National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. It is a time for reflection, for learning and for celebration.
To learn more about National Indigenous History Month, please visit the Government of Canada website.
Pollinator Appreciation Day
I had a wonderful time at the Fletcher Garden on Saturday for Pollinator Appreciation Day. It was a great opportunity to learn about—and celebrate!—pollinators and all the people working to preserve pollinators and their habitats.
There were tours, displays, lectures and experts on hand to help people learn about starting their own pollinator garden or helping a community garden.
I want to congratulate the Wild Pollinator Partners network on all the work they did to make this event such a success.
Old Ottawa South Community Association Annual General Meeting
On Saturday, I also had the chance to attend and speak at the Old Ottawa South Community Association’s Annual General Meeting. The community association (OSCA, for short) does so much important work for the community. We work with them on development issues, transportation concerns, park enhancements and much more.
The people who make up OSCA dedicate much of their personal time to making the community and the city a better place for everyone, and I am incredibly grateful for their efforts.
Shopping on Bank Street During Construction
The reconstruction of Bank Street from the Rideau River to Ledbury Avenue is well underway. Once completed, this project will enhance Bank Street, making it a lively, more enjoyable street in our neighbourhood.
We want to remind everyone that the shops along Bank Street are still open and accessible, and we encourage everyone to consider showing your patronage to these local businesses.
There are some true gems along the corridor. There are places like Tag Along Toys and Ichiban Bakery in the Blue Heron Mall. And there are some great restaurants, like Moul Hanout a little further south at 1581 Bank Street. They serve authentic Moroccan and North African cuisine, a wonderful addition to the neighbourhood.
Lansdowne 2.0: Getting Less, but Paying More
This week, we published an Op-Ed about Lansdowne 2.0, noting that the $437M (and counting) price tag would result in fewer seats, a smaller park, no roof over the north side stands, the tear down of brand new retail and many other throwaway costs.
What’s surprising about the plan is not just the wasteful throwaway costs, or the sale of prime public space, but that the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) and city are actively planning for a worse experience for both sports fans and park goers after seven years of heavy construction
Paying nearly half-a-billion dollars to shrink our public amenities is why so many in the community oppose the Lansdowne 2.0 proposal. In fact, over 5000 residents have signed a petition calling for a referendum on Lansdowne 2.0 during the next municipal election, an issue we raised at the recent Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting.
With the rising costs, incredible disruption that will come with a massive construction project and what little residents are actually getting out of the plan, Lansdowne 2.0 needs a serious re-think.
Wading Pool Schedule for Capital Ward
It’s outdoor swimming season and city wading pools are opening soon! Here are the schedules for all the pools in Capital Ward:
Sylvia Holden Park—July 2 to August 25
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Thursday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Friday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday: Noon to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: Noon to 5:00 pm
Sylvia Holden Park will also be open on weekends starting tomorrow, Saturday June 14.
Brantwood Park—June 24 to August 17
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Thursday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Friday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday: Noon to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: Noon to 5:00 pm
Windsor Park Ottawa—June 30 to August 24
- Monday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Thursday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Friday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday: Noon to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: Noon to 5:00 pm
Heron Park—June 30 to August 24
- Monday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Thursday: Noon to 7:00 pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Noon to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: Noon to 5:00 pm
Additional Three-Stream Bins Coming to Brewer Park
Six additional three-stream bins are coming to Brewer Park this summer! Thanks to our close collaboration with the city Solid Waste staff, we were able to secure these additional bins to respond to the need for greater waste diversion in parks. The bins will be spread throughout Brewer to allow for maximum access by park-goers.
Last year, Solid Waste Services expanded the three-stream bin program to a total of 56 locations across the city. We continue to urge staff to expand the program to other priority parks in the ward, including at Springhurst Park and Sylvia Holden Park.
Confederation Heights Master Plan—Public Engagement
Canada Lands Corporation and the City of Ottawa will be jointly hosting a workshop to present the draft master plan for the redevelopment of Confederation Heights. Participants at this workshop will review the draft master plan and learn more about the city’s Secondary Plan process and how their input will help inform a final master plan, anticipated to be presented to City Council in 2026 in coordination with the city-initiated Secondary Plan process.
Location: Hellenic Event Centre, 1315 Prince of Wales Dr. Ottawa, ON K2C-1N2.
Date: Tuesday June 24
Sessions:
- Afternoon: 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Evening: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
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.
Invasive Species Removal—Central Park
The Glebe Community Association Environment Committee invites residents to join them in the removal of dog-strangling vine, and invasive species that is killing monarch butterflies in Ottawa.
Join them on Monday June 23 at 6:30 pm (rain or shine) at Central Park West by the Bank Street steps.
Please bring work gloves, and a hand trowel or shovel. Capital Home Hardware has kindly donated garbage bags. Volunteers will happily show you how to safely identify, remove and destroy this invasive species so that native species can thrive.
OrKidstra Centre Hub End-of-Year Concert!
Join OrKidstra on Tuesday June 17 at 6:30 pm as the Ottawa community comes together to celebrate the joy of music at their annual Centre Hub End-of-Year Concert at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (355 Cooper Street).
Featuring over 150 talented young musicians onstage, this free concert is a family-friendly event for all ages. Join us for a not-to-be-missed uplifting celebration of music and community as our young musicians share their hard work, passion, and talent with you!
For more information, visit OrKidstra’s website.
Public Works Big Wheels Expo
The Public Works Big Wheels Expo is rolling back into the Ottawa Stadium! Come join the fun and get up close to our titanic machines on June 8.
Last year, over 3000 Ottawa residents took the opportunity to see these big wheels up close, and it was a huge hit with children, truck enthusiasts, and families alike. We are pleased to announce that this event will be back for its third amazing year, and it is an excellent event for people to get a rare look inside these machines and learn about everything that makes them tick.
So come on down to the Ottawa Stadium 300 Coventry Road on Sunday, June 8 between 9:30 am to 1:30 pm to enjoy this free event! Some of the vehicles that will be on site include a garbage truck, loader, road painting truck, traffic signal display, sidewalk sweeper, snowplow, log truck, and much more.
Please note that the event will open at 9:00 am for a 30-minute period to offer a sensory-friendly time for those who benefit from lighter crowds.
Planning to stay after the event to watch some baseball? Starting at noon, 100 people will receive free tickets to Ottawa Titans Baseball game, which starts at 1:00 pm.
Date: Sunday June 8
Time: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Location: Ottawa Stadium, 300 Coventry Road
Cost: Free
Bike parking is available, and the event can be accessed via transit. To determine the best public transit route for you, please consult the OC Transpo Travel Planner. Parking is also available at Ottawa Stadium for $9 on the app or in person. Cash is not accepted.
Auditor General 2026-2027 Workplan—Public Input Survey
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) for the City of Ottawa undertakes an annual risk-based assessment to identify audit priorities. The audits selected for inclusion arise through a systematic identification of all areas of significance from an audit perspective and the determination of audit project priorities by assessing criteria relating to risk, important organizational changes, new initiatives, emerging priorities, and other relevant factors. Furthermore, requests from external boards may also be taken into consideration.
One of the steps of the OAG’s risk-based assessment process includes consultation with stakeholders. The Auditor General is seeking public input into the areas that Ottawa residents and business owners believe could benefit from an independent audit.
World Environment Day: Launch of Engagement for Community Waste Reduction and Reuse Program
We are excited to announce the official launch of the Community Waste Reduction and Reuse public engagement survey. This engagement supports the planning and implementation of several Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP) waste reuse and reduction actions, primarily:
- Sharing Space/Swaps/ Library/Repair Cafes (for various materials)
- Community reuse events
- Develop community strategies, opportunities and partnerships to increase reuse and recycling and avoid waste
- Subsidies, Rebates, Grants for Options that Avoid, Reduce or Reuse Waste
Feedback will be used to inform the development of a Community Waste Reduction and Reuse Action Plan. The Action Plan will examine viable options for the city to support, incentivize or initiate community reduction and reuse events and programs.
From now until Monday, July 7, residents are invited to participate in a survey available on Engage Ottawa. The goal is to understand what activities residents are currently participating in as well as gain a better understanding of gaps and barriers to current community reuse and reduction opportunities. The feedback will help guide recommendations on where additional support is needed and inform the development of new waste reuse and reduction programs across the City.
Have Your Say on Climate Ready Ottawa!
The City of Ottawa is launching the next round of public engagement on Climate Ready Ottawa—our city’s draft climate resiliency strategy—and the city wants to hear from you!
Climate Ready Ottawa is a long-term strategy designed to guide action and investment that will help our city become more resilient to climate change.
Developing a climate resiliency strategy is a key project of the Climate Change Master Plan and Council’s Strategic Plan.
Addressing climate change requires collective action. Visit Engage Ottawa to learn more about how climate change could affect you, your family or business, and steps you can take to be prepared.
Thank you to everyone who provided comments through the 2024 survey or in past engagement sessions! We are integrating those ideas and welcome your additional feedback as we finalize the strategy and plan.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Attend one of the Public Open Houses
- Saturday, June 14 – City Hall, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Monday, June 16 – Ray Friel, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- Thursday, June 19 – Virtual Session, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Register here
- Visit: engage.ottawa.ca/climate-resiliency to read the background information and provide feedback (deadline June 30)
- Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about this project and others that build a green and resilient Ottawa
- Learn how you can prepare for a changing climate