Winners and Nominees Honoured at the 2024 Environmental Excellence Awards
At the Environment and Climate Change Committee meeting this week, we celebrated the winners and nominees of the 2024 Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate a number of exceptional staff members who undertake the vitally important work of advancing the city’s climate mitigation, adaptation and sustainability efforts. This year, 13 amazing projects were nominated for two categories: Internal initiatives, which advance our climate goals within the city, and the Community initiatives, which touch the lives of residents and advance sustainability in Ottawa more broadly.
The internal award was presented to the team behind “From Rakes to Riches: Topsoil Pilot Project”. With a topsoil recipe and specialized equipment, this team was able to turn 20,000 tonnes of leaf and yard waste into topsoil onsite, reducing hauling distances, greenhouse gas emissions, and wear and tear on city roads. This important initiative saved the city an estimated $1.2 million in 2024.
The community award was presented to the team that sponsors and hosts the successful Repair Café events. At these events, volunteers from the Ottawa Tool Library repair or repurpose items while teaching repair skills to other community members. By prolonging the life of household items, this program helps to reduce waste, extend the life of the landfill reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help residents save money.
Thanks to the efforts of these staff, our city continues to be more efficient in its day-to-day business, more effective at reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and more innovative in our approach to climate action. Congratulations to all winners and nominees!
Notice of Motion to Remove Tewin Lands from Urban Boundary
It’s time to reconsider the addition of the costly Tewin lands to Ottawa’s urban boundary.
This morning my colleague Councillor Theresa Kavanagh introduced a Notice of Motion at Planning and Housing Committee to remove the proposed Tewin development from the Official Plan, and to explore how land use planning could contribute to meaningful reconciliation in consultation with the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council.
The city has already identified a $590 million price tag to pay for the water-related infrastructure, alone, needed to sustain sprawl in this costly location. This does not account for the cost of any other infrastructure needed to service the proposed development (such as roads, transit, hydro, etc.), nor does it account for any of the operating, maintenance and lifecycle costs—costs that will be borne by us all in perpetuity. This adds up to billions of public tax dollars needed to facilitate a private real estate investment.
The language of reconciliation was used to include these unsuitable sprawl lands in Ottawa’s urban boundary despite public outcry from Indigenous leadership that this would set the relationship back by decades. City staff also expressed their opposition to the lands being included because of how poorly the lands scored on basic criteria such as cost, proximity to existing infrastructure and transit access.
This new council has an opportunity to revisit this decision before it’s too late.
Watch the full recording of today's Planning and Housing Committee here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq1aeagAvbA
Future of Health and Wellness Speaker Series
You are invited to the spring session of the Future of Health and Wellness Speaker Series.
This session, coming up on April 4th, will focus on Extreme Heat’s Impact and Climate Change Resilience. I encourage you to share this invitation with your networks. This event is part of a continuing speaker series that unites leaders and influencers from the sectors to discuss emerging trends shaping the future of our health-care system.
The session will be moderated by Algonquin College president, Claude Brulé, and our speakers will be Dr. Glen Kenny, Professor at the University of Ottawa; Caroline Metz, Managing Director of the Climate Resilience and Health at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo; and Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation.
Climate change is the greatest threat to human health of the 21st century, already affecting the health and well-being of many Canadians. With the effects of climate change, Ottawa is expected to have four times as many hot days over 30°C by 2050. Rising temperatures due to climate change pose significant risks to the health and wellbeing of our communities and further strain Ottawa’s health care system. In this discussion, we will delve into the multifaceted impacts of extreme heat on public health, urban infrastructure, and social equity. The panelists will share insights on how cities like Ottawa can develop and implement effective cooling strategies to protect their residents.
Here are the event details:
- Topic: Extreme Heat’s Impact and Climate Change Resilience
- When: Friday, April 4
- Time: 8:00 to 9:00 am
- In-Person Location: Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus, Nawapon (C100)
- Doors open at: 7:30 am for networking and a light breakfast will be available
- Virtual Option: Available via Zoom (same time: 8:00 to 9:00 am)
Ottawa's Next Culture Plan
The Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department (RCFS) is undertaking its first city-wide cultural planning process since 2012 with the aim of developing a new municipal Culture Plan. Culture exists in every neighbourhood and village across Ottawa, and the new plan will reflect our diverse communities by recognizing the many ways culture is lived and experienced in our city.
The new municipal Culture Plan is all about helping Ottawa’s communities thrive by meeting their evolving cultural needs. Led by RCFS, this plan will be shaped by the voices of our residents, community and cultural groups. Together, we’ll explore what culture truly means to our city—how it’s lived, used, and understood by everyone. This collaborative process will help us create a plan that:
- Redefines culture in a way that reflects how residents experience and define it, ensuring the City’s supports and programming align with these insights.
- Sets out a clear strategic vision and goals to guide the city in supporting residents’ access to, participation in, and expression of culture.
- Develops a concrete multi-year, actionable plan with measurable steps as we progress in achieving its goals.
- Provides a comprehensive publicly accessible inventory of Ottawa’s cultural resources including spaces, artists and groups.
The public engagement launch for Ottawa’s next Culture Plan starts April 1, and we are eager to ensure that the voices of all residents, cultural groups, and community leaders are heard in this process.
A vibrant cultural scene is key to shaping the future of our communities. To make sure that we hear from as many people as possible, we will be hosting a series of in-person and virtual sessions, along with a culture roadshow that will visit each ward across the city. The idea is to make these opportunities as accessible as possible for everyone to get involved and share their thoughts.
O-Train Lines 2 and 4 Service Expands to Seven Days
OC Transpo has announced that O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will be open on Sundays starting Sunday, March 16.
Since the expansion to Saturday service on January 25, Lines 2 and 4 have performed safely and reliably, and OC Transpo is now ready to expand service to seven days a week. The availability of seven-day service marks the completion of the phased opening. Staff will continue to monitor the system to ensure it is delivering a positive customer experience.
Parallel bus service will continue to run alongside Lines 2 and 4 so you can take your time getting familiar with the new train lines. B2 bus service will continue through March 29. Starting March 16, Route 99 will be adjusted to make a new connection to Limebank Station. Routes 97 and 99 will continue to run alongside the new lines until route changes come into effect on April 27.
O-Train Line 2
Line 2 provides service approximately every 12 minutes and takes about 35 minutes to travel the 19 kilometres between Bayview and Limebank stations. Line 2 features 11 stations and three Park & Ride lots at Greenboro, Leitrim and Bowesville stations. Stadler FLIRT diesel trains operate along the track and can carry up to 420 passengers comfortably. Alstom LINT trains, coupled in pairs, will also run on Line 2.
O-Train Line 4
Line 4 connects to Line 2 at South Keys Station and provides service to the Airport. Line 4 provides service approximately every 12 minutes and takes seven minutes to travel from the Airport to South Keys Station. The Line 4 extension adds 2 new stations, including Uplands Station, conveniently located at the EY Centre. The airport extension is served by refurbished Alstom LINT diesel trains which previously operated successfully along Line 2 for several years. Each train can carry up to 260 passengers comfortably.
Customers can plan their trips using the Travel Planner and the Transit app.
For more information on Lines 2 and 4, please visit octranspo.com.
Your Capital Ward
Photo by A.L. Mahoney
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.
VOscars Volunteer Awards—Nominations Now Open
Nominations are now open for the 2025 VOscars Volunteer Awards! Each year, Volunteer Ottawa gives you a chance to pay tribute to people and organizations making a difference in our community. Give the gift of recognition by submitting a nomination in one of seven award categories by May 30. Please share the submission with your nominee to let them know how much their generosity is noticed and appreciated. It’s a very special way to say, “Thank You” and celebrate the difference they make in the lives of others.
Three finalists will be selected in each category and invited to the VOscars Volunteer Awards Gala on Thursday, October 23 at the Preston Event Centre.
CAFES Keynote Speaker Event and 2025 AGM
You are invited to the Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will start with an exciting and topical keynote speaker event open to the public (on Zoom) on the controversial topic of incineration.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts Mike Ewall (Energy Justice Network) and Liz Benneian (Ontario Zero Waste Coalition) as they ignite a conversation on the question of "A Solid Waste Incinerator for Ottawa?"
Register here to secure your spot at this online event!
The keynote speaker event will be followed by the CAFES 2025 AGM, where CAFES members will discuss and vote on important motions for the year ahead. Members as of 11:59 pm on March 25 will be able to vote at the meeting.
2025 Spring Freshet Task Force Update
The term freshet is commonly used to describe a significant increase of water discharged into rivers during spring months due to snowmelt. Spring freshets may be influenced by precipitation events during and after snow melting. This can lead to seasonal flooding in low lying areas along rivers.
The Ottawa region typically experiences two freshets. The Rideau River and local waterway Spring freshet routinely peaks in March/April in advance of the Ottawa River. The impact of the local freshet has been mild to moderate in past years affecting a limited number of roads, river-adjacent pathways and parks, and results in fast moving water in our overland drainage systems.
The Ottawa River watershed, at approximately 146,000 km2, is an extremely large river system that also experiences flooding to some degree every spring. The Ottawa River watershed conveys water from many rivers including the Rideau River.
2025 Spring Freshet Task Force, Planning and Flood Preparedness
The City of Ottawa has established a Spring Freshet Task Force each year since the 2017 freshet. The goal of the taskforce is to prepare for, monitor, and respond to the needs of residents in flood vulnerable areas across the city. Much of the planning and operational response focuses on communities and City assets known to be impacted by seasonal flooding along the various rivers within the city and especially along the Rideau River and Ottawa River.
Each year, sandbag filling stations are established for use by residents who may experience flooding on their properties. These stations are installed in locations that are convenient to affected communities. Updates on sandbag stations will be provided on the River Flooding website.
The Public Works Spring Freshet Task Force has been established and is working with internal and external partners to monitor water levels, snowpack, and forecast conditions. Members of Public Works and Infrastructure and Water Services have been working on flood planning and monitoring of snow and river conditions since early February. The Infrastructure and Water Services teams have reviewed their flood preparedness plans and are prepared for the annual freshet.
The Task Force includes interdepartmental liaisons to ensure potentially impacted City services remain aware of Task Force activities. Internal partners include Infrastructure and Water Services which is responsible for critical infrastructure, such as the water purification plants and wastewater facilities. The Task Force also includes members from the Public Information and Media Relations, Ottawa Public Health, the Corporate Real Estate Office, and Emergency Protective Services for their ongoing situational awareness and support.
Current Situation
The recent melt released a significant amount of water onto lands, and into drainage systems, creeks, and rivers. Despite this, many waterways and some lands continue to have ice.
We anticipate water levels will stabilize in our smaller waterways in the short term but also expect water levels to remain elevated. Water will continue to be added to our systems in the form of precipitation, melting of remaining / future snow, and from held water being released from behind ice dams.
Each of our conservation authorities have issued either a flood outlook statement or a flood watch. None of the conservation authorities are currently predicting significant or widespread flooding, but each is highlighting safety statements for residents and / or specific waterways.
Sandbag depots have been opened in five locations to date. The number of stations will increase as required and an updated list can always be found here.
The list of closed roads and pathways will be updated as required and can be found here.
Working with our external partners, the City’s Spring Freshet Task Force continues to monitor conditions on local waterways including the Rideau River and Ottawa River.
Some of the flood damage observed on specific roads over the weekend will take some time to repair, but crews are working to open them as soon as possible.
Residents can also sign up to receive updated flood notices from our local conservation authority partners:
- Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority
- Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
- South Nation Conservation Authority
Information on Ottawa River conditions can be found at Current Conditions - Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board.
More flooding information can be found on ottawa.ca here, and the city has also launched its flooding Facebook page.
Every Drop Counts: The People Behind Your Water
Water is life. Every drop we use and every stream that flows through our city is safeguarded by dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure clean, safe and sustainable water for all. From the moment it is drawn from our rivers and aquifers to when it is returned to the environment, our water is protected by teams working around the clock.
This World Water Day we are shining a light on the unsung heroes of our water system: the operators, maintenance crews, scientists, inspectors, engineers, contractors and partners who protect Ottawa’s water every single day. Thanks to them, Ottawa’s drinking water quality is one of the safest and most reliable in the world. Here is a snapshot of some of the vital work:
Clean drinking water
- The drinking water services team works to produce and deliver 295 million litres of drinking water each day.
- During 2024, more than 100,000 laboratory and operational tests were conducted to ensure the safety of Ottawa’s drinking water supply.
- Operators maintain over 3,000 kilometres of watermains, 48,000 valves and more than 23,000 fire hydrants to ensure safe drinking water and reliable supply for firefighting.
- Our dedicated team of certified Water Distribution Operators work around the clock to address watermain breaks and perform other essential repairs, ensuring minimal disruptions to residents and businesses.
Stormwater management and flood prevention
- The stormwater management team looks after a wide variety of nature-based and man-made solutions such as ponds, underground storage tanks and drain systems that filter run off, protect local waterways and prevent flooding.
- The stormwater planning team ensures new developments protect local waterways, reducing flooding risks and promote clean stormwater infiltration.
- Conservation authorities and City engineers update floodplain maps for improved flooding and emergency response.
Wastewater collection, treatment and environmental protection
- Ottawa’s wastewater collection system spans 2,796 square kilometres, transporting wastewater from homes, businesses, and industrial sites through a network of sewers, pumping stations, and forcemains to trunk sewers. The wastewater then flows to the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC) for treatment.
- Staff at ROPEC treat over 390 million litres of water every day and remove 200 tonnes of pollutants before it is returned to the Ottawa River.
- ROPEC is not only one of Canada’s largest wastewater treatment plants, it also reduces reliance on external power through its cogeneration system that produces 30 megawatt-hours of electricity daily.
- Ottawa’s lakes, rivers and aquifers are monitored and protected by a team of scientists in collaboration with conservation authorities and the community. Protecting drinking water at the source ensures contaminants don’t reach our water supplies in the first place.
How you can help
We all have a role in protecting and sustaining Ottawa’s water resources. Here are just some of things you can do to reduce your water use and protect our waterways:
- Fix leaks and install water-efficient fixtures
- Install a rain barrel to capture rainwater to use on your lawn and garden
- Properly dispose of prescription drugs, hazardous waste and grease. Do not flush anything but the three Ps: pee, poo and paper
- Keep catch basins and ditches clear of leaves and debris. The fish symbol means the water is going directly to our rivers and creeks
- Change up your home’s landscape using rain gardens and permeable pavements to absorb more stormwater with the help of the Rain Ready Ottawa program.
Visit ottawa.ca to learn more about our water services and programs, and how you can make a difference.
