Happy Hallowe’en!
I love Hallowe’en...and not just because I love candy. It’s one of those times when residents come together and take over the neighbourhood, in the spirit of community and festivity. I love seeing all the kids out in their costumes, excitedly running from door to door.
I hope everyone has a good night tonight, and a safe and fun Hallowe’en.
Tonight may be about trick-or-treating, but there’s still other things we need to talk about.
Lansdowne Park
No doubt you’ve heard about the city’s proposal for Lansdowne Park. In a report that is coming to the Finance and Economic Development Committee (FEDCO) on Tuesday November 5, city staff are recommending that the city start negotiating with OSEG to hand over operations, programming and control of the remaining public space at Lansdowne Park. The report also speaks to public consultations, but the intent is clear. Staff are to come back with a deal to hand over the public areas of Lansdowne to OSEG.
I don’t support this. I think it’s great that we’re talking about the future of Lansdowne Park, but that’s a discussion that should be taking place between residents, the city and OSEG before any negotiations start. This is what I will be asking of FEDCO. If you would like to sign up to be a delegation on November 5th, please email [email protected]
Sign our petition calling for the protection of public use of Lansdowne Park, and for robust public consultations to take place before the city enters into negotiations with OSEG
An Initial Public Discussion
On Monday, about 500 residents came out to the Horticulture building to discuss the future of Lansdowne Park. It was great to see so many people coming out, demanding that the city do what is best for residents.
I’m grateful to everyone who came out and to the community associations of the Glebe, Old Ottawa South and Old Ottawa East for putting the event together. I know that Capital Ward has passionate, engaged residents, and having your support in this fight for Lansdowne is important to me.
Rally Before FEDCO: People Over Profits
As I mentioned, FEDCO will be meeting next week on the morning of Tuesday November 5, and the committee will be discussing what to do with the programming at Lansdowne Park. I’m very concerned about the report. It’s part of a trend at City Hall that puts the interests of the city’s “private partners” ahead of the interests of residents. This needs to change.
On that morning, I will be holding a rally outside City Hall. We’ll be calling on the city to put the needs of residents first. Before any changes are made to the Lansdowne deal, we need proper, full public consultations on a renewed vision for the Park.
This is how it should always work at City Hall. Council is there for your benefit. Council is there to create a better city. It’s time to come together and fight for our city.
I hope to see you out there:
Ottawa City Hall, Marion Dewar Plaza (Laurier Avenue entrance)
Tuesday November 5
8:30 am
RSVP here
Budget Speak 2020/ParlonsBudget 2020
November will be all about the upcoming budget at City Hall. The draft 2020 budget will be tabled November 6, and then it will be reviewed by city committees before being finalized by city council in December.
Once again, I want to hear from you.
The five urban councillors are holding a public consultation at the beginning of November. Come out and tell us what you think should be a priority for your city budget:
Jean Pigott Place, City Hall
Tuesday November 5, 2019
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
If you’re able, I hope you’ll come out and have your say...but I understand that not everyone will be available these nights, so you’re still welcome to share your comments. You can email me at [email protected].
Community Consultation: Proposed Development for 24-30 Pretoria Ave
A community consultation will take place concerning the proposed development at 24-30 Pretoria Avenue on November 7th for 7pm at the Glebe Community Centre. Our office has already raised our concerns and the community's concerns with the architecture firm, and they have informed us that a modified proposal will be presented on the 7th. You can see the original proposal here, and the Glebe Community Association's concerns here.
We encourage interested community members to show up.
Get Your Flu Shot and Stop the Spread of the Flu
Getting the flu vaccine is good for everyone. When more people get their flu vaccine, the odds of the flu virus spreading goes down. This protects those who are most vulnerable such as children under 5, adults 65 years or older, pregnant women, as well as those living with chronic health conditions like diabetes, cancer and HIV/AIDS.
For the upcoming season, vaccines will be available across the City of Ottawa in pharmacies (for those 5 years of age and older), workplaces, OPH clinics, community health centres, physician and nurse practitioner offices, and long-term care and acute care facilities.
Anti-Racism Secretariat
Please see the following message from Councillor King:
Hello fellow Ottawa residents,
As some of you know, I have proposed creating an Anti-Racism Secretariat at the City of Ottawa. I have done this to address increasing rates of hate crimes and racial discrimination directed at diverse communities, above-average unemployment for racialized people and the need for improved community/police relations, among other things.
I'm writing to you to ask for your help in getting my fellow city Councillors to support the idea. All you have to do is email your own Councillor...and copy all the others.
I am in support of Councillor King’s proposal. He has prepared a draft letter of support that constituents can send to city councillor’s here.
Final workshops: Inspire the Iconic Features and Finishing Touches for the new Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada Joint Facility
The new Ottawa Public Library-Library and Archives Canada Joint Facility offers residents a great opportunity to contribute to a once in a generation project. Add your voice to the thousands who have inspired this exciting city building project and join us for the last design workshops on this future landmark destination. To complete the design, we want to hear your thoughts on what makes a building iconic. Registration is now open for the fourth and final Inspire555 design workshop.
At this workshop, participants will be asked to provide inspiration into the facility’s iconic features and finishing touches, such as the choices of building materials inside and outside of the facility, and the ways in which this facility can become an inclusive destination for all. In keeping with their commitment to meaningful engagement, the architects will report back on what they heard throughout the Inspire555 process, and how public input has informed the development of an iconic design.
Date: Monday, November 18, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Shenkman Arts Centre
Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Nepean Sportsplex
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street
Canadians from coast to coast or anyone who cannot attend the workshops will be invited to provide input online at Inspire555.ca during the month of November.
First Unitarian Fall Fair November 16, 2019
The First Unitarian Conregation of Ottawa is hosting their annual Fall Fair on Saturday November 16. This event promotes re-use and recycling in the community, and the proceeds contribute to church activities including refugee support, space for community organizations, and congregational action and education on environmental issues.
In addition to a silent auction, the sale includes a wide range of gift items, crafts, and gently used clothing, books, jewellery, tools, electronics and housewares. Two food areas offer delicious home-made meals, and baking and jams are available for home enjoyment.
The fair runs from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave, off Richmond Road (between Woodroffe and Golden).
See more information on the Fall Fair website, including how to donate items, check their website.
