COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE
Stepstone House at City Council
At every Council meeting, a councillor gets to select a group or individual to perform our national anthem. Because of some prior meeting cancellations, last week’s meeting was my first opportunity to invite a guest from Ward 9 to sing O Canada. For this opportunity, it was my privilege to welcome Stepstone House to City Hall.
Stepstone House is a transitional housing organization with 12 sites across Ottawa providing housing to 120 newcomers and refugees. I visited several Stepstone Houses early in the term, where I saw first-hand the positive impact that Stepstone House has on their residents, including the extensive process that their Executive Director Joseph Kiirya has each resident go through on their pathway to Canadian citizenship.
A few weeks ago, I had dinner with the choir at their rehearsal, where some of these folks were learning our national anthem for the first time. During dinner, Joseph spoke about the human need to belong, a need that’s shared by everyone, but especially to those finding themselves in a new land.
This choir consisted of new Canadians who arrived from Uganda, from Cameroon, from Congo, and from Zambia. They had t-shirts made which proudly placed our nation’s flag on the back, along with the #REFUGEES/WELCOME message that resonated at last year’s Rally for Refugees.
While they were understandably nervous as they warmed up before their performance, they were extremely proud of the opportunity that was before them. By singing the anthem of their new home, in Council Chambers within The People’s Home, they were celebrating the Canada where they now belong.
Please give a listen to Stepstone House’s lovely rendition of O Canada!
Update on Transportation Master Plan
Last week I participated in the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee meeting, where we passed the long-anticipated Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Update. The TMP is the comprehensive and prioritized list of transit, road, and active transportation projects which is meant to support the city’s growth to 2046.
I’ve already talked about several of the TMP projects that will be significant for Ward 9, including the Baseline BRT, the Merivale Road Continuous Bus Lanes, and the various segments of Prince of Wales Drive slated for road widening. Our ward also has multiple active transportation projects for pedestrian and cyclist mobility.
As I mentioned in the last issue of this newsletter, the current TMP Update that we just passed is not as ambitious as many people wanted it to be, especially when it comes to transitioning more trips towards transit and active transportation, or to slowing down the expansion of car dependency. However, since the TMP comes up for minor review every several years, my goal at Committee was to bring Motions which could have a transformative impact on future updates to the Transportation Master Plan.
In the end, I got two Motions passed at Committee, each of them with full support from our transportation planning staff:
- People-Based Metrics: Currently, our transportation planning staff evaluate projects through a methodology called vehicle-based metrics, which measures how well vehicles move through an intersection or a transit corridor. In this system, a vehicle with a single driver counts the same as a public bus filled with dozens of riders. In using this method for assessing projects, we measure success from the perspective of the vehicle, i.e. “How fast can we move cars?” My motion directs staff to start incorporating a different approach, something called people-based metrics. Cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal have adopted this method, which has helped them prioritize investments that move more people without requiring road widenings. With people-based metrics, the focus is on people, not vehicles. The problem you’re solving is “How efficiently and safely can we move people through a transportation network, regardless of their mode of transport.” Planning staff told me that they recognized that there are limitations in the current methodology, and that they welcome a change in approach.
- Beachburg Rail Corridor: The Beachburg Rail Corridor is an under-utilized rail line which runs across much of the city, from Kanata Tech Park to Tremblay (VIA) Station. As recently as April, city staff were not paying close attention to this line, but after multiple conversations with my office, where I made them aware of the many housing and transit developments that have popped up in the last six months, they’ve re-evaluated their position. My motion directs staff to do a closer review of the Beachburg Rail Corridor for possible inclusion as a long-range transit project, as well as directing staff to acquire segments of this rail line, as opportunities arise.
Let’s Bike Ottawa
Last week I had a wonderful opportunity to join Envirocentre on their “Let’s Bike Ottawa” cycling tour of Ward 9, where almost fifteen Knoxdale-Merivale residents got to cycle together through some of our ward’s current and upcoming cycling infrastructure. During the 5.5 km tour I was proud to show of the new and restored cycling features in our ward, including cycling infrastructure on Fisher Avenue, Meadowlands Drive, Viewmount Drive, Grant Carman Drive, and Colonnade Avenue North.
During the tour, we were lucky to be accompanied by local cycling advocate Hans Moor, otherwise known as “Hans on the Bike“. A few months ago, I had the honour of nominating Hans for the annual Bruce Timmerman’s Award for cycling, which he won! In fact, Hans Moor may be the first two-time recipient of the Timmermans’ Award. Ottawa is a safer, better, and more mobile place because of Hans’ work to advance cycling for everyone.
Update on Bubble By-Law
A few months ago, when City Council was debating whether to direct staff to develop our own Vulnerable Social Infrastructure Bylaw (also known as the “Bubble Bylaw"), I brought a motion to delay the Bubble Bylaw for two reasons. First, I argued that we should wait until learning the results of any current and pending legal challenges to existing Bubble Bylaws; and second, that we should see what comes from the federal government’s promise to bring their own legislation on this matter.
As we all know, Council didn’t heed my concerns, voting 22 – 3 to have city staff develop our own By-Law, in a potentially fruitless action that could expose us to significant legal risk.
And here’s what happened this past week.
- The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), a group which advocates for rights and freedoms, announced on Tuesday that it has launched a Charter challenge against the City of Vaughan, which was the first Canadian city to enact such a by-law. Expect that a similar court challenge would come from CCLA should Ottawa proceed with passing its own law.
- Over the weekend, federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced that “the Liberal government will press ahead” with plans for new criminal provisions against blocking access to places of worship, schools and community centres.
Careful, Ottawa! We might be spending a lot of taxpayer money getting staff to develop a By-Law that could expose us to even costlier financial risk.
Speed Racing: Councillors Devine and Hill at AMO
On Saturday, Ottawa Police Services charged and impounded the vehicle of a driver who had been clocked going 176 km/hr in the area of West Hunt Club Road and Cedarview Road, at the southwest tip of Ward 9. Two other drivers were charged as part of an OPS traffic safety blitz, which also included monitoring “approximately 60 vehicles gathered at College Square at Woodroffe Avenue and Baseline Road.”
As your Councillor, it can be frustrating, at times, when I try to bring about solutions to problems like traffic safety, only to see those potential solutions denied because of differing priorities.
For example, the City of Ottawa will soon start a project to re-construct the intersection of Greenbank and West Hunt Club, in order to free up more capacity for vehicles, and to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. I met with city planning staff on multiple occasions to request that they consider installing a roundabout at this location, similar to the roundabouts they have further west on West Hunt Club. Because if there’s one thing that’s going to stop drivers from going 176 km/hr on West Hunt Club, it’s the presence of a concrete roundabout smack bab in the middle of an intersection.
Our request was denied because a roundabout at that intersection would slow down traffic and cause congestion.
A few months ago, Councillor David Hill (Barrhaven) and I had the opportunity to meet with the Ontario Solicitor General to raise his awareness about the dangerous levels of speed racing and stunt driving in Ottawa, but also to address several solutions that we’ve been discussing with Ottawa Police Services.
Last week I learned that Councillor Hill and I will be delegating on behalf of the City of Ottawa at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) in August, when we’ll be meeting again with the Solicitor General and the Minister of Transport, to advance our constructive conversation about new methods for addressing this traffic safety issue.
CITY WORKS
Trend Arlington Park Pavilion
After many years of fundraising and planning, the Trend Arlington Park Pavilion is finally open! This project was something that Councillor Devine initiated after the 2018 tornado, as a former president of the Trend Arlington Community Association (TACA). This project would not have been completed without several years of work from TACA, including former president Lydia Pion. The project received support from all three levels of government, with 50% of the project covered by the City of Ottawa.
This pavilion will be used for a wide array of events, programs, and activities. And of course, it was great to hold Canada Day under the roof of this gorgeous wood-framed structure.
An official opening ceremony will happen later this Summer, after completion of the public art project that will incorporate wood from trees lost during the tornado. That same tornado lumber was used to build four lovely hand-made benches.
Medhurst Park Splashpad
Last week Councillor Devine joined city staff and members of the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Community Association for a site visit with the designer of the Medhurst Park Splashpad. Everyone from the community is excited about the preliminary designs that they’ll see this summer. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026, and the project is scheduled to be open to the public at the end of August 2026.
Greenbank Road multi-use pathway
The long-awaited resurfacing of the Greenbank Road multi-use path through the Greenbelt will begin July 2nd and is expected to take four to six weeks. During construction, the pathway between Fallowfield and West Hunt Club will be CLOSED to all users, as the entire depth of asphalt will be replaced. A detour route on the shoulder of Greenbank Road was considered, but setting up the barriers would have cost more than the project itself. The resurfacing project will allow us 5 to 10 years of use, while we work on a proper re-design and upgrade of the pathway, while we continue through a difficult negotiation with the NCC.
Wild parsnip strategy
We wanted to provide a little bit of info about the City of Ottawa’s 2025 Wild Parsnip Strategy. With the first round of mapping complete, herbicide operations will begin June 23, moving to identified locations from west to east and lasting approximately one week. When Councillor Devine noticed that there were no locations in Ward 9 identified for work, he reached out to program staff for more information about our ward’s status.
Several factors contribute to deciding whether a ward receives spraying. Typically, we see the highest levels of wild parsnip infestation in wards with lots of new developments. Land that was previously unmanaged, and that has now become part of a new park or storm water management facility is where we see the majority of wild parsnip.
As of now, all the park, hydro corridor, and storm water management locations within Ward 9 containing wild parsnip have been categorized at moderate or low infestation levels. Locations with low to moderate levels will be maintained with mowing and hand pulling with the exception of storm water management facilities or high-risk locations.
I encourage all residents to report any wild parsnip to help us track the spread. Should a wild parsnip location be identified as high infestation or high risk, it will be added to a future round of herbicide treatment.
“Level Zero” ambulance availability
Ottawa Paramedic Service made significant progress in 2024 to improve emergency response and reduce system strain. Most notably, time spent at Level Zero—when no ambulances are available—dropped by 78.5%, falling to just 11,372 minutes, the lowest in the last five years. This improvement is due in part to the new Medical Priority Dispatch System, which prioritizes the most urgent 911 calls, and strengthened coordination with hospitals to reduce offload delays. Expanded community paramedicine also helped treat more residents at home, easing pressure on ambulances and emergency departments. These changes mean faster, more reliable care for residents across Ward 9 and Ottawa.
Illegal driveways on Baseline Road
Over the past few years, several residents have notified our office about a series of multi-unit dwellings on Baseline Road which have had issues with waste management, numerous cars parked on lawns, and over-wide driveways. As these buildings are all relatively new and sharing the same design, it appeared that they may have all been owned by one corporation and used as rental units. Our office has frequently called on Ottawa Bylaw to enforce non-compliance issues.
One issue that our office was particularly bothered by was the excessive amount of hardscaping (pavement) at these residences. Ottawa has clear bylaws in effect, which limit the width of a driveway, or how much of a residential property can be paved over. Several of these properties were clearly in violation of these bylaws, with the front “lawns” being turned into miniature parking lots. This can be a significant concern for several reasons, including the adverse impact this has on stormwater runoff, since the hardscape prevents natural infiltration of stormwater.
Our office engaged Ottawa Bylaw on this matter, and officers took a very proactive and aggressive stance on several of these properties, forcing the owner to bring their properties back into compliance. Over the past several months, three properties on Baseline have now been brought back into compliance. The photos below show the “before and after” of this process.
Permanent Ban on Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Waste at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Canada Day in Ward 9
Just like every politician in Ottawa, Councillor Devine had a busy Canada Day. It started early with the Mayor’s Annual Seniors Breakfast, and then the Councillor headed out to Manordale for the Manordale-Woodvale Community Association’s Canada Day Pancake Breakfast & BBQ. From there, the Councillor joined newcomers and staff at Stepstone House for their own BBQ, before closing the day at the Trend Arlington Community Association’s Canada Day BBQ (so many BBQs).
At the Trend Arlington event, the community got to experience music under the new Pavilion (see segment above), including Councillor Devine’s cover band The Suburban Legends. The evening ended with Councillor Devine running and participating in the Annual Potato Sack Race. (Please note: Councillor Devine definitely did not win in the Adults Category. Shortly after the picture with him in a potato sack was taken, he fell flat on his face but still managed to cross the finish line...barely).
We hope that everyone in Ward 9 had a festive Canada Day!
Baseline-Merivale Secondary Plan
Since our last newsletter, the Secondary Planning process for Baseline and Merivale has hit a couple of significant milestones. For those of you who have been following along since the beginning of Councillor Devine’s term, the revitalization of Merivale and the appropriate re-development of Baseline have been core issues. Councillor Devine is committed to seeing a renewed Baseline-Merivale corridor that reflects the needs of our community in the 21st century.
Very early in his term, Councillor Devine secured a commitment to a new Secondary Plan for the area. And in the last few weeks, the public engagement for this two-year process got well underway with the first meeting of the Stakeholder Working Group for the area and with the first public meeting about the project. Both meetings were well attendedwith local businesses, community associations, and area residents taking a keen interest in the project. We’re looking forward to seeing how all that engagement pays off over the next two years.
To learn more about the Secondary Plan for Baseline and Merivale, you can visit the city’s Engage Ottawa Page and keep track of project developments.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Respiratory Disease Update
The summer months are in full swing and, with windows wide open and a little bit of luck, Ottawa is experiencing a reprieve from all of the respiratory viruses at the moment. The usual early summer upswing in COVID did not materialize this year—a difference you can see in the wastewater graph, below (the three year average line for this time of year is well above the current wastewater signal). So good news! Enjoy the weather but it’s still a good idea to exercise some caution when you are sharing air in a confined indoor space.
Beat the Heat in Ottawa
Summertime and its hot weather are around the corner. With preparation, everyone can safely experience summer in Ottawa. Stay safe and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at greater risk.
There are many public places that residents and visitors can cool off in Ottawa. The public is welcome to visit many air-conditioned City facilities during regular hours of operation. Please check the City of Ottawa's website for opening dates, locations, and hours of service of on Ottawa.ca for the following public facilities:
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) uses its website and social media posts to share information on how to prepare for hot weather. Follow OPH on Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram for information on public health topics such as extreme heat and humidity.
- Visit the OPH Extreme Heat and Humidity website for heat safety resources:
- Beat the Heat poster (also available in French, Arabic, Somali, Nepalese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Punjabi and Turkish)
- Infographics on cost-effective home heat protection and apartment and condo heat protection
- An interactive map of places to cool off in Ottawa, including City parks, pools, splash pads, libraries, and more
- What to do if there is a power outage during a heat wave
- The “Find Your Way Community Resource Guide” provides contact information for services such as shelters and drop-in centres
- Download the WeatherCAN app to get directly notified of ECCC alerts.
- Visit the Health Canada website to see ways to protect yourself and loved ones during an extreme heat event.
- Call for advice and support during hot weather:
- Call 2-1-1 for social services assistance information such as locations and to access information about day programs, meals, and how to access homeless shelters. Find out more about shelters in Ottawa.
- Call 3-1-1 to get assistance for someone who needs transportation to a shelter to get out of the heat.
- Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice.
- Call 9-1-1 for any medical emergency such as heat stroke.
OPH Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hub
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Canada Strong Pass
Families across Ottawa can take advantage of the new Canada Strong Pass—a national initiative offering free and discounted access to cultural and heritage institutions for children and young adults. From June 20 to September 2, 2025, children and youth under 17 will receive free admission, while young adults aged 18 to 24 will enjoy 50% off entry at participating institutions—including many of our incredible local museums here in Ottawa, including all three Ingenium museums:
- the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
- the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- the Canada Science and Technology Museum
This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Canada’s rich history and innovation, right in our own backyard. Let the Canada Strong Pass be your family’s ticket to discovery this summer. I encourage you to take full advantage of this unique program and experience the best of what Ottawa’s museums have to offer.
Support The Ottawa Cancer Foundation Through Lemonade Standemonium
This summer check out the Lemonade Standemonium 2025, a fun, community and youth-driven fundraising campaign running all summer long for cancer support programs. The Ottawa Cancer Foundation is inviting individuals, families, schools, and community groups to set up lemonade stands to raise funds, with 100% of proceeds going towards free services for those affected by cancer.
This initiative is a great way to bring people together, build youth leadership, and inspire compassion through a simple act. Lemonade Standemonium runs until August 31st, so there’s still lots of time to get involved. You can find the details of this event on their website: Lemonade Standemonium - The Ottawa Cancer Foundation
Crime Stoppers 39th Annual Golf Tournament
