May 20 Newsletter 2022

May 20, 2022 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

It is hard to believe it, but the May long weekend is already here. I hope that residents get to enjoy the unofficial kickoff to summer. Due to the holiday, residents can expect closures and schedule changes. A full list of schedule changes is included in this newsletter. Residents may be interested in the interactive flood plain map on the City of Ottawa website. The interactive map includes flood extents for three different riverine flood events: a large flood event (1 in 50-year), regulatory flood event (1 in 100-year) and a more severe event that could occur with climate change (1 in 350-year). A detailed FAQ on flood plain mapping can be found in the second item in this newsletter.  

Tomorrow, Saturday May 21, the Overbrook Community Gardens and the Community Gardening Network of Ottawa will be hosting a workshop at the Overbrook Community Centre. Attendees will learn gardening basics from a master gardener and will also be able to purchase seedlings. Also taking place tomorrow at the Overbrook Community Centre is a study conducted by community leaders and Carleton University. The voices and experiences of immigrant women living in Overbrook, Castle-Heights, and Cyrville are sought after. Compensation will be provided. Finally, join Ottawa Community Housing next weekend for a community clean up of Overbrook. Grass seed will be handed out to OCH residents and pizza will be provided to participants. 

Victoria Day Events 

Looking for fun activities in the Ottawa area? Check out these options over the next seven days, starting on Thursday, May 19. Be sure to verify details with the organizers as plans can change at any time. 

• The Canadian Tulip Festival continues this weekend, wrapping up on Monday, May 23. Check out hundreds of thousands of tulips blooming at Commissioners Park and all the fun festival programming in the area, along with different ways to experience beautiful tulips in Ottawa. Don’t miss the fireworks display on Sunday, May 22. Some events are FREE!  
• Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this Victoria Day weekend on Sparks Street with a street party this Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22. FREE! 
• Check out the Victoria Day fireworks on Monday, May 23 at the Rideau Carleton Casino, along with gaming fun, dining, and more! 
• This weekend at Lansdowne, enjoy a Brett Kissel concert and a Mexico in The Glebe event on Friday, May 20 – then watch the Ottawa BlackJacks basketball team kick off their season on Wednesday, May 25! 
• Learn about Korean culture during Korean Cultural Week this Saturday, May 21 to Thursday, June 2 with special events across Ottawa, including music, movies and food at Lansdowne on Saturday, May 21; then workshops, contests and more throughout the week! 
• The Canadian Children’s Museum has reopened! Little ones will love the kids’ area where they learn about the world through play at this special museum located within the Canadian Museum of History. Advance tickets required. 
• See Ottawa by water as Paul’s Boat Line’s guided tours kick off this weekend with guided boat tours along the Ottawa River. 
• Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages reopens at the Canadian Museum of Nature this Friday, May 20. Learn about this important time in world history and how animals adapted. 
• Calling all kids! The Ottawa Children’s Festival is on Thursday, May 19 through May 29 with French and English theatre, activities, and more at LeBreton Flats. 

Find out more great activities to do in and around Ottawa on the Ottawa Insider Blog! 

Online Interactive Flood Plain Maps 

Flood plain mapping is completed by local Conservation Authorities in partnership with the City as part of the City’s on-going flood plain mapping update program to produce and update flood plain mapping for watercourses throughout the City. As directed by motion m61.1 New Official Plan City Council, October 27, 2021, staff have posted an interactive flood plain map on the City of Ottawa website. The interactive map includes flood extents for three different riverine flood events: a large flood event (1 in 50-year), regulatory flood event (1 in 100-year) and a more severe event that could occur with climate change (1 in 350-year). The mapping presented in the interactive map includes multiple flood events and differs from the Zoning By-law floodplain overlay, which reflects only the 1:100-year flood plain maps that have been approved by the Conservation Authority and adopted in the Zoning By-Law, and are used to restrict development in flood plains. 

The interactive map may be used to identify known riverine flood hazards for a property or area. The content of the map is for informational purposes only and represents results of on-going flood plain mapping work. Conservation Authorities provide regular flood plain mapping updates to the City, which will be used to update the interactive mapping tool. The public is advised to contact the relevant Conservation Authority should they require or wish to obtain the most current information or details before proceeding with a project on their property. The web page also includes background information on flood plain mapping, details regarding the 1 in 350-year flood mapping and related policies, next steps, Frequently Asked Questions, and contact information. 

The interactive map can be viewed here. 

1 in 350-year Flood Mapping and Affected Areas 

To date, 1 in 350-year floodplain mapping has been generated for 23 watercourses, with others planned or in-progress. 

While the 1:350 flood plain mapping is not yet completed for all watercourses, there are some areas of the city that are potentially more affected than other areas. Generally, areas already vulnerable to flooding in a 1 in 100-year event will experience increased depth of flooding in a 1 in 350-year event. Consequently, flood extents may also increase in some areas and surrounding areas that are not affected by a 1 in 100-year event could experience flooding under a 1 in 350-year event. 

The areas with existing development that are most impacted by available 1 in 350-year flood plain mapping are along the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers. Many of these areas are already known to be vulnerable to flooding in a 1 in 100-year flood event and would experience an increase in both the depth and extent of flooding. Affected areas include: 

• Ward 5 – West Carleton-March: Constance Bay 
• Ward 7 – Bay: Britannia 
• Ward 12 – Rideau- Vanier: Kingsview Park 
• Ward 13 – Rideau Rockcliffe: New Edinburgh 
• Ward 17 – Capital: Brewer Park/Carleton University, Centennial Boulevard (Main Street), Windsor Park, Brantwood Park 
• Ward 18 – Alta Vista: Billings Bridge (Bank Street and Riverside Drive) 
• Ward 19 – Cumberland: Cumberland 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is a flood plain? 

A flood plain is land near a watercourse which may be subject to flooding due to rising water levels during a rainfall event or spring snow melt. The limit and/or depth of flooding over the flood plain area will vary depending on the magnitude of the flood event. 

What is a return period? 

The magnitude of a flood event is often described by its return period which represents the frequency or probability of a given flood event occurring or being exceeded in a given year. For example, a 1 in 5-year event (1/5) has a 20% chance of occurring or being exceeded in any given year and a 1 in 100-year event (1/100) has a 1% chance. It does not mean, for example, that a 1 in 100-year flood will only happen once every 100 years. More frequent flood events have a higher probability of occurring or being exceeded in any given year and are smaller flood events. Less frequent flood events (e.g. 1 in 50-year or 1 in 100-year) have a lower probability of occurring or being exceeded in any given year and are associated with more extreme floods. 

Why map flood plains? 

Flood plain mapping identifies the areas that may experience flooding due to rising water levels in a watercourse. This mapping is critical for the effective management of riverine flood risks through prevention/mitigation of risks, protection of people and property, and emergency preparedness and response planning. Effective hazard and risk management will often involve a combination of measures. 

• The City uses flood plain mapping to: 
  • Direct land use planning through the Official Plan and zoning policies 
  • Inform risk assessments and adaptation planning 
  • Inform emergency preparedness and response plans 
• Conservation Authorities use the maps to fulfill their mandates for: 
  • Regulation of development in the hazard area or alterations to the watercourse 
  • Implementing policies and requirements for flood proofing or flood protection where minor development is approved in a flood plain 
  • Flood forecasting and warning within their watershed 

What measures and resources are available for affected property owners? 

Property owners and residents can reference the maps to review the potential risks to their properties and take steps to protect it. This also helps build resiliency to future climate conditions. Steps may include, but are not limited to, physical changes to the property, adjustments to how belongings are stored in basements, and ensuring they have the appropriate insurance for their property. Useful resources for residents and property owners are available from the City of Ottawa and the Province of Ontario. 

Why use the 1 in 350-year flood event for climate change? 

The return period or probability of a flood event is defined based on historical data and does not reflect possible changes to the magnitude or probability of a flood event due to climate change. Predicting exactly how climate change will impact a flood event is difficult. A larger event with a lower probability of occurrence may be used as an estimate. The 1 in 350-year flood event was selected as an appropriate event for assessing changes in riverine flooding due to climate change. The 1 in 350-year event: 

• Aligns with local climate projection trends for climate parameters that influence riverine flooding 
• Is comparable to Hurricane Hazel and the Timmins Storm, which are already used to regulate development throughout Southern and Northern Ontario 
• Is the Public Safety Canada recommended standard for creating flood hazard maps 

What is the difference between the 1 in 100-year and 1 in 350-year flood plain maps? 

Generally, areas already vulnerable to flooding in a 1 in 100-year event will experience increased depth of flooding in a 1 in 350-year event. A few areas that are not affected by a 1 in 100-year event could experience flooding under a 1 in 350-year event. Unlike the 1 in 100-year flood plain maps, the 1 in 350-year flood plain maps are not used to define limits of development. For this reason, the 1 in 350-year flood limits may be less refined than the 1 in 100-year flood limits. 

Why don’t some areas have 1 in 350-year flood plain mapping yet? 

1 in 350-year flood plain mapping is prepared as part of the overall Flood plain Mapping Update program. Prioritization has been based on required 1 in 100-year flood plain mapping updates which, outside of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers, has historically focused on areas of growing development. 1 in 100-year flood plain mapping must be completed or updated before the 1 in 350-year flood event can be mapped. 

What policies apply in areas without 1 in 350-year flood plain mapping? 

Policies regarding 1 in 350-year flood plain do not apply until mapping for such areas is available. Development remains subject to existing policies based on available regulatory 1 in 100-year flood plain mapping. 

What about areas with flood control structures/berms? 

Some affected areas do have flood control structures that provide flood protection. The performance of these structures has not been assessed for a 1 in 350-year flood event. As such, flood hazards are identified for these areas on the assumption that flood control structures may not provide adequate protection. This is consistent with the approach for the 1 in 100-year event and follows Provincial guidelines. It may be appropriate to consider these structures when assessing flood risk and mitigation measures for a property in a climate change flood vulnerable area. 

Will this mapping affect property value? 

Property owners are often concerned to learn that their land may be affected by a flood or other natural hazard. However, it is important to understand that these hazards already exist, and the mapping only documents them; it does not create the hazard. Flood plain mapping can inform decision making for any future changes to a home or property and help ensure those investments are more resilient to possible future climate impacts. 

Will the mapping increase the cost of insurance? 

Most insurance policies have not historically covered overland or riverine flood damage. Increasingly, insurance companies are now offering optional water damage or flood damage coverage that may be purchased in addition to basic insurance policy coverage. Cost and availability of coverage will depend on the products offered by the specific insurance company. The Insurance Bureau of Canada provides a 

helpful overview http://www.ibc.ca/on/disaster/water. 

Victoria Day schedule changes 

The City of Ottawa would like to remind residents of the following schedule changes and impacts to City services for the Victoria Day holiday on Monday, May 23.  

Client Service Centres 

• The City’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters only. Please visit ottawa.ca/311 for more information. 
• The Client Services Centres at Ottawa City Hall, Ben Franklin Place, 580 Terry Fox Drive, 255 Centrum Boulevard and the City’s Provincial Offences Court at 100 Constellation Drive will be closed. 

Green bin, recycling and garbage collection 

• There will be no curbside green bin, recycling, garbage or bulky item collection on Monday, May 23. Collection scheduled for Monday will be collected on Tuesday, May 24. Collection will be delayed by one day for the entire week. 
• Multi-residential garbage containers will be collected on the regular scheduled day. Multi-residential recycling container and green bin collection will also be delayed the following week by one day for the remainder of the week. 
• The Trail Waste Facility will be open on Monday, May 23.  

Parking 

• All City parking regulations and restrictions apply. 

OC Transpo 

• OC Transpo bus service and O-Train Line 1 will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, May 24.  
• On Monday, May 23, the whole family can ride all day for $11.00 on a single DayPass! Purchase your Family DayPass at any ticket machine or from your bus operator. A family can be made up of as many as six people, with a maximum of two aged 13 or older.  
  • New this year: children aged seven and under ride for no charge every day! 
• OC Transpo Customer Service (613-560-5000) will be open on Monday, May 23 from 8 am to 9. 
• OC Transpo’s Rideau Centre Customer Service Centre will be closed on Monday, May 23. 
  • All other OC Transpo Customer Service Centres are currently closed.
• Heartwood House (OC Transpo Lost and Found) will be closed on Monday, May 23.  

Para Transpo 

• Para Transpo will operate on a holiday service on Monday, May 23.  
  • Regular bookings on Monday, May 23 are automatically cancelled.  
  • Customers can book trips for these dates one week prior by calling 613-560-5000 or using the online web form. 
• The reservations line will remain open from 7 am to 5 pm, while the trip cancellation line will be open from 6 am to 12:30 am. 
• The Taxi Coupon line will remain open. 

For more information on Victoria Day service, visit octranspo.com or call (613) 560-5000. 

Recreation and cultural services 

• Pools, arenas and recreation and fitness centres will operate on modified schedules. Please check with the facility directly for details.  
• Most art centres and museums will be closed on Monday, May 23. Please check with the centre or museum directly for details.  
• Shenkman Arts Centre is closed on Monday, May 23.  
• Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe is closed on Monday, May 23.   
• The City of Ottawa Archives and Gallery 112 will be closed on Monday, May 23. 

Ottawa Public Health 

• Visit the OPH COVID-19 Vaccine page for vaccination clinic hours and availability. 
• Visit the OPH COVID-19 Testing page for testing centre and care clinic hours and availability. 
• The Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Booking Line will be closed on Monday, May 23. 
• The Sexual Health Clinic and satellite clinics will be closed. 
• The Site program office and supervised consumption services at 179 Clarence Street will be closed. The Site mobile van will operate from 5 pm to 11:30 pm. 
• The Ottawa Public Health Information Centre and COVID-19 Information Line will be closed. 
• Dental clinics will be closed. 
• The Baby Help Line will be returning calls (open). 

Community and Social Services 

• The Tom Brown respite centre at 141 Bayview Station Road will be closed on Monday, May 23.   
• The Bernard Grandmaître respite centre at 309 McArthur Avenue will be closed on Monday, May 23.  

Municipal child care services 

• All municipal child care centres will be closed. 

Library Services 

• All Ottawa Public Library branches will be closed on Monday, May 23. Virtual services, loans and programs can be accessed on the Ottawa Public Library website. 

Overbrook Community Gardens 2022 

You are invited to a Free workshop… 

“Orientation for Gardeners and Gardening 101” 

Date:   Saturday, May 21  

Time:  9:00 am to 12:00 Noon 

Place:  Overbrook Community Centre 

              33 Quill Street, Craft Room  

9:00 to 10:15 a.m.  Gardening Basics with Tom Marcantonio, Master Gardener 

10:30 to 12:00 noon  - Outdoor session 

Note:   Children, who attend with their parent/guardian will receive a free seedling! 

Seedlings will be available for sale!! 

All community gardeners are encouraged to attend! 

RSVP [email protected]  

Community Mapping: Urban Experiences of Immigrant Women 

Are you an immigrant woman living in Overbrook, Castle-Heights, and Cyrville? We want to hear from you! 

Who? Community leaders and Carleton University researchers will be conducting a study in our neighborhood. 

Why? To empower communities to lead change and to explore how urban design and infrastructures can better support and integrate immigrant women populations. 

How? Through a fun and collective mapping activity and anonymous experience survey about your sense of belonging, safety, comfort, and support in your neighborhood 

When and Where? Saturday May 21st at the Overbrook Community Centre between 11.45 and 1.45pm. 

Rewards: learn how maps can help us make claims for our neighborhood. We will provide a $50 prepaid card to all participants in compensation for their time and expertise. 

Accommodations: The activity will be conducted in English, French, and Arabic; we will provide caregiving, and accessibility accommodations. No previous knowledge is needed. 

Contact: [email protected] 

Overbrook Community Cleanup 

Take part in a community cleanup of Overbrook next Saturday, May 28 at 1:00pm. Organizers and participants will be meeting outside the Overbrook Community Centre. Pizza will be provided and grass seeds will be handed out to OCH residents. Remember to dress for the weather, rain or shine! 

Montreal Road Revitalization 

Work activities planned for the next two weeks (May 16 to May 27) include: 

• Hydro Ottawa pole topping – Hydro Ottawa is nearing completion of their underground infrastructure required to remove the existing hydro poles from L’Eglise St to west of Altha Ave. Removal of Hydro’s overhead cables is tentatively scheduled for the first week of June and will include removal of thetop section of the existing poles. Any power disruptions associated with the work will be communicated by Hydro Ottawa in advance. Complete removal of the hydro poles will be undertaken later this year once all telecom overhead wires are replaced by underground cables. 
• North River Road multi-use-path (MUP) – The MUP work on the west side of North River Road from Montreal Road to south of Tudor Place is tentatively scheduled for this week. Pedestrians are being detoured to the sidewalk on the east side of North River Road while cyclists will share the road. The work entails installation of a handrail and a new asphalt surface for the MUP. A closure of the MUP for a few days will be required in the next couple of weeks when the final installation of the railing is completed. 
• Watermain and underground pipe – Watermain work is continuing at the Montreal Road/Granville intersection. Water shut offs are now complete and temporary water services are up and running. The next water shut off is expected in mid-June when the new watermain is in place and buildings are reconnected to the new main. The underground work at the Montreal Road/Granville intersection will continue over the next several months which includes storm and sanitary pipe replacement.    
• Road excavation – Road excavation and road box construction is continuing between L’Eglise and St. Laurent on the south side of Montreal Road. 
• Utility and telecoms – Underground utility work and placement of telecom ducts to allow for hydro pole burial is continuing on the south side of Montreal Road between Lafontaine and de L’Eglise. 
• Landscaping – Preparation for landscape has started and some sod was placed last week. Landscaping will continue over the next two weeks.