Newsletter April 23, 2025

COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE

#GoSensGo

After 2 games in the explosive Battle of Ontario, it’s looking like an uphill battle for the Sens (last night’s OT loss was bittersweet), but still, I’d rather have the Sens in the battle than watching from the sides! There’s still lots of hockey to play, and it’s just fantastic to have playoff energy in Ottawa.

Last week several councillors and Mayor Sutcliffe joined team owner Michael Andlauer, team president Cyril Leeder, former player Chris Neil and even Spartacat for a ceremonial flag raising in front of City Hall, which has now been named Sens Mile.

However far we go in the playoffs, it’s amazing to see the city so excited about our team.

Shifting to reverse over Ottawa’s New Zoning By-Law

“The war on cars is alive and well down here at City Hall.”

That was the quote provided to media by Councillor David Brown (Rideau-Jock Ward) after a contentious City Council meeting last week. The comment reflected Brown’s opinion over an issue that Ottawa seems to be stuck in, where most other Canadian cities have progressed. That issue is none other than...parking.

Before anyone gets mad at me, I drive a car. In fact, my family of six (plus a dog) owns two vehicles. I am not “anti-car”, as critics like to label anyone who dares raise the issue of car dependency. I will note, however, that a recent article in The Guardian references a study which found that “while having a car is better than not for overall life satisfaction, having to drive for more than 50% of the time for out-of-home activities is linked to a decrease in life satisfaction.” In other words, our increasingly car-centric lifestyle is making us unhappy. It’s not so much that I’m “anti-car” as much as that I’m “pro-happiness.”

But back to parking.

Last week’s Council agenda included an item to approve Draft 2 of our New Zoning By-Law. The City of Ottawa is getting close to finalizing the multi-year process for revising this critical by-law. If the purpose of the New Official Plan, which Council passed in 2023, is to define the vision and guiding principles for the City of Ottawa between now and 2046, the New Zoning By-Law is the blueprint for carrying out that vision and ensuring that those guiding principles are upheld. And central to the Official Plan is the intention to reduce the amount of valuable space dedicated to parking.

One critical element that was put into the New Zoning By-Law was the establishment of “no parking minimums”. Contrary to what many people think, the removal of parking minimums doesn’t mean the automatic elimination of parking, or that new residential buildings will automatically come without parking spaces. Rather, it leaves it entirely up to builders and developers – instead of city policymakers – to decide how many parking spaces they provide.

When it comes to cities allocating space for parking, i.e. for “temporary car storage”, Canada ranks among the worst nations, with a 2021 study estimating that there were about three parking spots in Canada for every vehicle.

The reason that “no parking minimums” is an increasingly popular policy (over the last five years, most Canadian cities have removed parking minimums) is because parking spaces cost a lot—and in many different ways. Not only do they take up land that could be used for greenspace, not only do they generate a lot of heat, but the cost of building parking spaces – between $25,000 to $50,000 – makes it that much harder to keep housing affordable, as the construction cost gets passed on to the owner or renter.

That’s why it was frustrating at last week’s Council meeting, when my colleague Councillor David Brown brought a motion seeking to amend Draft 2 of the New Zoning By-Law. Rather than the proposed policy of establishing “no parking minimums” city-wide, Councillor Brown brought a motion to explore a minimum parking rate of 1.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit for rural villages. It became even more frustrating when Councillor Alan Hubley then brought his own motion to require 1.5 parking spaces per unit across all suburban wards.

The irony here is that whenever progressive councillors have sought to establish “parking maximums”, pro-parking councillors would complain that government should “stop adding red tape”, and to simply let the market do what it wants to do, because “the market knows best.” Yet here we were, looking to approve a policy where builders and developers would decide – not bureaucrats - how much parking to build, and yet Councillors Brown, Hubley and several others were wrapping red tape around everything.

Councillor Glen Gower, who represents the suburban ward of Stittsville, talked about how he and many other suburbanites are doing just fine without owning a vehicle. Councillor David Hill, who represents the suburban ward of Barrhaven, was adamantly against the Brown / Hubley motions because they fly in the face of trying to make housing more affordable. In the end, while Councillor Hubley did not get his wish, the majority of City Council – including Mayor Sutcliffe - supported Councillor Brown’s motion. And so, city staff working on the New Zoning By-Law now must go back and explore an option to place Ottawa far back at the rear end of progress.

If the world ever gets around to having a “war on cars”, cities like Ottawa will make sure that cars don’t go down without a very expensive fight.

Public Safety in Craig Henry

Ever since the fatal shooting that took place at a townhouse complex on Craig Henry Drive two weeks ago, I’ve been engaged with Ottawa Police Services to address residents' concerns about public safety, and to ensure that OPS is aware of an increasing pattern of dangerous activity in this neighbourhood. Because this is an active homicide investigation, I’m very limited in what kinds of questions I can ask.

This week I’ll be taking a ride-along through Craig Henry with my OPS Community Liaison Officer to communicate to OPS about an increasing pattern of dangerous activity in the neighbourhood, and to look for potential safety improvements. I’m also working with the Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre (NROCRC) about providing mental health supports and other services to some of the affected communities in this area. Finally, OPS has let me know that they’ll be partnering with Minto (the landlord of the affected property where the shooting took place) to host a community BBQ for residents in the next few weeks. My office and NROCRC will be present at this event to meet with community members.

When our infrastructure crumbles

I’m going to keep on talking about the dire state of our local infrastructure, because I saw a shocking example of it last week. And Wards like Knoxdale-Merivale face their own challenges, partly because the former City of Nepean may not have invested as well as it should have in much of this 1960s era infrastructure, and because our wards haven’t seen the same amount of investment from development that we’ve seen in the exploding suburbs.

Last week I went out to examine a pathway in Raoul Wallenberg Park in the General Burns Area. This was by far the worst example of a city pathway that I’ve seen in my time as Councillor. As you’ll see from the photos below, the entire pathway was cracked and fragmented into pieces, and there was a large gravel pit where the fragile asphalt had simply been ripped away recently, likely by a snowplow. While we were there, the older gentleman in the photo below did his best to walk along the path – with a cane – and avoid falling.

Obviously, we’ve reported this dangerous pathway to our Public Works department so that it can be patched immediately to avoid someone falling and getting hurt. But the reason that I’m writing about this here is because I see this as an opportunity for the City of Ottawa to do better, to invest in better, longer-term outcomes. I’ve already reached out senior staff with a proposal for a new way to support this kind of infrastructure, and I hope to have some good news for you soon.

An Ottawa-made solution to vehicle crime

Earlier this week I was glad to partner with my Barrhaven colleague Councillor David Hill, as he and I met with Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, and Carleton MPP George Darouze to discuss better provincial supports for vehicle-related crime in Ottawa. Councillor Hill focused on auto theft (including a great initiative to prevent VIN fraud), while I concentrated on speed racing and stunt driving, with a focus on much stiffer penalties for repeat offenders and providing local police with innovative tools and enforcement measures. We were pleased to see a lot of enthusiastic support from the Solicitor General and hope to come back soon with some tangible next steps for an Ottawa-made solution that can be applied across Ontario.

Quick note on Auditor General’s report on automated camera revenues

Last week Ottawa residents learned about a new report from Ottawa’s Auditor General on the city’s Automated Speed Enforcement and Red Light Camera Programs. Several concerns have been raised through this report, including questions over whether revenues from red light cameras have been diverted away from the city’s road safety fund since 2020.

This is recent news, and hopefully a lot of clarity will come to light when this matter comes to the April 29th Audit Committee, which I will certainly be attending. My concern, which I'll be sure gets addressed at Committee, is that these revenues must go directly and exclusively to their stated purpose (i.e. road safety projects), and that we're not using these kinds of revenues as a means of filling other gaps. As always, I want clarity over the state of Ottawa's financial needs.

For more details on this matter, please review the excellent article posted by my colleague Councillor Laine Johnson.

CITY WORKS

Reminder: “New Ways to Bus” Changes Coming April 27

We want to remind residents that OC Transpo’s redesigned bus network goes live on Sunday, April 27. These service changes, part of the New Ways to Bus project, represent a shift in how transit is delivered across Ottawa.

Over the past several months, we’ve been hearing from residents about their concerns, and questions about these changes. We know that some of the updates will make transit more direct and efficient for certain trips—but we also recognize that others are concerned about lost connections, longer walks to stops, or less frequent service on routes they rely on. We share those concerns, and we’ve been actively engaging with OC Transpo to bring your feedback forward.

Here’s what you can do to prepare:

Visit https://www.octranspo.com/en/ to see the updated route maps and detailed information
Use the Travel Planner to map out your typical trips and see what’s changing
If you’re unsure or have trouble navigating the new system, reach out to OC Transpo Customer Service, or feel free to get in touch with our office for further assistance.

We’ll continue monitoring how these changes affect Ward 9 residents and advocating for adjustments where needed. Your input matters, and we’re grateful to everyone who’s taken the time to share their transit experiences with us and please continue to do so as the new system rolls out.

No Charge Transit May 3 - 4

OC Transpo is offering a No Charge Transit weekend on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 aboard all buses, trains and Para Transpo! OC Transpo has seen many exciting changes this year, including New Ways to Bus and the launch of O-Train Lines 2 & 4. This is a chance for you to experience the system at no charge! As part of this special weekend, OC Transpo staff invites you to join them at Hurdman Station on Saturday, May 3, from 10 am to 2 pm for a fun, interactive event. It’s a great opportunity to connect with transit staff, ask questions, and enjoy activities designed for the whole family. Plan your trip and see what’s happening around the city: https://www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/free-service-weekend

Don’t Miss Out: Cleaning the Capital 2025 is Here!

The 2025 Cleaning the Capital campaign is officially underway, and you won’t want to miss the chance to make a real impact in your community. This year marks the 32nd annual campaign, and it’s more exciting than ever! Since 1994, the program has brought together over 1.5 million volunteers to clean up Ottawa’s parks, shorelines, pathways, and more. So, why not join in the tradition and help keep our city clean, green, and litter-free?

Sign up by May 2, 2025 to get your cleanup project on the map. Once you’ve registered, make sure to check the interactive map to confirm your chosen location hasn’t already been claimed. We’re expecting another fantastic turnout, so get in early to secure your spot.

To help you get started, we offer free cleanup kits, available for pick-up at one of fourteen City of Ottawa locations. But remember—kits take up to 10 business days to arrive at your chosen pick-up site, so plan ahead to ensure you’re ready to go on your project date!

Don’t forget to submit your online cleanup report by June 15, 2025 to be counted among the thousands of volunteers who make this initiative a success.

If you need assistance or have questions, reach out to [email protected] with your registration number!

Join Ottawa in the 2025 City Nature Challenge!

Step outside, snap some pics, and be part of a nationwide effort to celebrate—and help protect—our city’s incredible biodiversity. Ottawa is once again taking part in the City Nature Challenge, running April 25–28, and you’re invited to join in!

Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just someone who loves a good nature walk, this is your chance to make a difference. The Challenge is a friendly international competition to see which city can record the most observations of wildlife—plants, animals, fungi, even animal tracks or feathers count!

Here’s how to participate:

Download the free iNaturalist app
Head outdoors anywhere within Ottawa city limits
Take photos or sound recordings of wild species (not pets or garden plants!)
Upload your sightings!

iNaturalist even helps identify what you’ve found, so you don’t need to be an expert to contribute. Plus, every observation helps scientists track species at risk and monitor invasive species, meaning your nature walk is also real-world conservation!

Special Event – April 26 Bioblitz at Jack Pine Trail
Join the Canadian Wildlife Federation and NCC for a family-friendly bioblitz in the Greenbelt! Naturalists will guide walks and help identify what you discover. Ottawa Field Naturalist Club members will also be on hand to answer questions—and there’s even a scavenger hunt for kids.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of something big this Earth Day. Discover new species, connect with nature, and help Ottawa climb the ranks in this exciting international challenge. Let’s show Canada what Ottawa’s natural beauty is all about!

Hazardous waste drop-off schedule

Every year, the City of Ottawa hosts drop-off events to ensure that resident’s hazardous waste is safely collected, transported, and appropriately recycled or disposed of. This helps to protect the environment and decreases the risk of toxic materials ending up in our collection vehicles or landfills. This option means residents can dispose of hazardous waste like light bulbs or household batteries at their own convenience. Residents can search for an item in the Waste Explorer to find retailers nearby that accept it. Paint, for example, is our most collected material at drop-off events. Lithium batteries represent a fire hazard and should be returned frequently. These items can be dropped off daily to many retailers across the city.

In 2024, the City of Ottawa hosted nine one-day drop-off events. Nearly 18,000 residents attended these events, disposing of approximately 515 tonnes of household hazardous waste. This year, the City will be hosting nine single date drop-off events from April 27 through to November 1. For a detailed schedule of those event dates and locations, check out the city’s website.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Public Info Session: Knoxdale Road Traffic Calming Study

The City of Ottawa is undertaking a Traffic Calming study for Knoxdale Road between West Hunt Club Road and Woodroffe Avenue. This initiative responds to community concerns about speeding, as well as pedestrian and cyclist safety along this corridor. The goal of the study is to develop a plan that supports a safer and more comfortable street environment for all road users while maintaining access for vehicles, including transit and emergency services.

On April 30th our office will be hosting an online Public Information Session for residents get a better sense of the study, as well as the process for the online Public Consultation that will take place through an online survey running between May 2 – 23, 2025. City of Ottawa program staff and traffic engineers will offer a brief presentation that explains the study and its objectives, the initial recommended plan for safety improvements to Knoxdale Road, and will take questions from residents.

Please complete our RSVP form to receive a link to the Zoom meeting.

Public Consultation (Online): Transportation Master Plan

In an upcoming issue of our newsletter we’re going to begin providing some detailed descriptions of some of the prioritized transportation projects that are being planned for Ward 9.

Last week our office participated in the in-person public consultation on the Transportation Master Plan that was held at the Nepean Sportsplex (see photos below). Residents will now have an opportunity to attend an online version of this public consultation meeting.

City of Ottawa transportation planning staff will be hosting several online sessions, including a Public Consultation (online) on Tuesday, May 6th on Zoom. The meeting will run from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Participants can register here. Residents can also explore the schedule of other engagement sessions. Virtual sessions will include a presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. The online meeting on May 6th is focused on Ottawa's south quadrant. Residents are welcome to attend any of the sessions, regardless of your place of residence.

For a full list of the transit, road and active transportation projects that have been prioritized for Ward and across our city, please visit the Engage Ottawa’s Transportation Master Plan Update page.

Public Consultation: Mooney’s Bay Beach Pavilion

Mooney’s Bay is a lovely 29-hectare park located along the Rideau River. Leased by the City from the NCC, it features Mooney’s Bay Beach, and the Mooney’s Bay Beach Pavilion, among many other public amenities. It’s a central recreational space that’s used by residents from across the city.

The existing Mooney’s Bay Beach Pavilion, built in 1964, is nearing the end of its useful life. The City, working with a consultant, is preparing a feasibility study for the future replacement of the Beach Pavilion. Two preliminary concepts have been developed for a new facility. Your feedback will be used to guide the future design of this pavilion. You can submit your feedback until May 17th through the online survey at Engage Ottawa, where you’ll also find information about an in-person Open House on May 8th.

Ward 9 resident gets Ottawa Fire Chief’s Award of Recognition

Earlier this month Councillor Devine was excited to attend the annual Ottawa Fire Services Awards, because this year a resident of Ward 9 was being recognized with one of the awards that are given to non-service members.

In April 2024, a kayaker at Shirley’s Bay on the Ottawa River capsized in very cold water far from shore. Among the three residents who sprung into action was Trend-Arlington resident and kitesurfer Daryl Young. Daryl was the first one to reach the kayaker, who began to panic and pull Daryl down into the water. As Daryl himself wasn’t wearing a flotation device at the time, he put himself at considerable risk, using his kite board to pull the kayaker to shore, where two friends helped treat the hypothermic kayaker until first responders arrived. For their bravery, all three were awarded the Ottawa Fire Chief’s Award of Recognition.

Congratulations to Ward 9’s Daryl Young, and all of the Ottawa residents honored this year.

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Measles

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is keeping a close eye on the developing measles outbreak across Canada and is urging residents to make sure their vaccines are up to date. OPH wants you to know:

The symptoms of the highly contagious viral infection typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and a characteristic rash.
The virus spreads through the air via coughing and sneezing and can survive on surfaces for up to two hours,
The disease can lead to severe complications such as respiratory failure and encephalitis.

The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and the Chief Medical Officer of Health in Ontario have emphasized the importance of vaccination to curb the outbreak. Initially, cases were being contracted during travel. But now, the majority of new cases are coming from community exposure, with many of those cases requiring hospitalization.

Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure. Measles vaccines (MMR and MMR-V) are both safe and effective. Travelers are advised to ensure their vaccinations are up to date before departure.

You can stay informed and better protect yourself and your community by learning more about measles on the OPH website, following public health guidelines, and ensuring your vaccinations are current.

Respiratory Disease Update

Measles isn’t the only contagious disease OPH is keeping an eye on. The good news is, with the improving weather, more open windows, and more time outside, levels of flu, COVID, and RSV have been trending down. While COVID and RSV levels remain low, flu remains somewhat elevated but gradually declining.

Ottawa Public Health - Free Dental Screenings

Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hubs - Emerald Plaza Library

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

New Zoning Bylaw Consultation

The second draft of the city’s new comprehensive zoning bylaw passed through Council last week, giving staff direction for preparing draft 3 and clearing the way for adoption of the new provisions later this year. Staff will be continuing with community consultation over the coming weeks and months, heading toward final Council approval. If you want to learn more about the draft bylaw and provide feedback on the recommendations, you can visit the Engage Ottawa website, review the material, and either submit comments online or participate in the various online and in-person events.

Official Plan Amendments

The City of Ottawa is updating its Official Plan for consistency with the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement (PPS). The PPS provides direction on matters related to land use planning in Ontario. The Official Plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the policies, objectives, and goals governing land use and development in Ottawa.

The Province requires municipalities to keep their Official Plans consistent with the PPS, and staff will propose policy (text) and schedule (mapping) amendments. The amendments will generally focus on the following topics: settlement area expansions, strategic growth areas, major transit station areas, employment areas, permitted uses on agricultural lands. In addition, City staff will be proposing other minor amendments to the Official Plan in relation to secondary plans in Volume 2A of the Official Plan.

City staff want to hear from you! More details about the proposed changes and public events are posted on Engage Ottawa.

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

General Burns Tennis Club

Tennis anyone? Come join at General Burns Tennis Club at 86 Argue Drive, Nepean. Tennis for everyone – all levels. On-line booking system, private and group lessons available, kids’ summer tennis camps, social events, tournaments, inter-club leagues and more. Opening soon! Join us for Spring clean-up April 19th.

Trend Arlington Community Garage Sale

Looking to declutter, find a great deal, or just have some fun with neighbours? On May 3rd, head out to Trend Arlington for their annual Community Garage Sale – a fantastic way to connect with the neighbourhood while keeping things sustainable and fun! You can also host your own Garage Sale or Front Yard Activity (bake sale, lemonade stand, face painting, etc). To take part, fill out the community association’s participation form, and for more info, visit their Facebook page.

Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre - Calendar April 2025

Knox United Rummage Sale

Knox United Compost Sale

Ottawa Youth Race 2025

Celebrate Spring into Spring!

Spring to Spring is an event that encourages students to arrive at school by walking and wheeling their way to school. It’s also a celebration of being active outdoors and the new Spring season. Active transportation can help students build self-esteem and creates less traffic in the school zone.

Enjoy the quality time you get to spend with your family as you travel to school together! Check out this poster for activity ideas to celebrate Spring into Spring.

RISE Youth Art & Innovation Contest