I spend most of my time thinking and writing about the big issues impacting our city: ending homelessness, combatting addiction, improving public transit, tackling bad-faith evictions, and building better cycling infrastructure.
But in the background, my amazing team is working with me to help solve hundreds of daily problems that residents encounter in day-to-day life. Every day is a surprise in a councillor’s email inbox, and it gives you a real window into how the city is working (and not working) for people.
Here is a short list of some recent issues that we helped resolve:
All these small issues add up and they are just as important at the big ones when it comes to how we navigate the city. When you call 311 or email [email protected], you help the city track where we need to make improvements. If you send pictures by email, please CC our office at [email protected] so we can track the case and help you get action.
You may not know this, but every councillor’s office gets the same budget, and that money is designed to pay for everything from paper clips to staff salaries. Because Somerset Ward is such a high needs ward with so much development and construction, I need four full-time staff plus a social work intern to ensure an acceptable level of service for residents. Other councillors that do not need the same level of staffing are able to do more things in the community, including running and sponsoring community events.
Council will soon be engaging in a mid-term governance review and the issue of staffing and resources for councillors’ offices will be on the table. I hope to see some recognition of the increased casework that the downtown councillors deal with, as well as fairer compensation for our staff. The Ward 14 team is top-notch, and I am grateful for the work they do every day to help make the city easier to navigate. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is something you need help with.
Warmly,
Ariel
Councillor Troster, with Councillors Glen Gower, Theresa Kavanagh and Jeff Leiper at the groundbreaking for Gladstone Village -- Ottawa Community Housing's new affordable development in Little Italy.
Update on 2025 city budget
City council voted last week on direction for next year’s budget, deciding on a 2.9 percent tax increase for core services and an unknown increase to the transit levy, depending on whether or not the federal and provincial governments step up to pay their fair share. I voted against budget direction (as I did for the last two years), because I believe that it is fundamentally flawed for politicians to arbitrarily set a tax rate, without first asking city staff what they need to maintain and improve core services and infrastructure.
My core budget demands focus on the need for more resources to tackle the main issues I hear about from residents, specifically the impact of homelessness and the overdose crisis on the quality of life in Centretown. Here is a video about my most recent conversation with the mayor, chief of police and medical officer of health. I hope to have some positive news to announce very soon about additional resources to help everyone feel safe and cared for in Centretown.
TOMORROW - Jack Purcell carnival day
The Jack Purcell Recreation Association and Community Centre are proud to be celebrating our 50th anniversaries this year. To celebrate, we invite everyone to join us at our big Carnival Day bash. It will be an event for the whole family filled with games, bouncy castles, face painting, snacks, and so much more!
Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: Jack Purcell Field and Community Centre (320 Jack Purcell Ln)
The event is open to the public and completely FREE!
ANCHOR community info fair
Join us at Dundonald Park on Tuesday October 1st from 3-6 PM to celebrate the launch of the Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR), learn more about the program, and hear from community partners about their services.
Music, free food and drinks provided! All ages welcome! Rain or shine!
Three item garbage limit
Beginning Monday, September 30, the City will be implementing a three-item garbage limit for all residents receiving curbside waste collection. You can learn more about the new policy and examples of accepted set outs by visiting ottawa.ca/garbage.
Fall in-person workshops for the new zoning by-law
This fall, join us for a series of in-person workshops to discuss Ottawa’s New Zoning By-Law. These workshops are designed to engage the community, gather valuable feedback, and ensure that our new Zoning By-law reflects the Official Plan and the needs and aspirations of all residents. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our city!
Here’s what you can expect:
Five opportunities to participate:
All in-person workshops will start at 6:30 pm.
Learn more online here.
Shaping the future of Ottawa Public Library service plans
Help shape Ottawa Public Library’s future. We're collecting stories to understand how the library and its services have made a difference in your life.
We want to know what you love about the library and how the library could better serve you.
Your stories, collected here and in branches across the city, will guide the development and evaluation of library services.
You can find additional information about the library's service plans at the following link: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/service-delivery-framework
As we embark on a long weekend, I know that so many of us are looking forward to gathering for Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends.
We all want a city that works. A bus that comes on time. Smooth roads and ample protected bike lanes. Parks with amenities that are both fun and available when you need them.
I have spent the last few days reflecting on conflict, repair, and how we show up for each other, even when we disagree.