October 17, 2025 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Your Councillor in the Community
With the help of EnviroCentre, Forêt Capitale Forest and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, students at Manor Park Public School helped plant a tiny forest in front of their school this week!
Happy to attend the annual general meeting of the Lindenlea Community Association this week.
Congratulations to the new graduates of the peer support program developed by the Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network. I was happy to provide opening remarks alongside Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard.
This week, I was pleased to have toured the ACB Wellness Resource Centre in Overbrook with Carleton MPP George Darouze and Scott Phelan, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Premier.
Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities
Beechwood Market - Oct. 18 and 26
The Beechwood Market, at 203 Stanley Avenue, takes place every Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm, until October 25. The final two markets of the season are Oct. 18 and 25. Details: ottstreetmarkets.ca/our-markets/beechwood-market
Saturday, October 17 at 7 pm Saturday, October 18 at 2 pm
Repair Café in Vanier - Oct. 18 (Last Repair Café of 2025)
Folk Music Festival at St. Charles Market - Oct. 19
Anne Frank – A History for Today - Public Exhibition at Beechwood National Memorial Centre - Oct. 19
Beechwood Cemetery is honoured to host the powerful and internationally acclaimed exhibition “Anne Frank – A History for Today” at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre. This initiative is presented in partnership with the Anne Frank House, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, students across the Ottawa Catholic School Board and Beechwood, the National Cemetery of Canada, as part of our shared commitment to remembrance, education, and the promotion of human rights.
Exhibition Schedule on Sunday, October 19, 2025:
- Public Viewing Day is open to all visitors. Attendees can take part in self-guided or facilitated tours. Admission is free.
- Guided tours are from 1:30 pm-4:10 pm and will be lead by students (Gr 11-12) from across the Ottawa Catholic School Board. You must register for the guided tours.
For details and to register for a guided tour, please visit beechwoodottawa.ca/anne-frank-oct-19
Breast cancer screening info sessions for Black and racialized residents - Oct. 22 & 29
In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre is hosting screening information sessions and providing support with booking appointments for Black and racialized residents in Ottawa who do not have a family doctor. The sessions take place Oct. 22 and 29, from 12 to 4 pm at the ACB Wellness Resource Centre at 610 Donald Street. Pre-registration is required at this link.
Details: www.facebook.com/OBMHC
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition welcome’s job seekers, employers, and community members to the OAC 2025 Career Fair on Oct. 23 from 11 am to 4 pm at the Ottawa Convention and Events Centre, 200 Coventry Road. This in-person event has been designed for community and has something for everyone in your family or household. The Career Fair connects job seekers with over 50 employers, including many Indigenous organizations from across Ottawa. The OAC Career Fair is the place to meet potential employers, explore career options, engage in community initiatives and learn new skills by attending any one of the free workshops. The OAC will be offering a free complimentary professional headshot to add to your job-seeking bundle. Details: ottawaaboriginalcoalition.ca
Repair Fair at Heartwood House - Oct. 25
- Sewing machine repairs to get your gear back in action
- EcoEquitable's monthly fabric sale full of unique finds for your next project
- Scissor sharpening to keep your cutting crisp
- Interactive booths sharing tips on reducing waste
- Saturday, October 25 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Heartwood House, 404 McArthur Avenue
Halloween Howl in New Edinburgh - Oct. 25
Halloween in the forest - Oct. 25
The Vanier Museopark, in collaboration with the Vanier Optimist Club, invites families to enjoy a spooky stroll through the Richelieu Park forest this Halloween! On Saturday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or while supplies last), children can take part in fun challenges to collect all kinds of sweet treats. Fun for kids… and grown-ups too! Join us, in Richelieu Park, and don’t forget to wear your costume! *In case of rain, the activity will be moved indoors to the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre. Details: museoparc.ca/en/evenement/halloween-in-the-forest
St. Bartholomew's Church Bazaar - Nov. 1
St. Bartholomew's Church Bazaar takes place Nov. 1 from 12 to 4 pm at 125 MacKay Street in New Edinburgh. There will be attic treasures, home baking, books, gifts, Christmas decorations, jewelry, toys, knitting, preserves, and the famous tea room!
Projects and Construction Activities in and around Ward 13
Enbridge Gas construction - Mart Circle - beginning Nov. 3
Enbridge Gas is planning to install a gas main extension on Mart Circle between Blasdell Avenue and St. Laurent Boulevard. The estimated start date is Nov. 3 and the estimated completion date is Nov. 10. The work will involve installing one- and two-inch gas main pipes.
St. Laurent Gas Main Replacement Project – Update for Oct. 17 to 28
Aecon Utilities continues work on the Enbridge Gas St. Laurent Pipeline Replacement project at multiple locations in Rideau-Rockcliffe, Beacon Hill-Cyrville and Alta Vista. The project is near completion with restoration (resurfacing) for Coventry Road in the coming weeks. More than half of the pipe replacement will be completed by mid-November. Lane reductions and temporary road closures/lane closures, pedestrian and cyclists rerouting will continue as is. To address road conditions, the City and the Councillor's office has asked for more frequent street sweeping.
- Cummings Ave. between Ogilvie Road and Cyrville Road, as well as Cummings at Labelle
- Michael Street from Belfast to Labelle
- St. Laurent Blvd. between Belfast and Tremblay
- Ogilvie Road from Cummings Avenue to the St. Laurent Blvd. intersection
- Coventry Road from St. Laurent Blvd., past the Vanier Parkway towards the RCMP building
- Belfast between Lagan Way and Michael Street
- Tremblay Road at Avenue K intersection
The work involves the installation of a new 16-inch gas main. Much of the work is being done overnight from 7 pm to 6 am in order to avoid major traffic implications during peak travel periods.
Presland & Hardy Sidewalks - project update for Oct. 18 & 25
The contractor completing the sidewalk works along Presland Road / Hardy Avenue will be mobilizing to the site on October 18 and 25 to continue working towards completion. Work is underway to construct new sidewalks in Overbrook 105 metres along the north side of Presland Road to Frances Street and on the south side of both Presland Road and Hardy Avenue from Frances to the existing sidewalk on Bernard Street. This initiative will complete a missing link in the neighbourhood's pedestrian network, improving walkability to Queen Mary Public School, local parks, the St. Laurent Shopping Centre and bus stops on St. Laurent Boulevard and Lola Street. The new sidewalks will require narrowing the width of the road, which is expected to assist in calming traffic.
Streetlighting Upgrade - Roxborough Avenue - Oct. 20 to 28
The City's streetlighting team will be replacing a streetlight pole on Roxborough Avenue beginning Oct. 20. The work will include relocating the power supply, trenching/boring for a 50mm duct, removing existing overhead wiring and replacing a wood pole. The work is expected to be completed Oct. 28, weather pending. No power outages are required. Traffic lanes will be maintained.
Enbridge Gas Rockcliffe Control Station Relocation Project - Public Information Session - Oct. 22
The existing Rockcliffe Control Station is located near the intersection of Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and Hillsdale Road and it is proposed to be relocated to a location more suited for its continued safe and reliable operation. Enbridge Gas has retained Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) to undertake the environmental study, including a cumulative effects assessment and cultural heritage report, for the Project. Once the study is complete, applications for the Project will be filed with the Ontario Energy Board and Canada Energy Regulator, as required. Subject to the receipt of all approvals, construction is anticipated to begin in early 2027 and be completed by the end of 2027. The Project will include the following components:
- Inlet Pipeline (OEB Regulated): The pipeline’s preliminary preferred route would involve the installation of approximately 400 m of nominal pipe size (NPS) 12-inch steel natural gas pipeline beginning at a tie-in point with the St. Laurent pipeline at the intersection of Hillsdale Road and Sir George Étienne Cartier Parkway. The proposed inlet pipeline would travel west on Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway before turning south on Rue Tennis and would terminate within the proposed new station’s footprint within the National Capital Commission (NCC) utility maintenance yard on Rue Tennis.
- New Station (CER Regulated): The existing station will be decommissioned and the new station would occupy an approximately 20 m x 23 m area within the NCC utility maintenance yard on Rue Tennis.
- Outlet Pipeline (CER Regulated): The pipeline’s preliminary preferred route would involve the installation of approximately 350 m of NPS 16-inch steel natural gas pipeline that would travel north from the proposed new station location along Rue Tennis, then east on Sir George Étienne Cartier Parkway, and would tie into the existing natural gas infrastructure on the north side of Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway.
A public information session will be held to provide residents with an opportunity to review the proposed Project, ask questions, and provide input. Members of the public, regulatory agencies, Indigenous communities, directly impacted stakeholders and other interested persons are invited to participate.
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Date/Time: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 5 to 8 pm
- Location: Rockcliffe Park Community Centre, 380 Springfield Road
St. Patrick Street Bridge overnight construction work Oct. 27 to Nov. 28
The contractor working on the St. Patrick Street Bridge rehabilitation project will be doing work on the bridge overnight from Oct. 27 to Nov. 28 between 10 pm and 7 am. The work involves jacking the bridge, relocating concrete barriers, traffic control configuration set up which involves grinding and blasting the current traffic lines. The work will require use of a generator, wheeled excavator and a compressor. Project details: ottawa.ca
Fibre Network Installation along St. Laurent Boulevard - construction update
The City of Ottawa continues to install traffic ducts along St. Laurent Boulevard to enhance communication links to existing traffic signals and increase the communication capacity and efficiency to the City’s Traffic Signal System and Traffic Camera System Network.
What: The construction will consist of traffic duct installation within the west sidewalk/boulevard along St. Laurent Boulevard. Installation works will consist of sidewalk removal and replacement as well as directional drilling to install the new duct.
UPDATE: When: The work is expected to continue into November.
Where: The work will be conducted within the west sidewalk/boulevard between McArthur Avenue and Ogilvie Road, as well as at the east Transitway Ramp across from the St. Laurent Shopping Centre.
Construction is taking place during off-peak periods, from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Work will only take place in the southbound direction and a minimum of one lane will be maintained in this direction at all times. For more project details, please visit ottawa.ca. Click here for updates on traffic impacts.
Integrated renewal: Lebrun, Longpré, Marquette, Michel, des Pères-Blancs and Ste-Monique
McArthur Avenue Watermain & Marguerite Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement
A major infrastructure renewal is underway on McArthur Avenue and Marguerite Avenue. The work includes the replacement of aging watermains and sanitary sewers, along with related road and utility work with the intention to upgrade critical infrastructure nearing end-of-life to prevent future service disruptions and support long-term reliability.
What to Expect & Impacts
- Some localized road disruptions are expected during construction, including lane shifts or temporary lane reductions.
- Access to properties and driveways are being maintained wherever possible, though temporary impacts may occur during connection work.
- Work will include reinstatement of sidewalks, pavement, and associated landscaping following utility upgrades.
- Pedestrian routes will be adjusted: signed detours are in place to guide foot traffic safely around work zones, ensuring connectivity across the construction area.
The underground watermain and sewer work will be completed this fall. Final pavement and sidewalks will be reinstated in spring 2026. For more details, maps, and updates, visit the City’s public engagement page: ottawa.ca
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
The Cultural funding support unit at the City of Ottawa manages programs that support arts, heritage, and cultural activities that highlight the diversity of Ottawa’s communities. The Equity and Inclusion in the Arts fund aims to reduce barriers and advance artistic expression within Indigenous and equity-seeking communities by providing opportunities for self-expression, capacity building, visibility and celebration. This fund has two categories of project funding available to eligible individuals
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Grow grant category: Project funding for individuals and organizations that are from or support Indigenous and/or equity seeking communities.
- Deadline: October 22 by 4 pm
- Contact: Marie-Christine Feraud
The VOscars Volunteer Awards Gala - Oct. 23
The VOscars is the highlight of the year for the city’s volunteers and non-profits. The event celebrates Ottawa’s vibrant volunteer community and gives special recognition to those individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made a difference in the community. Come celebrate the helpers with us and enjoy live entertainment, a multi-course meal from Preston Event Centre and of course - the awards ceremony itself! The 2025 VOscars Awards Gala will start at 5:30 PM on Thursday, October 23 at the Preston Event Centre, 523 St. Anthony St., Ottawa.
Trick or Treat with the Mayor - Oct. 25
Come to City Hall to trick or treat with the Mayor on Oct. 25 from 5 to 8 pm. Admission is a suggested donation to the Ottawa Food Bank's Baby Basics Program. Details: ottawa.ca
- Obtain a City-issued licence whenever they issue an eviction notice for renovations and repairs
- Demonstrate that it is necessary for the tenant to leave the rental unit to conduct the renovation or repair work
Culture lives everywhere! Have your say with the new Culture Plan survey
Date: Tuesday, November 4
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Online platform: The session will be held virtually on Zoom
Registration: Click here to register
Rural session
Date: Monday, November 10
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Online platform: The session will be held virtually on Zoom
Registration: Click here to register
Emergency Services News
Warning for seniors: distraction thefts on the rise
The Ottawa Police Service is warning residents about an increase in distraction thefts targeting seniors across the city, with more than 120 incidents reported since the spring. These thefts often involve suspects approaching victims from a nearby waiting vehicle—usually seniors—under the guise of asking for directions or help, and then offering a “gift,” such as placing a necklace around the victim’s neck as a thank-you gesture. In doing so, the suspects discreetly remove the victim’s real jewelry. Recently, police have seen an escalation in these incidents, including reports of violence. In one case, a firearm was pointed at a 74-year-old victim who was out walking in his own neighbourhood. Suspects are targeting both public and private locations, including these most common areas:
- West: Merivale Road, Grant Carman Drive, Fisher Avenue, Stittsville Main Street, Foxfield Drive, and Berrigan Road.
- Central: Montreal Road, Somerset Street West, McArthur Avenue, Bay Street, and Bank Street.
- East: Ogilvie Road, Cyrville Road, Montreal Road, Riverside Drive, Bank Street, and Heron Road.