November 3, 2023 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Protect yourself against the flu and COVID-19 by getting your vaccines
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends that everyone six months and older get the annual flu vaccine and the updated XBB 1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are particularly recommended for people at high risk of severe illness from flu and/or COVID-19 as well as health care workers and first responders. Effective October 30, 2023, flu vaccines and the updated COVID-19 vaccines are available for all residents. There are many options for getting your flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine:
- Visit your nearest pharmacy (pharmacies continue to be the main point of access for flu vaccines).
- Check with your regular health care provider to see if they offer the vaccines.
- Visit an OPH Community Clinic to get your vaccines.
- Visit an OPH Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub, if you face barriers to access, for vaccines on a walk-in basis.
To book your appointment for the updated COVID-19 vaccine: COVID-19 vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ontario COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007).
To book your appointment for your annual flu vaccine: Flu vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ottawa Public Health website.
OPH wants to remind Ottawa residents that there are simple and effective ways to help protect yourself, your families and our communities against respiratory illness. Some people in our community are at a higher risk of severe illness. Minor symptoms for one person could be a life-threatening illness for another. Using the following layers of protection helps keep everyone safe:
- Washing your hands (or using hand sanitizer) often and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace.
- Staying home when you are sick.
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Wearing a mask:
- To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses;
- To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness from getting sick; and
- When you’re recovering from illness.
- Staying up to date on your vaccines.
For more information on respiratory illness, including vaccination and treatment, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus, call 613-580-6744 or call 3-1-1 after hours.
Your Councillor in the Community
Thank you to St. Mary's Home for inviting me to their 90th anniversary celebration the evening of Nov. 2. I was proud to present a certificate on behalf of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Rideau-Vanier Councillor Stéphanie Plante in recognition of this special milestone occasion. St. Mary's Home has been continuously and responsively supporting pregnant and parenting youth and their children in the Ottawa area for 90 years.
Thank you to everyone who attended my Equity Budget Consultation for Black, Indigenous and racialized communities. My thanks to Deputy City Treasurer of Revenue, Joseph Muhini, QuakeLab, the Ottawa Black Business Alliance and Rideau-Vanier Stéphanie Plante and River Councillor Riley Brockington for attending and participating. The hybrid event was held Nov. 1 on Zoom and in person at the Ottawa Black Business Alliance at 235 Montreal Road.
As we approach Remembrance Day, I was happy to join Councillors Matthew Luloff and David Hill at Veterans House in Wateridge Village this week to thank the Knights of Columbus for donating jackets and comfort kits to tenants and to those staying at the Ottawa Mission.
Thank you to Rideau-Rockcliffe residents and community association representatives for attending my Ward 13 virtual budget consultation on Oct. 30. My thanks to the City's Deputy City Treasurer of Corporate Finance, Isabelle Jasmin, for participating.
It was a truly frightening haunted house experience experienced by hundreds of children and youth at the Overbrook Community Centre on Oct. 31, created through a wonderful partnership with the City’s recreational staff, Ottawa Community Housing, the Overbrook Community Association and the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre.
A wonderful inaugural Halloween drop-in event was held on Oct. 31 at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse for neighbourhood trick or treaters, organized by the Crichton Community Council.
I dropped into the excellent Halloween Party and barbecue held this week at the Wabano Centre for the Indigenous community.
The Lindenlea Community Association hosted an amazing haunted house experience for local kids at the Lindenlea Community Centre on Oct. 29.
I enjoyed Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's Trick or Treat event at City Hall on Oct. 28.
I gave opening remarks at the National Trust Conference, held at the Chateau Laurier last week, to more than 700 attendees in my capacity as Chair of the City’s Built Heritage Committee.
It was great to have attended the Algonquin College Speaker Series briefly last week to listen to discussions about community resilience through emergency management and preparedness.
Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
OC Transpo News for Rideau-Rockcliffe
Following my motion to Council during the 2023 City Budget cycle to improve bus service in Wateridge Village, along with consultations with residents and the community association, I am pleased to report that OC Transpo has been responsive to community input and has proposed the following bus service improvements that will positively impact Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward:
- New weekday peak period Route 17, Wateridge—Rideau via Montréal Rd, Brittany
- Route 25 extended, Millennium—Wateridge via Innes, Blair, La Cité, replacing Route 27, with proposed service to the community every 15 minutes
- Route 9 to be revised to provide two-way service on Sussex between Boteler and Murray
- Route 9 to be extended to Carleton University via Billings Bridge, replacing part of Route 10
These proposed changes, recommended through OC Transpo's bus optimization process, will be considered by Transit Commission on November 14. If approved, the proposed bus route changes would be funded through the upcoming transit budget, which will be tabled on November 8, discussed and approved at the Transit Commission on November 14, and rise to City Council for final approval on December 6. Implementation would occur after this.
On September 15, I released a position paper focused on improving OC Transpo bus routes in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward to enhance efficiency and improve the passenger experience. The paper explores the challenges with current routes that serve our area and the importance of route optimization for the main bus routes which serve this Ward. Additionally, the position paper showcases the benefits of optimization, such as reduced travel time, improved reliability, and increased ridership and makes recommendations concerning bus route improvements based upon resident input from both a transit survey and virtual townhall session that my office conducted, in conjunction with Rideau-Vanier Councillor Stéphanie Plante and Somerset Councillor Ariel Troster, earlier this year. The paper can be accessed at this link. During this budget cycle, I will continue to ask questions as to how OC Transpo can continue to improve service, keep service affordable for residents and reduce service cancellations.
2023 Order of Ottawa inductees and Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching recipient announced
Yesterday, Nov. 2, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced 15 residents who will be inducted into the Order of Ottawa this year, as well as the recipient of the 2023 Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching. I am looking forward to joining Mayor Sutcliffe in inducting Rideau-Rockcliffe resident André M. Levesque into the Order of Ottawa during the ceremony at City Hall on Nov. 16. Residents can watch the ceremony live on Rogers TV Cable 22 and rogerstv.com at 7 pm. It will be rebroadcast on Rogers TV Cable 22 on Friday, November 17 at 10 am and Saturday, November 18 at 6:30 pm. For more information about the Order of Ottawa, please visit ottawa.ca.
Rockcliffe Public School Book Sale - Nov. 3, 4 & 5
Come browse an enormous selection of adult and children’s books from trending titles to forgotten gems, DVDs, CDs and vinyl. Stop by the Book Fair café on your way out to enjoy a selection of baked goods as well as a delicious hot food menu catered by Dinner by Six. Visit once or visit daily; shelves will be restocked daily while supplies last. Hope to see you there! For details, please visit rockcliffeparkbookfair.com.
Sale hours:
Friday, November 3, 9:30 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday, November 4, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, November 5, 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location:
Rockcliffe Park Public School. Enter through Queen Juliana Hall, 360 Springfield Road.
St. Bart's Bazaar - Nov. 4
125 MacKay Street, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023
Please join St. Bart's for this year's first in-person bazaar since 2019! You will find all the usual classic tables- gifts, jewelry, books, preserves, baking, attic treasures, Christmas decorations, toys, games, crafts, knitting and a fabulous tea room! Bring your gift list to buy quality items at low prices! You will help us support the work of the Church which includes their Refugee Program, Cornerstone Women's Shelter and our mission to the Gary J. Armstrong Home. To keep everyone healthy, smaller numbers in the hall will be maintained this year. Thank you for understanding if they ask you to wait a few moments for entry if the hall is full. For further details, or if you have items to donate, please contact Liz Heatherington at [email protected] or Linda Assad Butcher at [email protected].
Rockcliffe Park Conservation Area Clean-up - Nov. 4
Saturday, Nov. 4 between 1 and 3 pm Rockcliffe Park residents will be raking the paths around McKay Lake and the Pond. Please bring your own rake and wear gloves. Meet at the entrance on Hillsdale Road. Refreshments will be served when we finish at the Pond swimming area. Students are welcome for volunteer hours. Rain date is Sunday, Nov. 5 at the same time and meeting place.
Overbrook Community Clean-up Day - Nov. 4
Do you love enjoying Overbrook’s natural landscapes? Then come join the OCA’s community Fall cleaning event on Nov. 4, starting at 1 pm. Meeting Location: Overbrook Community Centre at 33 Quill Street. Meet your neighbours, make new friends and have fun! Register here.
New Edinburgh Craft Show - Nov. 4
The "Something New Edinburgh - The Last Hurrah!" Craft Show takes place in New Edinburgh at Memorial Hall at 39 Dufferin Road on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 am to 3 pm. Where community, artists and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship meet. Shop over 30 vendors and enjoy lunch courtesy of Angry Dragonz food truck. Find everything handmade from live wreaths to recycled wool mittens; paintings to bracelets; wrapping paper to soap; weavings to pottery! Admission is absolutely free.
Rockcliffe Park Speakers Program - Nov. 8 and 22
The first two speakers for the new season of the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association Speakers Program have been announced. These events take place at the Rockcliffe Park Community Centre, 380 Springfield Road.
- Charlotte Gray - “Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons: The Lives of Jennie Jerome Churchill and Sara Delano Roosevelt”, a captivating dual biography of two famous women whose sons would change the course of the 20th century, by award-winning historian and author Charlotte Gray. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8 pm
- Stephen Poloz - “These Turbulent Times". The frank, plain-speaking former Governor of the Bank of Canada and author of ‘The Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future’, will speak on the turbulent times we live in. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 8 pm
Remembrance Day Service - Nov. 11
Please join your friends and neighbours at Riverside Memorial Park, 1063 North River Road, on Nov. 11, 2023, from 10:45 to 11:30 am for a moment of silence and to pay your respects on Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day at Beechwood - Nov. 11
Military members of the National Capital Region and their families and friends are invited to observe the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces, located at Beechwood Cemetery. The event takes place on Nov. 11 starting at 10:45 am. All welcome who wish to show their support for the Canadian Armed Forces. For details, please click here.
Autumn Concert - Nov. 11
The Ottawa Woodwind Project, a local group of musicians who play a variety of musical selections, host an Autumn Concert on Nov. 11 at 7 pm at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa, 400 McArthur Avenue. Admission is free. Donations are welcome. For details, please click here.
Ottawa Children's Storytelling Festival - Nov. 20 to 25
Captivating Stories: Talented storytellers from Ottawa and all across Canada will weave magical tales, captivating the young minds of children from birth up to 12 years old. Through a diverse range of unforgettable stories, our goal is to ignite imaginations and inspire a lifelong love for storytelling and learning. In a celebration of Ottawa's bilingual heritage, the festival will include both English and French tellers. The Ottawa Children's Storytelling Festival is proud to be held in partnership with esteemed organizations such as the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Conseil des Écoles Catholiques Centre-Est, and Consortium Centre Jules-Léger. These collaborations emphasize our commitment to inclusivity, cultural diversity, and the promotion of Indigenous voices. Please click here.
Date: November 20-25
Venues: Odawa Native Friendship Centre, OPL branches, and online
Christmas Hamper registration now open for Rideau-Rockcliffe residents - Deadline is Nov. 24
Rideau-Rockcliffe residents in need of some assistance during the holidays are invited to register for the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre's Lending Hand program to receive a Christmas Hamper or a voucher. Space is limited and registration is required. For details and to register, visit www.crcrr.org and click on the blue snowflake at the top of the web page.
Festive Breakfast - Nov. 25
Please join Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard for her Festive Pancake Breakfast on Nov. 25 from 10 am to 12 pm at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue. There will be market vendors and a special guest will be dropping by while you enjoy pancakes, coffee and sausages. Everyone welcome.
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
Time to change your clocks back - Nov. 5
On Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 2 am clocks are turned backward one hour in Ontario. OC Transpo confirms that extra trips will be added to coincide with the clocks falling back one hour this weekend. OC Transpo will have five additional operators who will be working around this timeframe specifically to accommodate customers who may be impacted by the change, and OC Transpo will assign those extra trips on those routes that are running at that time of the night (Routes 45, 75, 39.) Please note that the LRT will be running for an extra hour as well.
International Inuit Day - Nov. 5
International Inuit Day is Nov. 7 this year, however, celebrations will take place Nov. 5, from 1 to 4 pm, in Annie Pootoogook Park in Sandy Hill, 250 Somerset East. Everyone is welcome – whether Inuit or not! There will be food, Inuit games and performances, speeches, artisan goods for sale, and cake! This will be a wonderful day of celebrating Inuit culture, food and people.
Flu & COVID booster vaccines are available
Ottawa Public Health expects the 2023/2024 respiratory season to be atypical when compared to pre-pandemic years, with early activity of respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating simultaneously with COVID-19. OPH recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the annual flu vaccine and the updated XBB 1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are particularly recommended for people at high risk of severe illness from flu and/or COVID-19 as well as health care workers and first responders. Book your COVID booster through the provincial booking system.
To book your appointment for your annual flu vaccine: Flu vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ottawa Public Health website.
Lansdowne 2.0
- To read the latest updates from the committee meetings on November 2 and 3, please click here.
- November 6, 2023 - Built Heritage Committee
- November 10, 2023 - City Council
For more information, please visit the project webpage here.
Remembrance Day in the Nation's Capital - Nov. 11
On Remembrance Day and through Veterans Week, we honour those who have served and continue to serve our country.
Nov. 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day. The First Nations, Inuit and Métis of Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country. Please click here to learn more.
Local Ceremonies in Ottawa
There are many local ceremonies taking place across Ottawa this week. For the full list, please click here.
Watch the National Ceremony on TV or online
The 2023 National Remembrance Day Ceremony, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion, takes place at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa on Nov. 11 starting at approximately 10:30 am. It will feature a Veterans' Parade and a fly-past. The City of Ottawa will restrict road access around the War Memorial before and during the ceremony. The program for the event is available at this link.
- National Canadian news networks will cover the ceremony live on TV.
- Watch the ceremony live on The Royal Canadian Legion's Facebook page.
Transit information:
- Nov. 5 to 11: Veterans can ride transit for free (OC Transpo, Para Transpo, and STO). Just wear your medals and/or uniform.
- OC Transpo will maintain regular transit service during Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day. However, due to Remembrance Day parades and ceremonies on Nov. 11, several roads will be closed and some routes will be detoured. Use the OC Transpo Travel Planner to plan your trip.
- If you plan on attending the National Remembrance Day Ceremony or will be in the downtown core, be sure to plan ahead. Visit the Alerts page for how to the downtown ceremony and parade and details on detours and road closures throughout the city
- With the 2-for-1 DayPass, two customers aged 13 or older can ride all day on Remembrance Day, and every other Saturday, Sunday and statutory holiday. Kids 12 and under ride for free every day.
- At 11 am on Nov. 11, all services will be paused for two minutes of silence. OC Transpo and para Transpo buses will pull over to the side of the road and all trains will be held at station platforms. Click here to learn more.
National Capital Core Area Plan Workshops - Nov. 15
The NCC is updating the National Capital Core Area Plan. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of the core area! The NCC wants to hear your thoughts on their long-term plans to help build a capital that is inclusive, picturesque, thriving and well connected. Join the NCC at one of its workshops on Nov. 15, 2023. For details, please click here.
- Online session: 11:30 am to 1 pm on Zoom
- In-person session: 5:30 pm to 7 pm at 40 Elgin Street (Urbanism Lab). Email [email protected] to register.
Register for recreation and culture winter programs
Inclusive Recreation Programming for Fall/Winter
The City of Ottawa is excited to announce that Inclusive Recreation programming for Winter 2024 is available. These classes and activities are tailored to support individuals with disabilities of all ages take part in community recreation. Registration is currently open for Fall programs, and registration for Winter 2024 programs begins Nov. 16. More information and a full list of programs are available for fall aquatics, non-aquatic programs, and PA days.
Jean Pigott Place inside Ottawa City Hall
Help Santa Toy Parade - Nov. 18
The Help Santa Toy Parade will be held on Nov. 18 starting at 11 am. It will take its traditional route starting in front of City Hall on Laurier Avenue, proceeding west on Laurier Avenue, turning south on Bank Street and ending at Lansdowne Park. People looking to put an entry into the parade can “Apply Now." Volunteers are needed and can submit their name using the “Volunteer Now” button. Details: www.toyparade.ca. Donations in the form of new unwrapped toys will be accepted at all fire stations. We will be collecting cash donations along the parade route as well as online at
toyparade.ca. This year we will also be able to take “Tap” donations along the parade route as a “cashless” option.
Key dates for the tabling of the City's Draft Solid Waste Master Plan
- Nov. 21 at 9:30 am: Committee meeting on City'’s Youtube Channel and in person in Champlain Room
- Dec. 6 at 10 am: Council meeting on City'’s Youtube Channel and in person in Council Chambers
Heritage Grant Program for Building Restoration - Applications accepted until Dec. 8
Ottawa Filming Locations
Ottawa’s film and television industry has grown significantly in recent years, due in large part to the city’s variety and proximity of film-friendly locations. To further promote our filming locations, the Ottawa Film Office worked with local advertising agency Mediaplus to create a video showcasing what the region offers film and television productions. You can view the video on YouTube. The OFO is a non-profit organization dedicated to attracting and promoting live-action and animation production in Canada's capital. Click here to learn more.
Reviewing Ottawa's Heritage Register: Volunteer and Outreach Opportunities
Pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in North America. As such, demand for court space is steadily increasing across Ottawa, while tennis continues to be a well-loved sport in our community. The City has identified the need for an outdoor tennis and pickleball strategy, which will ensure that communities across Ottawa have access to both sports. The strategy will also serve as a reference guide for future management, oversight, and development of all public and club-operated outdoor tennis and pickleball courts. Currently the City operates over 500 outdoor tennis and pickleball courts, including combination courts (shared tennis and pickleball lines), single sport courts and municipal membership club courts. Following an evaluation of the current public court model, the strategy will identify a clear direction and delivery model for both outdoor tennis and pickleball across the city of Ottawa. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. For more information, please visit engage.ottawa.ca/tennis_pickleball.
GET INVOLVED
Resident feedback is an important part of developing the City’s outdoor tennis and pickleball strategy. Complete the survey at this link to tell the City about your household’s use of the outdoor tennis and pickleball courts in your community. Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. If you require special accommodation, please email [email protected].
Ottawa Police News
Update: Statement on Recent Hate-Motivated Incidents in Ottawa
To all Ottawa Residents: In the past days and weeks several concerning hate-motivated criminal incidents including graffiti, vandalism, hate mail, threats and a potential threat to public safety (later deemed unfounded through investigation) have been reported to police. These incidents have targeted Jewish and Muslim community members in Ottawa. Hate speech, symbols and other hate-motivated incidents are unacceptable. Those incidents can have a lasting impact not only on those who have been targeted, but throughout the neighbourhoods and communities where they occur. The Ottawa Police has zero tolerance for hate-motivated incidents. The Hate and Bias Crime Unit fully investigates all reported incidents. We will prosecute those who commit hate crimes to the full extent of the law. Click here to read the full statement.
Please join Ottawa Police activities during Crime Prevention Week - Nov. 5-11
Police services across the province are participating in Crime Prevention Week, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). This annual awareness week highlights how residents and police can work together to enhance the safety of their communities. This year’s Crime Prevention Week is set to begin on Nov. 5 and extend through Nov. 11. Various activities will be carried out around Ottawa, and we extend an invitation to you to participate. For details, please click here.
Here are some key events and highlights for the week:
- November 6: City Hall, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- November 7: Fraud and Scams Presentation at Seniors Home, 10:00 am
- November 9: Information session at Bayshore Mall from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- November 10: Information session at Rideau Centre from 11:00 to 2:00 pm.