Orléans South-Navan Community Update | March 28th 2025

Councillor's Message

Another incredible Bradley Cup weekend is in the books! This year’s tournament was particularly special, featuring the inaugural women’s hockey matchup—congrats to Team Hammond on their big win! We also took a moment to recognize Frank Boyer for his role in bringing the Cup back, and the tournament championship went to Team Vars in front of what felt like the biggest crowd yet.

None of this would be possible without the dedicated volunteers who make it happen. From the organizing committee to the servers, ticket sellers, and local businesses who provide financial support—thank you! A special shoutout to the Navan Lions Club and the Navan Women’s Institute for their continued support.

While the competition on the ice is fierce, the Bradley Cup is about more than hockey. It’s about community. Seeing generations of families, neighbours, and friends—young and old—come together is what makes this event so special.

I’m always proud to sponsor it, and it was great to see my colleague Matt Luloff and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe there as well.

I can’t wait to hear how much was raised for the Navan Pavilion!

Also last Saturday, I had the pleasure of touring local businesses in the ward with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

We stopped by JT Bradley’s, a beloved neighbourhood staple in Navan, where we chatted about the importance of supporting local. In Navan, we also visited The New Oak Tree, and in Orléans, we dropped by Bushtukah, Mavericks Donuts and Orléans Brewing Company, all businesses that are native to Ottawa and employ local residents.

It was a great opportunity to connect with business owners, hear their insights, and discuss ways to continue championing our vibrant local economy.

Now more than ever, with rising trade tensions and tariffs, it’s crucial to shop local and buy Canadian. Supporting businesses in our own backyard not only strengthens our community but also helps protect local jobs. Let's continue to stand behind the hardworking business owners who make Orléans South-Navan thrive!

Last week, I also sat down with my Ward 19 team for our quarterly strategy session, where we took a deep dive into 2025 priorities. These planning meetings allow us to reflect on recent wins and plan for the road ahead, ensuring we’re always working to deliver for Orléans South-Navan. A lot of what we do happens behind the scenes—countless meetings, phone calls, research, and planning sessions—so that we can be proactive in tackling the challenges ahead.

As your Councillor, I am focused on solutions that make life better for residents. That means pushing for critical infrastructure improvements, fighting for better transit, supporting local economic development, advocating for our farmers and rural communities, ensuring seniors have the resources they need, and strengthening our community services. I take the time to understand issues from all sides, listen, consult, and find practical solutions. Whether it’s policy work at City Hall, improving internal processes to work more effectively and efficiently, or addressing your concerns, my team and I are here, working hard every day to serve you.

As always, if there’s anything we can help with, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Spring Snow/Ice Weather Event this weekend

A major winter storm is set to impact Ottawa starting tonight and continuing through the weekend. Heavy snowfall, ice pellets, and freezing rain are expected, with the potential for power outages and hazardous road conditions.

What to Expect:

• Tonight & Saturday: Snow and ice pellets, with accumulations of 10 to 15 cm.

• Sunday: Freezing rain, with ice buildup of up to 15 mm.

• Impacts: Slippery roads, tree damage, and possible power outages.

After a brief pause on Saturday, freezing rain is expected to begin early Sunday and continue through the evening. Travel conditions will be hazardous, so please take extra caution and avoid unnecessary trips.

How to Prepare:

• Have flashlights, extra batteries, and fully charged devices ready in case of power outages.

• Check Hydro Ottawa’s Outage Map or Hydro One’s Outage Map for updates.

• Review emergency preparedness steps and tips here.

If you can, please check on neighbours, stay informed, and take precautions to stay safe.

Progress continues on the François Dupuis District Park expansion

I was pleased to meet Mayor Sutcliffe on-site last week to discuss the much-anticipated expansion of François Dupuis District Park. This project represents a significant investment in our community, with over $12 million allocated to deliver much-needed recreational amenities for residents.

At this time, the project is out for tender and going through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

Next steps also include refining the design concept based on site constraints and previous community feedback. Public consultation on the final amenities and design is expected later this year, and I will ensure residents stay informed as staff prepare to present the final plans.

City staff have confirmed that construction is still anticipated to begin in Spring 2026. While this project has taken longer than originally hoped, I remain committed to seeing it through and delivering a high-quality park that meets the needs of our growing community.

REMINDER – One month left to take the Chapel Hill Park & Ride Shuttle!

In case you missed it, Route 226 is 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) until April 26.

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!

We were out at your doors this week promoting the new service, and thank you to all those who took the time to chat. If you have taken the shuttle, I would love to hear from you about your experience.

See you on the shuttle! We have 4 more weeks to prove ourselves.

East-end virtual information session for New Ways to Bus launch

New Ways to Bus includes more than 100 routes and is planned to launch on Sunday, April 27, 2025, opening new connections across the city. Every neighbourhood and most customers will see changes to their trip.

The new network is a key part of OC Transpo’s 5-Year Roadmap and is based on the results of the 2023 Bus Route Review.

To understand specific route changes, OC Transpo will be holding a virtual east-end focused public information session on Tuesday, April 15 from 7 – 8:30 pm.

To register, please click here.

Keeping our community safe

Last week, I met with Inspector Sheehy of the Ottawa Police Service to discuss some of the safety concerns that I hear about from you, including speeding, vehicle and commercial thefts, and vandalism. The police are very aware of these challenges and through our new district policing model, are committed to increasing their presence in our community.

I have a great relationship with Inspector Sheehy, and we keep each other constantly informed of what’s going on in our community. I’ll continue to bring your concerns forward, and you can also help by making non-emergency police reports when you notice speeding or dangerous driving. The Ottawa Police will use the volume of calls and reports they receive to help determine where to patrol. So multiple reports from multiple individuals helps bring enforcement to your neighbourhood. You can make reports here: (https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/reports-and-requests/file-a-report.aspx or by phone: 613-236-1222, ext.7300.

By working together, we can make Orléans South—Navan a safer place for everyone.

Public information session for Hydro One’s Orléans reinforcement project

To support growing electricity demand in Orléans, Hydro One is continuing to advance their project to build a new 12-kilometer 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between Orleans Transformer Station (TS) and Hawthrone TS.

The proposed new transmission line would be in the middle of the existing hydro corridor. Most of the new line would consist of single poles like roadside distribution lines.

Hydro One is hosting a drop-in style community open house on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 3-7 pm at Notre-Dame-des-Champs Community Hall (3659 Navan Road).

At the open house, Hydro One staff will provide details about the Class EA process, project timelines, and preliminary information about construction.

If you have any questions, please directly email Community.relations@HydroOne.com or MPP Stephen Blais at sblais.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Celebrating "Ottawa Made" Book Launch

I attended the book launch for "Ottawa Made" on Tuesday evening by the incredible Sam Laprade and Caroline Phillips! 

A huge congratulations to both of them for championing the people, businesses, and products that make our city shine. Especially in light of the current trade tensions with the U.S., supporting Made in Ottawa has never been more important. 

It was incredible to see so many familiar faces - leaders, entrepreneurs and community builders - who make our city what it is and give us so much to be proud of. 

Congrats again, Sam and Caroline!

If you're interested in purchasing their book, you can do so here.

Temporary traffic calming reinstatements

As warmer weather starts to arrive, the City has begun its transition back to seasonal operations. This includes traffic calming reinstatements on roads identified by my office. Works include installation of traffic flex stakes, speed boards and other speed reduction measures.

Reinstatement of flex stakes and refreshing pavement markings have started (weather dependent) and will continue into July. New measures will be installed between mid-June to mid-September.

My team diligently tracks all speeding-related complaints and works closely with traffic assessment professionals to introduce new and reoccurring traffic calming measures where they will have the most impact.

I also regularly meet with residents to discuss speeding issues in all corners of Ward 19. Please look out while crews continue their reinstatements and please slow down!

La fête FrancoFUN de Béatrice-Desloges

It was a great Saturday last week at the 2nd edition of École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges' FrancoFUN party!

Thank you to the organizers and the entire school community for creating such a lively and fun space to celebrate francophone culture - and to mark the Journée internationale de la Francophonie, which took place earlier in the week.

Volunteer call-out for Wheels of Hope program

The Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program is looking for more volunteer drivers to help residents in your community.

If you, or someone you know, is looking to fill some time in your day, love to drive and want to support people with cancer, we encourage you to volunteer with Wheels of Hope.

As a volunteer driver, you can give the gift of a ride to people with cancer who need help getting to and from their life-saving cancer treatments and other appointments. Mileage reimbursement or tax receipt is provided.

Visit www.volunteercancer.ca and click on Wheels of Hope. For more information, please email us at volunteer@cancer.ca 

Sharing Osgoode-specific updates in my role as caretaker

Former Ottawa City Councillor George Darouze, who represented Ward 20 – Osgoode, has been sworn in as the new Member of Provincial Parliament for Carleton.

The City Clerk will oversee the process to fill the vacancy, with a by-election taking place this June.

In the meantime, Council has delegated authority for Ward 20 to Councillor David Brown and I to ensure continuity of service and representation in a caretaker capacity.

I will be including relevant Ward 20-specific updates in this section of my newsletters moving forward until a Councillor for that ward is sworn in. 

A note from the Ward 20 team

Welcome to this week’s update for Ward 20! Throughout this transitional period, our team remains here to assist you with municipal concerns, connect you with resources, and keep you informed about what’s happening in our community.

Whether it’s a question about city services, road maintenance, or local initiatives, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to help and we encourage you to connect with us at either Ward20@Ottawa.ca or 613-580-2490 whenever you need assistance.

Sandbag locations in Ward 20

The City’s Spring Freshet Task Force continues to monitor conditions in coordination with our external partners and should more sandbag depots, open residents can find them here.

In Ward 20, sandbags are available at 2155 Roger Stevens Drive.

Community resources in Osgoode

If you or someone you know is in need of food support, there are several local resources available in our community.

The Village Storehouse at Parkway Church, the Food Cupboard at Greely Convenience Store, and the Osgoode Emergency Food Cupboard at St John the Evangelist Church are here to help those facing food insecurity.

If you require assistance or would like to contribute, please reach out to these community partners. No one should go hungry—help is available.

Federal election signs permitted on public and private property

Election signs for the 2025 Canadian federal election can be placed on public and private property (with the permission of the resident or business owner) until 11:59 pm on Thursday, May 1.

The City of Ottawa has two signs by-laws that regulate election signs for municipal, provincial, and federal elections: the Temporary Signs on Private Property By-law (No. 2004-239) and the Signs on City Roads By-law (No. 2003-520). All signs must adhere to the regulations set out in these by-laws.

Election signs on public and private property must not be:

1. within three metres (3 m) of an intersection,

2. within fifty centimetres (50 cm) of a sidewalk, or where there is no sidewalk, within two metres (2 m) of the roadway or within fifty centimetres (50 cm) of the edge of a shoulder where such exists, or

3. placed on central medians, including in roundabouts.

Signs on both public and private property must be removed 72 hours after election day (11:59 pm on Thursday, May 1).

By-law and Regulatory Services is responsible for the enforcement of the City’s Temporary Signs on Private Property and Signs on City Roads by-laws. Any concerns or complaints regarding election signs should be directed to 3-1-1.

Please refer to the City’s Transit By-law (No. 2007-268) for sign regulations on transit property.

Contact the National Capital Commission(link is external) (NCC) for restrictions of signs on NCC lands and the Ministry of Transportation(link is external) (MTO) for restrictions on provincial highways.

Report a pothole

Spring is here, which means… it’s also pothole season!

With freeze-thaw cycles in full effect, Roads and Parking Services crews have already started repairs across the city.

If you come across a pothole in need of attention, you can report it through the City’s online service request system here.

Residents are asked to stay off sports fields and baseball diamonds

While we have seen the snow melting recently and have enjoyed some above-normal temperatures, residents are reminded that sports fields and ball diamonds still remain closed. 

Ball diamonds and sports fields need maintenance and drying time before they open and could be damaged if used while in their current condition. 

We will be monitoring the field and weather conditions throughout the remainder of March and April. Once it has been we have determined that ball diamonds and sports fields are ready for play not at risk, we will advise the public and confirm the opening dates. 

Launch of the Private Land Tree Planting Program: Plant Your Place! 

Plant Your Place! program is launching on March 31! Ottawa residents - apply to receive a FREE tree for your home - because tomorrow takes root today.

Learn about program details and eligibility criteria here.

New grants available through the Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program

The Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program (ORCWP) provides funding for projects that protect surface water and groundwater quality.

Landowners completing projects in 2025 may be eligible for grants of up to $15,000 depending on the project they are undertaking. The next application deadline is May 1, 2025.

Grants are available for 19 kinds of projects related to nutrient management, soil protection, water management, land stewardship, and education and innovation. Farmers from rural and urban Ottawa, along with landowners within rural Ottawa, are eligible to apply. Non-profit organizations can apply for education and innovation projects.

Applications will be accepted through the LandOwner Resource Centre, which works in partnership with the Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities and the City of Ottawa.

Contact the LandOwner Resource Centre at 613-692-3571 ext. 1136, toll free at 1-800-267-3504. Visit ottawa.ca/cleanwater to see a full list of eligible projects and to apply online.

Like what you've read? Sign up to receive our newsletter directly to your email every two weeks!

SIGN UP