Councillor's Message
I hope you all took the time to get out and vote yesterday! As Premier Ford begins another mandate, I look forward to continuing to work with him and his team to serve the residents of our city. A big congratulations as well to the newly elected and re-elected Ottawa MPPs, including our MPP for Orléans, Stephen Blais, our MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Stéphane Sarazin, and to my colleague George Darouze for winning his seat in Carleton—I look forward to continuing our collaboration to advocate for our community at the provincial level.
I hope you’ve had a chance to catch your breath after the massive dig-out we all just endured! With over 70 cm of snow falling in just five days a couple of weeks ago, our winter operations teams have been working around the clock to keep roads, sidewalks, and pathways clear.
And more is on the way! Another winter storm is brewing with up to 20 cm possible into tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, March 1). As a result, a daytime winter parking ban has been called from 10 am to 7 pm. Please ensure you are not parked on city streets while crews operate. For more info: Ottawa.ca/winterparking
Snow bank removal will continue over the next two weeks, as crews work their way down main arteries to residential streets. Ottawa’s winter maintenance standards remain the gold standard across the country, and I want to thank our crews for their dedication. A big shoutout also goes to residents who continue to step up to help their neighbours with shoveling and snow clearing—our community spirit is what makes Orléans South-Navan such a great place to live.
It’s also been a busy time in the ward! I had a great time crisscrossing the community, from the Elizabeth Manley Winter Classic Competition to Dueling Pianos in Navan to the launch of Salon de Vie Active at RAFO. I love seeing so many residents out and about, enjoying everything our community has to offer.
Now, for the big news that many of you have already seen—we’re finally piloting a direct shuttle from Chapel Hill Park & Ride to Blair Station! Starting Monday, March 3, Route 226 will launch as a six-week pilot, running express service westbound to Blair in the morning (every 30 minutes from 5:44 am to 8:53 am) and eastbound back to Chapel Hill Park & Ride in the afternoon (every 30 minutes from 3:20 pm to 6:03 pm). This is a huge opportunity for transit riders in South Orléans, but I need your help to prove that if efficient transit is available, residents will use it.
Ridership during this pilot will be the key factor in proving that residents will take transit when it is fast, reliable, and convenient. If we show strong numbers, I will have leverage to push for more direct service to continue. After April 26 the pilot will be over and the route will be modified to include stops in Blackburn Hamlet and Chapel Hill South based on their pre-planned “New Ways to Bus” program. I remain hopeful that we can revisit service in this area based on the pilot’s success.
Since taking over this area in late 2022, I’ve been relentless in my push for better transit options for South Orléans. One of my biggest frustrations has been the underutilization of the Chapel Hill Park & Ride—not because residents don’t want to use it, but because we haven’t had a route that makes sense. For years, OC Transpo has insisted that ridership must justify increased service, but I’ve never accepted that as a final answer. We’ve been stuck in a chicken-and-egg scenario—how can ridership improve if we don’t offer a service that works?
After two budget cycles of advocating for this, I refused to take no for an answer. And now, thanks to continued pressure, we finally have a six-week pilot shuttle to Blair Station.
Now, it’s up to us—let’s fill those buses and prove that South Orléans deserves better transit! For more information, please click here.
March is Francophonie Month!💚🤍
Forever and always, our francophone community is an integral part of who we are as a city. Culturally, historically and linguistically, our French heritage is what makes our city so unique.
Happy Francophonie Month!
Touring Ottawa Public Health’s new dental clinic
I had the pleasure of visiting the construction site of the upcoming Ottawa Public Health Dental Clinic in Orléans last week.
This new clinic at the Orléans Client Service Centre on Centrum Boulevard will strengthen public health’s ability to provide essential dental care services to the community, including treatments, preventive care, and system navigation for those in need.
By expanding OPH’s capacity, we’re making these critical services more accessible to residents in Ottawa’s east end, ensuring more people get the care they need, when they need it.
The Bradley Cup is back March 21-22 at Navan Arena!
Get ready for the return of the Bradley Cup Charity Hockey Tournament!
Join us at the Navan Memorial Centre on March 21-22 to cheer on Navan, Cumberland, Vars, Sarsfield, Orléans, and Hammond as they compete for the title.
The tournament promises to be a great day, fun for the whole family, with live entertainment, food & beverage, and of course, competitive hockey—all in support of the Navan Pavilion Project.
Reminder to complete your Vacant Unit Tax declaration before March 20
Don't forget you have until March 20th for your Vacant Unit Tax declaration.
All you need is your roll number and access code, which can be found on either the information email or letter sent to your home, and your property tax bill. If you are registered with My SeviceOttawa, you can go directly to the declaration from your property tax account.
For more information, please visit here.
Enjoy March Break at Ottawa Public Library!
Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is thrilled to have an exciting lineup of activities and programs for children and teens during this year's March Break, running from March 10-15. With a week packed full of daily online programs and special events at various branches, there’s something for everyone!
To find a program or event, please click here.
Registration is now open for citywide spring and sports leagues
We know you are tired of shoveling snow! And your mind must be wandering to warmer days and outdoor exercise that does not involve clearing your driveway.
Well, registration is now open for Citywide Sports spring and summer leagues.
Gather your friends or meet new ones.
Play women’s softball, women’s and mixed beach volleyball, and women’s pickleball.
Registration for most leagues closes May 23.
Sign up today: https://bit.ly/4bcfav6
Marking the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic
This upcoming March 11 will mark the fifth anniversary of the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, by the World Health Organization in 2020. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and recognize the profound and ongoing impacts that this pandemic has had on our lives, our families, and our communities.
Let us take this moment to reflect on the strength we’ve shown as a community, support those who continue to face pandemic-related challenges, and honour the memories of those who are no longer with us.
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