COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE
Low taxes, high deferred costs – and the convenient compromise
Last week Mayor Sutcliffe posted on social media how Ottawa continues to hold the lowest average property tax rates among Ontario’s 10 largest cities. While I’ve raised the alarm on this matter before, it’s not that I don’t recognize why his message resonates, or why he keeps on repeating it. Many residents have a genuine anxiety about the rising cost-of-living, especially households on fixed or lower incomes. And it’s perfectly reasonable to take pride in fiscal responsibility – if one is actually being fiscally responsible.
One thing that politicians like about low taxes is that they’re easy to measure. But the outcomes of low taxes (i.e. unreliable transit, erosion of services, crumbling infrastructure, safety on our roads) can be harder to measure. They’re also harder to ignore. But the question isn’t whether low taxes feel good. The question is whether they’re a good indicator of how well a city is doing.
Low taxes can lead to deferred capital costs, which can place an overemphasis on asset maintenance over asset replacement. Obviously, there are many times when “repair” is the most responsible choice. But when it becomes the only choice seemingly ever available, that’s when things start to crumble. This is one reason why we’re spending more money on fixing potholes this year.
Here in Ward 9, even if your road ranks among the worst in the ward, the best that the City can offer you is that it might be re-paved in the next 5 years. It’s probably longer for your sidewalk. Why? Because there just isn’t enough in the budget to do it sooner. On top of that, there’s a real possibility that the reason it’s in such a bad state now is because of the lower-cost materials we used in the first place.
The sad thing about this approach is that we’re just pushing the eventual asset replacement costs down the road to when they’ll cost even more. We know that it’s probably more fiscally responsible to do the work now, but it’s more convenient for today’s residents, and today’s Council, if we push it off to tomorrow.
But if Council consistently enables the convenient compromise, if we govern only to minimize inconvenience, then we create stagnation. And stagnation can have real, detrimental consequences for those with the least flexibility, and for a city that needs to adapt as it grows. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that compromise, if used fairly, if one is genuinely seeking a true balance, can be an effective tool. But when the see-saw habitually tips in the same direction, when it appears that we are rarely achieve a state of balance, when our compromises repeatedly appear to protects the same entrenched interests, it stops being compromise and starts being unspoken policy.
It’s also worth acknowledging a structural reality: the most car dependent areas — and that includes Ward 9 — often experience the fewest immediate consequences of underinvestment in transit and urban infrastructure. But the City is interconnected, and a decline in one system will eventually affect everyone. In terms of sustainability, a city that works only for those least affected by its failures is not a stable city.
I’ll tell you one thing. In Ward 9, there won’t be a one-sided compromise. Some readers of this newsletter will recall the measures that we’re looking to implement for OC Transpo’s Route 82, which has been a source of incredible frustration to Ward 9 transit users. My office is aware of an array of transit priority measures that OC Transpo has prepared, some of which will cause inconvenience to drivers, but which will expedite transit service. I will not stand in the way of these measures.
The issue isn’t whether change causes inconvenience — it’s whether we’re willing to accept inconvenience in service of the city we say we want. But leadership sometimes means being honest about the trade-offs and naming the cost of avoidance.
Low taxes are easy to celebrate. Building and maintaining a city that actually works is harder, especially if you want to bring residents along with you. But that’s the work we were elected to do.
Ottawa’s Bubble By-law: Good intentions, dangerous drafting
Later this week, a joint meeting of the Emergency Preparedness & Protective Services Committee and the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee will debate the proposed Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law. I want residents to know where I stand — and why.
From the outset, I’ve had concerns about any municipal by-law that restricts lawful protest. That’s why I opposed Council’s original motion directing staff to draft such a by-law. While I support protecting people from harassment, intimidation, and obstruction (all of which are already illegal), over-regulating peaceful expression on public streets raises real risks—to the Charter and to democracy.
Once Council directed staff to proceed, I urged that Ottawa draft its proposal similar to Toronto’s approach. Toronto’s by-law, while still controversial, at least attempts to mitigate legal risk by focusing on conduct — such as blocking access or harassing individuals — rather than banning protests outright.
Unfortunately, Ottawa’s draft by-law goes in the opposite direction. In my view, it is more restrictive than Toronto’s, less carefully tailored, and potentially one of the most legally vulnerable “safe access” by-laws in the country.
My primary concern is that instead of targeting harmful behaviour, the draft imposes a blanket prohibition on “demonstrations” within so‑called safe access zones. Even peaceful, non-obstructive protest would be prohibited. This is difficult to square with Charter protections for freedom of expression and assembly, and it goes beyond what our own public consultation showed residents actually support.
To be clear: I do not oppose legislation that protects safe access to schools, hospitals, places of worship, or other community spaces. But this draft does not simply protect access. It appears to restrict peaceful expression itself.
As this moves through Committee on April 17, I will be pushing for significant changes, or for Council to reconsider whether this approach is sound, lawful, or necessary at all.
Bike Share: a long-awaited step for Ottawa
I’ve long been an advocate for bringing a bike share program back to Ottawa. I’ve seen firsthand how well it works in cities like Montreal and Toronto, and how it’s become a normal, everyday way to get around in smaller cities across North America as well. In fact, Ottawa is now something of an outlier: a large, well‑connected city with strong cycling infrastructure, but no bike share system at all.
At the April 23 meeting of the City’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC), we’ll receive the long‑overdue Ottawa–Gatineau Bike Share Feasibility Study, along with an accompanying memorandum from City staff. The study looks at what it would take to relaunch bike share in our region.
The study’s core recommendation is clear: a publicly supported, dock‑based bike share system serving central Ottawa and Gatineau, with a realistic launch size, partnerships across jurisdictions, and designed to complement transit, reduce car trips, and operate as a reliable public service.
City staff, however, are suggesting that we slow things down and delay any recommendation. I plan to push back on that. After years of studies, the question isn’t whether bike share can work in Ottawa — it’s whether we’re willing to act.
For Ward 9 residents, bike share means more than just bikes. It means better last‑mile access to transit, less pressure on parking, safer and calmer streets, support for local businesses, and another practical option for getting where you need to go — even if you never ride one yourself.
CITY WORKS
Hydro Ottawa info session: Greenbank Municipal Transformer Station
Hydro Ottawa is planning a new Greenbank Municipal Transformer Station (MTS) to support growing electricity needs in south Nepean and improve system reliability for existing residents and businesses. The proposed 27.6 kV station would be located on Greenbank Road, approximately 450 metres south of Hunt Club Road, within the existing hydro corridor in the Greenbelt. The project is being advanced to support long-term growth in the area—including major federal development at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Fallowfield campus—and to strengthen grid resilience during extreme weather events.
Because the site is on federal land, the project is undergoing a federal environmental assessment under the Impact Assessment Act. Construction could begin as early as late 2026, pending approvals, with the station expected to be in service by 2028.
Hydro Ottawa is inviting residents to learn more and provide feedback at upcoming information sessions:
Virtual session:
- April 28, 2026 | 12:15–1:00 p.m.
- Register at: com/greenbank
In-person session:
- April 28, 2026 | 6:45–8:30 p.m.
- Charlie Conacher Community Building, 30 Wessex Rd.
For more information please email: [email protected]
Online service reporting – Spring maintenance
ServiceOttawa continues to promote online service requests, making it faster and easier for residents to report routine issues without waiting on hold.
Submitting a request online is quick, accessible, and receives the same priority and response time as calling 3-1-1. By choosing the online option, residents help reduce call volumes, lower wait times, and keep phone lines available for urgent or complex concerns.
As we head into the busy spring season, online reporting is especially helpful for common issues such as:
- Potholes
- Garbage and green bin collection
- Tree maintenance
- Gravel road conditions (in rural areas)
Using ServiceOttawa’s self-serve tools is often the fastest way to get a request submitted and into the queue, improving efficiency while supporting timely service delivery across the city.
If you need help submitting a request or following up, the ServiceOttawa Case Management Team—and our office—remain available to assist.
Portable toilets coming to a park near you
Every year our office gets to allocate a limited number of portable toilets at selected parks throughout Ward 9 during the summer months. We’ve tried to use this annual opportunity to place portable toilets in parks with a lot of activity. Each unit will be placed from early May until the end of September and will be regularly serviced.
For 2026 the five parks selected include:
- George Brancato Park
- Charing Park
- Country Place Park
- Steve McLean Park
- Trend Park (aka Space Park)
Accessibility upgrades at Nepean Sportsplex
The City will soon begin the third phase of accessibility improvements at the Nepean Sportsplex, supporting the City’s commitment to barrier-free access at our major recreational facilities. With work scheduled to begin in late April, and continuing through late October, the work will include upgrades to washrooms and change rooms.
Construction will be phased to reduce disruption. Temporary closures will affect the following areas:
- Athletics change room
- Upper concourse washrooms for the Yzerman Arena
- Rink 2
- Curling area
All other facilities are expected to remain open. More detailed scheduling, including the length of closures for each area, will be shared once the contractor is confirmed. We’ll continue to keep residents informed as timelines are finalized.
Cathodic protection program for Ward 9
The City of Ottawa will be carrying out preventative water main maintenance in Ward 9 as part of its Cathodic Protection Program. This work helps extend the life of underground water pipes and reduce the risk of future breaks. Work is expected to begin in Spring/Summer 2026, with exact timing to be confirmed closer to construction dates.
Work is planned on the following streets:
- Eleanor Drive
- Greencrest Place
- Northview Road
- Wallford Way
- Trillium Avenue
- Leaver Avenue
- Warbonnet Drive
- Kingsmill Street
- Parthia Avenue
- Beaverton Avenue
- Hilliard Avenue
- Deer Park Road
What to expect:
- Minor, short-term noise during installation
- Small holes drilled on City property and refilled the same day
- Minimal impacts to traffic and pedestrians
- No impact to water quality or pressure
As water infrastructure ages, corrosion can lead to breaks and service disruptions. This proactive work helps prevent those issues before they happen and reduce long-term costs and inconvenience for residents.
City-wide street sweeping operations
Spring street sweeping is now underway across the city. This annual clean-up removes sand, salt, and debris left behind from winter, improving safety for all road users and helping prevent clogged catch basins.
To support this work, residents are asked to watch for temporary “No Parking” signs posted in advance of sweeping operations, especially in denser neighbourhoods. These restrictions apply to all vehicles, including those with permits. Vehicles parked in signed areas may be relocated to a nearby street. If you cannot find your vehicle, call 3-1-1 for assistance.
Residents are reminded not to rake or blow leaves, grass clippings, or other debris onto the roadway. This is both unsafe and a violation of City by-laws.
If you believe your street has been missed, you can submit a request through Service Ottawa.
Info on residential flooding
Flooding can happen quickly, but there are practical steps homeowners can take to reduce the risk. This guide outlines simple maintenance tasks, affordable do‑it‑yourself improvements, and more advanced upgrades—like better drainage, sump pumps, and backwater valves—that work together to help protect your home. Learn more about these actions, along with available rebates and resources, by visiting the City’s flooding web page.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Nominations for the Eco Awards
Ecology Ottawa is inviting nominations for its 2026 Eco Awards. These awards were created to highlight the people, places, plants, trees, and animals of Ottawa that inspire us, bring the community together, and enrich our ecosystem. Your nominee could be a neighbour, teacher, scientist, activist, artist, innovator, policy maker, community or religious leader, or youth—or even places, plants, trees, and animals of Ottawa that you cherish and need our protection.
Nepean Creative Arts Centre is getting a refresh
The City of Ottawa is refreshing the Nepean Creative Arts Centre (NCAC) and wants your input. Since 1990, NCAC has supported artists and community programming of all ages. This project will explore improvements to accessibility, safety, flexibility, and creative opportunities. Share your feedback by completing the Engage Ottawa online survey by May 5 or attend the pop-up engagement session on April 9 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at NCAC (Music Studio A). Your voice will help shape a welcoming, inspiring space for the community.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Respiratory Disease Update
This week’s numbers for Ottawa show mixed trends developing in the community, no doubt fueled by the colder weather the last few weeks. Influenza activity remains very high and continues to increase in wastewater, although flu‑related hospitalizations are moderate and declining. RSV levels in wastewater are also very high but trending downward, with hospitalizations remaining moderate and stable. COVID‑19 activity continues to be low, with both wastewater signals and hospital admissions holding steady. As always, you can help keep you and your loved ones healthier by opening windows, using a good air filter, and wearing a good mask when you are uncertain of how fresh the air is in a shared space.
April is Oral Health Month
Oral health plays a big role in overall well‑being. But it’s not always easy to get the support you need. If you need help accessing dental care, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) offers programs and services to help overcome barriers related to cost, insurance coverage, or finding a dental provider.
Free dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications are available for residents of all ages at locations across Ottawa, and OPH dental hygienists can help with program enrolment, referrals, and personalized tips for maintaining a healthy smile.
There are also several programs that can help cover the cost of dental care, including Healthy Smiles Ontario for children and youth, the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program for eligible seniors, and the Canada Dental Care Plan for eligible Canadians of all ages. OPH operates dental clinics across the city, with eligibility based on age, income, and dental coverage. Families can also keep an eye out for dental screening visits in schools and childcare centres this spring.
For more information, or to check eligibility and book an appointment, residents can call the OPH Dental Information Line at 613‑580‑3300 or visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
Free private water well testing
Spring is a great time of year to test your well water. Snowmelt and spring showers can contaminate your well if the well is not properly maintained. Private well owners are encouraged to get their water tested every spring, summer and fall, even if it looks, tastes and smells fine.
Well water can contain harmful bacteria that causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and other health concerns. Public Health Ontario Laboratories test for the indicators of bacterial contamination (coliforms and E. coli). Whether your test results are positive or negative, understand that the sample you collected is just a "snapshot" of your well's water quality. The more samples you have tested, the more confident you can be about the quality of the water you are drinking.
In addition to regularly testing well water, owners should inspect their well at least once a year to make sure it is free from damage and in good working condition. If you need more information on private wells, you can download the Private Well Water Manual from the Ottawa Public Health website.
Visit the Well Water Testing page for a list of sample bottle pick-up and water sample drop-off locations.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
1500 Merivale
The development at 1500 Merivale in the western section of the Triangle is gradually moving forward. The city has recently received an application for a new road opening to connect the site to the surrounding roads. You can see the proposed path in the image, below, running north from Merivale, just east of Gilbey, through the lot to Baseline, just east of Clyde. If you’d like to learn more about the overall development, you can access information about it online through the City’s development web page.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Knox Neighbourhood Adult Drop-in
Barrhaven Lions Club: Pancake Breakfast
Barrhaven Lions Club: Electronics Day
Barrhaven Lions Club: Mushroom Compost Sale
Barrhaven Lions Club: Mother’s Day Paint & Sip Night
Young at Hearts Session
Painting with Blooms
Craig Henry Community Association Events
- Annual General Meeting – April 29, 2026 at 7:00 pm at 69 Knoxdale Road
- If anyone is interested in joining the CHCA please fill out the membership form . Membership has an annual fee of $10.
- Community Garage Sale – May 2nd , 2026
- CHCA will provide each house with signs to put at the end of their street to direct traffic towards their house as well as have a virtual map available to all participants who sign up though e-mail and on facebook.
- Cleaning the Capital Annual Event – May 24, 2026
- Supplies will be provided at the Craig Henry community building from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
- CHCA Soccer Program
- Interested parties can sign up through our google form or in person at 135 Craig Henry Drive at the community Garage sale on May 2nd or on May 24th at the Clean the capital event.
