Councillor's Message
After the snow we received this week, it’s clear that the season has arrived in full force! I hope you’re all staying safe and warm as we dive into December.
Last weekend, I joined so many of you at another incredible Santa's Parade of Lights in Orléans. It was wonderful to see the huge crowds come out to enjoy the magic of the parade! A special thank you to the Ottawa Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 162 for organizing such a spectacular event. I was thrilled to be there with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Councillors Tim Tierney, Matt Luloff, and Laura Dudas. A standing ovation is in order for Bob Rainboth, who marshalled his final parade after an amazing 27 years. Bob, your dedication to this community has been unmatched, and your grand finale was the perfect way to end your incredible run. Merci, Bob!
Of course, it’s still budget season at City Hall, and I’ve been having ongoing discussions with the Mayor and senior staff about proposed investments in Ward 19. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, there is still time to fill out the budget survey my office has prepared. I want to hear your thoughts on the proposed 2.9% tax increase, with an additional 1% to address the transit deficit, and most importantly, your thoughts on Ward 19-specific priorities. Your feedback is essential as we work to ensure this budget addresses the needs of our community.
Please take a moment to share your input with me through the survey by clicking here.
Later in this newsletter, I’ll share some of the festive activities that are happening throughout our community in the weeks ahead. Wishing you all a safe and joyful holiday season!
Today is also National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
We mourn the events at École Polytechnique, where the lives of 14 women were cut violently short on December 6, 1989.
Today, we honour and remember them along with others who have been affected by violence.
Let’s renew our commitment to end gender-based violence and create a culture of non-violence in our community.
Hôpital Montfort’s strategic plan announcement includes exciting news for Aline-Chrétien Health Hub
Last week, I was pleased to attend the launch of Hôpital Montfort’s 2024-2028 strategic plan. Among its exciting is a commitment to establishing a clinic for patients without a family doctor at the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub (formerly Orléans Health Hub) on Mer Bleue Road.
While I appreciate that this is something Hôpital Montfort will work towards and won’t happen overnight, this is long-awaited news for residents of Orléans South—Navan and the broader east-end community. Access to primary care is one of the most pressing issues facing our region, and this initiative is a significant first step toward addressing the family doctor shortage.
Thank you to Montfort Hospital for stepping up and proposing tangible solutions to the primary care crisis. I look forward to seeing this plan come to life and the positive impact it will have on our community.
If you’d like to read the full strategic report, please click here.
Richcraft’s Trailsedge Phase 4 passes at Planning and Housing Committee
Richcraft’s Trailsedge Phase 4 development application was approved during a marathon session at the Planning and Housing Committee on Wednesday. This phase includes new residential units in a mix of singles, towns, and back-to-backs. It also features a park and a commercial block planned for the southwest corner of Brian Coburn Boulevard and Mer Bleue Road—an area that could bring walkable amenities to area residents. This development aims to provide more housing options and local mixed-use amenities to support our growing community which is a welcomed.
While I understand that this application is consistent with the already-approved Community Design Plan for the area, I continue to voice my concerns about our already strained transportation infrastructure. I have made it abundantly clear that I expect the 2025 Transportation Master Plan update to prioritize investment in Orléans South that is past overdue. This Master Plan update is the mechanism to bring infrastructure solutions to our community, and you have my word that I am working tirelessly to advocate for us.
Growth in Orléans South-Navan must be matched with significant transportation upgrades. I will continue to push for realistic ways to address these concerns and ensure the community remains livable and accessible as it grows.
If you’d like to read my comments on the application in full, please click here and scroll to page 12.
I also spoke at length at committee about how the Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA) consultants often provide as the rationale for development feels more like a fantasy than a realistic blueprint. They paint a rosy picture that rarely reflects the lived experiences of Ward 19 residents sitting in gridlock every day. If you'd like to watch my comments and questions, please click here.
One day drop-in COVID-19 and Flu Immunization clinics in Ward 19
Ottawa Public Health is bringing one-day COVID-19 and flu immunization clinics to Ward 19! No appointments are necessary—you're encouraged to drop in as capacity allows.
December 7, 2024
François Dupuis Recreation Centre
11:30 am – 4 pm
📅 December 9, 2024
📍 Navan Memorial Centre (1295 Colonial Road)
⏰ 1 – 7 pm
Stay healthy this season by taking advantage of this convenient opportunity to protect yourself and your family. Please share the news with your neighbours!
Ride along with Orléans South-Navan’s biggest transit fan
I want to take a moment to introduce our local transit champion - Grayson!
This summer, I received an email from Grayson's mom telling us about his love for city transit and how excited he gets taking the LRT, with an invitation to join them on a trip. Last week, we took that a step further by arranging a special tour of the LRT operators training facility and allowing Grayson the chance to "drive" the train on the special training simulator!
I want to thank my amazing team and the crew at OC Transpo for helping to arrange a special day for Grayson and his family, and what was a special moment for me, as well.
Thank you, Grayson, for being a huge champion for public transit in our city!
Get ready for a festive December!
This Saturday, December 7:
Cumberland Christmas Market (9 am – 3 pm): Shop from over 100 vendors across multiple venues in the heart of Cumberland. From crafts to local delicacies, this market has it all. Plan your visit using the market map here.
Mayor’s Annual Christmas Celebration (3 – 6 pm): Celebrate the season at City Hall with the Mayor's Christmas event! Expect festive activities, holiday cheer, and fun for the whole family.
Vintage Village of Lights: Running every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 22 (4 – 9 pm), experience the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland. Explore the magic of the season with light displays, historic charm, and holiday spirit. Advance registration is required.
Saturday, December 14:
2nd Annual Pet Day & Holiday Market (9 am – 4 pm): Head to Robert Plante Greenhouses (4228 Navan Road) for a day filled with holiday shopping, live music, a kid-friendly craft station, and a visit from Santa. Bring your furry friends for a special pet-themed holiday celebration! Learn more here.
OC Transpo & Loblaw Food Drive (12:30 – 1:30 pm): Join me and my east-end colleagues at the Orléans Superstore on Innes Road as we support the OC Transpo/Loblaws food drive. Your contributions help local food banks make a big impact this holiday season (more info below).
There’s no shortage of festive events in our community this December. I hope to see you out and about enjoying the holiday spirit! ☃️
Greater Avalon Community Association Food Drive
GACA in collaboration with the City of Ottawa and the Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre are running a 3-day holiday food drive from Monday, December 9 to Wednesday, December 11. Drop off your non-perishable items at the Aquaview Community Centre (318 Aquaview Drive).
Since 2019, there has been a 90 per cent increase in the use of food programs across Ottawa, leading to the highest level of demand in the Ottawa Food Bank’s 40-year history. Reminder that monetary donations can be made anytime on the Ottawa Food Bank’s donation page.
Spread the Holiday spirit by making sure all members of our community have access to food!
Upcoming critical lifecycle renewal work at Navan Arena
Starting in April 2025, a critical renewal project will begin at the Navan Memorial Arena.
This work includes replacing the arena slab, refrigeration equipment, rink boards, and making accessibility upgrades, such as an updated elevator and viewing platform.
While the facility will be closed throughout the summer, I am working closely with staff and impacted community groups (including the Navan Fair Board, Navan Fifty Fifty, Navan Grads and Gloucester Lacrosse Association) to minimize disruption as much as possible.
I appreciate that these works will be impactful; however, they are essential to maintain long-term operations of the arena and improve accessibility for all.
Thank you for your understanding as staff complete this important work.
Ottawa's chief medical officer Dr. Vera Etches to become head of CHEO
It has been such a pleasure to work with Dr Vera Etches in my capacity as Board of Health Chair.
I know Ottawa Public Health will miss having Dr Etches’ empathetic leadership at the helm, but our City will continue to benefit from her expertise as she takes on her new role as President and CEO of CHEO.
Congratulations, Vera!
Ottawa Public Health brings together sector partners at Health and Housing Forum
This week, in my capacity as Chair of the Board of Health, I had the opportunity to join Mayor Sutcliffe and Community Services Committee Chair Councillor Dudas in providing welcoming remarks at the Health and Housing Ottawa Leaders Forum at the Nepean Sportsplex.
The forum was a unique opportunity for leaders in Ottawa’s housing and health sectors to hear from each other and prioritize actions that aim to ensure more people in our community have a home and the health and social supports they need to maintain their housing.
The forum’s goal is to improve housing stabilization and improve access to appropriate health care for people with mental health and addictions, who are unstably housed or living in social housing. During today’s discussions, Ottawa’s health and housing leaders focused on prioritizing short-term actions so that we can speak with a common voice to effectively advocate for investments in Ottawa, providing more coordinated and integrated health and housing services and improving health and housing outcomes.
The outcomes of this meeting will inform discussions with other leadership tables in Ottawa, including the Homelessness and Housing Leadership Table, The Royal’s System Planning for integrated Mental Health and Addictions services, and Ontario Health Teams’ planning tables.
Have your say on residential boulevard gardening
City staff want your feedback on potential by-law updates related to residential boulevard gardening. Staff are reviewing options to allow edible plants (food) and containers in gardens planted by residents in the boulevard adjacent to their property.
Factors to balance include food security, the suitability of the boulevard for growing food, and operational and safety issues.
Your opinion matters, and staff value your insights! Online survey open until the end of the year
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