Newsletter - 6 February 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
An Update from City Council
We have now passed the halfway point of this term of Council. This milestone was marked by the City’s Midterm Governance Review – a key opportunity to improve how we serve residents. While many smaller changes are being made, some significant updates will have a meaningful impact on our communities, particularly in rural Ottawa.
Strengthening Rural Ottawa’s Voice
As many readers know, the Rural Summit highlighted the need for a more effective, locally responsive governance model for rural Ottawa. The Midterm Governance Review has set the stage for this much-needed change, and we now have the chance to act on the priorities of rural residents.
Some key changes for rural Ottawa include:
Stronger Rural Representation: Issues affecting rural Ottawa will be reviewed by rural Councillors before reaching City Council, ensuring decisions are made with local insight.
Enhanced Budget Oversight: The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) will have a greater role in allocating funds for rural infrastructure and services, giving local leaders more control over tax dollar investments.
Action on Rural Summit Priorities: Final updates to ARAC’s structure and mandate will be presented this summer. I am committed to ensuring these changes translate into real improvements for rural communities.
These governance changes will substantially improve rural Councillors’ ability to set funding priorities, design policy, and ensure that the City is spending its energy in ways that will have the most positive impact on our rural communities.
I am honoured to have also been appointed Chair of ARAC and look forward to working alongside my ARAC colleagues to strengthen the City’s approach to rural issues and deliver the outcomes identified in the Rural Summit. I am especially grateful to Councillor George Darouze for his leadership and guidance as the outgoing Chair.
Preparing for Economic Uncertainty
With my new role as ARAC Chair, I also now sit on the Finance and Corporate Services Committee. At my first committee meeting, I advanced a motion – which passed unanimously – to address the financial impacts of U.S.-Canada trade tariffs on the City.
The motion directs City staff to develop a plan to ensure that the procurement policies and banking and investment services relied upon by the City are prioritizing Canadian and local options wherever possible. This plan would be particularly focused on avoiding American goods and services to reduce the impacts of tariffs and do our part to protect our economy.
The motion also asks the Mayor to work with local business leaders to develop an action plan to promote buying local, to work with the Mayor of Gatineau to advocate for the removal of interprovincial trade barriers, and to collaborate with all other relevant partners to create local supply chains that diversify away from reliance on American products and services.
Though the 30-day deferral on tariffs gives us some breathing room, my motion makes sure that the City uses that time wisely. Rest assured: the municipal government will be as prepared as possible to meet the economic challenges that tariffs might introduce.
Fairness for Ottawa: Uploading the LRT to the Province
Earlier this week, both the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and Liberal Party of Ontario announced that, if they formed the next provincial government, they would take on responsibility for operating the LRT. This is in response to the Mayor’s Fairness for Ottawa campaign; Mayor Sutcliffe has been consistent and clear in his advocacy that Ottawa deserves the same kinds of transit funding supports as other major cities in the province.
Though the finer details still have to be ironed out, this would be extremely significant for Ottawa. The best estimate is that it would save Ottawa about $200 million a year.
The costly LRT mess that this term of Council inherited would be shouldered by the province, fixing the City’s financial crisis and allowing municipal dollars to go toward other vital priorities, such as upgrading our infrastructure. Moreover, this new support would help us keep taxes low.
A great deal of credit is owed to Mayor Sutcliffe for advocating for the City and getting buy-in on this arrangement. It is a gamechanger that will allow Ottawa to finally move on from the disaster that was the LRT, ensuring that transit service remains affordable and reliable while also enabling the City to meet other vital objectives.
Creating an Agile Government
Additionally, through the Midterm Governance Review and advocacy from my office, the City is establishing a working group dedicated to improving government efficiency. This group will focus on:
Cutting Red Tape
Streamlining Processes
Reducing Unnecessary Costs
I am pleased to have been nominated to this working group, where I will work to ensure the City operates more efficiently, effectively, and responsively. The goal is to save time internally for City staff and externally for residents, allowing the City to allocate existing resources more effectively and reducing headaches for residents and businesses.
This initiative builds on the City’s ongoing efforts to find cost savings, an approach that has helped us maintain and expand services while saving the average resident over $400 annually in property taxes.
I believe these changes mark a significant step toward a leaner, more responsive government that will deliver better services at a lower cost, particularly in rural Ottawa, where local representation is crucial. I am eager to take on these new responsibilities and drive meaningful improvements for our communities.
If you have ideas on how the City can cut red tape or better support rural Ottawa, I encourage you to reach out to my office at ward21@ottawa.ca. Your input is invaluable as we work together to build a more effective local government.
Ward Updates
Second Public Open House - S2 Future Neighbourhood (Barrhaven South - East of Greenbank)
The City is hosting the Second Public Open House for the S2 Future Neighbourhood Plan (Barrhaven South - East of Greenbank). The existing environmental, infrastructure, transportation and planning conditions that will factor into the community plan will be presented. This event offers a chance to explore the community opportunities and constraints, review the project planning process, and engage directly with the project team.
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Walter Baker Sports Centre, Food Court, 100 Malvern Drive
For more details visit the project page at Engage Ottawa.
Previous updates
The City of Ottawa is looking for a volunteer community member to help maintain the outdoor boarded skating rink at Richmond Lions Park (3302 Huntley Road).
Interested volunteers can contact seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca.
Construction Updates
Road Resurfacing & Construction Impacts
Below is a updated list of roads that will be resurfaced or are being impacted by infrastructure work. There may be nighttime construction noise associated with some of these projects from the hours of 10:00pm to 7:00am.
Further updates will be provided as necessary about these projects and other planned road work.
Prince of Wales Drive from Longfield Drive to Barnsdale Road (ongoing)
Other Construction
Below are other ongoing construction projects and activities that may have local impacts, including closures and lane reductions:
-Multiple Roads on Long Island - Manotick Watermain Link (Phase 2)
-Brophy Drive between Moodie Drive and William McEwen Drive - one lane closure (until the end of the year) for two culvert renewal projects.
-Joy's Road between Franktown Road and Garvin Road - intermittent closures (until Spring 2025) for Hydro Ottawa pole line work.
-Ottawa Street West - Storm sewer and utility work.
A list of current and future construction project plans are listed on the Ward 21 website here. Any immediate or significant construction notices and/or development plans will be included in future newsletters.
**For more information about planned construction projects and road resurfacing plans across the city, please visit the online interactive map here.**
Community Events
You can check out the Ward 21 website at any time to see an up-to-date list of upcoming events.
In case you missed this week’s event newsletter, click here: Upcoming Community Events in Ward 21!
City Updates and Events
O-Train Line 1 service adjustment on February 9 for Stage 2 testing
Provincial election signs permitted on public and private property
Council approves housing taskforce to reduce red tape and encourage more builds
Committee approves regulations for battery energy storage systems
Cold weather, warm pipes. Top tips to keep your pipes flowing.
O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will open on Saturdays starting Saturday, January 25
Southbound lane reductions along Woodroffe Avenue for ongoing watermain repairs
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Stay in touch
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Visiting our website at www.ward21.ca
Emailing your concerns to ward21@ottawa.ca
Calling the office at 613-580-2491
Want to meet with Councillor Brown at his North Gower office? Email ward21@ottawa.ca to book an appointment.