Heron Park Update
My staff and I have been working to ensure enhancements in Heron Park, and I had a chance to speak with residents this past week. We received a staff update about some upcoming street improvements for Aldea and Clover, which we will hold a Zoom consultation on in the month of October (details to come). I also had a chance to check out the new community building under construction! It’s looking great, and it's wonderful to see so much happening in the neighbourhood.
Climate Change Master Plan Updates—and Work Ahead
As Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, I’m happy to report that it was a busy month for the committee, with several major reports approved by Committee and Council. Among them, the Climate Change Master Plan and GHG inventory update showed that the city has invested more than $1.1 billion in climate initiatives between 2023 and 2025. This includes $974 million for the Zero Emission Bus Program and $129 million for climate resiliency projects. Since the last update in April 2023, the city has delivered key projects such as the Better Homes Ottawa loan program, new rooftop solar installations and key city plans which incorporate a climate lens.
Other climate change and environmental updates include:
- A public online dashboard that will launch this fall to provide emissions data and trends;
- Approval of a new framework to guide investments in high-impact climate initiatives;
- Update on the Tree Planting Strategy;
- Approval of Parks Waste Collection and Diversion Strategy;
- An update on preparations for a change in residential recycling services, as Ottawa transitions to the Province of Ontario’s new Blue Box Program starting this January.
For more information, please visit the recent post on our website.
Old Ottawa South Fall Fest!
The Old Ottawa South Community Association’s annual Fall Fest event is taking place at Windsor Park this Saturday, October 4, from noon to 4:00 pm. This year's event will feature giant inflatables, horse drawn wagon rides, games and art activities, face painting, live music, as well as food and refreshments available for purchase.
As always, this event is free to the public. It is OSCA’s way of giving back to the community that supports it, and we are grateful for their work.
Integrated renewal of Bullock Avenue, Toronto Street, Rideau Garden Drive and Elliot Avenue
The City of Ottawa invites you to attend a public information session—open house to discuss the proposed infrastructure improvement project on Bullock, Toronto, Rideau Garden and Elliot. Preliminary design drawings will be on display for your review and staff will be present to provide information, answer questions and receive your input/comments.
Wednesday October 8, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
St. Paul University
Multi Room
223 Main Street
In addition to the above meeting, residents can also participate through viewing and commenting on the online documents to be posted here after the event.
Your input is an important part of the consultation process. Your feedback can be submitted via the online form, or by email or by phone to the Project Manager by October 22.
City Project Manager
Mike Sexton, P.Eng.
[email protected]
(613) 580-2424, ext. 26157
Trees Replanted Along Kings Landing
After some trees were removed along Greenfield Avenue behind Kings Landing Private (units 36-46) as part of the GMH renewal project, residents mobilized for replanting. Our office was happy to help facilitate these efforts with staff and ultimately, three serviceberries were planted in their place.
Drainage Improvement Project on Linden Terrace
As part of their work to improve drainage issues in various locations throughout the Ottawa, the city has started planning work improvements to the street drainage system along Linden Terrace, consisting of three outlets that discharge into Patterson Creek. Two of these outlets have reached the end of their lifecycle and are not operating effectively. The work involves the replacement of storm sewers, catch basins and storm sewer manholes.
Planning will continue in 2026, with the work expected to begin in the spring of 2027. We will provide further updates as the work progresses.
Pretoria Bridge Maintenance
Pretoria Bridge will be closed on Sunday October 19 from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm to allow for the annual winterizing maintenance on the bridge. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure, with short intermittent delays.
Enjoy Free Sports Equipment at New Park Lockers in Capital Ward
A new one-year pilot project can now be seen in parks across Capital Ward! Eight self-serve sports equipment lockers have been placed in parks across the ward, offering free access to equipment such as basketballs, volleyballs and frisbees. Residents can borrow equipment using the Equip Sport mobile app.
You can find and enjoy the lockers at:
- Brantwood Park – 39 Onslow Cres
- Brewer Park – 100 Brewer Way
- Heron Park – 999 Heron Rd
- Senator Eugene Forsey Park – 964 Bronson Ave
- Springhurst Park – 24 Brunswick St
- Springhurst Park (2nd Locker) – 24 Brunswick St
- Sylvia Holden Park – 641 O'Connor St
- Windsor Park – 1 Windsor Ave
Click here to learn how to access the equipment.
The lockers will be winterized and unavailable during the winter. They will re-open in spring.
At the end of the pilot, a full evaluation will help to determine possibilities for future expansion, which could include more lockers, additional wards and additional equipment (e.g., pickleball sets and paddleboards) for a nominal fee. The pilot is being delivered in partnership with Equip Sport, the City of Ottawa and Canadian Tire Jumpstart.
Panda Game
The 56th Panda Game is coming to Lansdowne Park this Sunday, October 5. Kickoff is at noon.
As a part of the Capital Ward community, Carleton University students and staff have been going door-to-door and working with the city, the police and other partners to ensure fun, safe and responsible Panda Game celebrations for all residents and participants.
In an effort to provide alternative programming and reduce community impact, Carleton and uOttawa will continue the joint effort to host a Post-Panda event for all ages on the uOttawa campus from 7:00 to 11:00 pm.
For more information, visit goravens.ca/panda.
Your Capital Ward
Photo by Doug Humphrey
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.
Supporting Hospice Care Ottawa
The wait is over…Homes for the Holidays tickets are officially on sale!
Tour eight breathtaking homes, beautifully decorated for the season, and spark your holiday spirit. Step inside, be inspired, and make this holiday season truly magical. Plus, our beloved Pop-Up Shop is back—and it’s full of festive surprises!
Ready to kick off the season in style? Get your tickets today before the Early-Bird pricing is gone!
Click here to buy your ticket.
Fall Public Workshop on Complete Communities
On Wednesday November 5, Ecology Ottawa and Walkable Ottawa are hosting a community workshop at Carleton University to explore how neighbourhoods can provide more of what people need close to home—shops, services, and public amenities within a short walk. They'll discuss 15-minute neighbourhoods, complete communities, and how we can advocate for a greater mix of shopping options and public amenities.
Join them from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Carleton University. The evening will open with a short presentation, followed by interactive breakout sessions. Light refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP here.
Sculpture Expo 2025
The National Capital Network of Sculptors is hosting their signature show, Sculpture Expo, on October 18 and 19 at the Glebe Community Centre at 175 Third Avenue. The expo will feature over 65 original sculptures. Several new artists and a completely refreshed collection across every style and medium.
Learn more at sculptureottawa.ca.
Rental Renovation Licence By-law Review
The City of Ottawa is considering a by-law to help protect tenants from unlawful evictions due to renovations or repair (also known as “renovictions”). Input from this questionnaire will help inform the development of this by-law.
The term “renovictions” refers to evictions that occur when a landlord undertakes renovations to a rental property and replaces the evicted tenant with one who would pay higher rents after the renovations are completed, failing to meet the legislated requirements to let the tenant move back in. These evictions are associated with a concern that the landlord is undertaking the eviction in bad faith to terminate the tenancy illegally.
Bad faith actions are not always the case, however, as properties could require legitimate renovations after multiple years or decades of rental use, and these legitimate renovations may require vacancy of the unit.
They city wants to hear from you on this important issue. This questionnaire will take up to 15 minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday October 31. Your input is valuable, and your responses will help shape policy recommendations that will be before Committee and Council in the Spring 2026.
Upcoming Queensway Lane Closure
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is replacing the Preston Street, Bronson Avenue, and Percy Street bridges on Highway 417. The following lanes and off ramps are scheduled to be closed between Friday October 3 at 9:00 pm and Monday October 6 at 5:00 am:
- Lane 1 (left lane) of Eastbound Highway 417 Closed from Rochester to Bank St Overpass.
- Lane 2 (middle lane) of Eastbound Highway 417 Closed Nightly from Rochester to Bank St Overpass.
- Rochester On Ramp Westbound Closed.
- Lane 1 (left lane) of Westbound Highway 417 Closed from Rochester Overpass to O-Train Overpass.
- Lane 2 (middle lane) of Westbound Highway 417 Closed Nightly from Rochester Overpass to O-Train Overpass.
- Lane 2 and 3 (middle and right lanes) shifted onto shoulder
Launch of RSV immunization campaign for infants and high-risk children
Ottawa Public Health (OPH), CHEO, and local birthing hospitals—including The Ottawa Hospital, Hôpital Montfort and Queensway Carleton Hospital—are urging parents to immunize eligible infants and high-risk children against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this fall.
RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs and airways and is the most common cause of a chest infection called bronchiolitis. While many infants and young children with RSV can recover quickly, some may develop a severe infection that can be life threatening and can lead to hospitalization. RSV remains one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalizations among children under the age of one.
Ontario’s publicly funded program will be available to infants, high-risk children and pregnant persons. The Province’s Older Adult RSV Prevention Program is also rolling out this fall. For more information on RSV vaccine eligibility, as well as respiratory virus prevention strategies, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RSV.
The VOscars Volunteer Awards
Get your ticket now for the celebration on October 23.
The VOscars Volunteer Awards Gala is the highlight of the year for the city’s volunteers and non-profits. This beloved annual event celebrates Ottawa’s vibrant volunteer spirit and gives special recognition to those individuals, organizations and businesses who have made a difference in the community.
