July 21, 2023 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
On July 17, OC Transpo suspended light rail services after an inspection revealed an issue with a bearing. During a routine 50,000 kilometre inspection of one of the light rail vehicles, excess grease on one axle was discovered. Upon further investigation an axle check was conducted, and it was determined that the bearing play was over the threshold at which it could stay in operation. In an abundance of caution after discovery of this problem, OC Transpo immediately stopped service and launched replacement bus (R1) service across Line 1.
I know it is incredibly frustrating that the system is shut down, and I share in that frustration, but safety must always come first, and the City through Council, the Transit Commission and OC Transpo is demanding the highest quality standards from the consortium that is in charge of operating, maintaining and fixing the light rail service. Consequently, I apologize for the inconvenience that many residents have experienced from the light rail service shutdown.
Line 1 stations continue to be closed, and signage has been installed directing customers to R1 service. Extra staff have been dispatched to major transit stations to provide support to customers during their trip.
All light rail vehicles were returned to OC Transpo's Maintenance and Storage Facility to allow for every single axle to be inspected and checked for any play within the axle hub. Alstom continues to conduct inspections of the track and rail geometry assessments were completed. They are continuing analysis of the results of the geometry assessments to identify non-conformances. Work undertaken has included inspecting the underbodies of the light rail vehicles for excess grease, as well as sending the axle hub assembly from the light rail vehicle where an issue was discovered to the manufacturer for detailed investigation.
As of June 20, the axle hub assemblies of 15 light rail vehicles have been checked and none have been discovered that are out of tolerance. The underbodies of 35 light rail vehicles have been inspected and no evidence of excess grease has been found. The remaining light rail vehicles will be checked for wear and tear to the axle hub assembly.
RTG is pursuing additional equipment and resources to expedite this work and City staff will continue to work with the consortium to ensure the line is rendered safe in order to return to service. Due to the demands for adequate R1 service, adjustments were made to enhance service on July 20 with the introduction of a shuttle between Lees and Rideau stations. This will improve reliability and reduce travel times for customers.
For customers, this means:
- Westbound R1 service will run from Blair to Tunney’s Pasture stations, stopping at each station except for Lees Station
- A shuttle will run between Lees, uOttawa and Rideau stations
- Customers travelling to Lees Station from the east can connect with the shuttle and eastbound R1 service at uOttawa Station
- Eastbound R1 service will continue serve Lees Station
OC Transpo's Transit Operations Control Centre is working on finalizing additional R1 route enhancements to ensure they deliver the best possible service to customers. At the start of service today (July 21), R1 bus service began using Albert and Slater streets downtown, instead of Queen Street.
For customers, this means:
- Westbound R1 buses will run on Albert Street with stops at Bank and Kent
- Eastbound R1 buses will run on Slater Street with stops at Kent and O’Connor
- New signage is being installed to notify customers about the alternate R1 stops
Staff are at stations supporting customers during their trips. Social media updates continue to be shared and customers are encouraged to check OCTranspo.com for the latest information regarding their trip. Be assured that OC Transpo and the rail consortium are working around the clock towards the restoration of regular service.
Your Councillor in the Community
I joined Ottawa Community Housing and their residents and Community Tenant Circle at 251 and 255 Donald Street for their summer barbecue on July 20.
I celebrated small business on both Beechwood and McArthur avenues during the Vanier BIA's second annual SummerSUN festival July 15 and 16. We handed out lots of delicious locally grown strawberries, and enjoyed the talents of local musicians and buskers.
Routes: 14, 18
From Monday, July 17 at 9 am to Monday, August 7 at 6 pm, Routes 14 St-Laurent and 18 St-Laurent are being detoured due to the closure of North River Road to southbound traffic at Montreal Road for the Montreal Road Revitalization Project. Please allow extra time for your travels. For more details about this detour, the detour map and for the affected stops, please click here.
Lindenlea Outdoor Movie Night - July 21
July 22 from 2 to 7 pm at 100 Thornwood Road, Manor Park Community Centre
Manor Park's favourite outdoor community event returns for its 4th year! An adult-focused, family-friendly event that features amazing local breweries, restaurants and makers in Ottawa. Join the Manor Park Community Council this July for truly the best annual outdoor party in Manor Park. Cool down with ice cold craft beers, and satisfy your hunger with one of the local restaurant vendors. Stay the whole afternoon and socialize with friends and neighbours. All event proceeds are invested back into the community through the Manor Park Community Council. ALL WELCOME. FREE ADMISSION.
Films at the Fieldhouse: “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” - July 22
7:30 to 9:30 pm
Shakespeare in the Park performances - summer dates
The Company of Fools presents a Hamlet that’s bigger and better than ever. For more information and for the full schedule, please visit fools.ca/hamlet.
Shows taking place in and around Rideau-Rockcliffe:
- July 22 at 7 pm at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue
- July 26 at 7 pm at Nault Park, 333 St-Denis Street in Vanier
- July 31 at 7 pm at Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill
- August 7, 14 and 21 at 7 pm in Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill
What: This project will upgrade and update features at the Hemlock Pumping Station by installing a new bypass chamber outside of the station to enhance sewage and water flows, replacing electrical components inside the station and rehabilitating concrete, ladders, gratings and gates outside the station.
Community Pull Up - July 29
125th Anniversary Celebration - Historical Society of Ottawa - July 30 at Beechwood
125th Anniversary Celebration - Historical Society of Ottawa
Date: July 30, 2023
Deadline to Register: July 22, 2023
Celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Historical Society of Ottawa at Beechwood Cemetery! Featuring live music and speakers, walking tours, and refreshments. Click here for details and click here to register before the July 22 deadline.
Refugee Stories in support of Carty House - at the St. Laurent Shopping Centre - Starting August 16
Each semester, DeSerres Art Store, at St. Laurent Shopping Centre, offers Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) high school co-op students a chance to work with a professional artist to learn develop their art skills, as well as relate to the wider community. Carty House, the only transitional home for female refugees in Ottawa, was selected as their community partner for their summer co-op program. Most of us will never have to fee our home country in search of safety. Most of us will never have to rebuild our lives from scratch. These women did. Carty House current and past residents will be sharing their experiences. The students will be using 100-year-old doors to bring their stories to life through art. They are very excited to create, to learn, to share. PASSAGES - Doors to Refugee Stories will be on display in Centre Court at the St. Laurent Shopping Centre beginning Wednesday, August 16. For more information on this project or Carty House, please visit CartyHouse.org.
Invitation to participate in a survey on the sociolinguistic and geographic experiences and practices and geographic experiences and practices of Ontario francophones
A University of Ottawa research team is conducting a study funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) to better understand the sociolinguistic and geographic experiences, practices and representations of Ontario's francophones. Ontario's francophone population is diversifying significantly - notably with the arrival of francophones from other provinces and territories, as well as through immigration - but its distribution across the territory remains relatively uneven. Nevertheless, opportunities to live in French vary widely across the province, given the uneven distribution and access to French-language services. It is in this context that we seek to document the experiences and needs of francophones according to their profile and region of residence.
We are seeking participants who self-identify as being either Francophone, Francophile, or a French-speaking individual (18 years and older) to complete an online survey to document linguistic experiences and practices in relation to various spaces, services and activities (e.g., in public spaces, at work, at school, at home and in your social networks) across the province of Ontario. Participation is entirely voluntary and anonymous; completing the questionnaire can take up to 25-30 minutes (it is possible to take a break as the data is saved). The project has received approval from the University of Ottawa Research Ethics Office. Your participation in this study will help paint a contemporary portrait of Ontario's francophonie in all its social, cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity. The data will enable us to better understand the availability of French-language services and their level of access, as well as the existence of barriers and challenges to living in French in different regions. The results of the study could be used to develop better community policies and practices to meet the needs of francophones across the province of Ontario. For details, please visit the Facebook page. Please click here for the link to online survey.
Road Rehabilitation Works in Rideau-Rockcliffe - Until September
As part of the City of Ottawa’s annual infrastructure maintenance cycle, road resurfacing is taking place in the following locations.
- Clarke Avenue from St. Laurent Boulevard to Claude Street - May 25 to early July
- Donald Street from Vera Street to Alesther Street - May 25 to early September
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Crichton Street from Dufferin Road to Beechwood Avenue and from Charles Street to Keefer Street - Paving is complete. Pavement markings and site cleanup will be completed in the coming weeks.
- Springfield Road from Beechwood Avenue (OR 44) to Maple Lane - Completion is expected by summer 2023.
- McArthur Avenue from Lafontaine Avenue to St. Laurent Boulevard - July 10 to October
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And in nearby Ward 12:
- Belisle Street from McArthur Avenue north to the dead end - July 31 to late August
- Eastwood Place from McArthur Avenue west to the dead end - August 10 to late September
The roads will remain open to traffic with lane closures expected. Traffic control personnel will direct traffic. The City has retained contractor R.W. Tomlinson to complete the work.
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
My Ottawa Monthly Photo Contest
The City of Ottawa wants to recognize the beautiful photos from residents this month with an Instagram contest! Eligible categories include landscapes, cityscapes, architecture and local wildlife and flora. To enter, follow @cityofottawa or @villedottawa and use the hashtags #OttCityForever and #MyOttawa, or #OttVillePourToujours and #MonOttawa to get your photo and Instagram account featured on City billboards and other digital assets. It will also be shared on the City’s French and English Instagram accounts and on ottawa.ca/myottawa. This month’s contest period closes at 11:59 pm on Sunday, July 23. Don’t have an Instagram account? You can email your photo to [email protected]. Click here to learn more.
Mailout to residents from Service line Warranties of Canada
Service Line Warranties of Canada will be mailing letters in the coming weeks to provide City of Ottawa homeowners with details about voluntary and optional protection plans to assist with costs of possible future water and sewer/septic repairs. For more information about the Service Line Warranties program, visit ottawa.ca/slwp and check out the frequently asked questions to see if this program is right for you. More details are also available at this link.
Volunteer for City Committees
The City of Ottawa is currently recruiting public members to serve on the French Language Services Advisory Committee and the Planning Advisory Committee! Make a difference by becoming a volunteer member! The City could benefit greatly from your expertise and knowledge and in return, you would gain insight and knowledge of how the City works. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, August 24 at 4:30 pm. For more information, including the online application form, visit ottawa.ca/committees or contact Eric Pelot at 613-580-2424, ext. 22953, (TTY: 613-580-2401) or by email at [email protected].
NCC Survey - Active Use Program on the Parkways
For details about the 2023 Active Use Program on the Parkways, please click here. Tell the NCC about your experience with this year’s program. For the survey, please click this link.
Heritage Ottawa Wants To Hear From You!
Do you own an older home or are you thinking of buying one? Are you sometimes lost in contradictory free advice on the web? Heritage Ottawa (HO) wants to help. This fall, HO will be offering an Introductory Workshop designed for owners and prospective owners of older homes in Ottawa. A series of more in-depth workshops will follow at a later date. HO is seeking input from current and prospective owners of older homes, as well as restoration architects, contractors and consultants, through the survey linked down below. Your answers will provide invaluable information in helping HO shape the scope and format of the workshops. Your responses will be kept confidential, but you can choose to provide HO with your email address at the end of the survey if you wish to receive further information. Click here for the survey.
Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hub clinic services at The Rideau Hub
Did you know? Ottawa Public Health hosts a Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hub clinic at The Rideau Hub, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard. Services are free!
Come talk to a nurse:
• Vaccinations: school-based and routine vaccines for children and youth, COVID-19
• Dental screenings and dental health promotion for all ages and assistance with children and senior’s program enrollment
• Support with mental health, addictions and substance use health through wellness tips and assistance to book short-term counselling
• Support with breastfeeding and all areas of parenting through a public health nurse
• Community and social services including financial assistance, housing, employment services and referrals
Routine Vaccination for Children:
The Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub clinics can give routine vaccinations for children and youth from two months of age to 17 years of age who meet any of the criteria below:
• your child is a newcomer to Canada
• your child does not have an Ontario Health Card (OHIP)
• your child does not have a primary health care provider, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner
• your child’s healthcare provider does not provide routine vaccinations.
Routine vaccinations protect people and those around them against diseases like measles and polio, and are required for school and daycare attendance.
For details, please call 613-580-6744 or TTY/ATS : 613-580-9656 or visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca.
- Northern Lights Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill - Thursday to Monday until Sept. 4. Details here.
- Ottawa Chamberfest - July 20 to August 3, featuring 120 concerts by leading international ensemble and solo musical artists. chamberfest.com
- Ottawa Lebanese Festival - July 19 to 23 at Saint Elias Centre. Details: www.ottawalebanesefestival.com
- Carivibe Ottawa Caribbean Carnival - July 21 to 23. Details here.
- Enjoy the Asian Night Market July 21 to 23 on Sparks Street. Entry is free. For details, please visit the Sparks Street BIA.
- Buskerfest is coming to Sparks Street August 4 to 6 from 11 am to 10 pm and August 7 from 11 am to the grand finale at 5 pm. Details: Sparks Street BIA.
- Halal Ribfest at Lansdowne Park - August 11 to 13. This is North America's largest Halal food event, plus entertainment, shopping and activities. Details here.
- Ottawa Greek Fest - August 11-13, 15, 18-20 at 1315 Prince of Wales Drive. Free admission. Click here for the schedule.
- Capital Ukrainian Festival - August 19 at the Ukrainian Banquet Hall, 1000 Byron Avenue, and August 20 at Lansdowne Park. Details: capitalukrainianfestival.com
- Capital Pride Festival - August 19 to 27. Details: capitalpride.ca/2023-festival
- Capital Pride Pageant - August 19 at 8 pm at Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre. Details and tickets: nac-cna.ca/en/event/34224
- Palestinian Festival Ottawa - August 25 to 27 at Marion Dewar Park near City Hall.
City Sounds Live Summer Sounds Showcase
Enjoy 20 free outdoor concerts from July 19 to Sept. 22. Details: ottawamic.com/citysoundslive
Performances in and near Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward:
- August 2 from 6 to 8 pm at St. Charles Market - Beechwood at St. Charles. Featuring Tristan Guay, Sophie d'Orléans and Wassim
- Sept. 14 from 6 to 8 pm at The Hub, located on Marier Road at Montreal Road in Vanier.
Self-Care Gathering for Black Women in Ottawa July 29 and 30
Aids Community of Ottawa (ACO), in partnership with CO-CREATH, Umoja, Ottawa Public Health and Somerset West Community Health Centre, are hosting a collective self-care gathering for Black women and Black gender-diverse community members. The objective is to create culturally-safe spaces for Black women and Black gender-diverse folks to talk freely about hair health, mental health, sexual health, skincare, plant care and HIV self-testing and how all can be seen as forms of self-care. This event will be held on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 from 2 to 7 pm at Sandy Hill Community Centre (250 Rue Somerset Street East). Register here.
ByWard Market Upcoming Events
- Pop Shop All-Stars perform July 22 from 1 to 2 pm - George Street Plaza
- Mango Caribbean Food and Music Fest - July 23 from 12 to 8 pm - York Street
- Katherine Robinson School of Highland Dancing - July 23 from 1 to 3 pm - George Street Plaza.
- ByWard Night Market - July 29 from 12 to 8 pm - William Street Pedestrian Way
For details, please click here.
Caring and Sharing Exchange - Sharing in Student Success program
Every year during the back-to-school season, the Caring and Sharing Exchange offers assistance to children from Ottawa families in need by providing backpacks filled with all the grade-appropriate school supplies so they can begin school ready to learn and on an equal footing with their peers. In past years, the Exchange was able to assist children from kindergarten to Grade 8 and are thrilled that this year we will also be assisting Grade 9 students and hope to continue to grow each year. With the expansion and dramatic increase in the cost of living, they are expecting distribute over 4,000 backpacks this year. You can help by supporting the Sharing in Student Success program this year. Click here for details. Please click here to donate.
Auditor General 2024 Workplan - Public Input Survey - until July 31
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) for the City of Ottawa undertakes an annual risk-based assessment to identify audit priorities. The audits selected for inclusion arise through a systematic identification of all areas of significance from an audit perspective and the determination of audit project priorities by assessing criteria relating to risk, important organizational changes, new initiatives, emerging priorities, and other relevant factors. Furthermore, requests from external boards may also be taken into consideration. One of the steps of the OAG’s risk-based assessment process includes consultation with stakeholders. New this year, the Auditor General is seeking public input into the areas that Ottawa residents and business owners believe could benefit from an independent audit. The survey will remain active until July 31, 2023. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete. Survey results will be shared through the 2024 Audit Workplan, anticipated to be presented to the Audit Committee in December 2023. For more information, please contact the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) at [email protected]. You can view the OAG’s current workplan here. To learn more about the OAG, please visit www.oagottawa.ca.
What's Happening at City Hall & Lansdowne Park
- Enjoy Salsa dancing for free at the Rink of Dreams at City Hall on Wednesday evenings until August 30. Workshops begin at 6:30 pm/ Social dancing to Latin DJs takes place from 8 to 11 pm.
- Latin at Lansdowne: Free outdoor classes on Saturdays at the Aberdeen Plaza until Saturday, August 26. Beginner- or improver-level dance lessons begin at 6 pm, and social dancing is from 8 to 11 pm. Solo and partnered-style dancing workshops.
- Full Moon Yoga on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne - Free! August 1, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. And August 30 from 8 to 9 pm. For details, please click here.
- Lansdowne Summer Arts Showcase - Free musical performances at Lansdowne Park, every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 pm until August 31. Bring your lawn chair.
- Movies in the Park at Lansdowne Park - every Thursday until August 31 starting at sundown.
For details and for information about other activities this summer at City Hall and Lansdowne, please click here.
2023 Ottawa Urban Design Awards – Call for Submissions until Sept. 1
The City of Ottawa is pleased to announce the 2023 Ottawa Urban Design Awards competition. The awards will be presented in five categories: Urban Infill, Public Places & Civic Spaces, Urban Elements, Visions & Master Plans, and Student Projects. In our 10th instalment of the program, the 2023 awards will honour exceptional projects in Ottawa completed between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2023. Winners of an Award of Excellence will be sent forward as the Ottawa entry to the National Urban Design Awards competition in 2024. The winning teams of all Urban Design Awards will be presented their award at an in-person gala hosted by the City of Ottawa in November 2023. Electronic and hard copy submissions must be received by 4 pm on September 1, 2023. Submission entry forms and program guidelines are available on the City’s website Urban design awards | City of Ottawa. Submissions will be juried in October 2023 by an independent panel of urban design experts. The applicants of winning projects will be notified in late October 2023 by email. For more information, please contact [email protected]
The Order of Ottawa and Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching - Nomination Period Open
The City is accepting nominations for the 2023 Order of Ottawa and the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching. You can complete nominations for both awards either online or by downloading a nomination form from Ottawa.ca/orderofottawa. The submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 8 at 11:59 pm. Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission.
Ottawa Police Service News
- Strategic Plan Consultation Survey Now Online
The Ottawa Police Services Board and the Ottawa Police Service are asking residents to provide feedback in a public survey that was launched earlier this week. The results will help guide the development of the new Strategic Plan and the 2024 Ottawa Police Service Budget. Everyone who works and lives in Ottawa is encouraged to participate in the survey to help inform what the priorities should be for the future of the Service. Ottawa is a diverse community, and to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard, the survey is being issued in eight different languages including English, French, Somali, Arabic, simplified Chinese, Farsi, Inuktitut and Spanish. To participate in the survey, please visit pia.ottawapolice.ca and click the appropriate language link.
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Ottawa Police sees a 49% increase in misdialled calls to 911
In the first quarter of 2023, there has been a 49 per cent increase in “hang-up, pocket and misdialled calls” made to 911, representing 50,000 calls. This represents 21,000 more calls received for that period compared to 2022. Each ‘dropped’ call warrants a follow-up by the Communications Centre to determine if there was an emergency or not. Click here for more information.
City Council and Committee News
For meeting agendas, please visit ottawa.ca/agendas or call 3-1-1.
For information on how to participate in individual meetings, please consult the specific meeting’s agenda at ottawa.ca/agendas.
To watch the meetings on Youtube, please click here.
Upcoming meetings:
- Ottawa Police Services Board - July 24 at 4 pm
- Ottawa Public Library Board - July 25 at 9 am
- Election Compliance Audit Committee - July 31 at 9 am
For recent Council and Committee news, please click here.