A city is made up of its people. And what we choose to fund tells us who we are.
It also speaks to the incredible financial challenges that municipalities face, with little taxing power and few financial tools. That’s why we need to hear from you to make decisions about where to allocate tax dollars and build a better city for everyone.
Over the last few months, I have attended community association, BIA and block meetings, in addition to responding to hundreds of emails and calls from residents. My office also held a joint virtual budget consultation with Councillor Jeff Leiper. Here is what I heard:
● The homelessness and addiction crises are having a negative impact on everyone’s quality of life in Centretown. The migration of an additional troubled population from the Byward Market into Centretown had added pressure to an already difficult situation, particularly on Bank Street. We need more indoor, low-barrier spaces for people experiencing homelessness, as well as a significant scale-up of proactive outreach services. This is in additional to a city-wide scale-up of affordable and supportive housing.
● We need public toilets and water fountains in Centretown, particularly in parks with play structures and splash pads, as well as areas frequented by people experiencing homelessness.
● The cost of renting city-owned spaces has become unsustainable for many small community groups, including choirs, songwriting circles, recreational sports leagues, dance troupes and small non-profits.
● Centretown needs more trees. Our community currently has the lowest percentage of tree coverage in the National Capital Region at only 20 percent. The suggested threshold to combat the “heat island” effect in the face of climate change is 30-40 percent.
● Safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is a huge community priority. I hear the most about the need for bike lanes on Gladstone and Kent Street – something that will be even more difficult to achieve if the Ford government has its way. At the most recent Community Services Committee, we also heard about the crisis that Ottawa’s food banks are facing, and the need to invest more in supporting tax clinics for low-income residents who may not be receiving the federal and provincial benefits to which they are owed.
If any of these issues make you feel compelled to take action, you can sign up to delegate at one of our city committees’ budget meetings. The information on how to do that is below. If you do decide to present at committee, please contact my office at [email protected], so we can help support you.
I will report back in our next newsletter about the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the draft budget. I know that your involvement and advocacy will help me advocate for the priorities we need to make Centretown a safe, accessible and welcoming community for all.
Warmly,
Ariel
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How to present to a committee or board
Call or email the committee coordinator, to provide oral comments during the meeting in person or online using Zoom. You must include your name, telephone number and email address (if available).
Should you wish to speak for up to five minutes during the committee meeting, you may register with the committee coordinator by phone prior to 4:00 PM on the business day before the meeting, or by email no later than one hour prior to the start time set for the meeting, unless otherwise noted on the agenda.
Providing written comments
Submit written comments by email to the committee coordinator, or by calling the committee coordinator to have their comments transcribed. Both written and oral comments are given equal consideration by the committee. The deadline for submitting written comments is 4:00 pm on the business day before the meeting unless otherwise noted on the agenda.
Here are the upcoming budget committee meetings and who you need to contact to participate:
· Transit Commission: Monday, November 18, 9:30 am
Contact: Eric Pelot: [email protected]
· Environment and Climate Change Committee: Tuesday, November 19, 9:30 am
Contact: Christopher Zwierzchowski: [email protected]
· Planning and Housing Committee: Wednesday, November 20, 9:30 am
Contact: Kelly Crozier: [email protected]
· Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee: Thursday, November 21, 9:30 am
Contact: Christopher Zwierzchowski: [email protected]
· Audit Committee: Monday, November 25, 4:00 pm
Contact: Melanie Blais: [email protected]
· Community Services Committee: Tuesday, November 26, 9:30 am
Contact: Eric Pelot: [email protected]
· Board of Health: Monday, December 2, 5:00 pm
Contact: Casey Whiticar: [email protected]
· Finance and Corporate Services Committee: Tuesday, December 3, 9:30am
Contact: Melinda Aston: [email protected]
· Public Library Board: Tuesday, December 3, 5:00pm
Contact: Julie Tremblay: [email protected]
· Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee: Thursday, December 5, 10:00am
Contact: Kelly Crozier: [email protected]
Councillor Troster at the National Conference to End Homelessness with representatives from Youth Services Bureau, the Alliance to End Homelessness and CCOC Housing.
New bike lane on Albert Street
On Thursday, I was happy to join city staff, members of Ottawa's cycling community and Councillors Tim Tierney, Jeff Leiper and Theresa Kavanagh to officially open the new bike lane on Albert street. This protected cycle track is framed by trees and runs across the street from Lebreton Flats and the future Ādisōke library. It represents a key connection between the west end of Ottawa's core and Centretown. This CTV article has a great breakdown of all of the positive changes that this project brings to the neighbourhood. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event!
Councillor Troster at the opening of the new bike lane on Albert Street
Winter closure of William Commanda Bridge
Once again, city staff have informed us that the Chief William Commanda pedestrian and cycling bridge will be closed for the winter. I share residents' frustrations about this. If we get enough snow this winter, staff will attempt to groom the snow on the bridge and re-open it for skiing and snow shoeing this winter. Councillor Jeff Leiper shared a more fulsome analysis of the situation on his website.
Bill 212 town hall
Join Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden, Official Opposition Critic for Active Transportation and Public Transit, on November 16th at 11:00 AM for a virtual community consultation on Bill 212, the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024.
Bill 212 would require municipalities to seek provincial approval to allow for the implementation of new bicycle lanes that remove a lane of car traffic, a move that experts and advocates say will making our roads less safe and do nothing to ease congestion. We want to hear from you.
Zoom link will be sent to RSVPs in advance of the meeting. RSVP here.
Let City recreation and cultural activities warm up your winter!
Winter is coming. So get out and add little sunshine and warmth by staying in shape, hitting the pool, or taking up a new craft or art project at your local City of Ottawa recreation, visual arts or community centre. Check out register.ottawa.ca to find programs or activities for you and your family.
Mark your calendars with these important registration dates:
● Swimming lessons: Tuesday, November 12 at 9 pm
● All other recreation, culture and virtual activities: Thursday, November 14 at 9 pm
In-person registration begins Wednesday, November 13, for swimming lessons and Friday, November 15, for all other activities. Be sure to check the facility’s business hours before visiting.
Beyond Bytown: The history of Ottawa’s Chinatown community with Don Kwan
Join the Bytown Museum for the November edition of “Beyond Bytown,” featuring Don Kwan.
In this engaging talk, Artist Don Kwan shares the history of Ottawa’s Chinatown community through the lens of his lived experience and artistic practice.
Register for free to participate on Zoom or tune in to watch on Facebook Live.
Yellow bags are now available
Starting Monday, November 4 any garbage above the three-item garbage limit must be placed in a City of Ottawa yellow bag. If the three-item garbage limit is exceeded and yellow bags are not used, one item will be left behind with a courtesy tag indicating the limit. In December, any garbage above the three-item garbage limit that’s not in a yellow bag will be left at the curb.
Yellow bags are now available for purchase from Client Service Centres, select recreation and community centres, as well as Home Hardware stores across the city and the Richmond BMR. Yellow bags are sold in packages of four for $17.60. There is no limit to the number of yellow
bags that can be purchased and set out on garbage day. Keep in mind that large bulky items and furniture cannot be bagged.
Reduce your garbage items by maximizing your recycling and composting. There’s no limit to blue, black or green bins and leaf and yard waste.
Learn more online here.
Catherine Street Hub: November schedule
The Catherine Street Hub (370 Catherine Street) is an integrated social service hub, offering a range of services. Below is a list of drop in services available in November.
· Belong Ottawa ODSP application support
Mondays from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
· Centretown Community Food Centre
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Fridays from 9:00am - 12:00pm
· Counseling by Family Services Ottawa
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
· John Howard Society’s Record Suspension Program
Tuesday, November 19 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
· Ottawa Public Health Vaccine Clinic
Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
· Ottawa Public Health Dental Screenings
Tuesday, November 19 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
In Ottawa, we are currently losing 31 affordable apartments for every one that we build.
Budget season is in full swing at City Hall and will be the focus of our work in the Ward 14 office until the final vote on December 11.
Last week I shared a video talking about the misinformation being spread about proposed newcomer reception centres in suburban Ottawa.