COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE
Reliability starts with accountability
Last Wednesday, City Council unanimously approved my motion to develop a Transit Reliability & Accountability Framework — and with that vote, Ottawa is on track to become the first major city in Canada to launch a system‑wide effort to improve transit reliability through a clear, Council‑mandated framework for accountability to riders.
But this is not a victory lap. While Council’s decision sets us on a path to lift transit performance to the level of residents’ expectations, we are taking this next step from a low point.
For many, January 27th was like hitting bottom. Seeing stranded LRT passengers walking along the snow‑covered rails on a cold night crystallized the frustration and resignation that many of Ottawa’s transit riders feel every day. A system meant to carry people safely and reliably left them on the tracks, in the dead of winter.
Before any more trust is lost, and to start this new Accountability Framework on the right foot, I want to offer something that Council should have provided a long time ago.
To Ward 9’s transit riders: I’m sorry.
I’m sorry for the unreliable service. I’m sorry for the buses that never showed up while you waited in the cold. I’m sorry for the LRT breakdowns that made you late picking up your kids, or late to class, or missing shifts you can’t afford to miss. I’m sorry for the costly Uber trips, or the loss of time with your families. I’m sorry for the disappointment.
Apologies matter — because accountability often begins with an apology. And accountability is what this Framework intends to bring into the relationship between the City and the people who rely on transit every day.
One goal for this Framework is to re-assess how we define and measure success, when it comes to transit. For the past few years, our system has leaned heavily on a performance metric called “service delivered”. OC Transpo set the target for this metric at a lofty 99.5%. Month after month, OC Transpo reports what appear to be impressive service-delivery figures, often in the range of 97–99%.
But according to how OC Transpo defined “service delivered”, a bus could be 15 minutes late and still count as “delivered.” Two or three buses could arrive in a pack after a long gap and still count as “delivered.” Riders could receive a cancellation alert only after they were already waiting at the stop and still, somehow, it’s “service delivered”. That’s because “service delivered” measures only whether a trip ran, not whether it was useful. This is not how you build trust in a service. It’s not how you create value in that service.
Now, with the passing of this motion, Council will provide clear policy direction so that future performance metrics better reflect what riders experience, and what they want: punctuality, regularity, and predictability — in other words, reliability.
This Framework should be about building a culture where clear expectations, transparent reporting, defined standards, and other forms of rider-recourse — both financial and non-financial—become operational values that create value. In cities around the world, such as London, Singapore, Washington, and even Toronto’s GO Train, accountability frameworks are tools that drive better performance, which leads to greater reliability, which leads to increased ridership.
And importantly, this Framework will be built in partnership with OC Transpo, not in conflict with them. In their own Improving Bus Service Reliability report last fall, OC Transpo staff stated — plainly — that they do not have Council policy direction on whether to prioritize reliability or service levels. It is Council’s responsibility to close that policy gap. And now, we will.
Wednesday’s positive vote does not fix transit. It fixes the absence of clear direction that has made it harder to fix transit. It puts Ottawa on a new path towards a level of accountability to riders that no other city in Canada has achieved. But make no mistake: we are stepping into leadership not from a position of strength, but from recognition of how far we must climb.
Now the real challenge begins. Rebuilding reliability will take extensive work, greater investment, honest reporting, and tough decisions. But if we do this right — and if we keep the experience of transit riders front and centre — we can build a transit system that does more than just move people. We can build one that respects them.
Population Growth Projections
At this week’s Joint Meeting of the Planning & Housing Committee along with the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, the committees will receive a major new growth forecast that will shape how Ottawa plans for the next 25 years. The Hemson Forecasts to 2051 Report confirms what many of us already feel: Ottawa is entering a period of sustained, accelerated growth, with hundreds of thousands of new residents, more households, and significant job growth expected over the coming decades.
This report matters because it becomes the foundation for future decisions about housing, transportation, infrastructure, and land use. It helps answer questions like: How many homes will we need? What kinds of homes? Where should growth go? And how do we pay for the services and infrastructure that come with it?
One of the clearest messages in the report is that future growth will look different from past growth. More households will live in apartments, row homes, and other compact forms. Household sizes will continue to shrink. Our population will age. And as growth becomes more urban and more compact, reliable public transit and well‑planned infrastructure will matter more than ever.
All of this reinforces my core mission as your councillor:
“The City of Ottawa’s population is projected to grow at an accelerated rate over the coming decades. I must support and guide that growth in a way that is sustainable, responsible, and forward‑thinking.”
At the same time, I believe it’s important to be honest about risk. The Hemson Report uses a single long‑term growth projection, partially rooted in a recent spike in population growth that many would describe as an outlier. Figure 3 (below) shows how Ottawa’s long‑term growth forecast (the blue line) is shaped by an unusually sharp spike in population growth between 2021 and 2024 (the green line), which shows numbers far outside the historical average (the brown line). But that short spike, a “shock” more than a trend, appears to have had some bearing on the projected growth path all the way to 2051.
City of Ottawa staff appropriately acknowledge that key factors — especially immigration policy — could change over time, and that there is risk in planning for too much or too little growth. What concerns me is that Council is being asked to adopt one growth path without seeing alternative scenarios that would show what happens if growth is somewhat faster or slower than expected.
My concern is not that the projections are “wrong,” but that Council is being asked to adopt a single growth path without further analysis to see what happens to these projections if population growth continues to trend back to more typical numbers—as the new federal targets make clear they will.
That’s not about rejecting the report. It’s about understanding its sensitivity before we move deeper into decisions about land needs, infrastructure sizing, or future development patterns. Planning for too much growth carries different risks than planning for too little — and Council should not be required to adopt such projections without additional options, or at least greater clarity.
During this week’s Committee meeting, I’ll be probing into this with Staff, and will likely seek to bring some action to the next Council meeting to seek additional mechanisms to help us better manage potential risk. My goal is to have stronger assurances for Ottawa’s plausible future, so that we can make more resilient, financially responsible decisions.
CITY WORKS
Waste collection update
Starting Monday, March 30, your waste collection day may be changing due to the City’s new curbside collection contract. All your waste including garbage, organics, leaf and yard waste, and recycling will still be picked up on the same day of the week, but about half of Ottawa households will have a new collection day.
We’re going to try to explain as much as we can here, and with the two sets of “Current / New” maps below.
Calendar A to Calendar B
As you know, weekly collection alternates between garbage, organics and blue bin on one week, with organics and black bin on the following week. The way the City of Ottawa manages this is to split the City into two collection calendars: A and B. Half the City is on Calendar A and half the City is on Calendar B.
And so, if Calendar A represents the area where garbage, organics and blue bin are being collected on any given week, Calendar B represents the area where organics and black bin are being collected that same week.
Based on the first set of Current / New maps below, it appears that all of Ward 9 is switching from Calendar A to Calendar B. To accommodate this disruption, all residents may place up to six garbage items at the curb on your scheduled garbage collection day between March 30 and April 24. For extra clarity, residents are encouraged to check the online of digital calendar.
As you’ll see on the map below, all of Ward 9 is currently on Calendar A:
As you’ll see on the map below, as of March 30, all of Ward will be on Calendar B:
Collection Day: Which day of the week?
The next item that may be changing for some residents as of March 30 is which day of the week is their collection day. To summarize the potential changes:
- For some residents, depending on your location, the collection day will not change.
- For some residents, depending on your location, your collection day will change from one day of the week (e.g. Monday) to a different day of the week (e.g. Thursday).
- Whether your collection day changes or not, your recycling will be collected on the same day as your garbage and organics.
Based on the second set of Current / New maps below, it appears that most areas of Ward 9 will see a change in collection day. We’ll provide some examples here, to help you better navigate the maps:
- Trend-Arlington residents will see their collection day change from Thursday to Monday.
- Manordale and Tanglewood residents will see their collection day change from Wednesday to Monday.
- Country Place residents will see their collection day change from Monday to Tuesday.
- General Burns and Fisher Heights residents will see no change in their collection day.
Here is the map for Ward 9’s current weekly collection days:
Here is the map for Ward 9’s new weekly collection days:
For further information, and to see if and how this impacts you, view your collection calendar online or in the Ottawa Waste Collection Calendar app. If you are affected by this change, you will see your updated collection day on the week of Monday, March 30 and beyond.
Please note: There will be no curbside collection on Good Friday, April 3, or Easter Monday, April 6; pick-up will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. As a result, your collection day for the week following Easter Monday may not be your new collection day going forward. If you are signed up for weekly collection reminders, you can continue to rely on them.
A letter will be sent to all residents who receive curbside collection to let them know about the change.
Transit update
Our office continues to work closely with OC Transpo staff on local transit improvements. As part of our review of Ward 9 transit performance, we requested performance data from OC Transpo for all routes serving the ward.
We’ve received preliminary performance data for Routes 53, 86, 112, and 189. Early results underscore some concerning recurring issues, with significant lateness on Route 53, a high number of early departures on Routes 86 and 189, and reduced reliability during the PM peak on Route 112.
This information will help guide our ongoing discussions with OC Transpo, and we want transit riders to know that their concerns are very much on our radar. More detailed findings will be shared in upcoming issues of this newsletter as more detailed information becomes available.
Free and/or discounted recreational and family programming
Since the cost of living remains a pressing concern for many residents, including families with young children, we wanted to take a moment and use our newsletter to provide some information on some of the free and/or discounted recreational, cultural or family-oriented programming that could be available to Ward 9 residents. Please note that some of these items below may have eligibility requirements.
The City of Ottawa has several options available for free and/or discounted recreational programming:
- Hand in Hand: Community supports, healthcare and recreation
- Play Free: free drop-in sports and creation programs on Saturdays
- Use your Ottawa Public Library card to get a discount on sports & fitness memberships
And speaking of Ottawa Public Library, they have a wide array of free drop-in cultural programming and workshops catering to a wide range of age groups and interests. The OPL has an easy-to-use website set up where you can find activities based on location, age range, dates, etc. Here are just a few examples for events happening in or close to Ward 9:
- Emerald Plaza Library has drop-in programs for a Lego Block Party, or Family Storytime, or a Ukelele Workshop, to name a few.
- Centrepointe Library has drop-in programs for a Youth Writing Workshop, or a Genealogy Workshop, or a Happily Ever After Book Club, to name a few.
Traffic safety improvements at Woodfield / Medhurst
Recent complaints and videos show vehicles frequently failing to stop at the intersection of Medhurst and Woodfield. This lack of stop compliance has become increasingly egregious and creates a serious safety risk for residents and pedestrians.
Our office is pursuing traffic-calming and safety measures at this location, along with additional enforcement. Residents should expect to see new measures in place this Spring and Summer. Drivers are reminded to come to a complete stop at the stop sign to help keep the intersection safe for everyone.
Ward 9 Temporary Traffic Calming survey
As we continue to work towards improving traffic safety across Ward 9, we're collecting suggestions from residents across Knoxdale-Merivale for what we do with our 2026 Temporary Traffic Calming (TTC) budget. With these funds, our office recommends the installation of various traffic-calming measures, like flex-stakes, speed display boards, signage, speed humps, and many other tools. If you’re interested in making a recommendation for improved traffic safety in your neighbourhood or elsewhere in Ward 9, please respond to our 2026 Temporary Traffic Calming Survey.
Frozen water pipes service notices
The City of Ottawa supplies clean, safe drinking water to more than 950,000 customers through over 3,200 kilometres of underground pipes. Each winter, some water service pipes—especially older or shallow installations—are at risk of freezing. As many as 2,000 homes and businesses may be affected.
Resident notifications
To help prevent service interruptions, the City sends a Frozen Water Service Warning – Run Water Notification letter to properties with a history of frozen water service pipes. Notices are issued in phases, starting with homes and businesses where the freeze occurred on private property, followed by those that froze on the public side. The first notices were mailed on January 15. These letters provide advance warning, advice on preventing frozen pipes, and instructions on what to do if a pipe freezes.
How the City determines risk
The City uses Environment Canada’s average daily temperatures at the Ottawa International Airport to model frost depth and identify when pipes may be vulnerable. Monitoring begins once temperatures consistently stay below zero.
Costs
If the freeze occurred on private property, customers are responsible for the cost of running water. If it occurred on the City’s side and the resident receives written direction to run their water, they will not be charged extra.
Prevention
Residents can help protect their pipes by insulating exposed areas and maintaining indoor temperatures above 8°C. More information is available at ottawa.ca.
For urgent assistance or to report a frozen service, contact 3‑1‑1.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Public info session: 40 Beechcliffe
On Thursday March 12th from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, there will be a Public Information Session for the upcoming housing development project at 40 Beechcliffe Street in Craig Henry. The event will be held in the Richmond Room at the Nepean Sportsplex.
Beechcliffe Homes is the latest project from Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, and it’s also the largest project in their history. This “attainable home ownership” project will consist of 33 units of 3-bedroom or 4-bedroom townhomes, expertly built by CAIVAN. Occupancy is expected to commence in February 2027.
The info session will be hosted by CAIVAN and it's main purpose is to help residents learn more about the construction process and timeline.
Ward 9 Open Office Hours
We're re-instating our Open Office Hours, with multiple opportunities per month to meet with Councillor Devine for a one-on-one conversation to discuss local issues, or just to chat. For the month of March, we've got three sessions planned:
- March 9th / 2:00pm - 6:00pm / in-person
- March 20th / 10:00am - 2:00pm / in-person
- March 23rd / 4:00pm - 8:00pm / virtual
The in-person sessions will be held at the Councillor Devine's ward office at Ben Franklin Place (101 Centrepointe). The virtual sessions will be held on Zoom. To book an appointment for any of these three sessions, please visit the Events page on our website.
Seeking volunteers for The Olde Forge
The Olde Forge is seeking volunteer drivers for its Transportation Program. Enjoy flexible hours, mileage reimbursement, and meaningful community connection. Contact Transportation Manager Laura Coverett to get involved.
Seeking volunteers for the Ottawa Humane Society
The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is urgently looking for 30 foster volunteers to support their Sheltering Animals From Emergencies (SAFE) program. SAFE provides temporary boarding for pets whose families are navigating crisis like hospitalization, intimate partner violence and housing insecurity. Right now, the OHS is receiving more requests for SAFE than we have foster homes available, forcing us to turn some families away. To find out more, and hopefully get signed up as a volunteer, visit their website.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Ottawa Public Health Update
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding families that staying current with vaccines helps protect students from preventable diseases and keeps school communities safe.
Every year, OPH reviews student vaccination records to confirm they meet the requirements of Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). Earlier this fall, OPH sent approximately 15,000 first notices to families of students born in 2008 and 2018—seven- and 17‑year‑olds—indicating that their child’s vaccination record on file was incomplete.
Second notices began in December and will continue through February. Families who receive a second notice have one additional month to update and submit their child’s immunization information before a suspension is issued.
Parents and caregivers can find information about routine vaccines, where to get them, and how to report immunizations directly to OPH by visiting Parenting in Ottawa's information page.
Keeping records up to date helps ensure all Ottawa students remain protected and able to attend school safely.
Respiratory Disease Update
The season of reading week and spring break is upon us. And while flu levels had been improving since Christmas, the levels are on the rise once more. Keep in mind as you make your travel and socializing plans that there are good ways to reduce the spread of illness and help keep your loved ones safe: a well-fitting mask, quality air filters, and cracking open a window when you are in crowded spaces can help lower the risks.
Ottawa Fire Services: check your vents
Ottawa Fire Services regularly has to respond to emergency calls due to dangerous – and deadly – carbon monoxide calls inside homes, due to high winds blowing snow and blocking exterior vents. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and check your vents - and clear the snow away if needed!
Road Safety Action Plan: Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is unsafe, illegal, and puts both you and others at serious risk. In Ottawa, 61 per cent of fatal and major injury collisions between 2019 and 2023 involved high-risk driving behaviors.
Distracted driving goes beyond texting. Activities such as eating, adjusting the radio, interacting with passengers or pets, grooming, or daydreaming can all take attention away from the road and lead to serious consequences.
Tips to stay distraction-free:
- Avoid temptation by planning your trip, setting your phone to “do not disturb,” pulling over to check messages, or letting a passenger manage your device.
- Understand what counts as distraction, including phone or smartwatch use, eating or drinking, grooming, adjusting vehicle controls, and losing focus.
- Know the risks and penalties: first-time distracted-driving convictions for A to G licence holders can result in fines of up to $1,000, three demerit points, and a three-day licence suspension.
Be part of the change and help make Ottawa’s roads safer for everyone.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
2028 Merivale
The city has received a Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control application for nine detached dwellings for this property, with site specific zoning provisions. The proposal includes six dwellings accessing Cassone Court, and a three-dwelling Planned Unit Development on a private road extending southwest from Cassone Court. The details of the application can be found on the City’s Development Applications website, and any comments on the proposed development can be submitted through that page by clicking on the Send Feedback button.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Nepean Horticultural Society event
Learn how to grow an edible garden with Master Gardener Rebecca Last. Join the Nepean Horticultural Society on February 19 at 7:30 PM. Free for members; $7 for non‑members.
Trend Arlington Community Association Winter Carnival
- When: Postponed to Sunday, February 22nd from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Where: 50 Bellman Drive
Knox United Church – Adult Drop-in Program
Join the Knox Neighbourhood Adult Drop-In every second Monday from 2–4 pm at Knox United Church. Enjoy cards, games, conversation, and free refreshments. All are welcome, with no entry fee. Upcoming dates: March 2 & 30, April 13 & 27.
NROCRC Emotional Wellness Workshop Series – The Pause
