Orléans South-Navan Community Update | May 9th 2025
- Catherine Kitts
- May 9
- 9 min read
Councillor's Message
A big thank you to everyone who braved last week’s storm—and missed the Sens' Game 5 against the Leafs! —to attend our in-person public consultation for the Transportation Master Plan Part 2 at Ray Friel. Your commitment to our community means so much. Despite a smaller turn out, I also appreciate those who tuned in to our virtual consultation this past Monday. These sessions are a vital opportunity to ensure your voices help shape Ottawa’s future transportation planning.
As your Councillor, I’ve been working relentlessly behind the scenes—meeting with senior City staff, the City Manager, and the Mayor—to advocate for Orléans South. I’ve written extensively about our transportation needs. Simply put: this is our moment to influence the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which will dictate infrastructure planning and investments for the next 10 to 20 years.
Despite a major inquiry I tabled highlighting historic underfunding in the east end, I remain concerned that Orléans South’s rapid growth is still not being properly factored in. Our community is projected to add up to 20,000 homes in the next decade, and with all levels of government focused on housing, there’s no slowing down. We must have proper infrastructure to support this growth.
One of my top priorities is the full widening of Brian Coburn Boulevard into a four-lane complete street—with segregated active transportation and accessible transit infrastructure. While the section from Mer Bleue to Tenth Line ranks in Phase 1, the Navan to Mer Bleue segment falls into Phase 2, meaning it could take more than 10 years to be addressed. That’s simply not acceptable.
This is the final phase of consultation before the TMP is finalized. Please take a few minutes to complete the surveys below—your feedback is essential to showing that our community deserves better. The deadline is May 12, 2025.
Survey #1: Interactive map-based survey on Transportation Master Plan road and transit projects in the priority networks:
Priority road projects
Priority transit projects
Survey #2: Questionnaire regarding road, transit and active transportation projects and priorities:
Let’s make sure we’re not left behind for another decade.
Thank you again for standing with me.
Upcoming lane reductions on Innes Road for one day
Please be advised that on Monday, May 12, 2025, there will be lane reductions on Innes Road for hydrovac work to locate a critical gas main ahead of signalization construction at Innes and Lamarche.
Lane impacts include:
Eastbound Innes from Pagé Road to Lamarche Avenue: reduced to one lane, including during peak hours.
Westbound Innes from Lamarche Avenue to Viseneau Drive: lane reductions in place.
Additionally, work in the center median for the north side of the intersection will take place during off-peak hours (9:30 am - 3:00 pm).
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare for future improvements.
O-Train Line 1 early closure on Sunday, May 11 for Stage 2 testing
O-Train Line 1 service will end early, at 8 pm, instead of 11 pm on Sunday, May 11. Full Line 1 service will resume Monday, May 12 at 5 am.
During the temporary closure, R1 replacement bus service will run from 8 pm to 11 pm between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations. In addition to R1, shuttle bus service will run between St-Laurent and Cyrville stations, and between Lees Station and Mackenzie King Bridge. After 11 pm, night service bus routes will run as scheduled.
This temporary closure is required for Stage 2 systems integration, in preparation for Line 1 service to be extended from Blair Station to Trim Station as part of the O-Train East extension.
Continuing to push accessibility forward in our parks
I’m pleased to share an exciting update on my ongoing work to improve accessibility in City parks. At this week’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee, my motion to officially embed the creation of a public-facing tool for accessible park information into the City’s 2025–2029 Municipal Accessibility Plan (COMAP) was unanimously approved.
This builds on a motion I introduced in back in November 2024, aimed at helping families and caregivers easily find information about inclusive play structures and accessibility features in parks across Ottawa. It was important to me that this not be seen as a one-off initiative, but a long-term commitment, backed by tangible and actionable items—and that’s now reflected in the City's multi-year accessibility roadmap.
The City has already begun foundational work, including a resident survey and an internal scan of available information. With this new motion, staff will formally collect, validate, and share park accessibility data as a phased, multi-year project—with regular progress updates to Council. Once this is properly mapped, it will also be an opportunity to expose gaps in accessibility across the city.
This ensures it’s no longer just a Councillor-led effort, but a sustained City-wide priority. By shining a light on both the inclusive amenities we already have and where gaps remain, we can better plan future investments and help everyone enjoy our outdoor spaces fully.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to make Ottawa more inclusive for all.
The Pavilion Project hits 100% of their fundraising goal!
I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Navan Community Association, the Pavilion Project Team, and the Bradley Cup for an incredible milestone in our community.
Thanks to the unwavering support of generous sponsors, volunteers, players, and residents, the 2025 Bradley Cup raised an impressive $25,000! Your commitment and community spirit have made all the difference, and none of this would have been possible without you.
That contribution helped push the Pavilion Project across the finish line. They’ve met 100% of the fundraising goal—an outstanding achievement that speaks to the power of collaboration and community pride. It’s amazing to reflect that just over a year ago, this was only an idea. Through hard work, partnership, and local generosity, the dream is now a reality.
Construction of the remaining components—drainage and landscaping—got underway in April. The official grand opening of the Pavilion will take place on September 13, 2025. Stay tuned to the Navan Nugget and NCA socials for more details as the date approaches.
Thank you again to everyone and congrats again!
Navan Fair / Cumberland Township Agricultural Society receives city’s Rural Community Building Grant Program funding
I'm thrilled to share that a project to upgrade technology and enhance tourism tracking was approved last Thursday at the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee for over $19,000 in funding through the city’s Rural Community Building Grant Program (RCBGP).
This investment will support a full tech upgrade—including a new website with online rental capabilities, improved A/V equipment for meetings and events, and expanded Wi-Fi access across the Navan Fairgrounds.
These upgrades will modernize operations and improve connectivity for both the Company and the many community members who use the space.
As well, a new tourism survey will help CTAS better understand visitor trends and tailor future events and funding efforts to support the long-term success of the Navan Fair.
Many thanks to the volunteers who continue to keep the Cumberland Township Agricultural Society moving forward - this is a well-deserved milestone for Ward 19!
East-end Stage 2 LRT community information session
Join my east-end colleagues and I for a virtual information session on updates relating to the Stage 2 LRT project.
This hour-long online session will include progress updates, upcoming construction information, and a brief Q & A with Stage 2 staff.
The virtual info session is taking place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 7 – 8 pm. A link to register will be circulated closer to for sign up.
Thank you for keeping our community clean and green
I want to extend my gratitude for everyone who has and continues to participate in the Spring 2025 edition of Cleaning the Capital!
Your hard work and commitment to keeping our community clean and green is inspiring.
Whether it’s a community association event, or a local group coming together to pick up trash, please know you’re making a tangible difference in helping the environment and keeping our community clean for everyone!
Recapping the 2025 Chapel Hill Community Association Annual General Meeting
I'd like to congratulate the Chapel Hill South Community Association on a successful AGM last week, and for inviting me to come and speak with the community to provide updates on major projects and issues in the community.
I would also like to offer my congratulations to Rylee Batista for being elected to another term as president! I look forward to our continued collaboration this year.
Temporary Road Closures to keep in mind
Please note the following temporary road closures happening in our area:
River Road (Rideau Rd to Solarium Ave): Full closure for approximately 12 weeks beginning this month. A one-lane option was explored but deemed unfeasible due to the scope of work.
Burton Road (Corduroy Rd to Rockdale Rd): Closed starting Monday, May 12th as part of a major resurfacing project. A signed detour will be in place.
Victoria Street in Metcalfe (Dow St to 8th Line Rd): Closed on Saturday, May 10th from 9 AM to 2 PM for the Metcalfe Meet and Greet event.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during these closures as we work to improve infrastructure, safety, and support local community events.
Bank Street and Leitrim Road Intersection Improvements
An advanced left-turn signal has been installed for westbound traffic turning left from Leitrim Road onto Bank Street.
This signal is active only during the afternoon rush hour and will significantly improve traffic flow. While this intersection is not directly within Ward 20, many residents have expressed concerns, and this is a positive step forward.
Share your Voice with OurCare
The OurCare national survey is gathering input from people across Canada about what matters most to them in primary health care.
Your feedback will help shape future healthcare policies and services to better reflect the needs of your community.
The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is open to everyone. Make your voice heard and help build a stronger, more responsive healthcare system.
Summer is almost here, and that means it's almost registration time!
- Tuesday, May 13 at 9 pm - Registration for summer swimming activities
- Thursday, May 15 at 9 pm - Registration for all summer activities, Before and After School Programs, and PA Days
To register, click here.
Play ball! Ball diamonds have opened!
Thanks to cooperative weather this spring, some ball diamonds have started opening.
Maintenance crews are working hard to ensure that the fields are ready for use.
Status updates for ball diamonds will be posted on ottawa.ca. Conditions are being assessed daily, and staff will provide updates to permit holders as the remaining ball diamonds are opened.
Sports fields are scheduled to open on May 15.
Stay informed during emergencies with Ottawa Alert
The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service can now send emergency information directly to your personal devices with Ottawa Alert.
In an emergency, guidance and recovery information will be sent through Ottawa Alert to subscribed residents, businesses and visitors. Receiving timely emergency information on our phones, computers or other devices is the best way to stay informed and to be prepared, which leads to better safety outcomes for you.
Ottawa Alert is powered by Alertable (a product by Calgary-based company, PEASI) and sends notifications:
Through the Alertable app, SMS, email, telephone, Amazon Alexa and more channels.
In English and French, with in-app machine translation available for more than 30 languages.
That are fully accessible under WCAG 2.0 AA compliance standards.
Be prepared and register online at alertable.ca or download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play store.
Visit Ottawa Alert for more information, including how to sign up and what to do when you receive an emergency notification.
What to expect
Ottawa Alert is primarily for urgent situations. Subscribers have the option to sign-up for different types and levels of alerts from the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Police Service.
Emergency notifications from the City of Ottawa could include:
Important updates and recovery information following an emergency, such as when emergency shelters or family reunification centres are opened.
Urgent safety instructions, such as clearing snow from furnace and dryer vents after major snowstorms to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Advisory alerts to provide instructions following high impact situations, such as avoiding areas damaged by a tornado, ice storm or other event.
Emergency notifications from the Ottawa Police Service could include:
Critical alerts for situations posing an immediate danger to public safety.
Information about keeping the public safe and away from potential harm, such as when there is an active police investigation or threat to public safety.
Ottawa Alert is not a replacement for systems that provide advance notice of emergency situations, such as notifications from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Alert Ready. In the Alertable app settings, subscribers can choose to receive alerts from ECCC and Alert Ready through Ottawa Alert. The City and Ottawa Police Service will not send notifications for weather or traffic updates.
To help ensure you receive emergency notifications when the time comes, we recommended checking your Alertable account regularly to ensure your settings are up-to-date.
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