Orléans South-Navan Community Update | September 19th, 2025

Councillor's Message

Over the past two weeks, much of City Council’s focus has been on the proposed 2026 budget directions. In the last edition of my newsletter, I outlined why this year’s budget is particularly challenging. If you missed it, you can read that update here.

I consult on the budget year-round and have consistently heard from you that you don’t want to face “Toronto-style” tax increases of 9, 10, or even 11% every year. I’ve warned my colleagues against treating tax hikes as the easy fix for deep-rooted problems. Imagine going to a restaurant, ordering a meal that arrives cold or poorly prepared. You send it back hoping for improvement, only to get the exact same dish, and then you’re asked to pay more for it. That’s how many residents feel when they’re asked to pay higher taxes without seeing meaningful improvements in city services.

I believe it’s essential for cities to also be serious about cutting expenditures, just as any household must when money is tight. That’s why I serve on the Agile Government Working Group, which was established to reduce red tape, streamline processes, and improve service delivery in ways that save time and money. At our last council meeting, I also supported a motion aimed as part of the 2026 Budget Direction to cap the number of employees at the City of Ottawa, in order to restrain growth in staffing and control costs, excluding paramedics, firefighters, by-law services, and with other critical services seeking exemptions.

When it comes to our budget, few issues are as frustrating as transit and I share your concerns about the state of the system and know we must do better. In Ward 19, routes are infrequent and unreliable. Congestion continues to grow, and commute times are longer. In a city of more than one million people, transit should be a reliable option, yet Ottawa’s expansive geography makes delivering affordable, consistent service difficult.

We invested heavily in a new rail system just before the pandemic hit and commuting patterns shifted in ways no one could have fully predicted. That timing, combined with performance issues of a new system that have eroded public trust, has left us facing significant challenges. The truth is, we won’t bring riders back by cutting service or raising fares, but current ridership levels also don’t come close to covering the cost of the system. That’s the hard reality we’re facing. The launch of Stage 2 LRT in the east is a welcome step forward as it shows that improvement is possible, but we have to be honest: it won’t solve everything, and there's still a long road ahead to rebuild trust in our transit system

That’s why I made a point of joining Transit Committee last week to go on the record about the specific issues plaguing our community. I’ve heard from so many of you lately, particularly around the ongoing Route 30 problems, among others. I am working closely with OC Transpo staff and the Mayor’s Office on potential solutions, but I felt it was important to publicly flag just how significant the gaps are in Orléans South. Based on answers I received at committee from OC Transpo, I am challenged to know how potential increases to both the levy and fare without improvement to the service can be justified.

This will continue to be one of my top priorities during this budget cycle, and I look forward to further discussions during our upcoming public budget consultations.

Transit wasn’t the only major file on the budget table. This year’s draft also proposes the largest increase to the Ottawa Police Service budget in 15 years. The timing coincided with a recent meeting I had with Acting Sergeant Stéphane Fournier, our community police officer and his colleagues at my City Hall office.

Naturally, our conversation turned to the top enforcement issues in our community: traffic, speeding and stunt-driving, and car and shop thefts. In particular, I raised concerns about drag racing on major streets. It was encouraging to hear about plans to increase police presence locally and to continue strengthening communication between OPS and councillors’ offices so we can respond more quickly to issues as they arise.

Meanwhile, committee work has also resumed in full force. One highlight for me was supporting Councillor Carr, in my role as Chair of Ottawa Public Health, to bring forward an important motion on advancing food security by addressing its root causes.

Food insecurity is a growing crisis in Ottawa. According to the Ottawa Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report, visits to food programs across the city have risen 90% since 2019, with more than 52,800 visits in November alone—the highest ever recorded. These numbers represent neighbours, families, and children in our community. Many are living on inadequate social assistance rates that haven’t kept up with inflation, leaving them unable to afford basic groceries.

Our motion directs staff to develop a strategy that will engage provincial and federal governments, municipalities, and community partners to push for lasting change.

As always, thank you for staying engaged with these important issues as we head into an already busy fall season.

REMINDER - Third phase of Navan Road closure underway until September 29

The third and final phase of the Navan Road closure is now underway and will continue until September 29. As outlined in my special newsletter and on social media, two-way traffic will be maintained during the day throughout this phase.

This is the final phase of Groupe Heafey's critical underground infrastructure work, and I have been assured that after this stage, the developer’s work on Navan Road will be complete.

It's important to note that the third and final phase of this construction will have two different traffic management set-ups. One “day operation” and one “night operation.” The “night operation” set up also serves as the set up on weekends.

Day Operation Set-Up (two-way traffic maintained with flagging):

• Weekdays from 6 am to 6:30 pm

• Flagging in both directions will take place on Navan Road between Falsetto and Pagé.

• Eastbound travel down Navan Road will be unimpeded from the Brian Coburn roundabout until you reach the flagging set-up at Falsetto.

• Access to the entrance at Falsetto/Navan will be closed.

• You will be able to use the right-turn lane on Pagé at the turning triangle.

Night/Weekend Operation Set-Up (partial closure):

• Weeknights from 6:30 pm to 6 am & on weekends

• Eastbound Navan Road will be fully closed from the Brian Coburn roundabout to Pagé. Detours will be in place.

• Westbound Navan Road will remain fully open from Pagé to the Brian Coburn roundabout and travel through that section will remain unimpeded.

• Access to the entrance at Falsetto/Navan will be closed.

• Flagging operations are during the day operation set-up only, not during the night operation set up.

Thank you for your continued understanding as we push through this final stage. I know how difficult this has been, and I appreciate your patience.

Construction starts Monday on the new traffic signal at Innes and Lamarche

Good news for Orléans Village! Over the past two months, both sets of hydro work were successfully completed for both the Caivan and Lepine subdivsions. At the same time, extensive behind-the-scenes coordination has been underway to ensure the traffic signal is built this year.

I’m very pleased to share that Lepine has informed me they will begin on-site mobilization for the construction of the new traffic signal at Innes and Lamarche this coming Monday, September 22.

With more than 1,000 new homes planned in the community, it was clear something needed to be done now to address safety. After countless meetings with City staff and the developer, and some creative problem-solving along the way, we are finally at the finish line.

To ensure the project is completed before this winter, I have authorized a Noise By-law Exemption so contractors can work beyond normal weekday hours, including after 10 pm. I coordinated this with my east-end colleague, Councillor Laura Dudas, since this project impacts both our communities.

Once complete, this signal will make a significant difference – allowing vehicles to safely head westbound on Innes without having to cross three lanes of traffic. It will eliminate unsafe maneuvers and provide predictability at what has become a very challenging intersection.

Thank you to the community for your patience and persistence as we pushed to deliver this project more than 6 years ahead of schedule. Your safety has always been my top priority.

There will be intermittent lane reductions on Innes (between Page and Boyer in both directions) and northbound Lamarche approaching Innes throughout construction.

The signal is expected to be complete and online by the end of November, pending weather-related delays. 

Overnight closure on Brian Coburn Boulevard for critical remediation work

After the initial upgrades were completed a few weeks ago on Brian Coburn Boulevard at Portobello Boulevard, the transition between the new pavement and the older, uneven section has not provided the smooth ride that was expected in this vibration-prone area.

To properly address this issue, the section leading up to the roundabout at Portobello will need to be completely redone and resurfaced. This will ensure a smoother transition and resolve the vibration concern once and for all. This is also why you may have noticed that construction signage has not fully been demobilized.

My office once again requested that the work instead take place overnight to minimize disruption as much as possible.As a result, the overnight full closure on Brian Coburn from Esprit to Portobello will take place from 6 pm to 6 am on Wednesday, October 1 into Thursday, October 2.

Thank you for your on-going patience with this project. 

Update on the new roundabout project at Navan and Milton

I want to share an important update on the Navan roundabout project.

The project was originally scheduled to begin construction this fall. Like all major City projects, it went through a competitive tendering process to ensure both best value for taxpayers and the selection of a qualified contractor. That tender process has now closed, and City staff are carefully reviewing the bids as part of the formal procurement process.

This step is critical because it’s designed to protect public funds and guarantee that the contractor chosen has the capacity to deliver the project to the highest standards. While this due diligence is necessary, it has resulted in a delay in awarding the contract.

Because of the timing and the type of work involved, it is now likely that construction will begin in spring or summer of 2026 instead of this fall. That said, there may still be an opportunity to complete some preliminary activities, such as tree clearing and grading, later this year.

I know how important this project is, and I remain fully committed to seeing it delivered with the quality and value our residents expect.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as staff work through these final steps.

Traffic impacts for this weekend’s Canada Army Run

The 18th annual Canada Army Run will have participants running, walking and rolling through Ottawa’s downtown core on Sunday, September 21. Road users should plan ahead for additional travel time on their trip or select alternate routes.

Parking restrictions will also be in effect along the entire route. So, please refer to all on-street posted signage. Any vehicle parked in a temporary no-stopping zone will be removed from the roadway.

For a full list of impacted streets, please click here.

New accessible play feature at Tulip Tree Park in Bradley Estates 

It was a very special day in Tulip Tree Park as we cut the ribbon on a brand-new accessible play feature!

What was once just an empty space is now a place where all children can play, explore, and create memories together.

I want to give a heartfelt thank you to local advocate and Ward 19 resident David Benay and his family, whose advocacy on behalf of his daughter Lolo has inspired my ongoing work to make our parks more inclusive. David once told me that there was no place for his daughters to play together — and those words stayed with me.

It was touching to be joined by the Bradley Estates Community Association who has also rallied behind making our parks more inclusive at every opportunity.

There is still much to be done, but together we are building a more accessible city, one playground at a time.

Grand opening of the Navan Pavilion

It was such an honour to join Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and our incredible community to celebrate the grand opening of the Navan Pavilion!

This project is truly a testament to the spirit of the Navan community. It took not only several months of hard work to build the structure, but a tremendous fundraising effort to help make this dream achievable – and in that time, this community rallied together and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. That kind of commitment doesn’t happen everywhere. It speaks volumes about the passion, generosity, and togetherness of the people who call Navan home.

When Luc came to see me, I immediately looked into how the City could contribute to this project. While the City of Ottawa was able to play a part – through the Rural Community Building Grant, supported by my rural colleagues, and the Major Capital Projects Grant – the heart of this project was, without question, the determination and generosity of the community.

We knew a project this grand needed to be commemorated, and both the Mayor and I chipped in funds to provide a specialized plaque that will forever tell the story of the hard work of all who made this possible. The bronze version will find a forever home in front of the pavilion.

“Steve Barban Arena” renaming proposal in Navan

Online consultations have now started on several commemorative naming proposals across the city, including one right here in Ward 19.

In recognition of Steve Barban’s exceptional dedication to community service, the City has been asked by a member of the community to name the arena rink within the Navan Memorial Centre, located at 1295 Colonial Road, the “Steve Barban Arena.” The renaming is focused on the rink, not the centre itself. "Navan Memorial Centre" will remain.

Steve was an integral part of the hockey landscape in Cumberland and then Navan for almost 20 years. As a board advisor for the Cumberland Junior Grads, Chairman of the Central Canada Hockey Leagues, and eventual owner of the Navan Grads, Steve dedicated much of his free time to hockey and his family.

Anyone wishing to provide feedback to the commemorative naming nomination will have until October 15 to submit the survey. 

Successful first full testing on LRT Line 1 East Extension

Over the weekend, a major milestone was reached in one of the most significant infrastructure projects Orléans has ever seen, the O-Train East Extension.

Performance tests were successfully carried out between Tunney’s Pasture and Trim stations according to OC Transpo, including running up to 23 trains at peak service frequencies, as well as testing electrical systems and overall operations. This marks important progress as the project moves closer to substantial completion.

For residents in the east-end, this means we’re nearing the finish line after years of constant construction, lane reductions, detours, and ramp closures. Once complete, the East Extension will bring LRT service further into our community, connecting more people to jobs, schools, and services across the city.

Thank you to everyone for your patience through the disruptions, we’re almost there.

Continuing networking opportunities for businesses in Orléans South

Last week, I was pleased to co-host a free networking event with The Heart of Orléans BIA for professionals and entrepreneurs from across the east end. It was great to connect with so many Ward 19 residents and business owners who came out to build relationships and share ideas, including MP Marie-France Lalonde and Councillor Laura Dudas.

We were joined by guest speakers from OC Transpo, who provided updates on the much-anticipated Stage 2 East LRT extension and how it will shape the surrounding bus network. Attendees had the chance to ask questions and learn more about what these changes will mean for their businesses and for the future of transit in Orléans.

Thank you to everyone who participated! Events like this are important for highlighting and supporting the needs of businesses and entrepreneurs in all of Orléans.

THIS SUNDAY - Original Navan Market

There's only three regular markets left this season, plus their night market and movie night! At the Navan Fairgrounds (1279 Colonial Road).

• Sunday, September 21 - 9:30 am - 2 pm

• Saturday, September 27 - Night Market & Movie Night - 6 - 10 pm

• Sunday, October 19 - Harvest Market - 9:30 am - 2 pm

• Sunday, November 9 - All Things Holiday - 9:30 am - 2 pm

Celebrating 45 years of the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre

I was honoured to join MP Marie-France Lalonde on Wednesday night to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, an organization that has profoundly shaped the lives of individuals and families in our ever-growing community.

EORC’s unwavering commitment to compassion, dignity, and support has built a true legacy of resilience and kindness. Thank you to the dedicated staff and volunteers who make this impact possible day after day.

Congratulations as well on unveiling your new logo! A powerful reminder that EORC is always evolving to meet the changing needs of our community.

East end multi-use pathways open ahead of Stage 2 LRT completion

Good news for east-enders!

Sections of the multi-use pathway along the Line 1 East Extension are now open, with remaining sections to come online in the next couple of months.

I am excited to see this progress as we get ready to open the East Extension.

Dog swim on the last day of outdoor pool season was a paws-itive success

It was wonderful to see everyone and all our four-legged friends this past Sunday at the annual end-of-season dog swim. Thank you to Councillor Laura Dudas for hosting us at Bearbrook outdoor pool in Blackburn Hamlet and for joining Ruby and I for this paws-itively great event.

Last year I brought a motion forward to allow and promote dog swims at outdoor wading pools across the city and it was a great way to once again end the summer outdoor pool season with this ‘doggone’ paw-some activity!

Ruby took her job as lifeguard very seriously as you can tell by the photos!

Another successful Orléans Multicultural Festival at Aquaview Park

This past Saturday, the Orléans Multicultural Festival lit up Aquaview Park with an incredible celebration of diversity! With amazing performances, exhibitors, and cultural experiences, it was truly a wonderful day in our community.         

I was proud to sponsor this year’s event and want to give a big shoutout to the organizers and many volunteers for growing this festival year after year. We are very fortunate to be able to live in such a diverse and dynamic community here in South  Orléans.

Celebrating Stray Dog’s 8th Anniversary

Such a treat to celebrate Stray Dog Brewing Company’s 8th anniversary by judging its Best in Show K9 competition! It was no walk in the park to pick favourites.

A little secret: every dog got top marks for being so cute! Congratulations to this year's Top Dog, who will be featured on a Stray Dog can for the rest of the year!

Our community is full of incredible four-legged friends, and it was such a joy to watch them all strut their stuff alongside my end-end colleague Councillor Matt Luloff & Alison & Mary from Stray Dog.

Cheers to many more years of good boys/girls and great beer!

Ottawa’s new Zoning By-law: Public consultation opportunitiesThe new Zoning By-law will put into action the City’s Official Plan, which supports increased housing construction to accommodate Ottawa’s projected growth of approximately 118,000 new households by 2035.

These changes will significantly affect how communities develop and evolve across the city. Because of the potential impact on neighbourhoods, residents are encouraged to review the draft and participate in upcoming consultations.

To participate, you can:

• Review the final draft of Ottawa’s new Zoning By-law at Engage Ottawa.

• Attend a virtual or in-person Open House.

• Read the rest of this article.

To learn more and provide input, you are invited to attend virtual and in-person open house meetings.

• In-person open houses

  • Tuesday, September 23

    EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive

    6 to 8:30 pm

  • Monday, September 29

    Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Road

    6 to 8:30 pm

• Virtual open house

  • Thursday, September 25

    6:30 to 8 pm

Registration is now on Engage Ottawa. What are the next steps?  Following this review period, City staff will present the final draft to a joint meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee in December. From there, it will go to Council in January.

Don’t sleep on safety: test your alarms with Ottawa Fire Services

As part of the fall Wake Up! program, firefighters from Ottawa Fire Services will visit homes across the city next week to ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are present and working. 

Ontario’s Fire Code requires that homes have a working smoke alarm on each floor and outside each sleeping area. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required outside sleeping areas if the home has an attached garage, a wood stove or a fuel-fired appliance. 

From Monday, September 22 to Monday, September 29, uniformed firefighters will: 

• Visit select residential areas during a two-hour period between 3 and 8 pm on weekdays and 2 and 4 pm on weekends

• Offer to inspect and test alarms

• Install smoke alarms and provide new batteries

• Share information on fire safety and home escape planning

• Leave fire safety information in the mailbox if no one is home

This is a courtesy call only and all services are provided to residents for free. Residents are not obligated to provide firefighters access to their home. 

Your City News, now in one weekly email

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the number of emails in your inbox every day, you are not alone.

That’s exactly what hundreds of Ottawa residents shared earlier this year through the City Buzz: Public Engagement and Communications Review. When asked how and when they would prefer to receive news from the City, the response was clear: many residents want fewer emails, more concise content and a simpler way to stay informed.

In response to this feedback, the City of Ottawa is launching the City News weekly round-up: a new email format that delivers a summary of the week's news products, every Thursday. Each edition includes brief summaries and links to full articles, making it easier to catch up on what matters, without the volume of daily notifications.

The current version of City News, which delivers full stories as they are published daily, will continue for those who prefer more frequent updates. The new weekly round-up offers an alternative, designed for residents looking for a more efficient, simplified approach to staying informed.

Both versions are now available, giving residents more choice in how they engage with municipal news and services. To subscribe or to update preferences, visit our eSubscriptions sign up form.

Nominations are now open to honour Ottawa’s immigrant entrepreneurs

The City of Ottawa celebrates and recognizes the success and economic contributions of local immigrant entrepreneurs through the Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards.

If you know an immigrant to Canada who embodies extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit and deserves recognition for their contributions to the Ottawa economy, the City is now accepting nominations online until Wednesday, October 8.

Nominate a friend, colleague, client, employee or employer who deserves to be celebrated for their contributions.