Past Newsletters

August 2026 Newsletter

 

Dear Neighbours, 

I have spoken with many, many of you over the past 3 weeks. I have heard how devastated you are from flooding. How many treasured family heirlooms have been lost, how much money you’ll spend cleaning up and rebuilding, and how frustrated you are with insurance companies, contractors, and the City.

I have shared quite a lot of information about the City’s flood response in my recent newsletter updates and I won’t repeat it all here. You can find all those updates on my website.

It will take many months to recover from this event, and many more to fully understand the role that the City’s infrastructure may have played in flooding. We do know that we received an unprecedented level of rain in the west end – far more than other parts of the city – and that the accumulation of rain in a very short period of time led to creeks overflowing, sewers and storm sewers backing up, and water flooding across properties and into homes.

We’ll get to the bottom of this, and we’ll figure out solutions for the future.

Warm regards, 
Laine 

Chères voisines, chers voisins, 

J’ai parlé avec beaucoup, beaucoup d’entre vous dans les trois dernières semaines. J’ai appris à quel point vous étiez dévastés par les inondations; combien d’objets de famille précieux ont été perdus, combien d’argent vous devrez dépenser pour nettoyer et reconstruire, et à quel point vous êtes frustrés par les compagnies d’assurance, les entrepreneurs et la Ville.

J’en ai déjà dit beaucoup sur ce que la Ville fait face aux inondations dans mes derniers bulletins d’information, et je ne vais pas tout répéter ici. Vous trouverez toute cette information sur mon site Web.

Il faudra des mois pour se remettre de cette tempête, et bien d’autres encore pour comprendre pleinement le rôle que les infrastructures municipales ont pu jouer dans ces inondations. Nous savons que l’ouest de la ville a enregistré des précipitations d’une ampleur sans précédent – bien supérieures à celles observées dans les autres quartiers – et que cette accumulation de pluie en très peu de temps a provoqué le débordement des ruisseaux, le refoulement des égouts et des égouts pluviaux et l’inondation de propriétés et d’habitations.

Nous allons aller au fond de cette affaire et trouver des solutions pour l’avenir.

Cordiales salutations,
Laine

Urgent Flood Information 7

 

Dear Neighbours, 

With each passing week, we understand more and more the extent of the July 1 flood damage and how many homes and families have been impacted.

While the City is currently saying they've received over 7,000 reports, we know that many people have still not registered their flooding with 311. Consider that 311 call your access code. It opens up services, but also helps us build a case for support from the provincial and federal governments.

So please talk to your neighbours and encourage them to contact 311 if they haven't already done so.

Personally, I'm very concerned with the responses we're seeing from the Province of Ontario so far. Their Disaster Relief Assistance of Ontario program is covering far too small an area and they're being slow to expand it.

And they're saying they only cover "overland flooding" and not "sewage flooding", though in this case the sewage backups were caused by the overland flooding. It makes no sense.

I'm not letting this go. I have daily conversations with the Province, the Mayor's office, and our excellent local MPPs Chandra Pasma and Tyler Watts (both of whom have been incredibly helpful!).

Feel free to contact the Premier's office and let him know that we need better support.

Warm regards,
Laine 

---

Urgent flood response information 6

 

Dear Neighbours, 

How are you holding up? I know what a long, long ordeal this has been - hauling out your personal belongings for disposal, attempting to dry out and prevent mold, negotiating with insurance and contractors. It's a lot of stress and I hope you're looking after yourselves, too.

Help is available. I've told you that the City is bringing the Canadian Red Cross in to assist residents with navigating the various programs that can help with funding. Below, you'll find more details about the Red Cross and how to access their services.

I've also included information about asbestos, garbage pickup, and other updates.

As always, please share these notes with neighbours, friends, and family who might be able to use the info.

Thinking of you, College Ward!

Warm regards,
Laine 

Urgent flood response information 5

 

Dear Neighbours, 

I've just come from this morning's meeting of Ottawa City Council, where we discussed the recent flooding and what actions we will take to support residents.

There were several motions, many of which I moved or seconded. There were some Inquiries, too, which are the formal way a Councillor asks for information to be reported back.

You'll find details of all of this below. I believe more is coming yet, but we couldn't get all the details ironed out by today.

I'm heartened by these developments, which will go a long way in alleviating some of the financial burden on you as you clean up, make repairs, and replace furniture and appliances.

I'll continue to update you as more programs become available.

Warm regards,
Laine 

Urgent flood response information 4

 

Dear Neighbours, 

Just a brief update to let you know that the City of Ottawa has organized a public meeting for TOMORROW, July 12, 1-5 at Ben Franklin Place.

Staff from several departments will be in attendance to make a presentation and answer questions.

Details are below. There will other sessions in other areas in the near future, in case you can't make this first one.

Thinking of you, always.
Laine 

Urgent flood response information 3

 

Dear Neighbours, 

With every passing day, the number of residents who report damage to their homes from flooding has increased. At this point, we have over 5500 flooded homes in the west end, most in College Ward.

This week, my colleagues Councillors Kavanagh, Devine, and I will bring your plight to City Council’s attention and ask for help, as well as calling for a review of what happened, why, and what we need to do in the future.

My team and I continue to receive many, many emails from you. Frankly, we’re a little overwhelmed so our responses might seem slow. We’re doing our best and will get back to you when we can.

Thank you, College Ward. This is turning out to be one of the worst emergencies in the city’s history but I am encouraged by how well you are treating each other, and the support from so many of you for your neighbours.

Laine

 

Urgent flood response information 2

 

Dear Neighbours, 

Eight days after the Canada Day floods, I’m still looking for actions and answers from both the City and the Province.

It’s too slow. It’s too long. We have an Emergency Services Department and an emergency response program. But I’ve learned that the City was slow to make the decisions that would activate that response.

And while we’ve been waiting for the province to activate its Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO), which will help fill the gaps left by homeowners’ insurance policies, I also understand that the Province has been waiting for the City to make the appropriate application.

It’s unacceptable. I have spent a lot of time on the phone this week with senior staff to try to move things along. And I’ll be bringing some issues to Council and to the City Auditor asking for a review of why we didn’t have better planning, better resources, and a faster response time.

I’ve met with many of you over the past week, neighbours. I know how much you’re suffering, how much you’re helping each other, and how we will work together to get through this.

You aren’t alone, College Ward. I’m in your corner.
Laine

 

Urgent flood response information

 

Dear Neighbours, 

This has been a tough week for so many College Ward families. The Canada Day rains - unofficially the worst rainfall in Ottawa history - caused extreme flooding, damaged property, and power outages across our neighbourhoods.

This morning, I was glad to see power restored everywhere. We need to help you with clean up, so I've put together this special bulletin to provide urgent information to you.

I will send another update in the coming days to discuss the city’s analysis of what happened and where further attention is needed for infrastructure capacity. But for now, data is still being collected by reports through 311 so keep them coming.

Please share this information with your neighbours who may not be on my mailing list.

This has been a terrible situation for all of us. But together, we'll get through it.

Thinking of you, 
Laine 

June 2026 Newsletter

 

Dear Neighbours, 

Tired of construction season yet? I know I am! For those of you saying, “Why aren’t these construction projects better coordinated?” I can tell you that the Mayor and I have had some very serious discussions about that subject over the past few weeks.

And we’re working on a plan. We’ll see more construction, especially for the LRT project, but we’re pushing it to weekend works only whenever possible. The 417 lane closure has been shortened by almost a month, too.

Holly Acres/417 will see some weekend lane closures while they complete work there, and a 4-week onramp closure some time in August (we think). I’ll share more details as we get them.

In the meantime, I’m catching my breath by attending a LOT of community summer fairs, yard sales, and get togethers. It’s where I hear from you, and that’s always energizing for me.

I hope to see you in your neighbourhood soon! There are several public meetings coming up, read on!

Warm regards, 
Laine 

Chères voisines, chers voisins, 

En avez-vous assez de la saison de la construction? Moi, oui! Pour ceux et celles qui se demandent pourquoi ces projets de construction ne sont pas mieux coordonnés, je peux vous dire que le maire et moi-même avons eu de très sérieuses discussions à ce sujet dans les dernières semaines.

Nous travaillons sur un plan. Il y aura encore des travaux, en particulier pour le train léger sur rail, mais nous faisons en sorte qu’ils se déroulent la fin de semaine, autant que possible. Par ailleurs, nous avons écourté la fermeture de la voie de l’autoroute 417 de près d’un mois.

Les voies du chemin Holly Acres et de l’autoroute 417 seront fermées à quelques reprises la fin de semaine pour travaux, et la bretelle d’accès sera fermée pendant quatre semaines au mois d’août (selon nos informations). Je vous donnerai plus de détails à mesure que nous les recevrons.

En attendant, je reprends mon souffle en participant à beaucoup de foires estivales, de vide-greniers et de rassemblements. C’est dans ces moments que je peux échanger avec vous, et ça me donne toujours un regain d’énergie.

Au plaisir de vous voir dans le quartier bientôt! Plusieurs réunions publiques sont prévues – voir plus bas.

Cordiales salutations, 

Laine 

May 2026 Newsletter

 

Dear Neighbours, 

Don’t you just love this spring weather? The birds are singing, the tulips are up, and the street cleaners are roaring through the neighbourhood!

Spring is a busy time for our public works staff who do the street cleaning, park maintenance, begin filling potholes and painting lines and reinstating traffic calming measures. And it’s the beginning of our beloved (not!) construction season, too.

For Councillors like me, it’s a busy time with many reports and legislative initiatives that staff are trying to push through before the summer break.

I’ve been knocking on lots of doors over the past couple of months, chatting with neighbours about projects in their communities. You might see me soon on your doorstep too!

Warm regards, 
Laine 

Chères voisines, chers voisins, 

Le printemps est arrivé, n’est-ce pas un pur bonheur? Les oiseaux chantent, les tulipes pointent et les balayeuses de rues sillonnent le quartier!

Il s’agit d’une saison très occupée pour les équipes des travaux publics, qui nettoient les rues, entretiennent les parcs, réparent les nids-de-poule, repeignent les marques au sol et réinstallent les dispositifs de modération de la circulation. C’est aussi le début de la saison des chantiers que nous aimons tant (ou pas!).

Du côté des conseillères et conseillers municipaux, cette période est aussi particulièrement intense en raison des maints rapports et projets à caractère législatif que l’administration s’efforce de faire adopter avant la pause estivale.

Dans les derniers mois, j’ai frappé à bien des portes pour discuter avec la population des projets qui touchent notre quartier. Il se peut que je sois bientôt chez vous, qui sait!

Cordiales salutations, 
Laine