Weekly newsletter: November 4, 2025
Hi everyone!
Welcome to the first full week of November. I should probably change my tires soon…
The pathway lighting at Ken Ross Park has been converted to LEDs. Originally scheduled to be a project to repair and replace some of the former lighting, we instead moved next year's LED conversion to this year as to not do lighting work at the park twice. Combined with last winter’s addition of the pathway to the winter maintenance network, I hope it’s a better experience for pathway users.
Material and thoughts related to Lansdowne 2.0 will be shared in an off-cycle newsletter later this week, before Friday’s special Council meeting. Apologies, I needed more time to write than I initially thought.
Automated speed enforcement (ASE) – update
Bill 56 receives Royal Assent.
Effective midnight November 14, 2025, municipalities across Ontario will no longer be able to issue ASE tickets. I’m unsure if cameras can be deactivated remotely or if they will remain active until they’re physically turned off, but no tickets will be issued starting November 14.
Bill 56↗, which amends relevant sections of the Highway Traffic Act, was granted Royal Assent on November 3.
Under the legislation, the Minister of Transportation may also direct a municipality to install specific signage in school zones. Once direction and details are received from the province, City staff will work to comply as soon as operationally feasible.
The current expectation is the provincial government will also share details in the coming weeks about a replacement fund for traffic calming currently funded by ASE tickets.
2026 municipal budget meetings
It’s budget season! A listing of budget meetings over the next month.
Back in September, City Council approved directions for the 2026 municipal budget. Budget direction provides City staff with parameters within which to develop the municipal budget, most notably the property tax increase ceiling, but also more general directions like user fee adjustments, advocacy, and public engagement.
For the 2026 budget direction, the proposal is a maximum property tax increase of 3.75 per cent, broken down to a 2.9 per cent increase in the general levy (except transit) and an increase of up to 6.5 per cent in the police levy.
Like last year, the budget direction separates out transit from the general levy, despite transit being a city service with no external governance.
The transit budget direction proposal includes a levy increase between three and 15 per cent along with a fare increase between 2.5 and 7.5 per cent. It also includes other items like finding efficiencies, deferrals, and advocacy to the province about the LRT upload—basically a repeat of the 2025 transit budget with different numbers.
The draft 2026 municipal budget will be tabled at the City Council meeting on Wednesday November 12, after which specific sections of the draft budget will be discussed, amended, and voted on at the various committees (all at 9:30 am):
November 18 – Environment and Climate Change Committee
November 19 – Planning and Housing Committee
November 20 – Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee
November 24 – Transit Committee
November 25 – Community Services Committee
November 27 – Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
December 1 – Audit Committee
December 2 – Finance and Corporate Services Committee
December 4 (10:00 am) – Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
Residents who wish to submit written comments or share verbal comments at a specific Committee listed above may do so by contacting the Committee’s coordinator listed on the agenda once that is released. See Ottawa.ca↗ for more information.
Additionally, agency boards that provide a service to the City of Ottawa will have the following budget meetings:
December 1, 5:00 pm – Ottawa Board of Health↗
December 2, 5:00 pm – Ottawa Public Library Board↗
December 5, 9:30 am – Ottawa Police Service Board↗
The approved sections of the budget, including any amendments made by each Committee and Board, will rise to City Council’s budget meeting on Wednesday December 10 at 10:00 am for final discussions, amendments, and vote.
More details and my thoughts will be shared in a newsletter after the draft budget is tabled.
Along with Councillors Brown, Desroches, and Hill, I will be hosting a budget information virtual session↗ on November 18 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Microsoft Teams. City staff will begin the session with 2026 budget highlights, followed by a question-and-answer period for attendees.
Happy to discuss budget related matters individually as well! Please reach out to Wilson.Lo@ottawa.ca.
Bite-sized updates
Sorted alphabetically!
Amazon public information session – The in-person public information session has been postponed due to Lansdowne-related Committee meetings scheduled on October 29. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.
Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade – The 2025 edition of the Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade will be held on Sunday November 16 at 5:30 pm. Like last year, the parade will begin at Strandherd/Beatrice and head west to Strandherd Park and Ride. Road closure details will be available closer to the event date.
Beatrice/Queensbury bus shelter – Following its untimely demise back in December, then multiple delays since May, the bus shelter at Beatrice/Queensbury (stop 3345) will soon be reinstated. Concrete pouring will happen soon. The shelter will be installed after the concrete cures (seven days minimum).
Budget 2026 public 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 to improve safety and accessibility at the school crossing should begin early-November. The turning radius of the curbs will be tightened to slow turning vehicles and shorten the length of the crossing across Clearbrook. Expected completion early-December, though it may be delayed to spring 2026 if the weather is uncooperative.
Limebank Station pick-up/drop-off – The pick-up/drop-off location has been moved to a temporary location↗ until November 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).
Outside faucets – With overnight temperatures routinely at/near freezing, please consider checking that your outside faucets are winter ready, turned off, and relieved of pressure.
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 mid-November.
Via Chianti and Via Modugno – With the completion of nearby development, the two streets will receive their final layer of asphalt by mid-November. On-street parking may become unavailable periodically during the paving. The City will assume control of the two streets upon completion.
Vimy Memorial Bridge lighting – Crews will be replacing the bridge’s archway lighting this week. Off-peak cycling, bus, and left-turn lane closures may be required by the arches. The through lanes and walkways are unaffected.
Woodroffe/Deerfox-Stoneway – Lane closures and shifts may be required to accommodate the ongoing private infrastructure connection project. Expected completion is November 7.
Last, but not least, volunteers are distributing poppies across Barrhaven and Ottawa for Canadians to commemorate the people who made sacrifices for our country in conflicts, peacekeeping, and peacetime.
Donations towards the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Trust are appreciated. Look for volunteers or donation boxes across the community, including at grocery stores, coffee shops, and (new this year) select recreation centres!
Learn more about the annual poppy campaign.
Lest we forget.
-Wilson