COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE
The long road from recovery to resilience
A month ago, much of Ward 9 found itself under water.
Today, most residents who were impacted have begun to find their way forward. Basements have been cleared, insurance claims have been filed, contractors have been hired, and life is gradually returning to normal.
But a great many still face extremely difficult challenges.
There remain several households in Ward 9 facing extraordinary circumstances and enormous financial uncertainty about the future of their homes. Two such stories were featured recently in the media, including the Pion family on Canfield Road, where what was normally a quiet creek became a raging river that ran directly through their home. Another involved an elderly couple, David and Gloria, whose home was so severely damaged that the City was considering whether it needed to be condemned, but which has now been restored to “contractor-ready” after I brought them to the attention of Samaritan’s Purse. These are just two of many families that require additional support, now that their insurers have reportedly abandoned them.
While the emergency phase of this disaster is largely behind us, recovery is not.
As the flood impact “heat map” below demonstrates, the effects of this storm were highly concentrated in parts of southwest Ottawa, and the northern half of Ward 9. We still do not have official word from the Province regarding what areas may ultimately fall within any activation area for Ontario's Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program. Residents should be prepared for the possibility that any available assistance may be more limited than many are currently hoping for, and my office will continue to share information as it becomes available. I’ve uploaded high-resolution versions of the flood impact heat maps for Ward 9 and City-Wide for residents who wish to see it in more detail.
One of the bright spots over the past month has been the tremendous work of volunteers.
Last week, I joined Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Councillor David Hill for an early morning breakfast meeting with volunteers from Samaritan's Purse. We thanked them for the incredible work they have done helping dozens of Ottawa families clear out flooded basements and begin rebuilding their lives. Their work included support for David and Gloria and many other vulnerable residents across our communities.
Afterward, I stayed behind to continue a conversation with Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief Manager Tammy Suitor about a question that has been on my mind since July 1: how can municipalities like Ottawa be better prepared to respond when disaster strikes?
Having been impacted by or involved in the response to more than half a dozen disasters now, I have become increasingly interested in how we recruit, train, coordinate and deploy volunteers during emergencies. Since the flood, I have already begun discussions with Ontario Corps, Intact Public Entities, Volunteer Ottawa, Samaritan's Purse, Team Rubicon and the City of Ottawa about creating a more formal framework for mobilizing community volunteers and connecting them with trusted organizations during times of crisis.
I'm particularly encouraged that the new Director of Ontario Corps is the former Director of Public Safety Services for the City of Ottawa. She has expressed strong interest in beginning this work in September and has even discussed the possibility of Ottawa serving as a pilot project.
At the same time, the City's investigation into the flood is now underway.
City staff were already planning a comprehensive review of the July 1 event, and Council recently passed my motion to help direct portions of that work. The review will examine recurring flooding patterns, watershed performance, infrastructure issues, stormwater management practices, and other factors that may have contributed to the disproportionate impacts experienced in Wards 7, 8 and 9.
My office will also continue working closely with residents, community associations and technical experts to gather information from some of the hardest-hit areas, including Carleton Heights, General Burns and Trend-Arlington.
I would ask for residents' patience as this work unfolds.
I've described this investigation to staff as being more like a complex crime scene than a conventional engineering review. After a tornado, the damage is obvious. The cause is immediately apparent. With this flood, the picture is far more complicated. The scale and complexity of the damage takes weeks to emerge. As for the cause: was it overland flooding? Sewer surcharge? Groundwater? Watershed conditions? Aging infrastructure? Some combination of several factors?
The reality is that we don't yet know.
A thorough investigation will take time. In fact, if answers come back too quickly, I will worry that the review was not sufficiently thorough. The challenge will be to strike the right balance: allowing enough time to understand what happened while not waiting for a final report before we begin implementing improvements.
At least the work is already underway, even as recovery continues. And together, over time, we will advance the important work of making Ottawa more resilient to a future that feels more unpredictable with each passing year.
Community safety in Craig Henry
Over the past several weeks, concerns about public safety in Craig Henry have come into sharp focus following the July 23 stabbing incident. Since then, I have met with affected families, community members, Children's Aid Society, Muslim Family Services Ottawa, Ottawa Police Service leadership, local community associations, NROCRC, and Minto to better understand the situation and begin shaping a coordinated response.
What has become clear is that there is no single solution. Many residents have expressed concerns about violence and public safety in this area, including the fact that several recent high-profile incidents have involved local youth, and that a pattern of incidents has not received an adequate response over time. Those concerns deserve to be acknowledged honestly. At the same time, we must be careful not to allow frustration and fear to turn into division or broad generalizations about entire communities. This balance, and the broader conversation taking place in Craig Henry, was the subject of a recent Ottawa Citizen article.
I recently met with OPS leadership to discuss concerns regarding police presence, responsiveness, enforcement, and community confidence in Craig Henry. I was encouraged to hear that residents should expect to see some positive improvements in the near future, which I hope includes greater attention to known areas of concern.
At the same time, policing alone will not solve these challenges. We need stronger community supports, youth engagement, family intervention, and social services. I continue to believe Ottawa should move more quickly on initiatives such as the ANCHOR program, which provides non-police responses to mental health and substance-use issues and has shown promising results elsewhere.
To help move this work forward, my office also convened an initial stakeholder meeting involving the Craig Henry Community Association, the Manordale-Woodvale Community Association, NROCRC, and Minto. All participants agreed that improving community safety and strengthening community integration will require a long-term, collaborative effort involving many different partners.
This work will continue, and I will provide updates as it progresses.
When neighbours become community
Last week, Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church, Samaritan House Ottawa, and my office co-hosted a community BBQ and housewarming event to welcome the new residents of Samaritan House's transitional housing residence on McClellan Road.
It was a tremendous success.
In the weeks leading up to the event, a small number of residents had expressed concerns about the project. Namely, they were concerned about refugee claimants living in their neighborhood. Some of those concerns spread through the community through social media and a circulated flyer. I met with those residents to hear their concerns, answer questions, and ensure they had accurate information. While I understood the uncertainty, I also felt the best response was not more speculation, but an opportunity for people to meet one another face-to-face.
That is why I proposed the BBQ.
The goal was simple: create a welcoming environment where residents and newcomers could meet, ask questions, share stories, and begin building relationships as neighbours.
This is now the third time during my term that a shelter or supportive housing project has generated apprehension among some residents. The first was the proposed Newcomer Reception Centre at the Nepean Sportsplex, which ultimately never materialized. But I learned an important lesson through that experience: uncertainty tends to diminish when people have an opportunity to connect directly with one another.
More recently, I helped organize similar community gatherings around both the Salus Ottawa supportive housing project and now the Samaritan House transitional housing project. In both cases, the result was the same. The welcoming, compassionate, and curious side of our community showed up in force.
People shared meals. They talked. They asked questions. They listened. Residents met Samaritan House staff, volunteers, and newcomers who have come to Canada seeking safety and a fresh start.
Concerns gave way to conversations.
I was also pleased to see representatives from the offices of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the City of Ottawa, Matthew House Ottawa, Stepstone House, and Refugee 613 in attendance.
My sincere thanks to Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church, Samaritan House Ottawa, the volunteers who helped organize the event, and the residents who attended with open minds and open hearts.
Ward 9 once again demonstrated that while we may not always agree on everything, we are at our very best when we come together as a community, with open minds and an open heart.
A note about the upcoming election
On July 16, I officially submitted my nomination papers to seek re-election as your Ward 9 City Councillor. As required under municipal election rules, the election blackout period begins August 27. As a result, the Councillor's Message section of the Ward 9 Newsletter will likely be suspended after the August 18 issue, and for the remainder of the campaign period leading up to the October 26 election.
CITY WORKS
Update on new park amenities
We wanted to provide a brief update on some new amenities that we hope to see soon in City of Ottawa parks across Ward 9, because of allocations from Councillor Devine’s Cash-in-lieu of Parkland (CILP) budget. Funding for this program is generated by contributions made from developers for housing projects, where each developer can either provide land for new public parks as part of their projects, or they can provide cash in-lieu-of that land.
The range of CILP funds available to each councillor varies widely, depending on how much development is in their ward. Some councillors have over $10 million available, while some councillors have less than $100 thousand. As there has not been a lot of development in Ward 9 over the past several years, our CILP budget is modest compared to other wards, with an approximate balance of $550 thousand.
In addition to having previously funded some small CILP projects during this term (park benches and picnic tables, bike racks), we previously allocated approximately $25,000 in CILP funds for cost overruns of the recently completed Trend-Arlington Community Pavilion, and more recently allocated $70,000 towards the Medhurst Park Splash Pad, which is now in construction.
Earlier this year we consulted with Ward 9 community associations to inquire about their suggestions for CILP projects in their parks, with an aim to fund 3 – 4 projects in the range of $25,000, along with several smaller projects. While we have heard that some councillors spend all their CILP budget as they approach an election year, we wanted to leave a healthy amount for the next Term of Council – no matter who is elected – as there are numerous projects in development which will likely require funds from the Ward 9 CILP budget.
Here is the list of CILP projects – all of which were recommended to our office by Ward 9 residents and community associations - which were recently approved to go forward. We hope to see construction on these projects over the next 12 months:
- Ping pong tables in Fisher Heights Park and George Brancato Park
- An accessible swing or a ping pong table in General Burns Park (pending final confirmation from the community association)
- Shaded picnic tables in Steve MacLean Park
- New benches and concrete pads in Beechcliffe Park and Pineglen Park
- Community bulletin board in Ben Franklin Park
During the next Term of Council, and as more CILP revenues come to Ward 9 with the forecasted development, it’s our office’s hope to use CILP funds to advance some larger projects, including a dog park in the northeast segment of Ward 9, as well as a feasibility study for a new community centre in Grenfell Glen or Country Place.
Update on flood recovery response
While most municipal services have returned to normal operations, recovery efforts following the July 1 extreme weather event remain a priority.
Last week, 278 residents attended Recovery Information Sessions, where City staff helped with grant applications and legal professionals provided guidance on insurance claims and other recovery-related matters. Those sessions are continuing this week, with another one scheduled for Ben Franklin Place (2nd floor) on Thursday, from 1 to 5pm. Residents can drop-in to receive one-on-one support with:
- Compassionate Grant Program applications and questions
- Residential Protective Plumbing Program applications and questions
- Backwater valve permits and related permitting questions
- General legal information to help residents better understand their options
Reminder: For assistance with the Compassionate Grant Program and Residential Protective Plumbing Program applications, please review your eligibility and bring the necessary documentation with you:
- Compassionate Grant Program application details
- Residential Protective Plumbing Program application details
Information about supports and resources continue to be shared on the City’s Extreme weather event page.
The City continues to work closely with organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse Canada, Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue, St. John Ambulance, and local volunteers to deliver ongoing support and specialized recovery services.
Residents can continue to access recovery assistance through Recovery Support Sessions, Canadian Red Cross case management services, and community recovery programs.
Share Your Feedback at Upcoming OC Transpo and Para Transpo Sessions
OC Transpo is hosting a series of customer information sessions this summer, providing residents with an opportunity to learn about upcoming transit improvements, ask questions, and share feedback directly with OC Transpo staff.
The sessions will include updates on OC Transpo’s Customer-First Action Plan, service improvements planned for this fall, and efforts to improve customer experience. Staff will be available to hear from transit users and answer questions.
Customer Information Sessions:
-
Centre Session – City Hall, Jean Pigott Place
Tuesday, July 28 | 6:30–8:00 pm -
South Session – Nepean Sportsplex
Tuesday, August 11 | 6:30–8:00 pm -
Virtual Session – Zoom webinar
Thursday, August 13 | 6:30–8:00 pm -
East Session – Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans
Wednesday, August 19 | 7:00–8:30 pm -
West Session – John G. Mlacak Centre
Tuesday, August 25 | 6:30–8:00 pm
To register, visit the OC Transpo customer information session registration page and select your preferred session.
Para Transpo Talk Returns This August
Para Transpo Talk is also returning this August with six customer sessions across Ottawa. All Para Transpo customers, their families, companions, and support persons are welcome to attend. Whether you use Para Transpo regularly or only occasionally, OC Transpo wants to hear from you.
These sessions provide an opportunity to speak directly with OC Transpo staff, ask questions, and provide feedback about Para Transpo service.
Para Transpo Talk Sessions:
-
Tuesday, August 4
10:00 am–5:00 pm | City Hall – Main Lobby
Please note: visitors and their belongings must go through security screening to enter City Hall. -
Wednesday, August 5
11:00 am–6:00 pm | Hurdman Station – Main Entrance -
Thursday, August 6
11:00 am–6:00 pm | Richcraft Community Centre – Main Lobby -
Tuesday, August 11
11:00 am–6:00 pm | Dovercourt Recreation Complex – Lobby -
Wednesday, August 12
11:00 am–6:00 pm | Place d’Orléans – In front of American Eagle -
Thursday, August 13
11:00 am–6:00 pm | Tunney’s Pasture Station
Can’t make it to a session? A recap of what OC Transpo heard will be posted on its website following the events.
Free Transit for Youth This Summer
Reminder, this summer, youth aged 11 - 18 can ride OC Transpo buses, O-Train, and Para Transpo for free from July 1 to August 31, as approved by City Council in the 2026 Budget.
Beginning September 1, free transit will continue for youth on weekday evenings after 5:00 p.m., weekends, and statutory holidays.
To access free transit, youth will need a PRESTO card with the appropriate Pre-Teen or Youth card type set at a participating Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, or Real Canadian Superstore location. Students who have already received an OC Transpo transit pass through their school transportation authority can continue using the same card throughout the summer.
Update on Temporary Traffic Calming measures
Our office was pleased to hear that the latest Ward 9 temporary traffic calming measures are nearing completion, with only a select few locations remaining outstanding. We thank residents for their input in identifying locations and measures that can help improve safety conditions throughout the ward.
Councillor Devine plans to review the recent installations on the ground as part of his annual road audit, which assesses the condition of local infrastructure across Ward 9. This review will help identify areas requiring further attention and support continued advocacy for the necessary investments to improve road safety and infrastructure throughout the ward.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Groundbreaking for Medhurst Park Splash Pad
We’re excited to invite Tanglewood residents to the official groundbreaking of the new Medhurst Park Splash Pad on Thursday, August 20.
This long-awaited project is the result of years of planning, fundraising, public consultation, and partnership-building between the City of Ottawa, Hydro One, the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Community Association, and Councillor Devine. This $575,000 project will feature interactive water-play elements, accessible amenities, new trees and landscaping, and a whimsical community-selected design. Due to project delays, construction will only be completed after this year’s splash pad season comes to a close, but it will be ready to go in Spring 2027.
The celebration will also feature special guests, a ceremonial groundbreaking, and family entertainment by Ottawa magician Chris Pilsworth.
- When: Thursday, August 20th from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Where: Medhurst Park (356 Woodfield Drive)
Check out our Facebook Event Page for full details and event schedule.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Ottawa Confirms First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Pool of 2025
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has confirmed the first positive mosquito pool for West Nile virus (WNV) in Ottawa this year through its routine seasonal surveillance program. No human cases have been reported in Ottawa to date, although two human cases have been reported elsewhere in Ontario.
Residents are reminded that mosquitoes can continue to spread WNV until the first hard frost of the fall. While most people infected with the virus experience no symptoms, some may develop flu-like illness, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and rash. Serious illness is rare but can occur, particularly in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, use a Health Canada-approved insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors, ensure window and door screens are in good repair, and eliminate standing water around your property.
OPH continues weekly mosquito monitoring and larviciding efforts across the city. Learn more at Ottawa Public Health's West Nile virus webpage.
ANCHOR – Knowing Who to Call
Knowing who to call can make all the difference when support is needed. With the expansion of ANCHOR (Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response) east to St. Laurent, this resource helps residents quickly identify the right service for a range of situations, from emergencies and mental health crises to city services and community supports. It includes ANCHOR information for eligible neighbourhoods, as well as essential service numbers available citywide.
Respiratory Disease Data
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
1200 Baseline & Transit-Oriented Development
The proposed redevelopment at the corner of Baseline Road and Merivale Road is understandably attracting significant attention. Seven residential towers, ranging from six to thirty-four storeys, would represent one of the largest development projects Ward 9 has ever seen.
Residents who wish to comment on the proposal can do so through the City’s website. Our office reviews all submissions received. It is also important to note that the project would be constructed in two phases. While no timeline has been provided for Phase 1, we have already received indications that Phase 2 may be a decade or two away.
To be transparent, Councillor Devine is generally supportive of this kind of transit-oriented intensification at Baseline and Merivale, provided there are clear assurances regarding infrastructure capacity and a credible plan to deliver the transit investments needed to support it.
Our office has already begun hearing from residents who feel the proposal is "too much." We understand those concerns. Any project of this scale raises legitimate questions about traffic, servicing capacity, stormwater management, community amenities, and how growth will affect the surrounding area. Following recent severe weather events, residents are right to ask hard questions about infrastructure resilience.
At the same time, this is exactly the kind of location where the City has planned for significant growth. If high-rise development is to occur anywhere in west Nepean, a major arterial intersection served by rapid transit is where it belongs.
For years, Council has identified Baseline Road as a major transit corridor. The Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan, and long-term growth strategy all envision substantial intensification along this route. The rationale is straightforward: if Ottawa wants more people using transit, fewer car-dependent trips, and more attainable housing options, growth must be concentrated along major transit corridors rather than pushed outward onto undeveloped land.
Speaking of undeveloped land, an upcoming newsletter will examine a concerning recommendation that would open more than 2,700 hectares of greenfield land to suburban development. That is a direction we should reject, and our office is developing a bold counterproposal to this extreme degree of suburban sprawl.
The question is not whether growth should happen at Baseline and Merivale. The City settled that question years ago and multiple projects are already underway there. The more important question is whether infrastructure servicing capacity and transit investments will be delivered alongside that growth. Residents are right to demand that intensification of this scale cannot come without the supporting infrastructure to make it viable.
Housing and transit must go hand in hand. We need more housing, including housing in transit-oriented locations, but we also need the infrastructure that makes that growth successful. The Baseline corridor is one of the strongest candidates in Ottawa for that approach. And bear in mind that it’s not only this project at 1200 Merivale, but additional development at the Merivale Triangle and at Baseline and Fisher. Ward 9 is beginning to pull its weight in meeting our housing needs, and we need to see the investment to support it.
As this and other applications move through the planning process, Councillor Devine will be focused on ensuring the City's review thoroughly examines infrastructure capacity, stormwater management, transportation impacts, and community benefits. Further, our support for major intensification along Baseline is contingent on a clear and credible path to delivering Phase 2 of Baseline BRT, including active funding commitments from the City, Province, and Federal Government. We cannot continue approving growth while indefinitely deferring the transit investments meant to support it.
The challenge before us is not whether to grow, but whether we have the commitment to build the infrastructure required for that growth to succeed.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Wheels of Hope
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program is looking for more volunteer drivers to help residents in your community.
If you, or someone you know, are looking to fill some time in your day, love to drive and want to support people with cancer, the Society is encouraging you to volunteer with Wheels of Hope.
As a volunteer driver, you can give the gift of a ride to people with cancer who need help getting to and from their life-saving cancer treatments and other appointments. Mileage reimbursement or tax receipts are provided.
Visit their website and click on Wheels of Hope. For more information, you can email them directly.
Back to School Clothing Drive – Minwaashin Lodge
Give the gift of confidence this school year. Donate children and youth clothing to Minwaashin Lodge, August 10th to 14th.
Young at Heart – Service Canada Information Session
· Location: Tanglewood Community Centre, 30 Woodfield Drive
· Date & Time: Monday, August 24th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Market at Mary’s
Come on out to the Green Thumb Garden Centre at 17 Tristan Court in the Merivale Business Park for an interesting and eclectic market featuring all kinds of local artists and vendors.
AFIFO Backpack Giveaway
AFIFO’s annual School Supply Distribution returns on August 15, 2026, providing free backpacks and essential school supplies for school-aged children, from kindergarten to secondary school. Registration is required by August 8, and supplies will be distributed while quantities last. Our office is proud to support this community initiative, helping students start the school year ready to learn and succeed.
NROCRC’s Tools 4 School Campaign
Our office is proud to support the NROCRC Tools 4 School campaign by contributing backpacks and gift cards for local students in need. The program provides backpacks and school supplies to Grade 10 to 12 students, helping them start the school year prepared for success. Community donations are welcome, and there is a particular need for neutral-coloured backpacks suitable for youth.
Tai Chi
Discover the benefits of Tai Chi for energy, clarity, and balance. Beginner classes at Merivale United Church start anytime. Every Mondays at 6:00 p.m. Join Tai Chi Ottawa and begin your wellness journey!
