Heron Park Community Building Celebration 

I am excited and proud to announce the opening of the new Heron Park community building this spring! My office has been pushing for the construction of a new facility in Heron Park since I was first elected in 2018 and secured funding for the project. The building was designed in collaboration with the community, and has lots of natural light, a kitchen, and a flexibility community space.  It is now open and operating. All residents are invited to a fun free BBQ celebration and tour on Sunday May 31 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. General public information or space can be booked by emailing [email protected].  

People’s Park Celebration & BBQ 

Join us for free food and fun at our People's Park Celebration & BBQ on Saturday May 9 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm! RSVP here: https://www.shawnmenard.ca/bbq  

Our hard work paid off and together, we saved People’s Park. Now it's time to celebrate! 

Join us at Lees Field (aka People's Park) for free food and fun!

People's Park Celebration & BBQ 
Saturday May 9 from 12-2pm 
Lees Field, 160 Lees Avenue, beside Springhurst Park

All are welcome. RSVP here: https://www.shawnmenard.ca/bbq  

Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Priority Pilot Approved

On Wednesday, City Council approved a pilot project to improve transit service and active transportation facilities in the Glebe.

To improve transit service, the pilot will include:

• Four small sections of 24/7 bus lanes in the curb lane, with cars using the middle lane.
• Peak-period transit only bus lanes. 
• Bus advance light at Exhibition Way 
• Consideration of other bus advance lights along Bank Street

The pilot also recommends the following improvements for active transportation

• A raised bike lane extension from the Bank Street bridge to Marché Way
• Pedestrian crosswalk improvements with ladder markings and tactile walking improvements for people who are visually impaired
• Staff are also recommending that city transportation staff seek improvements to the O’Connor and Percy bicycle routes.

Staff will be monitoring the results of the pilot. Based on the data they collect, we will have the chance to make further improvements to the pilot project.

The pilot will be implemented in 2027.

Tax Fairness for Renters

This week, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and City Council passed another reduction to the multi-residential tax rate. It will mean about $168 in a yearly reduction in rent for tenants living in buildings built before 2001. It is one of the most direct ways council can assist with affordability.

This comes after a Direction put forward by my team years ago. Though a relatively small annual amount, over four years there is a significant cumulative effect, saving tenants an average of $1900 over that period. The majority of rental units (57,000), are in buildings built before 2001.

Landlords will still be permitted to raise rent by the standard annual increase, and may apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for other increases in special circumstances.

Bank Street Renewal, Riverside Drive to Ledbury Avenue—Public information session

The City of Ottawa invites you to attend an upcoming public information session – open house to discuss the Bank Street Renewal project. 

Through this session, the City of Ottawa will be presenting a construction update related to the Bank Street Renewal project – Phase 1. There will be information on the work completed in 2025, the winter work in 2026, as well as a look ahead to anticipated impacts throughout spring and summer of 2026. 

Staff will be present to answer any questions and receive comments. There will not be a formal presentation at this open house. Please attend at your leisure.

In addition to this information session, residents can learn more by reviewing the online documents which will be posted here following the event. 

Date and Time

Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
RA Centre, Courtside B
2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa ON K1H 7X7

Your input is an important part of the process. Your feedback can be submitted via the online form, by email or by phone to the contact below by April 30.

For more information, please visit the project website.

Highway 417 Rapid Bridge Replacement (RBR) Project

In coordination with the Ministry of Transportation and the City of Ottawa, the Kiewit Dufferin Midtown Partnership (KDMP) will be resuming construction on the Highway 417 Rapid Bridge Replacement (RBR) project (the “Midtown” project) on April 13, 2026.

Active construction will resume on Highway 417 from Island Park to Kent Street. Work planned for 2026 will include the replacement of noise barrier wall along Highway 417, in addition to other improvements to the highway and surrounding city streets.

Over the course of the 2026 construction season, work will be ongoing at the following locations:

• Highway 417 Eastbound from Island Park to Kent Street
• Highway 417 Westbound from Kent Street to Island Park
• City streets approximately 50 m north and south of the highway

Highway 417 Eastbound Lane 4 (rightmost lane) will be closed from Carling Avenue to the Rochester Avenue off-ramp during this period.

Highway 417 eastbound and westbound temporary lane closures, Ramp closures and traffic staging will be in effect between Island Park Drive and Kent Street.

More information can be found on the project website at hwy417bridgereplacements.ca.

2026 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Schedule

Every year, the City of Ottawa (the City) hosts drop-off events to ensure that residents’ hazardous waste is safely collected, transported, and appropriately recycled or disposed of. This helps to protect the environment and decreases the risk of toxic materials ending up in the city’s collection vehicles and landfills.

The events complement existing diversion programs across the City, including the City’s Take it Back! Program which offers the option for residents to dispose of hazardous waste at their own convenience year-round. Paint, for example, is the most collected material at drop-off events which can be dropped off at many Take it Back! retailers across the city. Another example is lithium batteries which represent a fire hazard and should be returned frequently. Residents can search for an item in the Waste Explorer to find retailers nearby that accept hazardous waste. This Program is an efficient way for residents to dispose of items, while giving materials directly back to the producer.

Please note that drop-off event dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date schedule, and to see the list of acceptable items, please visit Ottawa.ca/HHW.

Your Capital Ward

Photo by Graham Carpenter

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.

Freshet Season Begins on Ottawa River

Late last Thursday afternoon and in anticipation of heavy rain over the holiday weekend, the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) announced the onset of the Spring Freshet and start of forecasting for the Ottawa River. 

Current Situation

Water levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River have increased but are currently within seasonal levels. Even though the amount of precipitation was not as much as expected over the weekend, the observed rainfall combined with additional snow melt resulted in water levels rising through the weekend.

Similarly, after an early local melt, water levels along the Rideau River and other minor waterways had decreased in the weeks leading up to the long weekend but have increased again. Small waterways should continue to be monitored, especially during significant rainfall events.

Response

Rising water levels have resulted in several minor closures. Updates can be found here: Road, park and pathway closures - Spring flooding | City of Ottawa. Currently, these include the closure of Ray Wilson Road between York’s Corners Road and Gregoire Road, and the multi-use path under Billings Bridge between Linda Thom Park and Windsor Park.

The Freshet Task force continues to monitor the situation. Eight sandbag depots are open for resident use:

More stations will open later this week in communities which are known to experience earlier flooding along the Ottawa River. Councillors for those areas will be contacted directly once they open.

What Residents Can Do

The Freshet typically begins with local melt impacting small waterways and  the Rideau River. In the coming weeks, local waterway levels will decrease, and the task force focus will shift to the Ottawa River. Current situation - Spring flooding | City of Ottawa will continue to be your best source of information for links to the city’s social media platforms, updates from the ORRPB and conservation authority partners, sandbag filling depots and road, park and pathway closures.

Residents are urged to follow our conservation authority partner guidance. Remain aware of your surroundings when near waterways as grounds may become slippery or unstable. Keep yourselves, children, and pets away from water's edge throughout the spring melt. Any additional questions can be directed to [email protected].

The Old Ottawa South Social Connections Project: Understanding Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults

Graduate students from Carleton University’s StudioDH program partnered with Senior Watch Old Ottawa South (SWOOS) to explore how older adults experience connection and isolation in the neighbourhood. Through participatory workshops and an online survey, the project documented community strengths, barriers, and opportunities to support social connection among residents aged 65+.

Monday, April 13 at 10:30 am to noon
The Old Firehall
260 Sunnyside Avenue

Plastic Bus Seats Pilot

OC Transpo is launching a six-month pilot project to test new plastic seats on a bus (Bus #4715). We’re exploring an alternative option for seats on buses to see how well they work in everyday service.  Other cities have adopted similar seating for public transit, reporting easier cleaning and reduced maintenance costs.

Your input will help guide future decisions about bus seating.

You can share your feedback using the online survey on this page.  

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards

Do you know someone or an organization who has been a local champion for cycling in our city? The City of Ottawa is once again accepting nominations for the Bruce Timmermans cycling awards! Two awards will be presented in June to recognize outstanding contributions to cycling in Ottawa.

EnviroCentre is coordinating the 2026 awards. All nominations are treated as confidential, the deadline for submissions is April, 30, 2026. Click here to nominate an individual or organization you believe deserves recognition! 

More information about the Bruce Timmermans awards and a list of past winners can be found on the City’s website, here. 

Ecology Ottawa 2026 Eco Awards

Ecology Ottawa is inviting nominations for its 2026 Eco Awards. These awards were created to highlight the people, places, plants, trees, and animals of Ottawa that inspire us, bring the community together, and enrich our ecosystem. Your nominee could be a neighbour, teacher, scientist, activist, artist, innovator, policy maker, community or religious leader, or youth—or even places, plants, trees, and animals of Ottawa that you cherish and need our protection. Please make a nomination before April 13.

Furnishing Futures: MHO Furniture Bank Fundraising Event

Matthew House Ottawa recently relocated the Furniture Bank to a new, expanded warehouse on Industrial Avenue. This move will allow us to significantly increase the number of families we serve each year and strengthen the role the Furniture Bank plays in Ottawa’s housing and homelessness response.

The Furniture Bank is an important part of the municipal housing ecosystem. Nearly 70% of our referrals come directly from City of Ottawa caseworkers, connecting families who have secured housing but lack the essential furnishings needed to make that space livable.

To celebrate this milestone, they will be hosting our official launch celebration and final fundraising event on April 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at their new warehouse. This move and expansion required a $450,000 investment, and thanks to the generosity of the community, they have already raised more than $350,000.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here.

Potholes

As winter turns to spring, Ottawa’s 6,100 kilometres of roads go through repeated freeze‑thaw cycles, which can cause potholes. City crews repair potholes every day, but with so many roads, resident reports help target the right locations quickly.

The best way to report a pothole and other road issues is through ottawa.ca/311. Online reports go directly into the City’s system, without waiting on hold, and help reduce pressure on 3-1-1 phone lines.

Once you submit a report, the pothole is on the City’s radar. Repair timelines may vary depending on weather, traffic, and volume of reports, but there is no need to follow up.

Help keep Ottawa’s roads safe—report potholes online.

Call 3-1-1 if the pothole is due to construction activities on the road, near LRT construction or poses an immediate hazard or emergency.

Curbside Garbage and Organics Collection

The City collects garbage and green bins from thousands of homes every day. If your accepted materials were missed, you can submit a report online to let the City know.

Before submitting a request, make sure:

• The materials are accepted
• No more than three garbage items were placed at the curb

You can report or request:

• A problem with garbage collection
• A problem with green bin collection
• A problem with leaf and yard waste collection
• A new or replacement green bin

If you believe your items were acceptable and within the three-item limit, please leave the missed items at the curb. A collection crew will return within 48 hours.

Online reports receive the same priority as reports made by phone.

City Tree Maintenance

Forestry Services maintains City‑owned trees, including trees in parks, along roads, and in municipal woodlots.

You can request tree maintenance online for concerns such as:

• Overgrown trees that need pruning
• Dead or dying trees
• Signs of insect infestation

If you are unsure if a tree is on City or private property, you can request that the City attend to determine ownership of the tree.

You can also request new tree planting on City property.

After submitting a request, a Forestry Inspector will visit the site to assess the tree and contact you with next steps.

If a tree poses an immediate risk to people or property, please call 3‑1‑1.