COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE
Build Canada Homes
On Sunday, I was proud to have been invited to attend Prime Minister Carney’s historic announcement of Build Canada Homes, along with Mayor Sutcliffe, Councillor Laine Johnson, and several Ottawa area MPs and MPPs, where we learned the details of this transformative $13 billion program to construct factory-built, modular homes on federal lands in six cities across the country, including Ottawa.
The announcement took place at the NCC’s Southern Corridor property, located in College Ward, and which sits at the border of Knoxdale-Merivale Ward. This is the large greenfield that runs between Merivale Road and Woodroffe Avenue, and alongside the Beachburg Rail Corridor. Several partially constructed modular homes were built for the announcement and will be taken down over the course of this week.
Back on August 19th when I had lunch with the PM, I used that meeting as an opportunity to present an ambitious idea that aligned the City of Ottawa’s interests with those of the federal government: a mass-scale, transit-oriented, modular affordable housing project to be built on federal land in Nepean. While we don’t yet know which site(s) in Ottawa will be chosen for Build Canada Homes, it was exciting to see this major initiative launched in Nepean, and I’m grateful to see that Ottawa is one the six cities selected to benefit from the program.
Build Canada Homes will fund the construction of several thousand affordable housing units across the country, at a time when almost half of Canadians currently meet the criteria for needing affordable housing. It’s difficult to overstate how urgently this investment is needed, and how quickly we need to get this housing built.
And so, I was less happy to witness the response that several residents took when they saw these homes being constructed, which was to make claims that this site was being developed as “an immigrant village”, and that residents should “say goodbye to the neighborhood, and to our Country, and hello to more crime.” Over the past week, I got multiple emails suggesting that we should only be focused on helping the needs of “real Canadian citizens”.
Canadians across the country are in agreement that we are in a housing crisis, and that they expect their governments to do something about it: by investing resources into the development of more affordable housing, by leveraging innovations and partnerships with the private sector, and by allocating federal land to this cause. What took place in Nepean on Sunday is a manifestation of exactly that, and I’m glad to see it get underway.
2026 Budget Direction & Finding Efficiencies
At last week’s City Council meeting where we debated the 2026 Budget Directions, I was one of 8 councillors who voted against the direction, which called for a maximum tax increase of 3.75%.
Readers of this newsletter will recall how, in the last issue, I demonstrated how Ottawa’s taxes are the lowest of all Ontario’s major municipalities. And in his statements following the approval of his 2026 Budget Direction, Mayor Sutcliffe enthusiastically stated that Ottawa’s tax increases continue to be lower than any other major Canadian city.
As I’ve said before, I can't claim our city’s low taxes as a point of pride when we continue to face so many immediate and future challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining our city’s infrastructure, let alone preparing ourselves for the eventual costs of replacing that infrastructure.
During my remarks at last week’s Council, I spoke about the unfortunate state of sidewalks across most of our city. While newer suburbs like Barrhaven, Stittsville and Kanata have sidewalks in relatively good condition, the same is not true for the city’s earlier suburbs, like those across most of Ward 9. And it’s even worse as you get closer to the urban core.
The photos below show a section of sidewalk that appears to have been selected for a full replacement of two heavily damaged panels. The photo on the left shows the spray-painting marks likely indicating the area to be replaced with new concrete panels. But the photo on the right appears to indicate the compromise: hot patch asphalt across the entire segment.
Look all across Ward 9, and you’ll see this everywhere. Hot patch asphalt on even the most damaged segments of sidewalk. That’s not a “patch repair”. That’s a compromise that comes from under-budgeting.
And speaking of compromises, we often talk of finding “efficiencies” when it comes to improving Ottawa’s financial state. I’m completely supportive of finding efficiencies, and I’m well-acquainted with just how wasteful municipal governments can be–even willfully so.
During this year’s Budget Directions, city staff have frequently made mention of having found $207 million in “savings” over the past three years, equivalent to saving Ottawa taxpayers a 10% increase to their property taxes.
But there’s a big difference between “savings” and “deferrals”. My concern is over how much of the $207 million in “efficiencies” you keep hearing about from City Hall is made up of capital deferrals, which means we may simply be pushing some of these costs further down the road.
Bubble Bylaw
Speaking of finding efficiencies, we learned last week that Prime Minister Carney would be introducing new legislation this fall, and perhaps as early as this week, “to crack down on people willfully intimidating and obstructing individuals entering places of worship, cultural community centres, and schools.”
Earlier this year, during a very tense debate over whether Ottawa needed to develop its own “Bubble Bylaw,” I was one of only two councillors who voted against the proposal, stating three reasons behind my decision: first, out of concern that such a by-law would prohibit the right to protest; second, because we already have laws on the books to prevent this kind of dangerous behaviour; and third, because both the federal and provincial governments were promising to bring new legislation.
So now, the federal government is following through on its promise. On top of that, last week, hospital workers rallied outside City Hall against any kind of Bubble By-law, claiming that it would restrict their right to hold demonstrations outside of hospitals.
All of this is more evidence that not only is Ottawa’s proposed Bubble By-law unnecessary and potentially harmful, but it should be seen as a costly waste of resources for city staff to continue developing such a By-law. If Ottawa wants to continue finding efficiencies, we can start right there.
Stunt Driving
I continue to be involved in trying to support Ottawa Police Services in addressing the ongoing concern of stunt driving and speed racing across our city. I was pleased to see The Ottawa Citizen take such a close look at this issue, with an in-depth article on speed racing, detailing the many initiatives that I and my colleague Councillor David Hill are engaged in, whether through our many meetings with local police, or our various delegations to Ontario’s Solicitor General and Minister of Transportation. Councillor Hill and I will continue to work with the province to help bring about the necessary changes to address this problem, including Premier Ford’s recent and welcome announcement about stricter penalties for dangerous driving coming this Fall.
CITY WORKS
Emergency sewer work in Fisher Heights
City staff alerted our office late last week that an emergency / urgent repair of a section of failing sanitary sewer along Merivale Road is needed. The segment requiring repair is highlighted in yellow on the map below, left. This work could start as soon as September 22nd. It will likely require that the north-east bound lanes are closed for approximately 4 weeks, with two-way traffic split onto the south-west bound lanes. On the map below-right, the orange area represents where city crews will be working. The blue trapezoid represents the intersection area at Burris Lane / Merivale Road which will be closed for one weekend (dates TBC), along with the closure of Burris Lane for that same time. Working hours will be approved for 7:00am - 10:00pm as well as on weekends, in order to expedite the repair. City staff have indicated that residents should not expect to have their water service affected during this time, nor do they expect any sewer restrictions. We will keep residents posted as more info comes in.
Public Info Session: Greenbank & West Hunt Club Intersection Modifications
City staff are inviting residents to a Public Information Session to learn about planned intersection modifications at the intersection of West Hunt Club Road and Greenbank Road. The proposed changes are designed to enhance safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, improve traffic flow, and reduce the risk of collisions.
During the session, staff will present details of the modifications, including lane adjustments, signal timing updates, and improvements to pedestrian crossings. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and share any concerns with the project team.
- Date: Monday, October 20
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Tentative Location: Margaret Rywak Community Centre (68 Knoxdale Road)
Update to Nepean Sportsplex repair
After the recent structural fire at the Nepean Sportsplex, we were informed late last week that city staff have received the report from their structural consultant who has confirmed that damage was localized to the the roof only. A contractor will now proceed with replacing the small area of fire damaged sheathing before reinstating the roof. Additionally, our office was informed that Halls A and B were able to re-open last weekend. While repairs to damaged drywall and the ceiling will continue, any further impact to the facility should be limited.
New protected left turn at Woodroffe / Knoxdale
We are pleased to announce that a fully protected north/south left-turn will be installed this year at Woodroffe and Knoxdale. This intersection was prioritized based on collision data dating back to 2018. The upgrade will improve safety and sightlines, particularly for southbound drivers turning onto Knoxdale, and is expected to reduce left-turn collisions at this busy intersection. This is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to make roads safer for all users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Transit Update
After last week’s busy Transit Committee meeting, we wanted to provide the following update on three items:
OC Transpo’s report in improving bus service reliability: Several months ago, Councillor Brockington passed a motion at Transit Committee requiring that OC Transpo provide a report on their plan to improve reliability of bus service. As this is something that is a significant concern to most transit users, and certainly to OC Transpo customers in Ward 9, we wanted to provide you with some information on this matter. To read a summary of the Report, please refer to the blog post from Transit Committee Chair / Councillor Glen Gower. To read the full Report itself, you’ll find a copy of it here.
Councillor Devine’s inquiry on Para Transpo: Back in June, our office brought an Inquiry to Transit Committee regarding Para Transpo vehicle reassignments. We had been hearing reports of users being “downgraded” to smaller, less accessible vehicles without prior notice. We also learned that Para Transpo reviewed designations and reassigned approximately 800 users. For some, this meant losing the level of service they relied on to maintain their mobility and independence. When we recently got the formal Response to Inquiry, we found the answers to be of significant concern.
At last week’s Transit Committee meeting, the Councillor pressed staff to clarify how reassignments are handled — including whether riders are consulted or notified in advance, what recourse exists if the new vehicle type doesn’t meet their needs, and whose medical recommendations guide assignment decisions for clients.
The answers provided in the Response and at Transit Committee did not fully address these concerns, and the Councillor will continue will be pursuing further action with OC Transpo staff to see if they can commit to improvements to ensure that Para Transpo’s designation system works for clients and protects riders’ safety, independence, and dignity.
Extending bus transfer times: At the latest Transit Committee, a motion was approved requesting staff to review OC Transpo’s current 90-minute transfer policy. Given the ongoing challenges with service reliability, it is important to ensure that fare policies remain fair and supportive of transit users. The review will consider whether adjustments to the transfer period are warranted to better reflect travel realities and to minimize the impact of delays on riders.
Financial supports for renters
ACORN Ottawa is helping low and moderate-income renters to sign up for various financial benefits provided by the federal and provincial governments. We’ve uploaded two useful ACORN Ottawa information flyers onto our Google Drive, and we encourage renters to find out more:
- For info on incentives and supports like the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the Canada Disability Benefit, the Ontario Electricity Support Program, and many more programs, check out the ACORN Financial Benefits Centre flyer.
- For info on how to save money on your energy bills, or on getting huge savings on energy efficient appliances, check out the ACORN Retrofits for Renters flyer.
Ottawa at Night
As part of the city’s plan to strengthen and develop our nighttime economy, the City of Ottawa Nightlife Office has launched Ottawa at Night, a new website to help build awareness for the city’s nightlife, to promote nightlife safety, and to promote nightlife businesses and venues. The site caters mostly to people who want to plan a fun and exciting night out, no matter where they live across Ottawa. The site includes a list of 99 nighttime venues across six categories and sub-categories, with an eclectic mix of genres and activities for everyone to have a fun night out in Ottawa!
Sensory Storytime at Ottawa Public Library
This fall, the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is offering a program that brings stories to life in a way that’s welcoming for more families. Coming to select branches, Sensory Storytime is designed for children who live with developmental disabilities and/or autism, or who show signs of developmental delay. The program is geared for children aged 18 months to 6 years and their caregivers, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis. As part of the City of Ottawa’s Municipal Accessibility Plan and OPL’s continued efforts to create more inclusive programming and spaces, Sensory Storytime helps ensure that all children have a chance to participate in early literacy activities in a setting that supports their unique needs. Visit the Ottawa Public Library website for more info on what this new program offers. Sensory Storytime will be available this fall at the various OPL branches, with the following being closest to residents of Ward 9:
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Nepean Centrepointe (English program)
- Saturdays at 3:30 pm
- October 4, and November 1 and 29
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Ruth E. Dickinson (English program)
- Saturdays at 2 pm
- September 6, October 4, November 1, and December 13
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Communities & Corn
Over the last few weeks there have been numerous corn roasts and picnics all across Ward 9, hosted by several of the wonderful community associations that make up the Knoxdale-Merivale Council. These are always fantastic events that truly exemplify the spirit of “community”.
One of our team members took a photo while at the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Corn Roast, and we wanted to share that photo with you. There’s just something about it: the ray of sunshine coming down through the centre of the late afternoon sky, the sense of organized chaos, or just the gentle hand one community member has placed on the shoulder of another, but this photo gives us the warm fuzzies, so we wanted to share it with you.
We also wanted to share a few highlights with you of the past week.
First off, a huge apology on behalf of Councillor Devine for missing out on the amazing Glens Community Picnic. The Councillor went, but because he messed up his own schedule, he got there too late! (Note: we’ve been without an Office Manager for a few weeks.) But we heard that this was the best-attended Glens Community Picnic ever! Thankfully, someone stepped in to replace Councillor Devine as a Special Guest Judge in the Annual Cookie Baking Contest (it’s a tough job, folks), but the annual bike parade was led off by a pretty cool vintage automobile.
We were also grateful to have Mayor Sutcliffe join us at the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Corn Roast, where the Mayor spent a generous amount of time talking to Tanglewood residents, including taking some tough questions, which folks appreciated.
We also managed to spend some time at the Merivale Gardens Community Picnic. Residents of Merivale Gardens noted that it was the first time in several decades that they weren’t able to hold a corn roast, due to the lack of volunteers. We certainly hope that they can resume their annual tradition next year, but we also know just how hard it is to make these events run.
Finally, Councillor Devine was able to be a volunteer himself at the amazing Manordale-Woodvale Corn Roast, a massive event that runs well into the night. The Councillor joined Manordale resident Pete Dupuis on corn boiling duty, where they ran a tight ship for several hours of high intensity corn demand.
Save the Date: Public Info Session on Budget 2026
It’s City Budget season again and this year presents another challenge for Council to meet all of the competing needs within the constraints laid out by the Mayor and Council in the budget directions passed last week. As in previous years, we will be holding an online public information session in cooperation with the Councillors for Wards 7 and 8—Theresa Kavanagh and Laine Johnson. The event is scheduled for Wednesday evening, October 15, 6:30-8:30pm. So, save the date and we will follow up with more details in the next couple of weeks.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Respiratory Disease Update
The beginning of fall is just days away, which means the kids are back in school and everyone is back into their action-packed agendas. It also means, in many cases, we are often packed into rooms indoors. So, it’s time to bump up the vigilance a little and make sure you are doing what you can to keep you and your loved ones healthy. If you are feeling under the weather, it’s best to stay home and avoid spreading that bug around. You can also prop open a few windows, turn on the air filters, and use a good quality mask to protect your own airways.
Is Vaccination on Your Back-to-School Checklist?
As students return to class, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding families to ensure you’ve got your kids’ routine vaccinations up-to-date. These important vaccines protect against serious illnesses like measles and whooping cough, which have re-emerged in our community. Staying current helps keep kids healthy, in school, and safe during outbreaks.
In Ontario, students must be immunized against nine diseases or have a valid exemption. This fall, OPH will review records and contact families of students born in 2008 and 2018 whose immunization records are incomplete.
Here’s what you can do:
- Check your child’s vaccine record.
- Report vaccines to OPH using ICON or CANImmunize.
- Book missing vaccines with your healthcare provider or visit OPH clinics.
You can learn more at Parenting In Ottawa and on Ottawa Public Health's web page.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
New Zoning By-Law
The City of Ottawa has been working on a full overhaul of the city’s zoning bylaw. There have been two previous draft versions, months of interaction with stakeholders and residents, and now, the third and final draft is ready. The public will have the opportunity to explore the document and supporting materials until October 3, 2025. After that, it will come to committee in December for debate and approval before moving on to Council for final consideration and approval in January.
If you’d like to participate in a public meeting to learn more about draft three, there are several opportunities coming up, two virtual and two in-person meetings:
Virtual City-wide Open House
- Date: Wednesday, September 17
- Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
- Register here for this online session.
In-person Open House
- Date: Tuesday, September 23
- Location: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive
- Time: 6:00 to 8:30 PM
- No registration required
Virtual City-wide Open House
- Date: Thursday, September 25
- Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
- Register here for this online session,
In-person Open House
- Date: Monday, September 29
- Location: Ottawa Conference and Convention Centre, 200 Coventry Rd
- Time: 6:00 to 8:30 PM
- No registration required
780 Baseline
Work is underway on the redevelopment of the Lone Star Plaza. We appreciate the feedback and updates we’ve been getting from residents. Our office is in regular contact with the developer and, so far, they have been very responsive to the questions and feedback they’ve been receiving. There are some questions about the truck route into and out of the site and we are in discussion with the developer and city staff to clarify the protocol and ensure impacts on the community are properly managed.
One of the challenges in this early stage is that there are multiple contractors involved in the project—for example, those hired to install the infrastructure and hookups required to provide utilities to the sire. Our office is now working with city staff to ensure that all contractors are meeting expectations.
If you have any questions or concerns about the work as it progresses, you can always get in touch with us and we will do what we can to address them.
1500 Merivale
In the last few issues of this newsletter, we’ve been reminding residents of their opportunity to submit comments for the planned Zoning By-Law Amendment (ZBLA) application for 1500 Merivale, which is the large plot of vacant land within the Merivale Triangle.
Our understanding is that this ZBLA application is supposed to go before the Planning & Housing Committee, which we assume would be of interest to residents in this area. Originally, and to meet the legislative timeline, the required PHC meeting would be October 1, 2025. But our office was told by the city planner on this file that with particularly complex applications, the applicant has the option to put the file “on hold” while working with city planning staff on comments received. This will likely be the case with 1500 Merivale, due to the ongoing shifts in the New Zoning By-Law, and due to the significance of this development, including its connection to the Baseline-Merivale Secondary Plan process. Once we learn more about any potential schedule for this file going to Planning & Housing Committee, we will update area residents.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Trend Arlington Community Day & Pavilion Opening
There’s an amazing day of activities and celebrations on September 27th for residents of Trend-Arlington. That’s when the Trend Arlington Community Association (TACA) will be hosting Trend Arlington Community Day, an annual event that began shortly after the 2018 tornado, and which serves as a yearly opportunity for Trend-Arlington residents to celebrate their community spirit. Those who were at the 2018 event might even remember the bagpipe procession that led the community from the spot where the tornado landed, through the streets still marked by the dozens of damaged homes, to the community centre where TACA announced that Community Day would be an annual tradition.
At this event, Councillor Devine is going to be hosting the Grand Opening of the Trend Arlington Community Pavilion. We’ve already got some very special guests who’ll be there with us, and some top-secret surprises planned!
