A Message from City Staff on Lansdowne 2.0

The City of Ottawa is committed to keeping residents and businesses informed throughout the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park. The Lansdowne 2.0 Engage Ottawa project page will act as the primary source for information on the project including construction notices, updates, FAQs and factsheets. Residents can email [email protected] should they have any questions about the project. We highly encourage residents and businesses who are interested in the project to sign up for the Lansdowne 2.0 newsletter via the project website. Further information regarding Lansdowne 2.0, including additional information and opportunities for the public to learn more about the project, will be shared on the project’s website in the near future.

Thank You, Bob!

I had the honour of presenting an award on behalf of myself and the mayor to the President of the Old Ottawa East Community Association, Bob Gordon, at their recent Annual General Meeting. Thank you to all members of this active community for your contributions to a better neighbourhood! 

2026 Transit Budget & Free Youth Transit in Ottawa

This week, the Transit Committee reviewed the proposed transit budget for 2026. We have been working with city staff and other committee members to expand the city’s free transit offerings to residents 18 years-of-age and under. We are working to see free transit for youth on weekends, holidays, after 5:00 pm on weekdays and during the summer. We will let you know how the discussions go during final 2026 Budget deliberations on December 10th. 

A youth pass like this would use existing capacity in the system, which means it can be done at a very low cost for the city, while making transportation much more affordable for families and youth in Ottawa. Currently, a family of four taking a round-trip excursion on transit could pay as much as $32. To put it in perspective, the transit budget is $938 million annually. This measure would cost $0.75 million, and would add hundreds of thousands of new rides and increase the chances of life-long transit users.

This all stems from a motion I passed at the Transit Committee during last year’s budget deliberations, directing staff to explore “the feasibility of the development of the equivalent to a U-Pass for students under 18 years of age”.

Such a change would offer safety enhancement, greater flexibility and affordability to children and families as they go to jobs, extra-curricular activities, visit family and friends, or just explore our city. It would offer a more economical, more sustainable and more efficient way for youth to get around our city and would complement the U-Pass I campaigned to bring to the city for post-secondary students years ago.

I personally remember taking the 172 from Sir Robert Borden High School to my job at Bayshore mall. Encouraging transit ridership at a young age can help instill a culture of transit ridership in this city, and that will pay great dividends for years and generations to come.

This is the right thing to do for the city and at a very low cost to do it. I hope my colleagues can get behind the idea.

The final budget vote will go to City Council on Wednesday December 10.

Free Santa Movie Night for Families and Capital Ward Holiday Party

Shawn and the Capital Ward staff invite you to save the date for our holiday party. We’ll be watching The Polar Express, and there will be pizza, popcorn, refreshments and the chance to meet Santa!

When: Saturday, December 6, 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

Where: Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue

To register, please visit shawnmenard.ca/capital_ward_family_holiday_party.

All are welcome!

Open House: Pretoria Avenue Road and Sewer Renewal

You are invited to attend an open house to discuss the Pretoria Avenue Road and Sewer Renewal project.

Preliminary design drawings will be on display for your review and 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.

The proposed work includes the installation, rehabilitation and/or replacement of sewers, lateral sewer services to the property line, sidewalks, cycle lanes, road structure, etc.

The purpose of the project is to renew the aging infrastructure within the project limits.

Construction is planned to start spring 2026 and be completed by spring 2027.

In addition to the above meeting, residents can also participate through viewing and commenting on the online documents.

Your input is an important part of the consultation process. Your feedback can be submitted via the online form, by email or by phone to the contact below by December 15, 2025.

Monday Dec 1, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Glebe Community Centre
Preschool Room
175 Third Avenue

More information about the project can be found at ottawa.ca/PretoriaAvenueRenewal.

New Bench to be Installed in Dalhousie Park  

At the request of the Glebe Annex Community Association, our office will be funding a new fully accessible bench in Dalhousie Park. The bench will be installed in the spring once the ground has thawed and will provide more seating near the play structures. Staff considered three options for bench placement, and a location just to the west of the swing and shaded by trees (circled) was preferred by the community. We know that this park is well used and loved by the community and look forward to making the space more welcoming for residents. 

Help Power the Rideau Winter Trail

The Rideau Winter Trail offers residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and walking—right in the heart of the city. Running along the scenic Rideau River, the trail stretches from Donald Street in the east to the RA Centre, with easy access to the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers and community partners, the trail has expanded significantly over the years.

To keep the trail open and groomed this winter, here’s what it takes:

• $2,000 – Maintains 1 km of trail for the entire season
• $1,000 – Sends two ATVs out to groom the full trail
• $500 – Keeps the trail open for one day

If you’d like to support the trail, volunteer, or just learn more, please visit rideauwintertrail.ca.

Your Capital Ward

Photo by Elizabeth Ross

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.

OrKidstra’s Holiday Concerts

You are invited to OrKidstra’s Holiday Concerts this December—three joyful free celebrations featuring over 400 young musicians from our Vanier, Centretown, and Heron Gate Hubs. These concerts are uplifting and perfect for families, neighbours, and community members of all ages.

Heron Gate Hub: December 8 at 6:30 pm at Jim Durell Recreation Centre

Vanier Hub: December 10 at 6:30 pm at Ottawa Technical Secondary School

Centre Hub Holiday Concert: “the big show” on December 16 at 6:30 pm at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre 

Bank Street Renewal Phase 1—Winter Construction

During the winter, the City of Ottawa will be continuing with the construction of Phase 1 of the Bank Street Renewal (Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue) project in your neighbourhood. Lane restrictions will remain in effect on Bank Street and at the Heron Road intersection as construction continues. This work involves the replacement of underground sewers, retaining wall reconstruction and utility relocations.

For more information about the project, please visit www.ottawa.ca/BankStreetRenewal. 

During the 2026 winter construction season, the project will focus on the following:

• Installation of new storm and sanitary sewers along Bank Street between Rockingham Avenue and Cecil Avenue, and between Heron Road and Collins Avenue.
• Replacement of the retaining wall on the west side of Bank Street (north of Ohio Street).
• Utility relocations.

The work being completed as part of Phase 1 of the Bank Street renewal includes the installation, rehabilitation and/or replacement of various components of the underground infrastructure including watermains, sanitary and storm sewers, full reconstruction of the road, sidewalks and the addition of a cycle track, street lighting, traffic signals and streetscape improvements.

This project is being delivered in phases. It began in June 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2027. Phase 1 is ongoing through the winter and into 2026.

Overall, construction will occur along Bank Street between Riverside Drive westbound and Collins Avenue.

All Systems Snow: Getting Ready for Winter

It’s that time of year again. The trees have shed their leaves, pumpkin spice season has come and gone, and there is a chill in the air—winter is here. As the coldest season of the year begins, the city is already working to keep our roads and sidewalks clear and our communities safe throughout the winter months.

Winter Weather Parking Bans

Between November 15 and April 1, winter weather parking bans may be called to support winter operations when Environment Canada forecasts a snowfall of seven centimetres or more, or a range that includes seven centimetres or more of snow, for the Ottawa area. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can create a wide open roadway more efficiently.

There is no parking allowed on city streets when a winter weather parking ban is in effect. Residential parking permit holders are exempt unless temporary ‘no parking’ signs are in place for snow removal. Certain business areas are also exempt from parking bans to ensure that residents can continue to visit their favourite local business during the snowy season.

To help residents prepare, the city aims to call winter parking bans by specific times. Overnight winter parking bans, which are in effect from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am, will be announced to residents by 9:00 am. Daytime parking bans, which are in effect from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, will be announced to residents by 3:30 pm the day prior—except in extreme weather conditions.

Wondering where to park during a parking ban? There are several locations city-wide where residents can park during a winter weather parking ban.

To be notified any time a parking ban is called, sign up for winter parking e-alerts, follow the City on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, download the City of Ottawa app or visit our winter parking webpage.

Significant Weather Events

A Significant Weather Event is declared when hazardous weather, as forecasted by Environment Canada, has the potential to impact City services. This declaration suspends the Maintenance Quality Standards (MQS) timelines the City is normally required to meet for our winter maintenance objectives.

During a Significant Weather Event, all resources are deployed, and crews work hard to keep sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network clear of snow and ice. However, due to weather conditions, our crews may require more time than usual. During these events, we encourage residents to limit travel whenever possible and adapt to the conditions of the road.

What to Know about Clearing Snow from Your Property 

• Do not push snow and ice onto the street, sidewalk, path, park or right of way.
• Keep fire hydrants clear of snow.
• Use wood, plastic, fibreglass or metal driveway markers, which should be no larger than a hockey stick and set back from the street or sidewalk.
• Clear catch basins or drains in front of your property when the weather becomes mild. Find your nearest catch basin using our catch basin locator map.

Shoveling Smarts and Neighbourly Support

When our crews clear snow from streets and sidewalks, it often leaves windrows — those piles of snow that build up at the ends of driveways and along the streets. While they can be a challenge, property owners are responsible for clearing windrows from their laneway.

As you are clearing windrows, snow and ice from your property, be sure to take your time and use caution to avoid overexerting or injuring yourself.

If you need help clearing your driveway and/or walkway this winter, check out the City’s Snow Go and Snow Go Assist Programs.

If you are looking to give back this winter, consider becoming a Snow Angel! Support your community by helping someone you know who is elderly or has a disability, by clearing snow or ice from their driveway, steps or walkway.

Construction on Highway 417 will close both westbound on-ramps from Vanier Parkway

Construction work to repair a watermain valve located on Highway 417 will cause lane reductions on the highway and will close both westbound on-ramps from the Vanier Parkway. The work will take place from Friday, November 28 at 9:30 pm until Monday, December 1 at 6:00 am.

Traffic impacts due to the construction will include:

• The closure of three westbound lanes on Highway 417 between Vanier Parkway and the Nicholas Street/Mann Avenue off-ramp.
• Both westbound on-ramps from Vanier Parkway will be closed for the duration of the work.
• Signed detours will be in place. Motorists wishing to access the westbound lanes of Highway 417 from Vanier Parkway will be directed to Riverside Drive, east on Industrial Road, then left on St. Laurent Boulevard to the westbound on-ramp to Highway 417.
• Delays are expected. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your travels.

The safety of the public and construction workers remains our highest priority and your patience during construction is appreciated. Motorists are encouraged to follow all detour routes, observe traffic control signage and adhere to posted speed limits.

Visit the interactive traffic map to learn of traffic impacts around Ottawa so you can plan getting around the city.