Happy 2019!
I’m excited to kick off the first full calendar year in Capital Ward. After a busy first month getting acclimated to City Hall life, my team and I are eager to help make this a fantastic year for our ward and the city of Ottawa.
Let’s take a look at what’s coming up in the weeks and month ahead…
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Elgin Street Renewal
Elgin Street is getting a facelift, hopefully one that will increase safety, walkability and liveability in the downtown core. But such a big project means there will be some hardship, and that means that Elgin Street will be closing to traffic starting Monday January 7. There will be detours to accommodate transit, bicyclists and drivers. During that time, businesses will still be open and the city will ensure pedestrian access so that you can still do your shopping, get gelato or visit your favourite restaurant along the stretch.
More information can be found at the city’s website for the Elgin Street Renewal Project.
Budget Process
The 2019 budget will be tabled at the City Council meeting on Wednesday February 6, and we’ll be voting on the final budget on March 6. Between now and March, city councillors will be holding budget consultations so that you can have a say in how our city is run and what our budget priorities should be.
I’ll be participating in the South End Budget Consultation on January 30 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Ellwood Hall in the Jim Durrell Complex (1265 Walkley Road).
And in February, we’ll be collaborating with the urban councillors for a Budget Speak consultation. Details will follow in coming newsletters.
Ward Council Meeting
The first Ward Council Meeting has been scheduled for January 31st, 2019. The Ward Council will serve as an advisory group allowing residents from each community to collaborate on important issues.
Pop-Up Office
We will have our very first Pop-Up Office on Friday February 1st from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Life of Pie (1134 Bank Street in Old Ottawa South). These Pop-Up Offices will give residents a chance to meet with me and talk about the issues facing the ward.
The Great Canadian Kilt Skate
On Saturday January 26 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, grab your tartan and head to the ice rink at Lansdowne Park for the Great Canadian Kilt Skate. Originally created to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Canada’s first Prime Minister, the Kilt Skate has turned into a yearly event at Lansdowne. With skating, kilts and maybe a little hot chocolate, what better way to spend a Saturday in January!
11th Annual Capital Ward Cup
If you like skating, but you’re more into hockey sweaters than clan tartans, you can join in the fun at the 11th Annual Capital Ward Cup, also on January 26. Puck drop for the first game is 9:40 am and the championship wrap up by about 12:30 pm. Teams from throughout the ward are welcome. For all the details, contact my office at [email protected].
Black History Month Launch
On Saturday January 26, I will be attending the launch of Black History Month in Ottawa—The theme of the event is “Our Canadian Story: Nothing About Us, Without Us,” to advance the spirit and intention of UNDAP, the UN Decade for People of African Descent: Recognition. Justice. Development.
I am honoured to be receiving a President’s Community Builders Award from Black History Ottawa. This honour acknowledges a motion I brought forward as a School Board Trustee on May 18, 2018 to adopt the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent and take action by investigating the concept of academic ‘streaming’ in our schools, ensure the collection of appropriate self-identified data, and use this to reduce barriers that continue such as suspensions for black youth.
The event is being held at City Hall from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Old Ottawa South Walkability Audit
On Tuesday January 8, the Old Ottawa South Snow Mole Team will be embarking on a fun group walk audit of the neighbourhood. They’ll meet at the Firehall at 10:00 am, and will walk for about 20 minutes, checking out accessibility and walkability of several pedestrian routes in the area. The walk will be followed by a discussion of what was observed and what is needed. The whole event will take approximately 45 minutes.
