On Wednesday, Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee put bad landlords on notice by voting in favour of a renoviction bylaw that will crack down on unjust evictions.
This is after residents, housing advocates, seniors and lawyers spent the last three years campaigning for new rules that would fill the gaps in provincial law and make it harder to kick long-time tenants to the curb.
The new rules, which would come into effect in January if passed by City Council next week, are simple. If a landlord wants to evict a tenant to do major renovations on their property, they will need to show their construction permit and get a licence from the city. They will also be required to provide the people living in the building with a tenant education guide, a document we will be producing in multiple languages.
What this bylaw would do is call bad landlords’ bluff. Because any renovation significant enough to require vacant possession is going to require a city permit anyway. So honest landlords have nothing to worry about. But if they issue eviction notices to try to intimidate tenants into moving out (just so they can paint the walls and jack up the rent), they will face fines up to $100,000.
In addition to the bylaw, the committee also passed a motion that I put forward. The motion calls on city staff to consider two additional elements when the bylaw comes up for review in 2027 – a requirement for a “qualified person’s report,” and the obligation to provide temporary accommodation for tenants who are displaced. These items are a part of most renoviction bylaws across the province and could offer additional guarantees for tenants.
Getting this final bylaw on the table for a vote has been one of my biggest struggles during the last four years in office. We faced many obstacles, including skepticism from staff on whether a bylaw was needed, a last-minute attempt to bury the issue, and tremendous alarmism from the landlord lobby.
What made a difference was relentless advocacy from people like you. You brought a dose of humanity to City Hall, as you told us how unjust evictions have destabilized your lives, urging councillors and the mayor to act.
I would also like to thank Ottawa ACORN, Community Legal Services of Ottawa, the Alliance to End Homelessness, the Ottawa Mission and the Council on Aging for their advocacy and thoughtful contributions to this process. Making change in this city takes all of us, and I am so proud to fight alongside you.
Warmly,
Ariel
Ariel with the Raging Grannies, at a rally earlier this week, organized by Ottawa ACORN, in support of a renoviction bylaw.
Unexpected fireworks without notice: unacceptable
Like many of you, I was woken at 11pm last night by unexpected fireworks. Councillors were not notified in advance of Canadian Heritage’s decision to let off the Canada Day fireworks that remained unexploded on Lemieux Island. They decided that it was safer to let them off, than to try and retrieve them safely. But they did so with no notice to residents, which was unacceptable. This was a decision apparently made by city staff without consulting the community or local councillors, in an effort to not overwhelm the Bluesfest site at LeBreton Flats. I share your anger and frustration about this and am working to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. Thank you for writing to me about this.
Bluesfest traffic impacts
Ottawa Bluesfest is ready to rock at LeBreton Flats, with concerts from Thursday, July 9 to Sunday, July 12 and Wednesday, July 15 to Sunday, July 19. Residents and visitors travelling in the area can expect increased traffic and pedestrian activity throughout the festival.
Street closures and parking restrictions
The following closures will be in effect during the festival:
Kichi Zībī Mīkan, between Parkdale Avenue and Booth Street
Friday, July 3: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
Kichi Zībī Mīkan, between Parkdale Avenue and the Portage Bridge
Thursday, July 9 at 10 am to Monday, July 13 at 5 am: Closed eastbound.
Thursday, July 9 after 4:30 pm to Monday, July 13 at 5 am: Closed in both directions.
Monday, July 13 at 5 am to Wednesday, July 15 at 10 am: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
Wednesday, July 15 after 4:30 pm to Thursday, July 16 at 6 am: Closed in both directions.
Thursday, July 16 from 6 am to 10 am: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
Thursday, July 16 at 10 am to Monday, July 20 at 1 am: Closed eastbound.
Thursday, July 16 after 4:30 pm to Monday, July 20 at 1 am: Closed westbound.
Monday, July 20 at 1 am to Tuesday, July 21: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
During closures of Kichi Zībī Mīkan, motorists are encouraged to follow signed detour routes and use alternate roads where possible.
Local and business access will be maintained during the Portage Bridge and Booth Street closures until 9 pm.
Additionally, Albert Street may close between 10:30 pm and 11:59 pm on performance nights to help attendees safely exit the festival grounds.
Parking restrictions will be in effect on local streets throughout the festival. Please follow all posted signage. Major restrictions include:
North and south side parking lanes on Wellington Street, between Vimy Place and Lett Street, are closed until midnight on Monday, July 20
For updates on construction and roadwork activity across Ottawa, or for information about traffic and travel planning, visit the City’s traffic map.
Additional resources and information for residents affected by flooding
The City has additional resources available for residents who continue to recover from the July 1 extreme weather event to help with cleanup and recovery including wellness visits, storm debris collection, flood cleanup guidance and information about insurance and claims.
Cleaning up after a flood
Floodwater may contain sewage, harmful bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and other contaminants. When cleaning up, wear appropriate protective equipment and safely dispose of any items that cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected.
Learn more about Cleaning up after a flood, including:
What items should be discarded
Protecting your health and safety during a cleanup
Insurance and claims
If your property has been damaged, your insurance company should be your first point of contact. The City of Ottawa is not an insurance provider, and claims against the City are separate from insurance claims. Residents can find information about insurance, claims involving the City and how to submit a claim on ottawa.ca/HeavyRainfall.
For the latest storm recovery information, including resource centre locations, storm-related waste collection, flood cleanup guidance, insurance and claims information and other recovery resources, visit ottawa.ca/HeavyRainfall.
Resources to help with extreme heat & humidity
Heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. There are many public places residents and visitors can cool off in Ottawa and also ways to cool off at home even if you do not have air conditioning.
2-1-1: Call 2-1-1 to access ANCHOR or for program information about and locations of drop in centres and shelters, community and health resource centres, food banks and community food programs and financial assistance with utilities.
3-1-1: 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 heat. 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.
8-1-1: Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice.
9-1-1: Call 9-1-1 for medical emergency assistance such as heat stroke.
July 11: The Archives Block Party
Join Birling for a vibrant celebration of skate culture, community, and downtown energy at the Garden of the Provinces and Territories. With live DJs, delicious food, a beer garden, cash prizes, and an afterparty, this event brings people together to celebrate everything that makes our neighbourhood lively and welcoming.
Learn more here.
Heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. There are many public places residents and visitors can cool off in Ottawa and also ways to cool off at home even if you do not have air conditioning.
I was walking my dog on Saturday night, and I stumbled upon the most beautiful thing – a “Superhero Pizza Party” being hosted by some families on McLeod Street.
One of the most frustrating things about being a city councillor is when bad decisions by other levels of government have negative impacts on our community.