Newsletter - 11 December 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
2025: Reflecting on the Past Year
I look back on 2025 as a year of real progress for Ward 21, from major investments in rural roads and safety to stronger oversight of growth and better value for your tax dollars at City Hall.
Read more here
Ward Updates
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from myself and the entire Ward 21 team!
As we head into this special time of year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your family. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones, connecting with neighbours, or enjoying some much-needed quiet time, I hope this season brings you peace, joy, and rest.
The holidays are also a time to reflect on our community; on the kindness of neighbours helping neighbours, on the volunteers who give their time, and on the many ways Ward 21 continues to look out for one another. Thank you for all you do to make our community such a wonderful place to call home.
Holiday Office Hours
From Monday, December 22 to Friday, January 2, the Ward 21 office will be operating at limited capacity.
The office will be fully closed on December 25, December 26, and January 1.
We will return to full capacity on Monday, January 5.
During this period, if you have an urgent service request, please contact 3-1-1, either online or by phone, so that the City can respond as quickly as possible.
On behalf of the Ward 21 team, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
Snowstorm Operations Update
As many of you experienced, our first major snowfall of the season moved in overnight and continued into the early hours of this morning. The City’s Roads and Parking Services team has been working non-stop throughout the night and into today to respond to this storm.
Because the snow continued through the night, crews transitioned into residential neighbourhoods later than originally planned. In rural areas of Ward 21, blowing snow has made conditions more challenging and slowed operations, but the team remains hard at work and will continue.
The priority road network is currently in good condition.
Sidewalks remained a key focus today.
Crews are also focusing on problem spots such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners, and cul-de-sacs.
We are asking for your patience as cleanup continues. This was the first major event of the season and the first full residential plow run in some areas, so operations are taking a bit longer than usual.
Thank you for your understanding and for driving carefully as crews continue their work.
Ottawa Police Advisory
The Ottawa Police Service is warning residents about the confirmed presence of South American Theft Groups (SATGs): organized “crime-tourist” crews who legally enter Canada for short periods to carry out coordinated residential and retail break-ins.
These groups typically target:
Homes backing onto greenbelts or parks
Unoccupied homes, especially when residents are away travelling
Common points of entry include:
Rear or second-storey windows
Forced entry through patio doors or glass panels
Items frequently stolen include jewelry, luxury watches, cash, designer goods, and small safes, which may be shipped abroad or quickly resold.
How to Protect Your Home
Home security
Ensure all doors and windows are locked, even on upper floors.
Use a monitored alarm system if possible.
Install motion-sensor lighting around entry points.
Surveillance
Consider CCTV or video doorbell cameras.
Where available, register your system with police camera registry programs to assist investigations.
If you’re travelling
Avoid posting travel plans or real-time vacation updates on social media.
Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home, bring in mail, and create the appearance that someone is home.
Neighbourhood vigilance
Report suspicious people, vehicles, or scouting behaviour (such as individuals repeatedly walking or driving slowly through the area or closely watching homes).
If you see something that doesn’t feel right, contact the Ottawa Police Service—use 911 for crimes in progress, and the non-emergency line for after-the-fact or suspicious activity reports.
By staying alert, looking out for each other, and taking a few preventative steps, we can help keep our Ward 21 neighbourhoods safe.
Out & About
Great to be at the Manotick Parade of Lights to celebrate the Christmas season. My team was bundled up for a frigid night!
Great to be with Councillor Isabelle Skalski and MPP George Darouze at the Osgoode Township Fish, Game & Conservation Club wild game dinner. What a treat!
Thanks to local resident Diane for inviting me to participate in a Human Guide Walk in Manotick. This exercise showcases the ongoing challenges of travelling in the city with a visual impairment.
It was a busy and festive morning catching up with St. Nick at both the MCRA Pierce’s Corners Breakfast with Santa and the Munster Community Association’s Breakfast with Santa at George’s Bar & Grill.
Good thing Santa has a little Christmas magic (and some very quick reindeer!) to help him zip between communities.
Thank you to the organizers in both communities for hosting such wonderful holiday events.
Great to be at the Richmond Parade of Lights celebrating Christmas and seeing all the kids who came out to see Santa Claus. What a great time!
Packing winter kits with the Richmond Muslim Association for donation to the Richmond Food Bank, including toiletries, warm blankets, hats, and mittens.
Construction Updates
Road Resurfacing & Construction Impacts
A number of resurfacing, maintenance, and preservation projects are scheduled across Ward 21 in the coming months. Some work will include nighttime construction between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which may result in temporary noise impacts for nearby residents.
We will continue to share updates as these projects progress and appreciate your patience during this work to improve our roads.
Resurfacing Projects
All projects completed. A list of future planned projects will be available in spring 2026.
Future Projects
Beginning next summer, the City will begin rehabilitation of the Rideau Valley Drive Bridge over Stevens Creek in Kars. Anticipated construction dates are early July 2026 to late September 2026. More information will be provided in advance of construction.
Other Construction Projects
➔ Hydro Work Supporting Dwyer Hill Training Facility Expansion
Hydro Ottawa is working on major electrical upgrades in Ward 21 to support the long-term expansion of the Department of National Defence’s Dwyer Hill Training Centre, a project scheduled to continue through 2034.
Phase 1: Hydro Pole and Equipment Installation on Dwyer Hill Road
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Phase 1 has been completed.
Phase 2: Transformer Installation and Infrastructure Upgrade on Garvin Road
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Phase 2 has begun with the installation of a new 30 MVA transformer and the construction of a new building to house supporting electrical infrastructure at the Richmond South municipal transformer station on Garvin Road, just west of Huntley Road. This phase is expected to be completed by December 19, 2025.
Both projects will take place within Hydro Ottawa property and the City’s Road Right-of-Way, and all scheduling has been planned with customer convenience and safety in mind. Affected customers will receive door-to-door notices, including advance warnings for any planned outages.
You may notice increased construction activity in the area during the day. These infrastructure upgrades are essential to supporting the growing energy demands tied to national defence operations and the surrounding community.
➔ Pole Installation on Franktown Road
Hydro Ottawa is installing new hydro poles and equipment along Franktown Road between Conley Road and Munster Road. This work will be carried out by Bradley Kelly Construction Ltd. and is expected to be completed by February 2026.
To explore citywide construction projects, use the City of Ottawa Interactive Construction Map.
Community Events
You can check out the Ward 21 website at any time to see an up-to-date list of upcoming events.
In case you missed this week’s event newsletter, click here: Upcoming Community Events in Ward 21!
Stay in touch!
I want to hear from you! Stay connected and keep informed by:
📱 Following us on social media – Click the icons below to stay updated.
🌐 Visiting our website: www.ward21.ca
📧 Emailing your concerns: ward21@ottawa.ca
📞 Calling our office: 613-580-2491
📅 Want to meet with Councillor Brown at his North Gower office? Email ward21@ottawa.ca to book an appointment.
Looking forward to connecting with you!