Weekly newsletter: November 18, 2025
Hi everyone!
I had a great time at the Barrhaven Santa Claus parade on Sunday. I’m sure some of you saw me running after the City of Ottawa float multiple times to catch up after falling behind handing out chocolates. Thank you to the many residents and families from across Barrhaven that came out!
Barrhaven East town hall
Summary of town halls hosted on September 23 (in-person) and October 2 (virtual).
At the end of September and beginning of October, I hosted two town halls to try a new way to connect with residents.
Though both sessions had small groups in attendance, I am grateful to have had the chance to connect with those residents on various topics. It was also a great learning experience for my staff and me in terms of hosting a town hall in different formats!
Thank you also to our community policing team and to by-law’s parking enforcement programme manager for joining.
First, apologies for the time it took for me to complete the town hall summary. I had hoped to share this a week or two after the virtual town hall, but was delayed by the birth of my son (a good delay!) and a few large files that have come to Council since.
I started with a presentation covering topics of interest, including those for which I’ve received the most feedback from residents through email, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations over the last three years.
Topics were divided into five categories: development, parks and recreation, policing, traffic, and transit.
Given the mostly built-out nature of Barrhaven East, the development topic was relatively thin compared to other suburban wards. I highlighted the pressures on the ward from growth in Barrhaven West, Riverside South, and Manotick, as well as developments underway at Longfields Station and at Woodroffe/Deerfox.
The major development file in the ward is Amazon, for which a public information night was organised, but now postponed until early-2026, due to workload on my end plus construction delays and peak season on Amazon’s end. A new date will be announced once it is available.
For parks and recreation, I provided an update on the civic centre and library in the future Barrhaven downtown, general feedback from residents on amenities, and changes to waste collection in parks starting next year.
Moving onto policing, our community police officers provided updates on feedback and trends they have received and observed, including thefts (retail, vehicle, distraction), mischief, and traffic. On traffic enforcement, the officers noted the reinstatement of the traffic enforcement unit starting in the new year, which will allow for more proactive enforcement as the force’s frontline staffing continues to stabilise and grow. The officers in attendance also shared information about the CAMSafe programme.
On traffic, I highlighted capacity concerns at our major intersections, where I’m pushing for resurfacing, the inclusion of a Prince of Wales expansion project in the Transportation Master Plan, and peak period traffic across the Vimy Bridge. I also noted new pedestrian crossovers, traffic calming, and requests for a turning arrow at Greenbank/Highbury Park.
We then discussed public transit, including the poor state of commuter bus services, especially the afternoon transfer at Tunney’s Pasture and capacity concerns on some routes and trips. Despite that, there were successes in the overall stability of the LRT, along with the successful launch of Line 2, although I did explain the odd location of parking at Bowesville instead of Limebank Station.
I ended my presentations with some general citywide topics of interest, including Lansdowne 2.0 (since approved), the provincial announcement on speed cameras (since enacted), upcoming changes to residential recycling, and other opportunities to engage with residents.
Following the presentation, the floor was opened to questions from residents about the presentation topics or others. What follows is a summary of those questions and answers, including any available updates since the town halls (repeat questions have been combined).
Amazon traffic concerns – More detailed information about traffic flow to/from the facility and impacts were to be shared by Amazon at a separate information night which I organised for the end of October, but that session has been postponed until further notice. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.
Automated speed enforcement – At the time of the town hall, the provincial government had just made their announcement to end the use of speed cameras across the province. Though there were no details at the time, the response I provided was that the province is the ultimate traffic regulatory authority (mostly through the Highway Traffic Act), but we were preparing some advocacy to preserve elements of the programme in school zones only.
Berrigan/Claridge – A resident asked for the intersection to be narrowed to prevent vehicles creating a second lane, which poses a hazard to pedestrians (eg. school children) crossing. I noted bulb outs are an option, but an expensive one, and that accessibility features were recently added to the sidewalk landings.
Campanale apartment construction impacts – The developer has noted all construction traffic will use Via Campanale to/from Longfields. No construction traffic will use Via Mattino; Their site supervisors will monitor. Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year, and will also include a section of sidewalk connecting to the pathways at the Transitway station.
Closest distance a vehicle can park to a yield or stop sign – No specific regulation for yield and stop signs, but the Traffic and Parking By-law↗ prohibits parking within nine metres of an intersection.
Old billboard at Chapman Mills/Longfields – Staff have been asked to remove it. It was a federal government sign highlighting investment in the Chapman Mills busway.
On-street parking impact on driveway access and visibility – The by-law officer in attendance noted the Traffic and Parking By-law also requires both ends of a parked vehicle to be 1.5 metres from the edge of a driveway. Widened portions of a driveway are not considered part of the driveway when measuring the 1.5 metres.
Overgrown street trees – Resident was advised to open 3-1-1 requests and follow up with my office if not completed within a month of the request. Street trees should have a clearance of about two metres from the ground.
Riocan/Marketplace all-way stop – Residents noted pedestrian safety and traffic volume issues at the intersection. Multiple traffic counts have been done over the last few years, but none have met the traffic volume and collision data thresholds to warrant upgrading the all-way stop to traffic signals. Councillor Hill’s office will continue working on it, as the location is in Barrhaven West.
South police station – There were delays during the foundation piling phase of the project, but it has progressed well since. The anticipated operational date of the new facility is spring 2027.
Sidewalk request, west side of Longfields between Via Chianti and Via Verona – At the town hall, I mentioned it was tied to future development at the adjacent land parcel, which is in the 10-year timeframe. Since the town hall, I have opened a conversation with City staff to see if an asphalt pathway can be built in the interim, given the long development for that parcel. We are currently exploring a few options, including an arrangement with the developer who owns the land.
Street racing – Street racing and excessive noise continues to be enforced mostly through targeted campaigns, as work continues to stabilise frontline staffing. Where the enforcement is targeted is based on intelligence gathered, police reports, and other relevant observations. Some residents noted a few problem locations while others noted improvements since 2023, with more progress to be made.
General traffic calming – I created a ward-wide queue of streets for proper traffic calming solutions a few years ago. Ranking within the queue is based on the average measured rate of speed in that section of street. Implementation will be slow, given the limited traffic calming budget balanced against the high cost of speed humps. Add in the fact that some of the funding will soon come from the provincial government and appears to be application based, it may further slow things down.
Traffic calming, in the context of speed camera replacement – Along with the province’s then-recent announcement ending the use of speed cameras, they announced a replacement fund to help cities pay for replacement traffic calming measures, including speed humps. Since the town halls, more details about the fund↗ have been released, which City staff are evaluating.
Traffic signal synchronisation – This question was asked in the context of me noting staff are reviewing traffic signal timing at a few locations in the ward, including treating some intersections located close together as a single unit. I noted I have had conversations with City staff about better signal synchronisation along a stretch of roadway, including seeing if combining multiple control points into one is technically feasible.
U-turns on Woodroffe – A resident shared safety concerns with u-turning vehicles on Woodroffe ave, particularly at Longfields and Claridge-Stoneway. I noted I am working with staff on a larger package of traffic-related matters connected to the mosque, which may include banning u-turns at the two intersections (pending staff’s evaluation).
Unable to contact police after hours – The police reporting unit (known by most as the “non-emergency line”) is open 10:00 am to 8:30 pm seven days a week, but reports can also be filed online↗ at any time. Where there is an emergency or crime in progress, please call 9-1-1.
Woodroffe/Fallowfield Petro Canada entrance – Asked in the context of safety concerns with the southbound weave lane, I noted that driveway closures need to come through requests from the property owner. There is an intersection upgrade in the five-year horizon, which may present the best opportunity to consult with the property owner about their northern driveway.
Bite-sized updates
Sorted alphabetically!
Barrhaven family skate day – Join us for free skating, activities, and snacks, at the Minto Recreation Complex on Sunday, November 30 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm! Donations for the Barrhaven Food Cupboard↗ are greatly appreciated.
Beatrice/Queensbury bus shelter – The concrete pad is complete, including the minimum curing period. Per OC Transpo staff, a bus shelter will be installed by the end of the month.
Budget 2026 virtual information session – Councillors Brown, Desroches, Hill, and I are hosting a joint budget information virtual session on November 18 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. City staff will begin the session with 2026 budget highlights, followed by a question-and-answer period for attendees.
Clearbrook/Bissett-Highpointe – Construction has started to improve the safety and accessibility at the school crossing. The turning radius of the curbs will be tightened to slow down turning vehicles and shorten the length of the crossing across Clearbrook. Expected completion is early-December.
Deerfox-Fieldcrest pathway – New lighting for the pathway↗ connecting Deerfox and Fieldcrest west of Woodroffe will be installed in the coming weeks. Expected completion is mid-December. Thank you to residents in the area for the requests over the last few years.
Grovehurst Drive – In response to feedback from residents, a new winter parking restriction will be implemented on the south side of Grovehurst from Crestway to Oldfield, effective each year from December 1 to March 31.
Limebank Station pick-up/drop-off – The pick-up/drop-off location has been moved to a temporary location↗ until November 27 due to construction. From Earl Armstrong, turn right on Limebank, then LEFT at the signals, proceed to the end of the roadway to make a U-turn (yes, really) back to the pick-up/drop-off location. Signage is in place.
Low water conditions – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s major low-water advisory↗ continues across the entire Rideau River watershed. Households on well water are strongly encouraged to suspend non-essential uses. Shower facilities and water filling stations are available at the Minto Recreation Complex↗ and Walter Baker Sports Centre↗ for residents in Hearts Desire and Rideau Glen. Please call ahead to confirm availability (contact information and hours of operation in the links).
Paragon Avenue – Paragon Avenue will be closed to all traffic from November 17 to December 4 for the installation of new storm sewer manholes. Access for 61 Bill Leathem Drive will be limited to the driveway on Bill Leathem during the closure.
Pedestrian crossover construction – Two new pedestrian crossovers at Paul Métivier/Beatrice and at Stoneway/Forest Gate east are currently under construction. The crossover on Paul Métivier will be raised to double as a speed hump. Expected completion is end of November.
Woodroffe/Deerfox-Stoneway – The private sewer connection work continues at the intersection, with a revised expected completion at the end of the month. All road cuts at the intersection will be reinstated upon completion.
Finally, we know our lives are ruled by the clock, but did you know a standardised system of keeping time in North America was adopted 142 years ago today?
Communities used to base their clocks on sunrise and sunset, which differed by one minute roughly every 18 kilometres east-west. It wasn’t an issue when people did not travel great distances in one go, but the advent of railways made the many different local times a logistical nightmare for route and travel planning.
At noon on November 18, 1883, railways in North America officially adopted standardised timekeeping that used five time zones, each an hour wide.
Standardised time wasn’t a new concept. Most English railways were using the time in London as the standard time for all of England by 1847, but England is a small country compared to Canada and the United States, where there were 144 official time zones.
Sir Sanford Fleming, regarded as Canada’s foremost railway surveyor and construction engineer of the 19th century, advocated for time zones after missing a connection and spending a night at a railway station due to the time confusion.
Fleming would instigate the initial efforts that led to the adoption of time zones in North America in 1883 as well as convening an international conference to develop a global system of standardised time.
Fun time zone fact: the entirety of China is in one time zone. East to west, the country spans the distance of almost four typical time zones, meaning in the western city of Urumqi, the sun rose at 9:06 am local time today (closer to 10:00 am on the first day of winter).
Enjoy the week ahead!
-Wilson