October 1 Newsletter 2021

October 1, 2021 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

Another month has come to an end and October offers residents the chance to see the outdoors bursting with fall colour and interest. I would like to thank residents for their continued efforts in fighting COVID-19 which has contributed to our steady numbers and controlled reproduction rate. With the slightly colder weather and the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, please be safe and continue to observe public health measures. To help residents abide by the new proof of vaccination requirement from the Ontario government, the Ottawa Public Library is offering free proof of vaccination printing and self-lamination at all branches, until October 31. Please see the first item in this newsletter to find out more on how to access this service.

This past week, the Shepherds of Good Hope Richcraft Residence officially opened. The new building is located on Montreal Road and offers 42 units of supportive housing. This facility is a much welcomed and needed addition to the ward and will meet residents with compassion. Finally, as part of the Wildlife Strategy, the City of Ottawa initiated a Wildlife Speaker Series to increase residents' knowledge and appreciation of wildlife, and promote coexistence through understanding and respect. The next event in this series will take place online at 7pm on Wednesday October 20.

Free proof of vaccination printing and lamination at Ottawa Public Library

Ottawa Public Library (OPL), among other libraries in Ontario, is offering free proof of vaccination printing and self-lamination at all branches, until October 31, 2021. Self-lamination refers to a self-adhesive pouch, which can be sealed without machinery or extreme heat, and was obtained for this purpose thanks to funds from OPL donors.

Provincial requirements to show proof of vaccination and identification to access certain settings and locations came into effect September 22, 2021. Currently, no proof of vaccination is required to enter public libraries in Ontario.

Ottawa residents can visit any branch to print and laminate their proof of vaccination for free. OPL cardholders can also submit an online print request form, and come to their chosen branch to pick up their document when ready. Until October 31, 2021, customers can print up to 10 pages free (per account). After that point, branch employees will provide this service on a case-by-case basis.

It is recommended that an individual access and print their own proof of vaccination for protection of personal privacy and information. However, OPL employees can help someone access and print their proof of vaccination, with their consent. OPL does not retain any personal health information.

A green photo health card is required to download proof of vaccination from the provincial system. Those who do not have a photo health card should call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (available 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week).

OPL continues to follow direction from the Province of Ontario and guidance from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and as such, mask-wearing and physical distancing remain mandatory in all OPL branches. Ottawa Public Health can provide more information and assistance about proof of vaccination at 613-691-5505 and on the OPH website.

For more information about current Library services, or hours and locations, please visit the OPL website.

Shepherds of Good Hope: Richcraft Hope Residence Opening

This past Wednesday, I was happy to help officially open the new Shepherds of Good Hope Richcraft Hope Residence at 765 Montreal Road. The creation of the 42-unit supportive housing residence will have a positive impact on our ward and this city due to the compassion and care that it will bring to residents through supportive housing. Council supported the creation of the residence through $7 million in waived fees and grants. The project received other support, including an anonymous donation of $250,000 and a large donation from Richcraft. The residence will host innovative harm-reduction services as well as supports for mental health challenges and substance use issues.  Providing people with supportive housing helps to reduce and prevent chronic homelessness by providing permanent housing, and also reduces unnecessary hospital admissions and involvement with the criminal justice system. The facility specifically aids in stabilizing people in crisis through innovative harm-reduction services, such as its managed alcohol program, and with sophisticated supports to help individuals with complex mental health challenges, substance use disorders and trauma.

Wildlife Speaker Series: Wild, wild waste! Keeping your trash out of the wrong paws

The City will be hosting an online Wildlife Speaker Series event at 7pm on Wednesday October 20, 2021. The event is being held during Waste Reduction Week, and features City staff experts on wildlife and waste management. For more information on the series click here.

Montreal Road Revitalization

Please find below a two-week update (Monday, September 27 to Friday, October 8) for the Montreal Road Revitalization project. The work activities planned for the next two weeks will include:

• Vanier Parkway/Montreal Road intersection– Work is ongoing in the southwest quadrant of the intersection with excavation and installation of underground utility ducts.  The work will continue into late October and require the closure of the east-west crosswalk till mid October. Some intermittent lane closures along Montreal Road and Vanier Parkway will be required for the duration of the work. 

• North River Road to Vanier Parkway – The sidewalk on both the north and south side of Montreal Road is complete, except for sections near hydro poles at the North River Road/Montreal Road intersection. Installation of new streetlight poles on the south side of Montreal Road is continuing. After the streetlights are connected and energized, removal of the existing hydro poles will start this fall. The North River Road/Montreal Road intersection will be completed next year. 

• Vanier Parkway to Marier Avenue– The north side concrete curb, base asphalt, sidewalk and the asphalt cycle track are complete for this section. The curb, sidewalk and tree cell installation on the south side is now complete. Paving of the south side of the road and the section of cycle track between Savard Avenue and Olmstead Street is continuing this week. The concrete sidewalk and planter curbs at Emond Street have been installed and crews have started installation of the paver stones.  

• Marier Avenue to Lafontaine Avenue– Most of the sidewalk has been constructed on the north side of Montreal Road from Marier Avenue to Bradley Avenue. Paver stone work will be starting on Bradley Avenue in the coming weeks.  Starting this week, crews will be pouring concrete sidewalk on the south side of Montreal Road between Altha Avenue and Mona Avenue. Underground utility and electrical work continues on the south side of Montreal Road between Marier Avenue and Altha Avenue. 

• Lafontaine Avenue to de l’Église Street – Underground sewer and catch basin work continues. The north side of Montreal Road between Lafontaine Avenue and Cantin Street has been paved.The south side of Montreal Road from Ducharme Boulevard to de L’Eglise Street has been paved. Concrete curbs and sidewalk will be installed on the north side of Montreal Road between Cantin Street and Granville Street in the next two weeks.  Watermain work is wrapping up from Cantin to just east of L’Eglise. Temporary (8 to 12 hour) water shuts will be required in mid October along this section as crews connect building water services to the new watermain.  The water shuts will be communicated at 48hours in advance.

• De l’Église Street to St. Laurent Boulevard – Excavations for new sanitary sewers and the watermain continues at de L’Eglise Street with crews working east towards St. Laurent Boulevard. 

• Continued traffic impacts and road closures – Montreal Road is reduced to one westbound lane from Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard. Lane reductions on Montreal Road and Vanier Parkway started Saturday, September 18 to facilitate the ongoing construction in the southwest quadrant of the Montreal Road/Vanier Parkway intersection. All streets are closed between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard, except for Olmstead Street, Marier Avenue, Granville Street/Lafontaine Avenue and Cantin Street. Traffic calming flex posts installed along Lafontaine Avenue, Deschamps Boulevard and Montfort Street have been restored with additional reinforcing, which should limit issues with cars detaching the flex posts from the asphalt.

• Month-long construction outlook – Underground and aboveground work continues between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard. The curbs and sidewalk on the south side between Vanier Parkway and Olmstead Street have been completed. Over the next month, concrete work will focus on the south side between Bégin Street and Mona Avenue where certain sections are already in place. Road paving will take place on the south side of Montreal Road, east of the Vanier Parkway to Olmstead Street. Work on North River Road, including installation of permanent traffic calming measures and dedicated pedestrian crossings, is tentatively planned to start within the next month. City crews have started installing new traffic signals at Cantin Street, Lacasse Avenue, Hannah Street and Cody Avenue. Some pedestrian movement across the intersections will be disrupted while crews are working during the day. Paver stone work has started on Emond Street and will begin shortly at Bradley Avenue.  

• Hydro update – Hydro Ottawa removed their overhead power line between North River Road and Vanier Parkway on the weekend of July 17. Installation of new streetlight poles on the south side of Montreal Road is continuing. After the streetlights are connected and energized, removal of the existing hydro poles will start this fall.