October 2 Newsletter 2020

October 2, 2020 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

Online questionnaire on the Transportation Master Plan Update

From September 21 until October 23, you will have an opportunity to provide input into the Transportation Master Plan Update and Active Transportation Plan by completing an online questionnaire on active transportation, on what a fair and equitable transportation system looks like, and on the new technologies that are changing the way we move around the city.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the City’s transportation system and things are still in a state of flux, the City is moving forward with its Transportation Master Plan update based on information available and in consultation with stakeholders, other levels of government, elected officials, and YOU.

The questionnaire will be available online at www.ottawa.ca/TMPUpdate along with an introductory video, a discussion paper on new mobility technologies, and information on what we heard in Phase 1 of public engagement about your priorities and the vision for the future of Ottawa’s transportation system. 

On that same site, you will find the link to an online mapping activity and questionnaire to identify the missing pedestrian and cycling links you would like to have considered as part of the Active Transportation Plan. 

Have your say! Transportation planning decisions affect each and every one of us, no matter how you move through the city!

New Health Measures

Today, Friday, October 2, the Ontario government announced additional public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. New measures that are to come into effect on Saturday, October 3, include:

Setting an indoor capacity limit to restrict occupancy at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) to the number of patrons who can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other patron, to a maximum of 100 patrons, permitting no more than six patrons per table, requiring operators to ensure patrons lining up or congregating outside of their establishment maintain physical distancing, and mandating that the name and contact information for each patron be collected.

Setting a limit on the number of people allowed at meeting and event facilities, including banquet halls, to six people per table and 50 people per facility.

Mask Up Outdoors

OPH is encouraging residents to wear masks when outside in areas where physical distancing is difficult.  Wearing a mask is part of being COVID Wise and is one public health measure to help resume economic and social activities while COVID-19 is still in our community.

COVID-19 online safe chat and text service expanding

Ottawa’s safe text and chat line for people living with domestic violence and abuse during COVID-19 is pleased to announce that it will offer its services to more people in need and extend operations to March 2021. 
 
Since April, Unsafe at Home Ottawa has held nearly 700 secure text and chat sessions. United Way East Ontario, Crime Prevention Ottawa and Women’s Shelters Canada are providing additional funding so the service can continue through the winter months. The service will now also be extended to Lanark County and to members of the LGBTQ2S+ community who are experiencing violence in the home.

About Unsafe at Home Ottawa

• Text and chat service available 7 days a week from 8:30 am to midnight. 
• Safe technology ensures conversations are confidential and secure.
• Trained personnel provide advice, referrals and support in English and French.
• Text (613) 704-5535
• Chat online unsafeathomeottawa.ca

City’s fall recreation and arts eGuides are now online

The City’s fall recreation and arts eGuides will be available online Monday, September 28.

This year’s guide features COVID-modified programs for the young and the young-at-heart. It has activities for every interest and goal – whether you want to get or stay active, explore your artistic flair or take up a new sport or hobby. 

Browse activities for all ages: preschoolers, children, youth, families, adults and adults 50+, including options for programs in French.

Due to the evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is postponing its fall recreation and arts programming registration, which was originally scheduled to open on Monday, October 5 at 9 pm. Stay tuned for further updates and any program changes.

Ottawa Police Services Board Survey

The Ottawa Police Services Board, in collaboration with the Ottawa Police Service, has developed this survey to better understand perceptions of crime, neighbourhood concerns and satisfaction with police services in the city of Ottawa.
 
Your participation in completing the survey will assist us to determine future directions and police priorities. The information collected will be used to better address the needs of residents, to enhance service delivery, and to strengthen community relations. 
 
The survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete. It is completely voluntary and anonymous. You are not asked to identify yourself, and all information collected will remain confidential. Please complete by October 4, 2020. 

Extension of parkway pilot projects in support of Fall Rhapsody

The crisp, cool air, combined with an explosion of colours tells us that fall has arrived, and it’s time for Fall Rhapsody. Spectacular landscapes can be seen and admired, attracting hundreds of thousands of people in Canada’s Capital Region for just a few weekends, from September 26 to October 25, 2020 (including Thanksgiving Monday). 

To make it even easier for people to stay in their local neighborhoods during the fall display, with room for physical distancing, the NCC is pleased to announce the extension of its popular pilot projects, until Thanksgiving Monday (October 12, 2020).

The following parkways will continue to be open for active users only, on weekends from 8 am to 4 pm until Thanksgiving Monday (October 12, 2020): 

• Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway (between Carling Avenue and Booth Street)
• Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (between the Aviation Parkway and St. Joseph Boulevard)
• Queen Elizabeth Driveway (between Laurier Avenue and Fifth Avenue)

In the month of October, during the work on Chemin du Lac-Meech, Gatineau Park parkways (with the exception of the “North Loop” from Monday to Thursday, between 7 am and 7 pm) will remain open for active use only, every day until noon throughout the duration of Fall Rhapsody.