May 30, 2025 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Dear Residents:
This week brought two remarkable celebrations in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward that remind us why preserving and celebrating our community heritage matters so deeply. From the opening of the Rideau River Kiosk in Overbrook to the recognition of Rockcliffe Park as a National Historic Site, these events showcase the power of community dedication and the importance of honouring our shared story.
In Overbrook, we witnessed something extraordinary at Saturday's kiosk opening ceremony. After more than five years of planning and thousands of volunteer hours by the Overbrook Community Association, 45 dedicated community members transformed a vision into reality.
What makes the Rideau River Kiosk so significant isn't just its beautiful riverside location or the historic information it will provide to visitors about Overbrook and the 150th anniversary of the first Hurdman's Bridge. It represents the spirit of community leadership and the belief that every neighbourhood deserves spaces where people can gather, learn, and celebrate what makes their community special.
Today's celebration in Rockcliffe Park offered a different but equally powerful example of heritage preservation. In May 2024, the Government of Canada awarded Rockcliffe Park the National Historic Site of Canada designation. This honour was made possible by the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association who supported the community with their efforts and contributions.
The designation of Rockcliffe Park Historic District as a National Historic Site recognizes not just the physical beauty of McKay Lake and elegant tree-lined streets, but the people who have shaped our national story from this peaceful enclave. From early residents building along the Ottawa River headlands to the diplomatic community strengthening Canada's place in the world, Rockcliffe Park embodies quintessentially Canadian values: respect for nature, thoughtful development, and service to our nation.
Both celebrations highlight a crucial truth: heritage preservation requires active community engagement. Whether it's volunteers dedicating years to a kiosk project or residents working to maintain a community's unique character, our shared heritage depends on people who care enough to act.
These examples underscore the need for stronger heritage protection tools. Municipalities need enhanced legislative authority that allows for the strengthening and restoration of local decision-making in heritage and land-use decisions. Further, municipalities require provincial funding and technical support to help with heritage research and designation processes to address chronic under-resourcing that hampers effective protection, and clear, enhanced enforcement and maintenance provisions to maintain heritage buildings, with clear penalties for “demolition by neglect." By making such investments and legislative changes, the Province can assist municipalities in ensuring the preservation of great communities.
As we move forward, let's remember that great communities are built not just with vision, but with care for the land, respect for history, and dedication to the common good. This week's celebrations prove that when we honour our past while building for the future, extraordinary things happen.
Our heritage isn't just about preserving buildings or landscapes—it's about preserving the spirit of places that define who we are as Canadians.
Rawlson King,City Councillor
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
How to prepare for emergencies - Book a presentation from City staff
Extreme weather events are happening more often in Ottawa now – like floods, ice storms, snowstorms, extreme heat and cold. You can ‘weather’ these events better if you’re well-informed. To help with that, sign up for the new Ottawa Alert notification system. It’s also important to have some essential items on hand, such as drinking water, backup batteries for your devices and a battery-operated or crank radio. Here’s an emergency kit checklist to help with that.
Workbook: The Are You Ready? workbook is a practical guide to help individuals and families stay safe during emergencies. It provides easy-to-follow worksheets and checklists. The workbook will help you understand your risks, make a tailored plan and build an emergency kit. Download the Are You Ready? workbook PDF
Info session: Do you want to better prepare yourself and your family or community for an emergency? The City’s Office of Emergency Management offers information sessions to help you get started with emergency planning. Group sessions are available covering personal preparedness for households and community preparedness for local organizations.
Information sessions are:
- In-person, hybrid or virtual
- 30 to 60 minutes in length
- Free – there is no cost for this service or to participate
Consider hosting a neighbourhood session as a community-building activity! For more details and to book a personal or community information session, visit the Emergency preparedness education sessions page.
For more emergency preparedness resources, please visit: An emergency can happen at any time – are you ready?
Building Code Services is now digital
Ottawa Fire Services Wake Up! Visits - June 2 to 9
As part of the spring Wake Up! program, firefighters from Ottawa Fire Services will visit homes across the city June 2 to 9, between 3 and 8 pm on weekdays and 2 and 4 pm on weekends, to ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are present and working. This is a courtesy call only and all services are provided to residents for free. Residents are not obligated to provide firefighters access to their home. Ontario’s Fire Code requires that homes have a working smoke alarm on each floor and outside each sleeping area. For homes built after January 1, 2015, smoke alarms are also required in sleeping rooms and all smoke alarms must be interconnected and have a visual strobe light. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required outside sleeping areas if the home has an attached garage, a wood stove or a fuel-fired appliance. To learn what is involved in a firefighter home visit, watch the Wake Up! video. Visit ottawa.ca/fire for more information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.