Hi neighbour,
This is my last newsletter of 2025, and I can’t believe how this year has flown by! Thank you to all Bay Ward residents who have taken time over the last 12 months to contribute to making our neighbourhoods, and this city, a better place to live for everybody. Whether it’s volunteering at a community rink or food bank, working with and advocating for neighbours through your community association, or simply reaching out to my office with suggestions and ideas for improving our city, these small actions help build strong communities. I want you to know that they do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated.
Committee approves new zoning by-law
On Wednesday, at a joint meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, the City’s new comprehensive zoning by-law was approved. This is one of the final steps in a 3-year long process to update the City’s existing zoning by-law to better meet the needs of our rapidly growing city, to support intensification in the urban boundary, and to meet the objectives of the Official Plan, adopted by Council in 2022. I want to thank every resident who reached out to the new zoning by-law team and my office with feedback, concerns, and questions about the final draft. At the meeting, I brought forward 2 motions to make some minor changes requested by residents in Woodpark and Woodroffe North. Staff also brought forward several recommended changes to the zoning map, some of which address concerns from specific neighbourhoods in Bay Ward. The zoning by-law will go to City Council at the end of January for final approval, and will be enacted later in 2026. As always, should you have any questions about what these changes mean for you and your community, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office: bayward@ottawa.ca.
Celebrating Hanukkah
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah began on December 14, and continues until December 22 this year. I wanted to take a moment to wish our Jewish friends and neighbours a peaceful and joyful celebration of hope and light in the face of darkness. I also want to acknowledge the heartbreak and fear this community has experienced in the past year- most recently with the horrific attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, but also with incidents of antisemitism right here in Ottawa. I stand with our Jewish community against all forms of antisemitism and intolerance and encourage all Bay Ward residents to stand united against hatred and violence in all its forms.
Reminder: Bay Ward Holiday Break
A reminder to our readers that my team will be taking a well-deserved break over the holiday season, so things will be quieter from December 22 to January 2nd.
Our next newsletter will be sent out on Friday, January 9th. The Bay Ward team would like to wish you and your loved ones a joyful and restful holiday season!
Read this week’s newsletter for more news and events across Bay Ward.
