Hi neighbour,
Budget talks are still in full swing, so it was another busy week of committee meetings at City Hall, and meetings with residents here in Bay Ward. Here’s a quick look at what my team and I have been working on this week.
Transit Committee
At Transit Committee on Monday, we heard from dozens of community members advocating for better transit service for all Ottawa residents. I was particularly heartened to see so many young people sharing their views on how the city can improve public transit for youth, and I also appreciated the perspectives and advocacy of community members representing the interest of older adults. A reliable, affordable public transit system benefits all road users. To that end, I remain concerned that this year’s budget includes a fare increase of about 2.5% in most categories, although I was happy to see that the Community Pass and Equipass will, again, not increase at all. This is something I advocate for every year. I was also happy to see the OC Transpo Customer Improvements Motion, moved by Councillor Desroches. This motion will be voted on at Council on December 10th, and I intend to support it. Committee also received the update that the Line 1 East Extension (to Trim) should be open in early 2026, and the West Extension (to Moodie) is still on track for substantial completion by the end of 2026. Like all Bay Ward residents, I am eagerly anticipating the opening of the west extension in 2027.
Community Services Committee
At the Community Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, we approved the portion of the Draft Budget for community and social services, recreation, culture and parks. This committee has one of the broadest impacts on our everyday life, with discussions around funding for social services like poverty reduction efforts, food security support, childcare services as well as playgrounds, rec centers and summer camps. During the meeting, I asked staff questions about ongoing provincial funding for homelessness prevention, continuing water safety sessions with summer camps in Britannia Park, as well as the availability of washrooms at parks in Bay Ward (see what I mean about everyday impacts?).
Committee also received the Year One Update for the Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR) Program. ANCHOR is a non-emergency, community based Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) crisis response service available in Centretown. Of the 4,464 calls that the ANCHOR program received in its first year, 92.47% of them were handled with no police involvement. In this year’s draft Budget, I was happy to see additional funding for, and expansion of the ANCHOR program to other neighbourhoods west of Centretown. I’m looking forward to working with my council colleagues to continue expanding this program to help serve the needs of our city’s most vulnerable, in situations that don’t necessarily require police intervention.
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
On Thursday, the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee met to discuss their draft budget, as well as the anticipated impacts of Bill 60 on future cycling infrastructure in Ottawa (link to report). Like the rest of council, I’m frustrated that this provincial bill will create challenges for many projects that would make cycling safer across the city. While I’m relieved that none of next year’s projects in Bay Ward (including cycling infrastructure on Richmond Road) are impacted, I am committed to working with staff and my council colleagues to ensure we find ways to address the negative impacts of this short-sighted Bill. When people can safely make their way through the city by bike, it benefits all road users, by reducing road congestion for drivers, and public transit users as well.
During the budget discussions, I appreciated the feedback from the Queensway Terrace North Community Association, who shared their concerns about the city’s investment of $8.5 million for the renewal of the Carling Avenue overpass over the Kichi Zibi Mikan. I plan to continue discussions with staff to ensure all options have been considered for this project.
Public Information Session: Lakeview Ditch Rehabilitation Project
Thank you to all the Lakeview residents who came to our first public information session on the Ditch Rehabilitation project on Tuesday evening! City staff shared this presentation with an overview of the project, and residents were able to ask questions and speak directly with the project team. Feedback on the project can be shared until December 10th. Stay tuned for another public information session when the detailed designs are finished in late Spring 2026.
As always, if you have any questions or want to learn more about projects on the go in Bay Ward, don’t hesitate to reach out to my team at bayward@ottawa.ca.
Read this week’s newsletter for more news and events in your neighbourhood!
