City Council had a full agenda last week, resulting in a productive day of debate, discussion, and decision-making. Every item and motion brought forward was carried, and I am pleased to share several decisions that will make a practical difference in Ward 20 and across rural Ottawa.
Responding to the July 1 extreme weather event
Council began with a detailed presentation on the July 1 storm and the City’s ongoing response. While Ward 20 was not as impacted as other wards, my thoughts remain with every resident who is still cleaning out a basement, replacing belongings, navigating an insurance claim or trying to return home.
The scale of the event was sobering. Rainfall varied dramatically across Ottawa – from 15 millimetres to 167 millimetres – and some areas experienced rainfall close to or exceeding what would normally be considered a one-in-200-year event. More than 6,000 basement floods were reported, over 30,000 customers lost power, more than 700 trees came down and over 100 residents required temporary housing.
City crews and community partners have completed more than 3,300 wellness visits, assisted over 1,000 residents through information hubs and sessions, collected more than 2,600 tonnes of storm waste and addressed hundreds of tree-related service requests. The City’s major drinking-water, wastewater and emergency systems remained operational throughout the event.
Council approved a series of measures to help residents recover and to make our city better prepared for the next emergency.
Access to the Compassionate Grant Program will be broadened for claims related to the July 1 storm, Council authorized the waiver of certain City fees directly related to storm repairs, including building and demolition permit fees, fees for accessing historic building records and temporary encroachment fees for dumpsters placed in the right-of-way.
A recovery partnership with the Canadian Red Cross was approved for up to six months, with priority given to vulnerable residents. The Red Cross will help coordinate non-governmental support and provide case management, referrals and guidance as residents work through insurance, repairs and recovery. The City will also work with Ottawa’s legal community to provide residents with better access to independent information and advice on insurance disputes and claims. Staff have been directed to engage the insurance sector on flood-risk data, resilience programs, funding opportunities and municipal best practices.
Just as importantly, Council ordered a comprehensive review of the City’s emergency response to make sure we are always learning and improving after each event. That review will look at the timing of information hubs, communication with residents and councillors, support for seniors and vulnerable residents, coordination of volunteers and community organizations, 3-1-1 capacity, drainage and infrastructure performance, development practices and opportunities to improve flood resilience.
Although the most severe flooding occurred in other parts of Ottawa, the lessons are important for us. Rural emergencies come with their own challenges: long travel distances, roadside ditches and culverts, fallen trees, prolonged power interruptions and communities that can become isolated very quickly. As this review moves forward, I will continue pressing to ensure that rural roads, drainage systems, communications and emergency response needs are fully included.
I want to thank the City of Ottawa for their quick support in Ward 20 – it was clear early on July 2nd that areas of our ward would be without power for up to 2 days. Just after noon on July 2nd we had the Larry Robertson Arena opened to serve as a cooling station, to charge phones, fill water and access washrooms/shower facilities. This support lasted until power was restored in the ward. Additionally, water bottles were made available for residents in Vernon, who were out of power. Big thank you to Helen and Keith Porteous for assisting with water bottle deliveries to neighbours without cars, to our Ottawa Community Police Officers for conducting wellness checks, to our rural fire fighters for tagging downed trees and assisting with powerline safety, to our solid waste team for coming up with solutions to deal with spolied food, and to our roads crews for their quick efforts to inspect water overflows and remove downed trees in the City’s right of way. I was impressed with the City’s responsiveness, support and collaboration during this storm event. According to City statistics, only 10 basement floods were reported for Osgoode Ward, the real number may be higher (as some folks may not see the need to report) but do reach out if you have an experience you wish to share as we work to continuously improve emergency responsiveness.
**A note for residents affected by flooding: Please report the flooding through 3-1-1, keep photographs and receipts, contact your insurer and watch Ottawa.ca for details on City and provincial assistance. Residents seeking a Compassionate Grant must still report the flooding to the City within one calendar month of the event.
Moving forward on safety at Dalmeny and Nixon
Council approved my motion to install an all-way stop at the intersection of Dalmeny Road and Nixon Road. This follows two serious collisions at the intersection this year, including the heartbreaking tragedy on June 28. My deepest sympathies remain with the child’s family, loved ones and everyone affected. This intersection had narrowly missed the City’s technical warrant for an all-way stop – by one qualifying collision. I was not prepared to allow a technical threshold delay important change to improve safety.
The all-way stop does not replace the work of Ottawa Police or the Fatal Collision Review Committee. Staff will also assess the intersection for further safety improvements and provide me with possible measures and funding options. I will keep residents informed as that work advances.
Miller’s Farm compromise was approved
Council unanimously approved the negotiated compromise that ensures the Millers Farm in Manotick can continue to operate its supporting businesses. Thank you to all the local residents who came out to show their support for the Millers. It was wonderful to witness democracy in action.
Celebrating our rural history
Council approved the renaming of Hughson Place in Vars to Marshall Farm Lane. The new name recognizes the Marshall family’s longstanding contributions to agriculture and community life in the Vars area. Our rural history is part of the identity of our villages today. I am pleased to see that history reflected in the name of this road. Existing civic numbers will remain unchanged.
Earlier notice of major excess-soil activity
Council enacted an amendment requiring owners or operators of provincially registered excess-soil reuse sites and projects to notify the City and the local ward councillor within five days of registration.
This change grew out of a motion I brought forward in response to resident concerns. Large fill operations can bring significant truck traffic and if not managed properly, damage roads and have environmental impacts. Until now, provincial registration did not automatically notify the municipality or the local councillor.
This does not replace provincial regulation or create a new municipal approval process. It’s a stop gap measure that will allow my office, City staff and residents to be proactively informed of big soil movement activities until a review of the site alteration bylaw is undertaken.
ATV and off-road vehicle pilot extended
The expanded ATV and off-road vehicle trail-network pilot in Wards 5, 20 and 21 has been extended to April 16, 2028. The pilot’s original implementation was delayed while the required agreement was finalized. The extension restores that lost time and provides two full riding seasons for proper monitoring and evaluation. It does not add new routes. It allows the City, participating clubs, residents and enforcement partners to better assess how the approved network is working, respond to complaints and promote safe, responsible use.
Better connections for rural south residents
Council approved the Transportation and Mobility Strategy and Action Plan, including $20.1 million for the Bowesville LRT park-and-ride facility expansion. For many rural residents, using the O-Train begins with driving to a reliable connection point. Given return to office mandates and students returning back to school in September, moving ahead to expand the park-n-ride will ensure rural south-end riders aren’t faced with a full parking lot when they arrive.
Development at the urban-rural boundary can also impact traffic and surrounding communities well beyond the boundaries shown on a planning map. I am always advocating to see infrastructure grow before development, and I am proud to see this project move up sooner, given the significant development anticipated in the Bowesville area in the years to come.
Supporting our rural events and small businesses
Council clarified that the temporary one-day licence for refreshment vendors and itinerant sellers will cost a total of $100 – including the processing fee – through December 31, 2026. That may be especially helpful for vendors participating in rural fairs, farmers’ markets, community celebrations and other seasonal events.
Resolving administrative issues
Council approved the Official Plan amendment needed to support the proposed expansion of the Osgoode Care Centre at 7650 Snake Island Road. This is just one of many steps but removed a barrier to moving forward.
Additionally, Council approved my motion to address an administrative error that prevented a resident from accessing the Country Hill Estates Ditch Compensation Settlement Program. The original information package was sent to an outdated address creating an unfair situation that I am happy we could resolve.