This week several committee meetings were held to discuss the 2025 proposed budgets, including the Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC), Planning and Housing Committee, and Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee (EPPSC). A warm thank you to everyone who participated in these meetings, bringing forward their comments and concerns on the proposed budgets.
The City’s Environment and Climate Change Committee has approved its portion of Draft Budget 2025, prioritizing investments to grow and protect Ottawa’s tree canopy. A new Private Land Tree-Planting Program will distribute trees citywide, offering free tree planting in priority areas to enhance urban forest stewardship and expand coverage. Additionally, the City will invest $500,000 in proactive tree replacements in the right of way and allocate $14 million for tree and forest maintenance, ensuring equitable access to the environmental, economic, and health benefits of trees while targeting areas with the greatest need.
These investments align with broader climate resiliency efforts, supported by $6 million annually under the Climate Change Master Plan, alongside initiatives to acquire greenspaces, enhance energy management, and maintain critical water infrastructure.
The Planning and Housing Committee has approved its portion of Draft Budget 2025, allocating $88.2 million for operating expenses and $34.4 million for capital projects. A significant portion of the capital funding, $22.9 million, will go toward developing more affordable and supportive housing for residents in need, boosted by enhancements to the Vacant Unit Tax program. Over the next six years, the City aims to grow this investment, leveraging federal and provincial funding to create at least 500 new affordable and supportive housing units annually.
The EPPS Committee approved its portion of Draft Budget 2025, which prioritizes adding staff and resources to enhance emergency and protective services across Ottawa. The $272.5-million operating budget and $17.9-million capital investment include funding to hire 23 new paramedics, four paramedic support staff, 22 new firefighters, and 10 new by-law officers, along with vehicles and equipment to improve response times and meet growing service demands. These investments also renew critical emergency response tools, enhance mental health support for fire services, and upgrade technology to ensure reliable operations for first responders.
I was pleased to see residents from Ambleside at the EPPSC meeting to discuss the wellness clinics, and the importance of these clinics in partnership with several Ottawa organizations, including the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre. These wellness clinics have collaborated to bring medical services directly to seniors, addressing barriers to care within the framework of Ontario’s provincially managed health system. A recent wellness clinic at a condo on Ambleside Drive provided residents with access to nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and paramedics for on-site medical assessments and referrals for more complex needs. While health care is a provincial responsibility, initiatives like these play a crucial role in filling gaps, catching health issues early, reducing reliance on emergency rooms, and connecting seniors with additional health and support services for ongoing care.
Next week will see discussions of the proposed 2025 Transit budgets for Transit Committee, Community Services Committee, and Transportation Committee. My office continues to receive phone call and emails regarding concerns with the proposed 2025 Budget for Transit Services. As I have stated previously [LINK TO PREVIOUS MESSAGE], I share concerns about ensuring proper funding for OC Transpo to ensure this remains and reliable service for residents. I look forward to discussing funding shortfalls and creative solutions with my colleagues.
Next week my office is hosting an Open House with City staff from multiple departments to See What’s Happening in Bay Ward, Wednesday, November 27 at the Woodroffe United Church, 7 – 8:30PM.
This is an opportunity to share your ideas and provide feedback on issues in the ward.
City staff from different departments will be available to engage with Bay Ward residents, showcase the work they do, and provide information on their programs.
Staff from the following departments and projects have been invited:
- Traffic Services
- Roads Services
- Planning, Development & Building Services
- Bylaw Services
- Stage 2 LRT
A short presentation from the Stage 2 LRT team will provide the community with an update to the project and are available to answer questions and receive feedback.
I hope to see you there!
