Newsletter - 6 March 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Ottawa drivers are no strangers to blowing and drifting snow, especially on rural roads. Winter winds can push deep snowdrifts from open fields onto roads and highways, creating hazardous driving conditions.
This is also a challenge for the City: plows can’t keep up during windy conditions, and temporary slat fencing is time consuming and expensive to install.
Living snow fences offer an innovative, cost-effective solution. Rows of trees or shrubs are planted parallel to the road to create an effective, long-lasting natural wind barrier, which allows drifting snow to settle in the field instead of on the road.
Unlike temporary slat fencing, living fences are beneficial year-round. Not only will they keep snowdrifts off the road for decades to come, they’ll also prevent soil erosion, improve crop yields, and even provide critical habitat and shelter for local wildlife.
Pilot Project: Financial and Technical Support Available for Landowners
The City of Ottawa, in partnership with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), is launching a pilot project to install living snow fences on three Ottawa farm properties—at no cost to the landowners.
Participating landowners will receive:
✅$700 per acre per year for the area set aside for the living snow fence
✅Free site visits, planting, survival assessments, refill planting, and maintenance for five years
✅A choice of three windbreak designs, customized for their site conditions
RVCA staff will provide the materials and labour. The landowner must simply commit to keeping the living snow fence in place for a minimum of 10 years.
If you’re interested or want to know more, please contact RVCA Forestry Manager Ian Cochrane at ian.cochrane@rvca.ca or 613-692-3571 ext. 1175. To learn more about the RVCA’s tree planting programs visit www.rvca.ca/stewardship-grants/explore.
Keep your neighbours safe and your soil secure! Plant a living snow fence for decades of protection.
Ward Updates
Elementary Program Review
The Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is undertaking an elementary program review to determine whether the current program model serves the needs of the community. Residents who wish to provide feedback can do so by filling out the online survey, participating in one of the upcoming community meetings held by OCBSB, or connecting with their school board trustee.
Access the online survey here
Participate in a community meetings here
Connect with OCDSB Trustee Lynn Scott here
Speed Limit Changes - Huntley and Shea
As residents of Richmond know, when entering the village on Huntley or Shea, the speed limit changes abruptly from 80km/h to 50km/h. I asked staff to review this and, as a result of the review, the City will be introducing a transition zone on both roads early this spring.
Once the signs are installed, the speed limit will change from 80km/h to 60km/h on Huntley and Shea near the village, changing again to 50km/h at roughly the same spot as the current location of the 50km/h signs. This will mean that drivers will be given more opportunity to slow down when entering the village and should help reduce speeding on these approaches to the Richmond.
Display Boards for the S2 Future Neighbourhood (Barrhaven South - East of Greenbank)
A Public Open House was held on February 12, 2025, to present the existing environmental, infrastructure, transportation, and planning conditions that will shape the community plan. This event also provided an opportunity to explore community opportunities and constraints, review the project planning process, and engage directly with the project team.
Residents can view the display boards here. They are also available on the right side of the project website under “Documents”: S2 - Barrhaven South - East of Greenbank - Future Neighbourhood | Engage Ottawa.
Richmond South Station and System Expansion Update
Our office has received an update from Hydro Ottawa regarding upcoming infrastructure work in our community.
Project Details:
Start Date: March 2025
Expected Completion Date: September 2025
Location: Franktown Road (from Joys Road to just west of Conley Road)
Hydro Ottawa will be installing new hydro poles and equipment as part of work to support a future construction project at the Department of National Defense Dwyer Hill Training Centre.
What to Expect:
Traffic Control & Lane Reductions – Measures will be in place to ensure the safety of both residents and workers.
Customer Notices – Affected customers will receive written notifications from Hydro Ottawa about these upgrades.
Planned Power Outages – If power interruptions are required for the work, impacted customers will be notified in advance.
For any questions or concerns, you can contact Sarah from Hydro Ottawa’s Community Relations Team at cr@hydroottawa.com.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as this work is completed.
Notice of Open House - Terms of Reference for Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Trail Waste Facility Optimization and Waste Capacity Expansion
The City of Ottawa would like to receive community feedback on the proposed expansion of the existing Site and is hosting its Open House #1 event as follows:
March 19, 2025 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
South Carleton High School
3684 McBean St, Richmond
For further information on the proposed study and to sign up for e-mail notification, please visit ottawa.ca
Previous updates
Out & About
I was pleased to represent the Mayor and provide opening remarks at the Ontario Stone and Gravel Association's Annual Conference last week.
I was invited to meet with residents at Manotick Place Retirement Community. We chatted about traffic safety, future infrastructure projects, and, of course history of the village and dairy farming.
On March 4, to celebrate Bulgaria's National Day, I provided opening remarks on behalf of the Mayor at the Flag Raising Ceremony for the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria.
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
March 20 due date for interim property taxes and Vacant Unit Tax declarations
City of Ottawa recognized as one of the National Capital Region's Top Employer
City asks: how do you want to access park accessibility information?
Committee approves expanding fire stations in two rural communities
Committee approves policy to improve access to cultural funding
How will tariffs and counter-tariffs impact businesses and residents in Ottawa?
City Wide Sports leagues: Hit the courts and diamonds this spring
Stay in touch
I want to hear from you! Connect with the team and stay informed by:
Following us on social media by clicking the icons below
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.