Save the Date: State of Capital Ward & 2026 City Budget Discussion
On Wednesday May 21, we’ll be hosting the State of Capital Ward, including a 2026 City Budget Discussion. This will be a chance for residents in the ward to gather—virtually and in-person—to review what we’ve accomplished together in Capital Ward, the work ahead and a look forward to what we want to see for the ward and the city.
The budget discussion will give residents a chance to provide meaningful input into the city budget well in advance. City staff will be on hand to discuss the budget process and listen to residents’ feedback.
After years of calling for improvements to the city budget consultation process, we are proud to have put forward a successful motion in 2025. As a result of the directions in the motion, city consultations on the budget can be held earlier in the year—in spring as opposed to fall. This improved timeline allows for more meaningful resident engagement, with more time in the process for city staff to reflect residents’ requests in the budget.
So join us in person or online on May 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm to discuss the state of Capital Ward, and to have your priorities heard as part of the Budget 2026.
Click here to register to attend in person at St. Paul University (Multi-Purpose Room), enter at 110 Hazel Street.
Click here to register to attend online via ZOOM.
Free Transit this Weekend!
OC Transpo is offering free service on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, aboard all buses, trains and Para Transpo! OC Transpo has seen many exciting changes this year, including the launch of O-Train Lines 2 & 4. This is a chance for you to experience the system for free after some difficult years for transit in Ottawa.
As part of this special weekend, we invite you to join OC Transpo staff at Hurdman Station in Capital Ward on Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for a fun, interactive event. It’s a great opportunity to connect with transit staff, ask questions, and enjoy activities designed for the whole family. Plan your trip and see what’s happening around the city: www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/free-service-weekend
Although I wish this was for a full week, this is something that I have been advocating for as a member of the Transit Committee, and I am happy to see it happen.
Older Adult Primary Care Forum
On June 18, we will co-host a forum on the crisis in primary care for older adults with the Seniors Health Innovations Hub (SHIH). Our goal is to build awareness of the crisis in primary care for older adults, to discuss related strategies and other solutions to promote healthy aging. The intended audience includes older adults and their families, as well as stakeholder and advocacy groups.
Event details:
What: Finding Solutions for Primary Care for Older Adults: An Urgent Need
Where: Southminster United Church, 15 Aylmer Avenue
When: Wednesday June 18, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
You can find more information here.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Repair Café in the RA Centre on May 10
Join the Ottawa Tool Library (OTL) and their team of fixing experts on Saturday May 10 for a Repair Café! The May edition of this monthly event is set to take place at the RA Centre (2451 Riverside Dr) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Drop in anytime to learn new skills, enjoy coffee and snacks, meet your neighbours, and repair electronics, clothing, small appliances, jewelry, and more—for free! The event will be offered in English and French, and this month, will also feature a Farsi interpreter.
No experience? No problem. OTL Repair Cafés are designed for residents looking for assistance in their repairs, or who are brand new to repairing. No event registration is necessary.
Pretoria Bridge Closure this Sunday
Pretoria Bridge will be closed this Sunday from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm for routine maintenance. Pedestrian and bicycling access will be maintained throughout the closure, though short intermittent delays may occur.
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.
Lansdowne and Main Street Farmers’ Markets Return for 2025
Farmers’ Markets return to Capital Ward this month!
They’ll be at Lansdowne Park on Sundays, starting this Sunday, May 4! And starting May 17, you can find them every Saturday at their usual spot on Main Street.
The markets will run from May through to October.
PCW Wrestling Comes to TD Place Arena
Are you looking for an affordable activity that's accessible to the whole family? On Saturday, May 24, at TD Place Arena, Premier Canadian Wrestling presents Bytown Brawl: A Quest for Glory. The show starts at 6:00 pm.
This will be an old-fashioned, family-friendly wrestling event, featuring spectacular maneuvers, emotions, twists and turns, and characters that will thrill young and old alike—wrestling without any vulgarity, excessive violence or sexual connotations, featuring athletes from our region, and from across Canada.
Tickets start at $15 (plus taxes).
For the occasion, Ottawa will have the honour and privilege of welcoming the legendary Bret “The Hitman” Hart. This will be one of his rare appearances in the region, and PCW will take the opportunity to honor his lifetime career and contribution to Canadian wrestling. Tickets to meet the wrestling legend are also available.
You can purchase tickets here.
Friends of the Farm Plant Sale, May 11
Friends of the Farm is having a plant sale on Sunday, May 11. You’ll be able to find everything you need for your garden at this popular annual sale. Many of the region’s top specialty growers and nursery vendors will be there, and Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton will be present to answer gardening questions.
This year for the first time, cut flowers would be available for customers wishing to celebrate Mother’s Day. You’ll also be able to find new and used gardening books.
The Sale takes place from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, rain or shine, in the parking lot to the east of the K.W. Neatby Building at 960 Carling Avenue.
More information can be found at the Friends of the Farm website.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Britannia Park on May 10
Ottawa’s bird-friendly community invites the public to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) on Saturday, May 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre in Britannia Park. The event will offer a range of accessible activities aimed at showcasing the wonder and importance of bird migration.
This year’s theme focuses on making urban and rural areas more bird-friendly and inspiring local communities to create safe havens for these remarkable travelers.
Event Details:
What: World Migratory Bird Day celebrations
When: Saturday, May 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, Britannia Park, 102 Greenview Ave., Ottawa
Why: To raise awareness of bird migration and the protection of bird habitats
Participants will have the opportunity to see colourful Warblers, Thrushes, and Shorebirds during outdoor guided walks, view special exhibits, and join a ‘Learn to Bird’ workshop led by Parks Canada. Indoors, family-oriented activities will be hosted by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre. A special welcome is extended to New Canadians, the LGBTQ+ community, and those with accessibility challenges.
Help Redesign the New Mooney’s Bay pavilion
The Mooney’s Bay Beach pavilion is celebrating 60 years. Now, you can help shape its future by taking part in a public consultation on its redesign.
From now to May 17, residents are invited to visit engage.ottawa.ca/mooneys_pavilion to view the two design concepts and provide their feedback. In addition, an in-person consultation session has been scheduled for the following date and location:
Thursday, May 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre
1265 Walkley Road
The current Mooney’s Bay pavilion was built in 1965. The 8,400-square-foot structure houses a canteen, washrooms, a lifeguard station, a lifeguard locker room, a lifeguard training room and an office/locker room for park staff.
Share Your Ideas for a Greener and More Resilient Ottawa
The city is excited to officially launch the final theme of “Your city, your ideas,” a multi-phase service review initiative where you can share your ideas on how we can serve you better while finding innovative ways to save money that can be reinvested into other City priorities.
This next theme, “A city that is green and resilient,” is open for input. Our resiliency is challenged every day by climate change as we continue to experience warmer, wetter and more unpredictable weather. How do we ensure we’re able to mitigate these changes and protect our environment at the same time?
Do you have ideas on how the city can serve you better and save money when it comes to the services that will make our city green and resilient? Head over to Engage Ottawa to participate. It’s your city, and your ideas!
Tiny Forests Together Movement
Join the Tiny Forests Together movement with Forêt Capitale Forest! The Tiny Forests Together program bridges community energy with technical know-how, empowering groups to create vibrant, publicly accessible green spaces. In 2025, they'll be planting at least two Tiny Forests with local collaborators—and if the pilot phase is successful, the program will grow in 2026. This is your chance to make a lasting environmental impact in your community.
Learn more by watching their information session, reviewing application steps and exploring their factsheets at foretcapitaleforest.ca/planttiny.
Ready to grow something great? Apply now or contact them at [email protected].
Oak Wilt
Oak Wilt is a tree disease that restricts the flow of water and nutrients throughout oak trees, leading to rapid tree decline and death. It is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum. All oak species are potentially at risk with trees such as Red, Pin, and Black Oak being the most susceptible. Oak Wilt has not been found within the City of Ottawa or Eastern Ontario but has been identified in three locations in southern Ontario as of 2023.
Signs and symptoms of Oak Wilt in Trees
- Leaf Changes:
- Leaves may turn dull green, yellow, or brown.
- The discoloration starts at the edges of the leaves and moves toward the center.
- This process usually begins at the top of the tree and works its way down.
- Leaves often fall early, even when parts of the leaf are still green.
- Fungal Growth:
- Look for white, black, or gray fungal mats just under the bark of dead red oaks.
- These mats can give off a strong, sweet smell.
- Bark Cracks:
- The fungal mats can create enough pressure to crack the bark.
- You may see vertical cracks on the trunk or large branches.
Oak Wilt is primarily spread by sap beetles that carry the fungus from infected trees to healthy trees. The beetles are attracted to open cuts or wounds on oak trees. Oak Wilt can also be spread through the roots of neighbouring trees. Moving wood products such as firewood can also spread Oak Wilt over long distances.
With no known cure for Oak Wilt, prevention is key to reduce the spread. It is important to avoid wounding trees when the sap beetles that carry the fungus are active.
- Do not prune oak trees between April 1st and August 31st. Fresh wounds attract sap beetles that can transmit the disease.
- Do not move firewood. Burn it where you buy it to prevent the spread of infected wood.
To prevent Oak Wilt, the City’s Forestry Services operations will not prune or remove oak trees between April 1st and August 31st. If emergency work is required to mitigate a hazard on an oak tree between April 1st and August 31st, a protective coating will be applied to any pruning cut that is made.
All Forestry Services staff are being trained in the identification and prevention of Oak Wilt. Staff in Forestry Services frequently meet with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to discuss ongoing monitoring and management recommendations for Oak Wilt. The CFIA has a broad mandate which includes plant health across the country. It regulates Oak Wilt under the federal Plant Protection Act
If you suspect a case of Oak Wilt, report it 311 and to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Partnering for Safety: Ottawa Public Health, Safer Roads Ottawa, City of Ottawa’s Integrated Neighbourhood Services and CHEO Team Up on Youth Head Injury Prevention
Together, Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Safer Roads Ottawa (SRO), the City of Ottawa’s Integrated Neighbourhood Services Team (INST) and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) are making important strides in promoting bicycling safety and reducing head injuries among young riders.
This initiative seeks to reduce the risk of head injuries in young cyclists by providing bicycle helmets and safety messages to children and youth visiting CHEO’s Emergency Department with bicycling-related injuries, particularly those not wearing a helmet or with a damaged one.
OPH has played a key role by supplying CHEO’s Emergency Department with bicycle helmets in a range of sizes as well as packages of safety resources to accompany each helmet. The package includes helpful materials such as helmet fitting guidance. SRO has contributed reflective gear, bike lights, and bells to further enhance safety equipment. The city’s INST has also supported this initiative with sourcing and provision of the helmets.
CHEO’s Emergency Department staff have played the very important role of distributing the helmets to children and youth, and ensuring each helmet is properly sized and fitted to its new owner. CHEO staff take the time to review fitting guidance with each patient and their family and share key safety messages.
For information on choosing the right helmet, how to wear a helmet, when it’s time for a replacement and more, visit Helmet Safety - Ottawa Public Health.
