May 19, 2023 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
My office worked with Somerset Councillor Ariel Troster and Rideau-Vanier Councillor Stéphanie Plante to survey residents in all of our respective wards about their experience with public transit.
We heard from 600 people and the vast majority said they take transit frequently. Fifteen of the people who responded were Para Transpo users. The majority of people use transit to undertake errands and get to social events, as well as to get to work and school. We heard from many parents who want better, faster and safer routes to high schools for their children. The main issues we heard that confronted people when using OC Transpo were reliability, availability, and the length of journeys. Most said that in the majority of cases, using an alternative mode of transportation was faster. Cost was not a factor for people who responded to our survey, though the survey did receive responses from seniors who said that they only use public transit on Wednesdays and Sundays when it is free.
A large proportion of survey respondents, however, did state that a lower fare would make it easier to take transit more often. We really appreciated the high level of engagement with our survey and at the public meeting we held May 10 to discuss the results. You can watch a replay of the public consultation to learn about the survey results here: youtu.be/h2J0AQhSvTQ. Our survey will assist in our advocacy with OC Transpo staff and decision-making. It is my intent to issue a position paper based upon the Councillor-led survey and resident and community association comments concerning the needs of Ward 13 in regards to OC Transpo’s Bus Route Review.
I would like to remind you that OC Transpo wants to hear from you concerning Ottawa’s future bus network through its Bus Route Review. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant changes to how customers use transit. Considering this, and the upcoming opening of Stage 2 O-Train extensions, there is a need to review the service planning principles that are used to shape OC Transpo’s bus route network to better match customer travel patterns. Your feedback is important, so please take the OC Transpo survey and attend the open houses which OC Transpo has organized. You can learn more about the OC Transpo survey and open houses that they will be holding throughout May here: https://www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/bus-route-review
Your Councillor in the Community
The Ottawa Community Housing Foundation generously provided more than 100 bicycles and helmets to children and teens in the Overbrook community on May 13. There was an incredible turnout for the Hop on Bikes Free Bike Day at the Overbrook Community Centre, bringing families and community leaders together on a beautiful day. Thank you to all partners, including re-Cycles, Ottawa Community Housing and the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation, the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre, the Overbrook Community Centre, Safer Roads Ottawa and Decathlon. Your generosity in support of our communities is appreciated.
Thank you to Khalsa Aid Ottawa for providing 1,000 free hot meals in the Overbrook community on May 13 during the Bike Rodeo. Khalsa Aid also delivered more than 100 pounds of food to the food bank at the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre on May 13 as part of their 70,000 weekend meal blitz throughout Ottawa. It was also incredible to join Khalsa Aid in donating more than 50 pizzas to Queen Elizabeth Public School to celebrate student volunteer efforts. This was the school's first pizza lunch since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I enjoyed attending the New Edinburgh Garden Day the morning of May 13 at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse. Thank you to the Crichton Community Council and the many New Edinburgh community partners and volunteers who made this event such a success.
It was an honour to recognize the 100th anniversary of Rockcliffe Park Public School on May 13 in the Centennial Garden with a proclamation from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
That same day I also had a chance to stop in to enjoy Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard's Mother's Day tea last weekend.
Last weekend, I also had an opportunity to enjoy the "After Exclusion, Happy Fruit" exhibition at Gallery 101 last weekend in recognition of Asian Heritage Month this May in Ottawa.
I attended a very successful fundraising breakfast in celebration of the 100th anniversary of BGC Ottawa the morning of May 11.
Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
Road Rehabilitation Works in Rideau-Rockcliffe
As part of the City of Ottawa’s annual infrastructure maintenance cycle, road resurfacing will occur 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 - This work is 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 is 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
Work on these roadways will typically be daytime working hours with the exception of some evening work on McArthur Avenue. 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.
Lane Closures - Queen Mary Street - May 29 through to June 6
My office has been advised that due to a watermain hookup, lane closures will be in effect on Queen Mary Street, from Edith Avenue to Lola Street, May 29 through to June 6. One lane will be closed at a time. The sidewalk on the north side of Queen Mary will also be closed.
Collection of tree debris from ice storm
We have now entered the seventh week of recovery efforts following the April 5 ice storm event. On Tuesday, roughly 130 Parks Maintenance staff and contractors were mobilized to remove debris, and we can now report progress in every ward of the City. Debris that was too large to be collected during this single pass was catalogued and we will return later with the appropriate equipment to remove or chip that debris. We do still have several weeks of work to go in some of the hardest hit areas and that work is ongoing. Public Works continues to operate under an emergency structure. On Monday, we also began collecting leaf and yard waste separately from green bin collection which is helping clean up smaller debris piles throughout the city. As of this morning, our crews have cleared 8,755 lane kms of debris across the city, or 67% of our roads. We expect the percentages to rise more quickly once we are through the hardest-hit areas and once we complete some beats where we only have a small number of piles to collect with heavier equipment.
Here are our current completion numbers by ward:
- Kanata North –99% complete
- Stittsville – 98% complete
- Kanata South – 98% complete
- Orléans South-Navan – 85% complete
- Rideau-Rockcliffe – 82% complete
- Gloucester-Southgate – 80% complete
- Beacon Hill-Cyrville – 77% complete
- Osgoode – 76% complete
- College – 67% complete
- River – 60% complete
- Rideau-Jock – 54% complete
- Knoxdale-Merivale - 53% complete
- Orléans East-Cumberland – 43% complete
- Barrhaven West – 39% complete
- Orléans West-Innes -- 38% complete
- West Carleton-March – 35% complete
- Barrhaven East – 23% complete
It is important to remember that all crews will do a single pass to collect storm-related debris. As noted earlier, should some smaller debris be left behind, we encourage and thank residents for collecting it and leaving it on the curb for regular leaf and yard waste removal. After the single pass is complete, it will be the homeowner’s responsibility to remove debris that is too large for the Leaf and Yard Waste Program, as was the practice prior to the April 5 storm. You can support our efforts by making use of the City’s Leaf and Yard Waste Program. Branches are to be tied in bundles of less than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in length and 60 cm (2 ft.) in width. Individual branches should be less than 10 cm (4 in.) in diameter. Dedicated leaf and yard waste collection began on May 15. Stay up to date on progress being made by clicking here.
Six-week 'Kick Start the Summer' Challenge at the Rideau Sports Centre
Summer is all about feeling your best! Start your summer by getting active and showing yourself some love! The Rideau Sports centre is challenging you to complete 4 activities per week for 6 weeks …. and you’ll get a chance to WIN a $500 RSC Gift Certificate, make some new friends, and get fit for the start of peak summer. Dates: May 21 to June 30. Click here for details.
MacKay United Church Women's Unit hosts a special event regarding intimate partner violence/femicide - May 24
On May 24 at 7 pm, authors of The Castleton Massacre, Sharon Cook and Margaret Carson, will discuss femicide, using the context of their family's tragedy with a question and answer session following the presentation. The Castleton Massacre was listed as one of Canada's best non-fiction books in 2022 by the Globe and Mail. Margaret Carson, a young child at the time, escaped the killing by running away from the family home and hiding in a ditch. The event is free. All are welcome. It will be held in person at 39 Dufferin Road, and also streamed live at this link.
Rockcliffe Park Speaker Series - May 24
May 24 at 8 pm at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Road.
Former curator of both contemporary and modern art at the National Gallery for 21 years, and author of “Women at the Helm” about the first three women directors of the gallery, Diana Nemiroff was one of the signatories to a public letter that launched a media storm over the recent turmoil that has engulfed the gallery. She will bring her deep experience and sharp mind to a talk about the past, present, and future of this iconic institution. For details, please click here.
Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier hosts a Multicultural Event - May 28 (RSVP by May 24)
MP Fortier invites you to a free multicultural event on Sunday, May 28, from 1 to 4 pm at Allsaints, 330 Laurier Avenue East. This will be a trip around the world that will reflect the diversity and multiculturalism of our riding, and our country. Please RSVP before May 24 for a unique cultural, artistic and culinary experience. For information: 613-998-1860 | [email protected]
Wateridge Village Electrical Infrastructure Project - Mikinak Road - May 23 to June 9
Starting the week of May 23, Hydro Ottawa will be undertaking a project that involves the installation of new underground ducts, cables and infrastructure along Mikninak Road to facilitate electrical servicing for a new development on Vedette Way. Hydro Ottawa estimates that this project will be completed on June 9. There are no scheduled power outages associated with this work. Residents may notice increased construction presence throughout the day, including construction vehicles. Traffic control, lane reductions and sidewalk closures will be implemented throughout the project to ensure that roads and sidewalks remain safe for residents, patients and staff. Construction activities will take place on the road right-of-way.
Overall, this work will include:
- duct bank and cable installation;
- installation of new electrical infrastructure;
- maintenance hole installation;
- Lane reductions and sidewalk closure.
Streets: Mikinak Road (between Codd’s Road and Vedette Way)
Project start date: May 23, 2023
Project end date: June 9, 2023
Contractor on site: Lourenco & Botelho Inc.
Hydro Ottawa Tree Trimming and Power Outages - May 25 and June 1
- Merriman Avenue, Arundel Avenue, Dunvegan Road, Birch Avenue and Farnham Crescent - May 25
Hydro Ottawa and their forestry contractor Asplundh Canada will complete tree trimming work on May 25, 2023, as part of our efforts to prevent trees and branches from coming into contact with overhead power lines. A power outage is scheduled as a result of this work. All impacted residents will be notified.
Affected streets: Merriman Avenue, Arundel Avenue, Dunvegan Road, Birch Avenue and Farnham Crescent
Date: May 25, 2023
Power outage: 8 am to 1 pm.
Contractor on site: Asplundh Canada
Customers impacted: 31
- Morin Street and St. Laurent Boulevard - June 1
Hydro Ottawa, along with its forestry contractor Asplundh Canada, will complete tree trimming work on June 1, 2023, as part of their efforts to prevent trees and branches from coming into contact with overhead power lines. A power outage is scheduled as a result of this work and will impact residents on Morin Street and St-Laurent Boulevard. A planned power outage will be required to proceed with this work. All impacted residents will be contacted by phone, email or text and will be further notified by written notice delivered to their door where applicable. Further, notification will be provided if the power outage is to extend beyond the original duration time. In case of adverse weather, the outage may be rescheduled.
Affected streets: Morin Street and St-Laurent Boulevard
Date: June 1, 2023
Power outage: 8 am to 2 pm
Contractor on site: Asplundh Canada
Customers impacted: 79
Overbrook Cleanup Day - May 27
Sip & Shop: Monthly Market in Manor Park - May 27
In partnership with Ottawa Street Markets. Experience a fully licensed, local shopping experience right here in Manor Park. Sip on local craft beers & Ontario VQA wine while shopping a selection of curated local goods & products from local vendors each month. From eco-friendly products, handmade jewelry, wool socks, art prints, wooden products, to farm fresh produce and baked goods. Fresh doughnuts and perogies - plus delicious soft pretzels and more! Prepared food available on site for an easy late lunch or dinner! Craft beer from Dominion City, Bicycle Craft Brewery and Shillow Beer Co.
Saturday, May 27, from 3 to 7 pm, at 1805 Gaspe Avenue Full Details Here
Manor Park Public School Mayfair Event - May 27
Manor Park Public School presents its Mayfair event on May 27 from 10 am to 3 pm on the school grounds at 100 Braemar Street in the school yard. The event will feature an an Indigenous band and hoop dancers, cake walk, book and bake sale, music and more. The Manor Park Community Council will be there selling ice cream and freezies.
Ottawa Marathon Cheer Stations in Rideau-Rockcliffe - May 28
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is fast approaching with this year’s largest Canadian multi-day running event taking place May 27 and 28.
The following cheer stations will be participating in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward:
- UPDATE: The Crichton Community Council hosts a cheer station on MacKay Street, between Dufferin and Keefer, May 28 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. For details, please click here.
- A cheer station will be set up by the Woodshed Collective at the corner of Lisgar Street and the Sir-George-Etienne-Cartier Parkway, on May 28.
- Educator and performer Luciano Porto will host a cheer station at the corner of Birch Avenue and Sir-George-Etienne Cartier Parkway, on May 28.
- A hydration station is being planned for Eastbourne Avenue, and the Manor Park Community Council is seeking 50 volunteers to fill and serve 20,000 cups or water or electrolyte replacement on May 28 from 6 am to 1 pm. Click here to RSVP.
Each of the stations have been asked to be set up by 8:15 am. Elite athletes will be passing by before 8:30 am. Runners will be going by for approximately four hours. Live nearby? You are welcome to join your neighbours at these cheer stations in support of the marathon runners as they race by.
Climate Resiliency Community Workshop for Rideau-Rockcliffe residents - May 30
The City’s Climate Change and Resiliency unit is looking to hear from communities across Ottawa to inform the Climate Resiliency Strategy and programming, recognizing that people will face different impacts based on many factors including geographic location, age, gender, race, and income. CAFES and The City of Ottawa are hosting in-person Climate Resiliency Community Dialogues in partnership with Community and Citizens Associations. These Community Dialogues will focus on climate resiliency and community preparedness for climate impacts such as extreme weather events, flooding, and higher temperatures. The goal of these dialogues is to foster discussion around what climate impacts residents and communities are most concerned about, how prepared they feel, and what strategies can mitigate these impacts.
Wards 12 & 13 - Lindenlea, Manor Park, New Edinburgh, Overbrook, Rockcliffe Park and Vanier
May 30, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Location: Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre, 300 Des Peres-Blancs Avenue
Register for the meeting link here.
There are several other 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.
- Organize your own climate conversation with your friends or neighbours. Contact [email protected] for resources to help
Noise Exemption Permit Application - May 31
The Ottawa Riverkeeper has applied to the City of Ottawa for a noise exemption for a fundraising event at the River House at 501 Sir-George-Etienne-Cartier Parkway the evening of May 31. The gala will host an estimated 350 guests and live music and speeches are planned. There is the potential to exceed standard noise levels.
Manor Park Garage Sale - June 3
Rent your garage sale table now to be part of the fun at the Manor Park Community Centre, 100 Thornwood Road. Renting a table will allow you to set up and sell on site at the community centre with others. Renters will be responsible for transporting and pricing their own goods. The Manor Park Community Council encourages all Manor Park residents to set up a garage sale at their homes! Food, treats and coffee will be available for purchase on site at the Manor Park Community Centre the morning of the garage sale, June 3, from 8 am to 12 pm. Rent your table online.
Meet the Fleet at the Public Works Big Wheels Expo - June 4 at the Ottawa Stadium
On Sunday, June 4, the City of Ottawa is hosting the Public Works Big Wheels Expo, a free event to shed light on what puts the ‘work’ in ‘public works.’ People will be able to take a look inside these machines and learn about how they work. The event will include vehicles such as a garbage truck, a 25-ton rock truck, a road painting truck, a traffic signal display, a sidewalk sweeper, a hydraulic crane truck, and much more. Consider making a day of it and attending the Ottawa Titans 1 pm game at the same time; the first 100 visitors to the Big Wheels Expo will be offered free tickets to the Titans’ matinee game. For details, please click here.
Date: Sunday, June 4
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
(Ottawa Titans Gameday at 1 pm)
Location: Ottawa Stadium, 300 Coventry Road
Cost: FREE
Free Dental Screenings at the Rideau Community Hub - June 9
Ottawa Public Health hosts free dental screenings at its Neighbourhood Wellness Hubs. Drop by the Rideau Community Hub in Room 101 at 815 St. Laurent Boulevard on June 9, between 10:30 am and 4:14 pm. Looking for a dentist? Need help accessing dental care? Interested in a free dental screening at Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs? Click here for more information or call the Ottawa Public Health Dental Information Line at 613-580-2424 ext. 23510.
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].
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
Long Weekend Schedule Changes - May 22
Victoria Day is coming up on Monday, May 22 and some City of Ottawa services will be impacted. Curbside green bin, recycling and garbage will be delayed by one day next week. Click here for details about the upcoming holiday schedule changes.
Launch of the City's Anti-Racism Strategy
On May 15, the City of Ottawa officially launched its first phase of the five-year implementation plan of its first Anti-Racism Strategy – acknowledging the negative impacts of colonialism and racism in Canada. This strategy is the City’s commitment to repair relationships with Indigenous, African, Caribbean, Black and other racialized communities through truth, reconciliation and community healing. The strategy was developed through an extensive community consultation process and approved by Council on June 22, 2022. “Being part of a city is more than just living in the community. It’s feeling secure, engaged and involved. Everyone needs equal access to resources, opportunities to develop and realize their full potential and actively contribute to Ottawa’s present and future," said Rideau-Rockcliffe Councillor Rawlson King, Council Liaison for Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations Initiatives. This five-year Anti-Racism Strategy is a first step to ensuring Ottawa is a city where everyone feels safe and has the ability to access resources and opportunities to realize their full potential regardless of their ethnic or racial background. This strategy will be implemented in two phases over five years. In this first phase, the City will focus on raising awareness of the barriers that Indigenous, Black and other racialized staff and communities experience. The Anti-Racism Secretariat will work closely with City departments and the community to develop an accountability framework for the first phase, which will include detailed strategic actions, annual targets and key performance indicators. In the second phase, the City will continue with the implementation of the seven priority areas listed below. With the voices of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities at its centre, the strategy will be implemented through collaborations with community leaders and organizations. The City has committed to implement 28 recommendations and 132 actions to identify and remove systemic racism in all City policies, practices, programs and services, focusing on these priority areas:
- governance
- housing
- economic development
- health outcomes
- child and youth development
- racial equity in the workplace
- institutional practices
To learn more and read the Anti-Racism Strategy, visit ottawa.ca/antiracism. The internal work of developing the Anti-Racism Strategy has already made an impact to the City’s governance. The December 2022 ‘Diversity on Boards’ campaign encouraged racialized residents to learn more about public openings on the City’s agencies, boards and commissions. The campaign used inclusive language, created ads in five non-official languages and placed ads in media outlets that serve racialized communities. Also, in March, 2023, the City was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.
Updates to the City of Ottawa's Use and Care of Roads By-law 2003-498
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.
Ottawa Public Health Update
Rabies Prevention in Ottawa
OPH has seen an increase in domestic animal bites since the beginning of the pandemic. One factor that may have contributed to this increase could be due to the “Pandemic Pets” phenomenon where individuals sought animal companionship during periods when restrictions limited other types of social interactions, resulting in an overall increase in pet ownership in Ottawa. With ongoing education to residents through OPH’s website, by making certain that our professional partners know their duty to report potential exposures (we provide an annual “duty to report” letter to Health Care Providers, Police, Paramedics, Bylaw), and other social media efforts, OPH hopes to reduce the risk of potential rabies exposures both at home and while travelling. One very important aspect of preventing rabies is up-to-date vaccination of pets. However, there can be barriers for some pet owners due to financial challenges. OPH is hoping to be able to partner with local veterinarians and other City partners to be able to provide low-cost rabies vaccination clinics in the near future. We can all do our part to take a bite out of rabies. For more information, visit Rabies - Ottawa Public Health.
OC Transpo Bus Route Review
OC Transpo wants to welcome you on board a career in transit. A recruitment team will visit several transit stations next week to provide you with all the information you need to get your career started. OC Transpo has hundreds of openings for new staff members, including bus operators, customer service representatives, special constables, garage supervisors and licensed mechanics. All positions offer excellent benefits for you and your family, a comprehensive pension plan, and career growth opportunities. The transit roadshow will provide you with the opportunity to learn more, so you don’t want to miss it! The OC Transpo recruitment team will have a booth set up, staffed with experts who can explain the application process and set you up for success. The roadshow will take place as follows:
- Blair Station: Wednesday, May 24 from 7 am to 6 pm
- Hurdman Station: Wednesday, May 24 from 7 am to 6 pm
- Billings Bridge Station: Thursday, May 25 from 7 am to 6 pm
- Baseline Station: Friday, May 26 from 7 am to 1 pm
- Tunney’s Pasture Station: Friday, May 26 from 7 am to 1 pm
May 27 Job Fair!
A job fair will also take place on Saturday, May 27 at Greenboro Station from 9 am to 3 pm. Here, you can speak directly with staff who work in the jobs that interest you and connect directly with the recruitment team about interview tips and how to fill out online applications. For more details about the transit job fair and roadshow, visit octranspo.com/jobs.
City of Ottawa budget survey - open until May 24
The Beechwood Stroll - May 28
The Beechwood Cemetery Stroll is a free, family-friendly guided historical tour through Beechwood, the National Cemetery of Canada. Tours are given on the last Sunday of each month, rain or shine, and begin at 1 pm. Tours start from the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, located just off our Beechwood Avenue entrance. For more information, please click here. To register for the May 28th tour, please click here.
Celebrate the 20th annual AccessAbility Day, presented by the City of Ottawa in collaboration with the Canadian Accessibility Network and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada – National Capital Region. Please join Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who will deliver the Proclamation of AccessAbility Day in Ottawa. This will be followed by a variety of engaging speakers who will share their perspectives on the topic, including a keynote speech from Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer.
When: May 31, 2023
Time: 12 – 2 pm
Location: Zoom
Please register online.
Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program
The City of Ottawa is committed to supporting homeowners to make energy efficient home improvements that address rising energy costs and more extreme weather. Through the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program, Ottawa residents can get a low-interest, 20-year loan of up to 10 per cent of their home’s current value to cover the cost of home energy upgrades that lower energy costs while increasing your homes comfort and resiliency. You can combine the Better Homes Ottawa - Loan Program with any other available energy grants, rebates, and incentives such as the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program and Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program. You can learn more about the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program and apply at betterhomesottawa.ca.
Consultation - New Low-Rise Development Design Guidelines - June 6
The City of Ottawa is developing new comprehensive Urban Design Guidelines for Low-rise Infill Housing for approval by Council in 2023. The Guidelines will reflect the policies and directions in the new Official Plan adopted by Council in October 2021. The City will be consulting with residents, community organizations, the development industry, non-profits and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone gets a chance to have their say in the new Urban Design Guidelines for Low-rise Infill Housing This Engage Ottawa page will be your one-stop shop for project updates and information on future public engagement opportunities. You will also find FAQ’s, blogs and future drafts of the Guidelines as they become available. The City of Ottawa will be hosting a virtual public information session on June 6 at 6:30 pm on the newly released draft Low-rise Design Guidelines. Residents are invited to attend the session to hear from City staff and take part in a Q&A about the guidelines. Residents are asked to register in advance by using this link.
For more information please email [email protected].
Emergency Services News
Ottawa Police Warn of Grandparent Scam
If someone calls and says they are representing a police service such as the RCMP or the Ottawa Police, look up their phone number and call them directly to verify any information. If you can’t find a number, call 2-1-1; they can help. Ask them to connect you with the actual police service. It’s always a good idea to call a trusted family member to discuss suspicious phone calls from strangers. You can read more Ottawa Police Grandparent scam tips online or visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for more information on this and other scams. For more information, please click here.
Ottawa Police Warn about Shady Contractors
The Ottawa Police Service is warning residents to be vigilant about agreeing to any repair work on roofs or driveways with door-to-door paving or roofing contractors. The Fraud Unit has received 10 complaints in the past month about residents hiring these contractors, only to be scammed out of money. As we head into a heavy season for home improvement, it’s important to protect yourself. While most contractors are reputable, be skeptical of any that ask you for a lot of money upfront or offer incredibly low deals. And if they are pressuring you to respond quickly, just walk away. For any work that you agree to have done on your home, get everything in writing before you hand over any money, including details of the exact work to be completed along with an agreed monetary limit on any extra costs. You can protect yourself by verifying their business profile on places like the Better Business Bureau or by calling our partners at 2-1-1 to learn how to best proceed. If you have been the victim of a contractor scam, you can visit the Ottawa Police Service website to file a fraud report online.
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.
- Community Services Committee - May 23 at 9:30 am
- City Council - May 24 at 10 am
- General Manager of Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Hiring Panel - May 25 at 3 pm
- Transportation Committee - May 25 at 5 pm
- Light-Rail Sub-Committee - May 26 at 9:30 am
- Ottawa Police Services Board - May 29 at 4 pm