
I was pleased to attend the 17th annual Francophone RendezVous event at City Hall the morning of March 21. The event focused on Ottawa's Francophone and bilingual post-secondary education institutions and their significant economic and cultural contributions to the community.

Had an amazing time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this week with Ambassador Eamonn McKee, Council colleagues, residents and members of the diplomatic corps at the Official Residence of the Ambassador of Ireland in Canada located in Rideau-Rockcliffe.
Films at the Fieldhouse - Double Feature - March 22
The Crichton Community Council presents two movies, Trolls Band Together and Dune: Part One, at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, on March 22. Refreshments and snacks will be available. Admission is free. For more information, please click here.
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- Trolls Band Together: Doors open at 5:30 pm. The movie begins at 6 pm.
- Dune: Part One: The movie begins at 8 pm
Sugar Festival at Vanier Museopark - March 18 to 24

The Vanier Sugar Festival will be held from March 18 to 24, 2024 at Richelieu Park (300, av. des Pères-Blancs). The Festival is a free family and community event. For details, please click here.
Second Annual Vanier 5K Run and Walk - March 24
Join Ward 12 Councillor Stéphanie Plante on March 24 for the second annual Vanier 5K, a fun-filled morning ending at Muséopark’s Sugar Festival. There are still spaces to register for the Vanier 5K! This event is a fundraiser for the Vanier Muséopark. You can walk, bring your dog, bring your baby carriage, or your walker!
- Check in at 8:30 am. Race begins at 9 am.
- Tickets $20/person, $40 with meal ticket
- For details and to register, please click this link.
Free Yoga Classes in New Edinburgh - Every Sunday morning & Wednesday evening

Enjoy free yoga at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, every Sunday from 11 am to 12:30 pm and every Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 pm. Unite breath and movement through an asana practice. Join Solmaz Hicks on her yoga journey which began during the pandemic when she discovered a profound connection between mind, body and spirit. Through her yoga practice she changed the way she deals with stress entirely. You can too! Please bring your own mat. Practice times are subject to change. For updates, please visit www.newedinburgh.ca/events.
Road Closure - 165 Prince Albert Street - March 26 to April 9

Work will be done in the right-of-way at 165 Prince Albert Street, between Quill Street and Whitton Place, starting the morning of Tuesday, March 26 for the installation of new site services including water, sanitary and storm. Notifications to all nearby residents have been sent. During this time a portion of the road directly in front of 165 Prince Albert Street will be closed. Access to local traffic will be permitted. The duration of the road closure will last from March 26 until April 9.
Dungeons & Dragons at the St. Laurent Complex - March 26 & May 7

Embark on amazing adventures playing Dungeons & Dragons at the St. Laurent Complex, 525 Coté Street. Create your own character and complete a campaign with other players. No prior experience necessary. Supplies will be provided. This program is offered in English. Program dates are Tuesdays 6:15 to 7:45 pm (March 26 to April 30 & May 7 to June 11). For details and to register, please click here.
Rockcliffe Park Speaker Series - March 27

On March 27 at 8 pm, Cameron Love, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital will give an overview of the exciting plans to develop a new world class hospital and rebuild the future of healthcare for the Ottawa community. The event takes place at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Road. For details, please click here.
Women Action Forum - CAWI Caring Cities Initiative - March 27

Where: Rideau Community Hub cafeteria at 815 St. Laurent Blvd.
When: March 27 from 6 to 8 pm
What: CAWI Action Forums are large gatherings where we learn about, discuss, and act on issues that matter to women and gender diverse people in Ottawa. This Women’s Action Forum will launch CAWI’s Caring Cities initiative - an approach to 15-minute neighbourhoods, urban planning and policy which will guide CAWI’s work in the coming years. Caring Cities make sure that municipalities are designed around paid and unpaid care work. Join CAWI to learn more about how to apply this intersectional feminist framework to Ottawa and make our city truly a city for all. Register at this link.
Ottawa Inuit Community Engagement Session - March 28

On March 28, Ottawa Public Health, in partnership with local Inuit organizations, is hosting the First Ottawa Inuit Community Engagement Session with Inuit with living & lived experience in mental health, substance use, food insecurity, homelessness and other areas of need. The engagement session, which is scheduled for March 28 from 10 am to 3 pm, is an opportunity to hear directly from Inuit Community Members and learn about their experiences in accessing health, mental health, addictions treatments, housing and safety in Ottawa. The First Ottawa Inuit Community Engagement Session takes place at The Rideau Community Hub located at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard in the cafeteria. Bus tickets, refreshments and lunch will be provided. Childcare assistance is also available on site.
Free Play Group at the Overbrook Community Centre - every Thursday

The Overbrook Community Centre hosts a free play group every Thursday from 10 am to 12 pm. The centre is located at 33 Quill Street. There will be toys, fun games and free snacks available.
Free Children’s Playgroup in New Edinburgh - every Thursday morning

Children from newborns to four years old and their parents or caregivers are welcome to attend a free drop-in playgroup at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, on Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 am. This is an informal and unstructured opportunity to socialize with other children in your community. Please bring your own toy and snack for your child. Some warm beverages will be available for adults. The Crichton Community Council is seeking a volunteer parent/caregiver coordinator so that this initiative can continue past April 15. To learn more, please [email protected].
Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre Tax Clinic - until April

The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre's free income tax clinic will be available until April 2024. The Income Tax Clinic offers free tax preparation services to low-income members of the community with K1K, K1M and some K1G postal codes. This service helps people eliminate the costs associated with preparing their tax returns, keeps them in good standing with the CRA, and enables them to benefit from the tax credits available to them. You may book an appointment by clicking here. If you have questions, please contact [email protected] or 613-745-0073.
Fibre optic installation - Provender, Burma and Rothbury - Starting April 1

Bell Canada has applied to the City for permission for fibre optic installation along the right-of-way on Provender Avenue, Burma Road and Rothbury Crescent. The anticipated construction dates are proposed for April 1 to May 1, 2024. The project would include open trench work, directional boring, and placement of new Bell conduit. Affected residents will be notified once the project details are confirmed.
Donald Street Pole Renewal - Update: Proposed for April 2024
Hydro Ottawa is planning to replace hydro poles along Donald Street, from Edith Avenue to Telford Avenue, and along Telford Avenue, from Donald Street to Straby Avenue. Update: construction will begin in April. Details will be shared as they become available.
The proposed work includes:
- replacement of 22 poles along the right-of-way
- replacement of the remaining 34 poles along the existing Hydro Ottawa rear-lot easements
- replacement/installation of 11 new anchors for pole line support
Sidewalk Renewal & Repair Projects

As part of the City of Ottawa’s annual infrastructure maintenance cycle, sidewalk repairs that began in October 2023 will resume this summer. In the next few weeks, sidewalks will undergo reparations at 7-9 Rideau Gate and at 10 Sussex Drive. For more information about sidewalk repairs, please visit ottawa.ca/constructionmap. Notices to local residents will be delivered approximately one week before construction resumes. The City of Ottawa will be repairing sidewalks as preventative maintenance aimed at extending the City's sidewalk network lifecycle. Work will involve removal and replacement of concrete panels, iron adjustments. Increased noise levels to be expected in order to facilitate the work. Roads will remain open to traffic with lane closures expected. Traffic control personnel will direct traffic through the site. The sidewalks will be repaired during the day and evening and will involve minor lane interruptions. Weekend work is anticipated for all locations and traffic interruptions may also be experienced due to flagging operations. The City of Ottawa has retained the Contractor, D-Squared Construction Ltd., to complete the work.
Sidewalk project - Frances Street - starting in April
Additionally, in April 2024, the City of Ottawa will begin installation of a new 1.8m sidewalk along Frances Street.
What: New 1.8m wide concrete sidewalk along the west side of Frances Street between Queen Mary Street and King George Street. Road resurfacing will also be completed along the same block.
Why: This work is required to improve mobility and safety for pedestrians.
When: This work is scheduled to begin in April 2024 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2024.
Where: Frances Street between Queen Mary Street and King George Street.
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, Royal Crown Construction, to complete the work.
To accommodate the proposed construction, temporary lane reductions will be required on Frances Street. Access to private properties, including pedestrian and cycling access, will be maintained throughout the construction period unless otherwise communicated. As the various road reconstruction activities are in progress, on-street parking will be restricted. Local access will be maintained to residents, business owners and emergency vehicles. Periodically, vehicular access to your property may be unavailable; the contractor is required to provide 24-hour notification of temporary loss of vehicular access/egress to your property. A temporary On-Street Parking Permit will be made available to allow on-street parking within two blocks of your residence when these disruptions occur.
Rideau-Rockcliffe Roundtable - in Manor Park - April 3
Manor Park residents are invited to drop by Councillor King's Rideau-Rockcliffe Roundtable event to discuss traffic concerns in the community and at Manor Park Public School, or issues within your neighbourhood. The event takes place April 3 between 3 and 5 pm in front of the Manor Park Community Centre, located at 100 Thornwood Road.
Youth Crocheting at St. Laurent Complex - April 4 and May 2

Crocheting for youth: Learn the basics or get a refresher on how to crochet. Learn chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, triple and make your first 'Granny Square'. No experience required. This program takes place Thursdays from 6 to 7 pm at the St. Laurent Complex, 525 Coté Street. Program dates are April 4 to 25 and May 2 to 30. Click here for registration and more details.
New Cold War exhibit at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum - Public opening April 5
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum, located in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward at 11 Aviation Parkway, is thrilled to announce an upcoming, permanent exhibition, The Cold War, starting April 5. This volatile period, marked by international tensions, espionage and the threat of nuclear attack, was a time of great technological and social change in the Royal Canadian Air Force, throughout Canada and around the world. Journey through the tumultuous era that defined global geopolitics for just over half a century. Marvel at rare artifacts and iconic Cold War aircraft, engage with interactive displays and discover the personal stories behind the headlines in this thought-provoking and enlightening exhibition. For more information, please click here.
Concerts in New Edinburgh - April 5 and 6

The Crichton Community Council (CCC) proudly presents two Jim Bryson concerts at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, one on the evening of Friday, April 5 and a second on Saturday, April 6. Doors open at 7 pm. Music at 8 pm. Tickets are available for $30 from: April 5 Eventbrite or April 6 Eventbrite. Come early to claim a seat, then wet your whistle before the show. Standing room is available at the back of the room, near the bar. Licensed drinks and snacks will be available. Jim Bryson is a National Folk Award nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter and Record Maker. For more information, please click here.
Free tax clinic - April 6, 13 and 27

Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier and Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard host free tax clinics by appointment at 237 Montreal Road on April 6, 13 and 27. For details and to make an appointment, please call 613-744-4484.
Overbrook Community Association - Join the board! - April 16

Attention Overbrook Neighbours! Ready to make a difference in your community? Join the Overbrook Community Association! The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 at 7 pm at the Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street. The OCA is on the lookout for enthusiastic individuals to join the board. You can also join the meeting online Please register for the meeting link by clicking here. Everyone welcome. If you would like to join the board, please fill out this brief expression of interest form. Don't miss out on this chance to shape the future of Overbrook! Join your neighbours at the AGM and learn how you can get involved.
Montfort Hospital Public Consultation - April 23
Montfort, Ontario's francophone academic hospital, Savoir Montfort, a knowledge institute, and Santé Montfort are launching a joint strategic planning process. They are embarking on an extensive consultation process at Montfort, in the region, and across the province as part of their provincial mandate, to develop a 2024-2028 strategic plan that will guide them towards Montfort's 75th anniversary. Join the Montfort for public conferences and consultations to reflect on the future of health care, teaching and research in the region, and across Ontario's francophonie.
There will be an in-person public consultation opportunity at the Montfort Hospital, located at 713 Montreal Road, on Tuesday, April 23 from 6 to 8 pm. Click here for more information and to reserve your place.
Sladen Avenue and Noranda Avenue Watermain Replacement - Spring 2024

A development-driven Watermain Upgrade Project is anticipated to start in Spring 2024 on Sladen Avenue and Noranda Avenue.
What - The work consists of the replacement and upsizing of the watermains on Sladen Avenue and Noranda Avenue for a total length of 255m. All private services will be replaced to the property line along with reinstatement of disturbed areas. The watermain replacement is driven by the planned development at 641 Sladen Avenue.
Why - The owner of 641 Sladen Avenue (St-Laurent Academy - Ottawa Private School) will undertake this watermain upgrade work to meet the fire flow demands for a proposed development on the subject property. This upgrade of the existing watermain from 152mm to 200mm with a new fire hydrant will also improve the existing fire flow demands of the school, St-Laurent Academy.
Where - The project limits on Sladen Avenue are from Noranda Avenue to Malartic Avenue, while the project limits on Noranda Avenue are from St. Laurent Boulevard to Sladen Avenue.
More details on construction timelines, traffic management and parking restrictions will be provided in advance of the project.
Oakhill, Corona and Carsdale Integrated Renewal - May to November

Construction of the Oakhill, Corona and Carsdale integrated road, watermain and sewer renewal project is slated for May to November 2024. This project will require approximately six tie-ins to watermains and sewers on Beechwood Avenue. Each tie-in will be done at a different time. To accomplish each of these tie-ins, one lane of Beechwood will need to be closed for a period of time. Only one lane of Beechwood would be closed and flaggers would direct traffic. City staff are currently working on the schedule and logistics. Updates will be shared.