July 10 Newsletter 2020

July 10, 2020 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

COVID19 Testing Event

ACORN members are partnering with the Ottawa Hospital, SHCHC & other health care groups to organize a one-day event to improve access to COVID19 testing in Vanier/Overbrook to advocate for long term solutions. Children and adults can be tested, no OHIP card is required and free food will be available on site. Only 70 people can be tested, so it's important to call ahead to let us know you're coming.

Call: (613) 746-5999 ext 2

Email: [email protected]

Sat, July 11th Drop in 11am-2pm

Oglivie North Park (1059 Oglivie Rd)

Masks Now Mandatory in Enclosed Public Spaces

The City of Ottawa has announced that as of Tuesday, July 7 at 12:01am, masks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces. Learn more about the new regulations including a list of included enclosed public spaces and identified exemptions, and instructions for business owners, operators and employers. Also reference Ottawa Public Health’s workplace guidance and resources and more information about masks.

“Increasing scientific evidence indicates that wearing a mask is an important measure in reducing COVID-19 transmission,” says Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health with Ottawa Public Health. “It is important to have a clear and consistent regionalized approach to mandatory masks across the Champlain region, especially as we are in the middle of peak travel season.”

A motion to institute a bylaw ensuring that residents of the City of Ottawa wear a mask in enclosed public spaces will be brought forward at Council on July 15. The directive invoked by Dr. Vera Etches will remain in place until such bylaw takes effect.

“The overarching message is this: along with other public health recommendations such as physical distancing, washing your hands often and staying home when you are sick, wearing a mask when in an enclosed public space will help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” says Dr. Etches.

The mask must cover your mouth, nose and chin to prevent respiratory droplets from your mouth and nose from reaching others or landing on surfaces. It is important for Ottawa residents to know how to properly wear a mask, as per Ottawa Public Health’s guidance. Learn more about how to properly wear a mask, and where to purchase a mask at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/masks.

The policy will be enacted and enforced in good faith and will be primarily used as a means to educate people on mandatory mask use in enclosed public spaces.

More information on the directive for Ottawa, including a FAQ, can be found here.

United Way Selling Masks at Transit Stations

As part of the United Way East Ontario Facing Forward Initiative, all sale proceeds will be used to provide cloth masks to those who are unable to purchase them on their own. For more information on where residents in need can obtain a free mask, please visit https://www.unitedwayeo.ca/facing-forward/.

The masks will be sold by the United Way for $14.99 (tax included) at the following transit stations:

• O-Train stations: Rideau, Parliament, St-Laurent, Blair, Tunney’s Pasture, Hurdman; and,
• Transitway stations: Billings Bridge, South Keys, Place d’Orléans, Lincoln Fields

Payment options will include debit or credit cards only.

Veterans’ Park Consultation

The City is looking for your help to design a new park in the Wateridge development in Ward 13. Veterans' Park is a 0.42 hectare park located at the intersection of Hemlock Road and Moses Tennisco Street.

Find the proposed design and survey here!

Support Our Local Food Bank

Support the Ward 13 Local Food for Our Local Food Bank initiative by making a tax deductible donation using the following link:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rideau-rockcliffe-community-resource-centre/

By supporting this initiative, you provide revenue to local businesses who in turn supply our local food bank that helps the most vulnerable in our community!

Chris at Bread & Roses Bakery located at 323 St-Laurent Boulevard explains:

"Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre's Food Bank service is much appreciated in two ways:

1. Families and individuals who found themselves out of work and unable to provide for their basic food needs are still able to have food on the table.
2. Businesses like us at Bread & Roses Bakery, a community bakery who lost a substantial amount of business gets to keep its ovens running and all our 10 staff employed.

If we all participate in looking after our local communities in the smallest of ways through service, consideration and generosity, we will make it through and be stronger for it!

Bread & Roses Bakery has appreciated all the support we have received from our community."

Give today.  The food bank is aiming to raise $1,800 a week through donations.

Free Online Math & Self-Esteem Courses for Youth

Pro-Active Education For All, is collaborating with the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre to offer a three month pilot program to children grade 3 to 8. PEACE will offer a free online math and self-esteem course from June 23 to September 10. Register at 613.745.0073 x121.  Dr. Monjur Chowdhury, the head of the PEACE initiative, recently wrote an article about multiculturalism an the quest for a just society in honor of Canada Day: https://ashrambd.com/news/article/1275?fbclid=IwAR2iSdkyWPpMmgFlW0-ujfTr17sUz4awpeQzLq8IMLPGuDU8EQlN1N1ciEA

Conversation about Intensification and 15-minute Neighbourhoods

Who are the city experts? Synapcity believes that first and foremost, the stories and the lived-experiences of people bring about the deepest insights about how cities thrive or how they fail. 

Synapcity invites you to join us in a conversation about intensification. What would happen to your neighbourhood if it had more people, more business, more public institutions, etc.?

Join Synapcity on Wednesday, July 22nd, from 6:30PM-8PM to take a deep dive and reimagine our neighbourhoods together. For more information and to register, visit: https://synapcity.ca/workshop/reimagining-your-neighbourhood/

Automated speed enforcement

The City of Ottawa will issue speeding tickets through the Automated Speed Enforcement program beginning Monday, July 13.

Since December 2019, signs have been posted in designated community safety zones warning drivers that speed cameras are coming soon. New signs will warn motorists when speed cameras are in use.

Vehicles that speed could have their picture taken. The registered owner would receive a ticket in the mail about 30 days later, showing their vehicle, license plate and the location, time of day and recorded speed. Drivers will not receive demerit points for tickets issued through the program.

The City has four cameras – two fixed and two mobile – that will rotate through eight community safety zones. Those zones are also home to 11 schools. The cameras are intended to help reduce speeding and make the roads safer for children and other vulnerable road users.

Traffic Impacts

Montreal Road – Montreal Road will be fully closed under Highway 174, including the on-ramps from Montreal Road westbound to Highway 174 westbound and from Montreal Road eastbound to Highway 174 eastbound, nightly, from 10 pm until 5:30 am on the following nights as part of the Stage 2 O-Train East extension:

• Thursday, July 16
• Monday, July 20
• Tuesday, July 21
• Wednesday, July 22

A signed detour will be in place from Montreal Road westbound to Highway 174 eastbound and from Montreal Road eastbound to Highway 174 westbound. Motorists are advised to follow traffic patterns and signage. A signed detour will also be in place for pedestrians and cyclists.

Order of Ottawa and the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

Once again this year, His Worship Jim Watson will award up to 15 deserving and extraordinary citizens with the Order of Ottawa in recognition of their exceptional contributions in many areas of city life including arts and culture, business, philanthropy, health care, education, public service, labour, communications and media, science, sports and entertainment.  

The awards ceremony is planned to take place at City Hall the evening of Thursday, November 19^th and it would be much appreciated if you could please hold this date in your calendars. 

The Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching will also be presented at this ceremony. Created in 2003, this award is in recognition of Mr. Kilrea’s 1000^th career victory and acknowledges the contribution of an amateur coach who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership and commitment that have been the hallmarks of Brian Kilrea's career.  

The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 11^th, and with your involvement and encouragement, we hope to attract a wide and diverse array of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to our city through their professional achievements. In consideration of the current COVID-19 situation, promotions for the award this year will be supported by electronic and digital means of communication. Please find attached a PDF and jpg version of the Order of Ottawa and Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching award poster that you can use on your websites, newsletters and social media. Additional information and the online nomination form for these awards can be found on Ottawa.ca/orderofottawa.