We are here to
answer your questions.

City infrastructure projects scheduled for renewal are reviewed as part of the annual budget preparation and this includes visual inspections. Priorities are weighed against competing needs and available funding. Road renewal priorities are determined based on existing conditions, traffic volumes, costs, coordination with other nearby projects, and public concerns. ​ The City uses a Pavement Management Application (PMA) to manage its road network, which is considered a best practice in Asset Management. This system is continually updated with condition data. ​ Renewal efforts are aimed at assets with a greater risk of impacting levels of service. As a result, arterial and collector roads, particularly those carrying substantial vehicle traffic, will be rehabilitated more frequently than local roads. ​ Priority is given to road renewal based on a risk-based approach.

Access to high-speed quality internet has never been more important. Councillor Kitts, as a rural resident herself, sympathizes greatly with concerns relating to connectivity access for the rural east. ​ The complex regulatory and legislative frameworks that surround the issue of broadband access in Canada makes improving Ottawa’s connectivity something that requires collaboration with other levels of government and the private sector. This is a matter that needs our continued advocacy and more pressing with the reality of now a hybrid work environment and school for many families in our ward. In January 2021, the Mayor of Ottawa, Councillor Kitts, and the three other rural Councillors signed a letter of support that supported Xplornet’s application to the Universal Broadband Fund. This is but one project that the Councillor has supported to see an expansion of rural internet. ​ In addition, the Councillor does encourage residents to advocate for greater connectivity infrastructure with the other levels of government as there is a federal and provincial responsibility. The federal government has heard from Canadians all over the country, and the strong voice of Ottawa’s rural east, and is now actively committing to expanding broadband infrastructure. Read more here, or contact your MP for more. High-Speed Access for All: Canada's Connectivity Strategy - Get connected (ic.gc.ca)

For any questions about your City of Ottawa service bill, including changes, increases, or just to better understand your charges, please visit Understanding your bill | City of Ottawa. ​ Please contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 if you are still unsure or have additional questions.

Learn more about ongoing and proposed development projects in your neighbourhood by exploring the various resources available on the City of Ottawa website. If you would like to learn more about planned construction projects, infrastructure or road renewals you can learn more here. Explore the Development Application Search Tool if you would like to learn more about development applications submitted for your neighbourhood, the expected timelines and whom to contact to share your comments. Learn more : Development Applications Search (ottawa.ca)

Speeding and dangerous driving concerns continue to be one of the most frequent issues brought to our office. Councillor Kitts is working with senior management to try and come up with proactive solutions and is currently reviewing locations that are most in need of additional traffic calming measures come the spring. ​ In addition, the Councillor is continuing to actively work with the Safer Roads Ottawa team and is in regular communication with the OPS Traffic Case Managers in the east end. To learn more about some recent enforcement initiatives that might be of interest to the public, follow @OPSTrafficCM. ​ Speeding is a tough issue to combat and it is outside the jurisdiction of a Councillor to direct police patrol. Residents are encouraged to contact Ottawa Police to report incidents of speeding and dangerous driving. This can be done by calling 613-236-1222 ext. 7300 or by using their online reporting tool available at ottawapolice.ca (the more detail the better i.e. license plate, make/model). Ottawa Police use this data to inform future enforcement initiatives and patrols.

During a snow event (snow is still falling), it is not necessary to call 3-1-1 or to create an online request. Our Winter Maintenance Crew monitor for weather events and staff are sent out at 7 cm accumulation and have 16 hours to clear the snow after the last snowflake falls. A recent addition to snow standards is the availability of staff overnight to maintain sidewalks. ​ If a road or a sidewalk has not been cleared 18 hours after the end of an event, residents may make a request online at www.ottawa.ca ​ Our winter roads team works incredibly hard to keep Ottawa roads clear and safe throughout the winter. Try as they might, there are sometimes adverse effects to their operations. For this reason, the City has a function where you can submit any property damage caused by city vehicles and it will be addressed in the Spring. You can do so here: Property damage or maintenance | City of Ottawa. ​ Additionally, the Winter Maintenance Team regularly reviews its quality standards, and welcome feedback from residents who identify issues. You can share your feedback and this will be considered by the managers and directors of the team, and may possibly warrant a change to operations. More information can be found here: https://engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs.

The City of Ottawa maintains more than $10 billion of existing road infrastructure. The City’s road network consists of approximately 6,000 kilometers of roads. To manage the road network, best industry practices are applied and ongoing research and innovation is always explored to find new ways to improve how roads are built and renewed. ​ The City of Ottawa is a recognized leader in asset management and road renewal practices are part of the commitment to maintaining the assets in a state of good repair. ​ Report a pothole on the road. ​ To find out which roads are scheduled for renewal, visit our new interactive map. ​ The map allows you to find upcoming projects, determine project start dates, find details on project scope, and more. To access information on current road closures and detours due to construction and/or special events please visit the traffic report. ​ Determining Road Renewal City infrastructure projects scheduled for renewal are reviewed as part of the annual budget preparation and this includes visual inspections. Priorities are weighed against competing needs and available funding. Road renewal priorities are determined based on existing conditions, traffic volumes, costs, coordination with other nearby projects, and public concerns. ​ The City uses a Pavement Management Application (PMA) to manage its road network, which is considered a best practice in Asset Management. This system is continually updated with condition data. ​ Renewal efforts are aimed at assets with a greater risk of impacting levels of service. As a result, arterial and collector roads, particularly those carrying substantial vehicle traffic, will be rehabilitated more frequently than local roads. ​ Priority is given to road renewal based on a risk-based approach.

The City of Ottawa has moved to protect all green space in the city for future use and as a contribution to carbon neutralizing efforts. Among these efforts is a tree protection mandate. The Tree Protection By-law took effect on January 1, 2021. This consolidated by-law replaces the Urban Tree Conservation By-law and the Municipal Trees and Natural Areas Protection By-law, which will be repealed at that time. ​ Under the Tree Protection By-law, the following protected trees cannot be injured or removed without a tree permit from the City: ​ All City-owned trees throughout the urban and rural area All trees 10 cm or more in diameter at breast height on private properties within the urban area that are subject to a Planning Act application for Site Plan, Plan of Subdivision, or Plan of Condominium All trees 10 cm or more in diameter at breast height on private properties within the urban area that are over 1 hectare in size All distinctive trees on private properties 1 hectare or less in size, where distinctive trees are defined as: Trees measuring 30 cm or more in diameter at breast height within the inner urban area (urban lands inside the Greenbelt) Trees measuring 50 cm or more in diameter at breast height within the suburban area (urban lands outside the Greenbelt) The protections on privately owned trees also apply to identified urban expansion or growth areas shown on schedules in the by-law. The areas covered by the various parts of the by-law can also be viewed on geoOttawa under the Forestry heading. ​ The by-law also provides protection to all City-owned natural areas by regulating activities that might cause negative impacts. Refer to Part III of the by-law for more information. ​ Not sure whether the by-law applies to you? The City has developed a new Decision Tree tool to assist residents and staff in determining what kind of permit, if any, is needed to remove a tree. For an overview of the process, refer to this flowchart

Ottawa homeowners can now complete the required Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declaration online at ottawa.ca/vut for each residential property they own. It takes less than five minutes to complete. All residential property owners must provide some basic information on the occupancy of their property, even if it is their principal residence. Visit ottawa.ca/vut, click Submit Declaration, and input the roll number and access code found on the latest VUT notice, or last year’s property tax bill. Alternate and accessible declarations options available The City has set up declaration options for residents who require accessibility related supports, and for those without access to the internet or digital devices – like computers, tablets and other hand-held devices: Call Revenue Services at 613-580-2444 and select option 3 to complete a declaration over the phone, or to book an in-person appointment at the Mary Pitt Centre at 100 Constellation Drive. Call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. The service uses internet and mobile phone technologies to connect the caller with real-time sign language interpretation. Looking to learn more? Frequently Asked Questions can be found here: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/taxes/property-taxes/vacant-unit-tax#section-64fabd82-7adc-4298-a6d2-02505ea37a04.

Stéphane Sarrazin Member of Provincial Parliament (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell) Stephane.Sarrazin@pc.ola.org 613-632-2706 Stéphane Sarrazin Member of Provincial Parliament (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell) sblais.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org 613-834-8679 (Orléans) Francis Drouin Member of Provincial Parliament (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell) francis.drouin@parl.gc.ca 613-992-0490 (Ottawa) 613-446-6310 (Russel) Marie-France Lalonde Member of Parliament (Orléans) marie-france.lalonde@parl.gc.ca 613-995-1800 (Ottawa) 613-834-1800 (Orléans)

OCSDB: Donna Dickinson CEPEO: Marc Roy OCSB: Brian Cobourn CECCE (President): Daniel Boudria CECCE (Vice-President): Johanne Lacombe