March 6, 2026 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Dear Residents:
I want to make sure you have all the information you need about an important change coming to curbside waste collection in Ottawa.
Starting Monday, March 30, your scheduled collection day may change as the City transitions to a new curbside collection contract. You will receive a letter by Canada Post letting you know whether your waste collection day is changing. Approximately half of Ottawa households will be assigned a new collection day, though all your waste streams, including garbage, organics (green bin), leaf and yard waste, and recycling, will continue to be collected on the same day as each other. The frequency of collection is not changing. Only the day of the week may be different.
Please be aware that there will be no curbside collection on Good Friday, April 3, or Easter Monday, April 6. Collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of each of those weeks. The week of April 13 will be the first week without push days, allowing residents to confirm their regular collection day going forward.
Along with the new schedule, there are two additional changes to be aware of. Leaf and yard waste must now be set out separately from your green bin, using a reusable container labelled "Leaf and Yard Waste" or brown paper bags; collection will continue weekly.
To accommodate any disruption caused by the schedule shift, all residents may also place up to six garbage items at the curb on scheduled collection days between March 30 and April 24. Some households may experience two consecutive collections of the same waste stream during this period, but this is normal and expected.
The 2026/2027 collection calendars are currently being mailed, and you can expect to receive a copy at your home by early March. Starting March 9, residents will be able to request a new collection calendar if needed. The new calendar covers collection from March 30, 2026 to April 2, 2027. Please note that paper collection calendars will be discontinued after April 2027.
You can view your personalized waste collection schedule anytime online at ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar or in the Ottawa Collection Calendar app. While you are there, sign up for collection reminders by e-mail, text message, or phone call so you never miss a pickup.
As always, my office is here to help. If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can also find up-to-date information through the City of Ottawa's Web site and the Ottawa Collection Calendar app.
Rawlson King
City Councillor
Your Councillor in the Community
Honoured to sponsor and speak at the International Women’s Day event held at the Rideau Community Hub today, as well as recognize many amazing female volunteers in our community with Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard!
I enjoyed attending the International Women’s Day celebration at Ottawa City Hall today to hear from retired Judge of the Supreme Court, the Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella.
Excellent tour of both the transit operations control centre and enhanced bus facilities at OC Transpo headquarters this week which included discussions with staff about improving transit reliability.
Very pleased to address the closing session of the Black Mental Health Week event held at the Ottawa Conference & Event Centre in Overbrook this week.
As an Ottawa Public Library Board member, I was honoured to celebrate Allan Higdon with a commemorative plaque at the Alta Vista branch this week. Allan served as a City Councillor and Acting Mayor and spent years championing libraries, literacy, and lifelong learning on the OPL Board.
Attended an excellent lecture and panel discussion on leadership featuring former CEO of the Business Council of Canada, Thomas d’Aquino, at the National Gallery of Canada this week.
I had an amazing opportunity to observe City crews last weekend using explosives to blast and break up ice on the Rideau River in New Edinburgh to control ice damming and spring flooding.
Had a wonderful time last weekend at the Global Community Alliance Gala & Awards at the Ottawa Conference & Event Centre in Overbrook, recognizing achievement, leadership and community impact during Black History Month. Event proceeds went to the Ottawa School Breakfast Program.
Great to join Chef Ric and Council colleagues last weekend to launch the 12th annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser - an event that shines a light on the need for vulnerable people in all parts of our community to have a safe place to call home - especially during winter.
Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
Ottawa Family Cinema presents Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory - March 7
The Ottawa Family Cinema, located at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard, hosts a special fundraising event on Saturday March 7 at 2 pm featuring a screening of the 1971 musical classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. All proceeds support Devonshire School. Before the movie enjoy live performances by students from Devonshire Community Public School performing highlights from Wonka JR. For details and tickets, visit www.familycinema.ca.
Comedy in New Edinburgh - March 7
Enjoy an evening of comedy featuring some of Ottawa’s best professional and up-and-coming comics on March 7 at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, located at 203 Stanley Avenue. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Doors open at 7 pm. The laughs begin at 8 pm. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
Road closures - Arundel Avenue and Farnham Crescent - Start date modified to March 16
The City of Ottawa has commenced construction on the new sewers, watermains and associated road rehabilitation work as part of the Jeffrey Avenue, Arundel Avenue, Farnham Crescent et al integrated renewal project. To facilitate the installation of the works, the City of Ottawa has approved the closure of portions of Arundel Avenue and Farnham Crescent as outlined below. Local access will be maintained for the affected roads noted above, notably Farnham Crescent, from the dead end to the cul-de-sac. No other access through the closure will be available.
What: A full road closure of a portion of Arundel Avenue and a portion of Farnham Crescent.Details: ottawa.ca/ArundelAvenue
Celebrating Francophonie Month at the Ottawa Public Library
- Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 4:30 pm | St Laurent branch | On s'active pour l'environnement. Visionnement du film "Forêts urbaines"
March Break at the Ottawa Public Library - March 16 to 21
From March 16 to 21, OPL is putting on nearly a hundred programs across its 33 branches for children ages 4 to 12, in both English and French. Kids are invited to explore the world of the curious creatures that surround us, in all its fantastic, imagined and scientific glory. Come for the animals and creatures, stay for the crafts, games, science, dance, music, arts, storytime and so much more. March Break at OPL means learning while having fun and sharing sweet family moments in a free welcoming space for everyone. OPL is where curiosity comes to life. Grab your library card and sign your children up today!
Eid Celebration in Overbrook - March 21
Overbrook residents are welcome to enjoy an Eid Celebration at the Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street, on March 21 from 11 am to 2 pm. Space is limited. First come, first served.
Rockcliffe Park Speaker Series - Jeffrey Hodgson, CPP Investments - March 26
The next edition of the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association Speaker Series will feature Jeffrey Hodgson, Managing Director of Global Stakeholder Affairs at CPP Investments, a professional investment organization that manages $777 billion in the best interests of the more than 22 million contributors and beneficiaries of the Canadian Pension Plan. The event takes place March 26 at 8 pm at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 280 Springfield Road. Details: rockcliffepark.ca/category/speaker-series
Drones in Action - 2026 Kenneth M. Molson Lecture - March 26
Join the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on March 26, from 6 to 9:30 pm, for the free 2026 Kenneth M. Molson Lecture - an engaging evening exploring how drones (Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles) are transforming aviation in Canada. Hear from experts working on the front lines of defence, remote sensing, and medical supply delivery to remote communities. The program features a fireside chat followed by a Q&A, moderated by museum curator Erin Gregory. Attend in person in Ottawa or tune in live via Zoom to discover how these powerful tools are shaping the future of flight. The event is free. Registration is required: ingenium.ca
Free Income Tax Clinic - Bookings welcome
The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard offers a free income tax clinic for Rideau-Rockcliffe residents (area codes K1K, K1M and some K1G) from March 2 to April 30. Appointments are required and are being accepted now at this link. For those with barriers to booking online, please call 613-745-0073 ext. 180. For details, please visit www.facebook.com/CRCRideauRockcliffeCRC.
The Flamenco For Food and Fun Project - March 28
Enjoy an evening of passionate music and dance hosted by Sueños Flamencos at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue! Includes a Flamenco presentation by Sueños Flamencos (and students) Mini flamenco lesson: palmas, cante, baile y guitarra (clapping, singing, dancing, and guitar); and Juerga (flamenco party for all). The event takes place on March 28 from 6:30 to 11 pm. Admission is free. If you are able, please bring non-perishable food items for the food bank, your reusable travel mug for FREE tea! Enjoy an unforgettable night of flamenco music and dance, while giving back to the community. Details: www.newedinburgh.ca
Free Tax Clinic - March 28, April 11, 18 & 25
Need help filing your taxes? Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester MP Mona Fortier and Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard host a free tax clinic on March 28 and April 11, 18 and 25 from 9 am to 12 pm at 233 Montreal Road. Book a timeslot by calling 613-998-1860 or emailing [email protected].
41th Vanier Sugar Festival - March 28 & 29
The 41th Vanier Sugar Festival will be held at Richelieu Park.
Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm: Family and community days
- A wide variety of free activities for young and old, as well as a few paying activities on site. Details on the Festival’s web page.
The Vanier Museopark is looking for volunteers for the Sugar Shack Festival. Several shifts are available, offering a wide variety of tasks, from logistics to taffy production. Sign up here.
Book donations needed
Volunteers preparing for the Rockcliffe Park Spring Book Sale on April 25 and 26 are in need of gently used book donations for the sale. The Spring Book Sale supports the Rockcliffe Branch and programming of the Ottawa Public Library and donations can be brought in to the branch at 380 Springfield Road during opening hours. There is a large rolling bin and counter running along the north wall of the branch on the Springfield Road side for donations. Do not leave donations outside the library doors. Unfortunately due to space restraints, the sale is not able to accept audio visual materials, textbooks, magazines or encyclopedias.
City of Ottawa News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
St. Patrick's Day Parade - March 7
Ottawa's St. Patrick's Day Parade, hosted by the Irish Society of the National Capital Region, takes place March 7 beginning at 12 pm. The parade begins at the Supreme Court of Canada, located at 301 Wellington Street, then heads east on Wellington in front of the Parliament Buildings and on to Sussex Drive. For details and the full parade route, please visit www.irishsocietyncr.com/parade.
Traffic and transit impacts for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade - March 7
Residents and road users can expect some traffic impacts in the downtown core this weekend for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The following streets will be closed at the listed times on Saturday, March 7 for the staging of the parade:
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From 10:45 am to 2 pm:
- Wellington Street, between Kent Street and Sussex Drive
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From 12:30 to 2 pm:
- Sussex Drive, between Rideau Street and York Street
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From 12:30 to 3 pm:
- York Street, between William Street and Dalhousie Street
For more information on the parade route, visit the Irish Society of the National Capital Region’s Website. Transit service will continue to be available, with detours required due to road closures during the event from 10:15 am to 2:30 pm. Full details will be shared on the OC Transpo alerts page.
Plant Your Place tree-planting program - Registration now open
The City’s Plant Your Place! program returns in 2026 with two ways to get a free tree: City-Wide Tree Distribution: Pick up a free tree and plant it yourself. Full-Service Tree Planting: Get a free tree planted for you if you live in a Priority Area for tree planting. Registration is now open. Learn more: www.plantyourplace.ca
Ottawa Youth Week Leadership Competitions: Application period now open
Youth Ottawa is proud to announce that applications are now officially open for the Mayor 4 A Day and CEO 4 A Day leadership competitions as part of Ottawa Youth Week 2026. This year, secondary school–aged youth from across Ottawa and Gatineau are invited to apply for an exclusive opportunity to spend a full day shadowing some of the most influential leaders in our region. Applications are now welcome. Spots are limited. For details and to apply, visit: www.youthottawa.ca
Spring Flood Taskforce begins monitoring and preparing for this year's melt
The City’s Spring Flood Taskforce is now monitoring water levels on the Rideau River, Ottawa River and their tributaries and is ready to respond to potential impacts from this spring’s melt. Situational updates will be provided on the City’s Spring flood page and the Spring flood 2026 Facebook Group page to help residents get the latest, most up-to-date information, including current road and pathway closures, sandbag filling locations, and other supports. The City also encourages residents to follow the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board and their local conservation authority: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
- The spring melt may also cause water pooling and urban flooding when combined with significant rainfall. Clearing snow and ice from nearby catch basins will help drain the water into the stormwater sewer system.
- Homeowners can take proactive steps to prevent basement flooding, such as sealing basement windows and disconnecting downspouts. Visit the City’s Basement flooding page for more preventative steps and what to do if your basement floods.
- The City’s Residential Protective Plumbing Program now also offers rebates to eligible homeowners across Ottawa, including those in rural areas. This program makes it easier for all eligible homeowners to install protective plumbing devices, like sump pumps and backwater valves, to help safeguard their properties.
- 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.
Community Environmental Projects Grant Program - open until April 10
The Community Environmental Projects Grant Program (CEPGP) is being offered once again for 2026. The City is now accepting applications. Applications can be submitted from now until April 10. To receive updates related to the program please send your request to [email protected]. This year, the annual budget for the program has increased from $102,000 to $204,000. The additional $102,000 in funds will be specifically directed to projects that support the City’s Solid Waste Master Plan along the themes of waste avoidance, reduction, and reuse. The other $102,000.00 will continue to support a broad range of environmentally sustainable projects. Project funding has ranged from $200 to $10,500, with an average grant of roughly $3,200. Details: ottawa.ca
The City of Ottawa's Fraud and Waste Hotline
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is launching a campaign to raise awareness on the City’s Fraud and Waste Hotline. The Hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It empowers all City of Ottawa employees and members of the public to confidentially and anonymously report any suspected instances of fraud, waste or serious wrongdoing involving City personnel, resources, operations or vendors in a confidential and anonymous manner.
Reports can be made to:
- ottawa.ca/fraudwaste
- 1-866-959-9309
Further details on the Hotline are available on the OAG’s website.
Emergency Services Updates
Distraction Thefts - Protect Yourself
- Stay alert, especially in parking lots.
- If something feels off, walk away and trust your instincts.
- If you’re a victim or witness and the suspect is still nearby, do not follow them. Call 9-1-1 immediately and provide as many details as possible.
Stay aware. Secure your belongings. Ottawa Police have created the following video regarding distraction thefts.