It’s an election year in Ottawa, so this will be the last Capital Ward Bulletin before election day on October 26. This is in respect to the blackout period that is put in affect according to the City of Ottawa's Election Related Resources Policy. Members of Council who are seeking re-election may not publish electronic newsletters during this period.

For city-related news and information during the blackout period, you can visit the city's website.

For contact information for all candidates currently registered for the 2026 Municipal Elections, please visit the city’s election website.

Capital Pride

Capital Pride begins tomorrow! This year’s theme is Together, We Shine—a celebration of the power of visibility, connection and community. Inspired by the symbol of the spotlight, this year’s theme recognizes the people, stories, and voices that make Ottawa–Gatineau’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community vibrant, resilient and proud.

It will be a week of festivities, education and advocacy in support of Ottawa’s queer community.

On Monday August 24 at 10:00, the city will raise the pride flag at Marion Dewar Plaza at City Hall (110 Laurier Avenue West).

The Street Festival returns to Bank Street this year on August 29 to 30 from 12:00 to 8:00 pm each day! It features community organizations, political groups, a craft fair, activations from our corporate partners and other programming. Join Capital Pride in Ottawa’s Village as we celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

And come downtown for the Pride Parade on Sunday August 30 at 1:00pm! The parade begins at the intersection of Wellington Street and Booth Avenue, travelling Wellington to Bank Street, ending at Bank and Albert Street. Join more than 225 groups and over 11,000 community members as we take to our city’s streets. Plus, this year’s Grand Marshal, Brianne Jenner, leads the parade.

You can find a full calendar of events at capitalpride.ca.

185 Hawthorne Update

Two years ago, the City of Ottawa first raised the idea of building affordable housing at 185 Hawthorne Avenue, which is currently used as greenspace by the community. We worked with staff and city council to develop a framework that would ensure that this development saw new affordable housing go in, while also retaining some community greenspace. We also directed staff to retain or replace as many trees as possible.

This year, the city issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for housing providers to propose development for this site. The Youth Services Bureau (YSB) was selected as the preferred provider. The land transfer has not happened yet and YSB does not yet have possession of the land. Further information will be available once that happens.

While preliminary planning and design work continues, we do have some updates.

This will be supportive housing, with on-site supports. YSB will also be required to develop a Good Neighbour Policy, outlining how the building will operate, as well as the responsibilities of YSB staff. This is a new city requirement.

Aside from the requirements placed on supportive housing, this project will proceed like any other development project. YSB will have to get site plan approval. Site plan materials will be publicly available online, and there will be pre-consultation meetings.

There will likely be some onsite parking, but the intent is to design around the existing parking access, maintaining the curb parking along the lot.

A portion of land was excluded from the RFP. It will remain as accessible greenspace. Tree retention is being worked on as part of the environmental soil remediation necessary for the site. Due to the site layout and the provincial regulations, tree retention is complicated, from a technical perspective. Staff are working to keep as many healthy trees as possible, but the remediation work will give us a better idea of what is possible.

As the project progresses, a joint meeting will be held. More information can be shared as it becomes available.

Climate Readiness—Coming to a Home Near You

Investing in climate readiness saves 13 to 14 times future costs according to a recent city report, with many Capital Ward residents investing in climate resiliency projects for their homes. 

On August 11, my team and I  visited Stephen Hazell and Cheryl Witoski at 58 Strathcona Avenue in the Glebe to learn about climate measures taken at their century-old semi-detached home. Better insulation, new windows, heat pump, solar panels and electric appliances, as well as an EV and home charger have dramatically reduced their burning of fossil fuels. Two 146-litre water barrels and a naturalized yard reduce flood rain run-off from their property.  

Dick Bakker, vice president of Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op, was also on hand to explain that Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One must invest more in the electricity grid so that more renewable power can be generated and transmitted locally.

We continue working with staff to improve the city’s climate resiliency efforts, and it’s great seeing residents making these sorts of changes.

ANCHOR Who to Call Resource

Support is available and knowing who to call can make all the difference. Whether you need City services, community support, or emergency assistance, this guide can help you quickly find the right resource.

It includes information about important community services, as well as ANCHOR (Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response), which currently operates in the following boundaries:

North: Ottawa River, Beechwood Avenue, and Hemlock Road
East: St-Laurent Boulevard
South: Carling Avenue, Trans-Canada Highway/ON-417, and Lees Avenue
West: Island Park Drive

Consider keeping this guide somewhere easy to find for future reference.

New Signs at Brewer Pond

I want to give a big thanks to the Old Ottawa South Community Association and resident Oliver Waddington for getting educational signage installed at Brewer Pond. Four signs have been installed detailing the local flora and fauna, as well as the changing landscape of the wetlands.

This is a great initiative to give residents some more information about this diverse ecosystem in our community.

Glebe Annex Party in the Park

Summer is in full swing, and it's time for the Glebe Annex Community Association (GACA) to host another Party in the Park!

Bring your family, friends, and neighbours and join them for a free afternoon of food, fun and community spirit on Saturday August 22, from noon to 3:00 pm at Dalhousie South Park. Feel free to bring a lawn chair and settle in for a relaxing afternoon outdoors.

In the event of rain, the party will take place on Sunday August 23, at the same time and location.

Activities

• 12:00 to 2:00 pm – Free community barbecue, including their famous crepes!
• 12:30 pm – Quiz and lawn games begin

New Picnic Table!

A new accessible picnic table has been installed in Brown's Inlet following a resident request. Enjoy!

Air Conditioner Pilot Program

The City of Ottawa is offering a limited Air Conditioner (AC) Pilot to help eligible low-income residents stay safe during periods of extreme heat. The pilot provides a portable air conditioner to residents who do not have a working air conditioner, have a health-related need for cooling, and cannot afford to purchase an air conditioner on their own.

We know that heat waves can be dangerous, and people shouldn’t be imperiled based on their ability to afford an air conditioner. We’ve been pushing to get a program in place to help low-income residents get air conditioners, and we’re very glad to see this program roll out.

Residents who think they may qualify are encouraged to contact Essential Health and Social Supports (EHSS) program through 3-1-1 for an eligibility assessment.

• Call 3-1-1 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
• Select English (1) or French (2)
• Select Community and Social Services (4), then select (6)

Community Mailbox Installations

Canada Post will begin installing community mailboxes in certain areas of the city this fall. This will include the area of Heron Park with K1V postal codes. Property owners adjacent to proposed locations will receive notice from Canada Post starting this month.

The locations have been selected by Canada Post on the basis of guidelines provided by the city staff. The guidelines factor in matters related to city operations as well as safety and integration with the surrounding context.

Residents who receive notices and have questions can contact Customer Service by phone Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at 1-866-607-6301 or online at www.canadapost.ca/support anytime.

Walk‑Up Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

A walk-up Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Event is happening on Sunday August 23, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at St. Patrick’s Adult School located at 290 Nepean Street. Safely dispose of small amounts of hazardous waste without a vehicle. 

Example of acceptable items include: 

• Cleaning products 
• Caulking 
• Hazardous aerosols 
• Light bulbs 
• Small gas canisters 
• Small household batteries 
• Paint 

Up to 20 litres per person. 

This event is walk-up only. Please arrive on foot, by bike or mobility device. Vehicles will be redirected to the next large Household Hazardous Waste event. For a list of accepted items visit ottawa.ca/HHW.

Your Capital Ward

Photo by Janet Stephens

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.

Seniors Active Living Fair

The Abbotsford Seniors Centre at 950 Bank Street is hosting a Senior Active Living Fair on Friday September 4, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. You can join them for a fun and informative day of demonstrations, classes and presentations. There will also be a trade fair with businesses and organizations that focus on seniors health and active living.

Registration begins August 14. Members may register at myactivecenter.com.

Non-Members can call (613) 230-5730 to register.

The event is free and open to all seniors. Bring a friend!

Seniors Nutrition Workshop Series

The Abbotsford Seniors Centre will also be holding a six-week Nutrition Workshop series. The workshops run on Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm, starting on September 10 and finishing September 15.

The full series costs $90, or you can sign up for individual sessions for $20 each.

To register, call (613) 230-5730.

Carleton University Fall Orientation Week

From Sunday, September 6th to Sunday, September 13th, Carleton University’s Fall Orientation program will be running. The program welcomes over 2,500 new students to Carleton University. Throughout the week there will be activities at Carleton, highlighted with a concert taking place in Norm Fenn Gym (Carleton Athletics Building) on Friday, September 11th. We have worked with Councillor Menard to ensure a smooth event for new students and surrounding community members. If you have any questions or concerns about the week, please email the Fall Orientation Team at [email protected].

Join Ecology Ottawa’s EcoYouth Council

Ecology Ottawa is thrilled to accept applications for the third year of its EcoYouth Council. The EcoYouth program responds to growing eco-anxiety among young people and highlights the power of local environmental action. Through the Council, school presentations, and the Youth Summit, youth participate in practical environmental solutions, deepen their knowledge, and develop leadership skills. This is a fantastic opportunity for youth aged 16–23 to make a real impact in their community. 

Ecology Ottawa invites interested youth to access their website for more information and to apply. Applications are open until September 11, 2026.

2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships

Ottawa is proud to host the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships from September 9 to 19!

Over 11 days of competition, Ottawa will welcome the world’s top wheelchair basketball athletes in a celebration of sport, skill and resilience. Twenty-eight teams (16 men’s and 12 women’s) will compete across two venues, Carleton University and TD Place.

Ottawa 2026 will be the largest team sport event for people with disabilities ever held in Canada outside the Paralympic Games.

Wheelchair basketball is elite sport—fast-paced, physical, strategic and thrilling to watch. The event will challenge perceptions of disability while championing accessibility and inclusion.

On September 9, Canada’s Women’s and Men’s National Teams will both take the court at TD Place. Be part of the excitement, wear RED and help create an unforgettable atmosphere as Team Canada opens the Championships on home court! 

Get your tickets at ottawa2026.ca.

Windsor Pumping Station

The Windsor Park Pumping Station project is approximately 90% complete. The remaining work is focused primarily on system commissioning and minor mechanical work. The project remains on track for overall completion by December 2026, pending delivery of the supply fan enclosure.

Replacement Plantings on Centennial

Last fall, 25 beautiful crabapple trees were planted along the median of Centennial Boulevard after the existing trees were removed by Hydro Ottawa. We’re happy to report that a year later, everything is looking green and healthy again.

We want to thank the many community members who worked with us and Hydro Ottawa on these successful plantings.

Celebrate Aging at the Walk of Ages!

Join the Council on Aging of Ottawa on Saturday September 12 at the Rideau Community Hub for the Walk of Ages, an intergenerational community celebration that recognizes the contributions of older adults and reminds us that aging is a journey we all share.  Whether you walk, roll, or simply come to enjoy the festivities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy live music, delicious barbecue, a classic car show, family activities including a bouncy castle and explore more than 35 community organizations offering information, resources and opportunities to get involved. Bring your family, friends, and neighbours as we celebrate aging, strengthen community connections, and build a more age-friendly Ottawa. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!

BikeNight—Save the date!

Ottawa’s second annual BikeNight is Saturday September 12 at Confederation Park—meet-up at 6:00 pm, ride starts 7:30 pm and goes to 10:00 pm. 

This year music will be heard along the route. Light up your bike with flashy decorations!

The event is in the spirit of Montreal’s ‘Tour la Nuit’ which celebrates cycling and promotes safer cycling infrastructure.

Cleaning the Capital 2026 Fall Campaign

As fall approaches and colourful landscapes begin to transform our city, residents are invited to come together with neighbours, friends, family and colleagues to help keep our shared public spaces clean, beautiful, and welcoming for all.  

Registration for the Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign opens on August 25, with litter cleanup projects taking place between September 15 and October 15.  

Cleaning the Capital Registration and Clean-up Kits  

The online registration form is available on the Cleaning the Capital webpage. Residents are encouraged to check out the interactive map prior to registering to view the locations and dates of all registered cleanup projects in their communities. Participants can choose to clean public spaces such as parks and greenspaces, roadsides, shorelines or areas around bus stops. 

Clean-up kits, which include nitrile gloves and garbage bags, will be made available for pickup by registrants between September 4 and October 11 at participating City of Ottawa facilities across the city.    

Key Fall Campaign Dates:  

Property Tax Relief for Extreme Weather Event Impacted Properties

The City of Ottawa is sharing information about a property tax relief program that may be available to property owners whose properties were significantly affected by the July 1, 2026 extreme weather event.

If this event has made your property substantially unusable, or if repairs prevented normal use of the property for at least three months, you may be eligible for a cancellation, reduction or refund of a portion of your 2026 property taxes.

To be considered, property owners must submit an application by February 28, 2027. Applications should be accompanied by pictures of the damaged areas and any other supporting documentation that is available. Eligible properties may receive a prorated adjustment to their 2026 property taxes.

There are several options available for submission:

• Online: Property taxes cancellation, reduction or refund
• By email: [email protected]
• By mail: City of Ottawa Revenue Services c/o Tax Adjustments Section, 100 Constellation Drive, 4th Floor East, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
• By fax: (613) 580-2457

An acknowledgment letter will be sent once your application has been received.

If you have any questions, please contact Revenue Services at (613) 580-2444 (TTY: (613) 580-2401) or email [email protected].

Nominations Open for Order of Ottawa and Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

The city is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Order of Ottawa and the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching.

You can complete nominations for both awards either online or by downloading a nomination form from the Order of Ottawa award webpage. The submission deadline is Wednesday September 2 at 11:59 pm. Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission.

A list of Order of Ottawa inductees is prominently displayed on a wall on the first floor of Ottawa City Hall and posted online. Nominations from the public are reviewed and recipients of the Order of Ottawa are chosen by a Selection Committee that includes the Mayor, City Clerk, Chief of Police, City Archivist, Chief Executive Officer of Library Services and the Chief of Protocol (ex-officio member).

Nominations by immediate family members, self-nominations, and posthumous nominations will not be accepted. Elected municipal, provincial and federal officials are not eligible while in office.

Riverside Drive lanes reopen to traffic Monday, August 31

Riverside Drive westbound lanes between Data Centre Road and Neil Way (near Pleasant Park Road) will reopen to traffic on Monday, August 31.

Work completed on Riverside Drive this spring and summer included the replacement of underground infrastructure and utility relocations, followed by sidewalk and curb reconstruction and road resurfacing.

There will be intermittent lane closures along Riverside Drive in fall 2026 due to additional road resurfacing and intersection work.

The Riverside Drive closures were necessary as part of Phase 1 of the Bank Street Renewal Project. 

Bank Street Construction

The Bank Street Renewal Project will modernize Bank Street from Riverside Drive to Ledbury Avenue, creating a more connected experience for everyone who uses the corridor.

Along with reconstructing the road and underground infrastructure, the project will add dedicated cycle tracks, improved transit stops, landscaping and streetscape elements.

Bank Street will continue to be reduced to one lane in each direction from Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue while watermain, sewer and road reconstruction work continues throughout 2026.

Night Work

Weather permitting, night work will include the following:

• Utility and traffic signal relocations 
• Paving operations and preparations for the reopening of all Riverside Drive lanes 

Work will be carried out at night to provide a safer operation for workers, motorists and other road users. This work is expected to occur over multiple nights between August 23, and August 31 between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am the following morning.

Work will occur at the following locations:

• Bank Street and Riverside Drive intersections
• Riverside Drive between Data Centre and Pleasant Park Road 

Summer 2026 progress

• Storm and sanitary sewers were installed on Bank Street from Riverside Drive westbound to Riverside Drive eastbound.
• Watermain was installed on Bank Street from Heron Road to Collins Avenue and from Belanger Avenue to Randall Avenue.
• Utility relocation work, including streetlighting, traffic signals, hydro, and communications infrastructure, was completed throughout the project area, including Riverside Drive in both directions.
• Roads and sidewalks were reconstructed on the east side of Bank Street, from the Transitway to Belanger Avenue and from Heron Road to Randall Avenue.
• Construction of the new Blue Heron Mall entrance on Bank Street began this summer, with intersection upgrades and installation of a new traffic signal continuing through 2026 and 2027.

Businesses

Bank Street businesses remain open during construction. Work will be coordinated to ensure uninterrupted customer access to businesses.

Traffic Impacts

Traffic delays around the construction zone are expected. Signage will be in place to notify residents and commuters of the impacted area.

OC Transpo

OC Transpo routes will not be impacted and will continue to use the Transitway in this area.  Please visit OCTranspo.com/alerts for transit information. 

Pedestrians and Cyclists

Pedestrian access will be maintained through the work zone at all times. Cyclists will be able to dismount and use the pedestrian route. 

Stay Informed

• Visit ottawa.ca/BankStreetRenewal for additional details and specific traffic impacts.
• Sign up for the project newsletter to receive regular project updates.
• Contact the project team at [email protected].