Growing up in my family, cooking and sharing food was the way we connected and entertained, whether it was at Friday night Shabbat dinner or at holiday meals. Still, it is often hard for me to enjoy such abundance when I know so many in our city are struggling to feed themselves and their families.
In 2023, the Ottawa Food Bank reported an astonishing surge in visits, totalling over 493,000. This represented a 22 percent increase from the year before. When I was at the walkathon over the weekend supporting the Centretown Community Food Centre, I learned that they have seen a nearly 50 percent increase in demand over the last 12 months. When The Mission Food Truck pulls over in Centretown to distribute free hot meals, the line can stretch for blocks.
To quote the Ottawa Food Bank, “Nearly 150,000 people in our city are food insecure. Imagine entire neighbourhoods going without meals for days. Imagine the loss of jobs, the health impacts, and what that would mean for children trying to go to school. This is not a hypothetical scenario —it is the current state of our city. When do we collectively declare that enough is enough?”
Food banks were always meant to be a temporary solution to hunger but unfortunately have become permanent institutions in most communities. A single person on social assistance only receives $733 a month in Ontario. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in our city now costs nearly $2,000. How are people supposed to afford food if they can’t afford rent? And how could they possibly consider entering the workforce if they do not have enough money for food, shelter, clothing and Wi-Fi or phone access?
As Rachael Wilson, the Ottawa Food Bank’s CEO said recently, “The answer to food insecurity is not more food.” The only way to meaningfully address hunger is to raise social assistance and disability rates, build more affordable housing, bring in meaningful rent control and eviction prevention policies and raise the minimum wage. Until we fix these major structural drivers of poverty (many of which are provincial and federal responsibilities), more and more of our neighbours will find themselves using food banks.
In the meantime, there are three wonderful organizations in Somerset Ward that help alleviate hunger. I invite you to consider making a donation to the Dalhousie Food Cupboard, the Centretown Community Food Centre or the Parkdale Food Centre. You can also drop off sandwiches or a hot meal to Highjinx on Kent Street or Centre 507 on Bank.
If you want to take action on ending poverty, you can also sign the petition put out by the Raise the Rates Coalition or donate to the Ottawa Alliance to End Homelessness.
On the weekend, I was wearing a tshirt I purchased at the Parkdale Food Centre’s Right to Food Block Party. It says, “Food is a human right” on it. My daughter looked at me quizzically when she read it and asked, “Mama, when was that even a question?!?” Kids get it, and I know you do too.
Happy Thanksgiving and have a wonderful long weekend,
Ariel
Councillor Troster with Councillor Jeff Leiper, at the Kidical Mass ride at Larouche Park.
2025 Budget Consultation
Join Councillors Troster and Leiper for an interactive conversation about the City of Ottawa’s 2024 budget. Learn more about what the city spends money on and how we can improve frontline services for everyone, particularly in the urban core.
RSVP here (a Zoom link will be provided on the day of the meeting to those who RSVP).
Plouffe Park Halloween party
The second annual Plouffe Park Halloween party is taking place on Sunday, October 27 at 3pm!
Don your best costume and join neighbours for pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, fun games and ghoulish activity stations!
Line 2 & Line 4 Trial Running
We’re getting closer to opening Lines 2 and 4, but before we do, we need to ensure that the system is safe and reliable. Trial Running evaluates the rail system before it can open to the public.This stage is designed to evaluate the system’s performance, ensure safety, and confirm reliability under real-life conditions.
Learn more online here.
Built Heritage update
This month at Built Heritage Committee, the committee voted to designate 178 Cambridge St N. Also known as The Sycamore, 178 Cambridge St N is a Queen Anne revival home, and was designated for it's representative design, high degree of craftsmanship, and its contextual value to the neighbourhood's character and built history.
Trick or Treat with the Mayor
Come Trick or Treat with the Mayor and your favourite costumed characters in the “Weird and Wonderful” Heritage Building where you will be welcomed by the Enchanted Witches and Goblins of Elgin Street! Collect special treats as you venture into the Ghost Chamber and down the Hall of Villains for more goodies and fun. See what’s brewing inside City Hall where you can meet your favourite, fun costumed characters in Jean Pigott Place and meet the Tooth Fairy!
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
When: Saturday, October 26th, 2024 @ 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
2024 e-scooter pilot program survey
The 2024 e-scooter pilot season will end by November 15. As in previous years, the end-of-season survey is now available.
This survey, which ends November 30, 2024 is open to everyone, whether they have used the shared e-scooters or not.
