Orléans South-Navan Community Update | July 17th, 2026

Councillor's Message

Like many of you, I've been thinking about the communities across Ottawa that were heavily impacted by the severe Canada Day storm.

While our area was fortunate to avoid the worst of the damage, our community is no stranger to the effects of natural disasters. We know firsthand how disruptive and overwhelming these events can be, which is why our thoughts are with the residents, families, and businesses who are now facing cleanup and recovery.

City staff have been focused on supporting residents through the immediate aftermath of the storm, coordinating additional garbage collection where needed, assessing damage across affected neighbourhoods, and helping ensure wellness checks and other supports reach those most vulnerable. This storm is another reminder that Ottawa must continue improving our emergency preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and coordinated response. As our city experiences more frequent extreme weather events, we need to be asking what worked, what didn't, and how we can be better prepared next time.

As Chair of the Ottawa Board of Health, I have also been following up to ensure we are supporting public health needs during the recovery, particularly for residents who may be more vulnerable. I've also been checking in with my Council colleagues whose wards were among the hardest hit, not only in my role as Chair, but as a colleague and friend.

Thank you to the first responders, City staff, hydro crews, contractors, and the many neighbours who have stepped up to help one another. That spirit of community is one of Ottawa's greatest strengths, and I know it will carry us through the recovery ahead.

This past Wednesday, City Council unanimously approved a 48-point transportation and mobility strategy aimed at preparing Ottawa for the significant increase in travel expected this fall as federal employees return to the office more frequently and students return to school.

I supported the plan because it's encouraging to see the City finally acknowledging the impact that return-to-office requirements will have on our transportation network. Many of its measures are worthwhile, including increased transit service, more express buses, improved traffic-signal coordination, stronger enforcement of no-stopping zones, and better coordination of construction work. However, as many of you saw in the media, I was also very clear that this plan does not solve the larger problem facing Orléans South.

My concerns remain entirely consistent with the position I took last September 2025 when I voted against the City's five-day return-to-office policy. At the time, I warned that our transportation network was not ready for the additional demand, particularly in the east end. We have known for years that congestion is worsening, that our transportation network is failing, and that we have approved thousands of new homes without delivering the supporting roads, transit capacity, and active transportation infrastructure at the same pace.

You all know I’ve been fighting for that to change, and later in this newsletter I’ll explain our latest win in pushing for the long-overdue investments needed to increase our infrastructure capacity.

My immediate concern with the approved package was how few of the proposed solutions directly addressed Orléans South. We cannot manage our way out of years of insufficient transportation capacity without significant intervention. Roads, transit-priority measures, and major infrastructure projects will not be built by September, and I remain deeply concerned that our network is not prepared for what is coming.

The approved measures do include an express service from the Millennium Park and Ride, via Trim and Place d’Orléans (north side), to Blair. Improved runtimes to support on-time performance and transit use on Routes 25 and 30. O-Train Line 1 service will run every four minutes during peak periods, and the E1 express route from Blair to downtown will continue.

Since Wednesday's Council meeting, I've had productive conversations with OC Transpo, with support from the Mayor's Office, about establishing an express connection from the Chapel Hill Park and Ride to Blair Station, similar to the pilot service I championed in March 2025. In my view, this was the most significant gap in the current plan. Those discussions are continuing, and I look forward to sharing more updates soon.

The park & ride infrastructure is already there. Giving residents the ability to park their vehicle and quickly connect to Blair LRT is exactly the kind of practical solution we should be pursuing. If we can provide a fast, reliable express connection, we have a real opportunity to convert drivers into transit riders and reduce pressure on our road network. To me, this is something we simply cannot pass up.

I will continue advocating for this option while pushing the City to accelerate the transportation investments our community has needed for years. The approved plan is a start, but it is not the finish line. East end residents deserve transportation infrastructure that keeps pace with the growth that has already arrived and that is still to come.

At the same time, I was encouraged to confirm with staff that this strategy is intended to be a living document, not a one-time response. As travel patterns emerge this fall, I expect the City to remain nimble, monitor where congestion is occurring in real time, and be prepared to adjust service and operations quickly.

To listen to my comments at Council, please click here.

I’m co-hosting my annual Millennium Park BBQ with the Mayor!

Come join me at 100 Millennium Blvd on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 1-3 pm for live music/entertainment, a free BBQ, and tons of family fun.

Monkey Rock Music will be back yet again playing tunes for the kids.

Food is first come first served. A reminder to please bring a refillable water bottle for our water station as it’s going to be hot!

I’m also looking for volunteers to help make the event a success. If you have a couple of hours to spare and would like to lend a hand, I'd love to hear from you. Please fill out the form here.

While the result wasn't what we hoped for, Team Canada gave Canadians an unforgettable summer and made history on the world stage. It was incredible to see a sea of red and white at the LeBreton Flats watch party, proudly cheering on our team.

Thank you to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, the Government of Canada, and the Bluesfest team for making the event possible on short notice.

Congratulations, Team Canada, on an inspiring tournament that united Canadians from coast to coast.

Critical culvert work on Innes and Cox Country over the next two weeks

Please be advised that two critical culvert replacement projects will be taking place over the next two weeks.

• Innes Road (between O'Toole Road and Cox Country Road) from July 20–26

• Cox Country Road (between Innes Road and Wilhaven Drive) from July 27 – August 2

Access to all private properties will be maintained throughout construction.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as this important infrastructure work is completed. If you travel through these areas, please plan for possible delays and follow all posted signage.

Full closure extension required for Pagé Road & Nature Trail Crescent work

I wanted to provide a quick update regarding the temporary full closure of the southern Pagé Road and Nature Trail Crescent intersection.

The contractor has advised that, due to unforeseen issues encountered while working within the road closure, they require an additional week to complete the underground infrastructure work.

The closure will therefore remain in place for one additional week until Tuesday, July 28. As a reminder:

• The closure is at the southern Pagé Road/Nature Trail Crescent intersection (not the northern intersection).

• Local access to homes on Nature Trail Crescent and Noblewood Way will continue to be maintained.

• The sidewalk and crosswalk remain open for pedestrians.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as this work is completed.

Resurfacing on Watson Road has started

Crews continue to make progress on the rehabilitation of Watson Road between Sarsfield Road and Birchgrove Road.

To date, progress includes:.

• Completed the pulverizing of the existing roadway

• Continued placing the new granular road base

The next phase of the project will begin next week with the placement of the base lift of asphalt. Once that work is complete, the final top lift of asphalt is scheduled for the week of July 29, weather permitting.

Thank you to residents for your continued patience and cooperation as this important road rehabilitation project moves toward completion.

Update on road rehabilitation work on Emmett Road

I want to provide residents with an update on the road rehabilitation work currently underway on Emmett Road between French Hill Road and Wilhaven Drive.

As the construction crews initiated work, several soft spots emerged within the roadway. Additional locations requiring attention have continued to emerge as work progresses. To prevent further adverse impacts to the roadway, construction traffic has been temporarily removed from Emmett Road while the subsurface conditions improve. City staff and engineers are continuing their investigations to determine the appropriate next steps before work resumes.

Emmett Road remains safe for public travel and will continue to be monitored and maintained in this interim period. While this pause may extend the project timeline, it is important that the underlying issues are properly addressed now to ensure the future rehabilitation work provides a durable, long-term result.

We appreciate your patience and will continue to keep residents informed as more information becomes available, and a revised construction schedule is confirmed.

Major Ward 19 transportation infrastructure projects part of City’s application to the province

Council has approved Ottawa's application to the province's Development Charge Reduction Program, and several critical Ward 19 infrastructure projects are included.

Over the past several years, I have consistently advocated for greater investment in Orléans South’s transportation infrastructure. At committee, during budget deliberations, through the Transportation Master Plan, and in countless meetings with staff, I've continued to make the case that our community cannot keep adding thousands of new homes without the roads and intersections needed to support that growth.

There were hundreds of eligible infrastructure projects across the city that could have been put forward for this funding opportunity. I'm encouraged that, after years of advocacy, City staff are increasingly recognizing just how critical Ward 19's infrastructure needs are and why these projects deserve to be among the City's top transportation infrastructure priorities.

I'm proud that those efforts helped position several Ward 19 priorities to be included in the City's funding application. If Ottawa's application is approved by the province and federal government, projects include the Brian Coburn Boulevard widening (Navan to Tenth Line), Renaud Road Realignment, and improvements at Mer Bleue/Navan and Tenth Line/Wall Road intersections.

This funding acknowledges something I've been saying for years: if governments are going to approve housing, they also have a responsibility to deliver the infrastructure that makes those communities work. Our community has absorbed significant growth, while roads, water and wastewater infrastructure, and other essential services have struggled to keep up. Residents have every right to be frustrated.

The housing being built today was largely planned and approved years ago through processes that are largely within the Province’s control. My focus has been, and will continue to be, fighting to ensure the infrastructure arrives alongside the growth that is already happening. I'm hopeful that accelerating these critical projects, now with provincial dollars behind them, is finally a step toward correcting that imbalance and delivering the infrastructure our community should have had all along.

While there is still work ahead and final funding approval rests with the province and federal government, I'm encouraged to see these Ward 19 priorities recognized as projects that are critical to Ottawa's future. I will continue advocating to ensure our rapidly growing community receives the infrastructure investments it deserves.

Remembering Ross Bradley

Ross was a true pillar of Navan whose life was defined by service to others. Through decades of volunteerism, leadership, and quiet generosity, he helped shape the community we know and love today. Whether as a Lion for more than 60 years, a champion for rural recreation including the creation of the Navan Curling Club, a leader in restoring the Navan Cenotaph, an organizer of Remembrance Day ceremonies, or a driving force behind countless local organizations and initiatives, Ross always found ways to make Navan stronger.

His extraordinary contributions earned him many well-deserved honours, including recognition on the Navan Community Builders Wall, induction into the Order of Ottawa and the Bradley Family earning the Key to the City. Yet those who knew him best will remember him most for his kindness, humility, and unwavering dedication to others.

On a personal note, Ross was a dear friend. He shared his wisdom generously, offered encouragement freely, and entrusted me with the privilege of helping serve the community he loved so deeply. I will always be grateful for his friendship and guidance.

My sincere condolences to the Bradley family. Thank you for sharing Ross with our community for so many years. His legacy will continue to live on in the people he inspired, the organizations he strengthened

Quarterly meeting with community association presidents

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with our local community association presidents for our quarterly meeting under the beautiful evening summer sun in Sarsfield! These meetings are an important opportunity to have in-depth discussion about the opportunities and challenges that our volunteer-led associations are facing, and how not only I, but our associations, can support each other and how we can work together to better support their communities.

I’m very grateful to these amazing community leaders who contributed their insights and experience. It was clear that while each of our communities is unique—rural and suburban alike—we share a common goal of creating vibrant, connected neighbourhoods.

Community associations are powered by volunteers and now more than ever, as our communities continue to grow, the need for members has never been greater.

If you’re looking for a way to give back and make a difference, I encourage you to get involved. Each association is always looking for new volunteers:

• Bradley Estates – beca.orleans@gmail.com

• Chaperal - board.chaperalra@gmail.com

• Chapel Hill South – chapelhillsouth@gmail.com

• Greater Avalon – info@gaca-acga.com

• Navan – nca@navan.on.ca

• Sarsfield – info@sarsfield.org

If you’re unsure which association you belong to but want to get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, and I’ll be happy to help connect you with the right one.

EarlyON programs returning to two locations in Orléans South–Navan this fall

I'm pleased to share some good news for local families.

Following the closure of two EarlyON Child & Family Centres in our area, the City provided interim funding to the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre (OCCRC) to ensure families continued to have access to these important early years programs.

After launching an Expression of Interest process earlier this year to select a long-term provider, the City has now confirmed that the OCCRC has been chosen to deliver EarlyON programming on an ongoing basis.

Beginning in September 2026, EarlyON programs will once again be offered at Navan Arena and François Dupuis Recreation Centre, in addition to the OCCRC's locations at Centrum and Cumberland Arena.

Congratulations to the OCCRC on being selected through this process and thank you for your continued commitment to supporting young children and families in our community. I'm pleased these valuable programs will continue to be available close to home.

For more information, please contact OCCRC directly at info@crcoc.ca or 613-830-4357.

New primary family doctor clinic opens in Orléans South

If you’re in need of a family doctor, you’re in luck!

MapleCures is accepting new patients via the form on their website here or by calling 613-456-6666.

They are patient-centered medical clinic and pharmacy, off of David Lewis Private, delivering accessible, community-focused care.

As our community grows, I’m pleased to see more mixed-use development take shape. For many years, Orléans South relied on big box corridors for shopping, dining and professional services. Today, we’re seeing more opportunities emerge closer to home as new mixed-use buildings bring together housing, retail, restaurants, offices, and professional services in the same neighbourhoods we call home.

I advocate for mixed-use development whenever it’s appropriate because complete communities aren’t built by housing alone. They require services, amenities, workplaces, and gathering spaces that allow residents to meet more of their daily needs close to home.

Congratulations to the whole team at MapleCures & welcome to our community!

Get ready for the 79th annual Navan Fair from August 6-9!

This year’s theme is “Where Country and City Meet.”

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

There will also be a Midway Accessibility Hour time slot for persons with disabilities and their support persons to enjoy the midway without all the lights and loud sounds. That will take place on Thursday, August 6, from 2-3 pm.

I also want to take a moment to share the best ways of 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 Orléans to Navan and return. You can find out more about the shuttle service, including pick up and drop off locations, here. 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 here.

See you there!

Orléans Branch 632 celebrates 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion

it was a true honour to join my colleague Councillor Matt Luloff, MP Marie-France Lalonde, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion today as we celebrated an incredible milestone.

For a century, the Royal Canadian Legion has stood as a pillar of support for Canada's veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP members, and their families. Beyond advocating for those who have served, Legion branches are at the heart of our communities, preserving the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while fostering volunteerism, remembrance, and community spirit. Their unwavering commitment to honouring service and supporting Canadians has left a lasting impact that will be felt for generations to come.

Congratulations to the Royal Canadian Legion on 100 years of service, sacrifice, and community leadership. Here's to celebrating this remarkable legacy—and to the next 100 years!

Help choose what represents Orléans South-Navan for the next 50 years

As part of Ottawa's Bytown 200 celebrations, the City is creating a time capsule that will be opened 50 years from now.

I'd love your help suggesting what should represent Ward 19.

What small item, photo, document, keepsake, or symbol do you think best captures our community today? Whether it reflects our rural roots, growing neighbourhoods, local traditions, community spirit, or a memorable moment in our history, I'd love to hear your ideas.

The time capsule has limited space, so only a handful of items can be selected, but I want the choices to reflect the people who call our community home.

Please send me your ideas by August 1. I look forward to hearing what you think should tell the story of Orléans South–Navan to residents 50 years from now.

To help preserve the contents for the next 50 years, some items cannot be accepted, including food or liquids, batteries, matches or other hazardous materials, unstable paper products such as photocopies or fax paper, rubber, certain plastics, silk and wool. If you're unsure whether your idea is suitable, feel free to send it along anyway.

Orléans Pride flag raising

During the month of June, we celebrated Pride Month which stands as a continued reminder of the resilience, contributions, and diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ community while reaffirming the ongoing commitment to equality, inclusion, dignity, and human rights for everyone.

Last week, I had the honour of attending this year's annual flag raising ceremony in Orléans. This year was extra special as we celebrated the 7th anniversary of the Pride Flag raising, and 10 years of Orléans Pride!

A huge congratulations to Orléans Pride on 10 years, and a special thank you for your continued commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+, diversity, and inclusion in our city.

Free daytime programming at Bluesfest for Ottawa 200 this Sunday

To celebrate Ottawa’s 200th birthday, Bluesfest is offering free, family-friendly activities from 12 – 4 pm at LeBreton Flats this Sunday, July 19. No tickets are required for this portion of the event. Attendees can enjoy:

• Live musical performances by Natalie MacMaster & Family, Choir!Choir!Choir!, Les Petites Tounes, and emerging local talent

• Interactive museum experiences hosted by Ingenium, including exhibits from the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, and Canada Aviation and Space Museum

• Circus and aerial performances by Cirquonscient.

• Activities and giveaways

After the free daytime events, the festival continues with a ticketed evening concert from 5 – 11 pm.

Ride free to and from Bluesfest!

Your event ticket includes free transit to and from LeBreton Flats. Show your wristband or pass to your driver. At a station, use the video chat function on ticket machines to get through the fare gate.

For more information, please click here.

REMINDER - 2026 Hazardous Waste Drop Off event

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 (8 am – 4 pm) - 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.

City making changes to parking tickets starting July 28

The City is making changes to parking tickets starting Tuesday, July 28. You will see a new ticket colour and adjusted deadlines to make an early payment and to request a review.

Tickets issued before July 28 will follow the current rules and timelines.

For a full breakdown of what’s changing, please click here.

Nominations open for Order of Ottawa

The City is accepting nominations for the 2026 Order of Ottawa and the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching.

You can complete nominations for both awards either online or by downloading a nomination form from the Order of Ottawa award webpage.

The submission deadline is Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 11:59 pm.