Tenant Rent Reduction
As a result of a direction we brought to the Finance and Corporate Services Department, we are beginning to see tax fairness for all renters in the city. In 2024, the tax ratio for multi-residential properties was 1.409, meaning that for every dollar paid for other residential properties, multi-residential properties would pay $1.41. That is a significant difference, and it amounts to an unfair tax burden on tenants.
In 2025, city staff reduced the tax ratio to 1.3, and is committed to further reducing it by 0.1 annually until a ratio of 1.0 is reached.
This saving is passed on directly to renters. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, any tax decrease greater than 2.5% requires the city to send notices to landlords and tenants, informing them of an automatic rent reduction for 2026.
The anticipated 4.5% property tax reduction will mean a mandatory rent reduction in 2026. For example, a person paying $2,000 per month in rent will see an estimated $16 automatic rent reduction per month ($192 per year) in 2026.
At that rate, over the four-year phase-in period, the cumulative savings for renters would be an estimated $1,960, with a cumulative annual rent reduction of $784 annually (or $64 monthly) at the end of the period.
This month, those notices will begin arriving in the mailboxes of tenants across the city.
This change does not affect buildings built since 2002, as those buildings are already taxed at an equitable. It also does not affect many non-market housing buildings, as they are already at a reduced property tax (or are entirely exempt).
We are glad that we have been able to do our part in bringing greater affordability and tax fairness to tenants in our city. We will continue to work for greater tax fairness and equitable treatment for everyone in Ottawa.
Centennial Boulevard Replanting Complete
After months of consistent engagement, we are happy to report that Centennial Boulevard has officially been replanted with 25 beautiful crabapples!
Fresh soil and organic matter were added beneath each new planting and a layer of mulch installed to conserve moisture. Hydro One has arranged for a bi-weekly watering service following planting and once established, the trees will become part of the City of Ottawa’s Tree Inventory. At this point, they will be maintained by the city and regularly inspected by Hydro One to ensure a safe distance is maintained from the transmission lines overhead.
Thanks to the 125+ community members who provided input to the Hydro One survey, and to the countless neighbours who shared their feedback over the past year along the boulevard. Your input has been extremely valuable at every step of this process, and we are happy to see this long process come to a happy conclusion.
New Bike Racks for Brantwood Park
We’re happy to announce that plans are being made to install new bike racks at Brantwood Park. A resident noticed the lack of sufficient bicycle parking, so staff took a visit to the site and found a few different locations for multi-bike racks and single bike ring posts. You can see some of the spots being considered, above.
We’re grateful to staff for their quick work on this, and we’re a happy to see so many people biking to the park!
Retrofits for Renters
ACORN is helping tenants apply for free government benefits like the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) that will get you repairs your landlord might not be doing and help you save money on your electricity and gas bills.
To learn more and to see if you qualify, please contact ACORN at (613) 746-5999 ext 2 or [email protected].
Irene’s 40th Anniversary
Next week, Irene’s will be celebrating their 40th anniversary! Join them for a weekend of events and special events…including a street party on Regent Street from 1:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday September 28, with live music. We hope to see you there!
For more information, visit irenespub.ca.
Fall “Big Collection” of Recyclables
The Enviro Crew of Old Ottawa South is holding its twice-yearly “big collection” of recyclables at Windsor Park on Saturday October 4 from Noon to 4:00 pm, in collaboration with the Glebe Community Association (GCA) Environment Committee.
They’re looking for items that they can recycle, reuse or repurpose:
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The Glebe Community Association (GCA) Environment Committee is collaborating with the EnviroCrew, so please save these items for their collection and drop them at Windsor Park (parking lot is at the east end of Windsor Avenue off Riverdale) on collection day.
Items can be dropped off in the parking lot at the east end of Windsor Avenue, just off Riverdale. And when you’re done, you can stay and have fun at Fall Fest!
For more information you can contact [email protected] and [email protected].
Your Capital Ward
Photo by Laurent Duguay
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.
Baby Turtle Hatching Season!
As many of you may know, we have many turtles residing in our ward, so we have many turtles hatching in our ward. Once they’ve hatched, baby turtles need to get to the water.
If you see turtles that need help getting to the water, you can email Turtles of Old Ottawa East & South at [email protected].
Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run
The Ottawa Humane Society’s biggest event for homeless animals is only one week away! Don’t miss out on your chance to get in on the fun and meet some new canine friends.
Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run
Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025
The Great Lawn at Lansdowne
There will be fun activities and races for the whole family.
For more information, visit https://joinme.ottawahumane.ca/walkrun/.
2025 Walk for Dementia
The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County is holding its 2025 Walk for Dementia on Sunday, September 21. This event brings together people living with dementia, caregivers, families and supporters to raise awareness and funds for compassionate, community-based dementia care.
Dementia impacts over 24,000 people in our community. In the next 25 years, that number will more than double. The Dementia Society provides vital education, one on one coaching, support and social programs for thousands of local families. Your participation helps ensure no one faces dementia alone.
Walk with them this Sunday September 21 at the DSORC Centre at 2327 St. Laurent Boulevard from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Expect a vibrant crowd and heartfelt stories accompanied by live music, entertainment and activities for all ages.
Be a champion for local dementia care. Register now for the 2025 Walk for Dementia and help them reach their $300,000 fundraising goal. Every step you take supports local families. Visit www.DementiaHelp.ca/walk to sign up, donate or learn more.
A Non-Profit Seniors Intergenerational Housing on Surplus Government Land
The Village Canada Consortium has proposed the development of Village Canada, a vision for a non-profit, inclusive, vibrant, seniors intergenerational housing complex that they would like to see built as part of the Confederation Heights project. They see this as a worthy use of surplus federal land, aligning with the government’s desire to develop federally-built housing to address the crisis in affordable housing.
If this vision appeals to you, you can share your thoughts with your MP and the Canada Lands Company who are managing the process to develop a Masterplan, telling them that you want to see this development proceed.
Are Vaccinations on Your Back-to-School Checklist?
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding families to take precautions to help prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases by ensuring their children and youth are up to date with their routine vaccines. Keeping your child’s vaccinations up to date is one of the most effective ways to protect them from serious illnesses like pertussis (whooping cough) and measles which have been re-appearing in our community.
This fall, OPH will be reviewing student immunization records and sending letters to parents and guardians of students born in 2008 and 2018 whose records are not in compliance with the Immunization of Schools Pupils Act (ISPA).
Parents and caregivers can visit ParentingInOttawa.ca/Immunization for more information on routine vaccines, where to get routine vaccines, and how to report routine vaccines to OPH.
Submit a nomination for the Accessible Ottawa Award
The Accessible Ottawa Award celebrates the outstanding contributions of Ottawa’s businesses, organizations and residents who are dedicated to advancing accessibility in our city. It highlights the vital role of accessibility and universal design in creating an inclusive community, recognizing those who go above and beyond to champion equal rights and inclusivity for people with disabilities.
Each year, one award will be presented to a business or organization and another to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to building a more accessible Ottawa for all.
Please visit ottawa.ca to learn more about the nomination eligibility terms and criteria, as well as to submit a nomination on behalf of a business/organization or individual.
The Clemow A/C Noise Update
Our office met on Tuesday September 16 with the building owner, along with representatives of By-Law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) and the Planning, Development and Building Department to discuss progress towards a permanent solution to the air conditioning noise emanating from The Clemow apartment building at 275 Carling Avenue. With the help of noise engineers, the owner has indicated they are working to significantly reduce the impact upon neighbours with a permanent solution. In the coming days, we expect to hear a finalized plan for mitigation measures with the goal being that this is solved before the next cooling season begins.
We know that this noise issue has had a big impact on the health and comfort of many residents this summer, as was evident from the significant amount of people that joined in protest on Tuesday September 9.
