COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE
Put down the shovel and pick up a ladder
At next week’s Council meeting, we’re going to get our first look at the draft 2025 budget. As I’ve been telling residents, there’s going to be some pain in this budget but we’re not likely to see much additional benefit from the increases currently on the table, other than maintaining the status quo.
Certainly, there will be some good things to come out of this budget. We’ll take a closer look at the 2025 draft budget in our next newsletter, after we’ve all had a chance to see it.
For now, I want to get back to one of the regular themes I like to raise in this newsletter, which is to ensure that your municipal government takes a wiser approach to fiscal management, both in our immediate, day-to-day decisions, and in our long-term planning.
It’s time to put down the shovel and pick up a ladder.
That sentence came from Strong Towns, which is a non-profit organization that advocates for North American cities to be financially resilient. They focus on areas like urban planning and density, safer traffic planning, zoning issues, just to name a few. There’s a local chapter called Strong Towns Ottawa where you can follow some of the conversations on local ideas.
I’ve long been a supporter of Strong Towns. In fact, when I hear residents talk about the kind of city they want to live in, the kind of neighbourhoods and communities they want to live in, many of you are quite likely supporters of Strong Towns as well. You just don’t know it.
But back to the shovel and the ladder.
It all boils down to my much-repeated concern that it’s not fiscally prudent to be committing ourselves to massive, long-term infrastructure costs like Lansdowne 2.0, the Tewin expansion, road expansions, when the projects themselves aren’t supportive of our city’s actual long-term plans.
According to Strong Towns, the quickest path for cities to achieve financial insolvency is to “take on big, expensive projects without thinking too hard about future maintenance costs”, because “this next project will definitely work out...even if all the other ones are currently piling into a mountain of debt, right?”
While that sounds like it’s addressing Lansdowne 2.0, what Strong Towns was primarily referring to are the costs of building and maintaining municipal infrastructure associated with growth through urban expansion, i.e. roads and sewers.
“North America has been digging itself into an infrastructure hole for a long time. It’s time to put down the shovel and start building a ladder. That starts with refocusing on maintaining the infrastructure we already have instead of constantly seeking to expand.”
Politicians love shovels. We love being in photos holding shovels, because it means something new is being built, and we want to take credit for it. Because people like new stuff.
But new isn’t always necessary.
Politicians are less enamored with ladders. A ladder can help raise standards. A ladder can lift people up to a better quality of life by improving things, like infrastructure, schools, health care, or access to food. A ladder can help us climb out of the holes of our own making.
Don’t get me wrong. I want to build new things, but necessary things. Things that will work better than what they’re replacing. If I’m holding a shovel, I want to make sure that it’s working towards the greatest possible public good.
But as we build new, we should also fix what we’ve already got. It’s time to get on the ladder and lift our standards up. While we’re at it, maybe we can climb out of the financial hole we’ve dug with all these shovels.
Congestion and the bike wars
I can already predict that the 2026 municipal election is going to focus quite heavily on transportation issues. And I’ve got no problem with that, because the City of Ottawa is facing some serious transportation challenges. I can only hope that any debate or serious discussion on transportation takes an objective and honest look at what truly causes congestion.
Because it’s not bikes. And it’s not bike lanes. That’s like blaming your flooded basement on your fully functioning sump pump. It might not be stopping the river from overrunning its banks, but it is helping clean up the mess.
Ottawa’s transportation and congestion problems will continue to worsen until we provide reliable, effective transportation alternatives to cars, so that enough of us might then use another mode of transport. And more than anything else, the viable alternative has to be public transit. If we can get more people incentivized to use bikes as a viable mode of transportation, great, but my primary focus must be on greater use of bus and rail transit.
This is why it’s unfortunate that Premier Ford has made such a big deal about bike lanes. It’s a cynical attempt designed to create a wedge issue just in time for the next provincial election.
Last week I was among a small group of Councillors who joined leaders from across Canada at the Transit for Tomorrow Summit, held in Ottawa. The main outcome from the Summit was a joint call for action to reform the funding model when it comes to public transit, to ensure that municipalities receive federal and provincial funding for transit operations. It’s great to get capital funding for expanding our transit network, but cities need money to run the buses and trains, not just to get them built.
Finally, last week, I attended the public info session for the planned construction of the transit priority improvements for the intersection of Greenbank and Baseline. Although this intersection isn’t in Ward 9, it is well-used by Ward 9 residents, who will be greatly impacted by the construction. And the photo below doesn’t do justice to the large number of people who came to express their concerns about this project. And I can sympathize with their concerns, since traffic will be impacted at this intersection for at least 18 months. But I do support the project, because it’s a key component towards implementing the eventual Baseline Bus Rapid Transit project, which is integral to managing the city’s growth plans.
My immediate focus, however, is on a major intersection to the south. I’m referring to the current plans for changes to the intersection of Greenbank and West Hunt Club. First, the project is currently being scheduled within the same general timeframe as the work for Greenbank and Baseline, and serious consideration needs to be given to the practicality of this idea. Second, I’m looking to get a better sense of what’s the problem they’re trying to solve with the current proposal? For one thing, I need to get a sense of whether the current traffic issues justify any changes in the first place. And if there is a need for an updated intersection at Greenbank / West Hunt Club, I’m eager to find out why they’re not considering a roundabout. Studies show that roundabouts are safer and more effective at managing traffic, and better limiting GHG emissions. Interestingly, there are three roundabouts on Old Richmond Road (at Hope Side Road, then at Stonehaven, and then at West Hunt Club), which makes me wonder why a roundabout is not considered for Greenbank / West Hunt Club. More on all of that soon, as I’ll be having discussions with the project team.
My vote on the “Bubble By-Law"
Several residents have reached out to ask me to provide some comments on my vote at last week’s Council meeting, where I was one of three councillors who voted against the Motion to study the feasibility of implementing a By-Law similar to the City of Vaughan’s “Protecting Social Infrastructure By-Law", also known as the “Bubble By-Law”. For anyone who’s not familiar with this issue, this kind of By-Law would make it illegal to hold protests in proximity to schools, places of worship, and other social infrastructure.
My decision to oppose the motion was not an easy decision, especially considering that I knew I was swimming against the current. At the same time, Ottawa itself is swimming against the current in even advancing this kind of By-Law. And it’s worth noting that various commentators and Constitutional experts have already expressed their strong reservations and concerns about this kind of by-law, for reasons I’ll address below.
First of all, it was my expectation that the Motion was going to pass at Council. And I say this knowing that several of my colleagues had severe concerns about what the Motion sought to advance, but were prepared to support the Motion, nevertheless. The presence of so much concern from multiple Councillors was enough for me to believe that such a Motion should not pass unanimously, since there was clearly not unanimity of thought at Council.
I agree with my colleagues that no one should object to the principle of keeping people safe in their homes and neighbourhoods. I agree that we need to have the proper tools in place to ensure public safety. I just do not feel confident that what we were proposing to study with this Motion is the right tool.
The concern I have with the By-Law that we were proposing to emulate is that existing laws and by-laws already prohibit things like excessive noise in residential areas without a permit, or harassment of private citizens, or trespassing on private property, or assault. The Criminal Code protects against speech that could incite hatred. We have laws and by-laws on the books already that, if properly enforced, protect against violating the peace and ensure public safety.
The By-Law that we will now be studying and possibly emulating would make it illegal to protest within a certain proximity of certain sorts of buildings or areas, when most of the activities that would be “objectionable” under the City of Vaughan’s By-Law are already illegal. But the broad restrictions that come into play with this kind of “Bubble By-Law" pose a potential threat to freedom of expression and freedom of association because it could gather perfectly legal activities – like holding signs, or a silent vigil – under the broad brush of a new By-Law by making any potentially “objectionable” activity illegal. And, if we were to follow the Vaughan model, that potentially illegal activity would carry a maximum fine of $100,000. I would be concerned about using the threat of such severe economic penalties as a means of intimidation against what could be perfectly legal and legitimate acts of protest.
At one point in the debate at Council, one of my colleagues (who was supporting the Motion) was talking about how this Bubble By-Law wouldn’t be directed at protests involving unions or labor issues. But what they said in their remarks was “We’re not trying to limit those kinds of protest.”
While I can’t be 100% sure of what the Councillor meant by that, I wondered if they meant that the Bubble By-Lw was, in fact, trying to limit certain kinds of protests. And by “kind”, I mean content, not format. If this is what this Councillor meant, that would be extremely concerning.
The Vaughan By-Law that we would be seeking to emulate has only been in effect since July of this year. So, we’re looking to follow in the path of a precedent that not only raises concerns about restricting freedoms but hasn’t even been properly tested in court.
Finally, the motion as presented seemed less intent on studying the issue broadly, and more intent on implementing the Vaughan Bubble By-Law. To do all of that in such a rushed fashion, without the prospect for broader consultation (neither with the public, or with legal experts) seemed too hasty a process.
For these reasons I decided not to support the motion.
CITY WORKS
Asphalt sidewalk repairs
Our office has recently heard from residents across the ward who have noticed patches of black asphalt along sidewalks. These are called “Hot patches.” Hot patching is a temporary repair method that uses asphalt to address safety hazards like cracks or uneven surfaces on sidewalks until a more permanent concrete repair can be made. While concrete is generally preferred for appearance and durability, asphalt is used because it bonds better with existing concrete, withstands winter plowing, and can be applied more quickly to eliminate tripping hazards.
Despite the less pleasing aesthetic appearance, hot patching offers a practical solution that balances immediate safety needs with timely repairs.
Ottawa Islamic School Update
Our office was pleased to receive an update from residents in Fisher Heights, who were excited to report a significant milestone in the long-delayed construction of the Ottawa Islamic School. As you will see in the photo below, the exterior cladding of the Ottawa Islamic school appears to now be complete. This is excellent news not only for the school itself, but for the patient residents of Fisher Heights who have lived with this work-in-progress for far too many years. Our office is very proud to have played a role in accelerating this work, and we extend our congratulations to the school and wish them continued success in progressing with their project.
Sidewalk replacement along Craig Henry Drive
Beginning the week of November 11, sidewalk replacement will take place on the south side of Craig Henry Drive from Greenbank to Elvaston expected to be completed by mid-December. Pedestrians will be detoured to the continuous sidewalk on the north side, while the cycling lane will close during weekday working hours (9:00 am - 3:30 pm) with “Share the Road” signage for vehicles and cyclists. A translated notification will be hand-delivered to nearby homeowners and businesses prior to the start of work.
We have also learned of some sidewalk replacement work scheduled for segments of Viewmount Drive, as well as segments of Woodfield Drive near Medhurst Drive. As this work is not scheduled until 2025, we’ll provide more info as the project advances.
Speed humps on Conover
We’re happy to report that the construction of three speed humps on Conover Street was successfully completed last week. Our team went out and tested them over the past few days and they appear to be effective. There still remains some additional minor work on installing permanent road-side signage, as well as the installation of the raised pedestrian crosswalk near the multi-use pathway next spring, once the new streetlight has been installed.
We’ve also been assured that the new line painting on Craig Henry Drive will happen this Fall, and we’re also in early discussions with traffic staff about some traffic-calming improvements to Knoxdale Road. That’s a lot of traffic calming for the major roads in this part of Ward 9.
Yellow Bags Now Available: New Garbage Collection Rules
Starting Monday, November 4, 2024, yellow bags are required for any garbage that exceeds the three-item limit for curbside collection. This change is part of the City of Ottawa's efforts to enhance waste management and encourage responsible disposal practices.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Three-Item Garbage Limit: Only three items of garbage will be collected without penalty. Any extra items must be placed in City-issued yellow bags.
- What Happens If You Don’t Use Yellow Bags: If you exceed the three-item limit and do not use yellow bags, the City will leave one item behind with a courtesy tag, informing you of the new policy. Starting December, items not in yellow bags will not be collected.
Where to Get Yellow Bags:
Yellow bags are now available for purchase at the following locations:
- Beacon Hill Home Hardware (1934 Montreal Road)
- Bridlewood Home Hardware (90 Michael Cowpland Drive)
- Capital Home Hardware (736 Bank Street)
- Elmvale Acres Home Hardware (1910 St. Laurent Boulevard)
- Leitrim Home Hardware (4836 Bank Street)
- Manotick Home Hardware (1166 Beaverwood Road)
- Morris Home Hardware (1226 Wellington Street)
- Orléans Home Hardware (470 Charlemagne Boulevard)
- Stittsville Home Hardware (6001 Hazeldean Road)
- Trudel Home Hardware (329 March Road)
- Richmond BMR (6379 Perth Street)
City Client Service Centres: Yellow bags are available at all City of Ottawa Client Service Centres during regular business hours.
Recreation and Community Centres: Yellow bags are also available at several recreation and community centres across the city, including locations such as:
- Albion-Heatherington Recreation Centre
- Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans
- Nepean Sportsplex
- Minto Recreation Complex – Barrhaven
- Walter Baker Sports Centre
Pricing and Details:
- Price: $17.60 for a package of four yellow bags.
- No Purchase Limit: There is no cap on how many yellow bags you can buy or put out for collection, so feel free to stock up!
- Restrictions: Please note that bulky items such as furniture cannot be bagged and will need to be disposed of separately.
Maximize your recycling and composting efforts to minimize your waste. There are no limits to the number of items you can place in your blue, black, or green bins or leaf and yard waste bags.
For more information on the three-item garbage limit and the yellow bag program, visit Yellow bags are now available | City of Ottawa.
Update on New Three-Item Garbage Policy: Progress and Data
As many of you know, the City of Ottawa’s new three-item garbage policy officially came into effect on Monday, September 30, 2024. This policy limits households to three items of garbage for curbside collection, with additional items requiring the use of City-issued yellow bags.
So far staff report that only a small percentage of properties have exceeded the limits, and the use of courtesy tags is additionally helping to successfully manage waste properly. Solid Waste Services will continue monitoring these numbers and providing bi-weekly updates to Council, including data on illegal dumping.
The next data update, covering Week 3 (Oct 15 - 19) and Week 4 (Oct 21 - 25), will be shared with Council by Wednesday, November 6, 2024. This update will include additional information on:
- The percentage of properties with oversized bins tagged
- The percentage of properties exceeding the three-item limit tagged
- Data on illegal dumping instances
Trend Arlington outdoor rink
Councillor Devine has been working closely with the Trend Arlington Community Association to address the community’s concern over the potential loss of the outdoor rink in Trend Arlington Park for the 2024/25 winter season, resulting from the ongoing construction of the new outdoor pavilion.
After many meetings with the project management staff, we are pleased to report that things are looking positive, and that we are anticipating that the outdoor rink will be set up this winter in its designated location, immediately adjacent to the new outdoor pavilion.
For this to happen, the construction company has recently completed pouring the cement for the foundation and the pillar footings. As soon as the concrete cures, work will begin to backfill the foundation trenches, prepare the floor base, and then lay down the asphalt floor. Once that is complete, the construction company will pull in the construction fencing to form a smaller perimeter around the pavilion’s footprint, which will allow access to the rink room and the maintenance bunker. It’s estimated that this work will be complete by the end of November, at which point the rink’s boards will be set up, and skaters will then be able to access the rink room as well.
Next Spring, when the rink is closed and the boards are pulled up, it is quite likely that the new grass will need to re-seeded, which will come at an additional cost to be split between the City and Councillor Devine’s cash-in-lieu-of-parkland budget.
The councillor will continue to monitor progress at the construction site, as well as remain in contact with project staff so that we stay on track to get Trend Arlington its rink this winter!
New electricity rates and winter schedule
Hydro Ottawa has announced that on November 1, new Time-of-Use (TOU), Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO), and Tiered prices for residential and small business customers will take effect. These prices are set annually by the Ontario Energy Board. Along with the rate changes, there will be a shift to winter TOU hours and an adjustment to the Tier threshold for residential customers. The price period for ULO will remain the same. Residential, small business, and net metering customers on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) can choose the electricity rate plan that best meets their energy needs and lifestyle. You can learn more on the Ontario Energy Board website.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Submit your comments on bike lane legislation
The Ontario government is proposing an addendum to the framework that would require the province to remove sections of the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue bike lanes in the City of Toronto and return them to a lane of traffic for motor vehicles.
The legislation would also, if passed, provide the province with the authority to establish a review process on other existing bike lanes (where the removal of a lane of traffic took place).
The review of municipal submissions would lead to the decision of whether to maintain existing bike lanes or to require their removal and return lanes to motor vehicle traffic.
Approval will be based on a set of specified criteria, to be set out in guidance and/or regulation. The criterion for the assessment of existing bike lanes will consider environmental implications and be developed in consultation with targeted stakeholders including large municipalities.
For more information and to submit a comment, please visit the Environmental Registry of Ontario website.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Fall vaccination season
The fall is fully upon us and, with temperatures dropping, we will find ourselves indoors more often than during the summer months. That means an increase in the rates of contagious disease. In the fall, through the holiday season, we typically see increased rates of infection... which is why Ottawa Public Health (OPS) is recommending you to book your appointment to receive your updated flu and COVID vaccinations. Both vaccines help reduce the spread of these potentially harmful illnesses, reduce the number of deaths from them, and reduce the long-term impact of widespread infection. You can book your shots separately or together at your local pharmacy.
RSV prevention
The return to school and the increased indoor activity also typically leads to an increase in the number of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases. The virus can be caught by anyone at any age but typically is most severe among the more medically vulnerable. OPH is urging people to take precautions to avoid contracting the virus by taking a few simple precautions:
- Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace.
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Wear a mask:
- To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses.
- To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness.
- When you’re recovering from illness.
Following these simple steps can help reduce the spread and reduce the harm. RSV immunization appointments, for eligible infants and children, can be booked through the Kids Come First webpage.
Community health hubs
Ottawa Public Health, in collaboration with city and community partners, offers free drop-in services for individuals facing barriers to access at its Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. One of those hubs is located in Ward 9 at the Emerald Plaza, 1547 Merivale Rd. There are a series of rotating clinics for vaccination, dental screening, and diabetes screening. You can drop in any time during these scheduled windows:
- Vaccination: Mondays and Tuesdays: 1 to 7 pm (closed 3 to 4 pm). Wednesdays: October 30, November 13 and 27, from 1 to 7 pm (closed 3 pm to 4 pm).
- Dental Screening: Wednesdays: November 6 and 20, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm.
- Diabetes Screening: Monday November 18, from 1 to 4 pm.
Tanglewood community safety meeting
On October 21st at 6:30-8:30 pm, Councillor Devine and the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Community Association organized a community safety meeting to address the area’s local public safety concerns. It was well attended with about 70 people including representatives from Councilor Sean's office, Ottawa Police Services (OPS) Team, Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre, THCA Board Members and Management Team, and the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Community Residents.
Councilor Sean chaired the meeting with presentations from the Ottawa Police Services Team.
Inspector Hayes, Sergeant John Drader, a Police Officer from the Guns and Gangs group all provided updates on the recent incidents in the Tanglewood-Hillsdale Park and Community.
The Guns and Gangs officer presented that the overall Ottawa incidents relating to Guns & Gangs have been declining in recent years and that the recent Tanglewood-Hillsdale incidents are not related to Guns & Gangs activity. As the investigation is still in progress, no new information has been released, though the Tanglewood-Hillsdale community is to be considered safe and not at risk.
OPS Sergeant Craig Roberts also addressed several traffic concerns that many residents in the Tanglewood Hillsdale community have raised, including a traffic “cut-through’ to Woodroffe and to Merivale and speeding on Woodroffe and Medhurst. Councillor Devine is aware of these concerns and is looking into potential solutions.
Finally, there was a Q&A period at the end for the community residents to raise their concerns/issues; residents had brought up various subjects from unleashed dogs, youth mischiefs, youth harassment and racism in OC Transpo bus, speeding cars on Woodfield/Medhurst Drive etc. If the matter persists or continues, residents are encouraged to gather more information and file a report on the Ottawa Police Website.
OPS also introduced the Community Safety Data Portal on the on the Ottawa Police Website. This portal provides an overview of police activity to the community and encourages community engagement by providing transparent and easily accessible information that is of interest to the Ottawa residents. Useful info such as Crime Map in Ottawa and Hate Crime Open Data.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
New Zoning By-law in-person workshop
The City of Ottawa is developing a new comprehensive zoning bylaw. The overhaul of the zoning rules for the city are intended to bring the city’s zoning up-to-date and enable more efficient implementation of the City’s new Official Plan. The draft by-law has been circulating for several months now and there are ongoing opportunities to provide your input into the development of it. Among those opportunities is a series of in-person workshops to walk residents through the plan and engage them in conversation about it. One of those workshops is tonight, here in our Ward 9 backyard. You can join in the discussion tonight at 6:30 at Nepean Sportsplex!
1545 Woodroffe
Residents in the Tanglewood and Manordale neighbourhoods will have noticed the construction fencing that has been set up around the long-abandoned Tim Horton’s at the intersection of Woodroffe and Medhurst. After many months of pressure and negotiations, Circle K has finally committed to the demolition and clean-up of this segment of their site. While the eventual renovation plans for this land parcel remain uncertain, it is good news that progress is being made to get rid of the derelict Tim Horton’s that has been vacant since 2018. Circle K has indicated that their plans to demolish, clear, and re-grade the property should be finished within the next 4 weeks.
Development at 2 + 20 Leikin / 99 Bill Leathem
Although this new development application is not in Ward 9, we wanted to bring it to the attention of our residents, especially those who live in the ward’s southern communities of Country Place, The Glens, and Merivale Gardens, as they will be affected by increased truck traffic resulting from this project.
The current application is for the site plan control of a project that had already raised concern from adjacent communities back in 2021, when the project got zoning approval. Back then, residents and local Councillors were concerned because they had no information about what the actual project was going to be. Based on the application that’s now been submitted, the facility is to be a large warehouse and truck depot, which will likely be transporting goods to service the e-commerce sector.
The proposed development is for a large “light-industrial building”, with a ground-level building footprint is 60,701.92 square metres. It is five stories tall, with an overall floor area of 290,999.58 square metres. The development includes 59 loading docks for non-refrigerated trailers and a fenced truck yard accommodating 482 trailers, for a combined capacity of 541.
One of the primary concerns for Ward 9 residents will be the resulting truck traffic. From the architectural documents and plans, they referred to “passenger and pedestrian traffic” using Longfields Road, which might suggest that the intention is to use Woodroffe Avenue over Merivale Road, but we can’t be certain.
Our office will be reaching out to the city planner associated with this file to see what more we can learn. Residents who wish to learn more or submit comments can find out how to do so at this link. Residents have until November 15 to submit comments.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Merivale United Christmas craft market
Knox United annual bazaar
City View United Church
