Black History Month 2026
February marks Black History Month, a dedicated time to celebrate the contributions of African, Caribbean, and Black communities to the history and rich cultural fabric of our city and country. This year’s theme, “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations - From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries,” invites us to reflect on the enduring legacy of Black Canadians and to honour today’s trailblazers, visionaries and changemakers.
Throughout February, there will be many opportunities to come together, learn and recognize the impact that African, Caribbean and Black communities have made in our community. Some celebrations and activities include:
- Ottawa Archives photo displays throughout Jean Pigott Place at City Hall, beginning Monday, February 9 until Monday, February 23
- Digital posters featured across the city
- “Pride of Dreams” mural on three OC Transpo buses
- Ottawa Public Library events and programming
- Additional events hosted by Black History Ottawa
We encourage you to check out Black History Ottawa’s event calendar for a list of events happening in the city. throughout February.
Capital Ward Cup 2026
Don’t forget!
The Capital Ward Cup will be played at Windsor Park this Saturday, February 14, starting at 10:00 am.
Come and watch the Capital Ward Cup and cheer on your local community team! Or grab your skates and your stick and join in!
Capital Ward Report
This winter, our team has been going door-to-door in the ward talking to residents. We've also been dropping off a brochure, Capital Ward Report. If you'd like a digital copy of the brochure, you can download it here.
Celebrate Winter Walk Month!
Winter Walk Month is an event that encourages students to arrive at school by walking use fun winter travel methods on their way to school in the winter. Active transportation can help students concentrate in school, get fresh air and sun during the darker winter months, and keep the school zone safe!
Enjoy the quality time you get to spend with your family as you travel to school together! Check out this poster for activity ideas to celebrate Winter Walk Month.
Ottawa at the Olympics!
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games are underway and there are 16 athletes from the Ottawa area representing Team Canada!
Local skiers, speed skaters, biathletes, bobsledders and hockey players will all compete in Milano Cortina from Feb. 6-22.
The Ottawa Sports Pages will have profiles, previews, recaps and schedules, plus a free Ottawa at the Olympics daily newsletter. You can sign up for to keep up-to-date on their journeys at OttawaSportsPages.ca/Ottawa-at-the-Olympics
Your Capital Ward
Photo by Janet Stephens
If you have a photo you’d like to share in an upcoming bulletin, please send it to [email protected], with the subject line Your Capital Ward. Please give us your name for attribution…or tell us if you’d rather not have your name shared.
Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count is happening this weekend. Come and join the Bird-Safe Campus @ uOttawa student team for a bird walk along the Ottawa River. Knowledgeable guides will show use how to use binoculars and E-BIRD to contribute to Citizen Science.
2026 Repair Café Series Launch
Solid Waste Services is excited to announce the start of the 2026 Repair Café series. The series will be kicking off on Saturday, February 21 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, located at 102 Greenview Avenue.
Repair Cafés aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and building community. Ottawa Tool Library’s fixers and menders will be sharing their knowledge and skills around fixing everything from darning socks to re-wiring kettles.
There will be free repairs of electronics, clothing, small appliances, jewelry, and more! At the same time, community members can learn new skills, enjoy coffee and snacks, and bring their children along too for some family friendly activities. For more information visit, Ottawa Tool Library.
Ottawa Mission—Coldest Night of the Year
The Ottawa Mission’s annual Coldest Night of the Year event will be held on Saturday, February 28.
This is The Mission’s 12th year participating in Coldest Night of the Year—an event that shines a light on the need for the vulnerable people in all parts of our community to have a safe place to call home, especially in the winter months.
Everyone is welcome; this is a family and child-friendly event.
Don’t forget to dress warmly!
Event details:
- Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
- Venue: The Rogers Centre (Ottawa Convention Centre)
55 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1N 9J2 - Doors open at 4:00 pm
- Walk starts at 5:00 pm
Aberdeen Pavillion Renovation
We have received the following update on the Aberdeen Pavillion renovation project:
A procurement process is underway to identify a preferred General Contractor for the rehabilitation of the Aberdeen Pavillion. A full cost estimate and schedule for the project will be available once a contractor has been selected. Rehabilitation work is anticipated to commence in Q2 2026 and finish in Q2 2028.
During construction, a complete shutdown of the Aberdeen Pavilion will be required as important lifecycle and rehabilitation work is undertaken. This includes:
-
A full roof replacement
- Including the addition of a waterproofing membrane, replacement of structural wood decking and replication of the building’s Spanish tile roof with heritage appropriate materials.
- Lead paint abatement
- Structural strengthening
- Metalwork repairs
- Rehabilitation of wood heritage windows and doors
- A new vehicle-rated concrete floor slab
An update to the Aberdeen Pavillion rehabilitation project will be provided on ottawa.ca after a preferred contractor has been selected.
The city recognizes the importance of these events to vendors and the community and continues to work closely with organizers, including the Ottawa Farmers’ Market and 613Flea, to relocate their events to the smaller footprint of the Horticulture Building. We are also exploring options for the use of outdoor spaces at the site to complement this approach.
2026 Curbside Collection Contract Update
Starting Monday March 30, 2026, the City of Ottawa will begin a new curbside collection contract for garbage, green bin, and leaf and yard waste. The new contract includes updated service levels approved by Council in September 2023 through the Solid Waste Services’ Curbside Collection Contract report.
What’s Changing
- In late February 2026, all curbside households will receive a mailed letter reminding them to check their updated collection schedule using the online collection calendar.
- Collection day changes: Approximately 50 per cent of curbside households will see a change to their collection day or weekly set-out schedule as of March 30, 2026.
- It appears that most of the ward—including the Glebe, Dow's Lake, Heron Park and much of Old Ottawa South—is switching to Tuesday garbage collection, while Old Ottawa East and part of Old Ottawa South is moving to Thursday. You can check what day your address will receive garbage pick-up at Ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar.
- Leaf and yard waste set-out: Residents will be required to set leaf and yard waste out separately from the green bin (in paper yard bags or an acceptable reusable container clearly marked “leaf and yard waste”) to support cost-effective processing.
What’s Not Changing
- Collection frequency remains the same: green bin and leaf and yard waste will continue weekly, and garbage every two weeks.
- Push days: Holiday “push days” will continue. The first two weeks of the new contract include Good Friday (April 3), which will result in a push day for Friday collection, and Easter Monday (April 6), which will shift city-wide collection by one day that week.
To help ease the transition to new curbside collection schedules, the city will allow each curbside household to place up to six garbage items at the curb on their new scheduled collection day between March 30 and April 24, 2026. Residents are reminded to continue using all waste diversion programs, including green bin and recycling through this transition and forward.
Make Reporting Garbage and Organics Issues Easier—Use the Online Option!
Did you know that phone requests do not receive priority over online submissions? Reporting garbage and organics issues online is faster and just as effective as calling 3-1-1. Whether you're dealing with a missed garbage or green bin collection or need a new green bin, the City of Ottawa’s online option is the quickest way to submit your request. Skip the wait, go online!
1. Missed Garbage or Green Bin Collection or Items Left Behind
If your garbage or green bin was not collected or if items were left behind without a yellow tag explaining why, you can report it directly online:
Tip: After submitting your request, please leave your items at the curb to ensure crews can return for pickup.
2. Request a New or Replacement Bin
Need a new or replacement green bin? You can easily request one online:
Tip: If you’re requesting a replacement bin, please leave your damaged bin in an accessible location visible from the road after submitting your request so it can be collected.
Please note: Delivery of a new or replacement bin, if not damaged by a contractor, can take up to 20 business days.
Did you know? You can also report missed garbage or green bin collection through your MyServiceOttawa account. Log in and create the service request. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one.
