May 20, 2026, Newsletter

COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE

LRT Shutdown due to Staffing

This weekend’s unexpected shutdown of O‑Train Lines 1 and 4, the ensuing Memo sent to Council by new OC Transpo GM Rick Leary, as well as the far more expansive Facebook post from ATU Local 279 President Noah Vineberg, are raising renewed questions about system reliability.

For years, we’ve been told that reliability issues with Ottawa’s LRT were due to infrastructure. Saturday's shutdown wasn’t about trains or tracks — it was about not having enough staff in place to safely operate the system.

That’s a fundamental shift.

We’re still waiting for more details from OC Transpo on the circumstances that led to this stoppage. Based on a frank conversation I had with GM Leary on Tuesday, I am confident that he will proactively look to address any staffing issues that he has inherited. I’m also hoping to meet with ATU 279’s Noah Vineberg this week as well, to get more detail on the issues faced by OC Transpo staff.

You can’t run a reliable rail network without properly investing in the people who operate it. When staffing levels are stretched, the system becomes fragile — and that’s what we saw this weekend.

Whenever we have experienced loss of transit service related to infrastructure during this Term of Council, some Councillors – myself included - have had the protection of pointing to bad decisions made by our predecessors. But if we are now faced with system stoppages that are tied to staffing, then this becomes an operations issue that falls on this Council’s shoulders.

This is why I brought forward my Transit Reliability & Accountability Framework earlier this year. My goal was to move beyond reactive responses to individual incidents, and instead to give Council a clearer, more complete picture of whether the entire system — not just infrastructure, but also operations — is set up to deliver reliable service.

Consistently throughout this Term of Council, I have raised fundamental concerns about the direction that this city has taken on public transit, whether in terms of the decisions made by former GM Renee Amilcar, or the budgets brought forward by Mayor Sutcliffe. I hope that our new GM Rick Leary sees this latest incident as the critical threat that it is, and that he acts and communicates with urgency to address it. I believe that there are enough voices on Council that are true advocates for public transit that Leary will find confidence in taking a strong stance.

I can't stress this enough. The viability of our transit system needs to be a central issue in the next election — for riders and non‑riders alike.

Compassion in Action

A wonderful thing happened last week in Ward 9, on the subject of housing. In fact, there have been several noteworthy housing achievements lately, but I’ll talk specifically about one of them.

In previous issues of this newsletter, I’ve written about Salus Ottawa, and their new supportive housing project at 56 Capilano near Merivale, which finally opened up to their new residents last week. This is a marvelous new facility, which the City of Ottawa helped support, and it has quickly become a model for supportive housing, with other organizations looking to replicate what Salus has done.

Last Thursday, I was one of the elected officials invited to speak at the official launch of Salus Capilano. I’ve shared a copy of my speech below, with its message about compassion.

Last Friday, on the day after the launch, I hosted a BBQ at Salus, a “welcome to the community” party for these 54 new residents, adults with mental health and substance abuse challenges, many of whom have never had their own home.

And it wasn’t just a party for the residents. I invited several local community organizations. The Nepean Osgoode Community Resource Centre came to share news about their programs. Staff from Emerald Plaza Public Library came to sign residents up for new library cards. Two local community associations introduced themselves to the newest members of the community. My provincial and federal counterparts came by to meet their new constituents. A lovely woman named Margaret came because she and a group of quilters had made 54 new quilts, one for each of the new residents.

When news first arrived a few years ago about this new supportive housing project, I remember some residents expressing concern about crime, about safety, about property values. Frankly, these kinds of concerns are raised pretty much anytime there’s any kind of affordable housing project, or shelter. People are afraid of what they’re not familiar with. And fear can be a great motivator to act. But so can compassion. And only one of those two motivators helps build community.

Here is the speech that I gave at last Thursday’s official opening, to an audience of funders, elected officials, developers, donors, and to Salus staff and residents:

Today is a good day.

A good day for Salus, a good day for Ward 9 and Ottawa, and a good day for 54 new residents—new members of this community. Neighbours.

Not all days are good days. For those of us in government or non-profit housing, some days test our resilience, and our conviction. Almost every day, we’re reminded that we are in a housing crisis—especially an affordable and supportive housing crisis. I’ve done my utmost to be clear: when it comes to that need, the door to Ward 9 is open. If I have a say, you will always be welcome here.

But some days, I’m reminded that alongside a housing crisis, we also face a crisis of compassion. I’ve seen it—and while it’s not unique to Ottawa, it is real.

Two years ago, when my Ward was selected for a temporary shelter for refugees and newcomers, many residents showed generosity and care. But many did not.

Not far from here, another affordable housing project—an innovative Habitat for Humanity home-ownership project—faced some resistance. For a small number of residents, compassion was overtaken by suspicion—suspicion rooted in nothing more than the association with affordability. It was only when they learned it was a Habitat for Humanity project that those concerns softened, because reputation made space for compassion.

Which brings me to Salus—and its reputation, and the remarkable achievement we’re celebrating today.

When I watched media coverage of this project a few weeks ago, I was struck by a resident describing what supportive housing means to him: it meant everything. For some of the people who will now call Salus Capilano home, this is the first home they’ve ever truly had. That is profound.

I’ve had the privilege of learning more about this project—and about Salus—through conversations with its CEO Mark MacAulay. Mark and his team should be incredibly proud, not just of what they’ve built here, but of the example they’ve set. Other supportive housing providers are already looking to this project as a model of best practice.

And consider the challenges that Salus faced in getting here: just a few years ago, Salus experienced catastrophic water damage to its Scott Street facility. Dozens of residents were displaced, along with staff. It was a devastating setback—one that would have tested any organization’s resilience and conviction.

Mark might not dwell on it now, but it was a very bad day that led to a long and difficult road.

And yet—here you are.

So, when you look at Salus, you have to ask: is their conviction so strong because of their resilience? Or is their resilience so strong because of their conviction? In the end, it doesn’t matter. What matters is what they’ve built here, and what it means.

Today is a very good day.

I’ll close by saying how proud I am that the City of Ottawa was a partner and funder in this project. And how proud—and humbled—I am that this model of compassion, and these 54 new neighbours, have made Ward 9 their home.

I want to be sure that I use these words as seldomly as possible, because I want it to be especially meaningful when I do say it: but I’m proud of what I did. I’m proud of the speech I gave. People came up to let me know how much they appreciated my “speech against NIMBYism” – even though I deliberately didn’t use the word NIMBY. But I’ve always believed that if given the opportunity, and with a little bit of leadership to help nudge them in the right direction, people will show their better selves, their true selves.

And we find that “opportunity” to show our better selves by being in community with others. In actual, physical, face-to-face community. That’s why I threw a welcome party for the new Salus Capilano residents. Not just for them, but so that others from across the community could meet them, talk to them, have a burger with them. Not to see them as someone to be afraid of, but as someone who puts way too much mustard on their hot dog.

On a final note: what Salus has done here on Capilano is truly remarkable, and they know it. It absolutely can be the model for supportive housing, quite literally. Salus is talking about how to template what they’ve done, and to share that model across Ottawa, or across Canada, whether for other Salus facilities, or other supportive housing providers. In talking with CEO Mark McAulay during the BBQ, he said that people from across the community were coming up to tell him how impressed they were by the facility, and how happy they were by what they saw. He has big plans for how to replicate this model, and my office is more than happy to pitch in and to keep turning compassion into action – on a larger scale.

Because it’s not the first time I’ve said it: Don’t think big. Think huge.

What Denmark can Teach us about Trust, Infrastructure, and the Pursuit of Happiness

As an elected official, a big part of my job is trying to improve the everyday quality of life for residents—to support, in a very real sense, the pursuit of happiness in our city. That can mean safer streets, reliable transit, housing people can afford, and infrastructure that works not just today, but decades from now. All of this depends on something far less tangible, and yet harder to build: trust.

Last week, I had a productive meeting with Denmark’s Ambassador to Canada Nikolaj Harris, as we have recently begun to explore several areas of mutual interest, including the idea of a Copenhagen–Ottawa exchange, which I’ll speak in more detail about in upcoming issues of this newsletter. My conversation with the Ambassador spanned a range of topics—from civic infrastructure to defence sovereignty, from car dependency to cultural values—but we kept circling back to one central theme: the relationship between public trust and public outcomes.

Denmark consistently ranks among the happiest countries in the world. And while there’s no single explanation for that, one factor stands out above others: a deep and widespread trust in institutions.

Ambassador Harris said that happiness in Denmark is not so much about gratification, or singular moments, or individual gain. Rather, he said that happiness was derived from a comfort that comes from trust in society, trust in each other and the belief that everyone is working together for the common good.

That trust shows up in very practical ways. It enables Denmark to think long-term. It allows governments to build ambitious infrastructure in the middle of cities. And it creates the kind of social license needed to test new ideas, pilot innovative approaches, and scale what works.

We talked about CopenHill—a waste-to-energy plant in the heart of Copenhagen that doubles as a ski hill, a hiking destination, and a public space. It’s a globally recognized project: innovative, functional, and bold. What’s always struck me about CopenHill wasn’t just the engineering—it was that a city could bring forward something so unconventional, so close to where people live, and have the public trust to proceed. It’s hard to imagine that happening here.

In Ottawa, even modest infrastructure changes can struggle to gain traction. Pilot projects are often met with skepticism or take years to get off the ground, including public consultations that often enable an already skeptical public. New approaches are delayed, diluted, or abandoned outright. And while there are many factors at play, we have to be honest about one of the biggest: a lack of trust—earned, in some cases.

The Ambassador and I also discussed the role of public-private partnerships (P3s), which Denmark has embraced in a pragmatic and results-oriented way. There, the focus tends to be on outcomes: if a partnership can deliver better value, faster timelines, or higher-quality infrastructure, it’s on the table. The model isn’t ideological—it’s grounded in accountability, public confidence and a mutual respect for advancing the public good.

In Ottawa, the conversation around P3s is much different. And it’s not hard to see why.

The experience with the LRT project—its delays, derailments, breakdowns, lawsuits, and lack of transparency—has understandably eroded public confidence. The approval of Lansdowne 2.0 has reinforced that skepticism. When residents look at a half billion-dollar project and struggle to see the public value—when it seems that private benefit outweighs public benefit—should we be surprised if trust in local government is affected?

That’s the contrast with Denmark that stayed with me after my meeting. There is something important in how they’ve built and maintained trust over time—through transparency, consistency, and a clear demonstration that public investments deliver public benefit.

If we ever want to unlock our own ability to significantly leverage public investment towards public good, then we need to pay closer attention to that foundational ingredient. Trust isn’t a byproduct of well-delivered projects; it’s a prerequisite for them.

That’s one of the reasons I’m so interested in continuing to build this relationship with the Danish Embassy. There’s real potential here—not just for knowledge-sharing, but for a deeper cultural exchange. A chance to learn from each other, to challenge our assumptions, and to bring new ideas back to Ottawa.

In the months ahead, I’ll be working to advance that conversation, with the goal of organizing a more formal exchange between our two cities in the not-too-distant future. And I’ll be sure to keep you posted about it.

Because if we’re serious about building a better city, we need to be just as serious about learning how to build trust alongside it.

From Pilot Project to National Opportunity

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been working quietly but persistently on a simple idea: what if our roads and parking lots didn’t just shed water, but actually helped manage it?

That idea — permeable pavement — has sometimes met skepticism. Like many innovations in infrastructure, it challenges long‑standing assumptions about how cities are built and maintained. But step by step, working with local partners and City staff, we were able to move that idea from conversation to implementation — including its incorporation into the Anna Avenue and Crown Crescent integrated road and sewer project.

That project is small in scale, but important in what it represents: a real, working example of how a street can be designed not just as pavement, but as part of the stormwater system itself.

Now, we’re starting to see that work pay off.

Recently, Canada’s national engineering body identified a major gap in how roads are designed across the country — specifically, the lack of guidance on integrating stormwater solutions like permeable pavement into everyday street design. It is perfect timing, then, that Ottawa has begun developing exactly that approach in Anna and Crown, backed by federal research support.

That means Ottawa is no longer just exploring a new idea, or following another city’s innovation — we’re helping to shape what could become the next generation of standard industry practice. In fact, projects like Anna and Crown can now serve as real‑world examples that inform how these new guidelines are developed.

Why does this matter? Because better stormwater management isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s about making smarter use of land, reducing infrastructure costs over time, and supporting the kind of housing growth our city needs.

You’re darned right I’m proud of this. My team worked hard on this file.

There’s still more work ahead, but we’re now in a position to lead. And that’s something Ottawa can take real pride in.

Blood Drive for Don McCuaig

I’m going to end this edition of the Councillor’s Message on a personal note, to ask anyone who is willing and able to join me on May 26^th between 5:00pm – 6:00pm at Canadian Blood Services (1575 Carling Avenue) in a Blood Drive for Don McQuaig, a friend of mine who is far too young to be dealing with cancer. I’m a regular donor at Canadian Blood Services. And while I usually make my donations in memory of a cousin of mine who passed away too young, the recipient of my donation is never known to me. This time it will be. Whether you join me for this specific recipient, or if you simply sign up to be a regular donor as I am, your gift is appreciated.

CITY WORKS

Protecting Vulnerable Residents

Traffic safety continues to be a pressing concern among many Ward 9 residents, particularly in light of more evidence that speeding continues to increase after Premier Ford’s senseless cancellation of the Automated Speed Enforcement camera program last year.

Our office is currently involved in advancing several traffic safety projects and improvements across the ward. We wanted to provide a brief summary of these initiatives here:

Over the past two weeks Councillor Devine has been in extensive conversations with staff and parents at Manordale Public School and John XXIII School, over ongoing concerns related to traffic safety during drop-off and pick-up times. The Councillor has made multiple site visits during peak times to get a sense of current conditions and has also been working with City staff and each school’s principal on interim and long-term solutions. As we are nearing the end of the school year, some of these solutions may only be in place for the start of the next school year.
One of those long-term solutions is the commencement of construction for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming project on Knoxdale Road, which fronts St. John XXIII School. Final designs for this project are near completion, and we are expecting implementation in 2027.
Last week our office got a sneak peek at the preliminary plans for an extensive traffic calming project for Viewmount Drive (between Fisher Avenue and Merivale Road). The plans that we were shown are among the most innovative and comprehensive that we’ve seen so far in Ottawa. We’ll be discussing those plans with City staff next week, as well as plans for an initial public consultation this summer.
While our office remains excited about the innovative Meadowlands Drive traffic calming / active transportation project that we brought to City staff – a plan that they fully embraced – the plan’s final implementation is in limbo due to the implications of Premier Ford’s Bill 60, which prohibits the installation of a new bike lane at the expense of a vehicle lane. Because our project affected left-hand turning lanes at the intersections of Inverness Avenue and Deer Park Road, it falls under the restrictions of Bill 60. We are currently awaiting the City’s response to Bill 60, and whether an exemption will be sought for several projects, including this one.
Our office is very excited about ongoing design work for a new fully-signalized intersection and crosswalk at Merivale / Brookdale. This is a project that we’ve been working on since taking office. Based on the designs we’ve seen, local families will feel much safer walking their kids to Monica’s School. The current plan will soon be available for public view, with an aim towards construction in Summer 2027.
We’re also pleased to hear positive news about new traffic signals at Fisher / Normandy, and at MacFarlane / Deakin. As these are relatively new developments, we’ll aim to bring more detail in an upcoming newsletter.
Residents should start seeing the installation of new Temporary Traffic Calming (TTC) measures over the next month. This would be in addition to previously installed TTC measures from previous year. This year’s installation will include more than 20 new TTC measures across the ward, done through a consultation with residents and community associations.
Among those new TTC measures we are expecting to see two new sets of speed humps on Chesterton Road. We are also expecting to go public soon with some good news about lowering the cost of speed humps, which is an issue that we have been pushing City staff on for quite some time. As speed humps are one of our most effective traffic calming measures, this will allow us to have more of them installed across the ward.

When it comes to traffic safety, we know that it’s top-of-mind for most residents, and we know that there will always be additional local concerns beyond this list above. Rest assured that this issue is of paramount importance to Councillor Devine and our entire team.

Transit update: Route 82 improvements and OC Transpo’s Customer-First Action Plan

An OC Transpo review of Route 82 initiated by Councillor Devine last year identified several operational issues affecting reliability and travel times, including traffic delays, closely spaced bus stops, and inconsistent travel times along key segments of the route.

To address these challenges, staff have designed a range of improvements, including transit priority measures along Carling Avenue, selective bus stop consolidation, new bus bulbouts on Craig Henry Drive to help speed up boarding and reduce delays, and traffic signal timing upgrades along the Greenbank and Woodroffe corridors.

Additional measures under review include stop relocations, adjustments near Pinecrest, and identifying future transit priority opportunities as part of upcoming road and infrastructure projects.

These changes are intended to improve travel times, reliability, and the overall experience for residents using Route 82. The review also aligns with OC Transpo’s broader ‘Customer-First Action Plan’, which includes a system-wide focus on improving bus reliability, aligning schedules more closely with real travel times, introducing customer-focused performance metrics such as punctuality, and reinvesting in service reliability and capacity improvements across the transit network.

Hydro Ottawa Summer Hours

Starting May 1, residential and small business customers under Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing will transition to summer hours. This means a shift in price periods (on-peak, mid-peak, and off-peak) while rates will stay the same. Similarly, for Tiered customers, the threshold will adjust to summer levels, with rates remaining unchanged. Ultra-low Overnight (ULO) pricing remains consistent year-round. Understanding these changes can help you manage your electricity costs more effectively.

Temporary Lane Closure at West Hunt Club Rd. and Cedarview Rd.

We have heard from many residents expressing frustration and confusion over lane closures at Cedarview and West Hunt Club. The temporary closure of the eastbound left-turn movement from Hunt Club Road onto Cedarview Road is part of an Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) project to rehabilitate the bridge structure over Highway 416. The work is being carried out in three phases, which began in late April and are expected to continue through November 2026.

As the project progresses, the traffic configuration will be adjusted between phases; however, the eastbound left-turn movement will remain restricted throughout. This approach is based on detailed traffic analysis, which determined that maintaining the left turn would negatively impact traffic flow along the eastbound corridor west of the intersection, leading to significant delays and the potential for queueing onto Highway 416 which is a notable safety concern.

To help mitigate these impacts, several detour routes have been implemented, including directing traffic via Old Richmond Road and Moodie Drive to access Bell’s Corners and Highway 417.

City staff are working closely with the MTO and will continue to monitor traffic conditions related to the temporary closure of the eastbound left-turn lane.

Giveaway Weekend is back

The City of Ottawa is on a mission to reduce waste by encouraging repair and reuse—and to support that, we’re bringing back Giveaway Weekend! Join the city-wide treasure hunt on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31. Place your gently used or unwanted items at the curb with our multilingual free sign and let someone else give them a second life. Then, explore what your neighbours have put out because their trash may be your treasure!

Residents are asked to bring any uncollected items back inside at the end of the day. Items that are not taken can be donated to charitable organizations, shared through your local Buy Nothing Facebook group or posted on other free exchange websites. Check out the City of Ottawa web site for ways to donate bulky items or textiles, and quick tips to reduce waste.

National Public Works Week & Big Wheels Expo

It’s that time of year again—time to check out the massive public works machines at the annual City of Ottawa Big Wheels Expo.

From May 17 to 23, the City of Ottawa is celebrating National Public Works Week. The week is an opportunity to highlight the vital contributions of public works professionals who help keep our city safe, clean, and connected. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” reflects both the essential work performed every day and the strong connection between City teams and the residents they serve.

Public works staff are responsible for maintaining and operating critical infrastructure, including roads, transit networks, water systems, parks, public buildings, and solid waste services. Their work often takes place behind the scenes. But on Sunday June 7, residents get to experience the big machines and the people who put them to good use. From 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at Ottawa Stadium, this free, family-friendly event will offer hands-on learning, opportunities to explore City vehicles and equipment, and a chance to meet the people behind the work. There will also be a sensory-friendly time slot between 9 and 9:30 am, geared towards those who benefit from smaller, quieter crowds.

Join the celebration! You can learn more on the City of Ottawa website.

Tree Planting

Ottawa’s Forestry Services is gearing up for a busy planting season, continuing efforts to grow and protect the city’s urban tree canopy. Over the coming months, residents may notice Forestry Inspectors visiting neighbourhoods to assess locations where trees previously removed for health or safety reasons can be replaced. When suitable, inspectors will leave a pamphlet with details and mark the proposed planting spot with a temporary sign.

The popular Plant Your Place! program has also returned in partnership with EnviroCentre. Demand was strong once again, with all 2,400 available trees claimed. Registered participants can pick up their trees at upcoming distribution events across the city.

Meanwhile, spring tree planting in parks, streets, and City facilities is underway through mid‑June. Each new tree supports cleaner air, cooler neighbourhoods, and overall community well-being.

Forestry Services continues to manage invasive species, including the Emerald Ash Borer, with targeted tree treatments scheduled this summer. Residents can help prevent further harm by not pruning oak trees between April and August and by keeping firewood local to limit the spread of pests.

Together, these efforts help Ottawa’s urban forest thrive for generations to come.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Public meeting on June 15^th: Baseline-Merivale Secondary Plan

Hold the date! The second public consultation for the Baseline-Merivale Secondary Plan is coming on June 15^th. The event will be held at Julian of Norwich Anglican Church at 7 Rossland Avenue, and is open to the general public from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Members of the Stakeholder Committee will meet beforehand. This will be your next chance to hear about the early stages of planning and to provide input to the city planning team. A recent profile of the project in The Ottawa Lookout provides good background on the project and you can get more information and track the progress of the plan on Engage Ottawa. See you on the 15^th!

Common Grounds Coffee House

On May 29^th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, come out to NROCRC (1547 Merivale Road, Unit 200) for the Common Grounds Coffee House, a casual “open mic” talent showcase for neurodiverse adults. Councillor Devine will be one of the guest artists performing. We hope to see you there!

June is Let’s Bike Month

This June, join thousands of Ottawa residents by participating in Let’s Bike Month!

The City of Ottawa has been partnering with EnviroCentre to support our yearly cycling campaign for 17 years! Let’s Bike Month is one of the largest and longest-running cycling campaigns in Canada.

How to participate this year:

Sign up as an individual and start a team to encourage your community to join in!
Log your bike rides and see the impact YOU make by choosing to bike!
Like or follow Let’s Bike Ottawa on Facebook, Instagram, or (new!) Bluesky!
Share your rides on social media and tag us with #LetsBike2026
Join one of our exciting events or workshops! Hurry – some activities require registration and space is limited!

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Councillor Devine Ride-Along with Ottawa Police

Last week Councillor Devine spent the morning on a ride-along with Ottawa Police Services Sergeant John Drader, who is the community liaison for Ward 9 (and several other wards). Over the years Councillor Devine has developed a solid rapport with Sgt. Drader, who has been very helpful in supporting two-way communications between our office and the OPS.

During this meeting, Councillor Devine and Sgt. Drader focused on three specific concerns:

An outbreak of shoplifting at retail stores in the Merivale Triangle. This spike in activity is directly tied to an increase in panhandling at Merivale / Baseline, but there are also signs of organized theft as well. Sgt. Drader will be working with Councillor Devine and local retailers on two strategies:
- Taking a CPTED approach: Sgt. Drader is one of OPS’ top specialists in CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). We’ll be organizing a meeting with retailers to educate them on how they can increase their store’s security through simple changes and investments.
- We’ll also be looking to organize some of the owners and managers of these area-specific retailers on an information-sharing / education initiative, so that they can collectively look to support increase safety for their businesses.
A recurring pattern of youth mischief in the Craig Henry area. This activity typically occurs in the various townhome communities on the north and south side of the eastern segment of Craig Henry Drive. Don’t take the word “mischief” lightly, as this activity can be quite concerning, ranging from damage to vehicles, to setting fires in waste containers, to violently kicking doors late at night. Sadly, this activity frequently involves youth in the range of 11 – 3 years old. The current plan is to take three approaches concurrently:
- Organizing residents in these communities to collect specific information about these youth as well as to form a neighborhood watch group
- Communicate directly with the families of these youth, once they are identified
- Work towards creating more incentives and opportunities for additional recreational programming and amenities in the area.
The return of stunt driving, also in the Craig Henry area. Last year, Councillor Devine provided extensive information to OPS, the City of Ottawa, as well as the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, on a shared solution to minimizing stunt driving in this community through targeted enforcement, and simple changes to infrastructure (i.e. CPTED). Sadly, these three organizations did not collectively respond, and we’re back at the finger-pointing stage of fixing things. Looks like it’s another summer of pulling these various groups back to the table.

Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic for Pets

Ottawa Public Health is hosting a free rabies vaccination clinic to help keep our community’s pets healthy and protected. Pet owners are invited to attend on Friday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 38 Winthrop Private.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the vaccine. If your pet has been vaccinated before, please bring their current rabies certificate if available. Vaccines will be provided while supplies last, so early arrival is recommended.

Rabies vaccination is an important step in protecting both pets and people. You can learn more on the Ottawa Public Health website.

Tick Season Returns: What You Need to Know

Ticks are already active across eastern Ontario, bringing renewed concern about Lyme disease in our region. Ottawa Public Health reports that blacklegged ticks—also known as deer ticks—are present throughout Ottawa, eastern Ontario, and the Outaouais, and cases of Lyme disease have already been identified this year.

With 29 cases reported so far, residents are encouraged to stay vigilant when spending time outdoors. Ticks are commonly found in areas with moisture and shade, including tall grasses, wooded spaces, and shrub-lined trails.

If you find a tick attached to your skin, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. The longer a tick remains attached, the greater the risk of potential disease transmission. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, and gently pull the tick out slowly to avoid leaving parts behind, which can cause infection.

To reduce your risk, Ottawa Public Health recommends:

Using insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin
Wearing long sleeves, pants, and light-coloured clothing
Tucking pants into socks when in wooded areas
Sticking to marked trails and avoiding overgrown areas
Performing full-body checks on yourself, your children, and pets after being outdoors

Taking a few simple precautions can help you and your family safely enjoy the outdoors this season.

Respiratory Disease Update

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Trend Arlington Community Association: Can Renewable Energy Save Money?

Curious about lowering energy bills and increasing resilience during power outages? Join neighbours for a relaxed community conversation about solar panels, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. Hear practical insights from local organizations and a Trend Arlington homeowner sharing their real experience. Featuring: CAFES Ottawa, Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op (OREC), Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa (EVCO). Whether you’re exploring options or just curious, all are welcome.

Location: 50 Bellman Drive
Date & Time: Monday, June 8^th at 7:00 pm

Fighting blindness with Move for Sight

Location: Sir Robert Borden High School
Date & Time: Saturday, June 6^th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Youth soccer sessions with ANYO

After Councillor Devine introduced this program to Ward 9 last year through a self-initiated pilot project, we could not be prouder to see the return of ANYO (Active Newcomer Youth Organization) to Ward 9 and Craig Henry Drive.

Location: 135 Craig Henry Drive
Date & Time:
- June 3^rd – September 30^th – Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- June 6^th – September 26^th – Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm