Orléans South-Navan Community Update | July 11, 2025

Catherine Kitts
Jul 10
8 min read

Councillor's Message

I hope you're making the most of this hot and humid summer! While the legislative calendar is slowing down a bit over the next couple of weeks, my team and I remain hard at work and are here to assist you with any casework needs or information you're looking for.

Canada Day was jam-packed with celebrations right across Orléans! I had the pleasure of starting the day in Cumberland at the opening ceremonies for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Canada Day event—complete with a beautiful (and delicious!) cake from Black Walnut Bakery.

Then it was off to Petrie Island for the biggest Canada Day party in the east end. A big thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make it possible.

I capped off the day at the Orléans Legion for their Canada Day celebration! It was such a fun day, and I want to sincerely thank all the volunteers who brought these events to life. Your hard work and dedication are what makes Canada Days so special. I think many of us have never felt prouder to be Canadian!

I’m looking forward to connecting with many of you at my annual summer BBQ happening on Saturday, July 26 from 1-3 pm at Millennium Park (100 Millennium Boulevard).

We’ll have live music from Monkey Rock again for the kiddos, a free BBQ, and lots of family fun. It’s always a great time, so I hope you can join us. You can RSVP here and check out the Facebook event as well. Food is first come, first served.

Finally, back on June 26, the Transportation Master Plan Part 2 passed at committee. This plan lays the foundation for future investments in roads, transit, and active transportation to 2046—and for the first time in a long time, the east end is being treated as a priority. Please read the newsletter article below for an update on the TMP and what it means for Orléans South.

Summer is in full swing, and I hope you’re able to get outside and enjoy time with family and friends and take in everything our great community has to offer. I can’t wait to see you out and about in our community!

Ongoing closures due to critical infrastructure work across Orléans South-Navan

As Canadians, we like to joke that there’s only two seasons—winter and construction—and right now, we’re in the thick of it across the ward.

Here’s a quick roundup of what’s underway:

🚧Sarsfield Road Bridge Replacement

The bridge on Sarsfield Road, about 1.1 km east of Dunning Road, is now closed for a full replacement.

It’s served us well but has reached the end of its service life. The new bridge will be wider and continue to accommodate two lanes of traffic. Local access is being maintained for the four farms in the area, but through traffic is detoured. The work is expected to continue until mid-November 2025.

🚧Roundabout Work at Navan & Milton

Utility relocation work has begun at the Navan and Milton intersection in preparation for a new roundabout. Enbridge, Bell, Rogers and Hydro One are all on-site moving infrastructure to make way for the new layout. While the roads remain open during this phase, there are off-peak single-lane closures—so please drive carefully. Construction of the roundabout is expected to begin in August, and this project has been shaped by valuable input from local farmers, truck operators and residents through multiple public sessions.

🚧Navan Road Closure (Pagé to Renaud)

Since June 23, Navan Road has been fully closed between Pagé and just west of Renaud for a major servicing project related to the Groupe Heafey development at Brian Coburn and Navan.

Two crews are working simultaneously to speed things up, and the closure is expected to last 8–10 weeks. Detours are in place via Mer Bleue and Brian Coburn.

To help with traffic flow, the contractor temporarily removed the “porkchop” median at Pagé and Navan to allow some north/south movement during Phase 1 of construction. It’s not a long-term fix, but it should help reduce some of the headaches in the short term.

I know it’s disruptive, so thank you for your continued patience as we push forward on these much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

Dunning Road closure starts next week

Due to urgent culvert replacements that need to take place as soon as possible, the Dunning Road closure originally scheduled from the beginning of August until late-September has been moved up.

As a result, Dunning Road from Régimbald Road to Giroux Road will now be closed from Monday, July 14 until Friday, August 22, 2025.

Thank you for your understanding.

O-Train Line 1 service adjustments in July

On July 26 and 27, there will be adjustments to Line 1 service for integration work on the O-Train East extension. The work has been scheduled to occur around major events in Ottawa, such as Canada Day and Bluesfest, to minimize impacts on customers.

For a detailed schedule and maps of service adjustments, please click here.

Orléans South projects clear first hurdle in fight for fair transportation infrastructure

At last, the east end is being heard — and more importantly, prioritized.

At the Transportation Master Plan committee meeting on June 26, major milestones were achieved for Orléans South–Navan. The revised TMP includes long-overdue commitments: the realignment of Renaud Road, the widening of Brian Coburn, the Cumberland Bus Rapid Transitway (BRT), and crucial arterial upgrades — all built around “complete streets” principles that support not just cars, but cyclists, pedestrians and transit users.

Several motions I brought forward to address long-standing infrastructure gaps passed their first hurdle. These included directing staff to review the feasibility of how and when key road and transit infrastructure could be delivered before new homes are approved and a separate motion on developing new funding strategies to speed up new road construction in fast-growing areas.

At the committee meeting, I also secured priority status for the Cumberland BRT — ensuring both segments are positioned at the top of the City’s list for federal funding through the 2026 Canada Public Transit Fund. I also pushed for key critical east-end corridors to be incorporated in the next Transportation Master Plan update due in the next 2–5 years, including a review of how the urbanization of both Tenth Line and Navan Road could be phased in more quickly.

This was just the first step — the full plan still needs Council approval in late July — but it represents real momentum for our community.

For years, growth in our community outpaced the delivery of transportation infrastructure. While families moved in and schools opened, roads remained two-lane bottlenecks and transit options were limited, with one way in and one way out.

This progress didn’t happen by accident. It took relentless advocacy, hard data and a community that refused to accept being left behind. Finally, we are poised to get what we deserve.

If you haven’t read my opinion piece column in the Ottawa Citizen, please take a moment to do so by clicking here.

Bringing local partners together for better housing and health outcomes

This past week, in my role as Chair of the Ottawa Board of Health, I had the opportunity to join Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, and local MPP George Darouze for a productive discussion on how we can better integrate housing and health services in our community.

Together with partners from Salus, Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre (on behalf of the South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre), Ottawa Community Housing, my Council colleague Theresa Kavanagh, and City staff, we came together to share ideas and highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration.

It was inspiring to be part of a conversation that brought housing providers, health professionals, and all levels of government to the same table, united by a common goal of supporting residents with complex needs.

I’m grateful to everyone who participated, and I look forward to continuing this important work as part of my role as Chair of Ottawa Public Health to strengthen the supports that so many in our community rely on.

Ward 19 Pop-Up Freezie Party events start July 29

Summer is in full swing, and I’m excited to share that starting the week of July 29, I’ll be hosting a weekly Pop-Up Freezie Party at splash pads across our community every Tuesday until the end of August.

These casual events are a great opportunity to beat the heat, grab a sweet treat (all options will be vegan/veg/gluten-free/halal - while supplies last), and connect with my team and I. I'll be making my way through different neighbourhood parks to say hello, answer questions, and hear what’s on your mind—while sharing some summer fun along the way.

Keep in mind that these events are weather-dependent. If rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast, be sure to check my social media for updates on any schedule changes.

I hope to see you at one of these events!

Get ready for the 78th annual Navan Fair from August 7-10

This year’s theme is “Muddy Boots and Country Roots.”

During the four days, the Fair offers many great events and activities. An amusement midway, new special attractions, livestock shows including cattle, horse, alpaca, night concerts, and an agriculture education barn.

I also want to take a moment to share the best ways for getting to-and-from the fair this year! The Cumberland Township Agricultural Society is pleased to offer FREE shuttle service provided by M.L. Bradley Bus Lines. Round trips from Orleans to Navan and return. This is the best way to get to the fair, and the shuttle runs frequently all day!

I will share in advance that there will be very limited street parking available and limited paid parking sports available.

For more information and to plan your trip, please visit https://navanfair.ca/schedule/#directions

See you at the fair!

Cumberland Housing Corporation celebrates 45 years

I want to extend a sincere thank you to the Cumberland Housing Corporation for inviting me to join them for their annual Family BBQ.

It was such a pleasure getting to recognize this incredible organization on its 45th anniversary, marking decades of dedication to providing affordable housing to the community.

Cumberland Housing Corporation provides affordable rental housing to low- and moderate-income households and supports communities through responsible stewardship and a commitment to affordable housing.

Congratulations on 45 amazing years and here’s to 45 more!

THIS SUNDAY - Celebrate Gloucester’s 175th Anniversary

The Gloucester Historical Society is celebrating the 175th anniversary of Gloucester’s incorporation as a township in 1850.

This free event will be held at the Billings Estate National Historic Site (2100 Cabot Street, Ottawa) on Sunday, July 13, 2025, from 1 – 4 pm.

There will be displays and entertainment, a trivia contest with prizes and, of course, cake. Entry to the Billings Museum is included.

Ride free to and from Bluesfest

Your event ticket includes free transit to and from LeBreton Flats on O-Train Lines 1 and 2, buses and Para Transpo, three hours before the event and two hours after.

Simply show your wristband or pass to the bus or Para Transpo operator or use the video chat function on ticket machines at O-Train stations to request access through the fare gate.

For more information, please click here.

Party Safer with Ottawa Public Health

Planning to go to a party, a festival, or just hang out with friends this summer? Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has info for you—it's called Party Safer, which is full of useful tips and info about substances (like alcohol and other drugs).

To learn more, please visit here.