Capital Ward Bulletin: Taking another look at Lansdowne 2.0, snow clearing continues and other city updates

Cleaning up after the storms

We understand there are many sidewalks, roads and pathways in the ward that require attention and snow removal right now. This is the situation right across the city, and crews are fully deployed working 24/7 to clean up from a historic amount of snow that fell on the city. A severe winter weather protocol remains in place in the city, and it means normal snow-clearing standards are not being met. Streets are starting to get snow removal in Capital Ward, as of February 18. Please be patient with operators and each other as the city works to clean up.

Capital Ward Cup

Photo by John Dance

We had a great time at the Capital Ward Cup a few weeks back. It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday, and we had teams from Heron Park, the Glebe, Old Ottawa South and Old Ottawa East participating in some friendly competition. In the end, the Old Ottawa East Hosers came out on top…but it was a great time for everyone involved.

And a big thanks to Miles, from our office for once again refereeing all the games.

Taking another look at Lansdowne 2.0

We know many residents have tremendous interest in the Lansdowne 2.0 project, and, as we dig more and more into this deal, more and more concerns arise. I spoke about these concerns at a recent council meeting.

Here are some of the most alarming financial irregularities with the Lansdowne 2.0 proposal:

First, there are significant risks with the forecasted revenues and the construction:

• The city has indicated it will be taking on a $419 million cost to re-redevelop Lansdowne, with new city debt at $312.7 million at 4.25% interest over 40 years. Debt payments over this time will be $656 million in principal and interest payments.
• The city is banking on significant new waterfall revenues from Lansdowne 2.0 to help offset some of that taxpayer debt. To date, Lansdowne has not produced any waterfall revenue for the city and is not projected to over the lifetime of the agreement (Lansdowne 1.0 had originally projected over $100 million from waterfall revenues according to the Auditor General).
• The city says profits of $358.6 million will flow to the city during the life of the project, which would expire in 2066. There is no iron clad guarantee of this—similar to what we saw with Lansdowne 1.0. Some of the more assured funds come from upping OSEG's rent from $1/year to $500,000 for leasing the site (though they have threatened to leave the deal several times and the city has now materially changed the plan three times in response) and $700,000/year in ticket price increases. On their own, those amounts come nowhere close to the $358.6 million in profits being projected for the city, with OSEG also expected to receive $302.6 million in profits with new expected retail revenues being the main driver.

• Part of what the city is banking on is also $3.3 million in taxes/year from new residential buildings, taking 75% of them solely for Lansdowne. Those taxes would normally flow to all city wards and services, but in this case, it helps to make the deal look more affordable. At the end of the day, it is simply tax dollars paying for Lansdowne 2.0. 
• The city has also projected that it will receive $500,000 annually from a city-wide tourism tax.  Ottawa Tourism has not yet agreed to this tax, and even if it does, those funds would normally go to other city-wide projects in many wards.

• Unlike in the Lansdowne 1.0 deal where the city was protected from cost increases in construction (which did occur), the city will now be responsible for any construction cost over-runs. This is another big risk. As we have seen with LRT lawsuits and the public inquiry, there is no guaranteed fixed price; “on time on budget” is a fallacy with this type of procurement.
• The city has approved the mayor to advocate for $20 to $50 million from other orders of government for the project. That isn't just a nice to have; the city has actually projected $20 million towards the budget of paying for Lansdowne 2.0 (this is equivalent to about a 1% tax amount for a year). Thus far, no funds from other orders of government have been identified. It is unlikely they will materialize, which would be add to the taxpayers’ burden.

Beyond the financial risks identified above, there are very serious and wasteful costs to proceeding with the project that would not otherwise be present:

• Brand new retail just built in 2014 is set to be torn down. These are some of the smaller businesses at Lansdowne (in the J-Block along the north side stands). What is astonishing is that new retail proposed would be built at almost the exact same square footage as already exists now (41,000 vs 49,000 square feet of retail). An exceptional waste of money with many of the existing businesses on site likely unable to recover from the 7 to 10 years of construction.
• The retail podium land and air/subterranean rights for the proposed towers behind the north side stands would be sold to a developer (estimated at $39 million), and then the retail podium land would be repurchased at market rates by the city through the partnership’s retail loan expansion, estimated at $34.7 million. We would be repurchasing retail square footage that essentially already exists today and was just built in 2014.  
• The city will spend $8 million just to move the large, well-used green berm/sledding hill and area where fans of all ages watch games from afar. A unique sporting experience at the site that doesn’t exist many other places in the country, and it would be no more.
• The city will also incur $18.6 million of debt to build 140 parking spaces to lease or sell to the developer on the site (under the new north side stands where the current Civic Centre is). Debt servicing is set to cost the city $600,000 annually. You read that correctly, the city will be paying public funds for private residential developer parking facilities. The scheme is absent from the stated $419 million cost to the city which has headlined new articles.
• The city partnership will keep a large loan for the roof repairs of the Civic Centre that is to be demolished. There was a dispute with OSEG previously, and the city guaranteed a loan for $23 million in debt to make a new repair to the Civic Centre roof. The city partnership will be left with over $16.5 million of the loan to pay off even after the building is torn down (www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/oseg-city-settlement-committee-1.3345994).

There are many other concerns with the plan in front of us, but the overwhelming response we are receiving from the public is a question about why we would spend this money when they city has much more important priorities, such as transit and affordable housing, and when there is no stadium emergency. The existing building is valuable, can be maintained and improved, and is safe—as per staff and previous auditor general reports—with a brand new accessible state-of-the-art facility—the south side stands—just built in 2014.

A better plan, with much fewer expenses and risks, would be to maintain what we have; invest in accessibility improvements to the north side stands and arena, as well as on the grounds of Lansdowne; work on a much-improved transportation plan to and from the site; and ensure better and safe access to the canal. This—combined with weekday Monday-Friday activities such as a work hub, enhanced public events which are well attended but inexpensive (great examples like indoor roller and skateboarding at Aberdeen, outdoor yoga, winter family activities)—will bring more people to the park at a fraction of the cost.

This would mean we would still have a roof over the north side stands, we would still have a green berm to enjoy the games from afar with families, tickets would be more affordable, we would still have room for PWHL attendance and major events, and the existing business in and around the area would not be put at risk with 7-10 years of construction. The issue right now is that the city is about to spend a lot of money with a lot of risk built in to produce a product that is worse for sports fans and park goers (with 58,000 square feet of greenspace being lost).

Finally, there has been an argument floating around that spending this money and taking on this risk would be less expensive than keeping and improving what we already have. Much like other aspects of Lansdowne redevelopment, this is smoke and mirrors. The calculation to come up with that worst-case scenario used pandemic level attendance figures, assumed no sports teams would be operating, that most large public events would be cancelled and that the city would do almost nothing with the site after having just spent $210 million on the first redevelopment. That is, to be frank, not realistic, and it is being used to justify this new spending.

Heron Park Field House Update

Work on the Heron Park Field House will continue this coming spring and summer. We’re looking forward to this much-needed amenity being completed this fall. 

And we have some good news! While the work continues, we have confirmed with staff that the pool will be open throughout the summer and a porta-potty will be available on-site. We know that construction can be disruptive, and we’re glad that we were able to work with staff to keep the pool open during the summer season. 

Rochester On-Ramp Closure

As part of the ongoing work on the Queensway, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will be closing the westbound Queensway on-ramp at Rochester Street from February 24, 2025, to June 20, 2025. This is to allow construction of trenchless crossing and noise barriers along the Queensway, Rochester Street and the O-Train Line 2.

Traffic will be diverted to Carling Avenue to access the Queensway at the Carling on-ramp, just past Kirkwood Avenue.

Your Capital Ward

Photo by Marcel Boudreau

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.

Snow is still stormwater

We’re all used to snow in the winter, but, remember, snow is stormwater, too. We often think of stormwater runoff as rainfall, when in fact snow is a big source of runoff when it melts, especially come spring.

Here are three tips for dealing with snowfall at home: 

1. Keep drains clear to avoid ponding in the road during the inevitable thaw. Ottawa has more than 2,700 kilometres of storm sewers and 134,020 storm drain inlets! You can tell which ones are storm drains because they usually have a fish on them. 
2. Pile your snow on permeable surfaces like your lawn where it can be absorbed easily when it melts. This simple tip can help reduce flooding in the spring and prevent pollutants like salt from flowing into the river with the melt water. Win-win all round! You can learn more about salt use by taking this Quiz from Ottawa Riverkeepers.  
3. Snowmelt flowing from your downspouts can freeze on surfaces and create slipping dangers. Consider relocating a downspout to drain onto your lawn and minimize salty runoff. Use a downspout extender to make sure it drains at least 2 metres from your house to protect your foundation. 

Want to be better prepared for snowmelt in the future? Consider installing permeable pavements on your driveways or walkways, and a soakaway pit in your yard. These two solutions help snowmelt and stormwater get absorbed into the ground where it falls, preventing erosion and environmentally damaging runoff.  

Find out more at ottawa.ca/rain. 

Ottawa Public Health Update—Physical Activity, Sleep & Socialize

During the winter months, it can be challenging to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is here to help remind us of the importance of regular physical activity, good sleep routines and making social connections during these cold months so that you can stay healthy, feel better mentally and boost your overall well-being.

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines advises each age group on getting the right amount and type of physical activity, limiting sedentary behaviour (like sitting) and getting enough sleep. 

Physical activity plays a significant role in our overall health. OPH encourages everyone to engage in at least one hour of moderate to intense physical activity each day—something you enjoy, whether it’s walking, skating or swimming. Winter offers plenty of opportunities for fun activities outdoors. Consider doing these no cost/low-cost activities:  

• Go on a family hike! Explore great trails in or near Ottawa 
• Go for a skate along the Rideau Canal or a walk in the Byward Market 
• Go for a family swim 
• Bring your helmets and go for a family skate at a local arena or outdoor rink
• Bring your helmets and go tobogganing on approved hills 
• The Ottawa Public Library offers free passes to help library members be more active.  

Sleep is equally important for maintaining good health. OPH highlights the need for 7+ hours of sleep each night and recommends creating a sleep-friendly environment: a cool, quiet and dark room can help improve your rest. With consistent bedtimes and wake-up times, you’ll feel more refreshed. Avoiding screen time and substances like caffeine and alcohol before bed also makes a big difference in how well you sleep. These small adjustments can help you get the rest you need for staying healthy.

Lastly, making social connections is beneficial for our mental health, especially during the cold winter months when we are more likely to isolate ourselves. OPH encourages in-person interactions with family and friends, and to reduce recreational screen time.

For parents and caregivers, the Canadian Paediatric Society’s (CPS) guidelines for managing digital media use can help promote healthy habits for kids too. These are CPS’s four essential “M’s” of digital media use for kids:

• Manage screen use. 
• Encourage meaningful screen use. 
• Model healthy screen use. 
• Monitor for signs of problematic screen use. 

These tips are simple yet impactful, especially during Ottawa’s long winters. By following OPH’s suggestions to stay active, get enough sleep and prioritize social connections, we can all lead healthier lives, no matter the season.

Ottawa Public Health Update—Coping with Cold Weather

Winter and its cold weather are around the corner. The City of Ottawa and many community agencies and partners work together to share cold weather injury prevention messages and ensure options are available for people to come in from the cold and access services. Cold weather-related injuries and deaths are preventable. With preparation, everyone can experience winter in Ottawa without getting too cold. Stay safe and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at greater risk.

What is the risk of cold weather?

Cold weather temperatures can result in frostbite, hypothermia, slips and falls, and even death. According to Health Canada, the general risk of injuries like windburn and frostbite increases when the wind chill reaches minus 27 and below. Everyone is at risk if not dressed appropriately. However, some people are more quickly affected by the cold – particularly young children, older adults (65+), people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, and those with certain medical conditions.  

What is Ottawa Public Health’s role?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) uses its website and social media posts to share information on how to prepare for cold weather. Extreme Cold Warning alerts are issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 35 C for at least two hours. OPH shares these alerts via social media to notify the public and community agencies that assist people at greater risk of cold weather injuries.

• Visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather.
• Follow OPH on X (twitter) (@OttawaHealth), Facebook (Ottawa Public Health) and Instagram (OttawaHealthSante) for information on public health topics such as being prepared for cold weather.

Be winter ready!

• Download the WeatherCAN app to get directly notified of ECCC alerts.
• Get advice and support:
  • Call 2-1-1 to reach Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario (CNEO). CNEO provides social services assistance (e.g., accessing warm clothing, contacts for community outreach services)
  • Call 3-1-1 for information and assistance on helping someone get out of the cold, including transportation to shelter.
  • Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice such as concerns about mental health and wanting to speak with a professional.
  • Call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency such as frostbite or hypothermia.

• Visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather to find information on cold weather and resources in our community, including an interactive map of Places to Warm Up in Ottawa.
• Visit www.cneo-nceo.ca/publications-and-lists to find CNEO’s List of Out of the Cold locations (Ottawa) 2024/2025. CNEO also has local social service and support information.

Did you know?

• The City of Ottawa has a Minimum Heat Requirement By-law. It requires landlords who normally cover heating expenses to maintain adequate and suitable heat at all times, at least 16.67°C (62°F) at night and at least 20°C (68°F) during the day.
• Air Source Heat Pumps are available through Save ON Energy.
  • The Energy Affordability Program offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to income-eligible households with electric heating. Visit SaveOnEnergy.ca to find out more.

Introducing the new Property Standards Search Tool

Emergency and Protective Services has launched a new feature on Ottawa.ca.

The Property Standards Search Tool, located in the Rental Housing section, provides residents the ability to search residential addresses in the City to determine if there have been any property standards violations within the past five years. It is meant to help residents make more informed choices about where to rent. This initiative originated with the Rental Accommodations Study and was approved with the adoption of the Rental Housing Property Management By-law and Rental Accommodation Study Update in August 2020. It has been developed in consultation with and input from ACORN Ottawa, the Eastern Ontario Landlords Organization and Ottawa Small Landlords Association, in addition to internal departmental partners.  

Using this tool, residents can search any residential address in the city. Commercial and Institutional properties are not included in search results. Staff have worked with both Legal Services and the city’s ATIP Office to ensure that no personal or confidential information is disclosed, and that the tool meets the requirements of privacy legislation.

Search results will include a general description of the type of property, such as “Multi-residential building with 50 or more units”, using data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Results will display any recorded violations of the Property Standards By-law or the Property Maintenance By-law that have occurred in the past five years, including the date, the type of violation and whether the case is open or has been resolved. Please note that this does not include all complaints, only those where a Property Standards Officer has confirmed that the property was in violation and enforcement action was required. No case details or personal information are provided.

Environment and Climate Change Committee moves to help residents protect their homes from flooding

The Environment and Climate Change Committee today approved updates to the Residential Protective Plumbing Program and By-law to help residents protect their properties from flooding and prepare for extreme weather events. 

This program provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners to install new protective plumbing devices, such as sump pumps and backwater valves. These devices can prevent sewage or stormwater from entering homes when the sewer's capacity is exceeded, for example during an extremely heavy rainstorm.  

The recommended changes would make it easier for residents to access the program by simplifying the application process, reducing the steps and expenses required. Successful applicants would receive larger rebates, including: 

• $3,000 for a sump pump in a new sump pit or $1,500 for a sump pump in an existing pit 

• $2,500 for an exterior storm backwater valve 

• $1,000 for indoor backwater valves 

• 100 per cent of the building permit fee for protective plumbing work  

The city would also make similar changes to the Compassionate Grant Program, which provides financial support to eligible residents affected by flooding due to sewer surcharging.  

The committee approved delegating authority for staff to pursue a five-year extension of the city’s current Landfill Gas Utilization agreement with PowerTrail. Under the current agreement, PowerTrail manages the gas generated at the Trail Waste Facility landfill, converting it to energy that it then sells to the Ontario electrical grid. Extending this agreement would provide stable operations while the city works on a long-term strategy to manage and optimize the use of landfill gas as part of the Solid Waste Master Plan. The long-term strategy, which Council will consider later this year, would seek to maximize landfill gas as a resource and revenue stream while also reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. 

The committee approved updates to the Sewer Use By-law, which safeguards the environment and city infrastructure from harmful substances by regulating discharge limits to storm and sanitary sewers and ensuring industry compliance. The proposed changes would align the by-law with recent provincial regulations, address industry trends, enhance compliance awareness and improve transparency and accountability through clear guidelines for all stakeholders. 

The committee heard an overview of the Tree Dedication Program, which replaced the former Commemorative Tree Program. Through this program, residents can have a tree planted in honour of a significant person or a meaningful event. The program offers more categories for personal dedication, such as births, anniversaries and other milestones. Community dedications are also available for a community leader, milestone or event significant to the public at large. The tree-planting site can be selected from pre-determined locations in various City parks, with a choice of tree species based on the site conditions. Residents can learn more and apply online at ottawa.ca/treededication. 

Items considered at this meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, February 26. 

Draft Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy

The City of Ottawa’s RCFS Department is pleased to release the Draft Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy for public review. The strategy is the product of extensive consultation and engagement with a wide range of partners, including municipalities across Canada, residents, municipal membership tennis and pickleball clubs and local sport associations. Input from partners shaped the direction of the strategy and guidelines have been designed to reflect and balance the priorities of each group.

Key Considerations:

1. Outdoor Court Minimum Standards
2. Pickleball Noise Mitigation
3. Outdoor Court Equity, Diversity and Access
4. Outdoor Public Court Equipment/Infrastructure
5. Outdoor Public Court Conditions of Use

Residents are invited to share feedback regarding the Draft Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy by email to [email protected](External link) by March 4, 2025.