Bus reliability, recycling changes, improving snow clearing, Ottawa’s 200th, and more!

It’s the nuts-and-bolts stuff that either restores or destroys confidence in the place where you live: garbage collection, bus service, snow removal and water quality (among many other essentials).

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, as our city faces multiple snowstorms, a bus reliability crisis and some growing pains associated with changes to the collection of recycling. Here are some updates on these issues, which many of you have been writing to me about:

• On bus reliability (or lack thereof): At least city staff have finally acknowledged that we have a problem – a big one. Hundreds of trips have been cancelled in recent weeks, due to buses breaking down and there not being enough mechanics to repair them. The root of the problem was more than 20 years ago, when the city procured hundreds of diesel buses at the same time. Those buses are now reaching their end of life, and the planned shipment of new electric buses to replace them is running late. There is also a shortage of mechanics to do the work – only compounding the current crisis. Adding to the bus shortage, we just got word that a problem with the wheel assemblies on LRT trains will reduce service on Line 1 – again. The current situation is unacceptable – you deserve reliable public transit. I will keep pushing for solutions and advocating on your behalf.

• On urban snow-clearing: I don’t know about you, but this winter is giving me flashbacks. Last year saw the biggest snowfall in more than 20 years – 90 centimetres, all within a span of a week. This year, we keep getting walloped and city crews must pause snow removal operations and go back to plowing, every time it starts snowing again. It’s only January, but I know I am already looking forward to the spring.

  That said: I have been in close contact with our roads crews and did several debriefs with city staff about what went well and what went wrong last winter. I have been pushing for faster clearing of sidewalks and priority for snow removal on major bus routes, retail main streets and residential areas with a high number of street parking permits. I appreciate your patience, as the city continues to respond to whatever Mother Nature has in store for us.

• On changes to recycling collection: As of January, the city is no longer responsible for picking up your recycling. This is because the new system makes producers responsible for ensuring that their products are recycled, and the province has taken over the logistics. Unfortunately, this means that the city is not involved in the process and is unable to directly assist with issues related to missed or incomplete pickups.
  
  The company the province has contracted is Miller Waste. You can reach them by email at [email protected], or by phone at 1-888-852-237. If you are not able to resolve issues by contacting Miller Waste directly, you can contact your local MPP’s office. In Somerset Ward, our MPP is Catherine McKenney, who can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 613-722-6414.

A city that works means we need to get the small things right, and I will keep pushing for the level and quality of municipal services that you all need and deserve.

Warmly,

Ariel

SabriNa, Ariel, Michelle and Michael at the Centretown BIA AGM

Update to recycling collection calendar

The printed recycling Collection Calendar shows incorrect set out information for March 2026. Check your correct set outs at Ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar and sign up for digital reminders today.

Community Conversation on Homelessness: Focus on How

This second community conversation on homelessness moves past problem framing and focuses on how to fund, build, and sustain supportive housing using real world examples from Toronto and Ottawa.

The evening will feature leaders running some of the most effective supportive housing programs in Canada, followed by a panel discussion with federal, provincial, and municipal representatives on what it would take to scale up these models in Ottawa.

Panelists include:

• Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament
• Catherine McKenney, Member of Provincial Parliament
• Ariel Troster, Ottawa City Councillor
• Keith Hambly, CEO of Fred Victor
  (who operates Dunn House in cooperation with UHN Social Medicine)
• Rob Boyd, CEO of Ottawa Inner City Health

This event takes place on February 5, doors open at 5:30 pm for refreshments and conversations.

Learn more and RSVP here.

Save the date: YMCA Open House on February 4: 4:30-6:30pm

Visit the Taggart Family YMCA (180 Argyle Ave) for “A Place to Belong,” an inspiring Community Open House showcasing how the YMCA of the National Capital Region is advancing community well being, housing stability, youth opportunity, and national priorities through the YMCA movement.

Ottawa’s 200th anniversary will feature a year of investment in arts, entertainment and fun

The City has launched three Ottawa 200 grant programs, with a total of $750,000 to be distributed through signature funding programs:

• Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Grant Program, in collaboration with the Ottawa Art Gallery and Arts Ottawa to support artist/creator-led projects and organizations that will mentor and showcase emerging artists/creators.
   
• Ottawa 200 Civic Events Funding Program to support cultural and community non-profit-led events that are free to the public and suitable for all ages.
   
• Ottawa 200 BIA Activation Grant, to be distributed across Ottawa’s 18 Business Improvement Areas (BIA) to support the purchase of Ottawa 200 promotional materials for Ottawa 200 events.

Further details about each grant and Ottawa 200 can be found on the City’s website, ottawa.ca.

Public consultation on 593-601 Laurier

Join Councillor Troster on February 11 from 6pm - 8pm for a virtual public consultation regarding the proposed development at 593-601 Laurier. This project would add a 28-storey residential building at the corner of Bronson and Laurier, preserving the existing heritage building onsite. We will hear from the project developer, Fotenn, as well as the Dalhousie Community Association. Community members are invited to share questions and comments about the project. 

RSVP online here.

Centre 507 is looking for volunteers

Are you interested in getting more involved with your community and giving back? Centre 507 is looking for volunteers to help serve meals, connect with residents and share skills (hair cuts, repairs etc.). If you're interested, email [email protected] for more information.

Cold weather resources from Ottawa Public Health: Who to call for help and information

• Call 2-1-1 for information about drop in centres, community and health resource centres, food banks and community food programs, winter clothing, financial assistance with utilities and a list of Out of the Cold locations with free meals, snacks and drop-ins. The 211 service is provided by Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario.   
• Call 3-1-1 to get referred to the best available shelter, or to get assistance for someone who needs transportation to get out of the cold. The City's 3-1-1 Line is available to respond to calls 24 hours a day. Calls are answered by the City of Ottawa Call Centre on a priority basis and referred to appropriate service providers.
• Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice.
• Call 9-1-1 for medical emergency assistance such as hypothermia.

You might qualify for a rent reduction

Over the last two months, you may have received a letter from the city indicating that you qualify for an automatic rent reduction. 

If you live in a building that meets the following criteria, you should qualify:

• You live in a building that is more than 15 years old
• The building you live in has 7 or more units
• You were a tenant in the unit on December 31, 2025

Some landlords are telling residents that due to a rise in garbage fees, you are not entitled to a rent reduction. Landlords can apply to the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) to waive the reduction, but unless they receive a judgement in their favour, you have the right to pay the reduced rent.

If you are unsure if you qualify, did not receive a letter or have any other questions about the process, please email my office ([email protected]) and my staff can help.

Support survivors of the Hintonburg fire

On January 18, there was a fire at the rooming house at 65 Armstrong Street in Hintonburg. Tragically, one resident died from injuries sustained in the fire.

Nineteen other residents have been displaced from the building and damage from the fire will prevent them from returning for many months to come. The Red Cross helped the first three nights and now the City is working on finding temporary and hopefully permanent accommodations.

The Hintonburg Community Assocation has set up a Community Fire Fund to help the survivors. Please donate if you are able.

Who to Call list 

The Somerset West Community Health Centre has put together a “Who To Call” list for residents.

You can view the list and find a copy to print and share with neighbours online here.

l’École secondaire catholique Saint-Jean-Baptiste open house

A fun evening for the whole family! Come explore our facilities, meet our staff, discover our programs, and experience the energy of our school. Themed activities, and guided tours will be available!

Date: Wednesday, February 17, starting at 5:30 p.m

Location: 96 Empress Ave