Orléans South-Navan Community Update | April 10th, 2026

Councillor's Message

I hope you had a restful and joyful Easter or Passover long weekend with family and friends. With spring finally (hopefully!) making its arrival, our Public Works teams are out in full force as we transition into warmer months. That means street sweeping has started, graders are staring to roll out on rural roads, river monitoring, temporary traffic calming reinstatements, and parks, fields and sports diamond maintenance now underway, which is always a welcomed sign that better weather is here.

Today, I had the opportunity in my role as Chair of Ottawa Public Health (OPH) to participate in an important conversation on the intersection of health and housing. The Health and Housing Symposium brought together a wide range of partners, including OPH, Ottawa Community Housing, Ottawa Salus, Bruyère Health, The Ottawa Hospital, and The Royal, to focus on how we better align these two critical systems.

Leaders from across health, housing, homelessness, social services, academia, and government came together to highlight what is already working and to identify practical next steps. Through interactive panels and shared expertise, the conversations reinforced a clear message: housing stability is foundational to better health outcomes.

We know that when people have access to stable, supportive housing, it reduces pressure on hospitals and emergency services, lowers overall system costs, improves outcomes for patients and tenants, and helps more people remain successfully housed. Better integration between health and housing services is not just good policy, it is essential to building a healthier, more resilient community.

Also today, I participated in a joint committee that considered the City of Ottawa's partnership with the federal Build Canada Homes initiative. This agreement to build 3,000 new homes, including 1,000 affordable homes in the city's pipeline, and hundreds more affordable and deeply affordable homes on federal land, was unanimously approved and is an important step forward in accelerating housing delivery and improving affordability. It is one of many actions this Council has taken to advance housing affordability in our city and respond to the growing need for a range of housing options.

As we navigate major policy shifts on housing and infrastructure from other levels of government, it is critical that we keep this broader lens of building healthy communities in mind. Housing is not just about supply; it is about building complete, connected communities that support people’s well-being.

On that note, last week’s joint announcement from the provincial and federal governments on the Canada–Ontario Partnership to Build deal has sparked a significant conversation locally. The headline commitment of $8.8 billion tied to reducing development charges is being framed as a way to lower the cost of new homes and accelerate housing supply. Development charges, however, are not arbitrary fees; they are how municipalities fund the infrastructure that makes growth possible, including roads, water, wastewater, and transit.

While I completely understand the goal of improving affordability for homeowners, I still have real concerns about what this means in practice. The province has indicated that funding will offset “much of” the lost revenue, but the details on how this will impact Ottawa remain unclear. From a responsible financial planning perspective, municipalities need certainty that any reduction in development charges will be fully and sustainably replaced. Otherwise, the risk is that the cost of growth shifts onto existing taxpayers, or that critical infrastructure is delayed even further.

I have been a consistent voice at City Hall advocating against reducing or removing development charges in full without a clear and reliable replacement. This is something I have repeatedly raised with my colleagues, the Mayor, and senior leadership, and why I voted against pursuing additional exemptions locally. In communities like Orléans South, we are experiencing some of the fastest growth in the city, yet major road infrastructure investments have not kept pace. Weakening one of the primary tools we have to fund that infrastructure only risks putting us further behind.

Simply put, if we are serious about building more homes, we must be equally serious about building the infrastructure that supports them. The devil will be in the details of this agreement, and I will be watching closely to ensure our community is not left with a funding gap that undermines both growth and quality of life.

Last but not least, like many of you, I’ve been taking in the extraordinary images and video coming out of the Artemis II mission. This ten-day lunar flyby, launched back on April 1, marks the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972 and a major milestone in human space exploration.

There is also a strong Canadian connection worth celebrating. Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut from London, Ontario, is part of the four-person crew and has made history as the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and journey to the vicinity of the Moon. Alongside his crewmates, he is now among the humans who have travelled the farthest from Earth.

The mission is also breaking new ground with Christina Koch becoming the first woman to travel that far from Earth, and Victor Glover becoming the first person of colour to do so. Milestones that reflect a more inclusive future for space exploration.

Moments like this are a reminder of what is possible when ambition meets preparation and perseverance! It's been a marvel to watch. 

Navan and Milton roundabout construction to re-start after winter shutdown

Construction at the Navan Road and Milton Road intersection is set to resume on Monday, April 13, as the City moves forward with its continuation of building a new single-lane roundabout designed to improve safety and traffic flow for all users.

Work will be completed in phases, with the first phase beginning Monday. During this stage, both eastbound and westbound lanes on Navan Road will be shifted slightly north of the intersection to allow construction to proceed while maintaining two lanes of traffic.

Throughout construction, measures will be in place to keep traffic moving and maintain access. On Navan Road, at least one lane in each direction will be maintained during peak hours in the morning and afternoon, with at least one lane open at all other times. All turning movements at the intersection will remain available, and traffic control will be on site as needed. On Milton Road, a minimum of one lane will always remain open, with turning movements maintained and traffic control support provided where required. Outside of active construction periods, all travel lanes will be reopened.

This project is an important step toward improving safety and reliability at a busy rural intersection that continues to see increasing traffic volumes as our community grows. The project will be completed by fall 2026.

Upcoming two-week full closure of a portion of Ventus Way

Starting Monday, April 27 through to Friday, May 8, Ventus Way will be temporarily closed south of the Halo Car Wash/U-Haul to de Jargeau Road.

This closure is required to allow Glenview Homes to complete critical underground servicing work for Phase 4 of their Commons subdivision, including sewer and watermain connections. Because this work involves deep excavations across the full width of the roadway, a full closure is necessary. A lane closure only option was reviewed when submitted, but due to crew safety concerns, a full closure is required.

During this time, a signed detour will be in place via Lamarche Avenue. Local access only will be maintained from de Jargeau Road to Ventus Way, and importantly, both the Halo Car Wash and U-Haul will remain open and accessible for all.

To support the detour, temporary no parking and no stopping restrictions will be in effect along both sides of Lamarche Avenue (Innes Road to Argonaut Circle), as well as on de Jargeau, Ventus, and Ludis within the closure area. These measures are necessary to keep traffic moving safely through the detour route. You will see these signs prior to the closure start date.I have been in direct contact with developers currently active in the Orléans Village area and have strongly requested that they minimize construction traffic on Lamarche during this period. While I cannot legally restrict their operations during the closure period, I have made it clear that Lamarche will serve as the primary community detour and should be respected as such.I have also proactively notified both school boards to ensure any impacts to school transportation are managed in advance. This is on top of the formal circulation that goes out to all impacted stakeholders, which is part of the already established road closure permit process.

For those walking or cycling, the multi-use pathway and sidewalk are expected to remain open and unobstructed.As with the February Lamarche closure, City staff have confirmed that a secondary access point is not required for this specific closure. Emergency access will be maintained at all times via Ventus, which meets the City’s standard requirement of ensuring at least one point of access into and out of a community during temporary closures. This is consistent with how many new developing neighbourhoods across Ottawa function, including those with single access points or cul-de-sacs. The City also retains the ability to require the closed road to reopen on short notice if needed, and the contractor must maintain a 24/7 emergency contact to respond to any such request. It is also a condition of any road closure permit, which is being followed in this specific case.

On traffic operations, I have already met proactively with Traffic Services to review signal timing along the detour. The signal at Lamarche and Innes operates on a responsive system based on real-time traffic queues and is supported by a permanent traffic camera, allowing staff to make adjustments as needed.

Finally, I will continue working closely with staff and holding the developers accountable to ensure proper street sweeping and the detour route remains clean throughout the closure for safe passage.

Thank you for your patience as this necessary work is completed to support continued growth in our community.

Construction to start in mid-April on Brian Coburn and Tenth Line intersection upgrades

I’m pleased to share that construction will begin this spring on improvements to the intersection of Brian Coburn Boulevard and Tenth Line Road, which is an upgrade I have been actively advocating for to address ongoing congestion and improve traffic flow in the area this term.

Starting in mid-to-late April and continuing through July, the City will be completing roadway modifications at the intersection. This includes extending the eastbound left-turn lane at Brian Coburn and Tenth Line, giving drivers turning into the shopping plaza dedicated space to do so without holding up through traffic. By allowing turning vehicles to move out of the main lane, this change will help reduce queuing and ease congestion, improving overall traffic flow along this busy corridor near the Shops at Tenth Line.

This work builds on incremental progress made at this intersection through the addition of advanced left-turn signals. As growth continues in our community, these types of improvements are essential to keeping traffic moving safely and efficiently. This project is proceeding in advance of the broader corridor widening, which is currently under design.

During construction, two-way traffic on Brian Coburn will be maintained, and access for pedestrians, cyclists, and local businesses will remain in place. As with any construction project, there may be some temporary impacts such as noise, dust, and vibration, but this work is necessary to deliver much-needed relief to one of our busiest intersections.

I will continue to keep residents updated when work starts and as always, I appreciate your patience as we get this important project completed.

O-Train East Extension delayed again as testing timeline shifts

At Transit Committee yesterday, we received an update on the O-Train East Extension, and I know this is one many residents in Orléans are watching closely. While the project reached a key milestone earlier this spring by achieving substantial completion on March 5, the timeline to open the extension for passengers is now uncertain.

Trial running, which is the next major step, has been delayed due to ongoing issues with the trains themselves, specifically damage related to axle components. OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group are continuing to investigate and resolve what has been described as the most severe damage encountered to date.

As a result, OC Transpo now estimates that testing could begin in the next two to five months. This means the previously anticipated opening of the extension by the end of June is no longer achievable.

Once trial running begins, trains will operate for 21 consecutive days to simulate full service and ensure everything is functioning properly. During that period, riders will still need to transfer at Blair Station, as empty trains run along the extended line for testing.

In the meantime, the ongoing train availability issues continue to impact service across the system. Earlier this year, 41 train cars were removed from service due to these same axle concerns, leading to longer wait times and crowding. While some progress has been made, with 22 cars now back in-service, full-service levels are not expected until at least the end of May when more trains are returned to operation.

I know how frustrating and frankly unacceptable these continued delays are, especially for residents in the east end who have been waiting year after year for reliable transit. People planned their commutes, their work, and their daily lives around timelines that keep shifting, and that is unfair. Our community deserves a system that works and delivers on what was promised. I will continue to push for clear timelines, accountability, and a safe, reliable system that delivers on what was promised to our communities. With increased return-to-office pressures on the horizon, we cannot afford more uncertainty or delay.

Thank you, rink and winter trail operators!

A big thank you to all the dedicated volunteers across Orléans South–Navan who help make winter in our community so special. From maintaining outdoor rinks to keeping our winter trails groomed, your efforts truly make a difference for all of us.

This year marked the second season in a row with consistent cold temperatures, along with significant snowfall, and our rink operators rose to the challenge once again. I was pleased to celebrate many of you this week at Notre-Dame-des-Champs Hall during the first of two pizza parties, with another gathering planned for our rural rink teams next week. These small moments are an opportunity to recognize the countless hours you put in to keep these spaces open.

I also want to extend my thanks to the volunteers who were recognized at the Winter Trail Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at City Hall, including Ski Heritage East, for the time and effort they dedicate to maintaining Ottawa’s winter trail network.

As the season ends, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your hard work and commitment. Your contributions enhance the outdoor experience across our community and help keep residents active and connected throughout the winter months. I look forward to continuing to work together with our community associations as we begin preparing for the 2027 season!

City rolls out 2026 ditch maintenance plan

The City has released its 2026 ditch maintenance plan, which outlines how roadside ditches will be maintained and improved across rural areas this year. Ditches play an important role in preventing flooding and protecting roads, and responsibility is shared between homeowners and the City. Residents are responsible for things like keeping culverts clear and removing debris, while the City handles larger work such as repairing culverts and restoring proper drainage.

This year, the City is investing more resources into ditch maintenance, including new staff, additional equipment, and contracted crews. The goal is to move away from only reacting to urgent issues and instead, taking a more proactive approach to maintaining ditches before problems arise.

There is also a new Ditch and Drainage Coordinator role to help improve communication, track issues more effectively, and ensure residents get clearer answers when they report concerns. This position and millions in dedicated funding for ditch maintenance operations was a direct result of the 2024 Rural Summit. Staff will be working with councillors throughout the season to review local priorities and planned work in each ward.

Work will continue to be prioritized based on urgency, with immediate safety concerns addressed within hours, while less urgent issues are scheduled over time. Overall, this plan is aimed at improving how ditch maintenance is delivered and ensuring better long-term drainage across rural communities.

Tips and tricks as coyote sightings continue

I’m aware of recent coyote sightings as the seasons change and understand that encountering wildlife can be unsettling, especially if you are not used to seeing them in urban areas or they are near your pets. 

Most coyote–human conflicts are linked to food sourcing. The City strongly reminds residents not to leave out garbage, compost or pet food, and never feed wildlife/birds. Doing so encourages coyotes to return and can change their behaviour.

We’d also like to remind residents to keep dogs on leash, particularly near wooded areas. Off-leash dogs can unintentionally provoke defensive behaviour, especially when coyotes are protecting their babies. What may appear as aggression is often a natural response to perceived threats. Keeping dogs leashed helps protect your pet, reduces the risk of negative encounters, and supports safe coexistence with local wildlife.

Ottawa’s By-law Services, in partnership with the City's Natural Systems team, continuously tracks reported coyote activity across the city to monitor behaviour and locations. Coyotes are a normal part of Ottawa’s natural ecosystem, even in suburban communities, and they play a valuable role in controlling vermin populations. That said, should a safety concern be identified, stronger action will be taken immediately. 

Residents are encouraged to report any sightings directly to 3-1-1 . The more information provided through official channels, the better the City can respond.

Back in February 2024, I invited Coyote Watch Canada to speak with residents in our ward. They provided practical guidance on coyote behaviour, reducing attractants, and what to do if a coyote approaches too closely. The key takeaway was that proper reporting and prevention are the most effective tools to maintain safe coexistence.

Also, in February of this year, I co-hosted another event with east-end colleagues for another Coyote Watch Canada presentation. You can watch that here.

I encourage you to learn more about coyotes by visiting Coyote Watch Canada's website, and by completing their interactive e-learning module.

Ottawa Public Health offering free well water testing kits

Did you know? Spring is a great time of year to test your well water. Snowmelt and spring showers can contaminate your well if the well is not properly maintained.

Whether your test results are positive or negative, understand that the sample you collected is just a "snapshot" of your well's water quality. The more samples you have tested, the more confident you can be about the quality of the water you are drinking.

In addition to regularly testing well water, owners should inspect their well at least once a year to make sure it is free from damage and in good working condition. If you need more information on private wells, you can download the Private Well Water Manual from the Ottawa Public Health website.

Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/WellWaterTest for a list of sample bottle pick-up and water sample drop-off locations.

TOMORROW – Navan Paint Night fundraiser

The Navan Community Association is hosting a Paint Night fundraiser tomorrow, Saturday April 11, and residents are invited to come out for a fun and creative afternoon in support of a great local cause.

The event will take place from 1 – 4 pm at the Navan-Vars United Church, (1129 Smith Road.)

For $45 per person, participants will receive everything needed to create their own painting, including all supplies, guidance from local artist Caro Galand, as well as light snacks, coffee, and tea.

Whether you’re an experienced painter or just looking to try something new, this is a great opportunity to connect with others in the community while supporting the NCA.

To register, please click here.

TOMORROW - free clothing drop and swap in Orléans

Bring your gently used items and swap them for something new to you. Don't have any items to swap? Come shop for free instead!

In collaboration with the Convent Glen Orléans Wood Community Association, the City is hosting a Spring Clothing Drop and Swap event tomorrow, Saturday, April 11, 10 am – 2 pm at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Centre, located at 1490 Youville Drive in Halls A & G.

2026 Hazardous Waste Drop Off events released

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event schedule has been released with one date in Orléans.

These events help to protect the environment and decrease the risk of toxic materials ending up in our collection vehicles or landfills.

• Saturday, August 8, 2026 - Innes Snow Dump (2170 Mer Bleue Road)

For the full up-to-date schedule, and to see the list of acceptable items, please click here.

Coro Vivo Ottawa presents: Let’s Get Groovy

The music from the 60s and 70s was epic and transformative, both in its creation but also in the reaction from fans.

Music that asks you to be in touch with your inner self and to just feel; being Groovy or feeling that Disco Beat, CVO wants you to get your GROOVE on and join us on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at Orleans United Church, 1111 Orleans Blvd at 7:30pm.

Come dressed in your favourite outfit from these fantastic eras of music! Peace Out!

Tickets: https://ow.ly/qKfT50YvcyY

Important information before beginning your home landscaping work

Whether you’re working with a contractor or tackling this project yourself, read through the City’s Landscaper Education Guide before you start.

This guide is important to understand as it helps avoid unnecessary heartache and costly mistakes when making improvements to your property.

Get renovations right the first time by consulting this guide and reaching out to the City with any questions or concerns. I know some residents may be planning home improvements as the weather gets warmer and the snow melts

This material is a comprehensive overview of the City’s requirements for driveways, hard and soft landscaping, drainage and grading plans, protecting trees, fences, and pools and other water features. 

Here are three things you should know before starting your next landscaping project:

• Know your property lines: Look up your street address on geoOttawa and select the “Property parcels” layer to approximately locate where the property lines are between you and your neighbours. The map will also show where the City’s right of way is located, which may require you to follow different rules.

• Know the by-laws: Read the Landscaping Education Guide for an overview of the by-laws related to landscaping and their requirements. Afterwards, review the applicable city by-laws for your project to ensure you understand and are considering all of the requirements.

• Know who to ask for help: If you have a question or need clarification on how a by-law applies to your project, call 3-1-1 or consult the Landscaping Education Guide to find out who to contact at the City for each type of project.

Remember to check the applicable by-laws on ottawa.ca regularly. While our guide is comprehensive, the applicable by-law is always the most up-to-date source of information.

Registration is now open for Spring 2026’s Cleaning the Capital campaign

Spring is almost here, and so is the Cleaning the Capital Spring campaign!

Plan a litter cleanup project with your family, friends, neighbours, or colleagues and help keep our city beautiful.

Register your project by May 4: ottawa.ca/clean

Report a pothole

Spring is here, which means… it’s also pothole season!

With freeze-thaw cycles in full effect, Roads and Parking Services crews have already started repairs across the city.

If you come across a pothole in need of attention, you can report it through the City’s online service request system here.

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards

Do you know someone or an organization who has been a local champion for cycling in our city?The City of Ottawa is once again accepting nominations for the Bruce Timmermans cycling awards! Two awards will be presented in June to recognize outstanding contributions to cycling in Ottawa.

EnviroCentre is coordinating the 2026 awards. All nominations are treated as confidential, the deadline for submissions is April, 30, 2026. Click here to nominate an individual or organization you believe deserves recognition! 

More information about the Bruce Timmermans awards and a list of past winners can be found on the City’s website, here.