Orléans South-Navan Community Update | June 20 2025

Councillor's Message

As we officially shift into the summer season, I’m feeling grateful for this incredible community and the many ways we continue to show up, support one another, and celebrate all that makes Orléans South-Navan and the east-end shine!

I was thrilled to join Orléans South-Navan resident—and the inimitable—Solange Tuyishime Keita for the first-ever Ottawa Day! This celebration, inspired by Solange’s love for our city, brought together community leaders and highlighted the diversity, generosity, and entrepreneurial spirit that defines us. I was proud to champion this inaugural event, and prouder still to have leaders like Solange making a difference every day.

And what a weekend we just had! From paddling at Christie Lake Kids’ Canoe for Kids, to the kickoff of the Cumberland Farmers Market, to Firefighter’s Day with Ruby (my councillor assistant for the day!), to community BBQs and the always-fantastic Orléans Beer Fest—thank you to everyone who came out, and to the incredible volunteers who made it all happen.

Special shoutout as well to the City of Ottawa’s Big Wheel Expo—a big hit with the kids and such a great showcase of the teams and tools that keep our city moving.

This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Toronto in my role as Chair of Ottawa Public Health to participate in the alPHa (Association of Local Public Health Agencies) Conference. It was a valuable few days connecting with colleagues across the province and hearing directly from Premier Ford and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones. The conversations focused on collaboration and innovation—something we know is needed now more than ever as our healthcare system navigates persistent and complex challenges.

Looking ahead, the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Part 2 heads to committee on June 26. This is a file I have been working on for years. Our community had the highest levels of engagement in the city, and the message was clear: Orléans South deserves its fair share. Trust that I will be fiercely representing you and pushing for the infrastructure investments our growing community needs. I look forward to reporting back on the outcomes.

And of course, with summer comes construction season. You’ll find all the latest road closures and project updates in the construction section below. Thank you for your continued patience as we push forward with needed upgrades and renewal work 

Last but not least, a huge congratulations to Isabelle Skalski on her election in Ward 20! I’ve continued to serve as caretaker alongside Councillor David Brown during the transition and look forward to supporting a smooth handover. A sincere thank you to all the candidates who stepped forward—running for office is no small task and your willingness to serve deserves recognition.

REMINDER: Full closure of a section of Navan Road starts Monday

As of Monday, June 23, a full closure will be in place on a section of Navan Road between Pagé Road and just west of the Renaud Road intersection. This is part of a major infrastructure project supporting the Groupe Heafey development—entirely separate from the Eastboro site and unrelated to Ashcroft Homes—at the corner of Brian Coburn Boulevard and Navan Road. The work is expected to take 8 to 10 weeks, weather permitting, with two crews working simultaneously.

Access to homes and businesses on Navan Road will remain open throughout construction. Detours are in place via Brian Coburn and Mer Bleue, but note that only the short stretch of Navan Road between Renaud and Pagé is closed.

There has been confusion about north/south movements on Pagé between Navan and Renaud in that small triangle section. I can confirm that the contractor will be temporarily removing the curved median "porkchop" to allow for temporary left turns on to Navan or continued movement north on Pagé. This is an added step to mitigate traffic impacts, but please note, this will only be allowed for a set period of time during Phase 1 of their construction.

I also followed up with OC Transpo again to confirm that while there may be possible delays to affected bus routes, no stops will be impacted. Detour communications have already been shared on OC Transpo’s alerts page. Their Mobile Operations team will also be closely monitoring the detour on Monday to help ensure things run as smoothly as possible.

This is the first in a series of construction projects related to this development expected through the summer and early fall. The new subdivision will include 330 homes, a gas station, McDonald’s, car wash, retail space, a new park, and affordable housing.

I want residents to know I have worked extensively with City staff and the developer to significantly reduce the scope and timeline of this disruption. The original plan included a full closure of Brian Coburn Boulevard and a longer shutdown of Navan Road. As a result of my pushback, key infrastructure was rerouted to avoid major arterial roads and reduce community impacts.

I’ve also pushed for work to be bundled where possible to avoid repeat disruptions. These behind-the-scenes efforts have already led to a more condensed and coordinated construction schedule.

While closures are never ideal, I remain committed to limiting their impact on your daily life. I’ve raised concerns about potential cut-through traffic, and City staff are actively monitoring and responding.

Please plan ahead and allow extra time while travelling through the area. Thank you for your patience as we work through this necessary construction.

If you received a letter from Tomlinson noting the closure as being from Brian Coburn to Renaud, please note that this was inaccurate. The correct closure area is from Pagé to Renaud. This is a developer-led project which means the city, or my office is not the lead on distributing communication materials to residents in advance of the closure.

Roundabout work has begun at Navan & Milton intersection

Utility relocation work has started at Navan and Milton in preparation for the construction of a new roundabout.

Enbridge, Bell, Rogers and Hydro One have begun relocating both aboveground and underground infrastructure at the intersection. This work is necessary to accommodate the design and geometry of the planned roundabout. The utility-specific relocation work is expected to be completed by mid-August.

The work area is approximately 150 metres east and west along Navan Road, and approximately 85 metres south along Milton Road.

While the roads remain open throughout this phase, there will be single-lane reductions outside of peak hours to allow crews to safely complete the work. Flaggers and signage will be in place to help guide traffic.

This roundabout has been informed by feedback from the community, including farmers and area trucking companies who provided input last September, and through two public information sessions—the first in November at the Navan Arena, and a second this past April. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts.

Once the utility work is complete, roundabout construction is expected to start in August. Once we are closer to that stage of construction starting, I will update you on timelines and impacts accordingly.

With Navan Road affected in two places, please leave extra time for your commute. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Portion of Sarsfield Road closed for critical bridge replacement

The City will be replacing the Sarsfield Road Bridge over the Bear Brook Municipal Drain. The bridge is located approximately 1.1km east of Dunning Road.

The bridge will be closed throughout construction and vehicles will be detoured. Local access will be maintained for the four farms impacted by the closure.

The closure is required because the existing bridge is in poor condition and has reached the end of its service life. The new bridge will be wider and will continue to accommodate two lanes of traffic.

The closure will last from the beginning of July until mid-November 2025.

Dunning Road closure moved up to mid-July

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.

Minto starting work on Avalon Vista Phase 3 next week

Mobilization on-site is planned for this upcoming Monday, June 23 to begin preparatory work on Minto's Avalon Vista Phase 3 subdivision.

Earthworks will then start and continue into July, followed by deep servicing from July through December 2025. Housing construction will begin in January 2026 and is scheduled to continue until the end of 2028.

No road closures are anticipated for this phase. While there may be minor impacts to Portobello Drive when services are connected to the subdivision, more information will be shared in advance.

Construction will follow the City of Ottawa’s Noise By-law, with most work taking place on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Some work may occur on Saturdays, but not on a regular basis.

Regular street cleaning will be maintained during trucking operations and as needed. Dust and garbage control will be closely monitored and managed, and no tree removal is required at this time.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please send it directly to Jean-Michel Le Blanc, jleblanc@minto.com.

Celebrating a historic investment for the MiFO community centre

On Wednesday, we celebrated a major provincial investment of $15.7 million to support the redevelopment of the MIFO community centre — a true cornerstone of cultural, social, and recreational life in the east end of the city.

This project, also supported by the federal and municipal governments, is the result of years of advocacy by MiFO President Trèva Cousineau and the entire leadership team. It was a pleasure to mark this announcement alongside Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden, Minister of Francophone Affairs Caroline Mulroney, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, my fellow city councillors Matt Luloff, Tim Tierney, Laura Dudas, and MPPs George Darouze and Stéphane Sarrazin.

The new centre will welcome up to 80,000 visitors per year (compared to 60,000 currently) and offer even more programs for youth, families, and seniors. It will include a gymnasium, auditorium, art gallery, classrooms and meeting spaces, and much more — a dynamic hub serving our growing community.

Together, let’s continue to celebrate and uplift Francophone life in Orléans and across Eastern Ontario!

2025 Canada Day round-up

• Canada Day Orléans 2025 at Petrie Island

  • 8 am to 11 pm

  • Exciting games, performances, fireworks, food and family fun.

    
    

    https://canadadayorleans.ca/

• Canada Day Celebration - Baitun Naseer Mosque (2620 Market Street, Cumberland)

  • 10:45 am: Guest Arrival

  • 11:00 am: Ceremony/Cake Cutting/Flag Hoisting 

  • 11:45 am: BBQ 

• Legion Branch 632 (Orléans) – 800 Taylor Creek Drive

  • BBQ from 11 am – 3 pm, live music, games, and contests

Canada Day fireworks safety and rules reminder

The City reminds residents about the by-law regulations around Canada Day fireworks – including no discharging on public properties, age requirements and maintaining safe operating distances.

So, before the fuse is lit, here are some things to know in advance:

Location and age requirement for discharging fireworks

• Fireworks displays must be directly supervised by an adult, 18 years and older, and must take place on private property – with permission from the property owner. Even on private properties, fireworks cannot be discharged if it poses danger to other individuals and properties. This will include any property nearby other homes, apartments, roadways, sidewalks and public spaces.

No discharging fireworks on City parks and sports fields

• Discharging fireworks is not allowed on City property – which includes all parks, sports fields and beaches.  

• The four local school boards – Ottawa Catholic School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est and Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario – do not allow discharging fireworks on all school premises, including all track and sports field areas.

School properties and sports fields are out of bounds too

• The four local school boards do not allow discharging fireworks on all school premises, including all track and sports field areas.

Free service on OC Transpo on Canada Day

There will be no-charge service on OC Transpo buses and O-Train Line 1 all day on July 1.

Para Transpo service will run until 3 am, with last trips booked for 2 am.

Ward 19 shines on Crossing Guard Appreciation Day

This week, I had the pleasure of joining Mayor Sutcliffe to celebrate the outstanding contributions of Ottawa’s School Crossing Guards. It was a wonderful event organized by the Ottawa Safety Council, recognizing the top three winners of the 2025 Crossing Guard of the Year awards.

I was especially proud to celebrate our top winner, Philip Burton, who serves right here in Orléans South-Navan. Philip works double shifts at Brian Coburn Boulevard at Esprit Drive and at Valin Street at Provence Avenue. His dedication to student safety, day in and day out, is truly inspiring, and I was honoured to thank him in person for his incredible service to our community.

It was a heartfelt reminder of how important these everyday heroes are, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to show our appreciation for the vital work they do across the city.

ICYMI – Update on the water rate review: A better stormwater and ditch maintenance model for Ottawa’s rural communities

Last month, I shared an update in my newsletter after I participated in the Joint Committee of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (ARAC) and Environment and Climate Change, where we debated the City’s proposed changes to the water rate structure. You'll recall the City held public consultations on this across Ottawa, including one at the Navan Arena. 

Thanks to the invaluable feedback from residents across the ward and the strong input gathered during the 2024 Rural Summit, we’ve secured an important policy shift. Council has approved a new, more equitable water rate structure—one that better reflects how properties actually impact the drainage system. This includes:

• The creation of a Rural Roadside Ditch Maintenance Levy – replacing the outdated stormwater charge for rural properties

•  Returning culvert maintenance costs to the general tax levy – ensuring fair citywide cost-sharing

• Oversight of the rural levy placed with ARAC – ensuring decisions are made by those who understand rural needs

For most rural residents, these changes will mean lower charges—and corrects past missteps, moving us closer to a more balanced, pre-amalgamation approach.

This wouldn’t have happened without your advocacy—your feedback during public consultations, emails, and participation at the Rual Summit made all the difference. Full implementation is expected in 2027.

Thank you for helping us push for practical, community-rooted policies that reflect rural needs.

OC Transpo summer service changes

Summer service change begins Sunday, June 29.

These adjustments reflect seasonal changes in ridership. Use the Travel Planner or Transit app to check if your regular trips are affected.

Highlights:

• Routes 8, 25, 33, 63, 70, 74, and 110 may have trips added or adjusted.

• School service removed.

• Weekend service to summer destinations on Routes 8, 125, and 139 return.

For more information, please click here.

Respect, patience, and safety for all

As Ottawa grows, construction plays a vital role in building the infrastructure that supports our vibrant city. With a busy season ahead, the City of Ottawa is proud to launch Respect. Patience. Safety for All. — a city-wide initiative encouraging empathy, patience and a shared responsibility between residents and construction workers. 

Construction zones are more than work sites; they are shared spaces where everyone that has access has a role in keeping each other safe. Whether you are driving, cycling or walking, working, visiting, inspecting, small acts of courtesy can help prevent accidents and protect lives.

Every day, City staff and contractors work hard to improve our roads, transit systems, facilities and public spaces. They perform demanding tasks in all kinds of weather, often while navigating active traffic, managing heavy equipment and maintaining strict safety protocols to protect both themselves and the public.

A safe construction site benefits everyone. Workers are dedicated to maintaining secure work zones and encourage the public to stay alert and patient while navigating them. Together, we can ensure that everyone gets home safely.

Uncover your inner world at OPL this summer!

What are you up to this summer? From June 26 to August 30, Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is excited to offer a wide range of free literacy and learning activities for teens—both online and in branches. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore new interests, gain valuable skills, and connect with new friends during the summer break!  

Teen Staycation is all about creating enjoyable and enriching moments for teens and their families all summer long. Not heading out of town? Teens aged 13 to 18 can take part in a variety of engaging activities like arts and crafts, writing and reading circles, wellness sessions, cooking and baking workshops, sewing, music and dance, games, and so much more! 

Registration is now open! Teens can now browse through the Teen Staycation programs and sign up for the ones that spark their interest.   

For more information about this program, visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca. 

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