Capital Ward Bulletin: City Hall updates and the 2025 draft budget

Holiday Party—Save the date!

Join us for the 2024 Capital Ward Holiday Party! We’ll be hosting it on Friday December 13, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Clark Hall at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive.

RSVP here.

Mutchmor Rink update

Last month, we provided information and put out a call for volunteers and a sponsor for the boarded rink at Mutchmor. Good news! We have a sponsor, and a roster of volunteers to help operate the rink. As mentioned, this is the last year the rink will be at Mutchmor to align with the wishes of the school. 

A big thank you to everyone who has stepped up so far to have this great neighbourhood amenity. 

If you’d like to help out as a volunteer, please email [email protected].

City budget and the need for meaningful consultation

This week, city staff presented the draft budget for 2025. We are taking the time we need to go through the budget but right off the bat we have concerns about the changes to transit for seniors, and for young people in our city, as well as a 5% proposed increase in fares. 

One thing is more clear than ever: we need better ways for residents to participate in crafting the budget.

Recently, the Citizen’s Bruce Deachman wrote about the ways we could do budget consultations better, including holding consultations earlier in the year, before the budget seems set in stone.

I spoke about this at council this week:

There was a report to the media recently about potentially changing the budget process to be more accomodating for our residents and their input. We tend to do that process-wise fairly late in the process after some of this has been drated and there might be minor adjustments but not usually a lot. So those are more information sessions...

We've talked in the past about moving up, process-wise, some of that consultation so that the feedback can be incorporated into the budget...is that something that you [staff] are open to and potentially planning for next year's budget?

Staff were open to this suggestion, and I intend to bring a motion to council to this effect. I want residents to have a say, a meaningful say.

For now, if you wish to speak to a specific section of the budget, you can do so at the appropriate committee. Committees will be meeting at the following dates and times. Please contact the appropriate committee coordinator to register to speak:

To learn more about this year’s budget, visit the city’s website.

Budget consultation

In November, we’ll be co-hosting a public consultation on the 2025 draft budget with Councillors Jessica Bradley (Gloucester-Southgate Ward), Riley Brockington (River Ward) and Marty Carr (Alta Vista Ward).

Wednesday, November 20
7:00 pm
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, Ellwood Hall
1265 Walkley Road

Click here to RSVP!

Visit Engage Ottawa frequently for the most up-to-date list of sessions, information and resource materials for Draft Budget 2025.

New Bus Lane in Old Ottawa South

Last year, OC Transpo unveiled their plans to create a northbound bus-only lane on Bank Street in Old Ottawa South. At first it was suggested that this lane be activated for 4 hours from 2-6pm. It was subsequently changed to be between 2:30 and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday to alleviate congestion and shorten wait times for people taking the bus.

This bus lane was implemented last month.

Unfortunately, it was not rolled out as well as it should have been. OC Transpo installed signs with the wrong times (2:30 to 5:30), and they neglected to put *NEW* signs alerting drivers.

Once we were alerted to the issues, we contacted OC Transpo. They have since put up additional signage to notify drivers to the change, and signs with the correct times should be installed this month.

Lees Pinned Curb Project

This week, staff began installing concrete pinned curbs along the new westbound bicycle lanes on Lees Avenue between Lees Station and Chestnut Street. The work should be completed next week, including the installation of flex stakes.

Centennial Boulevard trees 

Since August, our office has been in ongoing discussions with Hydro One about tree heights along Centennial Boulevard. Hydro One has stated that the there must be ten feet between the power lines and the tops of the trees, and, initially, they intended to remove all 24 trees from the boulevard.

This was unacceptable.

Working with neighbours, we were able to reduce the number of trees being removed to nine. We had pushed to save more trees by pruning them instead of removing them, but Hydro One refused.

While we are extremely disappointed with this outcome, we are pleased that Hydro One has committed to replanting on Centennial Boulevard, and will hold two workshops with residents in the new year to discuss beautification.   

Once the dates are confirmed, we will inform residents.

McGillivray Sinkhole—Fixed!

I’m happy to say that crews have been out to McGillivray Street and have fixed the sinkhole near Clegg Street.

Accessibility improvement on Echo Drive

Sticking in Old Ottawa East, the city has also put in a much-needed curb cut at the intersection of Echo Drive and Hazel Street, making the intersection accessible for all residents.

Rally for Newcomers to Ottawa! This Sunday November 17 at 3:00 pm at Ben Franklin Place

Join us on Sunday to show that Ottawa welcomes newcomers.

Hundreds of newcomers are currently sleeping in hockey arenas and community centres across Ottawa, as the City’s shelter system struggles to cope. The City of Ottawa has a plan to address this challenge by creating a stronger, more supportive system for welcoming newcomers in our community.

The Newcomer Reception Centres will provide a landing pad where new arrivals without housing get the information and help they need, as well as a safe place to sleep. It’s a temporary stay, to be designed with community members and provide a good start to their life in Ottawa and support their move into permanent housing.

Ottawa has a proud history of welcoming newcomers including Project 4000 and Syrian refugees. Join us to stand in solidarity with our city’s newest residents and show that we still welcome people in need. 

This event is family-friendly: everyone is welcome!

The rally will take place at 3pm on Sunday outdoors at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive.

City celebrates immigrant entrepreneurs at TiE Entrepreneurial Conference

The City of Ottawa has recognized four local entrepreneurs for their significant contributions to Ottawa’s economy. The Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards were presented during TiE (The Indus Entrepreneur) Ottawa’s TiE Entrepreneurship Conference.

The 2024 Immigrant Entrepreneur Award recipients are:

• Dr. Babalola Adejumo
  Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Adejumo Medicine Professional Corporation
• Hamed Demyati
  Founder and General Manager, Jenna Foods
• Catalina Henao
  Founder and CEO, Tebcal Services Corp, and Tebcal Cleaning
• Gabriel Rubio Maldonado
  Director of Operations, Welbi

For more information about each award recipient, please visit ottawa.ca/IEAwards.

The Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards recognize the success and contributions of individuals who were born outside of Canada and now make Ottawa their home. Since the awards began in 2012, 49 local entrepreneurs have been recognized by the City of Ottawa.

Your Capital Ward

Photo by Lucy Bottomley

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.

Reviewing Ottawa’s Development Charges

Our office remains concerned about Ottawa’s Development Charge rate. Development Charges (DCs) are supposed to ensure that growth pays for growth in this city. Part of how the city facilitates profitable real estate investments in Ottawa is by building billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure needed to service new housing (roads, transit, water, sewer, libraries, etc.). Development Charges are meant to cover initial capital costs, while taxpayers pick up the tab for the operational, maintenance and lifecycle costs. 

Not all cities charge the same DCs. In Ottawa, we are currently 50th in all of Ontario in how much we charge developers to do business here. This creates a financial burden on the city.

Last month, we passed a motion directing staff to review the feasibility of implementing additional DC-eligible service categories that are currently not charged for in Ottawa—including public health, childcare, municipally administered court services, emergency preparedness, long-term care and waste diversion services— as part of the comprehensive DC bylaw update scheduled for next year. 

And last May, we directed staff to provide more transparent information on how DCs are calculated in Ottawa, and how they compare to other municipalities. That information will be provided next year in advance of or alongside the next Comprehensive Review of the DC By-law.

Doing DCs better will help us build an affordable, sustainable city.

Updating the Vacant Unit Tax to pay for more non-profit housing

Despite some initial struggles with implementation, the Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) has been successful in Ottawa, but more still needs to be done. This week, council adopted a staff report recommending that the owners of excess vacant units face an escalation for every additional year they keep their units vacant after the first year (where a 1% tax is applied). The intention of the VUT is to return units to the market that are currently being held vacant without good reason during a housing crisis. The net revenues from this tax are directly invested in the building of non-profit affordable housing. 

Currently, the VUT only applies to residential properties with less than seven dwelling units. To rectify this, my team crafted a motion that passed at council calling on the province to expand the VUT to include multi-residential properties with seven or more units.

Idling Control Educational Signs

Last month, we passed an updated idling by-law. The new by-law aims to see better air quality, cost savings for residents and for the city, and more stringent rules throughout the entire 365-day calendar year (where the old bylaw had significant gaps in application). 

As part of the motion, the city was directed to install new education signage to remind drivers not to keep their cars idling while parked. Now, those signs are starting to go up.

The new idling rules will be in effect on January 1.

Donations needed for Matthew House

Do you have a sofa or loveseat to donate? Matthew House needs it.

Bring your gently-used furniture to their warehouse at 340 Legget Drive, door 53, or schedule a pickup to make it easier. From November 11 to Decemeber 31, use code "furniturebank50" for $50 off your pickup fee if you are donating a sofa.

Matthew House provides housing for refugee claimants and gently used furniture to low-income families in Ottawa. To learn more, visit www.matthewhouseottawa.org.

Queensway Canal Bridge Temporary Support Installation

This month, the Ministry of Transportation will be installing temporary supports to the bridge that carries westbound Highway 417 traffic over the Rideau Canal.

During construction, traffic management measures will be in place and will include shoulder and speed-change lane reductions on Highway 417 westbound at the structure. On Colonel By Drive, the southbound lane will be closed to traffic overnight for several nights during the set-up of the work zone and then again during take-down following construction. Flaggers will be used to maintain two-way traffic during this time.

There are two National Capital Commission (NCC) multi-use pathways at this location (a lower path and an upper path); one of the two pathways will remain open at all times during the work. The original pathways will be reinstated after construction.

The contractor will implement measures to allow for safe operation of the skateway during the skating season, which are currently under discussion with the NCC. No work will be permitted over the skateway while in use by the public. Access to the stairway at Hawthorne Avenue accessing the skateway will be maintained during construction.

2024 Christmas Parades

Help Santa Toy Parade
Saturday, November 16, 11:00 am ~ Departing from Laurier Avenue West (from Ottawa City Hall to Lansdowne Park)

Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, November 17, 5:30 pm ~ Departing from Strandherd Drive (at Beatrice Drive)

Kanata Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 23 ~ 10:00 am ~ Departing from Holy Redeemer Church (44 Rothesay Drive)

Manotick Santa Claus Parade
Friday, November 29, 7:00 pm ~ Departing from the Manotick Arena (5572 Doctor Leach Drive)

Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters Association Santa’s Parade of Lights (Orléans)
Saturday, November 30, 6:00 pm ~ Departing from St. Joseph Boulevard (at Youville Drive)

Osgood Village Parade of Lights
Friday, December 6, 7:00 pm ~ Departing from Nixon and Main Street

Richmond Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 7, 5:30pm ~ Departing from Richmond Fairgrounds (6121 Perth Street) 

Metcalfe Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, December 8, 2:00pm ~ Departing from Community Christian School (at 2681 Glen Street)

Fall & Winter Operations of the Public Works Department

Public Works staff are well underway preparing for winter. Staff have wrapped up pavement marking operations and continue to remove traffic calming flex stakes and bicycle bollards. Parks Maintenance staff are closing and winterizing spray pads, wading pools, park fountains, decorative fountains and irrigation systems. Seasonal docks, tennis, volleyball and safety netting are being removed. Integrated Turf Management for sports fields, ball diamonds and outdoor courts took place through the fall, in preparation for next spring.

Throughout winter, Parks Maintenance services outdoor rinks by:

• installing temporary rink boards, hockey nets, and netting;
• flooding outdoor rinks with no on-site water source;
• supporting community-run rinks by providing emergency access; and
• by responding to requests for repairs.

Additionally, Parks Maintenance staff install protective foam/straw bales at select tobogganing hills, clear snow at city facility parking lots, and continue monthly inspections of play structures. Reports of hazardous conditions within park areas will be addressed.

Seasonal waste receptacles are removed from park locations that are not maintained during the winter and are reinstalled in the spring each year by the Solid Waste Services team. Permanent receptacles may be capped where they are unable to be removed or serviced during the winter. Staff will continue to service a reduced number of park waste receptacles in areas with winter activities. Requests for graffiti removal within park areas will continue to be addressed.

Keeping Our City Moving

Roads and Parking Services keeps Ottawa’s sidewalks, roads and winter cycling network safe and passable for all users while proactively communicating operational updates to Council during winter events. Sidewalks and roads are cleared based on their usage volume and priority level, guided by the Winter Maintenance Quality Standards as described on Ottawa.ca.

Recycling, garbage cans and green bins must not block the sidewalk or roadway or be placed on top of snowbanks. To help keep collection safe for all, staff ask that all types of waste bins are placed on the ground closest to the curb in the laneway. Residents can also download the Ottawa Collection Calendar mobile app for Apple and Android to receive alerts and reminders. Waste collection in public spaces and landfill operations also continue throughout the season.

Winter Weather Parking Bans

Between November 15 and April 1, when Environment Canada forecasts significant freezing rain or seven centimeters of snow or more, the Director, Roads and Parking Services may call a Winter Weather Parking Ban. Such a ban does not apply to residential parking permit holders. Vehicles without valid residential parking permits that remain parked on the road during a ban can be ticketed.

To help residents prepare, winter weather parking bans are called by set times:

• Daytime bans are called by 3:30 pm on the day before the ban is scheduled to go into effect. Street parking is prohibited between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm the following day.
• Nighttime bans are called by 9:00 am on the day that the ban is scheduled to go into effect. Street parking is prohibited between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am.

Parking bans are called to support winter operations. When there are no vehicles on the road, operators can more effectively clear the roads and catch basins of ice and snow.

When a winter weather parking ban is called, the City issues a special advisory to the local media and posts it on ottawa.ca and its Facebook and Twitter accounts. 3-1-1 will update its Interactive Voice Recording (IVR) system with information about the restrictions. Residents may also register for the Winter Parking Ban e-alerts or stay in the know by downloading the City of Ottawa app on their Android or Apple device.

Where to park during a Winter Weather Parking Ban?

During a ban, vehicles can be parked at certain park-and-ride locations, recreation centres, libraries and municipal parking garages. There are 20 parking lots available for use in the 2024/25 season, including two new lots at the Richelieu Vanier Community Centre and the Fallowfield Park and Ride. Once a ban is lifted, residents must remove their cars promptly so the parking spaces can once again be used for the regular activities at their locations.

On street parking is available on designated commercial main streets to support local businesses; regular parking restrictions apply. More information on where to park during a Winter Weather Parking Ban is available at ottawa.ca.