Weekly newsletter: August 12, 2025

Hi everyone!

We’re in the grip of another heat wave, though there may be relief on Wednesday with rain in the forecast. Looks like one of those summer downpours, though.

Last night, I sent a note to our police district inspector after what felt like a significant increase in muffler noise and racing over the last four or five nights. I’m hoping it’s a one-off, because the issue has been decently managed otherwise this year.

OC Transpo service to high schools

With the autumn service change taking effect August 24, school trips and routes will begin service once again.

The biggest change will affect Longfields-Davidson Heights students who live along route 80. Last year, after the April service cuts, route 80 was removed from Chapman Mills and Beatrice, which also affected the school trips to LDH. The change meant students south of Chapman Mills were now 900 metres to 1.2 kilometres away from their closest bus stop to school.

Over the spring and summer, I worked with OC Transpo staff to correct that oversight, and I’m grateful to the parents who reached out to me.

Effective this school year, the school trips on route 80 will be separated out into new route 659. Based on the feedback received, the route will also operate along Paul Métivier and Beatrice (servicing the same stops as the 277) to bring service even closer to students south of Chapman Mills.

The morning trips’ arrival at LDH were also adjusted slightly to 8:32 am, 8:35 am, 8:37 am, and 8:40 am to reduce the time intermediate students have to wait before they can enter the school as much as possible.

Other transit service changes for Barrhaven East high school students minor timing adjustments to morning service on route 671 to John McCrae SS and afternoon service on route 682 from Cedarview Middle School.

For general transit information to/from local high schools, please consult OC Transpo’s travel planner↗, and enter a date of August 26 or later (the start of the school year at the French boards).

Please note the youth pass will also be discontinued effective September 1. Youths will now be charged the same fares as adults, an increase of $31 per month for passes. That was a decision of Council during the 2025 budget discussions, something I voted against.

Cleaning the Capital

Registration for the autumn 2025 opens August 15.

Cleaning the Capital is an opportunity to help your community, for volunteer hours, and to keep our parks and public spaces looking nice.

Interested participants may register a cleanup project to take place any time from September 15 to October 15 at a park, most roadsides and pathways, and many other public spaces.

The City provides participants with cleanup kits which include gloves and yellow city-branded garbage bags, which can be picked up at several locations across Ottawa. Instructions will be provided upon registration.

Participants may register as individuals or as a group!

Details are available at Ottawa.ca/clean↗.

Resident inquiries at the farmers market

At my pop-up office hours at the farmers market on July 20, two residents had questions that I promised to follow up on, but I forgot to ask for their contact information. Hopefully, they see this section and get the answers to what they asked!

The first resident asked for statistics related to housing and homelessness in Ottawa, including capital and operating spending. The 2024 progress report↗ of the City’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan includes those statistics.

The second resident asked about temporary hydrant drinking fountains. The City currently has five such fountains in its inventory, four of which are installed downtown, while the fifth travels from park to park in suburban communities. The travelling fountain is currently attached to a hydrant by Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School on Stoneway Drive.

Staff plan fountain locations before each summer and assess requests and feedback based on accessibility, safety, and demand. They take feedback from Councillor’s offices as well; I’ll include a few suggested locations in Barrhaven East for next summer.

I host regular pop-up office hours at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market (Barrhaven) at the Nepean Woods Park and Ride. The next one will be August 17 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Come by and say hi!

Bite-sized updates

Sorted alphabetically!

Greenbank Road pathway – Paving is complete on the Greenbank Road pathway resurfacing project. Landscaping and finishing works began last week, continuing this week, with overall completion expected in the next week or two. The pathway remains closed to all users until then.

Leikin Drive closure – The closure of Leikin Drive between Merivale and Beckstead has been extended again to August 26. The contractor has provided the following schedule for the remainder of the works:

• August 11 – watermain installation complete

• August 12 – pressure testing of watermain

• August 14 – backfilling of the excavation

• August 20 – concrete curb installation on Leikin

• August 25 – asphalt paving begins

• August 26 – road reopening, signage removal

Longfields/Bill Leathem road cut – The road cut remains unrepaired. Hydro Ottawa have advised they will repair the road cut on Longfields west of the roundabout “in the next two weeks” last week. Signage warning motorists of the bump was also requested three weeks ago.

Low water conditions – Households on well water in Hearts Desire are asked to voluntarily reduce water usage by about 10 per cent, due to low water levels in the Jock River subwatershed. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority states streams that feed the river are flowing at 10 to 25 per cent of normal rates due to the hot weather and low rainfall.

Mayor’s summer barbecue – Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is hosting a free community barbecue↗ at the Minto Recreation Complex (3500 Cambrian Road) on August 16 from 11 am to 3 pm. Join him, Councillor Hill, and me for food, inflatables, and recreation activities!

O-Train Line 1 – Rail service will be replaced by R1 buses between Hurdman and Blair this Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17 for continued integration works with the eastern extension. Regular rail service will continue operating between Tunney’s Pasture and Tremblay stations.

O-Train Line 2 – Frequency will be reduced to 24 minutes after 8:00 pm until August 15 to facilitate safety monitoring equipment installation at South Keys Station.

Pop-up office hours – Over the summer, I will be at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market (Barrhaven)↗ every other Sunday for pop-up office hours. I’ll be there next on Sunday, August 17 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Nepean Woods Park and Ride.

Recreation registration – Browse autumn recreation activities at register.ottawa.ca↗. Aquatics registration opens tonight, Tuesday August 12 at 9 pm, while registration for all other activities opens on Thursday August 14 at 9 pm.

Walter Baker Sports Centre – The ice pads have reopened. The hot tub/stream room remain closed indefinitely due foundation issues identified during summer maintenance.

Enjoy the week ahead! Stay cool and hydrated.

-Wilson