Newsletters
My newsletter has evolved into a combination of a blog, column, and editorial. Published every Tuesday, it’s the best way to learn more about what’s on my mind and what’s happening in the community, the city, and at City Hall!
This page includes the 10 most recent newsletters published. An archive of past newsletter issues is at the bottom of the page.
Weekly newsletter: November 7, 2023
While Canada’s contributions in wartime Europe, Korea, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and to peacekeeping are far greater and receive more widespread recognition and education, I often focus on our involvement in a place closer to my heart — Hong Kong.
Weekly newsletter: October 31, 2023
Hello and happy Halloween! Please take extra care and patience driving around the community later today and watch for trick-or-treaters (possibly already on a sugar high).
Weekly newsletter: October 24, 2023
The 2024 City of Ottawa budget was tabled today, and now committees will begin discussing specific areas of the budget throughout the rest of the month, expected to rise back to Council for final discussions on December 6.
Weekly newsletter: October 17, 2023
Last week, I shared Lansdowne’s history, how we got to here, and a look at the proposal before Council. Now, let’s dive into the Auditor General’s report about the waterfall agreement with OSEG, what I like and don’t like about, next steps for Council, and why I will not be supporting the proposal.
Weekly newsletter: October 10, 2023
The revised Lansdowne 2.0 proposal was released on Friday, so that was my entire Sunday and Monday (we do Thanksgiving on Saturday).
Weekly newsletter: October 3, 2023
Every winter thaw and every time there is a significant rainfall, a very large puddle forms on the west side of Wolfgang Drive south of Fallowfield. I dubbed it Lake Wolfgang and highlighted it as a concern with staff.
Weekly newsletter: September 26, 2023
Residents may have seen a news report last week about proposed changes to yard waste collection. The story just states the City will "cease taking leaf and yard waste in the green bin" with no further information. While technically true, this is an oversimplification.
Weekly newsletter: September 19, 2023
It’s been a long road for a facility that’s long been needed in the southern part of Ottawa. After being shelved twice (once to wait for the completion of the Vimy Memorial Bridge, the second time due to the pandemic, costs, and social environment), I’m very happy this project is finally pushing ahead.
Weekly newsletter: September 12, 2023
If the weather is any indication, summer has wound down despite its last hurrah earlier this month (of course, by saying that, I’ve now set us up for a wicked early-autumn heat wave).
Weekly newsletter: September 5, 2023
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee is currently meeting to discuss, among other things, the budget directions for 2024. Budget directions set the guidelines for city staff to set next year’s capital and operating budgets within, including the rate of property tax increase.
Weekly newsletter: August 29, 2023
I attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference to connect with municipal leaders from across our province to discuss common issues, learn about initiatives to address them, and share ideas for our future.
Weekly newsletter: August 15, 2023
There is much to cover in this week’s newsletter, so I’ll just get into it. It’s fitting today is National Relaxation Day (apparently), because that’s probably what’s needed after the battle with swim registration last night.
Newsletter archive
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November 5, 2024 - Remembrance Day, sprung structure shelter update nine, fenced dog parks, Andy Haydon
October 29, 2024 - sprung structure shelter update eight, Trillium Line trial running, O-Train Line 1 service disruptions
October 22, 2024 - Foot Guards Park barbecue, Trillium Line trial running update, O-Train Line 1 service disruptions, sprung structure shelter
October 15, 2024 - Trillium Line trial running, sprung structure shelter update, additional parking for Carleton students
October 8, 2024 - sprung structure shelter update, Trillium Line testing
October 1, 2024 - fenced dog parks, autumn tree planting, O-Train Line 1 service
September 24, 2024 - St. Mother Teresa High School pedestrian crossover, Journée des Franco-Ontariens/ennes, new garbage limit, O-Train Line 1 service, get help with snow clearing
September 17, 2024 - sprung structure shelter update, Stoneway/Woodroffe road cut, 2025 municipal budget directions
September 10, 2024 - late-night traffic enforcement, police station update, traffic updates, Zoning By-law public virtual consultation
September 3, 2024 - school zone speed limits, waste collection vehicles update, Harvest Fest
August 27, 2024 - Labour Day reminder, back to school, waste containers in parks
August 20, 2024 - Greenbank/Highbury Park traffic signals, sidewalk inspections, O-Train partial closure, U-Pass and student card integration
August 13, 2024 - Mayor's press conference
August 6, 2024 - Strandherd traffic signals, transit funding, Marketplace towers, sprung structure shelter update
July 30, 2024 - Fallowfield/Transitway signals, sprung structure shelter update, E. coli at beaches
July 23, 2024 - community barbecue, sprung structure shelter update, police enforcement, Fallowfield/Transitway signals, new bike posts
July 16, 2024 - catch basins, Woodroffe resurfacing, Clearbrook/Longfields modifications
July 9, 2024 - Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy and sprung structure shelters
July 2, 2024 - no newsletter (Canada Day)
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June 25, 2024 - summer construction update, student artwork (traffic light boxes), water safety, Canada Day
June 18, 2024 - rats
June 11, 2024 - new zoning by-law
June 4, 2024 - D-Day, new garbage limit, yard waste
May 28, 2024 - city grass cutting, Greenbank Greenbelt pathway, special consideration waste collection
May 21, 2024 - waste collection vehicles, visit a local business
May 14, 2024 - fireworks safety, changes to policing, planned summer construction projects
May 7, 2024 - Volunteer Ottawa VOscars
April 30, 2024 - tree planting, sewer cleaning
April 23, 2024 - sports fields delayed opening
April 16, 2024 - water rate structure review
April 9, 2024 - tree planting programme survey, fibre optic installation
April 2, 2024 - curb weeds, Earl Mulligan traffic calming
March 26, 2024 - benches, Easter schedule changes
March 19, 2024 - upgrades to 3-1-1, debt collection bungle
March 12, 2024 - no newsletter (March Break)
March 8, 2024 - special comment about the family lost to tragedy
March 5, 2024 - Woodroffe Avenue lane reductions, Solid Waste Master Plan, Minto Recreation Complex annual pool maintenance
February 27, 2024 - Stoneway/Woodroffe partial no-right-on-red, property taxes
February 20, 2024 - Solid Waste Master Plan
February 13, 2024 - library and recreation updates, Winterlude, Family Day event at Centrepointe Park
February 6, 2024 - bus network realignment and explanation of routes
January 30, 2024 - developer contributions, tribute to Merv Beckstead
January 23, 2024 - Woodroffe water main repair, snowbank removal
January 16, 2024 - snow clearing, vehicle thefts, Woodroffe/Slack water main works
January 9, 2024 - Woodroffe/Slack water main works, vacant unit tax, new year's eve event
January 2, 2024 - no newsletter (new year's week)
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December 26, 2023 - no newsletter (Christmas week)
December 19, 2023 - 2023 retrospective, 417/Greenbank off-ramp reopen, property tax payments
December 12, 2023 - curb weeds update, property tax payments
December 5, 2023 - construction impacts on Woodroffe Avenue, snow clearing service standards, road salt, OC Transpo/Loblaw food drive
November 28, 2023 - transit virtual town hall, new winter parking restrictions
November 21, 2023 - Beatrice/Berrigan, Ottawa Police Service community safety data portal (beta), transit virtual town hall
November 14, 2023 - OC Transpo bus route realignment early proposals
November 10, 2023 - special comment about Lansdowne vote
November 7, 2023 - Battle of Hong Kong (Remembrance Day), sewer cleaning, bus network realignment
October 31, 2023 - Cresthaven/Baypointe, planned power outages, daylight saving ends, recreation registration
October 24, 2023 - nothing to talk about
October 17, 2023 - my position on Lansdowne
October 10, 2023 - the history of Lansdowne
October 3, 2023 - Wolfgang/Fallowfield repairs, planned power outages, Thanksgiving schedule changes
September 26, 2023 - yard waste change (clarification), autumn tree planting
September 19, 2023 - new police station, Clarke Bellinger Ponds, sidewalk inspection pilot
September 12, 2023 - curb weeds update, St. Luke pathway
September 5, 2023 - budget directions, 1245 Kilborn Place, vacant unit tax
August 29, 2023 - AMO (London, Ontario), transit budget, waste collection truck spills, resident outreach
August 22, 2023 - crossing guards
August 15, 2023 - recreation registration, curb weeds, waste collection truck spills, Woodroffe Avenue resurfacing
August 8, 2023 - street racing, Prince of Wales Drive resurfacing, Gus Este, Highway 417 closure
August 1, 2023 - traffic calming
July 25, 2023 - LRT
July 18, 2023 - tornado, LRT, Earl Mulligan
July 11, 2023 - OC Transpo's adaptability and five-year road map
July 4, 2023 - Barrhaven Food Cupboard appeal
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June 27, 2023 - Use and Care of Roads By-law update
June 20, 2023 (lost) - promoting local businesses, I ❤️ Barrhaven campaign
June 13, 2023 - wild parsnip
June 6, 2023 - garbage bag tag proposal vote
May 30, 2023 - Service Line Warranties of Canada letters, FCM conference in Toronto
May 23, 2023 - new overhead street name signs
May 16, 2023 - Canadian Urban Transit Association Saskatoon conference
May 9, 2023 - new police station and planned summer construction overview
May 2, 2023 - garbage bag tag proposal
April 25, 2023 - Transportation Master Plan, part one
April 18, 2023 - tree planting
April 11, 2023 - ice storm aftermath
April 4, 2023 - airport hotel
March 28, 2023 - fibre optic installation information
March 21, 2023 - the city's housing pledge, Alliance to End Homelessness
March 14, 2023 - spring flooding, new traffic signals at Longfields/Highbury Park
March 7, 2023 - newsletter permanently changed to Tuesdays, snowbank removal, pothole patching
February 28, 2023 - 2023 budget
February 21, 2023 - Heritage Week and the meaning behind some local street names
February 13, 2023 - potholes
February 6, 2023 - 2023 budget public consultation
January 30, 2023 - electric buses
January 23, 2023 - traffic calming
January 16, 2023 - hybrid work
January 9, 2023 - vacant unit tax
January 2, 2023 - no newsletter (new year's week)
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December 26, 2022 - no newsletter (Christmas week)
December 19, 2022 - winter maintenance quality standards
December 12, 2022 - the budget process
December 5, 2022 - LRT public inquiry report
November 29, 2022 - a greeting, LRT public inquiry report, office setup