Thanks to everyone who came out to our Santa Movie Night and Capital Ward Holiday Party. We had a great time, and it was so nice to see so many of you out in a festive setting.

Holiday Hours

Speaking of the holidays, the Capital Ward office will be unstaffed from December 22 to December 26. Emails will not be responded to during that time, but if there is an urgent, but if there is an urgent matter, please call 311 or email [email protected]. Otherwise, we will attend to your messages when we return after the holidays on Monday December 29.

We know it’s been a busy year for everyone, so we hope you all have a time to relax over the holidays.

18 and Under Youth Pass

This year, I’m happy to say, my team worked with the city staff charged with carrying out my motion, the chair of Transit Committee, Mayor and Council to achieve free transit for anyone aged 18 years or under on all weekday evenings after 5:00 pm, and all day every day on weekends, holidays and summer (July and August). These measures passed council and will go into effect July 1. I proposed to pay for them with the savings in the budget from diesel fuel costs as my offset—with no further increase to taxes. The cost was $0.75 million in a $938 million transit budget. It's amazing how low-cost items can mean such big changes in people's lives. 

This is an important development for Ottawa. Transit has grown more and more expensive, especially for families. A return trip for a family of four could cost $32. Now, that would be cut in half. 

Further, this gives more freedom to young people as they travel around our city—to work, to go to extracurricular activities, to visit family and friends, or just to enjoy Ottawa. It provides extra safety at night, as youth will be able to hop on the LRT or bus without the barrier of a fare, rather than walk home alone. 

By making transit more affordable and accessible, it will become more attractive to youth and families with an estimated additional 600,000 annual trips taken because of this measure alone. This can help shift our transportation modal share and can also help to create a culture of transit use as young people grow up, encouraging more and more transit use in years and decades to come. 

You can read more about free youth transit here.

Lansdowne 2.0 Construction—Public Information Session

The City of Ottawa invites you to attend a public information session to discuss the redevelopment and construction of Lansdowne 2.0. Staff will be present to explain how Lansdowne 2.0 will be constructed and will be available to answer questions.

This is a drop-in session for residents and the public to meet the construction team, learn more about the project and upcoming construction milestones. Please attend at your leisure.

All information boards presented at the Public Information Session will be available online and posted to the Lansdowne 2.0 Engage Ottawa project page after the event.

Date and time: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 6 pm to 8 pm

Location: TD Place Arena, Concourse between Gates 2 and 3
Please enter via Gate 2 off Exhibition Way or via accessible entry at Gate 1 on Bank Street

For further information about this project and/or to submit comments, please contact the project team:

Justin Kurosky
Manager, Design & Construction-Facilities
Lansdowne 2.0
[email protected]

David Jones
Program Manager, Communications and Engagement
Lansdowne 2.0
[email protected]

Lansdowne 2.0 Makes it National

In a December 5 editorial, The City of Ottawa’s Hail Mary plan for redevelopment, the Globe and Mail took on the issue of Lansdowne 2.0. They were, to say the least, unimpressed. Here is a sample (English only):

It’s tempting to joke that the city councillors in Ottawa pushing another stadium redevelopment plan are channeling Samule Beckett, the Irish Playwright who wrote “Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” What’s less funny is that there’s no reason to believe this latest try will prove to be any better.

…

The plan has a price tag of $483-million, though the city argues the net cost will be much lower, allowing Ottawa to build the facilities for “essentially thirty cents on a city dollar.” But – and this is a big but – that is based on a number of hopeful projections. Residents of Ottawa, don’t hold your breath, and hold on to your wallets.

ANCHOR Update

On August 15 2024, the Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR) was launched as a prototype in Centertown in collaboration with Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario (CNEO/211), Centretown Community Health Centre (CHC) and Somerset West CHC. ANCHOR is a safer alternate response to mental health and substance use crises (MHSU) because it dispatches skilled crisis response teams to people in crisis and is community-led, culturally sensitive and equity-centred.

Within its first year of operation, ANCHOR successfully received 4,464 calls, 92.70% were received through 2-1-1 while 7.30% were transferred from 911. ANCHOR Crisis Response Workers provided support in 87.10% of the dispatched calls and when the team was providing onsite support only 1.15% of the calls were rerouted to 911. The support provided onsite includes active listening and emotional support, well-being check, crisis counselling, crisis de-escalation, and referrals for ongoing case management and system navigation.

Due to the evident demand and success of ANCHOR, the boundaries have expanded into the current catchment area for the Somerset West CHC. This pushes ANCHOR westward to Island Park Drive and southward to Carling Avenue. The prototype boundary now ends off at Bronson Avenue between Carling Avenue and the Queensway.

For Capital Ward, this means all of the Glebe Annex neighbourhood can now call 2-1-1 for ANCHOR when they or others are experiencing a mental health or addictions crises. This is a welcome win for our community and my office will continue to work with partners until ANCHOR is available city wide.

OC Winter Service Changes and Holiday Schedule

Winter service changes at OC Transpo will begin on Sunday December 24. The winter service changes will include:

• Service improvements
• Seasonal service changes
• Service adjustments for construction

Severe Storm Schedule for Buses

OC Transpo will implement a Severe Storm Schedule for buses on weekdays when 31 cm of snow or more is forecast, or under other severe weather conditions. When a Severe Storm Schedule is in effect, bus service will follow a reduced schedule to provide a safer and more reliable service during major storms.

For more information on OC Transpo’s Severe Storm Schedule, riders can visit www.octranspo.com/en/plan-your-trip/how-to-ride/winter-travels/.

Holidays

Holiday service changes will run from Monday December 22 to Friday January 2:

• Christmas Week:
  • Monday, December 22 to Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule with peak period service every six minutes. O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule. School service including 600-series routes will not operate as schools will be closed on these days.
• Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25, 2025:
  • Bus service and O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a Sunday schedule. Shopper Route 304 will not operate.
• Boxing Day – Friday, December 26, 2025:
  • Bus service and O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a Saturday schedule, with additional resources available to supplement busy bus routes as required.
• New Year’s Week – Monday, December 29, Tuesday, December 30 and Friday, January 2:
  • Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule with peak period service every six minutes. O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule. School service including 600-series routes will not operate as schools will be closed on these days.
• New Year’s Eve – Wednesday, December 31, 2025:
  • Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule with additional resources available to supplement busy routes as required. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced Friday schedule from 5 am to 2 am, with peak period service every six minutes. O-Train Line 2 will operate on an extended schedule from 6 am to 1 am. Line 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule. Para Transpo will operate until 3 am. Free transit service will be provided after 6 pm on trains, buses, and Para Transpo, courtesy of Safer Roads Ottawa and MADD Ottawa and Area.
• New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026:
  • Bus service and O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a Sunday schedule. Shopper Route 304 will not operate.

A Place to Call Home Gala

Maama Watali’s second annual Fundraising Gala, A Place to Call Home, on Thursday, December 18 at Sala San Marco.

This gathering will bring together leaders from across Ottawa to support safe, culturally responsive transitional housing for women and children rebuilding their lives after violence.

For more information and ticket details are available here: Maama Watali | Strength Rooted in Community

Your Capital Ward

Photo by Jamie Brougham

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.

Changes to Recycling Collection—Individual Producer Responsibility

Starting in January 2026, an enhanced recycling system is coming to Ottawa. Residents will continue to sort recyclables into the blue and black bins as before. The main change is that responsibility for managing the program now falls under producers, as required by provincial regulations. More information is available on the city’s website.

Recycling will still be collected on the same day for curbside residents, but it will now be collected by Miller Waste, on behalf of Circular Materials. Garbage and organics will continue to be collected by the City of Ottawa.

Under the new program, producers determine what materials are accepted. Coffee cups are now included as producers have expanded the list of acceptable materials. A full list of items that can be recycled is available on the Circular Materials website.

For issues related to collection or damaged bins, residents will need to contact Circular Materials directly.

Winter-Maintained Cycling Network  

Every year in mid-November, wooden stakes with orange paint at the top start appearing along some of Ottawa’s busiest cycling routes. These markers help snowplow operators identify which routes are part of Ottawa’s winter-maintained cycling network, visible even after a 50-centimetre snow fall (or two…).  

Ottawa introduced its winter-maintained cycling network in 2015 as a pilot project. It now boasts over 60 kilometres of connected cleared routes for cycling, along with additional kilometres of cleared multi-use pathways that also support cyclists.  These connections improve access to major transit stations and support year-round sustainable travel. The official Winter Cycling Network map can be found on GeoOttawa. And, if you’re new to winter riding, local non-profit EnviroCentre has a useful guide to help get you started.

Ottawa Public Health Reminds Residents to Get Vaccinated Ahead of the Holidays

The holiday season is a special time of year to connect and celebrate with family and friends. But it’s also respiratory illness season – a time of year when respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are circulating alongside the common cold and other viruses.

Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) respiratory virus surveillance currently shows overall very high levels of flu, high levels of RSV , and low levels of COVID-19 in Ottawa, with all three rising.

Here's how you can help protect yourself and others:

Get vaccinated:

• The COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended for people aged six months and older. They can safely be received at the same time. 
• These vaccines reduce your likelihood of getting these infections and are particularly effective in preventing severe illness, complications, and hospitalizations. 
• Pharmacies continue to be the primary access point for both vaccines for people two years of age and older with many pharmacies offering walk-in services and appointments.
• OPH offers clinics for eligible groups facing barriers including newcomers without OHIP and children under five years of age and their household members. Vaccines are available by appointment at OPH Community Clinics and on a drop-in basis, based on capacity, at OPH Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs.

In addition to getting vaccinated:

• Wash your hands often or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your face and cover your cough or sneeze
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Stay home if you’re sick - if you have symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat, avoid gatherings to prevent spreading illness. Stay home until you are fever-free, without fever-reducing medication, and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours or 48 hours after your last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. 
• If you are sick, avoid visiting people at high risk of severe illness, including those in hospitals, long-term care, or retirement homes.

For more information about respiratory viruses, to view our respiratory illness dashboard, or for helpful resources, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus.

Ottawa Public Health’s Renewed Older Adult Strategy

Recently, Ottawa Public Health presented its Renewed Older Adult Strategy to the Ottawa Board of Health (BOH). With Ottawa’s older adult population steadily growing, OPH’s programs and services play a vital role in supporting an age-friendly city where all residents can age safely, comfortably, and with dignity.

The renewed strategy is closely aligned with the City of Ottawa’s Older Adult Plan 2025 - 2030, ensuring a coordinated and evidence-informed approach across the city. Together, these efforts will strengthen our collective ability to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of older adults now and into the future.

While much of the BOH report focused on upcoming priorities, the presentation also highlighted the extensive work OPH already undertakes to support older adults. A featured video showcased current programs, partnerships, and community initiatives that make a meaningful difference every day.

The report, presentation, and renewed strategic direction were all well received by the BOH, and we invite you to take a moment to watch the video yourself.

▶️ Watch the video!

Coping with Cold Weather

Cold Weather 

Winter and its cold weather are here. The City of Ottawa and many community agencies and service providers work together to share cold weather preparedness messages and ensure options are available for people who need to come in from the cold and access services. Cold weather-related injuries and deaths are preventable. Take care and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at greater risk. By connecting with each other, everyone can safely experience winter in Ottawa.

Cold Weather Risks

Risks associated with cold weather include injuries from slips and falls, frostbite (which significantly increases when the wind chill is below -27), hypothermia (which can occur indoors or outdoors), and even death. While everyone is at risk if not dressed appropriately, some people are more quickly affected or more exposed to the cold – particularly young children, older adults (65+), people experiencing homelessness, those with certain medical conditions, and those who work or play outdoors.

Ottawa Public Health’s Role in Cold Weather

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) shares information via its website and social media posts on how to prepare for cold weather. Cold Warning alerts are issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach -35 for at least two hours. OPH shares these alerts via social media to notify the public and community agencies that assist people at greater risk of cold weather injuries.

• Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather to find information on cold weather and resources in our community, including an interactive map of Places to Warm Up in Ottawa.
• Follow OPH on social media for information on public health topics such as being prepared for cold weather.

Be Winter Ready!

• Download the WeatherCAN app from your device app store to see current conditions, check the forecast, and receive weather alerts.
• Get advice and support:
  • Call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency such as frostbite or hypothermia.
  • Call 2-1-1 to reach Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario (CNEO). CNEO provides social services assistance (e.g., accessing warm clothing, contacts for community outreach services)
  • Call 3-1-1 for information and assistance on helping someone get out of the cold, including transportation to shelter.
  • Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice such as concerns about mental health and wanting to speak with a professional.
• Visit the CNEO website cneo-nceo.ca/publications-and-lists to find their list of Out of the Cold locations (Ottawa) 2025-2026. CNEO also has local social service and support information.

Did You Know?

• The City of Ottawa has a Minimum Heat Requirement by-law. It requires landlords who provide heating or cover heating expenses to maintain adequate and suitable heat at all times – at least 16.67°C (62°F) at night and at least 20°C (68°F) during the day.
• The Energy Affordability Program offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to income-eligible households with electric heating. Visit ca to find out more.