COUNCILLOR'S MESSAGE
The consequences of austerity
Last week I had a meeting with staff from the Recreation, Culture & Facility Services department to discuss long-term goals for the eventual replacement of some of the older recreational facilities and community centres in Ward 9.
“So, what’s the plan”, I asked.
There was a pause, as they considered how to answer a question that doesn’t currently have an answer.
But sometimes, depending on what you’re asking for, or where in the city you’re asking to put it, there are different answers to these kinds of questions.
When it comes to the lifecycle replacement of our city’s existing recreational facilities, I was told that there’s a $3.8 billion gap in long-term funding. And so, when one of our city’s older facilities starts to fail (e.g. the fieldhouses in Trend Arlington Park or in Inverness Park, which were each built in the early 1970s), there will not be money to replace them. It’s even harder to envision having the resources to build a new facility to serve the neighborhoods of Country Place, Merivale Gardens, and the Glens, where they’ve never had any kind of facility at all.
However, if you live in the city’s ever-expanding outlying communities, where new suburban development thrives, you will find new recreational facilities, fully equipped parks, brand new roads, roundabouts, and sidewalks. But in our more established wards, it can take decades before a road gets re-paved, or a sidewalk repaired. A lot of that issue rests at the feet of outdated provincial laws around development and development charges. That, however, is a subject for another issue of the newsletter.
And what about the small stuff?
Below are two photos of what passes for asset maintenance in the City of Ottawa. The photo on the left shows a run-down garbage receptable in a local park. You’ll notice that one of the wooden slats is missing. You’ll also notice that instead of having a properly fitting garbage container inside the receptable, it’s a cheap Rubbermaid bin that we probably bought at Canadian Tire.
The photo on the right shows that we managed to repair the broken wooden slat, but it’s still a cheap, ill-fitting Rubbermaid bin. That’s the standard of asset management in our public parks, at least in the older, more established wards.
That’s what years of austerity buys you in Ottawa.
In early August, Mayor Sutcliffe launched his “Fairness for Ottawa” campaign. As you’ll read in the segment below, I supported a motion that came to last week’s Council meeting to endorse the Mayor’s campaign, but with a certain amount of frustration. Because while I do support the Mayor’s objectives to seek a fairer allocation of funding from the provincial and federal governments (especially when it comes to funding for transit operation), I can’t support the narrative that lies at the heart of the Mayor’s campaign. It’s a narrative that continues to downplay our city’s role in how we got to this financially untenable position. In the segment below, we look at a problem we have created for ourselves by pursuing unreasonably low tax increases—30 per cent below the average municipal increase—over the last decade. We have fallen behind most other jurisdictions in maintaining a healthy revenue stream, simply for the sake of maintaining the appearance of holding the line on taxes.
Over the next several issues of this newsletter, I’m going to keep on talking about this. It’s not going to be an easy conversation. But it would be irresponsible of me not to inform you about the ways in which we bear responsibility for a large part of our current predicament so that we can work together toward sensible, sustainable solutions.
FEATURE STORY
Taxes and a Tale of Two Cities
The annual city budget season has arrived, and it made quite an entrance last week at the first City Council meeting of the fall. At that session, City Manager Wendy Stephanson and senior finance staff presented a grim picture of the city’s finances. Staff painted a picture of significant revenue shortfalls and the presence of large, gaping holes in the city’s operating and capital finances.
As Councillor Devine describes in this week’s Councillor’s Message, he shares many of the concerns that have been expressed about the city’s finances and supports the effort to secure a better financial deal for municipalities. But during the Council session, he also expressed concern about how this issue is being presented to the public and the seeming lack of recognition of the City’s own role in bringing us to this moment.
The presentation spoke a lot about the expenditure side of the issue—all the money needed to finish and operate LRT, resurface roads, build new infrastructure—but it focused only on one small element of the equally important revenue picture: the dispute over the federal government’s payments in lieu of property taxes, aka PILTs. That extreme focus on one element overlooks the much bigger issue: Ottawa’s ongoing and irresponsible focus on upholding unsustainably low property tax increases over the last decade.
It is safe to say that no one loves tax increases. But Ottawa has not done a good job of keeping up with the cost of running a city. Year after year, City Council has approved small tax increases that frequently fall below the rate of inflation, as well as the rate of increases introduced by other municipalities. If you look at Ottawa’s increases versus those other Canadian municipalities, Ottawa’s increases are 30% below the average overall increase. And that is where the real, serious concern lies. Falling that far behind has opened an approximately $900 million self-inflicted hole in the city’s finances.
It would seem that municipal leadership has been afraid to tell you how much it costs to run the city and to make appropriate adjustments to the amount of revenue the city needs to do the job properly. That failure to provide leadership on this issue leaves residents confused and badly informed. It’s time to fix that.
You may recall that we raised the red flag over the looming budget challenge back in the February 13 edition of our newsletter (“Feature Story: Funding our Future”). At that time, we pointed out that Ottawa is not, in fact, heavily taxed compared to other cities—as some members of Council and commentators have been suggesting. Ottawa has one of the lowest rates of residential property tax in Ontario.
How can this be? Well, a common mistake is to compare the rate of tax on a similarly valued home in two different cities. And, sure enough, if you compare the property tax on a million-dollar home in Ottawa to a million-dollar home in Toronto, the Toronto home is taxed less. But a million-dollar home in Ottawa is not nearly the same property as a million-dollar home in Toronto! It’s an apples to oranges comparison.
Here is an easier way to understand why that approach to comparison is wrong. Think of two cities, both a version of present-day Ottawa. One city has an average property value of $500-thousand dollars. The other Ottawa has an average property value of $900-thousand dollars. If you follow the simple “comparing prices” approach, you would be tempted to say that the average home in Ottawa #1 will be taxed less than the same home in Ottawa #2. But that’s not right. It’s the same home, same city, same population, same services. Same overall city budget. The need for revenue in both versions of the city is exactly the same. Because of that, the amount of property tax would need to be the same, no matter how much the actual price of the home is. What matters is the home’s value relative to all the other homes in the city. It’s the comparison with other homes in the same city that matters and determines how much of the residential tax bill will be assigned to each home, not its price in absolute terms. The average home is the average home. It’s a common mistake. But it’s not a mistake that elected officials should be making.
In our next issue, we’re going to present you with a list of Ontario cities, and what the average home value is in each of those cities, and what the property tax is for each of those average homes. What you will see is that when you compare the tax burden of the average home from city to city, Ottawa is near the bottom.
And given that we have fallen so far behind other municipalities in keeping up with the rate of inflation and the rate of increases in other municipalities, it’s no surprise that we are having money trouble. It’s time to fix it. It’s time to have real talk about the city’s financial requirements and for Ottawa residents to be included in the conversation so that we can all take responsibility and get our house back in order.
CITY WORKS
Curbside Waste: Yes Sir, Yes Sir, Three Bags Full
Ottawa’s new three item limit for non-recyclable, non-compostable waste comes into effect at the end of the month. As of September 30, you will be permitted to put out three items of garbage, along with your recycling and composting bins. What’s an item? The city’s waste collection team has put together a handy quick reference guide for you in the graphic, below. Initially, if you put out too many items, you will receive a reminder notice that the new limit is in effect, but the crews will take your items. As of November, though, if you leave too many items out at the curb, crews will leave some of it behind with a notice reminding you to keep it to three items or purchase additional “Yellow Bags” from participating retailers. The Yellow Bag program is designed to give you options if you occasionally exceed the three-item limit. If you want to know more about the city’s new program, you will find lots of helpful information on the city’s web site.
Craig Henry Drive
Our office has been deluged with emails and phone calls from residents who live in the Craig Henry neighbourhood, with complaints, concerns and questions about the ongoing traffic calming project. Councillor Devine has gone back-and-forth with the city’s project management staff on this, and we are completely sympathetic to how frustrating this must be for residents.
With regards to the speed humps, the private contractor for this company has been extremely late and ineffective in their work, and our office has been firmly recommending that this company not be hired again by the city, and insisting that all additional expenses for this late work be paid for by the construction company, and not the city.
Then there is also the matter of the confusingly painted lane markings. In an effort to slow traffic down on Craig Henry Drive, the city painted new lane markings, in order to make the driving lane narrower. The reason for doing this is narrow lanes force drivers to go more slowly.
The problem is that by painting the new lane markings, the city created what appears to be a second lane on the right-hand side, which was never the intention. But many drivers are mistaking this for a second traffic lane and are creating dangerous situations. Our office is meeting with Traffic Services staff later this month to address this problem.
Ward 9 Infrastructure Update
This summer, our office focused heavily on the condition of our roads throughout Ward 9, as part of our office's 'Summer of Infrastructure' initiative. After thoroughly reviewing our findings, we plan to meet with City staff to discuss the results and advocate for the areas that need attention.
As we move into the fall, we are shifting our focus to assessing sewer and water infrastructure within Ward 9. Our office has been working with local communities and City departments to identify sewer and flooding issues, aiming to understand how we can improve these critical systems.
Several exciting infrastructure projects are progressing in Ward 9 as well. Over the next 2-3 years, we expect to see road resurfacing work on Normandy Crescent, Colonnade Road North, Grant Carmen Drive, Viewmount Drive, and Siskin Court. We’re also planning intersection modifications at Greenbank Road & W. Hunt Club and Fisher & Meadowlands, with design work starting this year.
In addition, Pineglen Park construction is scheduled for the spring of 2025, and Parthia Park is expected to be finalized soon. Lastly, we’re excited to announce that the Conover Street accelerated neighborhood traffic calming project will be implemented in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue working to enhance our community’s infrastructure!
Ward 9 Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras
We are happy to provide an update to residents that construction has begun on the two Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras in Ward 9. The ASE on Knoxdale Road in front of St. John XXIII and the one on Merivale Road in front of St. Monica's School are tentatively scheduled to be activated between mid/late September and the end of October. Please note that this timeline is subject to any unforeseen construction delays.
Hydro Ottawa Update
Our office has been in discussion with Hydro Ottawa to help support our city’s growing energy needs, both in terms of energy production and storage, and augmenting our energy resiliency. Hydro Ottawa published a very informative newsletter last month called “Powering a resilient, carbon-free future for Ottawa”, which speaks about two subjects that Councillor Devine is focused on, which are distributed energy resources (DERs), and microgrids. Here’s a brief segment of the Hydro Ottawa newsletter to better explain those concepts:
“DERs are electricity producing resources such as solar panels and battery storage systems that are connected to the main grid. This shift reduces our reliance on distant power sources, diversifies our energy mix, and enhances overall grid efficiency.”
“Microgrids are made up of energy users, distributed energy resources, and advanced controllers that connect to the main grid but can also operate independently. This means that in the event of a widespread power outage, microgrids can continue to supply power, keeping homes and businesses running smoothly.”
Regarding DERs, next week our office has organized a meeting with Hydro Ottawa, the City of Ottawa, and a local business that has been demonstrating great use of DERs. Our goal is to get support for a program to incentivize private businesses to invest more in localized energy generation and storage. And regarding microgrids, we’ll soon be meeting with Hydro Ottawa to continue our discussions about a pilot project for a microgrid in Ward 9.
Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste: Your Guide to Safe and Responsible Disposal
You don’t have to wait for a special event to dispose of hazardous household items! The City’s Waste Explorer tool helps you find local retailers where you can drop off items like light bulbs, batteries, paint, and oil daily.
2024 Household Hazardous Waste Events
Mark your calendar for these key dates:
-
Saturday, October 5
8 am to 4 pm
Location: 3100 Conroy Road - Conroy Snow Dump Facility
-
Saturday, October 19
8 am to 4 pm
Location: 4061 Strandherd Drive (via Philsar Street) - Strandherd Snow Dump Facility
-
Saturday, November 2
8 am to 4 pm
Location: 200 Westbrook Road - Westbrook Snow Dump Facility
Event Procedures:
- Vehicles will be directed to park in designated areas with appropriate spacing. Remain in your vehicle; staff will handle the removal of materials from your trunk.
- Bicycle users can drop off materials following staff instructions.
- Sorting of materials is not permitted on-site.
- Only household hazardous waste will be accepted; electronic waste should be taken to the Trail Road Landfill or a participating retailer.
- Request the return of bins, totes, or gas cans if needed.
- Use a garbage bag to line cardboard boxes for potential leaks.
Note: The last vehicle will be processed by 4 pm.
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
These are corrosive, flammable, or poisonous items and should not be disposed of in regular garbage or down the drain. This includes:
- Aerosol containers
- Light bulbs and tubes
- Disinfectants, fertilizers, pesticides
- Fire extinguishers, gasoline
- Mercury switches, motor oil
- Needles, oil filters, paint
- Pharmaceuticals, propane cylinders
Thank You!
In 2023, your efforts diverted over 503 tonnes of hazardous waste from landfills, including 42,300 CFL bulbs, 10 tonnes of batteries, and more. Keep up the great work in keeping the City of Ottawa clean and safe!
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Ottawa: 30 matches in 30 days
This September, Big Brothers Big Sisters month is being celebrated across Canada. In celebration, Big Brothers & Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) is reaching out to the local community with an ambitious and heartfelt mission: to create 30 matches in just 30 days.
"Mentorship has the power to change lives. By setting this goal, we are not only aiming to create opportunities for youth but also to reinforce the incredible impact that caring community members can have," said Susan Ingram, Executive Director of BBBSO. "We encourage the community to get involved—whether through donations or volunteering—to help us reach this important milestone and change the lives of young people across Ottawa."
Mentorship is a transformative experience, with youth in these programs being 60% more likely to report consistent happiness, 45% more likely to feel confident, and 90% feeling fully supported by their mentor.
Mentors provide guidance and support, helping young people build confidence, achieve their goals, and ignite their full potential. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, helping with homework, or simply spending time together, mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping brighter futures for the youth in our community. Visit www.bbbso.ca to learn more.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
RSVP for our Older Adults Summit
Join us on Tuesday, October 1 for our Ward 9 Older Adults Summit, being held in conjunction with Canada's National Seniors Day. Starting at 12:30pm in Halls A & B at the Nepean Sportsplex, we’ll be hosting an eclectic program of events, wih information booths, speakers and presentations focused on three themes:
- Housing Solutions for Seniors
- Health & Wellness
- Public Safety
We’re aiming to share more information about the day’s program and schedule in our next issue, which will also be posted on our website. And we’re happy to announce that former CBC Ottawa News anchor Lucy van Oldenbarneveld will be our special guest host for this event!
You can help us with our event preparations by letting us know you're coming. To RSVP, please send an email to Megan Wood with the subject line "RSVP Older Adults Summit". Let us know your name, and whether you're coming alone or with guests.
Upcoming Changes to Ottawa’s Older Adult Plan: We Want Your Input!
As the city adapts to demographic shifts, the City of Ottawa has been working on an Older Adult Plan (OAP) since 2012. This plan aims to ensure that services, infrastructure, and community supports are aligned with the needs of our aging population.
Given the changing needs of older adults, a new iteration of the Older Adult Plan is in the works currently. This updated plan will build on past lessons and adapt to emerging needs, ensuring that the approach remains relevant and effective.
Your experiences and opinions are crucial to shaping the future of Ottawa’s Older Adult Plan. We are currently seeking input in the form of a survey from residents, community agencies, and City staff to help guide the development of this new plan. The deadline for this survey is September 30th.
Thank you for your participation!
Public Meeting: 2025 City of Ottawa Budget
Mark your calendars for a virtual public meeting to be held at 6:30pm on October 16th. City staff will be joining Councillor Devine, Councillor Kavanagh (Ward 7) and Councillor Johnson (Ward 8) for this online session to help residents understand the proposed 2025 City of Ottawa Operating & Capital Budgets. Stay tuned for more details.
Nominations Open: Femmes remarquables
Femmes remarquables Ottawa Distinguished Women is a volunteer community initiative currently comprised of community leaders from various cultural communities and backgrounds with a shared passion for creating a lasting legacy for recognizing the outstanding contributions and professional achievements of exceptional women in Ottawa. Their goal is to acknowledge and document local women whose achievements and contributions have enriched the quality of life for Ottawa’s citizens.
Femmes remarquables Ottawa Distinguished Women organizes an annual gala where these distinguished women are presented with certificates and lauded for their work. There are three categories for nomination: Lifetime Achievement, Pillars of the Community, and Women of Influence. Most importantly, this is not a competition but entirely merit based. There are no deadlines and nominations are accepted for review.
Not all nominees have to be well known, and many are unsung heroines whose contributions are genuinely making a difference to their communities and, in turn, to Ottawa as a whole. Some may have moved away, and others are now deceased, yet their legacies have impacted our lives and made us a better Ottawa.
Any person who is 18 years of age or older and a resident of Canada may submit a nomination application.
Please consider nominating someone in your community whom you would like to see recognized for her contributions to our community.
You can find more information or to nominate an exceptional woman online or contact the organization via email.
Survey on Municipal Elections
The City of Ottawa’s Elections Office wants your feedback on a number of topics including your experience participating in the 2022 Municipal Elections (if applicable), election-related communications, accessibility, and voting methods for future elections. The information you provide will help us plan future municipal elections in our city. Survey results will be summarized in a report to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and City Council in advance of the 2026 Municipal Elections. The survey will be available until Thursday, October 3, and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Climate Fresk Workshop
“You can’t fix what you don’t understand.” Climate Fresk is a citizens’ workshop that aims to raise awareness and understanding about the science and impacts of climate change, and to encourage positive actions at the personal and collective level.
If you are 50+, come and join us on Tuesday October 15 1:30 – 4:30 at the Nepean Seniors’ Centre at the Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave. Register at the Seniors’ Centre front desk. No charge.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Respiratory Disease Update
Welcome to September! It’s a beautiful and busy month. With kids returning to school, adults returning to work, and the restarting of so many recreational and social activities, it is also a season of increased risk for transmitting viruses as we share indoor space with larger groups of people for longer periods of time. The last couple of months have seen a resurgence of COVID in the community and this increased activity is likely to drive those infection levels even higher. So be cautious. Open windows, meet outdoors if you can, use air filters, and wear a good quality mask to protect yourself and others.
Back-to-School Vaccines
With the return to school, it’s important that parents check-in on their children’s vaccination status. Are they up to date on their protection? Children receive vaccines for a variety of potentially harmful infections at various ages. Right now, for example, there is an increase in the number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the city—a potentially dangerous and sometimes fatal infection for children. And it can be easily prevented with a vaccine. So, check your records and consult with your primary care provider. For more information, Ottawa Public Health is a good source for information about routine vaccination and how you can get them.
Street Racing in Ward 9
In their continued efforts to attack the pervasive issue of dangerous street racing, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is continuing their Enhanced Integrated Enforcement Model (EIFM), which leverages an “intelligence-led” to help focus resources towards prioritized problematic locations across the city.
OPS reached out to our office for our suggestions for targed enforcement locations, and we provided the following information, based on our own insights and information collected from our residents:
- West Hunt Club between Cedarview and Merivale
- Woodroffe from Fallowfield to West Hunt Club
- Baseline from Merivale to Fisher
- Meadowlands between Merivale and Fisher
- The sheltered parking lot at 1547 Merivale Road, which is a known gathering place for stunt drivers
OPS informed us that this information will be relayed to the EIFM team for some upcoming targeted enforcement efforts.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Inverness Park Movie Night
Last week’s Inverness Park Movie Night was cancelled due to rain. So they’ve rescheduled the event to Friday September 13th.
Trend Arlington Community Day
September 21st is Community Day in Trend Arlington, taking place from 11am – 3pm a the Trend Arlington Community Centre, located at 50 Bellman Drive. There will be a market with goods from local makers, live music, and a food truck. Councillor Devine will be there with his team, so come pay a visit!
City Sounds Live: Concert in Trend Arlington
City Sounds Live is a travelling music festival, presented in partnership with BIAs and co-curators, in various neighbourhoods around the city of Ottawa. Created in 2021 thanks to funding from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Department, City Sounds Live promotes diverse local emerging artists and encourages economic growth. The concerts aim to provide residents and visitors of Ottawa with free, family-friendly, and inclusive outdoor live music experiences that foster community involvement, social cohesion, and increased spending in the surrounding areas.
This year City Sounds Live has a concert in Ward 9, taking place in Trend Arlington. Musical acts will include May Davis, Mars Aspen, Kaiday, and The North River.
- When: Thursday, September 12th from 4:30pm – 7:00pm
- Where: Greenbank Hunt Club Centre / 250 Greenbank Road
- Cost: Free
Kidical Mass Cycling Event
Join Bike Ottawa, For Our Kids Ottawa-Gatineau and School Streets Ottawa for a kid-friendly slow bike ride. Everyone is welcome! Kidical Mass is an international movement inspired by "critical mass" events held to emphasize the number of people who want to ride bikes and call for infrastructure improvements. Kidical Mass expands on this idea with a focus on children and families. These events celebrate the joy of biking and asking cities to make safe streets for everyone. With climate change already impacting the lives of children, safe streets for kids also means we can seriously address the climate crisis. Some Kidical Mass Ottawa rides have had over 200 people join. Throughout the summer we have been hosting them at various locations across the city.
Details: Saturday, September 28. Meeting at Laroche Park (52 Bayview Station Rd) at 9:30am to decorate bikes, dance, chalk and make new friends. The bike ride begins at 10:05 and returns to Laroche Park by 11. See the event Facebook page. Registration is encouraged.
Welcome Back Sunday at Knox United Church!
Mark your calendars and join for a special Welcome Back Sunday at Knox United Church in Nepean on September 15 at 10 AM. This is an opportunity to reconnect with the church community, celebrate the start of a new season, and enjoy some exciting activities and special guests.
Event highlights:
- Special Musical Performance: We are thrilled to welcome the Tour de Four from the Capital City Chorus. Their inspiring performance is sure to uplift and delight all attendees.
- Sunday School Kick-Off: It's the first day of Sunday School, and we extend a warm welcome to all our students. We look forward to a joyful and enriching year ahead!
- Traditional Welcome Back Cake: After the service, enjoy our traditional Welcome Back cake and refreshments. It’s a perfect time to catch up with friends and meet new members of our community.
- Special Presentations: We will also have a few special presentations to commemorate the occasion and recognize our dedicated volunteers and participants.
Event details:
- Location: Knox United Church, 25 Gibbard Ave, Nepean
- Date & Time: September 15 at 10 AM
Try Modern Square Dancing in Ottawa!
Kick off the season with a free dance event and discover the fun of modern square dancing! Join for a FREE Kick-Off Dance at J. A. Dulude Arena, 941 Clyde Ave, on Tuesday, September 10th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to experience square dancing and see if it's the right fit for you.
Additionally, there is a 14-week dance program that begins on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. This program offers a fantastic way to stay active, meet new people, and enjoy a nearly perfect exercise. The cost of the program is $130 per person.
For more details or to sign up, visit the MeriSquares web page or send them an email. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to get moving and have fun with square dancing in Ottawa!
