March 31, 2026, Newsletter

COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE

The high cost of convenience in #Autowa

I’m writing this Councillor’s Message in the wake of several horrific and tragic incidents on Ottawa’s streets over the last month: a cyclist severely injured in a collision in Alta Vista; a five‑year‑old student struck by a vehicle outside a school in Barrhaven; and the death of Peter Clark, who died after being struck by a pickup truck on School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. In the coming days and weeks, as investigations proceed and more verified information becomes available, I plan to speak to these incidents in more detail — carefully, respectfully, and based on facts.

But I also need to say something now. Because even while we wait for the specifics of each investigation, the larger pattern is not a mystery. Ottawa’s relationship with cars — and with convenience — is shaping what we tolerate, what we normalize, and what we quietly accept as “the cost of doing business.”

And I’m angry about it. I hope some of you are, too.

Not because I think drivers are inherently reckless, or that cars – at least most cars – are inherently dangerous. And not because I believe the solutions are simple. I’m angry because I keep hearing that “safety is our top priority” while watching the City repeatedly treat safety as a nice-to-have that must not interfere with what it seems that we really seek to preserve: traffic flow and driver convenience. If safety is truly the top priority, it can’t be optional when it becomes inconvenient.

Several years ago, I was writing a play — an adaptation of a book that was published in the 1960s as a leaked document from a top‑secret government think tank. The premise was irresistible: a group commissioned to study how to transition society from war to peace. It was later revealed that the “leaked document” was a hoax — a critique of the dangers of “objective” technocratic language.

A particularly chilling passage in the book was on how society allows for high levels of speeding, even with the knowledge that deaths will result. One line stayed with me: “There are practical limits to the public’s tolerance for inconvenience.”

That part still haunts me — because it’s so familiar. We don’t say it aloud. We don’t put it on a slide deck. We don’t quote it in a staff report. But we live it in the decisions we make, and the decisions we avoid.

We tell ourselves, “Safety is the floor.” But our actions show that safety is a constraint that can be rationalized in the pursuit of other values: speed, throughput, and convenience.

As I write this I am attending the Good Roads conference in Toronto. While I’m here, I’ll be meeting with the authors of the C.R.A.S.H. Report, a seminal document on the increasing risks posed by oversized vehicles, as part of an ambitious goal to convene an intergovernmental forum on vehicle safety. The basic point is straightforward: modern pickups and large SUVs have become bigger, heavier, and more dangerous — especially for pedestrians and cyclists, and most ominously for young children — because of higher front ends, larger blind spots, and the physics of impact.

This is where the conversation in Canada too often collapses into a culture war: “You’re attacking drivers.” “You hate trucks.” “You don’t understand Ottawa.” No. I’m talking about risk — and the way we allow risk to grow because confronting it would require inconvenience and political courage. But when a city shrugs and says, essentially, “Well, people want big vehicles,” it’s making a choice.

Other cities have made different choices and produced dramatically different results. Helsinki recently recorded zero road deaths over a full year. That doesn’t happen by accident. Their own officials credit it to sustained, systematic policies for lower speed limits (including widespread 30 km/h streets), street redesign that reduces conflict and cushions human error, investments in walking/cycling and transit that reduce car dependency, and enforcement that actually backs up the rules.

Let me underline the most important part of the Helsinki experience: they didn’t achieve this through one magic trick. They did it through political commitment to an idea that should be obvious: human life outranks driver convenience. But in Ottawa — or broadly in Ontario — driver inconvenience is often treated as injustice.

Here’s what we’ve normalized instead: the idea that traffic safety measures must clear a second, higher bar — the “don’t inconvenience drivers” bar. Whether it’s on speed humps, or no right turn on red, or automated speed enforcement (ASE), protected intersections, slip lanes, etc. How often do we hear variations of the same argument?

“It would slow traffic down.”
“It would cause drivers to act aggressively.”
“It would impede traffic flow.”
“It’s a cash grab.”

And then that argument — inconvenience — becomes decisive. Even when residents are pleading for safety changes. Even when injuries pile up. Even when near‑misses are routine. Even when the evidence points clearly in one direction.

If we’re honest, with so many politicians and business interests advocating for the sacred principle of “a balanced approach”, we have created a hierarchy when it comes to planning priorities:

Keep traffic moving
Keep parking convenient
Support safety measures – but be mindful of priorities #1 and #2

That’s not “balanced”. It’s a value system. And it’s costing us.

And now let’s talk about the other sacred cow: parking.

Ottawa’s intense commitment to unencumbered, fast‑moving traffic has a twin. A near‑religious commitment to maintaining as much parking as possible, at all costs. And I say “religious” because it upholds its foundational beliefs mostly on faith, with little reliance on evidence or facts to support those beliefs.

You can see it in the fuss made over the loss of relatively small numbers of parking spaces associated with the Bank Street Transit Priority Project and the ByWard Market Revitalization Project. In both cases, the frustration isn’t that people value access — of course they do. The frustration is that convenient parking for drivers is treated as a primary public good, even when it comes at the expense of projects that could deliver a greater good: safer streets, better transit reliability, a stronger main street economy, and public spaces that serve everyone — not just those who arrive by car.

We have to say the quiet part out loud: in Ottawa, parking is not just infrastructure. It’s identity. It’s shorthand for whose time matters and whose comfort comes first.

And who’s driving the parking panic? Whose comfort comes first? Often, it’s not customers.

Another truth we don’t say clearly enough: the pressure to preserve parking often doesn’t come from residents or customers in commercial areas. It comes from business owners and employees — people who sincerely (but incorrectly) assume their customers arrive the same way they do.

Across North America, studies have found a consistent perception gap: business owners tend to overestimate the share of customers who arrive by car, and underestimate walking, cycling, and transit. That misperception then drives lobbying, delegations, and political fear — even when evidence shows that streets designed for people can improve retail performance.

This whole dynamic was encapsulated in comments Mayor Sutcliffe made when Council debated the ByWard Market Revitalization Plan earlier this month.

He said: “When I go and buy my groceries, I don’t park a kilometre away from the grocery store and then walk to the grocery store. I park as close to the door as I can. So, proximity matters.” He then acknowledged that the ByWard Market has 5,100 parking spaces, and that a consultant had confirmed that even at peak hours only about 85% are used. But, he added: “Not all 5,100 parking spots in the ByWard Market are within 100 or 200 metres of their store.”

Those comments illustrate two concerns that go far beyond one debate.

First: Where is this same imperative to make things convenient for transit users as it is for drivers? Why do we treat the inconvenience of walking a few minutes as unacceptable for someone who drives — but routinely ask people who rely on transit to absorb long walks, unreliable transfers, poor shelters, and unsafe crossings as if that’s just normal?

Second: Notice the phrasing: “within 100 or 200 metres of their store.” That word “their” may have been casual — but it reveals a mindset that creeps into policy all the time. It suggests we’re thinking not primarily about customer experience, but about the convenience of business owners and employees who drive. But public space is not a private perk. The curb lane is not a personal entitlement.

Time and time again, Ottawa bends over backwards to ensure convenience for car‑drivers. It’s why we’re called #Autowa, after all. So, what do we do about this?

We wrestle with convenience — honestly.

Ottawa needs to wrestle with its relationship with convenience, because right now convenience is wrestling us into submission, and sometimes fatally.

Convenience is not neutral. It is not free. It has a price tag — and that price tag gets paid in injuries, in fear, in degraded public space, in transit that can’t compete, and in a city that struggles to build the kind of streets where kids can be kids.

A city reveals its values by whose inconvenience it is willing to tolerate.

Ottawa has been willing, for decades, to tolerate the inconvenience of the person waiting at the bus stop, the parent pushing a stroller across a high‑speed slip lane, the cyclist trying to survive a “shared lane”, the older adult navigating a crossing timed for sprinting, the crossing guard trying to make eye contact with a driver peering over the hood of an oversized pickup truck.

That’s what #Autowa really means.

My commitment is to continue pushing for decisions that treat safety as a real priority — not a rhetorical one — and that we stop treating convenient parking as a God-given right over better transit, better streets, and better public life.

Because if we keep choosing convenience as our highest good, we shouldn’t be surprised when the cost keeps rising. And I don’t accept that price.

CITY WORKS

Changes to curbside waste collection schedules

As discussed in the last few newsletters, as of March 30^th changes have come to the curbside collection schedule for most Ward 9 homes. You can check to see if this impacts you, by checking out the curbside waste collection calendar online or in the Ottawa Collection Calendar app for Apple or Android devices. It’s important to check, because in many cases, your day of collection may not change, but it may be in the opposite week from your current rotation. So have a look to be sure.

Your green bin will continue to be collected weekly. To support all curbside residents, operators will collect up to six garbage items on your scheduled garbage collection day between March 30 and April 24 – no yellow bags required!

NEW: All curbside residents of Ward 9 (Knoxdale-Merivale) will experience a one-time period of longer than 17 days between garbage collections. To further support residents, Solid Waste Services is hosting a one-time, one bag garbage drop-off opportunity on Saturday, April 4, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepoint Drive.

No bulky items or additional bags will be accepted. Proof of address may be required onsite.

Planned outage – Saginaw Crescent

On April 2, Hydro Ottawa will be installing electrical equipment that will impact customers on Saginaw Crescent. To complete this work safely, a planned power interruption is required. Hydro Ottawa’s crews will work efficiently to minimize any inconvenience, however, please note that the outage may be rescheduled in the event of circumstances beyond our control. All impacted customers are contacted by phone, text or email - depending on the communication preferences indicated on their account - and informed by a written notice delivered to their door.

Impacted street: Saginaw Crescent
Date: April 2, 2026
In case of postponement: April 3, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Total customers impacted: 19

Cleaning the Capital – Spring 2026 Campaign

Spring is almost here, and so is the #CleaningtheCapital Spring campaign! Registration begins on March 27. Plan a litter cleanup project with your family, friends, neighbours, or colleagues and help keep #OttCity beautiful. Register your project by May 4: ottawa.ca/clean

Community environmental protection grants

Funding is now available for green projects in our community. Applications are now open for the City of Ottawa’s 2026 Community Environmental Projects Grant Program (CEPGP). If you have an idea to improve the environmental sustainability of Ottawa, such as a project that promotes waste avoidance, reduction, or reuse, now is the time to apply! The program will help fund small-scale, community-based environmental projects. CEPGEP is open to non-profit organizations, community groups, community associations, youth groups, and school councils. The application deadline is Friday, April 10, 2026 and projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. To learn more or to submit an application, visit the CEPGP website or email your question to [email protected].

Update on Fisher & Normandy intersection project

The City of Ottawa has announced that construction for the Normandy Crescent and Valmarie Avenue integrated renewal project will be deferred to 2027. This change avoids conflicts with nearby Hydro Ottawa work in Carleton Heights and other capital projects at Fisher Avenue, Meadowlands Drive, Apeldoorn Avenue, and Arnhem Street. The deferral also allows the City’s Asset Management team to complete an expanded storm‑sewer study to improve long‑term system capacity.

Construction is now expected to take place from spring 2027 to fall 2028, with winter shutdowns.

A second public information session is planned for late 2026 or early 2027 to present final designs and outline construction impacts. Residents can find details and previous engagement materials on the City’s project website. For questions, contact City Project Manager Patrick Sammon at [email protected] or call 3‑1‑1 for urgent matters.

All you need to know about potholes

Freeze–thaw cycles are taking a toll on Ottawa’s roads, with potholes emerging quickly across the network. Crews have been actively filling them between winter events, and the City is now scaling up with additional staff and resources deployed citywide.

Two “Python” pothole patchers are also now in operation. These machines can fill a pothole in under two minutes and allow operators to work safely from inside the vehicle. They’ll be running day and night over the coming weeks—if you see them, please give them space.

So far this winter, more than 52,000 potholes have been repaired. With continued freeze–thaw cycles expected, repairs will remain ongoing. At this time of year, fixes are often temporary due to cold, wet conditions, and some locations may require repeat visits.

Residents are encouraged to report potholes by submitting a service request online, which helps crews prioritize the areas that need attention most.

Landscaping rules in Ottawa

As of March 1, 2026, the City has introduced new rules requiring hardscaping contractors (e.g., driveways, patios, retaining walls) to be licensed. The change is intended to improve compliance with City by-laws and reduce issues with non-compliant work.

The City has also released a Landscaping Education Guide, which outlines requirements for driveways, drainage, grading, tree protection, fencing, and more.

Before starting a project:

Confirm property lines using GeoOttawa, including the City right-of-way
Review applicable by-laws on ottawa.ca (the most up-to-date source)
Contact 3-1-1 if you need clarification

If you’re hiring a contractor, they must now be licensed with the City of Ottawa, and are required to carry insurance, provide written contracts, and follow applicable by-laws. Property owners should verify licensing before work begins.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

NROCRC / Minto Open House

“Community is where you make it.” And sometimes, it’s in an apartment building lobby. That’s what took place in Craig Henry, where my office was proud to sponsor a Community Open House, hosted by NROCRC in partnership with South Centrepointe Minto. This lovely event brought together the heart of the community for an afternoon of connection and conversation. It was wonderful to see the space filled with such positive energy as neighbours stopped by to learn more about the incredible supports available right in their backyard. Participating organizations included the Craig Henry Community Association, Active Newcomer Youth Ottawa (ANYO), the Ottawa Humane Society, and iSisters Technology Mentoring.

Job Opportunity – Progress Works

Operation Come Home has launched Progress Works, a new six‑month employment and skills‑building program for youth ages 15–30 with past justice system involvement. Participants work one‑on‑one with Community Support Workers to set goals related to employment, education, or skills certification, while receiving wrap‑around supports including mental health, harm reduction, and financial assistance for food, transportation, and incentives. Bonuses are available for completing six months without further justice involvement. To refer a client or learn more, contact Lea at Operation Come Home.

Community Info Sessions April 28: New 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: hydroottawa.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]

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Ottawa Police Service’s new reporting tool

The Ottawa Police Service has introduced an upgraded online incident reporting system, designed to make it faster and more convenient for residents to report non‑emergency incidents from a computer, tablet, or mobile device.

Residents can use the system to report issues such as theft, vandalism, driving related complaints, and cryptocurrency fraud. The service is available 24/7 and supports more than 20 languages, including English and French.

New features let users upload photos or videos, save a report and return to it later, and receive email updates on next steps. Online reporting helps police better understand neighbourhood concerns while keeping officers available for emergency calls.

To learn more — including access to helpful videos and the option to register for an information session — or to submit a report, visit the Ottawa Police Service website.

For emergencies or situations involving immediate danger, always call 911.

New tools for Ottawa Police: multi-lingual body cameras

Ottawa Police Service has introduced a new tool for its frontline officers. As you may have heard, officers are now being issued body cameras. But the cameras have some added (and incredibly useful) features. Officers using the devices now have access to more than 50 languages at the touch of a button. As demonstrated in this video, this feature is already proving to be highly effective and valuable to officers working in the community.

Strong and Steady: free fall prevention for older adults

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults, but they don’t have to be. The Strong and Steady program is a free, 10-week fall prevention exercise program designed to help adults aged 65+ improve strength, balance, and mobility. Falls pose a major health risk for older adults, but the right exercises can help you stay active and prevent falls.

Strong and Steady program is designed for:

Older adults aged 65+ at risk of falling
Older adults living in underserved or equity-denied communities
Older adults with language barriers who want to improve their strength, balance, and prevent falls.

And it’s easy to get involved:

No cost to join! Classes are held two days a week for 10 weeks.
Designed for beginners to build strength and balance to prevent falls.
Classes are available in multiple languages and can be taken from home (virtual), or at select City of Ottawa recreation centers or community centers.
Led by certified fitness instructors or leads who specialize in fall prevention.

Space is limited, so register today or add your name to the waiting list for a program that is convenient to you. Here are your options:

Recreation, Culture, and Facility Services (RCFS):
- To join classes held at RCFS locations, visit: RCFS Registration
- Register Ottawa video and FAQs
African, Caribbean, and Black Wellness Resource Centre (ACB):
- To join classes at the ACB, visit:registration link

Respiratory illness update

We are finally getting a dose of spring weather and, no doubt, we are all greeting it with some enthusiasm. There is no question that the prolonged winter weather this year has had an impact on respiratory disease circulation. More time indoors, with windows close, staying warm, generally means a longer season of passing around our respiratory bugs. Thankfully, that trend appears to be breaking. Influenza levels are finally beginning to drop while COVID and RSV levels are holding steady. Take advantage of the warmer days and crack open a window or two to bring in the fresh air and reduce the chances of transmission.

Happy Spring!

Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hub

Learning with Type-1 Diabetes info session

Join Diabetes Hope Foundation, T1D Included, and UOttawa Team Diabetes for a FREE informative and empowering workshop exploring your rights as a student living with type 1 diabetes in high school and post-secondary education.

Through panel presentations and community-building opportunities, the event will offer practical tips, real‑life strategies, and resources from students & their caregivers, CHEO clincians and educational staff to help you navigate high school and post-secondary school with T1D.

Your input shapes the workshop content, examples, and Q&A so the conversation feels relevant and grounded in your day‑to‑day life at school.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

2175 Prince of Wales

Our office has seen a lot of interest in the proposed changes to the official plan and zoning at 2175 Prince of Wales Drive. City staff are currently accepting comments on the application before it moves to committee for consideration. If you wish to provide comments, you are welcome to do so. At the moment, there are no specific or immediate plans to develop the empty site. Rather, this application is intended to give the owner flexibility on how the property is ultimately used (within the clear limitations on that location with its proximity to the river and the airport). Our office will continue to monitor the progress of the file and keep you informed of any changes or developments.

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Trivia Throwback Night in support of Culture2Culture

Join Algonquin College public relations students on Wednesday, April 8, at Cassette on Baseline Road for Trivia Throwback, a retro-themed music trivia night dedicated to supporting OCISO!

Part of the Culture2Culture campaign, this interactive evening invites guests to dress in the fashion of their favourite nostalgic decade and test their knowledge of hits from the '70s to the '00s. Guided by a comedic MC, the event will feature a classic pen and paper trivia sheet battle of wits, ensuring a night of community spirit, socializing and fun that is all for a good cause.

You can get tickets and find more information on the eventbrite page!

The Lonely Mittens Project

If you lament throwing out unmatched mittens during Spring Cleaning as much as we do, then we're thrilled to present the Lonely Mitten Project. Bring your lonely mittens and gloves to designated collection sites across Ottawa and reach out to your local schools and businesses for their lost and found items. For Ward 9 drop off please take your mittens to 9 Basin Court. We're also looking for volunteers! You can find out more about this project online and find your nearest collection site.

This initiative is being organized by the Ottawa South Eco-Action Network (OSEAN) and Eco West Enders. Other OSEAN initiatives include Pumpkins for the Planet, Pollinator Patches, Invasive Species Removal, and Waste Diversion programs. If you want to learn more about any of these initiatives - or even volunteer - we're happy to connect!

You can sign up to volunteer or contact us by email at [email protected].