Hi neighbour,
Hope you had a great week and have had a chance to enjoy some World Cup matches- go Canada go!
As we head into summer, I wanted to let you know our newsletter will be going on a summer schedule, with issues being sent out on the following dates:
- Friday, July 10
- Friday, July 24
- Friday, August 7
- Friday, August 21
My office will also be sending out notifications if there are any major construction updates, heat warnings, or other time-sensitive notifications. We’re also open all summer, so you can always reach out to my office (bayward@ottawa.ca) with any questions.
Auditor General’s Report on Bus Schedules: Validating transit users concerns with “New Ways to Bus”
At Council on Wednesday, we approved the recommendations from the Auditor General’s recent Audit of Bus Service Planning and Scheduling. The audit confirmed what transit users have long known: the bus route and schedule changes implemented last year were based on outdated data, and did not accurately reflect current run times. It also found that service changes were made with the aim of saving money, rather than maintaining service reliability. This, and a lack of buses and bus drivers have led to unreliable service, missed connections, and a loss of trust in our city’s public transit system. I welcome the Auditor General’s recommendations, as well as OC Transpo’s General Manager Rick Leary’s commitment to implementing these recommendations and prioritizing regular, reliable bus service for transit users across Ottawa. You can read highlights of the report and recommendations here.
I also had a productive meeting with Rick Leary, the new General Manager of Transit Services, this week to discuss improving bus service, and mitigating construction impacts on communities in Bay Ward. He shared his firsthand experience taking Route 11, and his frustration with slow, unreliable service. He is committed to improving reliability on all routes, including the 11 and 57. I will continue to work directly with Rick Leary to advocate for the needs of transit users in Bay Ward, and to improve public transit across the city.
A personal reflection on Canada Day
Last week, I had the privilege of being invited to be the guest speaker at a very special Canadian Citizenship Ceremony. These ceremonies are always special, but this one had the added distinction of being held at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Wesley Clover Park. In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, there was a warm welcome from Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Marc Forgette that outlined the importance of welcoming newcomers to the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
Many years ago, my parents emigrated from England with 3 children in tow. Like the new citizens of today, they left behind family and friends and took a leap of faith to find a new life in Canada. They must have settled comfortably, as they went on to have three more children, myself included. This country needs new immigrants, and the skills, talents, and cultures that they bring. New Canadians are filling many much-needed roles in our communities, including in healthcare, education, and technology.
Over the years Canada has welcomed immigrants from many countries, including those escaping war and persecution. Recent hate-motivated incidents are a stark reminder that we still have work to do. Cultural diversity builds stronger communities, and new Canadians make invaluable contributions to this country.
As Canada Day approaches, I’m reflecting on the joy of that Citizenship Ceremony, and the hope that these new Canadians brought with them. It’s always important to celebrate our differences, but I also think it’s worth recognizing what we all have in common; a love for this beautiful country, and all the neighbourhoods, towns, cities, and communities, that make it home.
Happy Canada Day neighbours!
Read the full newsletter for more news and events across Bay Ward.
