With the election behind us, the Capital Ward Bulletin is back!
It is an honour to continue serving this community.
Remembrance Day Commemoration at Brantwood Place Gates
Photo by Tong Shahin
I was honoured to participate in the Old Ottawa East Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Brantwood Place Gates on Sunday, to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their life for peace and what we hold dear.
We’re Hiring!
Are you interested in working at City Hall and supporting the work of the Capital Ward Office? We’re currently looking for three new Councillor Assistants: an Executive Assistant, a Policy Advisor (Environment) and a Caseworker.
You can see the full job advertisements on our website, and you can send your application to [email protected].
Community Survey for Hopewell Avenue School Street
The Hopewell Avenue School Street pilot recently ended on November 3rd. Members of the school community, residents of Hopewell Avenue and the surrounding area, and anyone who experienced the school street are invited to complete a short survey to help EnviroCentre better understand the impact of the pilot.
Participants will have an opportunity to share additional comments and feedback. We value your input as working with the community to is important for testing out new ideas like this.
You can access the survey here until November 30th: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HopewellCommunitySurvey. If you have any questions about this survey or the wider school street pilot program, please contact [email protected].
Sunnyside Library Update
City staff have determined that significant lifecycle renewal work is necessary for the Sunnyside branch in 2027. This is an important investment in the existing building. The project will renew major components, including the roof, windows, masonry and related building-envelope systems. The work will help protect the facility and support Sunnyside's continued service to current and future generations of library clients.
Temporary Closure
The scale and nature of the construction will require Sunnyside to close temporarily.
Current city project planning anticipates work beginning in spring or summer 2027. OPL is planning for a closure of approximately six months, although the actual duration will depend on construction progress, site conditions and weather.
OPL and the city have considered whether the branch could remain open or whether the work could be phased over a longer period. The combined scope of the project and the limited size of the Sunnyside site make continued public operation impractical.
Continuity of Library Service
OPL is committed to service continuity during the closure, but the precise arrangements have not yet been determined.
Preliminary planning has considered three broad approaches:
- A dedicated temporary location within the Sunnyside service area.
- Reliance primarily on neighbouring branches.
- Limited mobile or other off-site services within the community.
Staff will continue to investigate a dedicated temporary location because this currently offers the greatest potential to maintain convenient local access.
Our Focus on Increasing Library Access
The hours of operation remain a critical missing service for this highly utilized branch. Ideally, the branch would be open for at least eight additional hours per week, including opening earlier on Fridays and opening Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00. We will be pushing for these expanded hours and anticipate achieving them in the coming Term of Council.
Aberdeen Pavilion Rehabilitation Project
The City of Ottawa is investing in the rehabilitation of the Aberdeen Pavilion, one of Canada's most significant heritage buildings and a landmark destination at Lansdowne Park.
This project will preserve the Pavilion's historic character while improving its safety, functionality, accessibility, and long-term sustainability for future generations.
Many of the Pavilion's original building components are now more than 100 years old and are experiencing deterioration caused by:
- Water infiltration
- Wood decay
- Corrosion of structural and architectural elements
Undertaking rehabilitation now will help avoid more extensive and costly repairs in the future while preserving the building's heritage character.
The primary driver of the project is the replacement of the Pavilion's aging roof system, which has reached the end of its service life.
The rehabilitation includes:
- Replacement of the historic roof and dome systems.
- Rehabilitation of heritage windows and doors.
- Restoration of ornamental metalwork.
- Renewal of structural elements.
- Replacement of the concrete floor slab.
- Modernization of mechanical systems.
- Modernization of electrical systems.
The city recognizes the Aberdeen Pavilion as an important destination for community events, markets, festivals, exhibitions, vendors, organizers, and visitors.
We want to ensure the city works with community partners and vendors like the farmers market and 613flea so that they have suitable space at Lansdowne while construction is ongoing.
The work begins this year and is expected to run through fall 2028.
New Bus Shelters in Capital Ward
Recently, staff have installed a new bus shelter at 875 Heron Road, near Data Centre Road, on the north side of the street.
Staff have also developed plans to install a new bus shelter at Lansdowne Park. This will require removing the current bus shelter as well as the concrete pad, before installing a new pad and the new bus shelter. This will result in a doubling of the space in the bus shelter.
We’re happy to see these new amenities. Providing protection from the elements helps make transit more comfortable and desirable for residents.
Bank Street Renewal Update
Work is slowing down ahead of the winter shutdown. Temporary paving is ongoing over the next few weeks to prepare the site for winter conditions. Upcoming work includes grading and rough landscaping near sidewalks. In November, traffic signal work will take place at the new Blue Heron Mall intersection, and utility work is planned south of Heron. Sidewalk installation will also continue as weather permits.
This is a big and important project for the city and the neighbourhood. We appreciate your patience through the disruptions.
Upcoming Consultations
We have a number of road re-constructions in Capital Ward planned for the coming years.
Cecil and Karn Integrated Renewal
The City of Ottawa invites you to attend an upcoming public information session to discuss a reconstruction project planned in your neighbourhood.
Through this session, the City of Ottawa will be presenting the latest design drawings, proposed schedule, and construction information related to the Cecil Avenue & Karn Place integrated renewal project in advance of the start of construction in spring 2028.
Public consultation details:
Wednesday November 25
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Presentation at 7:00 pm
Heron Park Fieldhouse, 1560 Clover Street
Bullock, Toronto, Rideau Garden and Elliot Integrated Renewal
The City of Ottawa invites you to a public information session to discuss an infrastructure improvement project in your area. During the session, you will have the opportunity to review preliminary design drawings. Staff members will be on hand to provide details about the project, answer your questions, and gather your feedback.
Public consultation details:
Monday November 30
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Presentation at 7:00 pm
St. Paul’s University, Multi-Purpose Room, 223 Main Street
Riverdale Avenue Integrated Renewal
The City of Ottawa is proceeding with an integrated road, sewer and water rehabilitation project along Riverdale Avenue to address the aging underground infrastructure. The reconstruction required for this work provides an opportunity to upgrade the design of surface elements such as sidewalks, cycling facilities and traffic calming measures.
Public consultation details:
Monday December 7
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Presentation at 7:00 pm
The location is still to be determined, but we will provide further details in an upcoming bulletin and on our website.
Your Capital Ward
Photo by Mark Robinson
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.
Superstructure Replacement of the Brookfield Pedestrian Bridge—Brookfield Pathway Closure
Beginning in late October 2026, the City of Ottawa will begin superstructure replacement of the Brookfield Pedestrian Bridge over Sawmill Creek. The superstructure has reached its service life and needs to be replaced. A full road closure is required to facilitate the work.
The scope of work will include replacing the existing superstructure with prefabricated steel truss structure and concrete deck, repairing the existing abutments and other miscellaneous repairs.
Anticipated construction dates are late October to late December 2026.
The bridge is located on the Brookfield pathway over Sawmill Creek, west of Brookfield Road and adjacent to the southeast Transitway and Trillium O-Train.
More information about the project can be found at www.ottawa.ca/BrookfieldBridge.
New Bike Racks on Echo Drive
After a request from Immaculata High School, we are happy to announce that we have and new bike racks installed on Echo Drive along the new Multi-Use Path near the school. We appreciate city staff’s quick work in responding to this request.
Workshop Series: Extend Your Cycling Season
For a second year in a row, the City of Ottawa’s Cycling Safety Awareness Program is offering a series of FREE workshops to support Ottawa’s cyclists extend their cycling season through the fall and into the winter. Delivered by a friendly, experienced cyclist, this workshop will teach you what you need to know to feel comfortable biking year-round. You will learn tips, tricks, and tools to extend your cycling season into the fall, or beyond! We will review route planning, techniques, and simple suggestions for winter bike maintenance.
Click on the links below to access registration for each activity.
- Wednesday November 4, 12:00 pm: French workshop at the Main Branch (120 Metcalfe)
- Thursday November 5, 12:00 pm: English workshop at the Main Branch (120 Metcalfe)
- Thursday November 5, 6:00 pm: English workshop at the Rosemount Branch (18 Rosemount)
- Saturday November 7, 3:00 pm: English workshop at the Sunnyside Branch (1049 Bank)
- Sunday November 8, 2:00 pm: Guided bike tour departing from Hurdman Station (bilingual)
- Tuesday November 10, 7:00 pm: English virtual workshop (register to receive connection information)
- Saturday November 14, 2:00 pm: Guided bike tour departing from Bayview Station (bilingual)
- Sunday November 15, 9:00 am: Guided bike tour departing from Hurdman Station (bilingual)
- Sunday November 22, 2:00 pm: Guided bike tour departing from Carleton University (bilingual)
EnviroCentre currently delivers the Cycling Safety Awareness Program on behalf of the City of Ottawa and will be delivering these workshops.
Citizens’ Climate Fresk Workshops: Remaining Fall Lineup at Dovercourt
Do you want to be part of the solution to tackle climate change but don’t have the time to become a climate scientist? This 3-hour workshop will help you better understand the causes and consequences of climate change and the order of magnitude of the problems and order of magnitude of the required solutions.
More information and registration, the remainder of this Fall’s lineup of Citizens’ Climate Fresk workshops can be found at Climate Fresk / La Fresque du climat Ottawa | Eventbrite including
- Thursday November 12, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
- Tuesday December 1, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
If you have questions, contact: [email protected].
Snow Go & Snow Go Assist
Ottawa winters can present barriers for older adults and people with disabilities.
Do you need help clearing your driveway and/or walkway during the winter?
- The Snow Go program provides a matching service for older adults and people with disabilities to hire an individual or contractor to clear snow from private driveways and walkways at an affordable rate.
- The Snow Go Assist program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income older adults or persons with disabilities to help with their snow removal costs.
To be eligible for the Snow Go Assist program (subsidy) programs, applicants must:
- Be an older adult aged 60 years + or person with a disability
- Have an annual income below $51,500 for a single person and below $62,000 for a household (two or more persons)
- Have no one living in the home who is physically able to do the work
- Provide proof of one of the following sources of income:
- GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement)
- ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)
- Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit
- Ontario Works plus proof of disability and/or be a senior (60 year or older)
- Essential Health and Social Supports plus proof of disability and/or be a senior (60 year or older)
- Home Help plus proof of disability and/or be a senior (60 year or older)
For approved applicants, the program:
- Pays up to 50% of the cost of snow clearing per event, to a seasonal maximum of $250
- Pays up to 50% of the cost of snow clearing per event, up to a seasonal maximum of $450, if you live in a rural area and have an excessively high cost for your snow removal.
The amount paid will depend on the number of applicants and available funding.
To apply, contact your local community support agency. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 27, 2026.
For a list of these agencies, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 or call 613-580-2400 to contact the city using Canada Video Relay Service (VRS).
Free Native Seed Giveaways
The Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library (OWSL) is hosting free native seed giveaways this fall. Join the OWSL to learn about the benefits of native plant gardening, take in a winter sowing demonstration, and pick up free native seeds.
- Saturday November 7, 1:00 to 3:00 pm: Trinity United Church, 1099 Maitland Avenue
- Saturday November 14, 1:30 to 3:30 pm: Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, Hall A, 1490 Youville Drive
- Saturday November 21, 1:00 to 3:00 pm: Tom Brown Arena, 141 Bayview Station Road
Visit the OWSL website for the full list of seed giveaways this fall, to see the seed catalogue featuring over 300 native species and to shop for garden signs and magnets.
Online orders can be placed until December 26.
Have your say on the future of garbage management
The city is exploring ways to manage the garbage that remains after residents have recycled, composted and reused as much as possible, and is looking for feedback.
While additional landfill capacity has been secured, we are also exploring waste to energy incineration, which uses controlled burning to convert waste into energy. This process reduces the amount of garbage, leaving only ash to be disposed of in a landfill.
At this time, no decision has been made to pursue waste-to-energy incineration. Regardless of how garbage is managed in the future, the city will continue to prioritize waste reduction, diversion, reuse, recycling and composting as outlined in the Solid Waste Master Plan.
Share your feedback
We invite you to learn more about waste to energy and landfilling. Please visit an information session and share your feedback through the online survey:
- Thursday November 26: In-person open house at Trail Waste Facility Landfill, 4475 Trail Road, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
- Tuesday December 1: In-person open house at Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, Ellwood Hall, 1265 Walkley Road, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
- Thursday December 3: Virtual information session, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. A link to join the virtual session will be published on Engage Ottawa closer to the event date.
Visit Engage Ottawa to learn more and complete the survey.
Your input will help inform future planning, technical studies, public engagement and Council decisions about how the city manages garbage in the long term.
Coming Soon: Deployment of New Parking Payment Technology
Keep an eye out, Ottawa!
Over the coming months, the City of Ottawa will be replacing existing Pay & Display machines with new Pay-by-Plate kiosks across the city, including at the Glebe parking garage and the surface parking lot at 574 Bank Street (Bank and the Queensway). Kiosks for on-street parking in the Glebe are expected in December.
The new kiosks make paying for parking easier. Simply enter your licence plate number when paying, with no need to display a receipt on your dashboard. You'll also have access to additional payment options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, debit tap, and credit card tap.
- No dashboard receipt required
- More ways to pay
- Larger, easier-to-use screens
- Parking rates and hours of operation are not changing
- PayByPhone app remains available
Keep an eye out for the new kiosks as they roll out over the coming months.
Learn more at ottawa.ca/parking.
Registration opens November 17 and 19 for City of Ottawa winter activities
Registration for City of Ottawa winter swimming, recreation, arts and cultural activities and inclusive recreation opens soon. Get ready now to make registration day easier by reviewing activity offerings and ensuring your account information and payment details are up to date.
- Browse available activities online beginning Tuesday, November 3.
- Register for swimming activities beginning Tuesday, November 17 at 9:00 pm.
- Register for all recreation, arts and cultural activities beginning Thursday, November 19 at 9:00 pm.
- Register in person during regular business hours at recreation and cultural facilities across the city beginning the day after online registration opens.
- Financial assistance is available to eligible residents through the Ottawa Hand in Hand program.
- If you join the Waiting List and a spot becomes available, you will receive an email notification and have 36 hours to respond.
Preparing for registration
- New users must create a Register Ottawa account.
- Returning users should sign in and confirm their account information is up to date, including family member details and payment methods.
- Create a Wish List of preferred activities and add backup choices in case your first selections fill quickly.
- Visit the Register Ottawa FAQs and watch the tutorial video for more information.
