Councillor Allan Hubley

Top news and links
A quick tip on how to search any information on this website:
Please hover over titles above and find a drop down to access the information needed

Website posts are in chronological order. To find a specific post faster, please use the search function located above.

Hey folks, Glen Cairn Day is this Saturday (June 3rd)!

Please come join me for some entertainment, light refreshments and conversation about our community through the years.

Saturday, June 3rd @ Glen Cairn Community Centre (186 Morrenna Rd.)

10am - 1pm

RSVP on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/LR8l3MZw

May 29th, 2023

Today, the City will begin the 2023 Wild Parsnip Program

The goal is to reduce the growth of wild parsnip in highly infested areas while ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas and public safety are not adversely impacted

For more info, please visit: https://ottawa.ca/.../wildlife.../plants/invasive-species... or call 3-1-1

May 24th, 2023

Vacant Unit Tax appeal period is now open with online Notice of Complaint form

Ottawa – With the 2023 final property tax bills sent out to residents, the Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) appeal period is now open for residential property owners who were charged the VUT but believe they should not have been charged the one per cent tax.

The first step in the appeal process is filing an online Notice of Complaint, now available on ottawa.ca/vut. The City will review your Notice of Complaint, and you will receive a decision by mail or email.

For those residential property owners who did not complete a VUT declaration, their properties were automatically considered vacant, with the one per cent tax added to their final property tax bill. To appeal the VUT charge, they must complete the online declaration in addition to the Notice of Complaint.

If a property owner still disagrees with the decision from their Notice of Complaint, they have a second step in the appeal process. They can complete a Request for Review form online at ottawa.ca/vut.

To complete any of the forms – Notice of Complaint, Request for Review and VUT declaration – you will need your roll number and access code found on your previous VUT information notice or on your new final property tax bill. Residents registered with MySeviceOttawa can go directly to the forms from their property tax account.

Alternate and accessible options are available to complete all forms

The City has set up alternate options for residents who require accessibility-related support and for those without access to the internet or digital devices – like computers, tablets, and other hand-held devices:

Call Revenue Services at 613-580-2444 and select option 3 to complete the appeal and declaration forms over the phone or to book an in-person appointment at the Mary Pitt Centre at 100 Constellation Drive.
Call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. The service uses the internet and mobile phone technology to connect the caller with real-time sign language interpretation.

Learn more about the Vacant Unit Tax at ottawa.ca/vut. Information summary is also available on the website in Arabic, Somali, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City of Ottawa using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

May 23rd, 2023

Meet the Fleet at the Public Works Big Wheels Expo!

The City’s public works vehicles are a common sight for residents all year-round. In the winter, plows and salt trucks slice through fresh snow and ice, clearing the way for the rest of us to go about our daily lives safely. Street sweepers clean away a winter’s worth of dust and debris. Garbage trucks collect our waste, forestry workers maintain our tree canopy and clear debris after major storms, parks maintenance installs recreational structures, and cranes and related vehicles help protect our water and wastewater systems. Together, these everyday occurrences protect the City’s $70 billion in infrastructure assets.

In just a couple of weeks, residents will be able to take a closer look at these fascinating machines and learn more about the people who pilot them.

The Public Works Big Wheels Expo

On Sunday, June 4, the City of Ottawa is hosting the Public Works Big Wheels Expo, a free event to shed light on what puts the ‘work’ in ‘public works.’ People will be able to take a look inside these machines and learn about how they work. The event will include vehicles such as a garbage truck, a 25-ton rock truck, a road painting truck, a traffic signal display, a sidewalk sweeper, a hydraulic crane truck, and much more.

Date: Sunday, June 4 - Ottawa Titans gameday at 1 pm
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Location: Ottawa Stadium, 300 Coventry Road
Cost: FREE

Bike parking is available and the event can be accessed via transit. To determine the best public transit route for you, please consult the OC Transpo Travel Planner. Parking is also available at Ottawa Stadium for $7 if paid on the app or $8 in person. Cash is not accepted.
Consider making a day of it and attending the Ottawa Titans 1 pm game at the same time; the first 100 visitors to the Big Wheels Expo will be offered free tickets to the Titans’ matinee game.

National Public Works Week

The Public Works Big Wheels Expo follows National Public Works Week, which is taking place from Sunday, May 21 to Saturday, May 27. This year, we are celebrating the role that public works professionals have in connecting us all. These highly skilled and specialized staff are responsible for maintaining, operating, building and renewing important infrastructure that we all rely on every single day. They improve and protect our city’s traffic and transportation, water supply, waste systems, public buildings, parks and natural assets, and other structures and facilities. Their work is essential to the quality of life we all enjoy.

We hope that you will join us in celebrating our public works professionals both during National Public Works Week and at the Big Wheels Expo. Come meet the fleet.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service.

May 17th, 2023

Residents are invited to review the existing Wildlife Strategy and provide feedback on its recommendations and implementation. The public is also asked to complete a short survey, found below, to help provide insight on the City’s current Wildlife practices. The survey will remain open until June 30, 2023.

There will also be a Public Zoom meeting on May 31st @ 6:30pm to help educate and inform residents. Please register in advance using the Engage Ottawa link below.

Survey: https://s-ca.chkmkt.com/?e=307399&h=74318A866EF603A&l=en

More details: https://engage.ottawa.ca/wildlife-strategy-review...

May 10, 2023

Ottawa Police takes an integrated enforcement approach to speeding & unnecessary noise

(Ottawa) — This past weekend, as part of the Integrated Enforcement Initiative, Ottawa Police continued to address aggressive driving, speeding & related noise violations in the South/East, Market & West End with a focus on popular meet-up locations including the Strandherd Drive corridor.

Over 64 charges were issued to drivers for offences including street racing/stunting/speeding, failing to stop for police, red light, improper muffler and unnecessary noise infractions among others.

“Street racing, high speeds and related vehicle noise not only impact the safety of other road users, but the community as a whole,” said Sgt. Craig Roberts, Ottawa Police Traffic Case Manager. “It’s a quality-of-life issue for residents from one end of the city to the other.”

The Ottawa Police Service will continue to focus on those engaging in aggressive driving, street racing as well as any vehicle observed with illegal exhaust/muffler modifications throughout the Spring & Summer months.

May 2, 2023

Hey Folks,

I wanted to thank you for your patience regarding the April storm debris pick up. Public Works crews are working hard to clear the leftover storm debris, as well as flood mitigation throughout the City.

If your storm debris is still at the end of your driveway it may be because it’s too big for city crews to pick up. If you’re able, please make sure your debris is at the end of your driveway bundled in 4ft pieces, so that it can be easily picked up.

If you are unable to cut the storm debris smaller, please create a Service Request and make sure to include that in the notes. You can call 3-1-1 or submit a request here: https://ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1/report-or-request

If there are any issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at allan.hubley@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2752

April 11, 2023

Hi folks, I wanted to share some information regarding the traffic light timing for the intersection of Terry Fox and Hazeldean. Residents have been reporting that there have been some issues with this intersection, the traffic team assessed and concluded that this is due to a broken in-ground vehicle sensor. As a result, the signal timing is not ideal and does not interact optimally with the Sobeys intersection which leads to vehicle queuing. The sensors will be replaced once the ground thaws (and the weather warms up).

We are working closely with traffic and will provide updates when they are made available. Thank you for your patience

March 27, 2023

February 23, 2023

I wanted to share some information about the new automated speed enforcement camera being deployed in the ward. The new location will be on Stonehaven Dr. between Bridle Park Dr. and Tandalee Cres. This location is ideal as it will help mitigate traffic speeds for 3 schools, St- Anne, Elizabeth Bruyère and Roch Carrier. Deploying this camera will require the removal of the two existing school zone flashers, Stonehaven south of Stonemeadow and Stonehaven east of Grassy Plains. The work has a tentative completion date of end of year, 2023.

If you are looking for any additional information, this website has a lot of useful material including frequently asked questions https://www.aseontario.com/

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the office at 613-580-2752 or allan.hubley@ottawa.ca

December 19th, 2022

Hey folks, I know a lot of residents have been worrying about the increase in vehicle thefts in the city so here is a post with some helpful tips from the OPS.

Please remember to lock your vehicles this Holiday Season-
The Ottawa Police Service is advising residents to be vigilant in light of an emerging trend of daylight-hour vehicle thefts. Thieves are taking advantage of unattended vehicles in parking lots to steal cars, SUVs or trucks.
Police are seeing a surge in Ottawa where vehicles are being stolen from parking lots of grocery stores, recreation and sporting venues and shopping malls during daylight hours.

There has been an undeniable spike in thefts of the following newer model vehicles:

Honda (specifically CRVs)
Acura
Dodge Durango
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Toyota Highlanders
Lexus RX
Ford F-Series trucks

Residents with any model of vehicle with a proximity key (push to start ignition) should be vigilant as these vehicles are amongst those being targeted.
Ottawa police report that in 2022, 1160 vehicles have been reported stolen. Of them, 173 have been recovered, 71 of them in November.
Owners are encouraged to be vigilant when leaving their vehicle to do shopping. One way to prevent vehicle theft is to be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the Ottawa Police Services. For your safety, OPS discourages members of the public from engaging with people you think are in the process of stealing a car.

Not sure what an attempt at vehicle theft may look like? Here’s what to watch for:

The driver-side door is mechanically breached to gain access to the car. Once entry is gained thieves access the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) port to reprogram a new key. This remains the most common type of vehicle theft and it is not deterred using a Radio Frequency Shield (known as a ‘Faraday bag/box’).
The Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA) is not a common technique in Ottawa -- however police continue to raise public awareness about this method, where thieves use an amplification device to amplify the signal emanating from the key fob inside the house. That signal is then relayed to the car which unlocks the vehicle and allows it to be started. This type of theft will be deterred using a Radio Frequency Shield (the Faraday bag/box.)

Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention measures:

Park inside a garage if available (in Ottawa, no vehicle has been stolen from inside a residential garage)
Install an ECM port lock
Install an after-market vehicle immobilizer and/or alarm
Use a steering wheel lock (i.e., “Club”) to deter thieves (keep in mind they can cut the steering wheel to remove it)
Install after-market tracking devices or “GPS” – many of these have the ability to “fence in your car” notifying the owner’s smart phone if the vehicle leaves the established perimeter (keep in mind many thieves have been disabling the GPS system, removing the vehicle’s antenna, or carrying a portable signal blocker to prevent the vehicle’s location from being detected)
Install motion detection lights and exterior surveillance cameras at home – these can act as a deterrent and are very reasonably priced now (the same portable signal blocker can also disable these cameras)
Keep in mind that thieves have returned to steal the replacement vehicle from a previous theft so remain vigilant.
Neighbourhood Watch is still the best defense – so please report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222. If you can, obtain a vehicle description and license plate.
If you are selling your vehicle, be wary not to let anyone have access to your car keys and do not let your vehicle out of your sight. This prevents a thief from copying your key during a “test drive” so they can return to steal it.

Wagon Rides Update December 7th, 2022

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Wagon Rides leaving from W.O. Mitchell elementary school will be postponed. We look forward to seeing you at W.O. Mitchell next week for the Wagon rides on Tuesday, December 13th from 6pm - 8pm.

Wagon Rides Update December 6th, 2022

Due to inclement weather, tonight's wagon rides leaving from Holy Trinity Secondary School will be cancelled. We look forward to seeing you at Holy Trinity next week for the wagon rides on Monday, December 12th from 6pm-8pm.

December 3rd, 2022

Please come join me at my annual Kanata South Wagon Rides. Dates and details below, hope to see you there!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out and email allan.hubley@ottawa.ca or call my office at 613-580-2752

November 7, 2022

Sharp increase of Vehicle thefts in Ottawa – How to better protect your vehicle

“We have noted a shift in trends regarding vehicle thefts as we are now seeing a sudden spike in CRV thefts from owner driveways and more vehicles being taken from car dealerships outside their hours of operation, ” said Detective Doug Belanger of the Central Criminal Investigation Unit.

These thefts are not limited to Honda/Acura products. They are expanding to include all makes and models of vehicles that are equipped with a proximity key (i.e. push-button start). Newer models of Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlanders, Lexus RX as well as Ford F-Series trucks (higher trim level) have been targeted by thieves in Ottawa since the beginning of the year.

Owners of high theft vehicles are encouraged to report attempted vehicle thefts to police, including incidents where there is no damage to the vehicle, but factory key fobs no longer work.

Vehicle thefts generally occur in one of two ways:

1. The driver-side door is mechanically breached – at which point thieves access the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) port to reprogram a new key. This remains the most common type of vehicle theft and it is not deterred by the use of a Radio Frequency Shield (known as a ‘Faraday bag/box’.)

2. The Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA) is not a common technique in Ottawa -- however police continue to raise public awareness about this means where thieves use an amplification device to amplify the signal emanating from the key fob inside the house. That signal is then relayed to the car which unlocks the vehicle and allows it to be started. This type of theft will be deterred by the use of a Radio Frequency Shield (the Faraday bag/box.)

Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention measures:

Park inside a garage if available (in Ottawa, no vehicle was stolen from inside a garage);
Block your vehicle in tightly against a second less sought after vehicle;
Use a steering wheel lock (i.e. “Club”) to deter thieves (keep in mind they can cut the steering wheel to remove it);
Install an Engine Control Module (ECM) port lock;
Install an after-market vehicle immobilizer and alarm;
Install after-market tracking devices or “GPS” – many of these have the ability to “fence in your car” notifying the owner’s smart phone if the vehicle leaves the established perimeter;
Install motion detection lights and exterior surveillance cameras at home – these can act as a deterrent;
Keep in mind that thieves have returned to steal the replacement vehicle when a vehicle had been stolen, so remain vigilant;
Neighbourhood watch is still the best defense – so please report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222.

WOCRC Youth and Counselling Services

A warm welcome to end of summer! As families and youth in Kanata and Stittsville return to learning at home and at schools, please consider promoting WOCRC virtual counselling and youth drop-in programs. We’re here. And we wish you all the best.

https://wocrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CST-Fall-2020-Calendar-final.pdf

Up to date information on WOCRC evolving services continues to be available on our website and social media.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X2LHBM2

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X2LHBM2?lang=fr

June 25, 2020

Canada Day activities and schedule changes

The City of Ottawa would like to remind residents of the following schedule changes for Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1.

You can also find a list of City services and facilities affected by COVID-19 on ottawa.ca and octranspo.com.

Client services
· The City’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters that require the City’s immediate attention. Call 3-1-1 or 613-580-2400 (TTY: 613-580-2401) to speak to a customer service representative.

Green bin, recycling and garbage collection

There will be no curbside green bin, recycling or garbage collection on Canada Day. Pick-up will take place on Thursday, July 2. Collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Multi-residential garbage containers will be collected on the regular scheduled day. Multi-residential recycling, green bin and bulky-item collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
The Trail Road Waste Facility will be open.

Parking and roads

All City of Ottawa parking regulations and restrictions will apply on Canada Day.

Transit service

OC Transpo will offer no-charge service all day on Canada Day.
Customers are required to wear cloth masks when entering buses, trains, stations and Para Transpo minibuses and contracted taxis. Do not use transit in you’re sick.
Buses will run on a Sunday schedule. Night service will begin at 11 pm on Routes 39, 45, 57, 61, 75 and 97.
O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, with increased evening service until 1 am on Thursday, July 2.
O-Train Line 2 bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule, with increased service in the evening.
Use OC Transpo’s Travel Planner to plan your trip.
OC Transpo’s Customer Service Centre in the Rideau Centre will be open from 10 am until 6 pm. All other Customer Service Centres are closed until further notice due to COVID-19. Customers can purchase or load a Presto card at:
- Ticket machines located at all Line 1 stations and at the Ottawa International Airport
- Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations
- Prestocard.ca
Para Transpo customers can load their ParaPay account online at parapay.octranspo.com or by calling 613-741-4390.
OC Transpo Customer Service (613-741-4390) will be open from 7 am until 9 pm.
Para Transpo will operate a holiday service. Regular scheduled trips are automatically cancelled on Wednesday, July 1. Customers may start booking trips one week before by calling 613-244-7272 or online beginning Wednesday, June 24.
Para Transpo operations:
- The reservations line (613-244-7272) will be open from 7 am until 9 pm.
- The trip cancellation and general inquiries line (613-244-4636) will be open from 6 am until midnight.
- Taxi Coupons (613-842-3670) will be closed.
Para Transpo customers can also reserve or cancel trips online using the new webforms available on octranspo.com.

Fireworks
·       Consumer fireworks may only be discharged between Tuesday, June 30 and Thursday, July 2. Fireworks displays must be directly supervised by someone aged 18 or older and must take place on private property and with the property owner’s permission. Minimum safety distances, as indicated on the fireworks product, must be maintained from spectators, buildings, vegetation and vehicles. The display must not cause danger or nuisance to any person or property.

·       Sale of consumer fireworks is prohibited in the City of Ottawa, except on Canada Day and the seven business days immediately preceding it.

·       It is prohibited to sell or use firecrackers in the Province of Ontario at all times. Please review Ottawa’s Fireworks By-law for further details.

·       It is prohibited to discharge fireworks in City parks unless you have first obtained a permit.

Outside Fires
·       A permit is required to light a fire on private property anywhere in the City of Ottawa; this includes having a backyard fire, using an outdoor wood-burning fireplace or using a large fire pit.

·       A permit is not necessary for outdoor natural gas, propane or ethanol fireplaces.

·       It is unsafe to set and maintain open air fires in certain areas of the City. Check online through MyServiceOttawa to verify if your address is eligible for a permit.

Recreation services
·       Beaches and splash pads will be open, weather permitting.

Ottawa Public Health

The Brewer Assessment Centre will be closed.
The Moodie and Heron care clinics will be open regular hours, from 9 am until 4 pm.
The Sexual Health Clinic and satellite clinics will be closed.
The Site program office and supervised consumption services at 179 Clarence Street will be closed. The Site mobile van will operate from 5 until 11:30 pm.
The Ottawa Public Health Information Centre will be closed for general calls.
Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 phone line at 613-580-6744 will be open from 9 am until 4 pm on Canada Day.
The Vaccine Distribution Centre at 100 Constellation will be closed.
Dental clinics will be closed.
Parenting in Ottawa Drop-ins will be closed.
The baby help line will be closed.
Phone support for breastfeeding parents will not be available.

Municipal child care services
·       All Municipal Child Care Centres will be closed on Wednesday, July 1.

Library Services
·       All Ottawa Public Libraries offering the curbside returns and pick-up service will be closed on Wednesday, July 1.

The City of Ottawa reminds residents of the importance of physical distancing to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and in an effort to prevent a second wave of the virus.

When physical distancing is not possible, Ottawa Public Health recommends wearing a mask. Since some people who are infected with COVID-19 may have the virus and not know it, masks can help decrease the risk of spreading the virus.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

_____________________________________________________________________
25 Juin 2020

Activités et changement des horaires à la fête du Canada

La Ville d’Ottawa souhaite rappeler aux résidents les changements d’horaire suivants en raison de la fête du Canada le mercredi 1er juillet.

Vous trouverez également la liste des installations et services municipaux affectés par la COVID-19 à ottawa.ca et octranspo.com.

Centres de service à la clientèle
·       Le Centre d’appels 3-1-1 demeure ouvert pour les affaires urgentes demandant l’intervention immédiate de la Ville. Composez le 3-1-1 ou le 613-580-2400 (ATS : 613-580-2401) pour parler à un préposé au service à la clientèle.

Collecte des ordures, du recyclage et des bacs verts

Il n’y aura aucune collecte en bordure de rue de bacs verts, de recyclage ou de déchets le jour de la fête du Canada. Elle aura plutôt lieu le jeudi 2 juillet. De plus, toutes les collectes seront retardées d’un jour pour le reste de la semaine.
La collecte des déchets des immeubles à logements multiples aura lieu au jour prévu habituel. La collecte du recyclage, des bacs verts et des articles encombrants sera retardée d’un jour pour le reste de la semaine.
La décharge du chemin Trail sera ouverte.

Stationnements et routes

Tous les règlements et restrictions de stationnement de la Ville d’Ottawa s’appliqueront pendant la fête du Canada.

Service de transports en commun

OC Transpo offrira le service gratuitement toute la journée de la fête du Canada.
Les clients doivent porter un masque en tissu lorsqu’ils entrent dans les stations, et quand ils montent à bord des autobus, des trains, des minibus et des taxis sous contrat de Para Transpo. N’utilisez pas le transport en commun si vous êtes malade.
Les autobus fonctionneront selon l’horaire du dimanche. Le service de nuit débutera à 23 h sur les circuits 39, 45, 57, 61, 75 et 97.
La ligne 1 de l’O-Train fonctionnera selon un horaire de semaine réduit, avec un service accru en soirée jusqu’à 1 h le jeudi 2 juillet.
Le service d’autobus de la ligne 2 de l’O-Train fonctionnera selon un horaire de samedi, avec un service accru en soirée.
Veuillez utiliser le Planificateur de trajets d’OC Transpo pour planifier vos déplacements.
Le Centre de service à la clientèle d’OC Transpo du Centre Rideau sera ouvert de 10 h à 18 h. Tous les autres Centres de service à la clientèle sont fermés jusqu’à nouvel ordre en raison de la COVID-19. Les clients peuvent acheter ou charger une carte Presto aux endroits suivants :
- Les distributrices de billets se trouvant dans toutes les stations de la ligne 1 et à l’Aéroport international d’Ottawa.
- Les magasins Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws et Real Canadian Superstore.
- Prestocard.ca
Les clients de Para Transpo peuvent charger leur compte ParaPaie en ligne à parapaie.octranspo.com ou en appelant au 613-741-4390.
Le Service à la clientèle d’OC Transpo (613-741-4390) sera ouvert de 7 h à 21 h.
Para Transpo offrira le service des jours fériés. Les déplacements réguliers sont automatiquement annulés pour le mercredi 1er juillet. Les clients peuvent commencer à réserver des déplacements une semaine d’avance par téléphone au 613-244-7272 ou en ligne à compter du mercredi 24 juin.
Activités de Para Transpo :
- La ligne de réservations (613-244-7272) sera en fonction de 7 h à 21 h.
- La ligne pour l’annulation de déplacements et les demandes de renseignements généraux (613-244-4636) sera en fonction de 6 h à minuit.
- Le service des coupons de taxi (613-842-3670) sera fermé.
Les clients de Para Transpo peuvent aussi réserver ou annuler des déplacements en ligne à l’aide des nouveaux formulaires Web disponibles à octranspo.com.

Feux d’artifice
·       La mise à feu des feux d’artifice à l’usage des consommateurs est permise uniquement du mardi 30 juin au jeudi 2 juillet. L’utilisation des feux d’artifice doit être faite en présence d’une personne de 18 ans ou plus, et doit avoir lieu sur une propriété privée avec la permission du propriétaire. La distance minimale à respecter est indiquée sur le produit et doit être respectée pour la sécurité des spectateurs, des bâtiments, de la végétation et des véhicules. Les feux d’artifice ne doivent pas incommoder personne ni menacer la sécurité des gens et des propriétés environnantes.

·       La vente de feux d’artifice du commerce est interdite par la Ville d’Ottawa sauf le jour de la fête du Canada et durant les sept jours ouvrables précédents.

·       Il est interdit de vendre ou d’utiliser des pétards dans la province de l’Ontario. Veuillez consulter le règlement sur les feux d'artifice d’Ottawa pour en savoir plus.

·       La mise à feu de feux d’artifice est interdite dans les parcs municipaux, à moins que vous n’ayez obtenu un permis.

Feux extérieurs
·       Pour allumer un feu sur une propriété privée, y compris dans la cour arrière ou dans un grand foyer, il faut détenir un permis de la Ville d’Ottawa.

·       Un permis n’est pas nécessaire pour les foyers extérieurs au gaz naturel, au propane ou à l’éthanol.

·       Il n’est pas sécuritaire de faire ou de maintenir des feux en plein air dans certains secteurs d’Ottawa. Consultez MonServiceOttawa pour vérifier si votre adresse est admissible à un permis.

Services des loisirs
·       Les plages et les aires de jets d'eau seront ouvertes, si la météo le permet.

Santé publique Ottawa

Le Centre d’évaluation pour la COVID-19 de l’aréna Brewer sera fermé.
Les cliniques Moodie et Heron seront ouvertes selon leur horaire habituel, de 9 h à 16 h.
La Clinique de santé-sexualité et les cliniques satellites seront fermées.
Le bureau du Programme sur les aiguilles et les seringues et les services de consommation supervisée du 179, rue Clarence seront fermés. La fourgonnette mobile offrira ses services de 5 h à 23 h 30.
Le Centre d'information de Santé publique Ottawa sera fermé pour les appels généraux.
La ligne téléphonique de la COVID-19 de Santé publique Ottawa au 613-580-6744 sera en fonction de 9 h à 16 h le jour de la fête du Canada.
Le Centre de distribution des vaccins au 100, promenade Constellation sera fermé.
Les cliniques dentaires seront fermées.
Les Carrefours Être parents seront fermés.
La ligne de soutien pour les familles de bébés de zéro à un an sera fermée.
La ligne de soutien téléphonique à l'allaitement maternel ne sera pas disponible.

Services des garderies municipales
· Tous les Services de gardes d'enfants municipaux seront fermés le mercredi 1er juillet.

Services de bibliothèques
• Toutes les bibliothèques publiques de la Ville d’Ottawa offrant le service de retours et de cueillettes en bordure de rue seront fermées le mercredi 1er juillet.

La Ville d’Ottawa rappelle à ses résidents qu’il est important de respecter les mesures de distanciation physique afin de freiner la propagation de la COVID-19 et de lutter contre l’arrivée d’une deuxième vague du virus.

Lorsqu’il est difficile de respecter les mesures de distanciation physique, Santé publique Ottawa recommande le port du masque. Puisque certaines personnes peuvent être porteuses du virus sans le savoir, les masques peuvent réduire le risque de propagation de la COVID-19.

Pour plus de renseignements sur les programmes et services de la Ville, veuillez consulter ottawa.ca ou téléphoner au 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-2401). Vous pouvez également nous suivre sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

Kanata Recreation Complex (KRC)

As many of the you know the parking lot of the Kanata Recreation Complex (KRC) has needed some TLC for years. I am happy to say that the repaving is completed and the parking lot looks amazing! Check out this time lapse video taken by Steve Burri, longtime staff member of the KRC and city of Ottawa. Thank you Steve for sharing this with me!
https://youtu.be/rcnVxFJ-5Xk

June 16, 2020

Enforcement of on-street parking limits resumes on June 29Ottawa – Starting Monday, June 29, the City will resume the enforcement of parking in excess of posted time limits, including 15-minute, one-hour, two-hour, three-hour and six-hour zones.

Initially, parking control officers will issue warning notices to vehicles that are parked longer than the posted time limit. Officers will begin to issue tickets on Monday, July 6.

Until further notice, parking control officers will not enforce overtime parking on streets without signs.
Parking enforcement ensures safety, traffic flow, emergency vehicle access and parking space availability as services begin to reopen and normal traffic patterns resume.

All other parking restrictions remain in effect, including no-stopping zones, no-parking zones, fire routes, accessible parking spaces and rules around sidewalks, driveways and fire hydrants. Parking restrictions continue to be enforced in areas with Pay and Display machines.

Visit ottawa.ca for information about parking permits.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Le 16 juin 2020

Reprise de l’application des règlements de stationnement sur rue le 29 juinOttawa – À compter du lundi 29 juin, la Ville reprendra l’application des règlements relatifs au dépassement des limites de stationnement affichées, notamment en ce qui concerne les zones de stationnement de 15 minutes, une heure, deux, trois et six heures.

Les agents de contrôle du stationnement émettront d’abord des billets d’avertissement aux propriétaires des véhicules stationnés plus longtemps que la limite de temps affichée et ils commenceront à donner des contraventions le lundi 6 juillet.
Jusqu’à nouvel ordre, les agents de contrôle du stationnement n’émettront pas d’avis de dépassement de la durée de stationnement autorisée aux propriétaires de véhicules stationnés dans les rues où les limites de stationnement ne sont pas affichées.

L’application des règlements de stationnement assure la sécurité, la fluidité de la circulation, l’accès aux véhicules d’urgence et la disponibilité d’espaces de stationnement maintenant que les services commencent à reprendre et que la circulation revient à la normale.

Toutes les autres restrictions de stationnement demeurent en vigueur, notamment arrêt interdit, stationnement interdit, voie réservée aux pompiers, stationnement accessible, ainsi que les règlements s’appliquant aux bornes-fontaines, aux entrées de cour et aux trottoirs. Les restrictions de stationnement continuent de s’appliquer dans les zones dotées de distributeurs automatiques de billets.

Veuillez consulter ottawa.ca pour en savoir davantage sur les permis de stationnement.

Pour de plus amples renseignements sur les programmes et services de la Ville, veuillez consulter ottawa.ca ou composer le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-2401). Vous pouvez également communiquer avec nous par Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

June 15, 2020

There have been coyote sightings in Kanata South over the past couple of days so I would like to ask residents to please be mindful of children and pets when outdoors. Authorities have been notified and are investigating. I will provide any additional information as I receive it.

Coyotes that are being aggressive towards humans have recently been reported in the Barrhaven and Riverside South areas. This is not normal behaviour.

The City of Ottawa is working with its partners to address this issue and Ottawa Police are patrolling the impacted areas. As well, Ottawa By-law has contracted the services of a wildlife specialist.

Report sightings by calling 311. In the event of an attack, call Police at 911.

Be aware of your surroundings, do not leave out food, do not leave pets unattended, keep dogs on leash during walks, and walk in pairs. Overnight is the time that coyotes are most active.

Residents are encouraged to either contact the following 3 departments directly with details of the incident or provide our office with a detailed description of the incident and then we will submit on your behalf. This includes name, phone number, address, date, situation, etc…

If you feel you are in immediate danger from the coyotes please contact the police at 9-1-1 in order to have an officer dispatched.
The second department we contact is the Ministry of Natural Resources. They can provide advice on the situation and they can be reached at 613-258-8204.
By-law is also contacted regarding the sighting. The City and By-law do not have a program in place to address these types of complaints, so we turn to the MNR. Regardless, it is important to keep them in the loop if we receive any complaints regarding coyotes. You can reach them by calling 3-1-1 or emailing: 311@ottawa.ca

The following links provide some further information on coyotes:
https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment/wildlife/wildlife-strategy/ottawa-wildlife-strategy

https://www.ontario.ca/page/preventing-and-managing-conflicts-coyotes-wolves-and-foxes

Bridlewood Resident Wyatt's Birthday Celebration - For More Pictures, Please See The Photo Section Under Events

June 2020

Project Update:

Kanata South Link
COVID-19 is an unprecedented situation and the City of Ottawa is committed to protecting people and the community.
The Province of Ontario has allowed certain businesses and workplaces to reopen, including all municipal construction projects, as long as they comply with strict measures for public health and safe operations. In addition to the City’s ongoing work on critical infrastructure projects, we are now able to resume work on other construction projects that were paused due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The City is working closely with the industry and complying with restrictions and recommendations provided by municipal, provincial and federal health officials, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

Project Overview
Construction is ongoing on the Kanata South Link project that will improve safety and traffic flow based on growing demands in the southwest areas of the city, including Kanata, Stittsville and Rideau-Goulbourn.
The City is widening Old Richmond Road from Hope Side Road to West Hunt Club Road, and West Hunt Club Road from Old Richmond Road to approximately 200 metres east of Moodie Drive. Other work on this project includes:

Roundabouts at three intersections along Old Richmond Road: Hope Side Road, Stonehaven Drive and West Hunt Club Road;
Intersection improvements at West Hunt Club Road and Moodie Drive;
Utility upgrades including street lighting;
Asphalt resurfacing of Hope Side Road;
Improved pedestrian and cycling facilities;
Tree removal to accommodate construction;
New tree planting and landscaping;
Intersection improvements at Hope Side Road and Crownridge Drive including the addition of a turning lane and median; and
Environmental mitigation on-site and wetland compensation off-site.

This work is expected to be completed by late 2020.

As part of the 2020 budget, additional funds have been secured to widen West Hunt Club Road, east of Moodie Drive to Highway 416. This extension has been added as part of the Kanata South Link project and work began in March 2020 and is to be completed by mid-2021. Work includes:

Tree removal to accommodate construction;
Widen and resurface West Hunt Club Road east of Moodie Drive to Highway 416
New tree planting and landscaping; and
Environmental mitigation on-site and wetland compensation off-site.

Construction Update

Over the past few months, the following work on the Kanata South Link project has taken place:

Completion of tree removals, excavation, granular placement for the widening along West Hunt Club Road
Installation of culverts along West Hunt Club Road
Wildlife crossing structure has been successfully installed along West Hunt Club Road
Traffic signals at Old Richmond Road at West Hunt Club Road and Stonehaven Drive have been removed

Photo 1: Concrete curb construction on Old Richmond Road:

Photo 2: Underground wildlife crossing installation on West Hunt Club Road

Photo 3: Asphalt paving on Old Richmond Road

Next Steps

Over the next few weeks, the following construction work can be expected:

Granular placement for multi-use pathways at the roundabouts along Old Richmond Road and for the widening of West Hunt Club Road.
Installation of drainage infrastructure and along West Hunt Club Road
Second asphalt lift along Old Richmond Road between Hope Side Road and Stonehaven Drive as well as a second asphalt lift on West Hunt Club approaching the 416. A final top layer of asphalt will be laid in the coming months.
New signage installations and new traffic configuration for roundabouts along Old Richmond Road at West Hunt Club, Stonehaven and Hope Side Road
Installation of noise wall barrier west of Old Richmond Road north of Stonehaven Drive
Landscaping work along Old Richmond Road
Work in roadside ditch along West Hunt Club Road approaching Highway 416
Concrete curb installations
Wildlife exclusion fencing installations and underground wildlife crossing installations
Streetlight installations along both West Hunt Club Road and Old Richmond Road
Sidewalk and multi-use pathway construction

New Roundabouts as part of the Kanata South Link Project

As part of the Kanata South Link project, three new roundabouts will be installed at Old Richmond Road at Hope Side Road, Old Richmond Road at Stonehaven Drive and Old Richmond Road at West Hunt Club Road.

Roundabouts are designed for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists use, allowing continuous movement of traffic while maximizing safety and minimizing traffic delays.
A roundabout is a circular intersection, with flashing beacons for pedestrian crossings.

New instructional signage will be installed for all users.

For more information about how to use a roundabout, click here.

Upcoming Traffic Impacts

Periodic lane closures (off peak) may be experienced over the next few months throughout the construction site, with the use of flagging personnel. One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times. Traffic delays can be expected.

Traffic lanes are also expected to shift along West Hunt Club Road between Moodie Drive and Highway 416, over the next few months, to accommodate the widening work. Minimal traffic delays are expected.

For a complete listing of traffic impacts, please visit the Kanata South Link project page.

Noise By-Law

For construction activity hours of work, the City of Ottawa follows provincial requirements and the City’s Noise By-law (2017-255).

Mobility & You
Stay informed about capital construction. Check out the City’s interactive traffic map and traffic report or call 3-1-1 for updates about when and where construction is happening.

June 12th, 2020

Covid Graduation Ceremony for students who work at Laura's Your Independent Grocer

Looking for Information on the City Of Ottawa's Reopening Plan?

Please see the COVID-19 Page under Communications

7:00 am Sanitation Pickup

I just wanted to remind residents that our Solid Waste collection provider is changing this week from Waste Management to Miller Waste Systems. Miller has been collecting garbage in other parts of the city since 2012 and I hope you will join me in welcoming them into the community. As routes are being finalized, there could be a change to your pickup times (days will remain the same) so we are asking that you please have your garbage, recycling and green bin out at the curb on your designated day no later than 7:00am. Thank you for your cooperation.

As we all know, schools are not going to open until September 2020 and children need to have access to trusted information in order to keep up with their learning skills. With this in mind, Ottawa Public Library has put together homework help resources on its website and I was wondering if you would be interested in sharing the attached document on your website.

Also, Ottawa Public Library and Frontier College are working together to offer FREE 1-on-1 online tutoring sessions for children in grades 1-6.

How it works:

Available for children in grades 1-6
Parents fill in an online form to request 1-1 homework help in English or in French for their child
Frontier College contacts the parent to schedule weekly meetings with a tutor over Zoom

What you need to participate:

An internet connection
A device (computer, phone, or tablet) with the Zoom app installed. This app is free and does not require an account.

How to sign up:

May 20, 2020

Major events cancelled until August 31
Ottawa – As restrictions on some closures gradually ease, gatherings of more than five people continue to be legally prohibited and the City and the Province both remain in states of emergency. The City is extending its suspension of City-permitted special events, festivals and other cultural programs until Monday, August 31.

Events that attract large numbers of participants make physical distancing impossible. Many events scheduled to take place during the summer months have already been postponed to a later date.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

________________________________________________________________

Le 20 mai 2020

Les grands événements sont annulés jusqu’au 31 aoûtOttawa – Malgré l’assouplissement graduel de certaines restrictions relatives aux fermetures, les rassemblements de plus de cinq personnes sont toujours légalement interdits, et la Ville d’Ottawa ainsi que la province de l’Ontario maintiennent l’état d’urgence. La Ville prolonge donc la suspension des événements spéciaux, des festivals et des autres programmes culturels jusqu’au lundi 31 août.

Il est impossible de respecter la distanciation physique lors d’événements qui attirent un grand nombre de participants. Plusieurs événements qui devaient avoir lieu au cours de l’été ont déjà été reportés à une date ultérieure.

Pour en savoir plus sur les programmes et services de la Ville, visitez Ottawa.ca ou composez le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-2401). Vous pouvez également nous suivre sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

May 6, 2020

City permits limited use of spaces in City parks; use of playground equipment and park amenities remains prohibited

Ottawa – The City, in consultation with Ottawa Public Health (OPH), is advising that the limited use of some spaces in City parks and beaches is now permitted. This does not include the use of sports fields and courts.

Effective immediately, individuals and families can enjoy fresh air and some outdoor activities in City parks. Everyone must also comply with current prohibitions under the Provincial Emergency Orders, including the prohibition on organized public events, gatherings of more than five people, and entry to and use of certain outdoor recreational amenities.

OPH continues to advise that limiting activities to members of your own household remains important to limit the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, and that physical distancing of at least two metres from non-household members be maintained during these activities.

Examples of permitted activities for individuals in groups of up to five people or members from the same household include:

Playing catch, kicking a soccer ball and throwing a football
Flying a kite
Sitting on a blanket, grass or lawn chair
Exercising and stretching on a yoga mat, but not in a class
Letting young children run and burn off some energy

If you are not with members of your own family, the Provincial Orders continue to restrict events and gatherings of more than five people and continue to prohibit the entry onto or use of all sports fields and courts (e.g.: football and soccer fields, ball diamonds, tennis courts and basketball courts), BMX and skate/board parks, all play structures and playgrounds, swings, benches, picnic tables, shelters, and off-leash dog areas.

In addition, prohibited park use extends to all organized sporting activities and training, such as football, softball, ball hockey, soccer, ultimate frisbee and basketball – even if they are not being played on a court or sports field, as these activities do not allow for proper physical distancing.

Also in accordance with the Provincial Orders, boat launches in parks remain closed and seasonal docks will not yet been installed. Launching any form of watercraft from any City park or beach remains prohibited for canoeists, kayakers and other watercraft enthusiasts.

For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, visit ottawa.ca/covid19 or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Quotes

“Allowing access to our City parks green spaces is welcome news to many of our residents – especially those with young children and those living in apartments. It’s been almost nine weeks where the only outdoor escape involved back and front yards – for those who have them – and going for walks on residential streets. While we are far from returning to normal, people can now escape the confines of the indoors and their properties to enjoy some much-needed fresh air and activity.”

Mayor Jim Watson, City of Ottawa
“While we are seeing some positive trends in the spread of COVID-19 in our community, we still cannot fully reopen our park facilities at this time. But allowing residents and families some access to our open green space is important for their overall physical and mental health. I thank all our residents and our youth for their patience and resolve, as we continue to pull together and do our part to help limit the spread and save lives.”

Councillor Jenna Sudds, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee

“It gives me great pleasure that the City of Ottawa will permit the limited use of green spaces in city parks. This is exciting news but please remember that physical distancing guidelines remain critical. These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of our community and are an integral part of getting through this pandemic as quickly and as healthy as possible.”
Councillor Keith Egli, Chair of the Ottawa Board of Health

______________________________________________

Le 6 mai 2020

La Ville d’Ottawa permet l’utilisation limitée des espaces verts dans les parcs. L’interdiction d’utiliser l’équipement de jeu et les installations des parcs reste en vigueur.

Ottawa – La Ville, en consultation avec Santé publique Ottawa (SPO) permet maintenant l’utilisation limitée des espaces ouverts dans les parcs et sur les plages. Cela n’inclut pas l’utilisation des terrains de sport et de balle.

À compter de maintenant, les personnes et les familles peuvent profiter de l’air frais et faire certaines activités à l'extérieur dans les parcs municipaux. Tout le monde doit également respecter les interdictions en vigueur conformément aux décrets d’urgence de la province, notamment l’interdiction d’organiser des événements publics, de faire des rassemblements de plus de cinq personnes et d’accéder à certaines installations récréatives extérieures, et à les utiliser.

SPO maintient que seuls les membres d’un même foyer doivent participer aux activités afin de limiter la propagation de la COVID-19 et de sauver des vies. SPO souligne également qu’il importe de respecter les mesures de distanciation physique adéquates et de se tenir à deux mètres les uns des autres.

Voici des exemples d’activités autorisées pour des membres d’un même foyer ou des personnes formant un groupe de cinq personnes maximum :

Se lancer la balle, botter un ballon de soccer et se lancer un ballon de football
Faire voler un cerf-volant
S’asseoir sur une couverture, sur le gazon ou sur une chaise de jardin
Faire de l’exercice et des étirements sur un matelas de yoga – non pas dans le cadre d’un cours
Laisser les jeunes enfants courir et dépenser de l’énergie

Si vous n’êtes pas avec les membres de votre famille, les décrets provinciaux imposent toujours des restrictions quant aux événements et aux rassemblements de plus de cinq personnes et continuent d’interdire l’accès ou l’utilisation relativement à l’ensemble des terrains de sport ou de balle (p. ex., les terrains de football, de soccer, de balle, de tennis et de basketball), des planchodromes, des structures et des terrains de jeux, des balançoires, des bancs, des tables à pique-nique, des kiosques de jardin et des aires réservées aux chiens sans laisse.

Par ailleurs, l’interdiction relative à l’utilisation des parcs comprend toutes les activités sportives et séances d’entraînement organisées, comme le football, la balle molle, le hockey-ball, le soccer, le disque volant d’équipe et le basketball – même si ces activités ne sont pas pratiquées sur un terrain de sport ou de balle, car il est impossible de les faire en respectant les mesures de distanciation physique adéquates.

Conformément aux décrets provinciaux, les rampes de mise à l’eau dans les parcs restent fermées et les quais saisonniers ne seront pas installés pour le moment. Il est toujours strictement interdit aux amateurs de canot, de kayak et d'autres embarcations de mettre à l’eau toute embarcation dans un parc ou sur une plage de la Ville.

Pour de plus amples renseignements sur les programmes et services de la Ville, veuillez consulter ottawa.ca/covid19 ou composer le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-9656). Vous pouvez également communiquer avec nous par Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

Citations

« Permettre l'accès aux espaces verts des parcs de la Ville est une bonne nouvelle pour plusieurs résidents, particulièrement pour ceux qui ont de jeunes enfants et ceux qui vivent dans un appartement. Cela fait près de neuf semaines que nous sortons à l’extérieur uniquement dans notre cour arrière ou avant – pour ceux qui ont des cours – et prenons des marches sur des rues résidentielles. Même si nous sommes loin d’un retour à la normale, les gens peuvent maintenant échapper quelque peu au confinement à domicile pour profiter de l’air frais et faire certaines activités. »

Maire Jim Watson, Ville d'Ottawa

« Bien que nous observions des tendances positives en ce qui concerne la propagation de la COVID-19 dans notre collectivité, nous ne pouvons toujours pas rouvrir l’ensemble des installations des parcs pour l’instant. Toutefois, il est important de permettre aux résidents et aux familles d’accéder à nos espaces verts pour favoriser leur santé générale, tant physique que mentale. Je remercie tous les résidents et les jeunes pour leur patience et leur contribution, alors que nous continuons d’unir nos efforts et de faire notre part pour limiter la propagation et sauver des vies.

Conseillère Jenna Sudds, présidente du Comité des services communautaires et de protection

« Je suis très heureux que la Ville d'Ottawa autorise l'utilisation limitée des espaces verts dans les parcs de la ville. C'est une excellente nouvelle, mais il faut se rappeler que les directives en matière de distanciation physique demeurent essentielles. Ces directives sont en place pour assurer la sécurité de notre collectivité et font partie intégrale de notre capacité à passer au travers de cette pandémie aussi rapidement et de façon aussi sécuritaire que possible. »

Conseiller Keith Egli, président du Conseil de santé d'Ottawa

COVID-19 Related Fraud and Property Crime

Unfortunately, there are criminals who use the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity for their activities. The following is an excellent resource that has been adapted from Victim Support Europe detailing types of crimes to be aware of and how to protect yourself.

This information is available in 4 languages (EN, FR, ع, 中文) on the CPO website.

At the moment, experts have have identified three main areas of coronavirus-related crime:

Cybercrime: with many more people staying at home and especially working from home, there is a heightened risk of security breaches, hacking, and fraud. There are even fraudulent websites and apps posing as coronavirus trackers which are in fact phishing attacks or scams. Interpol also reports phone fraud where criminals call victims pretending to be clinic or hospital officials, who claim that a relative of the victim has fallen sick with the virus and request payments for medical treatment. Do not send any payments to anyone you do not know and verify all the information you receive through phone or online. Follow Europol’s advice below to make sure you are protected.
Fake cures and medicine: there is no known cure for COVID-19 at the moment. There is also no vaccine. Do not buy anything sold as any type of medicine or remedy against coronavirus as it is fake. Europol reports thousands of seized counterfeit pharmaceuticals and medical devices seized as well as thousands of websites taken down.
Organised property crime: it has been reported in various countries within the EU that perpetrators gain access to private homes by impersonating medical staff providing information material or hygiene products or conducting a “Corona test” with the intention of theft and robbery. Remain vigilant and do not let anyone you do not know in.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre tracks the latest updates on coronavirus-related crime. They also list further examples of such COVID-related crimes.

If you have become victim of any type of crime, please consult Ottawa Police’s Victim Crisis Unit website for list of supports.

_______________________________________________

Escroqueries et infractions contre les biens liées à la COVID-19

Malheureusement, des criminels profitent de la pandémie du coronavirus pour mener leurs activités. Voici une excellente ressource, adaptée de Victim Support Europe, qui précise les types de crimes qu’il faut connaître et les moyens à prendre pour se protéger.

Ces informations sont disponibles en quatre langues (EN, FR, ع, 中文) sur le site web de PCO.

À l’heure actuelle, des experts ont cerné trois grands types de criminalité liée au coronavirus :

Cybercriminalité : Puisque ceux et celles qui restent à la maison, surtout les télétravailleurs, sont plus nombreux, le risque de failles de sécurité, de piratage et de fraude augmente. Il y a même des sites Web frauduleux et des applications trompeuses qui soi-disant suivent le coronavirus et qui sont en fait des hameçonneurs ou des arnaqueurs. Interpol fait aussi état de fraudes par téléphone, dans lesquelles les criminels appellent les victimes en affirmant représenter des cliniques ou des hôpitaux, en prétendant qu’un parent de la victime est tombé malade du virus et en demandant le paiement des soins médicaux. Ne faites pas parvenir de paiement à des personnes que vous ne connaissez pas et vérifiez toute l’information que l’on vous donne par téléphone ou en ligne. Suivez les conseils d’Europol ciaprès pour vous assurer de vous protéger.
Faux remèdes et produits médicaux : Il n’y a pas de remède connu, à l’heure actuelle, pour la COVID-19. Il n’y a pas de vaccin non plus. N’achetez rien de ce qui est vendu comme type de médicament ou de remède contre le coronavirus, puisque ces médicaments ou remèdes n’existent pas. Europol fait état de milliers de produits pharmaceutiques contrefaits et saisis, d’appareils médicaux saisis et de milliers de sites Web retirés.
Crime organisé contre la propriété : On a appris que dans différents pays de l’Union européenne, des malfaiteurs ont accès à des résidences privées en se présentant comme des membres du personnel médical offrant des documents d’information ou des produits d’hygiène ou procédant au « dépistage du coronavirus » afin de commettre des vols et des cambriolages. Restez vigilant(e) et ne laissez pas entrer des personnes que vous ne connaissez pas.

Le Centre antifraude du Canada suit les derniers comptes rendus sur la criminalité liée au coronavirus. Il donne aussi la liste d’autres exemples de ces crimes liés à la COVID‑19.

Si vous êtes victime d’un type de crime, veuillez consulter le site Web de l’Unité d’aide aux victimes en situation d’urgence du Service de police d’Ottawa pour prendre connaissance de l’aide offerte.

It is the time of the year where we would normally be promoting Cleaning up the Capital however given the current COVID-19 situation this will not be taking place. Ottawa Public Health has prepared the information below.

Can I / a group of people (e.g., my family) clean a park, roadway, our property?

Due to the current COVID-19 situation no clean ups should be undertaken off your property. Residents have been advised to stay home and limit all non-essential activities outside of your home and property. Please understand this is a difficult decision as in all other situations the City of Ottawa greatly appreciates the support from the community in these clean ups. Please remember that all parks are closed, and only walkthroughs are permitted while respecting physical distancing.

If you or your household wish to initiate a clean-up activity in your own property, please take into consideration the following related guidelines and legislative and enforcement measures;

Residents have been advised to stay a home and limit their physical interaction to only members of their household.
No more than five (5) people can gather in one place.
Follow self-isolation requirements, if you have traveled recently or are ill you are to remain inside your home and should not be participating in outside activities where there is a chance you may come in contact with someone (i.e. neighbours).
Physical distancing – it is recommended to maintain distance of 2 meters (6 feet) from those around you at all times. This includes other individuals who may walk by your house and your neighbours how may be on their property.
If you live in a multi-unit dwelling it is recommend you do NOT participate in any outdoor cleaning unless you can ensure a distance of 2 meters (6 feet) can be maintained at ALL times.
Individuals over the age of 70 are recommended to self-isolate and should not participate in any outdoor cleaning activities

Please also undertake the following precautions when cleaning:

Remain on your property at all times.
Do not invite others outside of your household to participate
Wear protective material on your hands such as gloves or plastic bags
Use a picker if available to avoid using hands
Collect litter into plastic bags and tie up when filled
Put filled litter bags into your household waste on collection day
Do not touch your face at any time during cleaning
Wash your hands immediately following cleaning
Never touch a needle with your hands. Follow safe pickup procedures, or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) for assistance

We thank you for your interest in keeping your community clean, green and litter-free. Continue to stay at home and stay healthy.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus

Guidance from Ottawa Public Health in advance of Easter Weekend

In advance of various celebrations such as Easter, Passover and Ramadan, Ottawa Public Health has sent out the below information.

The Province of Ontario has said that we should not gather in groups of more than 5 people unless:

there are more than 5 people in your family or 5 roommates that live with you
the gathering is for a funeral and then up to 10 people are allowed together
it is in a childcare centre for essential front-line workers

Other activities like weddings, parties, play dates, and services within places of worship are prohibited and should not take place.

We MUST all practice physical distancing and keep 2 metres or 6 feet away from others when we are out. This is very important so we can stop the spread of COVID-19.

During times of the year when celebrations are happening:

do not gather with others in person to celebrate
use technology to connect with others
Spend more time with your own family who live with you
Create new traditions at home, cook your favourite food together, decorate together, play games together for example.

Being apart from family and friends can be very difficult for all of us. It's normal for situations like COVID-19 to affect your mental health. Everyone experiences these events in their own way. It is completely normal to feel stress and concern during these times and so it is important to practice positive coping strategies.

Below is a listing of Mental Health Resources available to you. If you are in crisis, please contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 day a week) at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991. If you (or your child) are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, please call 9-1-1.
For more support and help, visit our mental health webpage.

It is imperative that everyone in Ottawa practice physical distancing and avoid groups to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Visit the Government of Canada's website for more information. To report a mass gathering, please contact 311 for assistance.

April 6, 2020

City extends current COVID-19-related facility closures and suspension of in-person services until June 30

Ottawa – To continue our efforts to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus, the City of Ottawa is extending the closure of all City-managed facilities and the suspension of in-person services until June 30, 2020.

The closures of the City-managed facilities include:

All recreation and cultural facilities – including recreation complexes, community centres, arenas, swimming pools, theatres, and museums
Public access to administrative buildings, including City Hall
All City parks and amenities: ball diamonds, courts, skateboard parks, play equipment and play structures, enclosed dog-park areas, and sports fields (including those at City recreation facilities)
Ottawa Public Library facilities – including the bookmobile
City-managed public spaces at Lansdowne – including the parks, Aberdeen Pavilion and Horticulture building

The City will also continue to suspend in-person services, which include:

Temporary closure of all City client service centres
The Provincial Offences Act courthouse, located at 100 Constellation Drive, Nepean, will be closed until May 29, 2020 (to be reassessed thereafter)
The closure of licensed childcare centres, including municipal childcare centres, and EarlyON Child and Family Centre
Building Code Services counters
Rooming house inspections
Taxi inspections
All hearings for the Animal Control Tribunal and the Property Standards and License Appeals Committee
Interior noise meter readings between 7 am and 11 pm
The Spay/Neuter Clinic at 26 Concourse Gate – clients with previously scheduled appointments will be contacted to reschedule for a later date
The Business Licensing Centre at 735 Industrial Avenue
All front counter services for business licenses will be suspended. Clients can call 3-1-1
The Chief Licensing Inspector will also exercise delegated authority to extend renewal dates to be implemented for licensing categories expiring in March and April (to be reassessed thereafter)

The altering of some services will also continue:

Complaints for unauthorized parking on private property will now require new electronic procedures for proof of authority.
Only interior Property Standards complaints where immediate health and safety risks exist, or a vital services complaint, will be reviewed.
Ontario Works claimants do not need to drop off any documents, including income reporting statements. Those documents can be given the case worker at a later date.
People cannot visit the Employment and Social Services offices. They can apply by phone or online. Offices are operating on reduced hours, weekdays from 10 am to 3 pm.

Acquiring services or doing transactions online or by phone
While our counter services remain suspended, residents can acquire some services and complete payments and registrations online or by phone.
Residents can go to myservice.ottawa.ca to pay water bills and your interim property taxes. If you do not have an account, registration is simple – just sign-up with your email address. Once registered, you’ll need your account or property roll number to pay your bill.

City bills have other payment options besides the myservice.ottawa.ca accounts, which include:

Paying by credit or debit card online at ottawa.ca
Paying through your financial institution by creating a payee number on your institution’s mobile app or through an ATM machine
Paying by phone with your financial institution
Sending by mail

Residents can access many other services online as well. You do not need to come in-person to a Client Service Centre if you want to:

Register or renew a pet registration
Apply or renew an open air fire permit - Reminder - A city-wide burn ban has been placed by Ottawa Fire Services since April 1. All open-air fires are prohibited in the City of Ottawa until the ban is lifted.
Pay a parking or traffic ticket
Look up extension or reopening applications
Apply for a Food Premise Business License
Sign up for future recreation programs
Load and manage a Presto Card

Council and committee meetings
Adhering to the Province’s direction of limiting any gatherings to five people or less, in-person Committee and Council meetings have been cancelled. Such meetings, as warranted, will be held electronically until further notice.
You can watch the live City Council meetings on the Ottawa City Council YouTube page. The meetings will also be broadcast live on RogersTV Cable 22 and live streamed on the RogersTV website.

Be sure to visit ottawa.ca/covid19 or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656) for complete and up-to-date information on closures, impacted services, and support and services. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The City of Ottawa thanks all residents and businesses for their patience, kindness and resilience in doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. We are a community pulling together by staying apart.

_______________________________________________________

Le 6 avril 2020

La Ville prolonge jusqu’au 30 juin les fermetures d’installations et la suspension des services en personne liés à la COVID-19.

Ottawa – Pour poursuivre nos efforts visant à aplatir la courbe du virus de la COVID-19, la Ville d’Ottawa prolonge jusqu’au 30 juin 2020 la fermeture de toutes les installations gérées par la Ville et la suspension des services en personne.

Les fermetures des installations gérées par la Ville comprennent :

Toutes les installations récréatives et culturelles, y compris les complexes récréatifs, les centres communautaires, les arénas, les piscines, les théâtres et les musées
L’accès public aux bâtiments administratifs, y compris l’Hôtel de Ville
Tous les parcs et équipements de la Ville : terrains de balle, terrains de jeu, planchodromes, équipement de jeu et structures de jeu, aires de parc à chiens fermées et terrains de sport (y compris ceux situés dans les installations récréatives de la ville)
Les installations de la Bibliothèque publique d’Ottawa – y compris le bibliobus
Espaces publics gérés par la ville au parc Lansdowne – y compris les parcs, le pavillon Aberdeen et l’Édifice de l’horticulture

La Ville continuera également de suspendre les services en personne qui comprend :

La fermeture temporaire de tous les centres de services à la clientèle de la Ville
Le palais de justice en vertu de la Loi sur les infractions provinciales, situé au 100, promenade Constellation, à Nepean, sera fermé jusqu’au 29 mai 2020 (qui seront réévaluées par la suite)
La fermeture des garderies agréées, y compris les garderies municipales et le Centre pour l’enfant et la famille ON y va
Les comptoirs pour les Services du code du bâtiment
Les inspections des maisons de chambres
Les inspections des taxis
Toutes les audiences du Tribunal de contrôle des animaux et le Comité d’appel des permis et des normes foncières
Les lectures des appareils pour mesurer le bruit à l’intérieur entre 7 h et 23 h
La clinique de stérilisation au 26, Concourse Gate – les clients qui ont déjà planifié des rendez-vous seront contactés pour replanifier leur rendez-vous à une date ultérieure
Le Centre de permis d’entreprise au 735, avenue Industrial
Tous les services directs au comptoir pour les permis d’entreprise seront suspendus. Les clients peuvent appeler le 3-1-1
L’inspecteur en chef des permis exercera également le pouvoir délégué de prolonger les dates de renouvellement qui seront mises en œuvre pour les catégories de permis expirant en mars et en avril (qui seront réévaluées par la suite)

La modification de certains services se poursuivra également :

Les plaintes relatives au stationnement non autorisé sur des propriétés privées nécessiteront désormais de nouvelles procédures électroniques pour la preuve d’autorité.
Seules les plaintes intérieures relatives aux normes foncières qui comportent des risques immédiats pour la santé et la sécurité, ou une plainte relative à des services essentiels, seront examinées.
Les prestataires d’Ontario au travail n’ont pas à déposer de documents, y compris les états de déclaration de revenus. Ces documents peuvent être remis au travailleur social à une date ultérieure.
Les gens ne peuvent pas visiter les bureaux d’Emploi et services sociaux. Ils peuvent faire une demande par téléphone ou en ligne. Les bureaux fonctionnent à des heures réduites en semaine de 10 h à 15 h.

Obtenir des services ou effectuer des transactions en ligne ou par téléphone
Bien que nos services au comptoir demeurent suspendus, les résidents peuvent acquérir certains services et effectuer les paiements et les inscriptions en ligne ou par téléphone.
Les résidents peuvent se rendre à https://myservice.ottawa.ca/profile/account/login?lang=fr pour payer les factures d’eau et vos impôts fonciers provisoires. Si vous n’avez pas de compte, l’inscription est simple – il vous suffit de vous inscrire avec votre courriel. Une fois inscrit, vous aurez besoin de votre numéro de compte ou numéro du rôle pour payer votre facture.

Les factures de la ville ont d’autres modes de paiement en plus des comptes myservice.ottawa.ca, qui comprennent :

Payer par carte de crédit ou de débit en ligne à ottawa.ca
Payer par l’intermédiaire de votre institution financière en créant un numéro de payeur sur l’application mobile de votre institution ou par l’intermédiaire d’un guichet automatique
Payer par téléphone avec votre institution financière
Envoyer votre paiement par la poste

Les résidents peuvent également accéder à de nombreux autres services en ligne. Vous n’avez pas besoin de vous rendre en personne dans un centre de service à la clientèle pour :

Enregistrer ou renouveler l’enregistrement d’un animal de compagnie
Demander ou renouveler un permis de feu en plein air – Rappel - Le 1er avril, le Service des incendies d’Ottawa a émis un avis d’interdiction de faire des feux dans toute la ville. Tous les feux en plein air sont donc interdits tant que cette interdiction est en vigueur.
Payer une contravention de stationnement ou une contravention pour infraction au Code de la route
Rechercher les demandes de prolongation ou de réouverture
Demander un permis d’entreprise pour les services d’alimentation
S’inscrire à de futurs programmes de loisirs
Charger et gérer une carte Presto

Réunions du Conseil et du comité
Conformément au décret de la province limitant les rassemblements à cinq personnes ou moins, les réunions du comité et du conseil en personne ont été annulées. Ces réunions, le cas échéant, auront lieu par voie électronique jusqu’à nouvel ordre.

(9:20 AM) RT – OPH
Not sure if we've mentioned this before, but your hands can carry lots of germs. Touching your face without first cleaning your hands may let germs into your body. We can all help limit the spread of #COVID19 by practicing proper hand washing technique: http://OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Germs https://twitter.com/ottawahealth/status/1245676846345326594
Vos mains sont un grand porteur de germes. Se toucher les yeux/nez/bouche sans se laver les mains avant peut laisser entrer des germes. Nous pouvons limiter la propagation de #COVID19 en pratiquant la bonne technique de lavage des mains: http://SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/Germes https://twitter.com/ottawasante/status/1245679894178258944

(12:56 PM) RT – ByLaw
Make the right call. Here is who you should contact to report violations of the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and the Federal Quarantine Act. Details: https://tinyurl.com/qvte9mr #OttNews #OttCity https://twitter.com/OttawaBylaw/status/1246063226611261441
Composez le bon numéro! Vous trouverez ci-dessous le numéro que vous devez composer pour signaler toute infraction à la Loi sur la protection civile et la gestion des situations d’urgence de l’Ontario et la Loi sur la mise en quarantaine. Détails: https://tinyurl.com/rofreqp https://twitter.com/RegMunicip_Ott/status/1246063712320081921

(4:15 PM) Child-care Services (Image: Update)
#OttCity will be offering provincially funded emergency child-care services for essential and critical service workers at no cost to families. Find out more and apply today: https://ottawa.ca/en/news/emergency-child-care-services-essential-workers
#OttVille offrira des services de garde d’urgence financés par la province aux personnes travaillant dans des services essentiels et critiques, sans aucuns frais pour les familles. Pour en savoir plus et présenter une demande dès aujourd’hui : https://ottawa.ca/fr/nouvelles/services-de-garde-denfants-durgence-pour-les-travailleurs-essentiels

(5 PM) Thank You
We've said it once and we'll say it again #OttCity! THANK YOU! To all our workers on the front lines and to those practicing #PhysicalDistancing at home, thank you for your patience and all of your hard work! We will #PlankTheCurve together!

#OttVille, nous tenons une fois de plus à REMERCIER nos travailleurs de première ligne et tous ceux qui pratiquent la #DistanciationPhysique à la maison de leur patience et beau travail! #AplatirLaCourbe

Latest News, Updates, and Information:

Ottawa Public Library - Update
Further to the Province of Ontario’s extension of closures for public spaces, including public libraries, I would like to inform you that Ottawa Public Library branches will remain closed until April 13, pending further directions from the Province and City.
Plans are being developed to communicate the extended closure to customers and the community.
Ottawa Public Library remains committed to providing online services to everyone in our community, and as such we will be launching live online storytime, starting tomorrow, April 2.

Highlights: Human Needs Task Force Update - March 31, 2020
Support For the Community:
• Food Security

o Happening now: Community partners are delivering food hampers, hot meals and groceries to seniors and at-risk residents throughout the city, including in the rural areas. Anyone who needs food can call 211.

o Next Steps: The City is assessing food security needs in anticipation of future funding.
• Outreach to Isolated and Vulnerable Residents

o Happening now: Seniors and at-risk residents are receiving wellness phone calls, including the 1,451 residents on the OCH emergency contact list. Options Bytown, Salus and Aging in Place are also calling their tenants for wellness checks.

o Next Steps: The City and community partners will be starting door-to-door wellness checks very soon, starting in West Carleton. The City is joining community partners on a one-stop, bilingual information portal that will support access to grocery and pharmacy delivery, transportation to essential medical appointments, telephone safety checks and Meals on Wheels for isolated seniors, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable residents. The Task Force is looking to find solutions to support those neighbours facing the most barriers – those with no phone, no computer, no internet, limited connectivity and/or peer supports.
• Urgent Transportation

o Happening now: The Champlain Community Support Network agencies are providing transportation to medical appointments and grocery and food pickup for those with financial, transportation, health or mobility challenges.
• Shelter and Homelessness Support

Happening now: Housing Services, Ottawa Inner City Health, local hospitals, shelter providers, housing support services and Ottawa Public Health are working together to ensure suspected COVID-19 cases within the shelter system are quickly assessed, isolated and supported.
▪ Singles: The City is working with single shelter providers to identify space suitable to reduce the overcrowding in the shelter system and to move those most at risk. The City opened the Routier Community Centre as an Isolation Centre on Monday, March 23 to provide space and on-site services for homeless, single men and women who need to self-isolate.

▪ Families: To promote physical distancing in the City’s family shelter system, the City is finding new hotel spaces with kitchen and laundry facilities for families, with 53 additional hotel rooms secured to date. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our family shelter or off-site services (hotels and motels), and staff have identified places where families can isolate, should the need arise. There are two alternate spaces for this purpose available immediately and a third alternate space will be available in two weeks.

▪ Youth: The Youth Services Bureau is working with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario to set-up isolation space for youth between the ages of 16 and 18.

o Next Steps: The City is monitoring the situation at the Routier Community Centre while planning for additional self isolation capacity requirements. The City has secured 29 units with uOttawa that will be operational in the coming week as isolation space for families. Housing Services is waiting for confirmation from the province on an increased, one-time allocation under the Community Homelessness Prevention Program (CHPI) to support, in part, households at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, as a result of COVID-19.
• COVID-19 Related Income Supports and Impact on Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI)/Social Housing

o Happening now: There are a number of financial support programs for low-income people and those on social assistance listed in the memo. The changes to Ontario Works have already been implemented, including expanded discretionary benefits to deal with the effects of COVID-19. There are new protections for RGI tenants during COVID-19, and staff are working with housing providers to be sure the protections are understood and implemented.
Support For Community Partners:

o The City of Ottawa, United Way and Community Foundation of Ottawa are aligning funding envelopes to coordinate funding to non-profit organizations, where it is needed most and jointly funding Volunteer Ottawa as a one-stop shop for volunteer recruitment, training and placement, to enable a focused approach to addressing the priority need for volunteers in key agencies and across the community.

o The City will work closely with the United Way to support allocation of the recently announced federal funding to assist seniors through this crisis.

o The City has advised the agencies that receive community funding that we will continue to provide funds for the balance of the year to help address the drastic reductions in both donations and volunteers, as well as:

o Dedicating the 2020 budget envelope ($299,000) of unallocated funds set aside to address extraordinary, unexpected contingencies that may arise to support non-profit agencies to respond to critical needs during the COVID-19 situation, address unforeseen emergencies and maintain essential operations where possible;

o Putting the One-Time Non-Renewable Community Project Fund Allocation Process on hold. Decisions will be made about Project Funding when the crisis resolves or when more information is available about emerging needs and the impact of the crisis on the community sector; and

o Postponing the new Community Funding Framework implementation until January 2022. No changes to existing funding with community agencies will occur in 2021. Staff will present a revised timeline to Council in the coming months.

o The federal government announced $1.65 million in new funding through the Reaching Home program to help Ottawa’s homelessness sector cover pandemic-related expenses. The City has worked with agencies in the housing and homelessness sector to identify and prioritize their most critical needs and allocated the $1.65 million to 50 agencies to cover extraordinary expenses related to COVID-19 over the next six to eight weeks, including funding for additional staffing, cleaning supplies, food, transportation and IT equipment. Housing and homelessness agencies have been notified of their allocation and should receive their funding by Friday, April 3.

o The federal government announced additional funding of $157.5 million under the Reaching Home program to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. The City has been notified that our 2020-2021 funding allocation will be $4.8 million under Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to Support People Experiencing and At Risk of Homelessness to complement the $1.65 million received through Reaching Home for 2019-2020.

OPH has release this link for any updates for COVID-19 cases in Ottawa

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/la-maladie-coronavirus-covid-19.aspx#Ottawa-COVID-19-Case-Details

April 1st, 2020

Important information regarding park closure - Here is what you can and can't do in parks.

Here are a couple of examples of signs to be installed in city of Ottawa parks

March 30, 2020

City launches application for property tax relief for those financially impacted by COVID-19

Ottawa – The City has now implemented an interim property tax payment grace period and a new 2020 Property Tax Hardship Deferral Plan to help many residents and businesses who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grace period for interim property tax payment
With the interim property taxes mailed out in mid-February, the City extended a grace period to Wednesday, April 15, with no late payment applied between the original March 19 deadline and the new date for those unable to make payment by the due date. The interim property tax bill covers 50 per cent of the entire property tax bill.

New 2020 Interim Property Tax Hardship Deferral Program
The City has also established a 2020 Interim Property Tax Hardship Deferral Program for qualifying residents, as well as businesses that have an assessed property value of up to $7.5 million – which captures 91 per cent of all commercial properties in Ottawa. The program extends both the interim property tax deadline (March 19) and the final property tax deadline (June 18) to Friday, October 30, 2020.

To qualify, your account would need to have been paid up to date before the interim tax installment. The application deadline is July 31, 2020.

The application form, as well as other qualifying criteria and program information, is available on ottawa.ca/taxrelief.

View, Print and Payment options
Ottawa residents can sign up for paperless billing for property tax and water bills. This is a secure website where you can manage, view, print and pay your bills online. It is free to set up, easy to use and provides residents access to their account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit ottawa.ca for more information.

Residents have several payment options for property tax and water bills that can be done from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

My Service Ottawa portal
Telephone and online banking through their financial institution
Debit or credit payment online at ottawa.ca
Pre-authorized debit
Mail

For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, visit ottawa.ca/covid19 or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Le 30 mars 2020

La Ville lance le programme d’allègement de l’impôt foncier pour les résidents touchés financièrement par la COVID-19

Ottawa – La Ville a maintenant mis en œuvre un délai de grâce pour le paiement de la facture provisoire d'impôt foncier et un nouveau Programme 2020 de report du paiement des impôts fonciers en cas de difficultés afin d'aider les nombreux résidents et entreprises financièrement touchés par la pandémie de COVID-19.

Délai de grâce pour le paiement de la facture provisoire d'impôt foncier
La facture provisoire d'impôt foncier ayant été envoyée à la mi-février, la Ville a mis en œuvre un délai de grâce jusqu'au mercredi 15 avril, sans pénalité pour paiement tardif entre la date limite initiale du 19 mars et la nouvelle date, pour ceux qui sont incapables de faire le paiement à la date d'échéance. La facture provisoire d'impôt foncier représente 50 % de la facture globale d'impôt foncier.

Nouveau Programme 2020 de report du paiement des impôts fonciers en cas de difficultés
La Ville a également établi un Programme 2020 de report du paiement des impôts fonciers en cas de difficultés pour les résidents admissibles ainsi que pour les entreprises ayant une propriété dont la valeur foncière est évaluée jusqu'à 7,5 millions de dollars, ce qui représente 91 % de toutes les propriétés commerciales à Ottawa. Le programme prolonge la date limite de la facture provisoire d'impôt foncier (le 19 mars) et de la facture finale d'impôt foncier (le 18 juin) jusqu'au vendredi 30 octobre 2020.

Pour être admissible, un compte doit avoir été payé à jour avant le versement de l’acompte provisionnel. La date limite pour soumettre une demande est le 31 juillet 2020.

Le formulaire de demande ainsi que d'autres critères d'admissibilité et des renseignements sur le programme sont disponibles sur ottawa.ca/allegementimpotfoncier.

Afficher, imprimer et options de paiement
Les résidents d’Ottawa peuvent s’inscrire à la facturation sans papier de l'impôt foncier et des services d’eau. Il s’agit d’un site Web sécuritaire à partir duquel vous pouvez gérer, consulter, imprimer et payer vos factures. L'inscription est gratuite, c'est facile à utiliser, et les résidents et entreprises peuvent accéder à l'information sur leur compte 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur sept. Visitez ottawa.ca pour de plus amples informations.

Les résidents ont plusieurs options pour payer leur facture d'impôt foncier et leur facture d’eau dans le confort de leur domicile et en toute sécurité.

Portail Mon ServiceOttawa
Services bancaires par téléphone et en ligne par l’intermédiaire de leur établissement financier
Paiement par carte de crédit ou de débit en ligne sur Ottawa.ca
Prélèvement automatique
Par la poste

Pour obtenir des renseignements à jour sur la pandémie de COVID-19 à Ottawa, visitez le site ottawa.ca/covid19, ou composez le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-9656). Vous pouvez aussi communiquer avec nous sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

March 30th, 2020

Effective immediately, in order to keep the pubic safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ottawa Bylaw officers will be monitoring and enforcing calls about groups of people in parks, using park facilities, gatherings of more than five people in public or private homes, restaurants that continue to offer dine-in service and any non-essential retail businesses staying open.

Anyone who witnesses any of these issues should call 3-1-1. While Bylaw officers will be approaching these issues with the main goal of educating people, as time goes on, fines of up to $100,000 for individuals, $500,000 for a director of a corporation or $10 million for a corporation itself will be issued.

Bylaw will be working with the Ottawa Police to answer these calls and enforce quarantine orders. Complaints about quarantine orders can be reported to the non-urgent Ottawa Police line at 613-236-1222 ext. 7502.

For more information, check Ottawa.ca

March 30, 2020

City accepting donations of personal protective equipment for its COVID-19 response

Ottawa – The City has launched a formal donation process for businesses and residents to donate commercial-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect our emergency responders and front-line workers supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response.This formal donation process has been established in response to the many residents and businesses who have contacted the City through many channels with donation offerings.

The PPE supplies must be commercial-grade and in its original packaging. These items include, but are not limited to:

N95 masks (1870+ or 1805)
Surgical masks
Procedural masks
Face shields
Gloves
Protective gowns
Protective goggles and glasses
Hand sanitizers
Disinfectant wipes

Homemade personal protective equipment will not be accepted.

To donate, we ask interested businesses and residents to email donations@ottawa.ca and provide information on the items and quantities. The City will review donations offered and arrange with you for a drop-off or pick-up of the items.

The City is also in constant communication with The Ottawa Hospital, which is collecting, processing and storing all donated medical equipment, to help supply the many front-line healthcare staff across the Eastern Ontario region who are responding to the pandemic. You can contact The Ottawa Hospital at COVIDdonations@toh.ca.

How you can help other community agencies and charities
Many community agencies, non-profit organizations and charities are also working to help our community through this COVID-19 pandemic, especially our community’s vulnerable people in need of support. You can contact the agencies with donation of items and monetary contributions.

For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, visit ottawa.ca/covid19 or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Le 30 mars 2020

La Ville accepte des dons d’équipement de protection individuelle dans le cadre de son intervention dans le dossier COVID‑19

Ottawa – La Ville a lancé un processus officiel de dons destinés aux entreprises et aux résidents pour qu’ils fassent don d’équipement de protection individuelle (EPI) de qualité commerciale afin de protéger nos intervenants d’urgence et nos travailleurs de première ligne qui soutiennent l’intervention pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.

Ce processus officiel de don a été établi en réponse aux nombreux résidents et entreprises qui ont communiqué avec la Ville au moyen de nombreux canaux afin de lui offrir des dons.

L’équipement doit être de qualité commerciale et contenus dans leur emballage d’origine. Ces articles comprennent :

les masques N95 (1870+ ou 1805)
les masques chirurgicaux
les masques de procédure
les écrans faciaux
les gants
les robes de protection
les lunettes de protection
les désinfectant pour les mains
les lingettes désinfectantes

Les équipements de protection individuelle faits maison ne seront pas acceptés.

Pour faire un don, nous demandons aux entreprises et aux résidents intéressés d’envoyer un courriel à donations@ottawa.ca et de fournir des renseignements sur les articles et les quantités. La Ville examinera les offres de dons et prendra des dispositions avec vous en ce qui concerne le dépôt ou le retrait des articles.

La Ville est également en communication constante avec l’Hôpital d’Ottawa, qui recueille, traite et entrepose tout l’équipement médical offert pour aider à fournir les nombreux employés de la santé de première ligne de la région de l’Est de l’Ontario qui interviennent au cours de la pandémie. Vous pouvez communiquer avec l’Hôpital d’Ottawa à COVIDdonations@toh.ca .

Comment aider les autres organismes communautaires et de bienfaisance
De plus, de nombreux organismes communautaires, organismes sans but lucratif et organismes de bienfaisance s’efforcent également d’aider notre collectivité à faire face à cette pandémie de COVID-19, en particulier les personnes vulnérables de notre collectivité qui ont besoin d’aide. Vous pouvez communiquer avec les organismes en leur faisant des dons d’articles et des contributions monétaires.

Pour obtenir des renseignements à jour sur la pandémie de COVID-19 à Ottawa, visitez le site ottawa.ca/covid19, ou composez le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-9656). Vous pouvez aussi communiquer avec nous sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

City Park Usage during the COVID-19 Pandemic

We have been contacted by residents asking questions regarding park usage. The below is the latest information we have from Ottawa Public Health. As we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic a reminder that while public parks are great for your physical and mental well-being, you still must maintain physical distancing.

The city of Ottawa is asking that you avoid using playground equipment, and activities involving teams/groups is not permitted at this time.

Playground equipment includes: Play structures, swings, slides, climbers, adult fitness stations, benches and picnic tables.
Park equipment is not being cleaned at this time and could potentially spread the virus.
Amenities such as basketball courts and skate parks are also not to be used at this time.

While I understand that these safety precautions aren’t the easiest to follow at the moment, they are needed to ensure we try to stop the spread of the virus in our communities. Feel free to continue to jog, walk, bike in any of Kanata South’s many parks, as long as you practice safe physical distancing.

While I personally understand how challenging this can be for parents and grandparents with younger children, we need to do this for their safety as well as our own.

For up to date information regarding the Covid-19 virus, please visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca

March 26, 2020

City launches Buy Local promotional campaign and web page to support Ottawa’s small businesses

Ottawa – In partnership with its Economic Partners Taskforce, the City of Ottawa today launched the first phase of an online promotional campaign to help local businesses during these challenging times.

The campaign encourages residents to support their favourite small businesses by taking immediate and concrete steps now:

Buy from local businesses online.
Purchase gift cards from local businesses to use later.
Order delivery or takeout from area restaurants.
Send local businesses messages of support on social media.

These actions will help local shops, restaurants and services by providing them with critical income during this challenging period.

The campaign includes targeted ads that will reach residents on several online platforms over the coming weeks and direct them to ottawa.ca/buylocal. There, residents will find links to sites listing businesses serving customers virtually or providing takeout and meal delivery.

The City is also launching a web page on ottawa.ca to provide businesses with access to essential information and support programs. The page will have links to provincial and federal assistance programs, as well as details on measures offered by the City to help businesses in the coming weeks and months. This includes the property tax deferral and other relief measures that Council approved at its meeting on March 25.

Quotes
“Ottawa is a caring community and clearly recognizes the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our small businesses, their owners and employees. These shops, restaurants and services are the foundation of our local economy. Any support residents can provide during these challenging times will help businesses continue to operate online and keep staff employed.”
-Mayor Jim Watson, Chair of the Economic Partners Task Force

“The Economic Partners Task Force includes several of Ottawa’s key business organizations that are assisting the City in identifying emerging issues impacting the local economy and opportunities to help our small business community. Their contributions will help create momentum as we move to the economic recovery phase. In the meantime, the City and our economic partners are committed to doing whatever we can to support our local businesses in this time of need.”
-Councillor Eli El-Chantiry, Co-Chair of the Economic Partners Task Force and Council Liaison to Ottawa’s Business Improvement Areas

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

___________________________________________________

Le 26 mars 2020

La Ville lance une campagne publicitaire faisant la promotion des achats locaux et une page Web pour appuyer les petites entreprises d’Ottawa

Ottawa – En partenariat avec le Groupe de travail des partenaires économiques, la Ville d’Ottawa a lancé aujourd’hui la première phase d’une campagne publicitaire en ligne visant à aider les entreprises locales en ces temps difficiles.

La campagne encourage les résidents à soutenir leurs petites entreprises favorites en prenant immédiatement des mesures concrètes :

acheter en ligne auprès d’entreprises locales;
acheter des cartes-cadeaux auprès d’entreprises locales qui pourront être utilisées plus tard;
faire livrer par des restaurants locaux ou aller à leur comptoir pour emporter;
envoyer aux entreprises locales des messages de soutien sur les médias sociaux.

Ces mesures aideront les magasins, les restaurants et les services locaux en leur procurant des revenus critiques pendant cette période difficile.

La campagne comprend des publicités ciblées qui joindront les résidents sur plusieurs plateformes en ligne au cours des prochaines semaines et les dirigeront vers ottawa.ca/acheterlocal. Les résidents y trouveront des liens vers des sites qui répertorient les entreprises qui servent leurs clients virtuellement ou qui fournissent des plats et des repas pour emporter.

La Ville lance également une page Web sur ottawa.ca pour donner aux entreprises l’accès à des renseignements essentiels et de programmes de soutien. La page comprend des liens vers les programmes d’aide provinciaux et fédéraux, ainsi que des détails sur les mesures offertes par la Ville pour aider les entreprises au cours des prochaines semaines et des prochains mois. Ces renseignements comprennent le report de l’impôt foncier et les autres mesures d’allègement que le Conseil a approuvé à sa réunion du 25 mars.

Citations
« Ottawa est une collectivité bienveillante et reconnaît clairement les répercussions de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur nos petites entreprises, leurs propriétaires et employés. Ces magasins, restaurants et services sont le fondement de notre économie locale. Tout soutien que les résidents peuvent apporter en ces temps difficiles aidera les entreprises à continuer à exercer leurs activités en ligne et leur personnel à conserver leur emploi. »

- Le maire Jim Watson, président du Groupe de travail des partenaires économiques

« Le Groupe de travail des partenaires économiques comprend plusieurs des principales associations d’entreprises d’Ottawa qui aident la Ville à cerner les nouveaux enjeux qui ont une incidence sur l’économie locale et les possibilités d’aider notre communauté de petites entreprises. Leurs contributions contribueront à donner un élan au fur et à mesure que nous approcherons de la phase de reprise économique. Entre-temps, la Ville et nos partenaires économiques sont résolus à faire tout ce qu’ils peuvent pour soutenir nos entreprises locales en cette période difficile. »

- Le conseiller Eli El-Chantiry, coprésident du Groupe de travail des partenaires économiques et agent de liaison avec la Coalition des zones d’amélioration commerciale d’Ottawa.

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur les programmes et les services de la Ville, visitez le site, à ottawa.ca, ou composez le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-2401). Vous pouvez aussi entrer en contact avec nous sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

March 25th, 2020

Mayor Watson declares state of emergency for Ottawa due to COVID-19

Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson today declared a state of emergency for the City of Ottawa due to the spread of COVID-19 in Ottawa. This aligns with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s announcement on Monday, March 23 that he is expanding Ontario’s state of emergency to shut down all non-essential services.

Declaring a state of emergency will help the City deploy its emergency operations and staff in a more nimble fashion. It will also enable a more flexible procurement process, which will help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders as it becomes available in the coming weeks.

Ottawa Public Health now has laboratory confirmation of the community spread of COVID-19 in Ottawa. We are also starting to see cases among health care workers who have not traveled or been a close contact of a confirmed case. Ottawa Public Health recommends all residents practise physical (social) distancing or self-isolate, if applicable, to help stop the spread of the virus. Information about laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 is available on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus.

Following the declaration, the City formally requested the Province of Ontario to give the City flexibility to manage movement of staff, to redeploy resources, to support essential services and to be adaptable as this situation continues to evolve rapidly.

The most current information will be shared with residents on ottawa.ca and the City’s social media channels. Ottawa Public Health will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 in Ottawa on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus.

What you can do

If you have respiratory symptoms, such as a fever or cough:

You must self-isolate for 14 days, or 24 hours after your symptoms have fully resolved, whichever is longer.
You must not leave your home.
If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, please visit your nearest emergency department.

If you are returning from travel:

You must self-isolate for 14 days. Do not go to community settings, including the grocery store. If you need groceries or other essential items, have a family member, friend or neighbour get them for you and leave the items at your door.
If you have respiratory symptoms, follow the guidance in the section above.
If you do not have symptoms, practice physical (social) distancing as outlined below.

All Ottawa residents, except those listed above, should:

Practice physical (social) distancing.
- Household contacts (people you live with) do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or have travelled within the past 14 days.
Avoid all non-essential trips in the community.
Cancel all group gatherings.
Connect via phone, video chat or social media instead of in person.
Talk to your employer about working from home, if possible.
Avoid visiting elderly friends or relatives unless the visit is essential.
Avoid crowds and maintain a distance of two metres from other people when you go outside, like to take a walk.

For more information about City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

__________________________________________________________________
Le 25 mars 2020

Le maire Watson déclare l’état d’urgence à Ottawa en raison de la COVID-19

Ottawa – Aujourd’hui, le maire Jim Watson a déclaré que la Ville d’Ottawa est en état d’urgence en raison de la propagation de COVID-19 à Ottawa. Il donne ainsi suite à la décision du premier ministre de l’Ontario Doug Ford qui, le lundi 23 mars, a décrété l’état d’urgence pour fermer tous les services non essentiels de la province.

La déclaration de l’état d’urgence permettra à la Ville de déployer plus prestement ses opérations d’urgence et son personnel. Le processus d’approvisionnement sera également plus flexible, ce qui favorisera l’achat de l’équipement dont les travailleurs de première ligne et les premiers intervenants auront besoin, au fur et à mesure de sa disponibilité au cours des prochaines semaines.

Santé publique Ottawa a obtenu confirmation en laboratoire de la propagation de COVID-19 dans les collectivités d’Ottawa. De plus, de nouveaux cas sont apparus chez les travailleurs de la santé qui ont contracté la maladie sans avoir voyagé ni avoir été en contact direct avec un cas confirmé. Santé publique Ottawa recommande à tous les résidents de pratiquer la distanciation physique (sociale) ou l'auto-isolement, le cas échéant, pour aider à arrêter la propagation du virus. Des informations sur les cas de COVID-19 confirmés en laboratoire sont disponibles sur le site SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/CoronavirusFR.

Après la déclaration, la Ville a officiellement demandé à la province de l’Ontario de lui donner une certaine flexibilité pour faciliter le roulement du personnel, redéployer les ressources, appuyer les services essentiels et s’adapter à l’évolution rapide de la situation.

Les renseignements les plus récents seront communiqués aux résidents sur ottawa.ca et dans les médias sociaux de la Ville. Santé publique Ottawa continuera de fournir des mises à jour sur la COVID-19 à Ottawa, sur le site santepubliqueottawa.ca.

Voici ce que vous pouvez faire

Pour les personnes présentant des symptômes respiratoires, tels que fièvre ou toux :

Vous devez vous isoler pendant 14 jours ou 24 heures après la disparition complète des symptômes, la période la plus longue étant retenue.
Vous ne devez pas quitter votre domicile.
Si vos symptômes s'aggravent au point de ne plus pouvoir être pris en charge à domicile, veuillez vous rendre au service des urgences le plus proche.

Pour les personnes qui reviennent d'un voyage :

Vous devez vous isoler pendant 14 jours. N'allez pas dans des lieux communautaires, y compris à l'épicerie. Si vous avez besoin de provisions ou d'autres articles essentiels, demandez à un membre de votre famille, à un ami ou à un voisin de le faire pour vous et laissez les articles à la porte.
Si vous avez des symptômes respiratoires, suivez les conseils de la section ci-dessus.
Si vous ne présentez pas de symptômes, pratiquez une distanciation physique (sociale) – voir ci-dessous.

Pour tous les résidents d'Ottawa, sauf ceux énumérés ci-dessus :

Pratiquez la distanciation physique (sociale).
Évitez tous les déplacements non essentiels dans la communauté.
- Les membres du ménage (les personnes avec lesquelles vous vivez) n'ont pas besoin de s'éloigner les uns des autres, sauf s'ils sont malades ou ont voyagé au cours des 14 derniers jours.
Annulez tous les rassemblements de groupes.
Se connecter par téléphone, chat vidéo ou médias sociaux plutôt qu'en personne.
Parlez à votre employeur du travail à domicile (si possible).
Évitez de rendre visite à des amis ou à des parents âgés, sauf si la visite est indispensable.
Vous pouvez aller dehors (par exemple – pour faire une promenade). Pendant que vous êtes dehors, évitez les foules et maintenez une distance de deux mètres par rapport à votre entourage.

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur les programmes et services de la Ville, veuillez consulter le site ottawa.ca ou composer le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-2401). Vous pouvez également communiquer avec nous sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

Province to revise electricity rates during COVID-19 pandemic

Today, the provincial government announced its decision to suspend winter Time-of-Use electricity pricing and periods. Effective immediately, Ontario electricity customers will pay only the off-peak rate (10.1 cents/kWh) for the electricity they consume. During this 45-day period, farms, small businesses and residential customers will not be billed at on-peak (20.8 cents/kWh) or mid-peak (14.4 cents/kWh) rates.

The estimated impact on the average monthly residential bill is $16.13 (or $24.20 over the 45-day period), but will depend on a customer’s total consumption and consumption behaviours.

The estimated impact on the average monthly small business bill, for RPP customers with a monthly consumption of 10,000 kWh could see a reduction of $308 on a monthly bill (or $462 over the 45-day period).

As per my March 16 email to you, Hydro Ottawa has been working closely with the Ontario Energy Board and Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, to address customer concerns about managing electricity costs; including championing this as a possibility.

I applaud this decision by the Ontario government to provide customers with further relief during this challenging time. Moving to off-peak rates is the right thing to do to help our community focus on what’s important – and that’s staying safe and staying at home.

As you know, Hydro Ottawa has already taken pro-active measures to support customers, including:

• Extending the provincial winter disconnection ban scheduled to end on April 30, 2020, by an additional three months (July 31, 2020) for all residential and commercial customers;

• Suspending all collection actions until July 31, 2020;

• Offering flexible payment plans in order to provide customers with more time to pay outstanding balances on their account if needed; and

• Reminding customers experiencing financial hardship that we offer several financial assistance programs, including emergency relief.

Ottawa Public Health has just added a new page to their website displaying all the confirmed cases in Ottawa and all the indeterminate cases. The link to the page can be found below.

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/la-maladie-coronavirus-covid-19.aspx#Ottawa-COVID-19-Case-Details

Dear residents of the City of Ottawa,

The past week has seen a very quick escalation from all levels of government in response to the COVID-19 situation. I want to publicly respond to a few common questions and concerns to help provide clarity on our approach at the local level.

As a reminder, please visit our website OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus for local information about COVID-19, including assessment and testing in Ottawa, self-isolation and social distancing. Due to high call volumes please try to not call unless you have read the website first.

Testing and Assessment
The present goals of testing for COVID-19 are to detect the virus in our community and also limit the spread of the virus. Lab testing helps us estimate cases in the community. For each laboratory-confirmed case related to travel, there is a likelihood that at least an equal number of travel-related cases are undetected. Based on current confirmed cases, whose onset of illness is in the past, there could potentially be anywhere between 200 to 1000 undetected causes in the community now. We do not yet have laboratory-confirmed community spread, though we do see cases giving rise to cases in close contacts. With this information, I am communicating to all people in Ottawa that we need to act as if the virus is here, circulating in our community.

The testing isn’t able to track down each case in our community because the mild illness the majority of people experience is not distinguishable from common colds and we cannot test large numbers. Having a COVID-19 test result or not does not change the actions that individuals in the community need to take – if ill with a respiratory illness, stay home – and for all of us, now is the time to limit our interactions with others as much as possible.

The current COVID-19 testing provides a pulse check and helps us make decisions about our next steps to control the spread of COVID-19. It also helps limit spread COVID-19 by the highest risk cases. Self-isolation and social distancing are effective strategies for slowing the spread at the community level.

Check our website to learn more about when to self-isolate and when to go for testing: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus. You do not need a referral from Ottawa Public Health to get tested for COVID-19. At a high level:

·       If you are a return traveler (including travel to the United States of America) OR have MILD symptoms – you MUST self-isolate. Most people with MILD symptoms will recover at home with no issues. You are helping limit the spread of the virus by staying at home.

·       For now (this may change), our priority is to test people with escalating symptoms AND travel history within 14 days OR close contact with someone with COVID-19.

·       We are also prioritizing ruling out COVID-19 in workers, such as health-care workers or Long-Term Care Homes.

In the future, the goals of COVID-19 testing are likely to shift towards being used to limit outbreaks in settings of high risk. The focus of testing would turn to health care and essential workers, hospitalized patients, long-term care homes, correctional facilities and other situations where the result is helpful to direct public health actions.

Social Distancing
Social distancing refers to creating physical distance between ourselves so that we can limit the spread of the virus. Social distancing by all is IMPERATIVE to limit transmission in the community, to protect vulnerable populations and outbreaks in institutions. We must “flatten the curve” so we don’t see spikes in cases. By this, I mean that we want to slow down transmission of the virus and lessen the number of cases in the community that happen at the same time, so that our health system continues to work properly. Having a sharp increase of cases in a small timeframe will overload our healthcare resources and have more severe impacts on our community. Social distancing is important for everyone at this time, but especially important for our older adult community (55+). Do NOT gather in groups of 10 or more. Practice social distancing. Social distancing does not mean emotional distancing. Check in with others by phone or other technology. Check in with yourself. It’s ok not to be ok. Please know that help is available, and we encourage you to reach out to Distress Centre of Ottawa to connect with someone at 613-238-3311 if needed.

Case Management and Privacy
We have received many questions from people who feel they are at risk, including many people expressing concern about being in the same location as someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who may have symptoms of COVID-19.

I would like to clarify a few points:

·       Given the transmission of COVID-19, we are all at risk. Social distancing, proper hand hygiene, not touching your face and self-isolation (when directed) are the best ways to reduce your personal risk at this time.

·       A close contact of a case of COVID-19, is someone who has lived with, provided care for, or spent longer periods of time with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.Case and contact management if a role of public health to help identify who may have been in close contact with a confirmed case. Ottawa Public Health will contact you directly if you have been identified as a close contact.

·       OPH works closely with each confirmed case of COVID-19 to create a list of close contacts that require follow-up. If you have been contacted by Ottawa Public Health, follow the advice provided to you by the nurse.

·       If you have not been contacted by Ottawa Public Health, please do not assume that you are a close contact. Continue to take social distancing and other precautions and, if needed based on the guidance on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus, follow self-isolation or testing directions.

Regarding privacy, Ottawa Public Health will not comment about any specifics around an individual case of COVID-19. We encourage others to not pursue this information unless an individual issues their own statement to this effect. Ottawa Public Health will contact you directly if you are a close contact.

The reportable information that we are required to share with the Ministry of Health:

·       Patient age and gender
·       Transmission (community, travel or close contact)
·       Status (self-isolating, hospitalized, etc.)

Fraud concerns
I have been made aware that certain residents have received a phone call asking for credit card information from Ottawa Public Health (OPH). OPH (or any health unit) will not ask you for credit card information. Do not give your credit card information out if you receive a call or message similar to this. Fraudulent activity during a situation like this is deplorable. I encourage you to report it to Ottawa Police Services.

Gratitude
Thank you to all residents of the City of Ottawa for your ongoing patience and cooperation. We are all in this together, and we need everyone to do their part- whether providing an essential service or staying inside – to be able to slow the curve and protect our health system.

Dr. Vera Etches
Medical Officer of Health
Ottawa Public Health

March 18, 2020

City staff proposes property tax relief package for residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19

Ottawa – City staff will be tabling an interim property tax payment grace period and new 2020 property tax deferral for Council approval on March 25, or at the earliest available opportunity, that will help small businesses and residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grace period for interim property tax payment

With the interim property taxes mailed out in mid-February, the City will grant property owners a grace period for payment – late payment penalty will not be applied during the current March 19 deadline to Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The interim property tax bill covers 50 per cent of the entire property tax bill.

Property owners who are enrolled in the pre-authorization debit plan are not affected by the grace period and requires no action on their part.

New 2020 Interim Property Tax Hardship Deferral Program

In response to the financial impact of the uncertainty of this evolving COVID-19 pandemic, a new 2020 Property Tax Hardship Deferral program is being developed to assist affected small businesses with an assessed property value of up to $ 2.5 million, as well as residents. The program will extend the interim property and final property tax deadlines of March 19 and June 18, respectively, to Friday, October 30, 2020.

To qualify, an account would need to have been paid up-to-date before the interim tax installment.

The application and more details on the program and other qualifying criteria will be available on ottawa.ca after it has been approved by Council – which convenes on March 25.

Water service disconnections suspended

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has suspended all water disconnections due to non-payment until further notice.

Existing deferral and grant programs

In addition to the COVID-19 program, the City has existing deferral and grant programs in place.

Deferral of property taxes and water bills for low-income seniors and low-income people with disabilities

The City has existing property tax and water bill deferral programs for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Under these programs, eligible homeowners can apply for partial or full deferral of their annual property taxes and a deferral of their water utility bills.
Applying for these programs can be done online via email. Details of the program and eligibility is available on ottawa.ca

Farm Grant Program

This relief program for hard working farmers allows eligible farm property owners to move the deadline of the final property tax payment to December 8, 2020. Details of eligibility and the program can be found on ottawa.ca.

Payment options
Residents have several payment options for property tax and water bills that can be done from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

My Service Ottawa portal
Telephone and online banking through their financial institution
Debit or credit payment online at ottawa.ca
Pre-authorized debit
Mail

For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, visit ottawa.ca/covid19 or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Changes to City services to help prevent spread of COVID-19

Ottawa – In response to the Government of Ontario’s emergency declaration, and to help protect the public from COVID-19, the City of Ottawa is making changes to in-person services as of Tuesday, March 17.

Emergency and essential services will continue to protect and serve the needs of all residents in Ottawa. In order to help practice social distancing to limit community spread of COVID-19, all in-person and non-essential City services are closed until further notice.

Services that can be offered remotely (by phone, e-mail, mail or online) will be maintained. Some in-person services are available in a reduced or altered capacity. Transit remains open, and OC Transpo continues to offer customer service online and by phone. Please check our list of services to find out how to access City services.
Essential and emergency services continue
The City will continue to resource essential services, such as:

Emergency first responders, including fire, paramedics and public health staff
Front line communications for 9-1-1 emergency services, Ottawa Public Health, Revenue, and 3-1-1 call centres
Social assistance services
Key assets, public works and operations, including water services, road and traffic services and snow clearing
Frontline workers who serve our most vulnerable in the community, including long-term care
Transit services
Garbage and recycling collection
By-law Service
Fire investigations and inspections for complaints and licenses
Community Paramedic program

All on-street overtime parking, signed or unsigned, will no longer be enforced on residential streets until further notice. Other parking restrictions remain in effect, such as No Stopping, No Parking, Fire Route, Accessible Parking, hydrants, sidewalks to maintain emergency access and traffic flow.

Online services continue on ottawa.ca, some in-person services operating on reduced or altered services

The City continues to provide services online on ottawa.ca and myservice.ottawa.ca, where you can pay bills and property taxes. If you are unable to access City services online, please call 3-1-1 so we can assist you.

Some City services that are normally available in-person are operating remotely at reduced or altered capacity. Please check our list of services, or call 3-1-1 to find out about alternative means of accessing City services.

Transit is open, but practice preventive measures
When using public transit, protect yourself and others by taking these steps:

Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hand.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
When possible, consider social distancing (ideally two metres).
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, before you touch your eyes, nose or mouth and as soon as possible when you reach your destination.

Government of Ontario declaration of emergency closures
The government of Ontario has declared an emergency, under which the following establishments are legally required to close immediately:

Facilities providing indoor recreational programs
Public libraries
Private schools as defined in the Education Act
Licensed childcare centres
Bar and live entertainment venues
Restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery
Theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies

Provincial Offences Act Courthouse Services Closure (100 Constellation Drive)
All Provincial Offences Act matters scheduled from Monday, March 16 to Friday, April 3, inclusive, will be adjourned and rescheduled for a later date. Anyone scheduled during this period does not need to attend court and a new notice will be sent by mail to the address on file with a new court date. Online ticket payment will remain available on ottawa.ca.

Visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus to find out how to protect yourself, what to do if you’re sick after you travel, and how to recognize possible symptoms with the new COVID-19 self-assessment tool.

This is an evolving situation and the City will share the most current information on ottawa.ca and the City’s social media channels. Ottawa Public Health will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 in Ottawa on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus.

For more information about City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

_________________________________________________

Changements apportés aux services de la Ville afin d’aider à prévenir la propagation de la COVID-19

Ottawa – En réponse à la déclaration de la situation d’urgence par le gouvernement de l’Ontario et afin d’aider à protéger le public de la COVID-19, la Ville d’Ottawa apporte des changements aux services en personne à compter du mardi 17 mars. Les services d’urgence et essentiels seront maintenus pour protéger tous les résidents d’Ottawa et répondre à leurs besoins. Afin d’aider à pratiquer la distanciation sociale pour limiter la propagation dans la collectivité de la COVID-19, tous les services en personne et non essentiels de la Ville sont fermés jusqu’à l’indication du contraire.

Les services qui peuvent être offerts à distance (par téléphone, par courriel ou en ligne) seront maintenus. Certains services en personne seront disponibles dans une capacité réduite ou modifiée. Le transport en commun demeure ouvert et OC Transpo continue d’offrir le service à la clientèle en ligne ou par téléphone. Veuillez consulter notre liste des services pour connaître comment avoir accès aux services de la Ville.
Services essentiels et d’urgence maintenus
La Ville continuera de fournir des services essentiels tels que les suivants :

les premiers intervenants d’urgence, y compris le personnel d’incendie, les ambulanciers paramédicaux et le personnel de la santé publique;
les communications de première ligne pour les services d’urgence 9-1-1, Santé publique Ottawa, Services des recettes et les centres d’appels 3-1-1;
les services d’aide sociale;
les biens, les travaux publics et les activités clés, y compris les services d’eau, les services routiers et de la circulation et le déneigement;
les travailleurs de première ligne qui servent les plus vulnérables dans la collectivité, y compris les soins de longue durée;
les services de transport en commun;
la collecte des déchets et des matières recyclables;
les services d’application de règlements;
l’intervention médicale d’urgence;
les enquêtes des plaintes au sujet des ambulanciers paramédicaux;
le programme des ambulanciers paramédicaux communautaires.

Tout surstationnement dans les rues, avec ou sans panneau, ne sera plus appliqué sur les rues résidentielles jusqu’à l’indication du contraire. Les autres restrictions sur le stationnement demeurent en vigueur, comme les arrêts interdits, les stationnements interdits, les voies d’incendie, le stationnement accessible, les bornes d’incendie et les trottoirs pour maintenir l’accès d’urgence et assurer la circulation du trafic.

Les services en ligne seront maintenus sur ottawa.ca; certains services en personne sont maintenus, offrant des services réduits ou modifiés
La Ville continue de fournir des services en ligne sur ottawa.ca et monservice.ottawa.ca, où vous pouvez payer vos facteurs et vos impôts fonciers. Si vous n’êtes pas en mesure d’utiliser les services en ligne de la Ville, appelez le 3-1-1 afin que nous puissions vous aider.

Certains services de la Ville normalement disponibles en personne sont offerts à distance sous une capacité réduite ou modifiée. Veuillez consulter notreliste de services ou appeler le 3-1-1 pour apprendre au sujet des autres façons d’utiliser les services de la Ville.

Le transport en commun est accessible, mais appliquez les mesures préventives
Lorsque vous utilisez le transport en commun, protégez-vous et les autres en prenant les mesures suivantes :

couvrez votre toux et vos éternuements avec un mouchoir ou votre manche, pas vos mains;
évitez de toucher vos yeux, votre nez et votre bouche;
dans la mesure du possible, considérez la distanciation sociale (idéalement deux mètres);
lavez soigneusement vos mains avec du savon et de l’eau, ou utilisez un désinfectant, avant de toucher vos yeux, votre nez ou votre bouche et dès que possible lorsque vous atteignez votre destination.

Déclaration des fermetures d’urgence par le gouvernement de l’Ontario
Le gouvernement de l’Ontario a déclaré une situation d’urgence, ce qui signifie que les établissements ont l’obligation légale de fermer immédiatement :

les établissements qui offrent des programmes récréatifs en salle;
les bibliothèques publiques;
les écoles privées telles que définies dans la Loi sur l’éducation;
les garderies agréées;
les bars et les lieux de divertissement;
les restaurants, sauf dans la mesure où ces établissements proposent des plats à emporter et la livraison à domicile;
les théâtres, y compris ceux qui proposent des spectacles de musique, de danse et d’autres formes artistiques, ainsi que les cinémas qui diffusent des films.

Services du palais de justice concernant la Loi sur les infractions provinciales (100, promenade Constellation)
Toutes les questions relatives à la Loi sur les infractions provinciales prévues du lundi 16 mars au vendredi 3 avril, inclusivement, seront ajournées et reportées à une date ultérieure. Quiconque devant se présenter au cours de cette période n’a pas à se présenter à la cour et un nouvel avis sera envoyé par la poste à l’adresse au dossier avec une nouvelle date d’audience. Le paiement des contraventions en ligne demeurera disponible sur ottawa.ca.

Visitez Ontario.ca/coronavirus pour savoir comment vous protéger, ce qu’il faut faire si vous êtes malades après avoir voyagé et comment reconnaître les symptômes possibles à l’aide du nouvel outil d’auto-évaluation de la COVID-19.

Il s’agit d’une situation en évolution et la Ville diffusera les renseignements les plus récents sur ottawa.ca et les canaux des médias sociaux de la Ville. Santé publique Ottawa continuera de fournir des mises à jour sur le COVID-19 à Ottawa sur SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/coronavirus.

Pour en savoir plus au sujet des programmes et des services de la Ville, visitez ottawa.ca ou appelez le 3-1-1 (TTY : 613-580-9656). Vous pouvez également nous joindre sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

COVID-19 - Recommendations from the Provincial Government

On March 16, 2020, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Ministry of Health, has now advised cancelling events or gatherings over 50 people because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also advised the following establishments should close temporarily (until further notice):

Recreation programs
Libraries
Churches and other faith settings
In person dine-in restaurants and bars - NOTE: except for food establishments that offer take out and/or delivery services
All childcare centres, licensed home childcare and Early ON Child and Family centres

Other establishments also strongly recommended by Ottawa Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Vera Etches, include:

Nightclubs and after-hours bars
Movie Theatres
Concert and indoor live-entertainment venues

On March 15th, 2020 Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health, urges people to cancel events of all sizes and limit unimportant trips out of their homes, in order to reduce transmission. In accordance with that, the following information should be used to properly assess the risks associated with any gatherings when the limitations have been lifted.
In accordance with that, the following information should be used to properly assess the risks associated with any gatherings of LESS than 50 people.

Large gatherings (e.g., planned or spontaneous large events) are all different, having unique factors such as population attending the event, crowd density, and geographic location, which can affect the spread of illnesses at an event. Therefore, on a case-by-case basis, event organizers and planners should consider health risk factors below when deciding about hosting, postponing, or cancelling mass gatherings during the COVID-19 outbreak. These risk factors can also be found in the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak guideline.

In addition to routine infection prevention and control best practices to prevent the spread of germs (e.g., regular cleaning of surfaces, hand washing stations, increased access to hand sanitizer, coughing into sleeve, not touching one’s face), it is recommended that event planners and organizers take extra precautions to decrease the potential spread of COVID-19.
Extra precautions could include:

reducing the number of participants or changing the venue to prevent crowding;
staggering arrivals and departures;
providing packaged refreshments instead of a buffet;
increasing access to handwashing stations;
promoting personal protective practices (hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, staying home if ill);
offering virtual or live-streamed activities; and
changing the event program to reduce high risk activities such as those that require physical contact between participants.

If these steps are not possible, organizers may decide to cancel or postpone an event based on PHAC’s Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak guideline.
Since mass gathering events, their settings, and participants/attendees are generally unique, the advice varies regarding which measures should be implemented. The following risk considerations related to the event, the disease and the environment/setting are provided support when inform decision-making.
The risk considerations are at the following link.

As you are all aware, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve rapidly and we will do our best to keep you updated. Ottawa Public Health is currently recommending that everyone increase their practices of social distancing. Social distancing involves taking steps to limit the number of people you come into close contact with by avoiding any non-essential trips in the community and maintaining a distance of 1-2 meters from other people as much as possible.

Given these recommendations, my office staff will be working remotely for the time being. Our office phones will be forwarded and there will be no disruption in service to residents. If you do call and do get the machine, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible 613-580-2752. I can always be reached via email as well Allan.Hubley@Ottawa.ca and I will continue to post updates on social media as well as my website www.CouncillorAllanHubley.ca .

For additional information on Covid-19, please visit ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus

City recreation and cultural facilities and libraries closed to help prevent spread of COVID-19

Ottawa – All City of Ottawa recreation and cultural facilities and Ottawa Public Library branches are closed starting today, Monday, March 16, until further notice. This is based on the Ministry of Health’s guidance to limit mass gatherings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

All recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centers, arenas, swimming pools, theatres and museums are closed. Rental fees will be refunded automatically.
All Active Ottawa Actif fitness memberships will be extended automatically for the duration the facility is closed, beginning Monday, March 16.
City programs, including March break camps and fitness classes, are cancelled. Program fees will be refunded automatically.
Performances at the Shenkman and Meridian Theatres are cancelled.

The following City facilities and services are open at this time:

Client service centres
Ottawa City Hall
City-run daycares, with increased COVID-19 screening for children

This is an evolving situation and the most current information will be shared with residents on ottawa.ca and the City’s social media channels. Ottawa Public Health will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 in Ottawa on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus.

What you can do

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing or difficulty breathing, please stay home and do not take public transit. If you are told to self-isolate, please follow Ottawa Public Health’s instructions and the advice of the federal and provincial governments.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. To reduce the spread of germs, please:

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, unless you have just cleaned your hands.
Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or the inside of your arm, not your hand.
If you are stick, stay home if possible and avoid vising people in hospitals and long-term care homes.
If you haven’t already, get your flu shot as the flu virus is still circulating in the community.

For more information about City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

City to close recreation and cultural facilities, and libraries to help prevent spread of COVID-19 in Ottawa

Ottawa – The City of Ottawa is closing all City-managed recreation and cultural facilities, and all Ottawa Public Library branches, based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Health’s guidance to limit mass gatherings. These proactive measures are being taken as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Staying ahead of the curve will require us to work together – the City and you – to help stop the spread in our communities.

All recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centers, arenas, swimming pools, theatres and museums will be closed, effective Monday, March 16.
City programs, including March break camps and fitness classes, will also be cancelled, starting Monday, as will performances at the Shenkman and Meridian Theatres. There is no need for ticketholders to call 3-1-1 as tickets will be refunded automatically. Programming and rental fee refunds will also be processed automatically. All other inquiries can be sent by email to 123go@ottawa.ca.
All Client Service Centres and City Hall will remain open.

The City of Ottawa will be providing regular updates through on ottawa.ca and through our social media channels. Ottawa Public Health will also continue to provide updates related to COVID-19 in Ottawa on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus. This is an evolving situation and the most current information will be shared with the public through all official City channels.

Ottawa now has confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa. To date, all have been related to international travel. In addition to preventive measures that you can take at home, at work and in public settings, here are some steps your City is taking to limit the impact in Ottawa.

What the City is doing

Service Ottawa - The City is taking steps to help prevent the spread of the virus in our facilities. You can go on to myservice.ottawa.ca to pay your water bills and your interim property taxes. If you do not have an account, registration is simple – you can sign up with your email address. Once registered, you’ll need your account or property roll number to pay your bill.

City bills have other payment options besides the myservice.ottawa.ca accounts, which include:

Paying by credit or debit card online at ottawa.ca
Paying through your financial institution by creating a payee number on your institution’s mobile app or through an ATM machine

Residents can access many other services online as well. You do not need to come in person to a Client Service Centre if you want to:

Register or renew a pet registration
Apply or renew open air fire permit
Pay a parking or traffic ticket
Look up extension or reopening applications
Apply for a Food Premise Business License
Sign up for future recreation programs
Load up and manage a Presto Card

Long-term care facilities
Seniors are vulnerable for serious and life-threatening complications from COVID-19. An extensive screening process has been instituted in our long-term care facilities. Any visitors or staff who may be feeling ill, been in contact with anyone not feeling well, or recently travelled outside of Canada, should not visit the centres – to protect your loved ones and their fellow residents.

More extensive cleaning and sanitizing procedures at City facilities
The City has increased its cleaning and sanitizing processes in our facilities – allowing us to continue with programming over the weekend. For the safety of our employees and residents, please avoid entering our facilities and Client Service Centres if you are sick or not feeling well.

Public consultation meetings
In-person City of Ottawa public consultations will be cancelled – including for the Ward Boundary Review and the Community Safety and Well-being Plan. You can still participate in consultations by completing online surveys at engage.ottawa.ca.

Committee and Council Meetings
The City is also working to limit the number of Committee meetings. If agendas are updated, information will be available on ottawa.ca.

Provincial Offences Act court appearances
If you have a scheduled court appearance at Mary Pitt Centre, 100 Constellation Drive, but you are showing symptoms, please call 3-1-1 before your court time to receive further directions.

What you can do
If you are showing symptoms, please avoid taking public transit.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) we recommend that you:
·       Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
·       Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands
·       Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
·       If possible, stay home if you are sick
·       Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick
·       It is still recommended to get your flu shot if you haven’t already as the flu virus is still circulating in the community

For additional medical information, visit ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus.

Ottawa’s first COVID-19 Assessment Centre opens today

Ottawa – Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is taking proactive measures in the COVID-19 response by partnering with The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO to open a COVID-19 Assessment Centre. The arena will be used exclusively for the purpose of COVID-19 assessments and testing.

The first COVID-19 Assessment Centre opens today at noon at the Brewer Arena, located at 151 Brewer Way. The facility will be open from 9 am to 8 pm, daily. Additional COVID-19 Assessment Centres may open later as needed.

The centre will be operated in collaboration with The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO — serving the larger public health needs of Ottawa. It will provide assessment and testing for children and adults.

The Assessment Centre is for individuals who have:

Returned from international travel AND are displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, including:
- fever and/or
- new or worsening cough

Had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days AND are displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, including:
- fever and/or
- new or worsening cough

Do not bring well children or other healthy members of the community (e.g. friends, neighbours, drivers) into the Assessment Centre.

All City of Ottawa community-based and recreational activities are redirected from Brewer Arena to other locations. The only residents using the arena will be those seeking assessments. This will ensure there is no cross-contact between facility users and those who are requesting assessments. There is no risk to the surrounding community. Currently, Brewer Pool remains open.

For more coronavirus (COVID-19) information, visit ottawapublichealth.ca or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Novel Coronavirus Update

The below is the latest update I have received from Ottawa public health. I will post updates here as I receive them. If you have questions please visit OPH’s webpage OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus or call the OPH Information Centre at 613-580-6744.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has become aware of a second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ottawa, which is unrelated to the first case confirmed on March 11.

OPH continues to work closely with local hospitals, health care partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and national partners to monitor and detect any cases of COVID-19 in the community.
Future updates on positive cases in Ottawa will be posted on OPH’s website here after the Ministry of Health posts their notices of new cases each day.

OPH is continually monitoring and assessing the situation in Ottawa and will continue to follow the lead of the Ontario Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada in responding to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), with a focus on keeping the people of Ottawa well.

The public health sector is very aware of the strain that the pandemic will place on communities and the healthcare sector and they are actively considering the appropriate time to implement stronger measures related to self-distancing, among other approaches.
OPH will continue to conduct the necessary follow-up with any potential close contacts of cases identified in Ottawa with the goal of breaking transmission in our community.

They continue to encourage residents to take the necessary steps to protect themselves by:

Washing their hands often with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available;
Avoiding hand-to-face contact – particularly their eyes, nose, and mouth - unless they have just washed their hands;
Covering their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their arm, not their hands;
Staying home if they are ill; and
Maintaining a distance of about 2 meters or more if they encounter someone who is ill or who appears to be ill.

OPH also continues to encourage residents and community leaders to visit and refer people to OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus to ensure they are accessing factual, reliable and up-to-date information.
Other credible sources of information include:

Ottawa Public Health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ottawahealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottawahealth/
Web: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus

Ontario Ministry of Health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ONThealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONThealth/
Web: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

Health Canada / Public Health Agency of Canada

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GovCanHealth

I can assure you that all levels of public health agencies in Canada are monitoring the situation closely, working collaboratively, and regularly updating guidelines and protocols based on the currently available scientific evidence and expert opinion - including travel advisories, screening protocols, and guidelines for self-isolation and/or quarantine. OPH are also actively working with local partners to ensure Ottawa is ready to respond in the event of an increase in the number of confirmed cases in our community.

Get involved in review of ward boundaries and equal representation

Ottawa – The City encourages you to participate in the Ward Boundary Review 2020, either through the online public engagement survey at ottawa.ca/wardboundary or through any of the nine public consultations taking place between Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, April 1.

In June 2019, City Council directed staff to retain an independent consultant to conduct a comprehensive review and establish the city’s ward boundaries that could be used in at least the 2022, 2026 and 2030 municipal elections. Beate Bowron Etcetera Inc., in association with The Davidson Group and Hemson Consulting Ltd., will lead the review and ensure an objective and impartial process.

The last major ward boundary review was conducted 15 years ago, and Ottawa’s population has grown significantly since – especially in suburban wards. There are now significant population imbalances between wards that could affect fair and equal representation for you, the voter. That’s why it is important to get involved and have your say.

There will be two rounds of public consultation. Round one is underway, collecting your input on existing ward boundaries. Once the first phase is finished, the consultant team will prepare an information report that will set out options for revised ward boundaries, to be considered this spring by the Finance and Economic Development Committee and City Council. Round two will be later this year, and will seek opinions and feedback on those ward boundary options.

How to participate

Getting involved is easy and convenient. You can provide your input as part of round one either from the comfort of your own home by completing a survey or submitting comments at ottawa.ca/wardboundary, or by attending one of the following consultation sessions:

Tuesday, March 10
Ben Franklin Place – 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Wednesday March 11
St-Laurent Complex – 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Tuesday, March 24
Richcraft Recreation Complex – Kanata – 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Wednesday, March 25
Minto Recreation Complex – 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Thursday, March 26
Shenkman Arts Centre – 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Saturday, March 28
Manotick Community Centre – 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Monday, March 30
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre – 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Tuesday, March 31
City Hall – 3 to 5 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Wednesday, April 1
CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn – 7:30 to 9:30 pm

You can get more ward boundary review information at ottawa.ca/wardboundary or by calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). Inquiries and comments can also be sent to wardboundary@ottawa.ca. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Participez à l'examen des limites de quartiers et de la représentation égale

Ottawa – La Ville vous encourage à participer à l'examen des limites de quartiers de 2020 par le biais du sondage en ligne sur l'engagement du public à ottawa.ca/limitesquartiers ou de l'une des neuf consultations publiques qui auront lieu entre le mardi 10 mars et le mercredi 1er avril.

En juin 2019, le Conseil municipal a demandé au personnel de retenir les services d'un consultant indépendant pour effectuer un examen complet et déterminer les limites des quartiers de la ville qui pourraient être utilisées au moins lors des élections municipales de 2022, 2026 et 2030. Beate Bowron Etcetera Inc., en association avec The Davidson Group et Hemson Consulting Ltd., dirigera l'examen et assurera un processus objectif et impartial.

Le dernier examen important des limites de quartiers remonte à il y a 15 ans, et la population d’Ottawa a augmenté considérablement depuis, surtout dans les quartiers suburbains. Il y a maintenant un important déséquilibre démographique entre les quartiers qui pourrait nuire à une représentation juste et égale pour vous, l'électeur. Voilà pourquoi c'est important de participer et de donner votre avis.

Il y aura deux séries de consultations publiques. La première série est en cours, recueillant vos commentaires sur les limites de quartiers actuelles. Une fois la première phase terminée, l'équipe de consultants préparera un rapport d'information qui établira des options pour les limites de quartiers révisées aux fins d'examen par le Comité des finances et du développement économique et le Conseil municipal au printemps. La deuxième série aura lieu plus tard cette année et cherchera à obtenir des avis et des commentaires sur ces options relatives aux limites de quartiers.

Comment participer

C'est facile et pratique de participer. Vous pouvez fournir vos commentaires dans le cadre de la première série depuis votre domicile en répondant à un sondage, en soumettant des commentaires à ottawa.ca/limitesquartiers ou en participant à l'une des séances de consultation suivantes :

Le mardi 10 mars
Place-Ben-Franklin – de 19 h 30 à 21 h 30

Le mercredi 11 mars
Complexe St-Laurent – de 19 h 30 à 21 h 30

Le mardi 24 mars
Complexe récréatif Richcraft – de 19 h 30 à 21 h 30

Le mercredi 25 mars
Complexe récréatif Minto – de 19 h 30 à 21 h 30

Le jeudi 26 mars
Centre des arts Shenkman – de 19 h 30 à 21 h 30

Le samedi 28 mars
Centre communautaire Manotick – de 10 h 30 à 12 h 30

Le lundi 30 mars
Centre récréatif Jim-Durrell – de 19 h 30 à 21 h 30

Le mardi 31 mars

Hôtel de ville – de 15 h à 17 h et de 18 h 30 à 20 h 30

Le mercredi 1 er avril
Complexe récréatif CARDELREC Goulbourn – de 19 h 30 à 21 h 30

Il vous est possible d’obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur l’Examen des limites de quartiers d’Ottawa en consultant la page ottawa.ca/limitesquartiers ou en composant le 3-1-1 (ATS : 613-580-2401). Vous pouvez également envoyer vos questions et vos commentaires à l’adresse limitesquartiers@ottawa.ca, ou communiquer avez nous sur Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT / MESSAGE D’INTÉRÊT PUBLIC

More parking options available to residents during winter weather parking bans

Friday, February 21 – The City of Ottawa now provides free parking during winter weather parking bans at select parking spots at these Park and Ride locations:

Riverview Park and Ride (map)
Innovation Park and Ride (map)
Chapel Hill Park and Ride (map)
Nepean Woods Park and Ride (map)

When a winter weather parking ban is called, residents will be allowed to park their vehicles in designated parking spaces at these OC Transpo Park and Rides. This is in addition to free parking already offered overnight during parking bans at select parking garages.

The four locations were chosen as they have additional capacity to provide this service without impacting transit customers. The locations will be monitored throughout the remainder of the winter.

During a winter weather parking ban, residents are reminded that there is no parking on city streets so that crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a winter weather parking ban may be ticketed and towed. On-street parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction. Follow us on Twitter @ottawacity or sign up at ottawa.ca to received updates on when a winter weather parking ban will be in effect.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

February 7, 2020

Winter Operations Update #2

The Roads Crews continue to clear priority roads, sidewalks and the winter cycling network. They have been clearing snow and salting, but as the snow is still falling, roads and sidewalks are not yet bare.

As of lunch time, all of the crews are also working in residential areas. Crews will be out all evening continuing the residential work, as well as keeping those priority routes clear. Overnight, teams will continue to work on removing build-up at intersections, bus stops and other known areas of concern.

We will be lifting the Winter Weather Parking ban at 7 pm this evening, Friday, February 7, 2020. Full notice will be provided to the media, social media and to alert subscribers.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as our Roads Crews work to keep the roads, sidewalks and cycling network safe for residents.

February 7, 2020

Winter Roads Operations Update

City crews were out overnight clearing our main roads, sidewalks and cycling networks, as well as arterials. Roads and sidewalks have been cleared and salted throughout the night, but with the accumulation we saw, they will still be snow covered and slushy. Residents should expect a slow commute this morning. Blowing snow may be an issue in some areas, and residents are reminded to drive to the conditions of the road.

The daytime teams will be taking over shortly, and they will continue to clear our main and arterial roadways and sidewalks before moving into our residential areas. Residents can expect to see crews in their local communities throughout the day.

The night crews will be back in this evening to finish clearing the residential communities and to continue with their clean-up of roadways, sidewalks, cycling lanes, bus stop and intersections.

How can Residents Support our Winter Operations?

A reminder to residents that a Winter Weather Parking Ban is in effect as of 7 am this morning, and cars parked on the road will be subject to ticketing. There is currently no end time set for the Winter Weather Parking Ban, but I will be providing an update on the status of the ban later this afternoon.

For residents putting out recycle bins and waste today, please keep your bins in the driveway and not on the sidewalks or snow banks. Properly placed bins mean that crews can clear roads and sidewalks more efficiently and effectively.

It is not necessary to create a service request for snow clearing at this time. All available resources are currently on the road working. Thank you.

As you know, the City of Ottawa is under a special weather statement. Environment Canada is predicting freezing rain, ice pellets and snow Saturday into Sunday.

Weather Information

Precipitation is expected to begin as rain or drizzle this morning and will change to freezing rain, ice pellets or snow Saturday morning into afternoon. Freezing rain, ice pellets or snow will continue Saturday night before coming to an end Sunday morning. Ice accumulation or build up is likely for areas that receive mostly freezing rain.

There is still considerable uncertainty as to the conditions that we will see as small fluctuations in temperature can significantly change the type of precipitation we receive.

Preparing for Conditions

City staff have been monitoring conditions and proactively taking steps to prepare. Staff worked throughout the day yesterday to proactively clear ice and snow from catch basins (grates) and to clean up sidewalks and roadways. This proactive work will continue throughout the day today.

As the precipitation falls, staff are ready to respond. Supervisors have been out patrolling roads and monitoring conditions throughout the night and will continue monitoring their areas all weekend.

In the event of water pooling and excessive rainfall, staff will use the appropriate equipment to keep water flowing by opening catch basins. In icy conditions, salt trucks, combos and sidewalk machines will be deployed to treat roadways and sidewalks.

How Can Residents Help?

Those residents who are able are encouraged to ensure their local catch basin is open and able to accept water. Catch basins can be located by looking for the yellow “T” on the road. A video demonstrating how to clear a catch basin can be viewed on the City’s social media accounts.

In some areas of the City, inlet control devices are used to control the amount of water flowing into the stormwater system during a heavy rainfall. As such, some pooling may occur. Residents who see water that is still pooling on their road 24 hours after the rainfall are encourage to create an online request so that staff can review the area.

If you witness a blocked catch basin causing pooling, please report it online.

With the changing weather conditions predicted, there will likely be many different kinds of vehicles on the road. A reminder to residents to give operators the space they need to complete their work, and to drive to the conditions of the road.

As always, if you can avoid parking on the road during a weather event please do so. This will help staff to complete our work more efficiently.

If a Winter Weather Parking Ban is required, residents will be notified by e-alert, can follow the City’s social media or visit Ottawa.ca for more information.

Please join me for my 10th Annual International Women's Day Event! This year we have a couple of inspirational local business owners who will be sharing their stories with us.

We will also have some great vendors showcasing their goods along with prizes, refreshments and fun!

Looking forward to seeing you - Please bring a friend!

2020 Enbridge Winterlude Kickoff Pancake Breakfast

November 29, 2019

Update on the dedicated bus R1 replacement fleet

I am writing to provide an update regarding the 20 dedicated buses for R1 replacement service. The buses will be in operation and staffed as of this coming Monday, December 2. The buses are being staged at the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Baseball Stadium.

As you will recall, the purpose of this dedicated fleet of buses is to allow OC Transpo to provide R1 replacement bus service to supplement the Confederation Line, should there be problems with the train service, without drawing from buses assigned to regular routes. This results in more rapid deployment of R1 service when needed and more reliable bus service overall. As you can see from the picture below, the buses are clearly marked as being part of the R1 bus replacement service, which will help customers to identify them when deployed.

This dedicated fleet is one of the many innovations and improvements OC Transpo is providing in stations and throughout the transit network to improve service to our customers and keep our city moving. We thank our customers, members of Council and the Transit Commission for their constructive feedback as we work through this period of transition towards a true multi-modal transportation system. We continue to post regular reports of the work being done to improve Confederation Line service here on the O-Line.

Woodlot Rehabilitation Program Phase 2

Following the removal of ash trees impacted by Emerald Ash Borer from this woodlot, and subsequent reforestation work, tending and planting operations are now required to ensure successful rehabilitation of the forest.

These operations will include the removal and treatment of invasive plants and other competing species to allow for existing and planted native trees to succeed. Please note, where trails run through the treatment areas, it may be necessary to close the public access for a short period of time while the treatment takes place. Signs will be posted on site to identify these areas that will be temporarily closed to park users. Signs will include provincially regulated information about
pesticide use, treatment timing and contact. For your safety, please do not enter the parks or pathways where signs are posted. Brush piles created through mechanical removal of vegetation will be removed following the completion of operations.

The tending and planting of saplings will start in mid-October, weather permitting. Typical reforestation species include: red, sugar, and silver maple, bitternut hickory, blue-beech, burr and red oak, poplar species, white pine, white spruce, hemlock, balsam fir, larch, dogwood, and alder species.

To learn more about the Emerald Ash Borer or the City’s EAB Strategy, please visit:
https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/water-and-environment/trees-and-communityforests/protection/emerald-ash-borer

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Woodlot Rehabilitation Program, please contact Nancy Young at nancy.young@ottawa.ca or call 311.

Dogs in Parks

In the City of Ottawa, dogs must be on-leash and under control at all times, unless they are on private property or in a designated off-leash area.
Parks can provide a pleasant and safe environment in which to exercise dogs. Safety for other park users is also a consideration however. The Animal Care and Control By-law provides for a variety of park usages or "designations" for dogs (below) and there is a Dogs-in-Parks Designation Policy (DIPDP) that applies.

Dogs Allowed: Dogs may be off leash
Dogs on Leash: Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times
No Dogs: Dogs are not permitted

Some parks may be subject to a mixed designation meaning that one part of the park may designate differently than another. Other parks may have time restrictions during which dogs are prohibited, due to the proximity of community centres or other such facilities.

There are, however, standard rules that apply to all parks regardless of geographic location within the City of Ottawa. Dogs must always be under the control of their handler, even if a leash is not required. Signs are posted to inform the public of whether dogs are prohibited or if they must be leashed. In addition, dogs are prohibited from being within five (5) meters of all children's play areas and pools.
In addition, the Animal Care and Control By-law requires dog owners to clean up their pet’s waste.
You may visit Ottawa.ca to find your closest off-leash park.

Temporary Water Pressure Changes – Eagleson Rd. Watermain Condition Assessment

City staff will be isolating a section of watermain along Eagleson Rd. between Stonehaven Dr. and Bridgestone Dr. to continue the condition assessment started last year as part of the Drinking Water Transmission Main Condition Assessment Program. Areas indicated in the map may experience a pressure decrease of up to 8 psi (from 50 psi to 42psi) for normal basic day pressure. This may last until as late as May 2020, to permit time for any necessary repairs identified during the inspection.

This level of pressure remains above our normal minimum standard of service, and the decrease will likely not be noticeable to residents.

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Louis Jordon, Project Manager, by phone at 613-580-2424 (ext. 21732) or by e-mail at Louis.Jordon@ottawa.ca.

Your bus route is changing on Sunday, October 6

September 27, 2019

Ottawa – On Sunday, October 6, OC Transpo’s bus service will transform to align with O-Train Line 1. These are the biggest OC Transpo changes in Ottawa’s history. Most customers will be affected so we ask that you use the travel planner on octranspo.com to find out how your route will change. OC Transpo staff are available to help at key locations across the city— look for them in red vests.

Five things you need to know

This is a #ReallyBigServiceChange, so use the travel planner on octranspo.com.
O-Train Line 1 will replace most buses through downtown, meaning many customers will connect at one of the three major transfer stations: Tunney’s Pasture, Hurdman and Blair.
Most areas of the city will see changes to bus service, especially Kanata North, Bridlewood, Bells Corners, west Ottawa, downtown, Alta Vista and Orléans. Many routes will be adjusted to align with Line 1, and in many cases, route numbers and schedules will change.
Service is changing to major destinations, including Gatineau, hospitals, universities and colleges. Visit Ottawa Destinations in the Plan Your Trip section of octranspo.com to download a new printable guide.
OC Transpo staff will be at stations across the city to help.

Have you tried the train?
O-Train Line 1 is running to major destinations in central Ottawa, from Tunney’s Pasture to Blair stations. Give the train a try before the #ReallyBigServiceChange on Sunday, October 6 to see how quick and easy it is to ride.

Highlights of the new transit network

Quick and easy connections to the train at 13 beautiful new O-Train stations.
Reliable service on Line 1, providing a fast, traffic-free commute through the downtown core.
New direct bus service to Gatineau from the west end, Vanier and Gloucester, plus connections to Gatineau at Pimisi and Lyon stations.
Increased service in Kanata North, Bells Corners and Orléans.

Check your mailbox
More information about the service change and new transit network was mailed to every household this week.

Get real-time schedule information 24 hours a day by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the four‑digit bus stop number. For more information, travel planning assistance and new timetables, visit octranspo.com. You can also call OC Transpo at 613-741-4390, particularly when it is less busy between 5:30 pm and 9 pm.

First human case of West Nile virus reported in Ottawa

September 25, 2019

Ottawa – Ottawa Public Health has received lab notification of the first human case of West Nile virus infection in Ottawa for the 2019 West Nile virus season. Final lab confirmation is pending.

On warm days, mosquitoes potentially carrying West Nile virus can still bite and transmit the infection to humans. This will continue until Ottawa experiences the first few hard frosts of the fall season. Ottawa Public Health reminds all residents to continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Culex pipiens, the northern house mosquito – the mosquito most responsible for spreading West Nile virus infection – prefers to live and breed around human habitations. Mosquito trapping and testing in Ottawa has found relatively low West Nile virus activity this year, but the risk for human West Nile virus illness is still present.

West Nile virus is an infection that, in a small number of cases, can cause serious illness. Most people will not develop any symptoms if infected with West Nile virus, but about 20 per cent may experience flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches and, possibly, a rash. The risk for more serious illness, in which West Nile virus invades the central nervous system – occurring in less than one per cent of all infections – increases with age. Older adults and the elderly are at higher risk, as well as people with weakened immune systems.

In Ontario, as of September 14, there have been four human cases this year. In 2018, Ottawa had seven human cases, and Ontario had 137.

Ottawa Public Health urges residents to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites by:

Applying a Health Canada-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and clothing
Protecting yourself, especially between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, and any time you are near shady, bushy, or wooded areas
Wearing light-coloured, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing, such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, to protect exposed skin
Making sure all windows and doors in your home have screens that are in good condition
Reducing standing-water sites around your home, such as bird baths, toys, flower-pot saucers, swimming-pool covers, old tires, wheelbarrows, buckets, and cans
Keeping all openings to rain barrels covered with screen mesh at all times

Ottawa Public Health has a proactive plan to deal with West Nile virus that includes weekly surveillance and mosquito larvicidal treatment of natural and man-made standing-water sites on City property, like ditches and stormwater management ponds. As part of this plan, Ottawa Public Health regularly applies larvicide in City-owned roadside storm-sewer catch basins to reduce the mosquito population.

For more information on West Nile Virus, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

What’s changing on Oct. 6th

The O-Train Line 1 is now open! All bus routes remain in place for 3 weeks. On Oct. 6, the bus network will undergo major changes. O-Train Line 1 will replace most bus routes travelling through downtown, and will provide a quick, reliable connection between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair. Many bus routes are changing to simplify routing and offer convenient connections to the O-Train.

See the full list of Kanata & Stittsville changes: https://www.octranspo.com/en/ready-for-rail/my-trip/station-neighbourhoods/kanata-stittsville

See details for changing routes: https://www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/whats-changing-oct-6/#rte261-283

West End Official Plan Consultation

Councillor Hubley would like to invite residents to attend a joint, west-end Official Plan Consultation on September 24, 2019. The event will provide public education and a feedback opportunity on 2 of the 5 Big Moves for residents in the City – Resiliency and Urban Design.

The City is rewriting Ottawa’s Official Plan – the strategic document that describes how the city will grow over time, where we will place major infrastructure, and what policies will be in place to support economic growth and guide the development and evolution of communities. Our goal is to position Ottawa to be flexible, resilient and, above all, a city where people want to live, work and play.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to e-mail: Allan.Hubley@ottawa.ca

Waste Collection Issues

Sept. 9th 2019
I have heard from many of you today and over the weekend about missed pickups of garbage and recycling in various areas of the ward. As many of you are aware, Kanata South (and other areas in the west end) have been experiencing delays recently due to contractor issues. I can assure you that we are aggressively dealing with this issue by bringing in extra trucks, issuing fines and daily tracking of pickup/missed locations. I share your frustrations with these delays and am disappointed at the level of service being provided. Quite frankly, this level of service is unacceptable and I have asked that staff figure out interim measures to fix these delays. It is my understanding that the contract with the current contractor will not be extended and we will receive more details regarding this at Wednesday’s Council meeting. Once the details are made public, I will be able to provide more information.

Please continue to leave your recycling and green bins out for pick up and hopefully, the missed areas will be picked up on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. At the moment, the Solid Waste Manager is aiming to have outstanding waste picked up in the next day or two with our regular schedule starting mid-week.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Notice of Potential / Actual Water Service Interruptions

Please note that due to a Water Main Repair (Specifically Michael Cowpland Dr betweenSouth of Terence Matthews Cres & Terence Matthews Crescent) clients may experience interruptions in water service.

***work will begin at 9AM Saturday (Aug 31st 2019) morning***

Water service is expected to be restored within 8 hours.

The New Official Plan

The City of Ottawa's Official Plan provides a vision for the future growth of the city and a policy framework to guide the city's physical development. In 2019, the City of Ottawa is beginning a multi-year process to develop a new Official Plan.

There are many opportunities to provide feedback by visiting https://engage.ottawa.ca/the-new-official-plan .

On the site, you will see an Updates and Engage section.

Updates will be where you can get all new information on the Official Plan, for example any FAQ's, blogs, and draft policies.

After reviewing the information provided, we invite you to participate through the different feedback opportunities in the Engage section. Both sections will be continuously updated throughout the Official Plan process.

There are 5 new polls for residents to provide feedback through on the Official Plan site. There is a quick poll on each of the 5 Big Moves.

Hydro Ottawa Public Info Session - Glen Cairn Cable Replacement

Glen Cairn - Cable Replacement

Beginning in 2019, Hydro Ottawa will undertake a cable replacement project in your neighbourhood. This work is necessary in order to ensure reliability of electricity supply.

Hydro Ottawa will be holding an information session on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 to provide you with detailed information about this project and explain how this may impact you.

Date:               Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Time:               7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location:        Glen Cairn Community Centre, Upper Hall, 190 Morrena Rd.

While this project is still months away, we wanted to provide you and your neighbours with advance notice as some effort may be required on your part to allow our crews access to the critical infrastructure located within our easements and on the City of Ottawa’s Road Right-of-Way.
More specifically, any smaller structures (such as sheds, decks, and walkways, as well as landscaping) located over the underground cables or around transformers may require removal in advance in order to allow safe access for our crews. Hydro Ottawa will work with our customers to keep removals to a minimum. For permanent structures such as pools or additions, Hydro Ottawa will work with the customer to find an alternate route for the proposed cable. In most cases Hydro Ottawa will be able to complete the work as planned so as to minimize any damage to customer property. Where excavation is required, Hydro Ottawa will work with the customer to reinstate the property to the customer’s reasonable satisfaction. An overall map showing the proposed work area will be available at the information session.

Hydro Ottawa is committed to delivering safe, reliable, electricity service and keeping you informed of upgrades taking place in your community.

Notice to Residents: Road Closure

Please be advised:

From Friday, August 23 at 8 pm until Sunday evening, August 25, access to and from Stonehaven Drive at Old Richmond Road will be closed for road paving, as part of the Kanata South Link Project. Old Richmond Road will remain open for north and south traffic. Access to businesses will be maintained and signed detours will be in place.

For questions/concerns you can contact the Project Manager for the Kanata South Link Project:

Carolyn Newcombe
P.Eng. Senior Infrastructure Engineer, Infrastructure Projects Design and Construction Municipal Branch
Carolyn.Newcombe@ottawa.ca
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 28230

Black Bear sighting in Hydro Corridor / Bridlewood area

Hi folks,

We have been hearing some black bear sightings in the Hydro Corridor in Bridlewood. Black bears are generally shy and often stay away from people. Bears actively feed from mid April until late fall and will travel up to 100 km to find food. They can be attracted to pet food that is left outdoors, bird feeders, barbecues, composters, fruit trees, sweet corn and grain fields.

If you need to report at bear problem, call the provincial Bear Reporting Line at 1-866-514-BEAR (2327). In the event of a bear emergency, call police by dialling 9-1-1. For complete information on dealing with bears including what farmers can do to keep bears at bay, see Bear Wise from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Notice to Residents: Castle Glen Pathway Culvert Project

july_2019_-_project_notice_castle_glen_drainage_-_en__003_.pdf

Appaloosa Park Playground Redevelopment

Two concepts for the playground redevelopment for Appaloosa Park have been posted on Ottawa.ca... Have your say!:
https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/appaloosa-park

Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is an infection spread by mosquitoes that in some people can cause serious illness. Each year from June to October, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) coordinates a WNV prevention program, which includes surveillance of the illness in humans, surveillance of mosquitoes, and treating water in storm water catch basins and certain surface water sites against mosquito larvae.

The mosquitoes that spread WNV lay eggs in any standing water, no matter how small, that may be around for a week or longer. The water at the bottom of catch basins is a favoured location. City catch basins are treated with larvicide either once or three times per season depending on the formulation used. The larvicide used in catch basins targets mosquito larvae and does not have any impacts on humans. A different larvicide that also has no impact on humans is used on surface water.

Surveillance of mosquito species involves the once a week placement of approximately 30 strategically placed mosquito traps across the City. Mosquito species composition and prevalence of WNV is analyzed. The results are used along with other risk factor data, such as temperature, history, etc., to fine-tune OPH’s WNV program.

OPH is sympathetic to residents facing nuisance mosquitoes in their neighbourhoods; however, OPH’s programming initiatives focus on population controls only for those species of mosquitoes known to transmit WNV to humans, and not the remaining species. Mosquitoes species bred in spring floodwater pools, typically are not competent vectors for WNV. This means spring mosquitoes, particularly in rural/semi-rural areas, are a nuisance but are not a concern for carrying WNV.

Research has consistently found that WNV is most prevalent in urban settings. This is because the mosquito species Culex pipiens/restuans associate themselves with human habitats where standing water in small containers and objects is constantly available to lay eggs in, and peridomestic birds, such as sparrows and American robins are plentiful to feed on. These two bird species in particular can get infected with WNV and pass the virus back to mosquitoes, without themselves becoming severely ill. The prevalence of WNV in mosquitoes is amplified as it is transmitted in the mosquito-to-bird-to-mosquito cycle.

In summary, while OPH’s WNV program operates across the City, current/historical results and analysis of the mosquito traps clearly show that in rural and semi-rural areas, nuisance mosquitoes predominate, and that those that carry WNV are much more associated with urban and mature suburban areas.

OPH recommends that residents lessen the number of mosquitoes around their properties by reducing or eliminating areas or objects that can accumulate or retain water. Here are some suggestions to reduce mosquitoes on your property:

Look around/outside your house for containers, receptacles and any other items that might collect water. Be sure to empty them regularly, turn them over when appropriate, or dispose of them accordingly.
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors so that water can drain out.
Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
Ensure all openings to rain barrels are covered with well-fitted screen mesh at all times.
Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
Change the water in birdbaths at least once per week; aerate private ornamental ponds or treat them with an approved mosquito larvicide such as Bti if they do not have an outflow into natural waters.
Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.
Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

Keep mosquitoes out of your home:

Ensure window and door insect screens have no gaps or holes.
Close doors quickly when entering and leaving your home.

Protect yourself against mosquito bites:

Apply an approved mosquito repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks to protect exposed skin.
Wear light-coloured, tightly-woven but loose-fitting clothing – mosquitoes are attracted to darker colours and can still bite through thin, clingy clothing.
Avoid the hours between dusk and dawn—periods when mosquitoes are most active—and at any time in shady, wooded areas. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

As the summer progresses, OPH will continue to monitor the yields and analyses of trapped mosquitoes, as well as the results of tested surface waters, and adjust our WNV program should further public protection be required in a given area.

For more information about OPH’s WNV Prevention Program, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/WestNileVirus

Update – Delays in Garbage/Recycling Pickups

Hi folks,

Many of you have been asking about the delays with waste pickup over the past few weeks. I too am very frustrated with the level of service Kanata South has been receiving and have been working with the GM of Public Works directly to get this resolved as quickly as possible. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding during this period. The latest delays in pickup go back to the fire at Waste Management a couple weeks ago where a number of trucks were lost or damaged. Additional trucks have been brought in, and I had hoped that after the weekend work that had trucks picking up locations that were not done last week, that service would be returning to normal this week. That is not the case and trucks have been running into the evening to make up for the areas that are not getting completed during the day. Right now, we are seeing a day delay in pickups in most areas, however, please continue to put out your waste, recycling and green bins on the scheduled day.

If your garbage has not been collected, please leave it curbside and they will get to it. If it has been more than 24hrs please report to 311 or to me by e-mailing allan.hubley@ottawa.ca , thank you.

Summer By-Law Notice

One of the City’s best attributes is its parks and sports fields. As the temperature increases and recreational sports leagues get back into action, By-law & Regulatory Services would like to remind the public about regulations that are in place to ensure everyone can enjoy our shared spaces.

   · General hours of operations are between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless otherwise posted
   · Smoking and vaping of any substance is prohibited in City parks and City sports fields
   · Alcohol is prohibited, unless at a licensed event approved by the City’s Recreation, Cultural & Facility Services Department
   · Dogs must remain on-leash, unless in designated off-leash areas. Please refer to posted signage to determine a park’s designation
   · Please clean up after yourself and your dog; dispose of all waste appropriately
   · It is not permitted to feed or disturb wildlife

Thank you for helping keep our parks clean and safe!

Waste Management Update

June 2019
Our area has been experiencing many delays with yard waste pickup in recently. There are reports of glass and debris being left on the streets after the recycling pick up. Please know that we have made it very clear to all responsible that this level of service unacceptable. Waste Management (WM) is now facing penalties from the city for service disruptions and other issues up to and including the potential loss of their contract.

In addition to the above, there was a fire this past weekend at the WM storage yard that resulted in the loss of several of their trucks. I spoke with the GM of Public Works and Environmental Services, who has said that WM have arranged for vehicles to come in from other cities to make up for the loss of inventory from the fire.

We ask for your patience this week as there will most likely be delays in service as the trucks arrive and are put into service. Repairs or replacement of the faulty trucks are underway however, if you experience any issues, please contact 311 or file a report online at www.ottawa.ca to ensure this current disruption in service is corrected quickly.

I will provide any updates as they become available on my website and social media.

Road Closure: Bachman Terrace from Pickford Drive to Irwin Gate

Notice to Residents

City Mobile App Beta Goes Live

The city’s new mobile app lets you securely connect with your City to place service requests, and to personalize the news, updates and notifications you can receive directly to your phone.

Using this technology will help city staff modernize the way they deliver services. Through the app, you can connect with the city of Ottawa any time and anywhere from your mobile device.

You can submit service requests right from your phone or tablet. Here are a few things you can do through the app:
   • Request pothole repairs and garbage pick-up
   • Report property damage
   • Take and submit pictures related to your service request
   • View nearby service requests on a map, to see if a request has already been submitted
   • Choose to receive a variety of notifications, for example, notifications related to city news, events, road closures.

Remember though, the app is still being tested and staff are working to make it better, but they need your help. As part of beta testing for the new mobile app, City Staff is asking for your input. You can provide comments using the feedback button within the app, and there will also be surveys sent out during the beta period using the built-in notification process in the app.

Take the app for a spin and let staff know what you would like to see added and improved. It’s available for download through the Apple Store or on Google Play.

As part of the beta release of the mobile app, the City has also issued an update to our Open 3-1-1 Application Program Interface (API). The Open 3-1-1 API provides a standardized way for third-party developers to access information from the City’s 3-1-1 system. The update provides developers with access to location information for service requests related to public property, which will enhance how they can display this information.

West End Ready For Rail Information Session

Free event. Hope to see you there!

New Playstructure for Mattawa Park

UPDATE May 14 2019: Based on the communities feedback, option A has been chosen. Thank you for those who provided your feedback!

The playstucture at Mattawa Park will be replaced this year. You can see both proposed options and provide feedback about which option you’d prefer by visiting: https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/mattawa-park

Weekend Weather/Road Maintenance Update

April 5th 2019

Weekend Roads Update

Later today, flurries are expected. 2 cm of snow may fall, but the asphalt temperature is already well above zero - meaning that it should melt shortly after falling. City staff are ready to address any weather conditions we may get – with salt trucks and plows where needed. We do not anticipate the temperatures to drop below zero, but if they do, residents may see plows out with the blades lifted. This is not because they are driving around without work, but rather that they are spot salting – treating icy areas to ensure road safety. Salt trucks serve a dual purpose in that they both plow and salt.

Later this evening, the conditions will change again, and we expect to see temperatures rise into the double digits this weekend, as well as an accumulation of 5-10 mm of rain.

Potholes

Until the predicted snow arrives, city teams will be out in full-force to address potholes. We have full complements of teams out applying temporary patches to the worst holes in our roadways. Teams will continue throughout the weekend, however, when rain falls, and the holes fill with water, the work is less effective. In wet conditions, crews are only sent out to fill emergency potholes. As soon as the conditions dry, teams will be back out to continue filling the potholes.

Since January 1, 2019, Roads staff have filled 91,494 potholes.

Street Sweeping

Street sweeping has begun in some areas of the City where conditions allow. Sweeping is not done in areas where ice pack still exists. There are also limitations if there is snow still piled beside sidewalks or roadways. To try and sweep in those areas now would not produce quality results and crews would have to return again when the snow and ice melted to collect the grit and sand embedded within it.

Instead, some areas will see sweepers out this weekend tackling sidewalks. Some of the sidewalk machines have been fitted with giant brooms which push the grit and debris to the side of the roadway where the street sweeping machines will come by and vacuum it up. Over the weekend, this sweeping of sidewalks and boulevards (the area between a sidewalk and roadway) in limited areas will be undertaken with hopes that we can begin operations in full force next week.

The City owns nine vacuum sweepers. They will be deployed today, and over the weekend – as weather permits, to tackle problem areas.

Residents can support the street sweeping process by keeping the sidewalks in front of their homes clear from garbage and recycle bins. Also, if you see a street sweeper coming down your street, please consider parking your car elsewhere so the sweeper can get as close to the curb as possible. This allows for a more efficient and thorough cleaning.

Spring Flooding

Drainage and flood monitoring and mitigation is underway and is a top priority. As part of their weekend responsibilities, staff will be out all weekend monitoring conditions and known problem areas to proactively address concerns. Roads staff work closely with their partners in the Emergency Management Team to respond to flooding concerns.

The current weather conditions have been perfect for mitigating flood concerns in the region. Warmer daytime temperatures allow for moderate melting during the day. Cool temperatures in the evenings and overnight mean the flow is slowed. We have not seen significant water issues at this time.

The warmer temperatures mean that we may see increased water pooling and possible flooding this weekend. Residents are reminded to protect their homes by pointing drainage spouts away from home, ensuring sump pumps are working and clearing private catch basins. To report a blocked City catch basin, residents can visit the City’s website.

Proposed Route Changes (Routes 252, 256, 269 & 164)

I have been working closely with OC Transpo concerning transit service issues raised by residents in order to address safety concerns, route reliability, and more. Included in the 2019 Budget for OC Transpo is a bus service expansion investment of $5M and the purchase of new buses to provide expanded service. A number of route changes are being proposed for Kanata South (please also find a map illustrating these changes below), and I encourage residents to email me at allan.hubley@ottawa.ca with their feedback on the below proposals.

Route 256 to operate via Moodie Drive
Staff have been closely monitoring the capacity on the Route 256, and reviewed our request to create a new separate Connexion route to serve the eastern part of Bells Corners instead of the Route 256. Staff recommend that a new Route 251 be introduced between Bells Corners and Tunney’s Pasture Station, and that Route 256 be revised to operate via Moodie Drive. This would relieve current ridership pressure on Route 256, and would also allow a new connection from Route 256 to Routes 63, 64, and 66 at Moodie Station for customers destined for the DND offices on Moodie and for workplaces in Kanata North.

Improved stop safety for Routes 252 & 164
Staff have reviewed our request to address the safety concerns brought to my attention from residents trying to catch their bus on the south side of Hope Side Road. Once Hope Side Road undergoes a full rehabilitation as part of the Kanata South Link project for which Phase 1 has just begun, safe and accessible bus stops will be constructed. To address these safety concerns in the meantime, Staff have developed an option to revise Routes 252 and 164 to operate on Meadowbreeze, Summergaze, and Summitview to remove the need for customers to cross Hope Side Road.

Route 269 becomes Route 257
Route 269 to be renumbered at the request of family of a victim of the fatal bus crash at Westboro Station.

Reduced travel times for Routes 256 & 257
Route 256 would be revised to operate directly along Bridgestone between Stonehaven and Grassy Plains. Route 257 (formerly Route 269) would be revised to start at Bridle Park and Stonemeadow, operating along Stonemeadow and Stonehaven to Pine Hill before continuing its current route.

866 & 898 Eagleson Road and 1355 & 1365 Terry Fox Drive Public Meeting

March 13th 2019

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED PLAN OF SUBDIVISION

File No.: D07-16-19-0001

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Ottawa will hold a Public Meeting on Thursday March 28th, 2019 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the Kanata Recreation Complex, Program Room (100 Charlie Rogers Place) to discuss a proposed plan of subdivision. A location map showing the location of the land proposed to subdivided is attached.

The Owners, Claridge Homes, are proposing to develop 409 residential units including 34 semidetached units, 255 street-oriented townhouses, 120 back-to-back townhouses, as well as two parks (a 1.03 hectare park will be added to the Proudmore Romina Park expanding its existing size; and a 0.40 hecatre parkette is proposed in the southern portion of the development..

Additional information relating to the proposed plan of subdivision is available for inspection by the public. For more information on this matter, including information about preserving your appeal rights, please direct inquiries to:

Laurel McCreight, Assigned Planner Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Department 110 Laurier Avenue West, 4th floor Ottawa ON K1J 1P1 Tel: 613-580-2424 ext. 16587 Fax : 613-580-2576 e-mail: Laurel.McCreight@ottawa.ca

Notice from Safer Roads Ottawa

February 25th 2019

The City’s Pathway Patrol program has been around since 1997 and has helped make Ottawa’s pathways safer. Safer Roads Ottawa is looking for volunteers who love our city and want to become ambassadors of our pathways by joining the growing Pathway Patrol team. Our season runs from May to October. Whether you walk, run, roll or cycle, they would love to have you involved.

Do you ENJOY?

• Meeting new people who love being active outdoors as much as you do
• Working as part of a team and learning new skills
• Exploring new parts of this great city
• Interacting with residents to help improve their experience of using the pathways (i.e. providing helpful tips, directions, first aid and
basic bicycle repairs)
• Being a positive role model for pathway etiquette and safety

If you answered YES, then consider becoming part of our Pathway Patrol Team!

Requirements include a recent Police Records Check, First Aid Training (provided) and a commitment of 6 hours per month.

Apply today at https://goo.gl/z5ceVC

Contact pathwaypatrol@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424, extension 28064 to find out more about this great program!

Green bin, recycling & garbage collection cancelled for today

Wednesday, February 13th 2019

Ottawa – There will be no curbside green bin, recycling or garbage collection on Wednesday, February 13. The Wednesday pick-up will take place on Thursday, February 14. In addition, the collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

Multi-residential garbage, recycling and green bin collection is also delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

Overnight Parking Ban Update

February 13th 2019

Plows have been out all night clearing the main arterials of the 27 cm of snow that has fallen so far. Plowing of local residential streets will commence this morning and as this will be a slow process, the Roads Dept. are asking residents to exercise patience as they get through residential communities. The overnight parking ban will remain in effect under the provisions of By-Law 2017-301 as Roads crews plow streets and attempt to widen them for vehicle circulation. If you have a vehicle parked on the road, please move it so the plows can get by. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Winter Storm Update

February 12th 2019

Hi Folks,

Please see the below note I have received from the Director of Roads Services regarding the storm that is due to start later today. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding while our hard working Roads Team prepares for this major snow event and throughout their efforts to clean up!

Information regarding Winter Parking Restrictions

January 28th 2019

Thank you to everyone who has contacted my office regarding the issues of on street parking and your feedback provided in these posts. I am aware of the issues faced in newer communities within Kanata South and on narrower streets in some of our older communities. I have been working with the Roads Supervisor as well as By Law Services the past few weeks to address the most current examples.

The main problem identified by residents is that people are leaving their vehicles parked on the roadway during and after a snowfall. As you are aware, when the plows go by parked vehicles, this leaves a large amount of snow left on the streets which can harden into ice leaving the roadway uneven. When people choose to leave cars on both sides of the street, not only is it a challenge for the plow to pass but also poses problems for garbage trucks, school buses and most importantly emergency vehicles.

To ensure emergency vehicles and snow plows can get down your street, please make certain to not park your vehicle on the roadway. If you have a neighbour who leaves cars on the road, please help get this message to them so they don’t get ticketed.

We have received a record amount of snow so far this month with more coming tonight into Tuesday. Please park your vehicles in your driveways so that the plows can get by to clean the roadways. It is important to keep cars off the streets from the start of the snow and for 24 hours after so snow clearing operations can be completed. With current levels of snow, snow removal has begun, however, snow banks are removed first on streets where no cars are parked.

By Law Services was out last week after the storm and ticketed 103 vehicles for parking on the roadway during the overnight ban. As a result of the high number of residents not respecting the overnight ban, Bylaw has added many areas of Kanata South to their “hot list” and will be by again to ticket should the overnight parking ban be enacted or when residents call 311 because they feel their roadway has become an unsafe situation.

With regards to the removal of on street parking, I have been working with city staff over the past 2 winters on a pilot project where winter parking problems have been identified and we have removed parking on one side for a number of streets within Kanata South. I suggest locations that are brought to my attention be assessed by the Traffic Safety Dept. for seasonal parking restrictions, however, the final decision is up to the discretion of the Traffic Dept.

In order to have parking restrictions applied year round or outside of the seasonal parking restriction pilot project, there is a formal petition process that is available to residents, which has been successful on a number of streets in our Kanata South communities. The Traffic Department can review the roadway and work with the resident who is inquiring to draft proposed changes that are desired. The formal petition, obtained from the Traffic Department, must be circulated by a resident with an address on the street that is to be petitioned. The person circulating the petition must obtain 66% concurrence in the form of signatures. This ensures that any residents who would be impacted by changes to on-street parking are able to participate in the decision process and to prevent someone who uses your street but does not live on it from making changes to it without your knowledge. The 66% rule recognizes not everyone will agree but it is the desire of the clear majority. Upon successful completion of the petition, they will review and request consent from the Ward Councillor.

If you or any of your neighbours would like to learn additional information about changing the on-street parking regulations for your street, please do not hesitate to advise and my office (allan.hubley@ottawa.ca) would be pleased to connect you with the Traffic Assessment Specialist to discuss in further detail.

Book of Condolences to honour victims of the Westboro Station bus collision will move to Kanata

January 17, 2019

Residents of Kanata will have an opportunity to sign the Book of Condolences to honour victims of the Westboro Station bus collision and convey their sympathies to neighbours and commuters on route 269.

The Book of Condolences will be available at Eva James Memorial Community Centre starting at noon, Monday, January 21, where it will remain until end of day Sunday, January 27.

An online version of the Book of Condolences is also available on ottawa.ca until end of day Sunday, January 27.

Westboro Station Bus Crash

January 14, 2019

Thank you to OC Transpo and Ottawa Public Health staff who were along the Transitway and at the Park & Rides this morning to assist riders during this difficult and emotional time. Our entire city has been affected by this tragic accident, and the outpouring of support I have seen offered from our community to those affected is overwhelming.

Our thoughts are with the injured, who are enduring the unimaginable physical trauma and emotional toll. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims - Bruce Thomlinson, Judy Booth, and Anja Van Beek – who are experiencing indescribable grief and loss.

If you need help or someone to talk to, please reach out. Distress Centre of Ottawa is staffed 24/7 with crisis line specialists providing confidential support 24/7. Call 613-722-6914. More information and resources here: ow.ly/buyT30nhzUN

To honour victims of the Westboro Station bus collision, a paper book of condolences is available at Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall, and a web version is available online here: https://ottawa.ca/en/book-condolences-0.

Holiday Season Activities & Schedule Changes

December 14, 2018 – The City of Ottawa would like to remind residents of the following schedule changes for the holiday season, from Monday, December 24, 2018 to Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Client services

Ottawa City Hall and all seven client service centres, including the Government Service Centre located at 110 Laurier Avenue West, will be closed on December 25, December 26 and January 1.
The City’s Provincial Offences Court, including the courts located at 100 Constellation Crescent, will be closed on December 25, December 26 and January 1.
Rural client service centres (Metcalfe, West Carleton and North Gower) will operate on a reduced schedule, from 8:30 am to noon from Tuesday, December 18 to Thursday, December 20. They will be closed from Tuesday, December 25 to Thursday, January 3. The centres normally operate three days a week and regular business will resume on Tuesday, January 8.
The City’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters requiring the City’s immediate attention. Call 3-1-1 or 613-580-2400 (TTY: 613-580-2401) to speak to a client service representative.

Green bin, recycling and garbage collection

There will be no curbside or multi-residential green bin, recycling, garbage or bulky item collection on Christmas Day. Christmas Day’s pickup will take place on Boxing Day and all collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. New Year’s Day pick-up will take place on Wednesday, January 2 and all collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
The Trail Road waste facility will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Christmas trees will be picked up on your regular garbage day. Please remove all decorations. Christmas trees in plastic bags will not be collected.

Parking

Free parking will be available at City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, from Monday, December 24 at 6 pm to Thursday, December 27 at 6 am, and from Monday, December 31 at 6 pm to Wednesday, January 2 at 6 am.
The ByWard Market Garage at 70 Clarence Street and the Dalhousie Garage at 141 Clarence Street will offer free parking from Monday, December 24 at 5 pm to Wednesday, December 26 at 7 am, and from Monday, December 31 at 5 pm to Wednesday, January 2 at 7 am.
All other City of Ottawa parking regulations and restrictions will apply.

Transit service

OC Transpo will operate on a reduced schedule from December 24 through December 28 and from December 31 through January 4. Timetables are available at octranspo.com and octranspo.mobi. Call 613-560-1000 or text 560560 plus your four-digit bus stop number for real-time schedule information. For more information, holiday schedules and travel planning, call 613-741-4390 or visit octranspo.com.
A family or group can travel all day for the cost of one DayPass with the Family DayPass, which can be purchased for $10.50 from the bus operator when boarding, or from a ticket machine at any O-Train Line 2 station. A family or group can include up to six people, with a maximum of two people aged 13 or older.
OC Transpo and Para Transpo will offer free service after 8 am on New Year’s Eve.
The Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It will be open on Boxing Day from 8 am to 8 pm. Customer Service Centres at the Lincoln Fields, Place d’Orléans and St-Laurent Stations will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
OC Transpo Transit Information (613-741-4390) will be open throughout the holidays to help customers with schedules and trip planning:
- Christmas Eve, 7 am to 9 pm
- Christmas Day, 9 am to 5 pm
- Boxing Day, 7 am to 9 pm
- New Year’s Eve, 7 am to 9 pm
- New Year’s Day, 9 am to 5 pm
STO users can plan their trip using Plani-bus.
School trips will not operate from Monday, December 24 to Friday, January 4.
Para Transpo will operate a holiday service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Regularly scheduled trips on these days will be automatically cancelled, but customers may book trips for these days by calling 613-244‑7272 on or after:
- December 18, for Christmas Day bookings
- December 19, for Boxing Day bookings
- December 25, for New Year’s Day bookings

Customers are reminded to suspend any other regular bookings if they will be on vacation during the holiday season.

Para Transpo’s taxi coupon booking line (613-842-3670) will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. The line for reservations and cancellations (613-244-7272) will be open regular hours.
OC Transpo Customer Relations (613-842-3600) will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

Recreation services

Pools, arenas and fitness centres will be operating on modified schedules during the holiday season, including public swimming, fitness and public skating facilities. Please check ottawa.ca for schedules.
Most registered programs at community centres, arenas and swimming pools will be cancelled. Clients should check with their facility to confirm, as some exceptions will apply.
Holiday schedules for outdoor rinks, such as the Sens Rink of Dreams, Lansdowne Park skating court, Ben Franklin Place skating rink and Jim Tubman Chevrolet Sens Rink can be found at ottawa.ca/skating. Check the alert status on the homepage of ottawa.ca to confirm that the rink is open.

Ottawa Public Health

The Sexual Health Clinic and satellite clinics will be closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The Site Program at 179 Clarence Street, including supervised consumption services, will operate on a regular schedule over the holidays:
- Christmas Eve, 9 am to 9 pm
- Christmas Day, 9 am to 9 pm
- Boxing Day, 9 am to 9 pm
- New Year’s Eve, 9 am to 9 pm
- New Year’s Day, 9 am to 9 pm
The Site Program mobile van will follow the schedule below:
- Christmas Eve, closed. Please visit 179 Clarence Street or call the Somerset West Community Health Centre NESI van (613-761-0003) for mobile harm-reduction services.
- Christmas Day, 5 to 11:30 pm
- Boxing Day, 5 to 11:30 pm
- New Year’s Eve, 5 to 11:30 pm
- New Year’s Day, 5 to 11:30 pm
Please refer to Ottawa Public Health’s website for hours of operation for the Parenting in Ottawa Drop-ins.
The Dental Clinics will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The Ottawa Public Health Information Centre will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Staff will respond to phone messages and inquiries within one business day. Find the latest health information at OttawaPublicHealth.ca.

Cultural services

The Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery and Barbara Ann Scott Gallery at City Hall will operate on a regular schedule throughout the holidays.

All other City of Ottawa arts centres, galleries, theatres and museums will be closed. Clients should check ottawa.ca or their facility to confirm, as some exceptions may apply.

Archives services

The City of Ottawa Archives Reference Services and Gallery 112 will be closed from Sunday, December 23 and will reopen on Wednesday, January 2.

Municipal child-care services

All Municipal child-care centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Parents are advised to check operating hours with their childcare centres during the holiday season.

Library services

All branches and services of the Ottawa Public Library will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Branches and services will operate normally from December 27 through December 30. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, branches that normally close at 5 pm will close early, at 3 pm. Branches that normally close before 3 pm will maintain regular hours. Visit the OPL website for further information and to access library services online.

Councillor Hubley's Annual Kanata South Wagon Rides

Information Session: Update on Proposal at 5331 Fernbank Rd. & 1039 Terry Fox Dr.

When: Tuesday November 27th, 2018
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Eva James Memorial Community Centre, 65 Stonehaven Drive, Ottawa, ON K2K 1A1

New Traffic Light at Fernbank/Romina

Hi Folks,

I would like to provide you with an update regarding the request for a traffic light at the Fernbank/Romina intersection. As previously mentioned, I have been asking the Traffic Dept. to monitor this intersection for quite some time and unfortunately, it has never met the Provincial warrants needed to justify the installation of an all way stop control.

The City of Ottawa uses a warrant system (minimum criteria) to evaluate the requirement for a traffic signal at a specific location. The warrants consider the following:

The volumes of "main street" and "cross street" vehicles and/or pedestrians;
The respective abilities of the users of the intersection to execute their desired movements; and

Collision history

The latest review that was conduced this past summer at the Fernbank/Romina intersection indicated that 100% of the warrants needed to justify a signalized crossing have been met. The addition of a traffic light has been approved and the Transportation Planning Department will be adding the need for traffic lights at this location in their 2019 plans. I will provide updates here and on my website as they are available.

Should you have any questions, please contact me at allan.hubley@ottawa.ca