in support of a participating team or to take part in the event, please visit cnoy.org/location/ottawadowntown

Your input matters: Tell us how we can improve the City's public engagement strategy - by Feb. 28

In June 2025, Council adopted a motion to strengthen public engagement by prioritizing equity, accessibility, and accountability. Informed by lessons learned and evolving best practices, the City has proposed updates to the Council-approved 2013 public engagement strategy to better reflect the evolution of public engagement and how the City engages with residents today. You are invited to review the proposed update to the Public Engagement Strategy and Workbook and share your feedback through our survey before Feb. 28. Your input will help shape a more meaningful, effective and inclusive approach to public engagement.

Nominations Open for Forty Under 40 - due by March 7

Now in its 29th edition, Forty Under 40 is the most sought-after business awards for young business leaders in Canada's National Capital Region. Its 1,000+ recipients include some of the region's most successful and community-minded executives. The Forty Under 40 awards program is jointly organized by the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade. Forty Under 40 nominations are now open! The deadline to submit is March 7, 2026. For details, please visit fortyunder40.smapply.io. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Complete Your Vacant Unit Tax Declaration Before March 19

It’s Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declaration time again. Complete your online declaration for the 2025 occupancy year for each residential property that you own before the March 19, 2026, deadline. A $250 late fee applies to all late submissions. Alternate and accessible declaration options available in person and by phone (Monday to Friday, 8a.m. to 4:30p.m.):

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.

Learn more about the Vacant Unit Tax at ottawa.ca/vut.

Ottawa’s 200th anniversary will feature a year of investment in arts, entertainment and fun

A year’s worth of innovative programming and collaborations were unveiled at the official launch event to celebrate Ottawa’s 200^th anniversary. The City has launched three Ottawa 200 grant programs, with a total of $750,000 to be distributed through signature funding programs:

Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Grant Program, in collaboration with the Ottawa Art Gallery and Arts Ottawa to support artist/creator-led projects and organizations that will mentor and showcase emerging artists/creators.
Ottawa 200 Civic Events Funding Program to support cultural and community non-profit-led events that are free to the public and suitable for all ages.
Ottawa 200 BIA Activation Grant, to be distributed across Ottawa’s 18 Business Improvement Areas (BIA) to support the purchase of Ottawa 200 promotional materials for Ottawa 200 events.

Further details about each grant and Ottawa 200 can be found on the City’s website, ottawa.ca.

Ottawa Bluesfest unveiled its evening lineup for a special Ottawa 200 day on Sunday, July 19 featuring The Guess Who, The Sheep Dogs and Elisapie. Free and family-friendly daytime programming will be announced in March.

Household items needed for Helping With Furniture

Helping With Furniture provides gently-used furniture and household goods, refurbished bicycles and laptops to people in need in Ottawa. For more than 20 years, HWF has been helping refugees, recent immigrants, and people relocating from shelters, leaving abusive situations, struggling with mental illness or at risk of homelessness. They are an award-winning, registered charity entirely run by volunteers. The organization is seeking donations of the following items in good condition:

Kitchen stuff (pots, dishes, utensils - the basics for cooking family meals)
Curtains (for privacy and keeping homes warm)
Linens (bedding, towels and towels!!)
Toys (any age - kids need play and comfort too)

Drop them off at: 1455 Michael Street, Unit 3; Wednesdays 6-9 pm or Saturdays 10 am-1 pm. To learn more about the work Helping With Furniture does in support of residents, please visit www.hwfottawa.org.

Emergency Services Updates

2025 Intimate Partner Violence preliminary statistics show a 6% increase from 2024

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is continuing in their commitment to transparency and awareness about the increasing rates of violence against women in our community. OPS has released annual statistics for 2025 showing that 7,840 Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) incidents were reported, resulting in 2,626 charges laid. Reports include both criminal and non-criminal incidents; however, charges can only be laid in criminal offense reports. This is an average of 21 calls per day related to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Further charges may be laid as some of the incidents reported in 2025 remain under investigation. There were 4 femicides* in 2025. In 2024, there were 7,390 reported incidents of IPV, and 2,812 charges laid. It should be noted that OPS crime data is related to all incidents of IPV and, as such, victims, both women and men, are represented here. For details, please visit ottawapolice.ca.

The 2026 Thomas G. Flanagan S.C. Scholarship Award is now accepting applications - until Feb. 28

May be an image of one or more people, people studying and text that says 'LICE Thomas G. Flanagan S.C. Scholarship applications are now open until February 28th 2026! รีเดนส์ Les candidatures à la bourse Thomas G. Flanagan S.C. sont ouvertes jusqu'a 28 février 2026!'

The Ottawa Police Service is now accepting applications for the 2026 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. For more information about the 2026 Thomas G. Flanagan S.C. Scholarship, visit ottawapolice.ca.

Ottawa Police welcomes 23 new Special Constables

The Ottawa Police Service proudly welcomed 23 newly appointed Special Constables during a graduation ceremony on Jan. 23. The graduates successfully completed the OPS Special Constable Training Program, which includes comprehensive instruction in provincial and federal law, investigative support, ethics, de-escalation, and community engagement. They will now be deployed across the organization, supporting frontline officers, investigations, and specialized units. Details: ottawapolice.ca

January 30, 2026 Newsletter

Table of Contents

A Message from Councillor King

Your Councillor in the Community

Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities

City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities

Emergency Services Updates

Latest posts

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