Weekly newsletter: December 16, 2025

Hi everyone! December is just flying by!

We have our last Committee meeting of the year tomorrow to discuss and vote on the updated Zoning By-law. This is the first comprehensive update since 2008, meaning it will also be the first time that the Zoning By-law matches the Official Plan.

Generally, the updates improves consistency with provincial planning legislation and policies, while also simplifying lots of language and provisions. The item will then rise to the City Council meeting of January 28, 2026, for final discussion and vote. Details will be shared in an early-2026 newsletter before that Council meeting.

Documents are available through EngageOttawa↗.

Snow clearing

Some changes this year to improve service, though two problem areas have been identified. Seeking continuous improvement.

We now have two back-to-back snowfalls behind us to properly start the 2025-2026 winter operations season (the Remembrance Day snowfall generally doesn’t count, because public works was still transitioning at that time).

Based on the substantial delay to service on two snow clearing routes after the two snowfalls last week, problem areas have been identified for public works staff to resolve before we get further into the winter.

Located within areas two and five in the map above, the problem areas generally surround Gospel Oak-Fairlop, Leamington, Longshire, Mancini, Springbeauty, and Temagami.

During both snowfalls last week, service started on time to meet the service standard timelines, but partway through the run, equipment issues forced the withdrawal of the assigned plow from service, leaving part of the route incomplete. The above-noted neighbourhoods waited 24 to 36 hours for service after both snowfalls last week.

Public works staff have identified the equipment issue and will take advantage of the break in forecast snow to resolve it. I will keep a close eye on the two snow clearing routes the next time residential plows are deployed.

Otherwise, some changes were made in the off-season to improve snow clearing service in the ward.

The most noticeable difference will be sidewalk clearing, which is now done by trackless plows rather than tractors. Trackless plows are more boxy-looking vehicles with a body and wheelbase narrower than the blade.

In years previous, the wide rear wheelbase of the tractors would drag parts of the snowbank back onto the sidewalk and leave behind large tracks, which was particularly problematic in heavier snowfalls. Even though the blade (and blower, sometimes) was appropriately sized, the vehicle wasn’t and would sometimes damage stakes set by residents and some lawn edges.

The tractors are still a part of the fleet and may still be deployed to sidewalk runs if necessary, though it will be the trackless plows in normal operations.

Additionally, the main pathway running diagonally through Mancini Park began receiving snow clearing service, following the addition of the main pathway through Ken Ross Park last winter. A gap in the route on the east side sidewalk of Longfields Drive between Balinroan and Chapman Mills was also corrected, while service on connecting pathways from Edgeware, Montana, and Via San Marino will be closely monitored for consistency.

Front loaders have also replaced graders for most residential snow clearing routes, with the main improvement seen at the outsides of crescents and corners, of which the ward has too many to list. Like the sidewalk tractors, the graders are still in the fleet and will be used when needed.

We’re also looking into issues on Cobb Court due to the cul-de-sac’s smaller-than-normal diameter.

Lastly, the eastbound Fallowfield/Holitman bus stop and the southeast corner of Greenbank/Highbury Park have been flagged as priority locations for snowbanks to at least be pushed back due to known sightline issues caused by the lack of a right-turn bay.

At Fallowfield/Holitman, the issue is made worse by the bus stop, and I am working with OC Transpo staff to relocate the bus stop to the east side of the intersection (like at Fallowfield/Wolfgang) to eliminate the problem altogether.

Thanks to the residents who have shared service issues and helped identify problem locations. They contribute to my goal of continuous improvement and ensuring the service you receive meets or exceeds standards.

Please let me know if there are any I have missed or am not aware of!

Ward office

Working towards opening a ward office for Barrhaven East residents in 2026!

Over the last three years, one of the more frequent questions I’ve been asked is if I have an office in the ward.

I don’t, but that will soon change.

Space was not provisioned for a ward office when the ward was created. I’ve mostly gotten by with meeting residents, stakeholders, and my own staff virtually or in coffee shops (and borrowing Councillor Hill’s office on occasion), but there are times when having a private space is beneficial.

Though I’ve been successful in establishing my presence through my newsletter, by email, online, and at community events, an office in the community is a critical asset for any elected official for resident services, community relations, and for ward and City affairs, akin to a police car for a police officer.

Back in January, I moved a motion directing staff to find a space in a municipal facility in or near the ward. While there are smaller community buildings at Ken Ross, Stonecrest, and Water Dragon parks, all three are used by community groups that I didn’t want to displace.

City Council approved my motion, and a few months later, City staff identified a space at the Walter Baker Sports Centre that was formerly used by the Ottawa Police Service as a community office which had been disused for a few years. From the front doors of Walter Baker, it’s up the ramp to the left of the information/registration desk.

It is a good space for meetings with residents, my staff, City staff, and stakeholders, and I am grateful for it, but it is only the meeting room in the “back” third of the overall space. It’s only part of the solution.

I asked City staff for the remaining two-thirds of the space as to have a public-facing side to the office and a workspace for my staff.

Weirdly, as soon as I asked, the front half of the space suddenly became “needed” and unavailable, despite it being disused for the last few years.

(To be clear, my ask does not include the other small office that’s part of the same space currently used by staff who operate programmes for individuals with special needs. I have no intention of displacing them.)

Although the whole space isn’t huge, it is ideally sized for a ward office that functions for residents, my staff, and me. Locating it at Walter Baker, though it is just outside the ward boundary, avoids the added cost of renting space in a non-City facility. The facility is accessible, has washrooms nearby, and has ample parking.

I’m grateful to City staff in the Recreation, Cultural, and Facilities Services Department for their continued collaboration with me towards a positive resolution and the opening of a proper ward office for Barrhaven East residents by the middle of next year.

Stay tuned for updates and a future announcement! In the meantime, feel free to reach out to schedule a call or meeting if needed.

Bite-sized updates

Sorted alphabetically!

Beatrice/Queensbury bus shelter – Delayed to next year. See update and explanation from last week.

Development application – The City has received a rezoning and site plan application↗ for 320 Bren-Maur Road West (near Longfields/Jockvale) to construct a three-storey apartment building with 35 units and underground parking. The lot is currently zoned “development reserve” and the applicant is seeking rezoning to residential.

Holiday transit service – OC Transpo will operate Sunday schedules on Christmas and New Year’s days, Saturday schedule on Boxing Day, and weekday schedules on Christmas and New Year’s eves. Service is free New Year’s Eve from 6:00 pm to 4:00 am.

Holiday waste collection – Collection days will remain unchanged on the Tuesday of Christmas and New Year’s weeks for residents in Barrhaven East. Christmas week (December 23) is garbage, blue, green, and yard, while New Year’s week (December 30) is black, green, and yard.

Limebank Station – The pick-up/drop-off location will return to its original location on Thursday December 18 at 10:00 am, following a months-long closure for a non-transit project on Town Square Place.

New Year’s Eve family event – Join Councillor Hill and me at the Walter Baker Sports Centre on December 31, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm for a family-friendly event with skating, swimming, music, food, wagon rides, and some magical visitors… all free! Special thanks to the West Barrhaven Community Association for hosting the event. Donations for the Barrhaven Food Cupboard are appreciated.

O-Train Line 1 – Rail service on Sunday December 21 will begin at noon to allow for software updates to be completed. R1 buses will operate between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Pedestrian crossover construction – Construction and hydro connection works at the new pedestrian crossovers at Paul Métivier/Beatrice and Stoneway/Forest Gate east are complete. However, they cannot be activated until road markings are added to make the crossovers legal. Crews are waiting for a stretch without snow in the forecast. More information will follow as it becomes available.

Vacant unit tax – The 2026 vacant unit tax declaration portal is now available. Homeowners may complete their declaration through their ServiceOttawa account↗, at Ottawa.ca/VUT↗, by calling 613-580-2444, or in person at Ben Franklin Place or City Hall. Letters with access codes will be distributed in the coming weeks.

Winding Way closure – A small section of Winding Way will be closed January 2 to 6, 2026, for a private sewer connection at 67 Winding Way. No driveway access will be lost, but no motor vehicle traffic will be able to pass through for the duration of the closure.

Woodroffe/Deerfox-Stoneway – The construction contractor for the private sewer connection project has shared that road plates will be removed and replaced with hot mix asphalt (not cold patch) by the end of day Friday December 19. Signage and other construction accoutrements will be removed by end of day Monday December 22.

Since some residents have asked for occasional baby updates, Wesley is now two months old and 16 pounds. I occasionally read staff reports to him, but he usually falls asleep part way.

He’s also super chatty, smiles a lot, and likes to stretch his legs to make taking off and putting on his sleepers super difficult. The game changer, though, is the fact he’s sleeping in four-to-five-hour stretches overnight…knock on wood.

Above is one of several photos in my wife’s collection of me falling asleep while feeding Wesley.

Next week’s newsletter will be the last one for the year. Then we’ll take two weeks off and publish again on Tuesday, January 13, 2026!

Have a great week ahead!
-Wilson