Lansdowne 2.0 update
The Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) will be reviewing the current phase of the Lansdowne 2.0 proposal today, Friday, October 4, at 12:30 over Zoom. This will include the plans for the new arena and the Great Lawn. You can find more information, the agenda and the Zoom link here.
The recommendations from the UDRP’s informal review of Lansdowne 2.0 back in July can be found here [PDF].
The proposal will also be reviewed by the city’s Accessibility Advisory Committee at their meeting on October 15, at 6:00 pm. This will be a hybrid meeting. It will be held at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, as well as online. The agenda and participation information will be posted to pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com in the coming days.
In December, we expect the site plan for the re-development of the North Side Stands to be made public, and an in-person open house is currently scheduled to be held at the Civic Centre on January 14, 2025.
Budget consultation
In November, we’ll be co-hosting a public consultation on the 2025 draft budget with Councillors Jessica Bradley (Gloucester-Southgate Ward), Riley Brockington (River Ward) and Marty Carr (Alta Vista Ward).
Wednesday, November 20
7:00 pm
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, Ellwood Hall
1265 Walkley Road
Additional sessions are still being planned. Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Visit Engage Ottawa frequently for the most up-to-date list of sessions, information and resource materials for Draft Budget 2025.
Budget survey results
In anticipation of the 2024 City Budget, our office facilitated a survey of Ottawa residents in concert with the offices of Councillor's Troster and Leiper. These never-before-published survey results remain informative and relevant to the 2025 budget that is being written now. Over 2000 Ottawa residents responded to the survey.
You can find the results here.
Council approves program for community benefits contributions
On Wednesday, approved a pilot project to continue to allow councillors to facilitate contributions to the city for needed community improvements under a new set of rules. The new Policy Framework for Voluntary Donations for Community Benefits report establishes a process to discuss such contributions with developers operating in their ward.
This is welcome news. The new process codifies the longstanding practice at City Hall of seeking voluntary contributions that help ensure that both existing and future residents will benefit from intensification in Ottawa.
You can read our full press release here. For more information on this issue, see here.
New idling by-law for Ottawa
Ottawa City Council passed a new idling by-law on Wednesday October 2. It replaces the old by-law which hadn't been updated since 2007.
The by-law had been under review after successful advocacy from community members and environmental organizations, and stemmed from a motion that our team brought to Environment Committee in 2022, following the so called “freedom convoy” occupation.
The new by-law aims to see better air quality, cost savings for residents and for the city, and more stringent rules throughout the entire 365-day calendar year (where the old bylaw had significant gaps in application).
The new by-law means a maximum idling time of three minutes for temperature ranges between 0 to 27 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 10 minutes for temperature ranges outside of 0 - 27 degrees Celsius. Although these idling times resulted from a watered-down motion at council, having the new by-law in place means several benefits to residents:
- The bylaw now applies 365 days per year, whereas previously it only applied for days with temperature ranges between 5 to 27 degrees Celsius.
- There are new common-sense exemptions from the bylaw for medical needs and an expanded list of professionals who can issue letters of exemption.
- The bylaw will apply to city vehicles, clarifying that police, fire, ambulance and bylaw officers are only exempt from the rules when engaged in operational or training activity, and not when vehicle idling is for convenience. This results in savings for the city.
- I gave direction to city staff to ensure new educational signage about idling on high-volume corridors across the city. There are direct benefits for residents in terms of better air quality and savings on gas from less idling.
You can watch the discussion at Council here, and view the associated reports.
Some quick facts on idling:
Did you know that there are gas savings and cost savings from turning off your engine if you idle for just 10 seconds or more?
Did you know that idling is a concern for children, due to air pollution around pick-up and drop-off areas like schools?
Did you know that the quickest and most effective way to warm up your car is by driving it, rather than idling?
Celebrate International Walk to School (iWalk) Month!
iWalk Month is an event that encourages students to arrive at school by walking and wheeling their way to school in the brisk fall air. Active transportation can help students concentrate in school, build communities around your neighbourhood or school, and keep the school zone safe!
Enjoy the quality time you get to spend with your family as you travel to school together! Check out this poster for activity ideas to celebrate iWalk Month.
Brewer Park landscaping
Construction fencing has been installed at Brewer so that required landscaping work can be completed prior to the end of the fall planting window in mid-October. This work is being completed as part of the LRT Stage 2 project.
CUSA Transit Forum
The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) is holding a transit forum for students, and Shawn will be a panelist. The event will be held on Thursday, October 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Nideyinàn Galleria (formerly the University Centre Galleria).
Panda Game weekend
The 55th Panda Game is coming to Lansdowne Park this Sunday, starting at 12:00 noon. The Post-Panda Party will be returning this year, from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at the 90U Residence Parking lot on the Univeristy of Ottawa Campus.
Community members looking for information on how the universities are working to manage student activities on gameday can visit Carleton’s Community Information for Panda 2024 page. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the university at [email protected].
Walk For The Centre 2024—Change of venue
Last month, we told you about the upcoming Walk For The Centre, a fundraiser for the Centretown Community Food Centre.
The walk will still occur this Sunday, October 6, from 1:30 to 4:00 pm, but the location has changed. It will now start and end at Ascension Church, 253 Echo Drive (in Capital Ward!).
For more information, visit www.centretownchurches.org/walkathon/.
Your Capital Ward
Photo by M J Hawley
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.
New Zoning By-law workshops
This fall, join the city for a series of in-person workshops to discuss Ottawa’s New Zoning By-Law. These workshops are designed to engage the community, gather valuable feedback, and ensure that our new Zoning By-law reflects the Official Plan and the needs and aspirations of all residents. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our city.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Display Board Exhibition: dive into the basics of zoning and key concepts of the proposed By-law. This is your chance to ask questions and get informed.
- Roundtable Discussions: engage in intensive discussions on various topics with planners and fellow residents.
Four opportunities to participate:
All in-person workshops will start at 6:30 pm.
- October 8
John G Mlacak Community Centre
2500 Campeau Drive - October 15
Fred Barrett Arena
3280 Leitrim Road - October 22
City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West - November 5
Confederation Education Centre
1645 Woodroffe Avenue
For more information, visit Engage Ottawa.
Climate Ready Ottawa
The draft climate resiliency strategy, Climate Ready Ottawa, is now available for public consultation. Climate Ready Ottawa identifies actions to address the top risks facing Ottawa and prepare for a much warmer, wetter and unpredictable climate.
Climate Ready Ottawa builds on the Climate Projections and Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment. It has been created collaboratively with all City departments and with input from the community. The summary of Climate Ready Ottawa provides an overview of the visions, principles and framework for the strategy.
The strategy is split into five main themes:
- Resilient communities
- Resilient buildings, transportation and water systems
- Natural environment and parklands
- Extreme weather preparedness and response
- Cross-cutting actions that deal with more than one of the themes above
Climate Ready Ottawa is a long-term strategy that will guide action and investment that transition Ottawa to a resilient city by 2050. Once input has been provided on the long-term strategy, a short-term implementation plan that prioritizes specific actions will be developed. Although the City has many initiatives underway, Climate Ready Ottawa identifies new policies, programs and actions to build Ottawa’s resiliency to a changing climate.
Preparing for climate change will require everyone to take action. Climate Ready Ottawa identifies actions that support individuals, communities, businesses and organizations, as well as where more support is needed from other levels of government.
Survey
Have your say on the draft strategy by completing the survey.
The results of the survey will help to:
- Identify which actions the city should take first.
- Make it easier for Ottawans to prepare for climate change.
Three-item garbage limit, your questions answered
The city’s new three-item garbage limit started on Monday. The limit applies to residents who receive curbside waste collection, including those whose waste is collected in one shared location and those living on agricultural properties.
There will continue to be no limit to the number of green, blue and black bins and leaf and yard waste.
The new limit will encourage households to rethink what truly needs to go to landfill and what could be reduced, reused, recycled or composted instead. Reducing unnecessary waste from going to landfill helps keeps disposal and collection costs lower. It also helps extend the life of our Trail Road Waste Facility Landfill as we explore new options for waste disposal.
Around 85% of households already set out three garbage items or fewer on collection day. The new limit is more generous than many municipalities, including neighbouring communities around our city.
This new limit is the first change to garbage collection in many years, so we want to share answers to some frequently asked questions.
What counts as a garbage item?
An item includes the following:
- A garbage bag that weighs up to 33 pounds (15 kilograms)
- A garbage container up to 140 litres. Households can put several waste bags in a bin so long as the weight is less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms) per bin.
- A furniture or bulky item that can’t be re-used or donated
Can I set out different combinations of items?
You can have any combination of the accepted garbage items as long as they stay within the limit of three. For example, you can set out:
- Two bins and one broken chair or
- Two black garbage bags and one bin or
- Three bins
Do I have to use a 140-litre container?
You can use a plastic or metal garbage container of any size up to 140 litres. If you already have a 121-litre container you can keep using it. Containers must have a handle and a detachable lid. Examples of acceptable containers. The standards for containers have been in place for over a decade to ensure the health and safety of collectors and to allow for flexibility based on the sizes of bins available.
How is the three-item garbage limit fair for large families?
Every household pays the same annual fees for waste collection. This means for example an individual living alone is paying the same as a family of six.
The new three-item limit entitles each household to set out up to three items, which can be any combination of garbage bags, garbage containers up to 140 litres or bulky items like a broken piece of furniture. Households that wish to set out more can purchase residential yellow bags.
The three-item garbage limit was put in place to help reduce unnecessary waste going to landfill and to distribute costs more fairly, dependent on the amount of waste produced.
What if my household has diapers and home healthcare waste?
The Special Considerations program allows registered households to place one bag of diapers/incontinence products or home healthcare waste at the curb for pick up on the alternate week from regular garbage collection. Register for the Special Considerations program.
What if I have waste over the three-item garbage limit?
If you need to go above the three-item garbage limit, City of Ottawa residential yellow bags can be purchased from participating retailers for $17.60 for a package of four. There is no limit to the number of yellow bags that you can set out for collection. Bags will be available for sale at various locations across the city beginning at the end of October.
Excess waste can also be taken to the Trail Road Waste Facility Landfill. The minimum fee for disposing of garbage is $35.
Remember, there is no limit to blue, black or green bins or leaf and yard waste so make sure you are recycling or composting as much as possible. Check out the Waste Explorer for more information on where to dispose of items if your not sure.
I put my waste in a shared collection area with other households. How will it work for me?
The three-item garbage limit applies to all residents with curbside waste collection, including those who use shared collection areas also known as common pads. Each unit can set out up to three garbage items on collection day.
I live in or operate a coach home or basement apartment. How will it work for me?
Single family homes with basement apartments or a coach home can set out up to three items per entire household every two weeks. This is because single family homes with a basement apartment or coach home pay one solid waste user fee. If you are unsure if your home is considered a single-family home with a basement unit or a registered duplex, you can contact the City’s Revenue Services team by calling 3-1-1.
I live in an apartment or condo. Does the limit apply to me?
If your property receives curbside waste collection, then the three-item garbage limit applies. Each individual unit can set out three items for collection on their scheduled garbage collection day.
The three-item garbage limit does not apply to multi-unit properties that do not receive curbside waste collection.
How will the three-item limit be enforced?
Enforcement of the new three-item garbage limit will be phased in over the next three months as follows:
- October – all garbage items will be collected. If the three-item garbage limit is exceeded a courtesy tag will be left indicating the limit and how to participate in waste diversion programs.
- November – if the three-item garbage limit is exceeded, one item will be left behind with a courtesy tag.
- December – any garbage above the three-item limit will be left at the curb with a courtesy tag.
Tenants’ rights and responsibilities
Tenants, do you want to know your rights and responsibilities in the City of Ottawa? Are you wondering who is responsible for maintenance and upkeep? Do you need support due to a disability? Visit the city’s Tenants rights and responsibilities page.
City livability and affordable housing survey
Ottawa is becoming unaffordable for many of our neighbours, and there is an ever-pressing need to provide support for those living on a low or moderate income. The city is looking for suggestions to help make city more affordable for everyone.
Here are some examples of the work that the city is already doing as part of this priority:
- Unlocking the door to affordable living: exploring the mosaic of diverse housing solutions in Ottawa
To participate in the survey, please visit Engage Ottawa.
Updated commemorative naming program launches with its first nomination period
Are you, your organization or group looking to commemorate the legacy of a person who contributed or made an impact to our community? The City is launching its revamped Commemorative Naming Program with the start of its first nomination period, which is open now.
The online submission form is now available at ottawa.ca/namingottawa. The deadline is Tuesday, November 12.
The City conducted a review and public consultation to update its Commemorative Naming Policy. This new policy ensures the commemorative naming process is more consistent to make it more accessible, reflective, and representative of our community’s diversity and needs.
Highlights of the enhanced Commemorative Naming Program include:
- Applications will be reviewed bi-annually in the spring and fall, streamlining the process for applicants.
- A new Commemorative Naming Working Group will review and prioritize applications with diverse perspectives to ensure fair evaluation.
- Names related to Indigenous communities will be Indigenous-led and reviewed by the Anishinabe Algonquin Consultative Circle.
- The updated policy focuses on improving representation for underrepresented groups, aiming to reflect the diversity of Ottawa’s population by correcting past imbalances in commemoration practices.
If you require more information, visit ottawa.ca/namingottawa.
Volunteer Ottawa’s Annual VOscars Gala
Tickets are now on sale for the annual VOscars Volunteer Awards Gala, the highlight of the year for the city’s volunteers and not-for-profits. Come celebrate the individuals, organizations and businesses that are making a difference in our community and enjoy live entertainment from Duo Pleiades, a multi-course meal from Preston Event Centre, and of course — the awards ceremony itself!
The Gala will start at 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 24 at the Preston Event Centre, 523 St Anthony St, Ottawa. Winners will be announced live during the Gala.
Tickets are $150 each. Purchasers will receive a $50 charitable donation receipt.
Unable to attend this year? You can support VO and Ottawa’s volunteers by donating a ticket on Canada Helps! Donated tickets will be offered to local non-profits and charities to allow their staff and volunteers to join the celebration.
