March 22, 2022
The Ottawa Safety Council Invites Students, Schools, and the General Community to
Nominate Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard 2022!
Ottawa, Ontario: Not all heroes wear capes….some wear high visibility vests! The Ottawa Safety Council (OSC) is excited to launch its annual Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest on Tuesday, March 22, 2022!
Adult Crossing Guards have a very important (and sometimes stressful) job. School Zones are busy places –along with the regular traffic volume and frustrated, distracted motorists that are part and parcel of the daily rush– there is a flurry of activity that happens in school zones around bell times. Buses arrive and leave. Parents drop off and pick up their children. Students and parents depend on their Crossing Guard to help them cross the road safely. The Adult Crossing Guard Program is a partnership between the City of Ottawa and the OSC, in which the OSC proudly employs a team of 300+ Adult Crossing Guards who are deployed across the city at 260+ school zone intersections. They play a key role in ensuring students get to and from school safely. Ottawa’s Crossing Guards conduct over 3 million safe crossings annually!
As such, we are shining the spotlight on our unsung heroes - the Crossing Guards! From March 22, 2022 to April 29, 2022, the OSC is inviting the community to nominate their Favourite Crossing Guard! The winner of Ottawa's Favourite Crossing Guard 2022 will receive a $500 cash prize. They will also be presented with the Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award during this year’s proclamation of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which will take place on May 19, 2022. The school associated with the highest level of participation in the contest, based on the number of nominations submitted, will also win a $300.00 Canadian Tire gift card!
How students, schools, and the general community can take part in Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest:
● Nominate your favourite Crossing Guard here;
● Download the ‘Thank you’ Colouring Sheet and present it to your favourite guard on May 19th;
● Snap a picture, or take a short video, of yourself thanking your Guard and post it on social media with the hashtag #crossingtomorrowsleaders and make sure to tag us on Twitter @SafetyOttawa or FB @ottawasafetycouncil. All social media entries will be entered into a draw for a $100 Visa Gift Card!
Stay tuned for when the OSC announces the winner of Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard on Thursday, May 19, 2022 to present them with the Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award 2022. The Mayor will also officially proclaim that date as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which takes place during the National Road Safety Awareness Week 2022.
The Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award:
The Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award is presented yearly to a Crossing Guard who shows high levels of excellence and dedication to the important role of keeping our community’s children safe. The cash prize is generously donated by Marie Armstrong’s family – to honour her memory.
“Marie Armstrong had 6 children. When her youngest child, Maria, went to first grade at Ecole Dollard des Ormeaux, she saw a crossing guard for the first time. Thinking it would be great to help out, as she was going back and forth to school with Maria daily, she inquired as to how she might volunteer. After registering at the local police station, Marie began her career as a crossing guard. Under the impression that it was a volunteer position, she failed to pick up paychecks for months! While thrilled by the news, she could not believe that she was actually getting paid for something she felt very happy to do. Over the next 12 years as a crossing guard, she got to know all of the children and their parents well. She cared deeply for their little souls and never missed a day for fear that some child might need her. We, as her family, are delighted to honour her memory by lending her name to this award.” – James Miller (Marie’s Grandson)
About the Ottawa Safety Council
The Ottawa Safety Council (OSC) is a not-for-profit organization offering best in class road safety programs and services to the residents of Ottawa, including its M1 and M2 motorcycle licensing programs and its municipal Adult School Crossing Guard services across 260+ locations in Ottawa. Founded in 1957, the OSC is a well-established leader in safety education and awareness. This year also marks many key milestones for the OSC, including its 65th anniversary of operation, its 50th year of offering its popular Motorcycle Training Program, and its 20th year of providing the City of Ottawa with municipal Crossing Guard services. The OSC is always hiring for community-minded individuals to join the OSC Team of Crossing Guards!
The Ottawa Safety Council Invites Students, Schools, and the General Community to
Nominate Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard 2022!
Ottawa, Ontario: Not all heroes wear capes….some wear high visibility vests! The Ottawa Safety Council (OSC) is excited to launch its annual Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest on Tuesday, March 22, 2022!
Adult Crossing Guards have a very important (and sometimes stressful) job. School Zones are busy places –along with the regular traffic volume and frustrated, distracted motorists that are part and parcel of the daily rush– there is a flurry of activity that happens in school zones around bell times. Buses arrive and leave. Parents drop off and pick up their children. Students and parents depend on their Crossing Guard to help them cross the road safely. The Adult Crossing Guard Program is a partnership between the City of Ottawa and the OSC, in which the OSC proudly employs a team of 300+ Adult Crossing Guards who are deployed across the city at 260+ school zone intersections. They play a key role in ensuring students get to and from school safely. Ottawa’s Crossing Guards conduct over 3 million safe crossings annually!
As such, we are shining the spotlight on our unsung heroes - the Crossing Guards! From March 22, 2022 to April 29, 2022, the OSC is inviting the community to nominate their Favourite Crossing Guard! The winner of Ottawa's Favourite Crossing Guard 2022 will receive a $500 cash prize. They will also be presented with the Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award during this year’s proclamation of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which will take place on May 19, 2022. The school associated with the highest level of participation in the contest, based on the number of nominations submitted, will also win a $300.00 Canadian Tire gift card!
How students, schools, and the general community can take part in Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest:
● Nominate your favourite Crossing Guard here;
● Download the ‘Thank you’ Colouring Sheet and present it to your favourite guard on May 19th;
● Snap a picture, or take a short video, of yourself thanking your Guard and post it on social media with the hashtag #crossingtomorrowsleaders and make sure to tag us on Twitter @SafetyOttawa or FB @ottawasafetycouncil. All social media entries will be entered into a draw for a $100 Visa Gift Card!
Stay tuned for when the OSC announces the winner of Ottawa’s Favourite Crossing Guard on Thursday, May 19, 2022 to present them with the Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award 2022. The Mayor will also officially proclaim that date as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which takes place during the National Road Safety Awareness Week 2022.
The Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award:
The Marie Armstrong Crossing Guard Award is presented yearly to a Crossing Guard who shows high levels of excellence and dedication to the important role of keeping our community’s children safe. The cash prize is generously donated by Marie Armstrong’s family – to honour her memory.
“Marie Armstrong had 6 children. When her youngest child, Maria, went to first grade at Ecole Dollard des Ormeaux, she saw a crossing guard for the first time. Thinking it would be great to help out, as she was going back and forth to school with Maria daily, she inquired as to how she might volunteer. After registering at the local police station, Marie began her career as a crossing guard. Under the impression that it was a volunteer position, she failed to pick up paychecks for months! While thrilled by the news, she could not believe that she was actually getting paid for something she felt very happy to do. Over the next 12 years as a crossing guard, she got to know all of the children and their parents well. She cared deeply for their little souls and never missed a day for fear that some child might need her. We, as her family, are delighted to honour her memory by lending her name to this award.” – James Miller (Marie’s Grandson)
About the Ottawa Safety Council
The Ottawa Safety Council (OSC) is a not-for-profit organization offering best in class road safety programs and services to the residents of Ottawa, including its M1 and M2 motorcycle licensing programs and its municipal Adult School Crossing Guard services across 260+ locations in Ottawa. Founded in 1957, the OSC is a well-established leader in safety education and awareness. This year also marks many key milestones for the OSC, including its 65th anniversary of operation, its 50th year of offering its popular Motorcycle Training Program, and its 20th year of providing the City of Ottawa with municipal Crossing Guard services. The OSC is always hiring for community-minded individuals to join the OSC Team of Crossing Guards!
Rogers Communications - C6324 Glen Cairn
Rogers Communications - C6384 Cattail Creek Park
January 18, 2022
PUBL IC SERVICE A N N O U N C E M E N T / M E S S A G E D ’ I N T É R Ê T P U B L I C
Update on sledding conditions and safety tips
– With the new blanket of snow, the City has lifted the “no sledding advisory” on its sanctioned sledding hills. Everyone should take safety precautions, including observing hill conditions and wearing a helmet.
Sled only at hills designated for sledding. While other hills and large snowbanks are enticing to sledders, they possess hazards that could cause injuries. In addition, some non-sanctioned hills may have protective measures, but these do not make them safe sledding areas. The City has a list of its sanctioned sledding hills on ottawa.ca.
Always wear a CSA-certified helmet to protect yourself. In addition, allow safe spacing – around 15 metres -- between you and the other sleds going down the hill.
Additional safety tips:
• Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Sled only during daylight. If you are out at night, don’t slide unless the hill is well lit
• Always sit or kneel facing forward on the sled
• Walk up the side of the hill, not the middle
• Keep your hands, arms and legs inside the sled to prevent injury
• Alert (shout) if you observe another slider headed for danger
• Do not leave sleds or other obstacles on the hill
• Construction of snow jumps and other obstacles is not permitted
Please always pay attention to the conditions on the hill. Packed snow, precipitation and fluctuations in temperature can create icy conditions on the hill, resulting in increased speeds and reduced ability to control and stop your sled safely. Sledding is a high-risk activity. Sled at your own risk.
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. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PUBL IC SERVICE A N N O U N C E M E N T / M E S S A G E D ’ I N T É R Ê T P U B L I C
Update on sledding conditions and safety tips
– With the new blanket of snow, the City has lifted the “no sledding advisory” on its sanctioned sledding hills. Everyone should take safety precautions, including observing hill conditions and wearing a helmet.
Sled only at hills designated for sledding. While other hills and large snowbanks are enticing to sledders, they possess hazards that could cause injuries. In addition, some non-sanctioned hills may have protective measures, but these do not make them safe sledding areas. The City has a list of its sanctioned sledding hills on ottawa.ca.
Always wear a CSA-certified helmet to protect yourself. In addition, allow safe spacing – around 15 metres -- between you and the other sleds going down the hill.
Additional safety tips:
• Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Sled only during daylight. If you are out at night, don’t slide unless the hill is well lit
• Always sit or kneel facing forward on the sled
• Walk up the side of the hill, not the middle
• Keep your hands, arms and legs inside the sled to prevent injury
• Alert (shout) if you observe another slider headed for danger
• Do not leave sleds or other obstacles on the hill
• Construction of snow jumps and other obstacles is not permitted
Please always pay attention to the conditions on the hill. Packed snow, precipitation and fluctuations in temperature can create icy conditions on the hill, resulting in increased speeds and reduced ability to control and stop your sled safely. Sledding is a high-risk activity. Sled at your own risk.
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. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
January 2, 2022
Military Family Services
Military families are strongest when they are connected with the programs and services available to them in their communities. As such, and coupled with the ongoing pandemic, the MFS-NCR has changed how we deliver support services in the NCR. We have moved away from a centralized hub (previously located at Uplands), to offer our customized services rooted in community.
Today, there are more than 10,000 active members that live in our region. As well, there are Veterans, reservists and family members. Our community is vast and is growing. Gone are the days when families moved on base exclusively; instead, families are making their new homes in communities from Cornwall to Stittsville, Kanata, Orléans, Aylmer, Gatineau and more!
We recently launched a video series called The Welcome, a virtual introduction for new and returning families to learn more about the programs and services available to them in the NCR. Below, you will find the links to our website and videos.
Website link: Welcome to the NCR (cafconnection.ca)
Military Family Services
Military families are strongest when they are connected with the programs and services available to them in their communities. As such, and coupled with the ongoing pandemic, the MFS-NCR has changed how we deliver support services in the NCR. We have moved away from a centralized hub (previously located at Uplands), to offer our customized services rooted in community.
Today, there are more than 10,000 active members that live in our region. As well, there are Veterans, reservists and family members. Our community is vast and is growing. Gone are the days when families moved on base exclusively; instead, families are making their new homes in communities from Cornwall to Stittsville, Kanata, Orléans, Aylmer, Gatineau and more!
We recently launched a video series called The Welcome, a virtual introduction for new and returning families to learn more about the programs and services available to them in the NCR. Below, you will find the links to our website and videos.
Website link: Welcome to the NCR (cafconnection.ca)
December 20, 2021
2022 CED Funding Program
I am happy to announce the 2022 CED funding program. If you know of any non-profit organization with a job growth/entrepreneurship mandate for disadvantaged populations that you think might find this program beneficial please forward this email to them.
We will accept applications between January 3, 2022 and February 25, 2022.
The annual Community Economic Development (CED) Funding Program provides financial support to selected projects (not programs that are ongoing) that are anticipated to result in:
The CED Funding Program is focused on having a positive impact on disadvantaged populations (e.g. lower income youth and older adults, rural residents, new immigrants, visible minorities, etc.), while also helping to overcome social justice and inclusion barriers, and/or cultural diversification benefits.
Projects should help build community capacity to support these objectives beyond the funding period. Projects should help targeted populations to overcome identified impediments. Projects should build inclusivity for populations that are under-represented in the mainstream economy.
The CED Funding Program awards a total of up to $270,000 (in 2022), distributed among the proposals that are selected by a jury panel of reviewers. While proposals may have inherent merits, funds are awarded only among the top-ranked projects, until the annual funding maximum is reached.
Please follow this link for more information and to submit your proposal. (English) https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/funding/economic-development-funding or (French) https://ottawa.ca/fr/hotel-de-ville/financement/financement-du-developpement-economique
If you would like to meet with me (virtually, via ian.scott@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424 x 29607) and discuss your thoughts before submitting an application, I would be happy to do so, starting January 3rd, 2022
2022 CED Funding Program
I am happy to announce the 2022 CED funding program. If you know of any non-profit organization with a job growth/entrepreneurship mandate for disadvantaged populations that you think might find this program beneficial please forward this email to them.
We will accept applications between January 3, 2022 and February 25, 2022.
The annual Community Economic Development (CED) Funding Program provides financial support to selected projects (not programs that are ongoing) that are anticipated to result in:
- Job creation
- Business creation
- Entrepreneurship skills development
- Employability skills development
The CED Funding Program is focused on having a positive impact on disadvantaged populations (e.g. lower income youth and older adults, rural residents, new immigrants, visible minorities, etc.), while also helping to overcome social justice and inclusion barriers, and/or cultural diversification benefits.
Projects should help build community capacity to support these objectives beyond the funding period. Projects should help targeted populations to overcome identified impediments. Projects should build inclusivity for populations that are under-represented in the mainstream economy.
The CED Funding Program awards a total of up to $270,000 (in 2022), distributed among the proposals that are selected by a jury panel of reviewers. While proposals may have inherent merits, funds are awarded only among the top-ranked projects, until the annual funding maximum is reached.
Please follow this link for more information and to submit your proposal. (English) https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/funding/economic-development-funding or (French) https://ottawa.ca/fr/hotel-de-ville/financement/financement-du-developpement-economique
If you would like to meet with me (virtually, via ian.scott@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424 x 29607) and discuss your thoughts before submitting an application, I would be happy to do so, starting January 3rd, 2022