Ensuring Responsible Development in Rural Ottawa
With increasing demands on housing, our villages have undergone significant changes in recent years. While we have welcomed new neighbors, we have also felt tremendous pressure on our communities.
Between 2020 and 2024, Ottawa’s rural villages grew by approximately 4,284 residents, a 10.4% increase. However, this growth has not been evenly distributed.
Richmond alone absorbed 63.8% of this increase, growing by over 2,730 residents—a staggering 45% increase in just four years. Manotick saw a 19.6% rise, adding over 1,260 new residents. Together, these two villages accounted for 93.3% of all rural village population growth, while the rest of Ottawa’s rural villages grew by only 285 residents—a modest 0.99% increase.
The Consequences of Rapid, Uneven Growth
This disproportionate growth raises serious concerns. At the current rate, Richmond’s population will exceed 13,000 residents by the end of the decade, and Manotick will surpass 9,600. If this trend continues, these two villages will represent 44% of rural Ottawa’s village population.
Such concentrated development puts excessive strain on roads, schools, water systems, and emergency services—critical infrastructure that has not kept pace with expansion. Richmond and Manotick alone have already met nearly half of the overall village development required to meet the City’s housing targets for rural areas.
While Ottawa must continue to grow, urban areas are far better suited to absorb the City’s increasing population and housing demands. Urban neighborhoods already have the infrastructure, public transit, and services necessary to accommodate higher-density housing without compromising rural character, agricultural lands, and environmental sustainability.
Defining Responsible Development
We must ensure that new development complements existing communities, manages its own growth and infrastructure needs, and does not undermine rural interests. Some recent projects in Richmond and Manotick have met this standard—others have not.
The challenges of rapid growth without corresponding infrastructure are becoming increasingly evident:
Traffic congestion is rising on roads that were never designed for such heavy use.
School capacities are stretched, forcing families to send their children outside of their communities.
Essential services from emergency response times to recreational amenities, are struggling to keep up.
The rural charm and identity of these villages are at risk as they morph into suburban extensions of Ottawa.
Richmond and Manotick are unique, with deep historical roots and strong local identities. If unchecked growth continues, we risk eroding the very qualities that make these communities desirable places to live.
Infrastructure Must Come First
For development to be sustainable, it must be accompanied by strategic infrastructure investments. Too often, municipalities approve large-scale housing projects before ensuring that necessary services are in place.
Moving forward, we need an infrastructure-first approach, ensuring:
✔ Roads, traffic control measures, sidewalks, and roundabouts are in place before large-scale development begins.
✔ School capacities are properly assessed and expanded before new families move in.
✔ Emergency response services—fire, paramedics, and police—are adequately staffed and equipped to serve the growing population.
✔ Water and waste management systems can handle additional demand without overburdening existing resources.
Richmond’s 45% population surge in just four years has not been met with adequate infrastructure improvements. Manotick, too, is facing increased demand, especially in terms of traffic and essential services. Before approving further large-scale developments, we must ask:
➡ Can our roads handle the additional traffic?
➡ Do we have the necessary school capacity?
➡ Are emergency response services adequately equipped?
The answer, right now, is too often "no."
A More Balanced Approach to Growth
While Richmond and Manotick have borne the brunt of Ottawa’s rural growth, urban areas must now take on their fair share. Ottawa’s core and suburban neighborhoods are better suited for higher-density development due to existing transit networks, water and sewage systems, as well as social infrastructure.
Expanding housing within urban Ottawa also aligns with the City’s broader sustainability goals. Concentrating growth in areas that already have necessary infrastructure saves taxpayer dollars while preventing unnecessary expansion into rural lands.
Addressing the Need for Senior Housing
One of the most pressing concerns I hear from residents is the lack of affordable housing options for seniors who wish to age in place.
Many long-time residents want to remain in their communities, close to friends and family, but the current housing mix in Richmond and Manotick does not provide enough options for seniors looking to downsize.
A responsible development strategy must include:
Smaller, accessible housing units for seniors who want to remain in their villages.
Retirement communities and assisted living facilities to meet growing demand.
More flexible zoning and development rules to encourage diverse housing types.
Providing affordable senior living options ensures that long-time residents can remain in their community rather than being forced to relocate to urban areas.
Moving Forward
As the City reviews its zoning by-laws and works to meet its ambitious housing targets, we must not lose sight of responsible growth.
Richmond and Manotick have already absorbed more than their fair share of rural development. It is time to ensure that any further expansion is sustainable, well-planned, and aligned with community needs.
✔ Infrastructure must come first.
✔ Growth must be balanced between rural and urban areas.
✔ Our villages’ rural character and identity must be preserved.
✔ Housing must serve the needs of all residents, including seniors.
I will continue to advocate for a development model that puts our communities first, ensuring that rural Ottawa remains a great place to live for generations to come.