At the city, Black History Month is a time for us to create spaces for ACB Canadians—our friends, colleagues, youth, leaders and beyond—to share their stories and experiences. It is also an opportunity for employees and leaders to listen and deepen our commitment to keep ACB community members’ voices and feedback at the forefront of our work, as we confront and remove systemic barriers in our workplace, programs and services.
Black History Month is one of the significant occasions throughout the year to have focused discussions on systemic anti-Black racism and the impact it has on the lives of ACB community members. Under the guidance of the city’s Anti-Racism Secretariat, the City’s first-ever Black History Month Committee is leading this discussion through a series of events, activities and focused communications for employees and residents.
Created in 2022 and made up of ACB staff and allies across the city, the Committee has chosen the theme Getting to Know Us: Showcasing the African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Experience in Ottawa.
Under this theme, the Committee is encouraging ACB communities to tell their stories, take back their voices, change the narrative and confront learned stereotypes. This is an opportunity to centralize the voices of ACB staff and their experiences, and showcase the diversity, richness in culture and talent of the ACB communities in Ottawa. It is also an invitation for all staff and residents to learn about and understand the experiences of ACB staff and residents through their own stories.
A free in-person art exhibition showcasing local ACB artists for all staff and residents to enjoy. In collaboration with Ottawa Public Art, the Black History Month Committee invites you to learn about different themes and stories as told by ACB artists through painting, photography and more:
- February 1 to March 3, 2023, at Jean Pigott Place, City Hall
- Share your experiences in the art space on social media using the hashtags #BHMGetToKnowUs #OttCityBlackHistoryMonth
For more resources and events happening around the city, please visit the Ottawa Public Library and Black History Ottawa websites.
Advancing our Commitment to Confronting Anti-Black Racism at the City
The city’s first ever Anti-Racism Strategy, led by the Anti-Racism Secretariat, outlines the city’s commitment to establish regular and ongoing anti-racism efforts through focused learning and awareness activities, and to build a common understanding of the complexity of racism and its impacts on Indigenous, ACB and other racialized communities. The Anti-Racism Secretariat has identified the Black History Month Committee as one area of focus to carry out these ongoing anti-racism efforts in February and throughout the year.
New Garbage Cans on Main Street
Our office has worked with city staff and the community association in order to have the city add four three-stream waste bins along Main Street in spring of 2023. Three-stream bins offer waste disposal, recycling and composting options in line with the city’s waste reduction goals. Proposed locations will include the southeast side of Springhust and Main near Greens and Beans; the southeast side of Main and Oblates across from Happy Goat; and on the west side of Main, mid-block between Oblats and Hazel near Vespa wine bar; and by Hazel across from Watson’s pharmacy. Given the increased density in the area, the new bins will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
Mutchmor Rink Party!
In celebration of the return of the Mutchmor Rink, the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG) and the Glebe BIA will be hosting a free neighbourhood party on Saturday, February 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.
There will be a BBQ, fun family games and skating, refreshments, and lots of fun. This community winter party is free for everyone. We hope you can make it!
Capital Ward Cup 2023
Join us for the return of an annual Capital Ward tradition where residents join community teams to compete in a friendly game of shinny for the Capital Ward Cup. The Capital Ward Cup was first awarded in 2008. The current Capital Ward Cup holder is the Old Ottawa South Moose, who won it in 2020.
The current champs will be hosting the tournament in Old Ottawa South this year on Sunday, February 5 at 10:00 am at Windsor Park. You can RSVP to join us as a spectator here! More information about the tournament, including the rules of play, can be found at the same link. We hope to see you there.
Zero-Emission Buses for OC Transpo
On Friday, the Transit Commission gave approval for staff to continue the move to an all-electric bus fleet, and yesterday, the council confirmed that decision. With grant funds from Infrastructure Canada and a conditional loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the city will be able to purchase 350 e-buses (and the necessary charging infrastructure) by 2027 without increased expenditure for the city by moving previously forecasted diesel bus purchases to sustainable e-bus purchases , getting us that much closer to our goal of a completely non-emission fleet by 2036.
In addition, this move is estimated to save the city $80 million dollars over the coming 15 years, compared to what it would cost to continue running diesel buses.
Our city—like others—has struggled greatly with sever storms and the effects of climate change, and it’s important that we take what steps we can to mitigate these effects. Switching to an electric fleet is part of our Climate Change Master Plan, and as Chair of the Environment Committee, I’m glad we were able to make this important decision last week.
2023 Budget Consultations
We will be co-hosting two budget consultations in February, one with south-end councillors and one with downtown councillors.
South End Budget Consultation
Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30 pm
Heron Road Community Centre, 1480 Heron Road
In-person and online
For more information or to register, visit our website.
Downtown Budget Consultation
Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 pm
Virtual consultation
For more information or to register, visit our website.
Greenfield Avenue, Main Street, Hawthorne Avenue et al. Reconstruction Project—Public Engagement Opportunity
The City of Ottawa will be hosting a public information session on the upcoming Greenfield-Main-Hawthorne re-construction.
February 8, 2023, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
In-person walkthrough/drop-in
MULTI Room—Saint Paul University
223 Main Street, Ottawa, ON
You will be able to review the design plans and related objectives, provide comments and raise any issues that have not yet been identified. Representatives from the city and the consulting team will be available to discuss the project and answer your questions, including any detailed property-specific questions you may wish to ask. Hydro Ottawa will be available at the in-person session to address any questions about the undergrounding of overhead power lines on the various sections of Greenfield Avenue, Main Street and Hawthorne Avenue, and associated connections to private property.
Bank Street Renewal Project (Riverside Drive to Ledbury Avenue)
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 Bank Street Renewal Advanced Miscellaneous Works project in advance of the start of construction in spring 2023. The Information Session will also provide an update on the design progress of the overall Bank Street Renewal Project, Riverside to Walkley/Ledbury.
Thursday, March 9, 2023
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Ridgemont High School, Cafeteria – Room 153
2597 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa
In addition to the above meeting, residents can also participate through viewing and commenting on the online documents posted at ottawa.ca/bankstreet. Your input is an important part of the consultation process. Your feedback can be submitted by email or by phone to the contact below by March 17, 2023.
Please sign up for the Bank Street Renewal e-newsletter at ottawa.ca/esubscriptions.
Windsor Park Pumping Station Reliability Upgrades
The City of Ottawa invites you to review and provide comments on the new documents and illustrations posted on ottawa.ca/windsorparkpumpingstation for the Windsor Park Pumping Station Reliability Upgrades project by February 22, 2023. Your feedback can be submitted by email or by phone to the contact below.
A virtual public information session is also being held on Wednesday February 8, 2023, at 7:00 pm. If you wish to participate, please use the following link to register: https://tinyurl.com/Windsor-PSR.
The Glebe Community Co-operative—Playground Redevelopment
An application through the City’s Community Partnership Minor Capital Program was approved in Spring 2021 to update the play structure at Glebe Community Centre. Combined fundraising efforts from Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, Glebe Cooperative Nursery School, Ward 17 Cash in-Lieu of Parkland, and Community Partnership Funding was been compiled to proceed with the attached concept plan.
The new play structure includes naturalized play elements which promote both fine and gross motor skill development. Scope includes:
- Log Play Hut
- Sand Play
- Natural Play Climber
- Wood deck Stage
- Chalk Board
- Stepping stones in an accessible engineered wood fiber safety surface
Construction to occur Summer 2023. Specific dates will be provided following the tender process.
Please provide feedback on the concept plan by February 3, 2023.
Civic Hospital—Public Consultation
Residents are invited to attend a virtual public information session via zoom on February 9 at 6:30 p.m. where the applicant will present their application and answer questions. Those interested in attending can register here.
Your Capital Ward
Photo by Heather Duggan
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.
Rerouted Trillium Pathway at Dow’s Lake now in place
The Trillium Multi-Use Pathway is rerouted near the Dow’s Lake area to facilitate construction activities on the site of The Ottawa Hospital’s (TOH) new campus.
The previous multi-use pathway traveled due south at Carling Avenue, adjacent to the rail corridor, and connected to Prince of Wales Drive.
The rerouted multi-use pathway takes the following route:
- East on the south side of Carling Avenue
- South at Preston Street, on the west side of the street
- Southwest along Prince of Wales Drive
Maintaining and continuing this popular active transportation link throughout construction is a priority with approximately 1,500 people using this multi-use pathway each day.
This initial multi-use pathway along Preston Street will temporarily be three metres wide for both cycling and pedestrian use, in addition to the existing narrow sidewalk. As the roadwork and signalized intersection improvements continue in 2024, so will the pathway and sidewalk be enhanced to 3.5 and 3-metre widths, respectively.
Ottawa Goggins Fundraiser for Cornerstone Housing for Women
The Goggins Challenge is a running event from Friday, March 3 to Sunday, March 5. They will be running four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours, beginning on Friday at 8:00 pm, and ending on Sunday at 4: pm. The organizers will be running in Ottawa, but runners are welcome to run wherever they are located.
This year, their goal is to raise $10,000 for Cornerstone Housing for Women. Cornerstone provides housing and support services, operating 5 community houses, and welcoming over 200 guests each day.
You can sign up to run the entire event yourself, in a team to split up the runs, or to just run one or more of the four-mile legs. Organizers ask all runners to donate what they can, in lieu of a race fee.
Interested in running? Sign up here!
For more info, you can email Ottawa Goggins at [email protected]
Battle of the Bands
Calling all singers, songwriters, strummers, pianists, yodellers, and pickers. We've redesigned our Neighbourhood Battle of The Bands and condensed it to just one night - February 11th. Here's the catch though - we need musicians from Old Ottawa South and Old Ottawa East to sign up. The Glebe already has their bands ready to go. Please email [email protected] by 5pm tomorrow, February 3 to introduce yourself and express interest performing at this event. Musicians must be 19+ and a minimum of 2/3 of your act must be from the neighbourhood you're representing. All ticket revenue will be donated to community recreation programs
Fun Ideas to get Families Walking This Winter
February is Winter Walk Month, the perfect time for families to enjoy walking outdoors together. One great way to stay active this winter is by walking to school the whole way or part of the way. Did you know that walking or rolling to school not only improves children’s health but can help improve academic performance? The increased physical activity improves alertness and attention span during the school day! An active school commute also reduces road congestion in school zones and greenhouse gas emissions – it’s a win-win for everyone!
Some families are not able to walk all the way to school, so for families who drive, we encourage you to avoid the congestion by parking five minutes away from the school and walking a block! Find your Walk-a-Block map HERE. Families who take the school bus can stay active this winter by walking in their community together.
Families and schools can check out the many resources available to celebrate Winter Walk Month HERE. Below are a few of the ways that families can join in the fun:
- Join the Hop! Winter Walk Challenge. Use the Hop! app in February to log your walks to school or in the community. Everyone who participates will be entered in a random prize draw to win a $50 gift card from Indigo/Chapters! www.123hop.ca.
- Ottawa teachers are encouraged to join the Hop! Winter Walk Classroom Challenge. The classroom team that logs the most kilometres in the month of February will win a $100 gift card. Classroom teachers can create a team and join the challenge by emailing [email protected].
Whether you are a parent, guardian, teacher, or engaged community member, the children in your life will thank you for walking with them! Check out this blog post for more fun ideas for walking in the winter.
Ride the OC Transpo and STO OLG Sno-Bus for free at Winterlude!
Going to Winterlude this year? Ride the OLG Sno-Bus for free to official Winterlude sites across Ottawa and Gatineau.
OC Transpo OLG Sno-Bus Schedule
- Between Lansdowne Park and downtown Ottawa via Queen Elizabeth Driveway
- February 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19, from 10 am to 5:30 pm
- Monday, February 20, from 10 am to 3 pm
- Between downtown Ottawa and Jacques-Cartier Park North
- Monday, February 20, from 10 am to 3 pm
STO OLG Sno-Bus Schedule
- Between downtown Ottawa and Jacques-Cartier Park North
- February 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 from 10 am to 5:30 pm
- Between Jacques-Cartier Park North and the Robert-Guertin Park and Ride
- February 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 from 10 am to 5:30 pm
Transfer between OC Transpo and STO OLG Sno-Buses on Elgin Street at Sparks Street. Look for OC Transpo and STO buses signed “OLG Sno-Bus” at designated Sno-Bus stops.
On February 11, you can catch an OC Transpo shuttle from downtown to Rideau Hall for the Rideau Hall Winter Celebration.
Wearing your skates onboard the OLG Sno-Bus is not permitted. Please carry your skates using skate guards or carry them at your sides to avoid injuries.
Hydro Ottawa Updates
Weather Alerts and Outage Information
Back in September, Hydro Ottawa launched their Weather Watch emails to keep customers informed about possible weather threats that pose a risk to our power system before they occur.
If they have your email on file, you would have received an email alert back in December, prior to a 90 km/h windstorm that knocked power out to thousands of residents in Ottawa and eastern Ontario. Customers with emails on file, are automatically enrolled for this new service.
Should an outage occur, customers can find all the information they need on our outage map.
Warning Residents of Scams
Ontario’s largest electricity utilities (Alectra Utilities, Elexicon Energy, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa and Toronto Hydro) are once again joining forces to increase awareness of utility-related scams and how customers can spot them.
Scammers are known to target Ontarians by impersonating a local utility or its employees; sending threatening phone calls, texts and emails; or showing up in-person at a customer’s home or business to request personal information.
Learn the signs of fraud, how to protect yourself, and what Hydro Ottawa does and doesn't do. Visit their fraud awareness page here.
Black History Month
