Orléans South-Navan Community Update | January 17th 2025

Jan 177 min read

Councillor's Message

Happy New Year Orléans South—Navan! I know we’re already more than halfway through January (where has the time gone), but given this is the first newsletter of 2025, I thought I’d take the opportunity to wish you and yours all my best.

As we kick off the new year, I’ve already engaged with the mayor’s office, my east-end colleagues and City staff discussing the exciting prospects and challenges that lie ahead. What continues to be top of mind is the pressure Orléans South-Navan is under when it comes to the rapid-pace of development and our increasing transportation challenges. Believe me when I tell you I take every opportunity to raise this, and based on these conversations, I trust that we will make progress on solutions in the year ahead. I have more to say on that below, which included lifting of a very important inquiry of mine this past week at Planning and Housing Committee.

Despite the cold weather, I want to extend a shout-out to the dedicated crews working tirelessly to clear the snow and maintain our industry-leading winter standards. Their commitment in this weather ensures our streets remain safe and accessible. I also appreciate the positive and constructive feedback I’m receiving on their work, which I do pass along.

The consistent cold weather has not deterred the volunteers at our outdoor rinks and trails. They’re working hard to build and flood rinks or groom our trails, providing a space for our community to come together and enjoy the winter season. A special shoutout to all outdoor rink crews and Ski Heritage East for all you do. If you see these volunteers out braving the cold, please take a moment to thank them for their hard work and dedication.

I also want to thank the Cumberland Minor Hockey Association for hosting an incredible 2025 U-7 Fun Day this past weekend at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex. It was great to see so many familiar faces cheering on their young athletes, and I was very proud to sponsor such a wonderful event!

As you can already tell, it’s already been a busy start to the year, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I look forward to seeing you out and about and enjoying all the local winter activities our community has to offer.

Stay warm,

Inquiry into how development charge funds are spent on building new roads in Orléans

As your Councillor, it's my responsibility to ask tough questions and fight for fairness in how our community is treated. Since I became responsible for the east end’s principal developable areas in 2022, I have been on a mission to uncover how the growth of our community has outpaced infrastructure so wildly. On Wednesday, I tabled an inquiry regarding the allocation of development charges (DCs) — fees applied to new home construction to help fund infrastructure like roads. The results confirmed what I have been raising continually at city hall – while Orléans South has grown rapidly, our infrastructure has not kept up. At all.

From 2015 to 2024, the east end received just $20 million in development charges for the construction of new arterial/collector roads — while Barrhaven/Findlay Creek received $174 million and Kanata/Stittsville $131 million.

I also pulled building permits issued during the same period. As anyone living here knows, the numbers confirmed that the east has been growing just as fast as the other suburbs.

You’re probably wondering: how does this large inequity happen? Infrastructure projects (roads for cars and transit, but also complete streets that include walking and cycling facilities) are identified in the City’s Transportation Master Plan. The last update happened in 2013, and it’s clear that at that time, the growth of South Orléans was underestimated as large-scale east end projects were not prioritized for investment.

This year, the Master Plan will finally be updated, and my reason for this inquiry was to make clear: it’s the east end’s era for investment.

In what I know will be an all-out fight for dollars during that update, I wanted to do my homework and make sure that I had facts to back me up. Armed with these numbers, it’s indisputable that capacity building in our network has not been equitable. There should be no debate that it’s our turn.

It is my view that mobility within our communities and cities is vital for quality of life. Orléans South lacks efficient transit, walkable amenities, cycling infrastructure and large-scale employers. You deserve those options for moving around our community and getting where you need to go.

The motion I put forward was also passed unanimously to review how we approach these large construction projects. I’m pushing for a new process that will prioritize road projects in smaller, more affordable chunks, making it easier to get them done faster. The current system of waiting decades for infrastructure to catch up to growth is not working, and we need a different model.

Orléans South is growing, and we need the infrastructure investment to match. I look forward to seeing the results of the report in advance of the Transportation Master Plan draft. You can count on me to bring my boxing gloves to that fight.

If you'd like to read the Ottawa Citizen article, please click here.

To watch my full comments at committee, please visit https://www.facebook.com/share/v/12EaGaxR6Wd/

To read Radio-Canada's article (en francais), click here.

Hydro Ottawa information sessions on new Mer-Bleue Municipal Transformer Station

Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend the information sessions for Hydro Ottawa’s new Mer-Bleue Municipal Transformer Station.

Your questions and engagement are important as we work together to support the growing needs of our community.

I’m grateful for your interest and input as Hydro Ottawa moves forward with this critical infrastructure project. This is just the first step in the process and there will be additional opportunities in the future to attend information sessions on the project.

If you have questions, or you would like to receive project updates, including information about upcoming community information sessions, please email Hydro Ottawa directly at merbleue@hydroottawa.com to be part of their mailing list or visit the website here.

Information Session on proposed Telus Monopole

Telus is looking to construct a 6 storey (22 metres) telecommunications monopole at 2283 Portobello Boulevard (in the back driveway area of Fire Station 55). The monopole, once operational, will allow for improved cellular connectivity in the area.

Consultants for the project are hosting a virtual information session on Thursday, January 23 from 7 to 8:30 pm via ZOOM.

Please note that a Zoning By-law Amendment is not required for federally regulated telecommunications infrastructure.

If you’d like to register for the info session, please click here.

Have your say on the new Aquaview Parkette

A new parkette is coming to Sebastien Street, Prominence Way, and Sherpperton Street.

Construction is planned for 2025, but staff need your feedback first! They’ve developed 2 concept plans, and they’re asking you to choose which design you think works best for you.

Take a look at the 2 concept plans and vote for your favorite.

Your input will help create a park for the community. The survey is open until January 22 so don’t miss your chance to have your say. Click here for more info: https://ow.ly/fNn950UBZKF

Have your say in the new Avalon Isgar Neighbourhood Park

Another park to provide your feedback for!

The City is excited to announce the development of the Avalon Isgar Neighbourhood Park and we want your feedback on its design! This new community park will be located adjacent to the storm water pond between Beaudelaire Drive and Esprit Drive, behind Winterspring Ridge, in the heart of the Avalon community in Ward 19.

Share your thoughts by completing our online survey here: https://ow.ly/fI0150UG7Ao

Nominations open for 2025 Orléans Leading Women and Girls Recognition Awards

Celebrate the amazing women and girls in our community by nominating them for the 2025 Orléans Leading Women and Girls Recognition Awards!

To nominate someone please email Marie-France.Lalonde@parl.gc.ca or call 613-834-1800. The deadline is February 14, 2025.

Stay safe and know how to protect your vehicle

The Ottawa Police would like to remind residents to remain vigilant, stay safe, and safeguard their vehicles to avoid being a victim of vehicle theft.

Thefts of late model luxury SUVs and light trucks continue in Ottawa however, the vehicle theft trend is not limited to Lexus/Toyota products. Newer models of the Rav4, Honda CRV, Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as Ford F-Series trucks (higher trim level) and all makes and models of vehicles that are equipped with a proximity key (i.e., push-button start), have also been targeted by thieves.

If you see someone attempting to steal your car, please call 911. For your own safety, DO NOT engage the thief.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention methods:

Park inside a garage if you can
Block your vehicle in tightly in front of a second less sought after vehicle
Install an after-market vehicle immobilizer
Use a steering wheel lock (i.e. “Club”)
Install after-market tracking devices, GPS or air tags
Install an Engine Control Module (ECM) port-lock
Install motion detection lights and exterior surveillance cameras
Report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222
When parking your vehicle at shopping malls or sporting events, always lock your doors and activate any security features.

For more information, visit ottawapolice.ca

Vacant Unit Tax declaration period now open

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.

More info: https://ow.ly/Pih650UAGi2

Check out March break camps offerings before January 21 registration

We’ve got something fun planned for your kids over the March break. Check out register.ottawa.ca for a wide variety of themes, activities, and interests at affordable prices. Registration is Tuesday, January 21 at 9 pm.

This year’s March Break camps are open to children and youth, ages 4 to 14, and they are offered in English and French. Our instructors will lead your children through fun, educational and entertaining activities, such as: