June 9, 2023 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
To reduce unnecessary waste going into Ottawa's landfill facility and increase participation in recycling and Green Bin programs, the City is considering changing curbside garbage collection in Ottawa. Members of Council are currently working on a compromise policy for next week's Council meeting.
At this week's Environment and Climate Change Committee meeting, I voted in support of a Mayor-endorsed motion that would eliminate the "bag tag" requirement on two bins of garbage, which would have meant no change or additional cost for 75 percent of all households participating in curbside pickup. Tags would only apply for any additional waste items based upon the original recommendation from staff.
Although this initiative failed at Committee due to a tied vote, the City of Ottawa must continue to seek changes to its residential waste collection in order to reduce garbage tonnage and increase waste diversion. This is because the Province has set a 70 percent reduction and recovery target for food and organic waste by the end of this year. The Province also has set a target for phasing out all food and organic waste from landfills by 2030. To achieve these targets, 58 percent of waste needs to be diverted to recycling programs.
While the City is exploring long-term options, ranging from siting a new landfill to leveraging new technologies, such options will cost in the range of $350 million to $400 million and will take 10 to 15 years to site, construct and operate. This is why short-term solutions, such as changes to curbside collection, are critical.
The City has allowed a limit of six garbage items since 2007, which is not sustainable, based upon the City's landfill capacity and provincial policy. Over more than a decade, the implementation of the Green Bin program and shift to bi-weekly garbage collection has only resulted in a 12 percent increase in waste diversion. In order to encourage residents to make full use of diversion programs, an adjustment of the maximum number of garbage items permitted at the curb, at a minimum, will be necessary.
To assist this adjustment, I introduced a motion that obtained unanimous approval at Committee this week to provide enhanced education to residents about the changes to the City's curbside waste collection policy and to encourage City staff to undertake a more robust campaign concerning waste diversion.
With regard to special situations, City staff did indicate at Committee that they would examine the unique requirements of both large households and low-income residents.
Overall, reducing the amount of residential waste being picked up in Ottawa is key to promoting sustainable waste management practices, increasing recycling and composting, encouraging methods to reduce waste generation and encouraging a more environmentally conscious city. Consequently, I look forward to ongoing discussions concerning waste reduction with residents, City staff and Council colleagues over the next week to accomplish these goals.
Your Councillor in the Community
There was excellent public feedback on cycling improvements proposed for the St. Patrick Street Bridge and Lowertown during a public information session at École secondaire publique De La Salle the evening of June 7.
Last weekend was a busy one. I had an amazing time at the Wateridge Village Spring Fling on June 3, which brought out many local residents for some family fun.
I also dropped by Councillor Tim Tierney's annual Summer Celebration.
I also enjoyed browsing the many community garage sales in Wateridge Village, Overbrook and Manor Park last weekend.
I also attended the incredible Night Market experience in Chinatown.
On June 3, I was proud to speak on the importance of multiculturalism during the Canadian Indo-Caribbean Organization of Ottawa's annual Multicultural Event at St. Joseph's Parish Hall.
Why: The sidewalk is in need of renewal due to overall physical condition and substandard width.
When: Construction will start late June 2023 and be completed by the end of July 2023.
Where: Den Haag Drive from Carson’s Road to 200m east of Carson’s Road (north side and partial south side).
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, D Squared Construction Ltd., to complete the work
The construction is within the City’s right of way. Residents and businesses can expect construction traffic and activity along Den Haag Drive. The road will remain open to traffic. Accesses from Den Haag Drive to the adjacent commercial and industrial property at 400 Den Haag Drive may be individually closed during construction, however, an alternate access will remain open. Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained along Den Haag Drive at all times during construction. Access to all existing bus stops in/near the work zone will be maintained at all times during construction. For more information, please click here.
Road Rehabilitation Works in Rideau-Rockcliffe - May to September
As part of the City of Ottawa’s annual infrastructure maintenance cycle, road resurfacing will occur in the following locations.
Please note that our office has requested that, if possible, water trucks conduct more frequent pass-throughs in road construction zones to help manage dust levels. Construction crews will also monitor work zones for increased dust. We thank everyone for your patience and understanding while this important work is completed. If there are concerns, please contact the appropriate City Project Manager.
- 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 - This work was expected to start the week of May 29 and completion is anticipated by summer 2023.
- Springfield Road from Beechwood Avenue (OR 44) to Maple Lane - Work was anticipated to begin the week of May 29. 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.
The following work is planned for the next 2 weeks:
- Dupuis Street and Marier Avenue – Work is ongoing for the installation of the three-sided triangular sign at Le Carrée along with the flag pole foundation and reinstatement of the bike repair station at Marier Avenue. Flag pole foundation at Le Carrée will be installed this week followed by the pole installation.
- McArthur Avenue/Vanier Parkway intersection and McArthur Avenue/St-Laurent Boulevard intersection – Asphalt milling is taking place at the intersections this week with iron work adjustments next week. The work is being undertaken at night given the heavy traffic volumes along the Vanier Parkway. The work is being undertaken to revert the intersection back to pre-detour conditions. Paving of the intersections is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 5.
- Greensway Avenue multi-use path – Grading and basecourse placement for the Greensway Avenue to Vanier Parkway pathway connection is ongoing.
- Landscaping at various locations – Installation of pavers and delineator tiles is occurring through out Montreal Road. Other work includes concrete repairs, asphalt key grinding at side streets and planter installations.
Youth Leader Needed from Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward 13
Ottawa Youth Engagement (OYEC), a collaboration between Youth Ottawa, The City of Ottawa and CHEO's YouthNet, aims to bring together a team of dedicated youth leaders (ages 15-24) from across the National Capital Region. The goal is to identify issues that are important to young people, amplify youth voices in municipal decision-making processes, and increase youth engagement across Ottawa. They believe that by involving multiple municipal leaders and community-based organizations, they can maximize the impact of this youth leadership group and contribute to positive change in our city. Complete the application process here: www.youthottawa.ca/programs/oyec
Crichton Community Council - AGM - June 12
Join the Crichton Community Council in New Edinburgh for their annual general meeting on June 12 at 7 pm at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue. Community builders welcome. For details, please click here.
Please join The Council on Aging in Ottawa in person (or online) at the Rideau Community Hub (their new home) at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard in the cafeteria (on the main floor by the main entrance) on Tuesday, June 13 from 1 to 3 pm. Free parking onsite. Refreshments will follow the meeting. To attend, please register at this link.
Anti-Racism Strategy Townhalls - June 14 & June 20
As part of the City's launch of its inaugural Anti-Racism Strategy, residents are invited to attend upcoming townhall sessions. Come learn about the strategy and share your feedback The City for All Women Initiative hosts the first townhall on June 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Rideau Community Hub, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard. Click here for details, and click here to register. To learn more and read the Anti-Racism Strategy, visit ottawa.ca/antiracism.
A second session, held in partnership with the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, is scheduled for June 20 from 10 am to 12 pm, at the Alexander Community Centre, 960 Silver Street. Register to attend by clicking here.
Youth Violin Program and Recital - June 16
The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre is thrilled to announce its upcoming Violin Recital. Their talented young musicians have been practising diligently and are looking forward to showcasing their skills and hard work in a beautiful performance. The Centre invites all of its partners and community members to attend and support these talented young performers on June 16 between 4:30 and 5:30 pm at the Rideau Community Hub, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard. The community faces a challenge in accessing high-quality musical instruments, specifically violins. Consequently, the Centre requires violin donations to support its violin program and ensure that every child can participate wholeheartedly. If you possess a violin in good condition or wish to contribute financially, kindly get in touch with the Centre's youth program officer or visit their website to make a donation. Your generosity will have a profound impact on the lives of numerous children in Rideau-Rockcliffe. For more information on Centre activities and programs, please contact email [email protected] and [email protected] or call 613-745-0073 ext. 123.
Overbrook resident Ron Davies' play, Transitions, will be produced at the 2023 Ottawa Fringe Festival. Winner of the 2023 Hamilton Fringe New Play Contest, Transitions is a family drama about change. Family members from three generations – an ailing grandfather, a beleaguered mother and a transgender teen – struggle to understand each other's life changes ... and to deal with their own. Performances take place at the Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave., from June 16 to 24. The play runs 55 minutes. Tickets at $12 (plus $3.00 for a Fringe pin) will be available through the Ottawa Fringe Festival site at ottawafringe.com. For more information about the play, visit transitionstheplay.ca or follow Overbridge Productions on Facebook, and Instagram. For more information about Ron Davies, visit ron-davies.ca or email [email protected].
Films at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse - June 17
The Crichton Community Council presents a tribute to silent film comedy at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, on June 17 at 7:30 pm. For more information, please click here.
Canadian Multiculturalism Day Celebration at Parliament Hill - June 17
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
2023 TD Summer Reading Club at Ottawa Public Library
The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is organizing a season filled to the brim with free summer activities for kids in Ottawa. From July 3 to August 18, kids aged 4 to 12 from all over the city are invited to join the Summer Reading Club in person at OPL branches or online – from home or anywhere. They will find Storytime, arts and crafts, dance, games, tech and science activities, music, special guests and more! OPL has all kinds of fascinating projects and pursuits to keep kids engaged and learning all summer long. Click here for details. Registration for the 2023 TD Summer Reading Club and all associated activities opens on June 12. Parents should mark their calendar and sign their kids up for their favourite activities as soon as registration opens. They can find all this summer’s events on the TD Summer Reading Club event list or on the Kid Zone page.
Tony Graham Youth Workout Pass
Do you know a teenager between the ages of 13 and 17 who wants to work out for free this summer? Sign up now for an orientation session and get your teen a Tony Graham Youth Workout Pass to gain free access to weight and cardio rooms at select City facilities. Visit ottawa.ca/TonyGrahamYouthPass and watch this video for more information.
Arts Court Open House Party - June 10
Join the Arts Court for a 12-hour party like no other! Enjoy music, dance, workshops, outdoor artisan market, and tour this heritage building on Saturday, June 10 from 2 pm to 2 am. It’s also SAW’s 50th anniversary party! Events are free from 2 pm to 5 pm and then pay-what-you-can until 2 am. Go to Artscourt.ca for the schedule.
The City of Ottawa’s Trees and Forests Outreach and Engagement Strategy – Request for Input!
The City is in the process of developing a dedicated Trees and Forests Outreach and Engagement Strategy, as directed by the Council-approved Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP). We are requesting your input through a survey available on Engage Ottawa, which will be live for the month of June 2023. This is an opportunity to provide valuable information that will help shape this strategy and allow you to better support Forestry-related initiatives that matter the most to you and your community. The strategy will highlight new and existing outreach and engagement initiatives as well as the development of communication, education, and action plans to support these activities. The request for input survey is open to all Ottawa residents, community groups, community associations, private organizations, and private businesses – the survey will be live for the month of June 2023. Visit https://engage.ottawa.ca/forestry-strategy to learn more about the UFMP, the recommendation guiding the City’s Trees and Forest Outreach and Engagement Strategy and access the request for input survey.
Water Meter Replacement Impersonation Scams
City of Ottawa's Water Replacement Program update: Neptune Technology Group and the City will reach residents to book an appointment through mailers, door hangers & by phone. They will never ask personal questions. Find how to identify an impersonating caller, by visiting this link.
Cultural Funding Framework Review - Survey
The City of Ottawa wants to hear from you! Interested in arts, heritage and culture in Ottawa? Let us know how the City can better support culture. Visit Engage Ottawa for more information.
Property Tax and Water Utility Deferral Program - Expanded Eligibility
The City's Property Tax and Water Utility Deferral Program has expanded eligibility; more low-and-fixed income seniors and disability recipients can qualify. For more info on the changes to the deferral program, please visit this link.
Updates to the City of Ottawa's Use and Care of Roads By-law
City staff are interested in resident feedback regarding proposed regulations to allow for residential gardening, little free libraries and retail vending in the City’s right of way. Curious what a right-of-way is or what each of these projects entail? The project website has definitions, explanations of the projects, proposed changes, FAQs as well as contact information of staff who can answer any additional questions. Staff will be bringing these proposals to Transportation Committee in June for debate and a recommendation to Council on a final decision regarding approval.
Free Community Events at Lansdowne and City Hall in June
Free community events at Lansdowne Park and City Hall are back. There’s something for everyone, so be sure to mark your calendars and come on down to Lansdowne Park and City Hall! For details, please click here.
- Chamberfest City series at City Hall
- Full Moon Yoga on the Great Lawn
- Sunrise walks at the Horticulture Building
- Free bike check-ins at Lansdowne Park
- Drop-in indoor roller skating at Aberdeen Pavilion
- City of OM Festival
- Fiesta Cubana Fest 2023
- Escapade Music Festival
- Farmers' Market
- Salsa
Mayor's annual Canada Day Celebration for seniors - Tickets available starting June 5
Calling all seniors looking to celebrate Canada Day at the Mayor's annual Canada Day Celebration at Lansdowne! Tickets are available as of June 5. For more information, please click here.
City announces public consultation on new Infrastructure Master Plan - June 14
The City of Ottawa invites residents to participate in an upcoming virtual public consultation on the new Infrastructure Master Plan (IMP). Input from the consultation will help ensure the responsible management of our city’s growth-related infrastructure. Click here for more information.
When: Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Location: Zoom - log-in details can be found at Engage Ottawa
Have your say on the Climate Resiliency Strategy - June 19
Ottawa’s climate is changing. Overall Ottawa will become much warmer and wetter over the coming decades, with more extreme heat days, heavy rain and extreme weather events like severe winds, floods or winter storms. The City is developing a Climate Resiliency Strategy to guide how Ottawa can prepare for and respond to the anticipated impacts of changing climate conditions. The Climate Resiliency Strategy is one of eight priorities of the Climate Change Master Plan. There are several opportunities for you to contribute your ideas to help design the strategy.
- Visit Engage Ottawa to learn more about climate trends and risks and share your ideas through a virtual comments board.
- Join the virtual community dialogue on June 19. Register here.
- Participate in person at one of the community dialogue sessions being organized by Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) and community associations with support from the City.
- Organize your own climate conversation with your friends or neighbours. Contact [email protected] for resources to help.
Emergency Services News
Ottawa Police Service News
23 Officers recognized at Badge Ceremony
The Ottawa Police Service welcomed 23 police recruits at a Badge Ceremony on June 7. Click here to learn more.
Ottawa Police Services announces 2023 Gala Beneficiaries
The 2023 OPS Gala beneficiaries are The Door Youth Centre and the Roberts Smart Centre – Treatment for Youth. A third donation will be made to the Beechwood Memorial Cemetery. Click here for details.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
How to spot motorcycles and other tips from riders with 100-plus years of combined experience on how to spot an invisible motorcycle.
Ottawa Fire Services
Ottawa Fire Services reminds residents to make sure you have working smoke detectors.
Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services
Stopping or parking in a reserved cycling lane is an offence under the Traffic and Parking By-law. The unit's bike patrol is now out to enforce these regulations.
Visiting a City park? Please remember to only park in designated parking spaces. Parking on the grass is not permitted as this causes damage.
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:
- Joint Audit Committee and Transit Commission - June 9 at 1 pm
- Built Heritage Committee - June 13 at 9:30 am
- Ottawa Public Library Board - June 13 at 5 pm
- City Council - June 14 at 10 am
- Emergency and Protective Services Committee - June 15 at 9:30 am
- Light Rail Sub-Committee - June 19 at 9:30 am
- Board of Health - June 19 at 5 pm
- Ottawa Police Services Board - June 26 at 4 pm
For recent Council and Committee news, please click here.