Newsletter May 21, 2025

COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE

When failure comes without consequences

It’s been just under a month since OC Transpo launched New Ways to Bus, a new system for our city’s bus route network, which has been described by OC Transpo as “the largest transformation of bus service in Ottawa’s history, designed to adapt to changing travel patterns, post-pandemic.” Another description said that “some customers may need to travel further to reach bus stops or may experience additional transfers, but the overall goal is to improve travel times and service reliability.”

Judging by the emails I’ve been receiving; Ottawa residents are describing these changes in ways that are less optimistic. Certainly, we need more time to have a true sense of how the new system is performing, but some of the early indicators are not reassuring.

Residents across Ward 9 are describing not only having to make additional transfers for their route – which was expected – but new routes that are significantly longer than before the change, while still noting the same problems of multiple buses from the same route stacked up one after the other. My staff and I are taking notes on each complaint so that we can identify where the main problem areas are and advocating for improvements. We’ve also scheduled our own “audit” of bus system reliability where we’ll be conducting a series of reliability tests throughout the month of June.

To date, I’ve not been a supporter of New Ways to Bus. If it can deliver on promised results, I’ll be pleasantly surprised. But it’s hard not to see this change simply as a cost-saving measure being dressed up as innovation and efficiency. New Ways to Bus relied on the elimination of many bus routes, resulting in over 75,000 fewer hours of service, which is clearly an urgent move to address OC Transpo’s massive financial deficits.

Ultimately, the problems that OC Transpo continues to face are systemic: we got rid of too many buses from our fleet in advance of LRT, and now we have significant gaps in the number of operators and mechanics to drive and maintain an ageing, depleted fleet. Add to that the fact that our bus operators are required to adhere to a work schedule that may work on paper, but in real life sees multiple buses stacked up one after another. It’s the reason that myself and another Councillor advocated for the Auditor General to add a review of OC Transpo’s bus route scheduling system to her workplan.

All of this is very upsetting, especially to transit riders. All residents of Ottawa should be concerned by this, because a failing transit system will have consequences for us all. But it’s Ottawa’s frequently neglected – some would say abused – transit riders who have been left in the lurch. Their frustration should be directed at the ones that hold ultimate control over what happens, which is City Council. Here’s what one reader wrote to say:

“Problems at OC Transpo are a result of failure of leadership at the political, city management and OC Transpo level. If leadership doesn't care, then front line staff don't have to care. The failures are massive: procurement, driver training, planning, filthy buses, smelly trains, fare theft is common, incidents of violence are up, and poor service is everywhere because nobody has to care. Since there are no consequences for failure, failure is an acceptable outcome.”

Ottawa’s Bubble Bylaw

At the Joint Meeting of the Emergency Preparedness & Protective Services Committee/Public Works & Infrastructure Committee on May 15th – 16th, committee members heard from more than 40 public delegates on the controversial topic of the Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law, otherwise known as the “Bubble By-law". The intent of such legislation is to prohibit certain kinds of “nuisance protests”, or in some cases, any protests at all, within proximity of what’s known as “vulnerable social infrastructure”, e.g. schools, places of worship, hospitals, etc.

As residents may be aware, various cities have been enacting versions of a “Bubble By-law" across the country, although those cities are either not going the route of drafting new by-laws (Vaughan, Brampton), or are currently in the middle of court challenges on the constitutionality of their by-laws (Calgary).

At last week’s committee meeting, Councillor David Hill brought a motion directing staff to proceed with the development of an Ottawa “Bubble By-law", and to report back to Council with recommended options within 9 months. My concern is that we should not be proceeding with this process in such haste, since it exposes the City to significant risk. Not only are the courts still reviewing the constitutionality of such by-laws, but the federal and provincial governments are each advancing legislation at their own levels intended to achieve the same results. And so, I brought a motion seeking to defer any decision on a “Bubble By-law" until the landscape was more certain.

Not to any great surprise, my deferral motion failed. The motion from Councillor Hill passed by a wide margin, directing staff to develop a by-law with several “considerations”, including that it would not allow any protests whatsoever within an area of “up to 80 meters” from vulnerable social infrastructure. By these considerations, there could not even be a peaceful, non-intimidating, non-harassing protest within a few city blocks of the intended target of the demonstration. In Ward 9, this would mean that protests intended for certain schools or places of worship would need to take place in the middle of residential neighbourhoods. It’s hard not to see this as a limitation on freedom of expression.

However, I was successful in another attempt to advance the best outcome possible.

On May 15th, the same day that we began our debate on this issue, the City of Toronto released the proposed draft of their own “Bubble By-law", which they had been developing for over a year. Among the measures contained in their by-law were two key attempts to limit the scope of limitations:

The “bubble” would be “no more than 20 meters”, and

Any such protective area around vulnerable infrastructure would be assigned only by request, and pending qualification based on evidence of need.

In other words, rather than simply place a protective (some would say restrictive) net around all social infrastructure city-wide, the owners/operators of such buildings would need to apply to have a protective area assigned. Further, they’d have to demonstrate that there had been an excessively disruptive protest at that location within the past three months. Following approval, a “bubble” would be in place for 180 days, subject to renewal.

In other words, there would have to be a demonstration of need, prior to applying the restriction on protest. While some people would still have concerns with such an application-based system, in my opinion it’s a far more reasonable approach to balancing the need for public safety with the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

For that reason, I brought the following Direction to Staff, which staff accepted, and which will form part of their development of a new By-law for our city:

“That staff consider, in their development and presentation of recommendations for a Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law, options for an application-based system, as has been proposed in the draft of the City of Toronto’s Access to Social Infrastructure By-law.”

This matter will continue to be debated when it rises to Council on May 28, where I hope to see other attempts to improve the outcome.

CITY WORKS

Ottawa Alert

The City of Ottawa, in partnership with Ottawa Police Service, has just launched Ottawa Alert – a new public emergency notification system designed to keep our communities informed during emergencies.

Ottawa Alert delivers urgent notifications directly to your phone, email, or mobile app, providing real-time updates, safety instructions, and public safety alerts. The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Police will share critical safety instructions, emergency updates, and recovery information – like shelter openings or dangerous areas to avoid, after severe events. It’s free, bilingual, accessible, and available in 30+ languages. To register, visit the City’s website for more info.

An emergency can happen at any time: are you ready?

As in many cities around the world, Ottawa continues to experience warmer, wetter and more unpredictable weather due to climate change. Being ready for the unexpected helps keep everyone safe in case of an emergency and also plays an important role in recovery efforts. In the event of an emergency, are you ready to take care of yourself and your family for up to three days? Earlier this month was Emergency Preparedness Week and so it’s the perfect time to refresh and renew your family emergency plans. Visit the city’s website for some guidelines to help you get started.

Construction schedule: Merivale Road and Grant Carman Drive

Our office has received timelines for two road rehabilitation projects taking place in Ward 9. Work on Merivale Road is scheduled to begin at night on May 25, with completion expected by mid to late July. This construction will occur during nighttime hours and may involve lane closures and elevated noise levels as the project progresses.

Meanwhile, Grant Carman Drive is undergoing daytime construction, having started on May 16, with work expected to wrap up around the same time as Merivale. Please note that both schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. For the most current updates, residents are encouraged to contact our office directly.

Highway 417 median work

Our office recently received notice that major median reconstruction work on Highway 417 will begin on May 20, 2025, between Island Park Drive and Kent Street. This work is part of a Provincial Transportation project and includes upgrades to infrastructure, new overhead signage, and the installation of a median barrier wall. It also forms part of a larger effort that involves replacing bridges at Preston, Bronson, Rochester, Booth, and Percy Streets, as well as noise barrier and retaining wall replacements.

To accommodate this construction, traffic impacts will include shifted lanes on both eastbound and westbound Highway 417, periodic daytime (off-peak) and nighttime lane closures, and a long-term closure of eastbound lane 4 (the rightmost lane) at Kirkwood Avenue. The project is expected to continue through to October 30, 2025.

Paint lines on road lanes

Councillor Devine is pleased to join with Councillor Tim Tierney in advocating for changes to the way that Ottawa – and other municipalities – apply paint to road lane markings. Ever since federal regulations in 2023 introduced new restrictions on paint use, the city has had to use paints that are water soluble. This has meant that the paint wears off a lot sooner than before the restrictions. Not only can this impact safety due to the diminished visibility of lane separations and other markings, but it ends up costing cities more in the long-term due to the repeated applications. And while the federal government’s initiative was intended to protect water systems from runoff of toxic compounds in the paint, we’ve had to increase GHG emissions (and labor costs) from sending vehicles out to re-paint the lanes so much more frequently. Councillor Devine looks forward to working with Councillor Tierney to accomplish results at the federal level, starting at next month’s Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference.

Traffic services and the Road Safety Action Plan

With warmer weather, there are more motorcyclists out enjoying the roads across Ottawa. While riding can be a great way to experience our city, both motorcyclists and drivers have a shared responsibility in preventing serious or fatal collisions. Motorcyclists are reminded to wear full protective gear—even for short trips—and consider adding lights to increase visibility. Helmets are legally required, but additional gear can prevent lasting injuries. Drivers should stay alert by checking blind spots, avoiding tailgating, and giving motorcycles extra space, especially when turning. Between 2019 and 2023, 80 collisions resulted in motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured. As part of the City’s Motorcycle Safety Strategy, road safety reviews are underway at three high-risk locations to identify improvements that can make our streets safer for all users.

Pedestrian safety remains a key focus of the City’s Road Safety Action Plan. Reflective gear is being distributed to increase visibility, and infrastructure like accessible pedestrian signals, countdown timers, and enhanced school crossings are being implemented to improve safety. Drivers are reminded to come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs, look in all directions before turning, and yield to pedestrians waiting at crosswalks. Pedestrians should always make eye contact and wait for vehicles to stop completely before crossing. Despite efforts, 153 serious or fatal pedestrian collisions occurred between 2019 and 2023—an ongoing reminder that staying alert and following the rules can save lives. Learn more about the Road Safety Action Plan at ottawa.ca/roadsafety.

Peak leaf and yard waste season spring 2025

It’s officially peak leaf and yard waste season. Twice a year, in the fall and spring, waste collection operators have until 8 pm to pick up leaf and yard waste to accommodate the increased volumes of yard waste. Green, black & blue bins and garbage will continue to be picked up as usual between 7 am and 6 pm. Did you know setting out your leaf and yard waste separate from your green bin saves money because it can be composted at the Barnsdale leaf and yard composting pad at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill? Setting leaf and yard waste out separately will be required in 2026, as part of the 2026 Residential Curbside Collection Contract. To learn more about our green bin program and leaf and yard waste, visit: Ottawa.ca/greenbin.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Knoxdale Road Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Study

If you live, work or play near Knoxdale Road, then we invite you to participate in the Knoxdale Road Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study, with the public consultation closing on May 23. This study and public consultation give residents an opportunity to learn about the concerns that are being addressed, to view the recommended plan for safety improvements, and to provide your input. Visit the city's website for details, as well as a simple survey, to let us know what you think!

Celebrate Canada Day with the Mayor’s Annual Seniors’ Breakfast

On behalf of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, we’re pleased to invite you to the Mayor’s Annual Canada Day Celebration for Seniors, a cherished tradition recognizing the contributions of older adults in our community. This annual tradition will have a new location for 2025! Due to renovations at Lansdowne Park, this year’s event will be held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre (200 Coventry Road) on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 8:00 to 10:30 am. Our office has been issued 20 complimentary tickets for Ward 9 seniors, available on a first come, first served basis. If you or someone you know would like to attend, write to [email protected] with your name and the number of tickets needed (maximum 2 per request).

Opportunities for participation in the budget process

It’s your city, your budget, and we want to hear from you! Your feedback helps shape the City’s budget priorities and contributes to decisions about investing in a sustainable, secure, and prosperous city for all. Our office will be aiming to hold a Budget 2026 Town Hall this summer so that we can start to collect input from Ward 9 residents. In advance of that, we invite residents to participate in the City of Ottawa’s 2026 Budget Questionnaire which will be available and open from May 26 to June 30. Your responses on the city’s priorities will help shape the development of the draft budget.

The People’s Summit – Powering Change in Ottawa

Join the People’s Summit 2025—an energizing evening of connection, strategy, and action on Tuesday, May 27th from 5:30–9:00 PM at Impact Hub Ottawa. Whether you're just getting involved or have years of advocacy experience, this summit is your chance to join forces with others who care about building a more inclusive, affordable, and responsive Ottawa. Participate in hands-on strategy sessions on pressing city issues (Lansdowne, Tewin, climate resilience, and more), attend a live taping of the Better Ottawa Panel, featuring Joanne Chianello. For more information, visit Better Ottawa’s website.

Let’s Bike Month 2025

The City of Ottawa is partnering with EnviroCentre to support Let’s Bike Month, one of the largest and longest-running cycling campaigns in Canada. Here’s 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
Follow Let’s Bike Ottawa on Facebook or Instagram
Share your rides on social media and tag us with #LetsBike2025
Join one of their exciting events or workshops - some activities require registration and space is limited!

For more information about the campaign, please contact [email protected].

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Respiratory Disease Update

The season of warm weather and breezes is upon us. And with it, the city is seeing a steady reduction in the number of respiratory cases. Flu is in decline, COVID and RSV remain low. As always, it is a good idea to take some precautions when you are in closed spaces with a large number of people. You can filter the air, open the windows, and use a good mask to reduce your risks.

It’s also important to be aware the number of measles cases continues to grow in the province. While there have only been a handful of cases observed in Ottawa, it is important to remain vigilant as measles is highly contagious, is transmitted through the air, and can have serious, life-altering health consequences. The best defense against measles is to be vaccinated against the disease. You can find more about measles on the Ottawa Public Health website.

Car rallies

In his ongoing efforts to work collaborative on addressing the public safety issue of speed racing and stunt driving, Councillor Devine will continue advocating for change at the provincial level when he attends the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s annual conference, where he’ll be delegating to the Ontario Solicitor General on behalf of the city.

But at last week’s Joint Committee meeting, Councillor Devine was able to accomplish an improvement at the local level. After working with Ottawa Police Services and our By-Law Department, Councillor Devine was able to pass a Motion that city staff will begin work next Term on addressing the issue of properly enforcing unsanctioned car rallies. Other Ontario cities like Vaughan and Peel Region have already modernized their by-laws to address a much larger problem with car rallies than we have in Ottawa. Through Councillor Devine’s efforts to get city staff looking at this issue as soon as possible, it’s our hope that we’ll enable OPS to have better tools in place to address this safety concern before it escalates in our city.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Ottawa’s New Zoning By-law

Work continues on the City of Ottawa’s new zoning by-law. The second draft of the document recently passed through Council and staff are now working on the third draft for consideration later this year. Between now and then, staff will continue to consult with the community about the direction and evolution of the by-law. On June 2, there will be an In-Person Workshop at Ben Franklin Place and two virtual, citywide open houses on May 29 and June 3, with more events to come.

You can find out more about the proposed by-law and discover more ways to provide your input through the EngageOttawa webpage. If you have any questions or comments, you can contact the New Zoning By-law project team directly by email at [email protected] or you can use the public comment form.

Merivale Secondary Plan

As regular readers of this newsletter will know, there is a new secondary plan coming for the Merivale and Baseline corridors. The two-year process is now underway and your first in-person opportunity to learn about the project and discuss it with city staff is coming soon. An initial public open house is being planned, likely for late June. In the meantime, you can visit the project website on EngageOttawa to learn more about the secondary planning process and keep track of all the ways you can get involved.

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Doors Open Ottawa

The City of Ottawa is proud to present the Doors Open Ottawa, a free annual architectural event that celebrates our community’s built heritage. On June 7th and 8th, join us for the 23rd anniversary celebration of Doors Open Ottawa, and pay homage to our city’s history, culture, and stunning architecture! It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect way to discover how Canada’s Capital has become the beautiful city it is today.