Ice Storm Update

Dear Neighbour,

Yesterday's storm resulted in widespread power losses throughout the city, as well as many downed trees and tree branches. With the weather warming up, we should have some relief soon.

Hydro Ottawa, Hydro Ontario, and City of Ottawa staff are working around the clock to resolve the many problems facing residents today. Please see some important updates below.

Warm regards,
Laine

Chères voisines, chers voisins,

La tempête d’hier a entraîné des pannes de courant importantes dans toute la ville. De nombreux arbres ont été renversés et des branches brisées. La hausse des températures nous procurera bientôt un répit.

Le personnel d’Hydro Ottawa, d’Hydro Ontario et de la Ville d’Ottawa travaille sans relâche pour régler les multiples problèmes auxquels sont confrontés les résidents aujourd’hui. Vous trouverez ci-dessous d’importantes mises à jour.

Cordialement,
Laine


City facilities available for power, washrooms, warmth

The City of Ottawa is opening the following facilities for the public's use to charge devices, use washrooms, or simply keep warm. Here are some in or close to Ward 8:

  • Pinecrest Recreation Centre
  • Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe
  • Nepean Sportsplex 
  • Howard Darwin Centennial Arena
  • J.A. Dulude Arena

FACILITÉS D'UTILISATION DES VILLES POUR RECHARGER LES APPAREILS, UTILISER LES TOILETTES OU SE RÉCHAUFFER


La Ville d'Ottawa ouvre les installations suivantes au public pour qu'il puisse recharger ses appareils, utiliser les toilettes ou simplement se réchauffer. En voici quelques-unes dans le quartier 8 ou à proximité :

  • Centre récréatif Pinecrest
  • Théâtre Meridian à Centrepointe
  • Sportsplex de Nepean
  • Aréna Howard Darwin Centennial
  • Aréna J.A. Dulude

Message from Hydro Ottawa


Message from Public Works

Ottawa has seen a mix of ice pellets, freezing rain, thunder, lightning, and a sustained downpour. Environment Canada’s alerts regarding freezing rain and heavy rainfall in the Ottawa region have proven out: the prolonged period of freezing rain, strong winds and rainfall continued throughout this afternoon and has led to significant ice build-up, power outages, tree damage and ponding. Thankfully, air temperatures have started to rise and surface temperatures are above zero, giving relief to our transportation networks – but there’s plenty of work to be done.

Public Works is working quickly and safely to provide the everyday services residents rely on while responding to the impacts of this significant weather event.

Roads, sidewalks and the winter cycling network

The Significant Weather Event (SWE) declared yesterday afternoon remains in effect. Crews have been out nonstop and managed to stay ahead of this event, treating sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network. Where necessary, ice on sidewalks has been scraped down and treated. As evening falls, crews will start to make their way into residential neighborhoods to begin treating streets as required. This work will continue through the night.

Our supervisors continue to monitor conditions and crews have been deployed to address drainage issues. As the rain continues, we will also monitor areas that are prone to localized flooding and address any water pooling by ensuring catch basins and ditches are opened.       

Trees, limbs and brush

Forestry Services has received over 600 requests for service today - and counting. These include calls for broken limbs and downed trees due to ice accretion. Staff are triaging calls and prioritizing work to address trees and limbs that are blocking streets and those that may otherwise pose a hazard to residents or property. Once hazards and streets are cleared, staff and contractors will address broken limbs, non-hazardous removals, and brush/wood cleanup. Further, some trees may require reinspection and pruning work following the storm.

Forestry staff and contractors with the support of Roads staff will be working into the evening and over the coming weeks to address storm related service requests.

We'll provide more information on the collection of brush and stumps as our operations continue.

Residents are advised to stay inside, safely away from broken and hanging branches/limbs or leaning trees. Please also be aware of ice chunks melting and falling from above.

Traffic signals

We’re aware of multiple power outages throughout the City that may be affecting the operation of traffic signals.  Residents are reminded that a traffic signal without power should be treated as a four-way stop.

Waste collection

Curbside waste collection has been completed, with the exception of a few streets where downed trees or wires prevented our safe passage. For those residents, we ask that you keep your materials at the curb for pick up tomorrow, as we’ll be prioritizing those locations.

Facility parking lot maintenance

Parks maintenance staff have diligently worked throughout the day to apply salt and scrape City facility parking lots in various locations, including recreational facilities, fire stations, ambulance stations and parking lots for parks.

Spring flooding

The Spring Freshet Task Force continues to monitor the situation closely, and Council may expect the weekly update tomorrow, with details on the latest conditions. As always, Councillors may seek support in responding to residents’ concerns or questions through  [email protected].

 

Ottawa a reçu un mélange de grésil, de pluie verglaçante, de tonnerre, d’éclairs et de pluies torrentielles. Les alertes d’Environnement Canada concernant la pluie verglaçante et les fortes précipitations dans la région d’Ottawa se sont concrétisées : la période prolongée de pluie verglaçante, les vents forts et la pluie se sont poursuivis tout au long de l’après-midi et ont entraîné une accumulation importante de glace, des pannes de courant, des dommages causés par les arbres et des accumulations d’eau. Heureusement, la température de l’air a commencé à augmenter et la température de surface est au-dessus de zéro, offrant un répit à nos réseaux de transport – mais il reste beaucoup de travail à faire.  

Les Travaux publics travaillent rapidement et de manière sécuritaire à offrir les services quotidiens desquels les résidents dépendent, tout en répondant aux répercussions de cet événement météorologique important.  

Routes, trottoirs et réseau cyclable hivernal  

L’événement météorologique important déclaré hier après-midi demeure en vigueur. Les équipes ont été à l’extérieur sans relâche et ont réussi à devancer cet événement, s’occupant des trottoirs, des routes et du réseau cyclable hivernal. Au besoin, la glace a été grattée des trottoirs et ceux-ci ont été traités. Alors que le soir tombe, les équipes commencent à se diriger dans les quartiers résidentiels afin de traiter les rues au besoin. Ce travail se poursuivra tout au long de la nuit.   

Nos superviseurs continuent de surveiller les conditions et des équipes ont été déployées afin de remédier aux problèmes de drainage. Alors que la pluie continue de tomber, nous surveillerons également les secteurs qui sont sujets aux inondations localisées et nous nous occuperons de toute accumulation d’eau en veillant à ce que les puisards de rue et les fossés soient dégagés.   

Arbres, branches et broussailles 

Les Services forestiers ont reçu plus de 600 demandes de service aujourd’hui et cela se poursuit. Ces appels comprennent des branches cassées et des arbres tombés en raison de l’accumulation de glace. Le personnel fait le triage des appels et accorde la priorité au traitement des arbres et des branches qui bloquent les rues ou qui présentent un danger pour les résidents et les biens. Une fois que les dangers seront éliminés et que les rues seront dégagées, le personnel et les entrepreneurs s’occuperont des branches cassées, de l’enlèvement des matériaux qui ne représentent pas de danger et du nettoyage des broussailles et du bois. De plus, certains arbres peuvent nécessiter une réinspection et un travail d’émondage à la suite de la tempête.  

Le personnel des Services forestiers et les entrepreneurs, avec le soutien du personnel des Services de routes, travailleront au cours de la soirée et pendant les prochaines semaines à s’occuper des demandes de service liées à la tempête. Nous fournirons davantage de renseignements sur la collecte des broussailles et des souches à mesure que nos opérations se poursuivent.  

Les résidents sont invités à demeurer à l’intérieur et à une distance sécuritaire des branches cassées ou pendantes ou des arbres déracinés. Faites également attention aux morceaux de glace qui fondent et qui pourraient tomber. 

Feux de circulation 

Nous savons qu’il y a plusieurs pannes de courant dans l’ensemble de la ville qui pourraient toucher le fonctionnement des feux de circulation. On rappelle aux résidents que les feux de circulation sans courant devraient être traités comme des arrêts quatre sens.  

Collecte des déchets 

La collecte des déchets en bordure de rue a été complétée, sauf pour quelques rues où des arbres ou fils électriques tombés nous empêchaient de passer de manière sécuritaire. Pour ces résidents, nous vous demandons de laisser vos déchets en bordure de rue et ceux-ci seront ramassés demain alors que nous accorderons la priorité à ces endroits.   

Entretien des parcs de stationnement 

Le personnel d’entretien des parcs a travaillé avec diligence tout au long de la journée afin d’appliquer du sel et de gratter les parcs de stationnement municipaux à divers endroits, y compris les installations récréatives, les casernes de pompiers, les services d’ambulance et les terrains de stationnement des parcs.  

Inondations printanières 

Le Groupe de travail sur les crues printanières continue de surveiller la situation de près et le Conseil peut s’attendre à recevoir la mise à jour hebdomadaire demain avec des détails sur les conditions les plus récentes. Comme toujours, les conseillers peuvent demander du soutien pour répondre aux questions ou préoccupations des résidents à l’adresse suivante : [email protected]. 



Safety reminders from the Ottawa Fire Service

Firefighters are still out & helping in any way they can.  If your power is out, take a moment to keep yourself & your family safe by checking that the battery back up in your smoke alarm is working.

Les pompiers sont toujours sur le terrain et apportent leur aide dans la mesure du possible.

‼️Si vous n'avez plus d'électricité, prenez un moment pour vous protéger, vous et votre famille, en vérifiant que la batterie de secours de votre détecteur de fumée fonctionne.

 

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LRT Update

This email is to provide Council with an update on O-Train Line 1 service today.  

Line 1 service resumed just before 6am between Tunney’s Pasture and Rideau stations. R1 bus service continues to run between Blair and Rideau stations. Buses are operating at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes this morning.  

Overnight, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) completed several steps to safely restore service in the west:  

  • Manual removal of built-up ice on the overhead wires
  • Re-energizing of the system 
  • Inspection of stopped trains and removal from the line

RTM is now repeating these activities in the east end of the system. They will then remove stopped trains between Lees and Hurdman stations and complete inspections of the overhead wires. Staff anticipate service across the entire line will resume later today. 

Outreach teams will be at stations throughout the remainder of this disruption to assist customers, and updates will be provided through all communications channels. Customers can get information on their trips at octranspo.com, by following @OCtranspoLive or calling 613-560-5000.  

 

Ce courriel a pour but de fournir au Conseil une mise à jour sur le service de la ligne 1 de l'O-Train aujourd'hui.

Le service de la ligne 1 a repris un peu avant 6 heures du matin entre les stations Pré Tunney et uOttawa. Le service d'autobus R1 continue de circuler entre les stations Pré Tunney et Blair. Les autobus circulent à des intervalles de 10 à 15 minutes ce matin.

Au cours de la nuit, le service d'entretien du Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) a pris plusieurs mesures pour rétablir le service en toute sécurité dans l'ouest :

  • Enlèvement manuel de la glace accumulée sur les fils aériens
  • Remise sous tension du système
  • Inspection des trains arrêtés et retrait de la ligne

La RTM répète maintenant ces activités dans l'est du réseau. Ils enlèveront ensuite les trains arrêtés entre les stations Lees et Hurdman et achèveront l'inspection des câbles aériens. Le personnel prévoit la reprise du service sur l'ensemble de la ligne dans le courant de la journée.

Des équipes de sensibilisation seront présentes dans les gares jusqu'à la fin de la perturbation pour aider les clients, et des mises à jour seront fournies par le biais de tous les canaux de communication. Les clients peuvent se renseigner sur leurs déplacements en visitant le site octranspo.com, en suivant @OCTranspoDirect ou en appelant le 613-560-5000.


Food Safety

Food Safety in a Power Outage

If experiencing a power outage, be sure to keep your food safe. Avoid opening the refrigerator door to keep its contents cold. Food in most freezers should remain frozen for 24 to 48 hours without power. Learn more: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FoodSafety

La salubrité des aliments pendant une panne de courant

En cas de panne de courant, assurez-vous de garder vos aliments froids. Évitez d’ouvrir la porte du réfrigérateur pour garder son contenu froid. Les aliments dans la plupart des congélateurs doivent rester congelés pendant 24 à 48 heures sans congélation. Conseils sur la sécurité alimentaire lors d'une panne de courant ici : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/SalubriteDesAliments

Latest posts

The Big Picture: Ottawa's Zoning By-law Review (Part 1)

In January 2021, City Council approved the new Zoning By-Law project to bring zoning by-laws into alignment with Ottawa’s new Official Plan, approved by the Province of Ontario in 2022. The Official Plan lays out a broad framework about where growth should happen in the city until 2046 and beyond. The new Zoning By-law will implement the policies and directions of the Official Plan.

Ottawa is expected to grow from about 1-million people in 2021 to nearly 1.5-mllion people in 2046. The Official Plan seeks to allow growth, but limit sprawl, with the balance being achieved through more infill development. This policy decision is consistent with subsequent Provincial Housing Bills that made every serviced lot in Ottawa be zoned for three units as-of-right.  Every part of Ottawa will see development and change. The height and density will tend to be higher the closer you are to urban areas and major transit stations and lower the closer you are to the rural areas, and in the centre of established neighbourhoods.

A Zoning By-law governs:

  • how land and buildings may be used (e.g. residential, retail store, light industrial use)
  • the height and massing of buildings and other structures, and their location on the lot
  • the density of development and land use
  • lot sizes and dimensions
  • permissions, requirements and standards for on-site parking
  • some aspects of the character of buildings and development

Why are we doing an update?

The current version of Ottawa’s Zoning By-law, officially known as “Zoning By-law 2008-250”, is a conglomeration of rules consolidated from older zoning by-laws, dating back more than 50 years. It’s out of sync with current priorities like housing affordability, transportation needs, and climate change. And it’s not aligned to Ottawa’s new Official Plan (2022), which means it is constantly receiving amendment requests from developers and creating uncertainty for residents. The lack of harmonization in our zoning regulations is creating additional costs, barriers to housing, and overall frustration.

Thankfully this process is well under way. City Staff released Draft 2 (https://engage.ottawa.ca/zoning) earlier this Spring and are now accepting feedback.

I’m encouraging residents to review the draft zoning provisions and share any comments or questions at [email protected]. Comments received before June 30 will be reviewed and considered by staff and may inform changes in the final Zoning By-law presented to Council.

This version of the draft includes hundreds of pages of text spanning multiple documents, along with maps and interactive features. It’s a huge amount of information! Ultimately, I hope these posts will allow College Ward residents to share feedback more effectively with staff.

In this series of I’m aiming to:

  • Provide a simplified guide to help residents understand the process
  • Explain how the proposed updates may affect your property and neighbourhood
  • Get residents engaged to “crowdsource” a review of the new zoning map, to identify any errors or issues.

For now, I would like to share some key terms:

“Main Street Corridors” are major roads like Baseline, Robertson, Greenbank, and Clyde that will also see a mix of employment, retail, amenities, and housing, including apartments. Streets and properties adjacent to them will also see a higher level of development.

“Minor Corridors” are roads like Meadowlands, Iris, and parts of Centrepointe Drive. More height and density are allowed along these roads, but less than along Main Street Corridors.

And then there are “Evolving Neighbourhoods” which include these Hubs and Corridors, and areas immediately adjacent to them, that are anticipated to see more change and growth as a result of their proximity to transportation corridors.

“Transects and urban expansion areas” There are two other concepts in the Official Plan that are relevant to understanding  how staff are creating the New Zoning By-Law: transects. The Official Plan divides the city into six areas known as “transects”, from the most urban (“The Downtown”) to the least urban (“Rural”).  College Ward is in the “Outer Urban” transect.

So that’s a very quick overview. In the next few posts, we’ll dive into how these policies and concepts are being translated into a new Zoning By-law. Stay tuned!

We need clearer accounting for photo radar revenues

Video of Laine asking questions about Red Light Camera and ASE revenues

 

Recent media reports have highlighted the Ottawa Auditor General’s findings that describe the redirection of red-light camera revenue since 2019 to the City’s general revenues and to the Ottawa Police Service.

I have to say I’m feeling disappointed that we repeated this same decision-making, despite my best efforts, even as recently as four months ago.

I spoke out during the 2025 budget deliberations in December because we voted again to redirect revenue from road safety measures, this time from automated speed enforcement (ASE) revenues, collected now and moving forward.

That’s right. This isn’t just a 2019 decision under the last term of Council: this Council voted to make the same decision in 2024!

Transportation Master Plan: Mapping Ottawa's Future

On March 31, 2025 the City of Ottawa launched the consultation on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Capital Infrastructure Plan, and we want to hear from you! Have your say on the future of transportation in Ottawa and share your input by completing the online surveys available on the Transportation Master Plan project page.

The draft Capital Infrastructure Plan identifies the transit and road projects that are needed to accommodate planned growth to the year 2046 and achieve the City’s mobility objectives. It also identifies a subset of projects that should be prioritized for implementation. This phase of TMP consultation also includes prioritization of the active transportation projects that were approved by Council in April 2023.

Ottawa has grown into a city of one million residents. Over the next two decades, Ottawa will gain approximately 400,000 new residents and 160,000 new jobs. With that kind of growth, we need to plan for a flexible, dependable, safe and efficient transportation network. 

Get involved!

  • Complete the surveys on the recommended road and transit projects, the prioritized list of active transportation projects, and other components of the Capital Infrastructure Plan
  • Attend a public engagement session – virtual and in-person events will run from April 8 to May 6
  • Sign up for updates and stay informed on the TMP process

Surveys will be open until May 12. To participate and learn more, visit the Transportation Master Plan project page.

Your input matters! Transportation decisions impact everyone, no matter how you move through the city.

Proposed pedestrian projects in College Ward

Proposed cycling projects in College Ward

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