Newsletter - 13 February 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Rural Progress Update
Last Thursday at ARAC, I shared a Rural Summit update that shows real progress and real momentum for rural Ottawa. We have moved major files forward including fairer rural drainage funding, stronger rural governance inside the City, and better rural emergency response. There is more work ahead, and I am committed to keeping the pressure on so rural priorities keep turning into results.
Read more
Ward Updates
Family Day Office Closure
On Monday, February 16, the Ward 21 office will be closed for the Family Day holiday.
I want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a safe and enjoyable day. I hope you are able to spend some quality time with family and friends, get outside if the weather cooperates, and enjoy everything our community has to offer.
Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and for reaching out to my office throughout the year. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 17, and we will respond to messages as quickly as possible when we return.
Ottawa Summer Camps
Even though it’s snowy and cold, families are already planning for summer, looking for camps that are fun and close to home. City of Ottawa camps offer balanced activities led by trained staff in your neighbourhood, designed to keep children active, social and having fun.
View activities online as of Tuesday, February 3 and start registering at 9 pm on Thursday, February 26. In-person registration begins the day after online registration, during business hours at each recreation and cultural facility across the city.
Preparing for registration night
If you’re a new user of our registration, create an account at register.ottawa.ca.
If you’re a returning user, sign in to make sure your account is still active.
Enter or check that your account information is up to date, including family members and credit card details including expiration date.
Create a wish list of your preferred activities so you can register quickly and have backup options in case your first choices fill up.
Watch a tutorial video and read the FAQ resources for more detailed information as you get ready for registration night.
Spring activities registration
Swimming activities: February 10 at 9pm
All other activities: February 12 at 9pm
Summer activities, PA Days, and Before and After School Programs
Available online: July 28
Registration for swimming activities: May 12 at 9pm
Registration for all other activities: May 14 at 9pm
Fall activities
Available online: July 28
Registration for swimming activities: August 11 at 9pm
Registration for all other activities: August 13 at 9pm
Summer jobs
Seasonal summer camp positions are available on the City’s jobs page. Apply early, as hiring can be competitive.
Richmond Arena: overnight parking available during winter bans
After a request from my office, residents now have a new option during overnight winter parking bans. The City has installed signage at Richmond Arena at 6095 Perth Street designating 10 parking spaces that can be used overnight when a winter parking ban is in effect.
Key rules:
Parking is only permitted in the 10 signed, designated spaces during an overnight winter parking ban.
Vehicles must be removed by 7:00 am so crews can complete snow clearing safely and efficiently.
Vehicles left past 7:00 am risk being ticketed or towed.
This solution was set up in coordination with snow removal staff and facility managers to minimize disruption to arena users and to overnight snow operations. Please use only signed spaces and plan ahead to move your vehicle before 7:00 am.
Recycling bins: what residents need to know
To address some of the conflicting information being shared, there is no charge to receive an additional or replacement recycling bin. Residents can request one by submitting the online request form or by contacting Miller Waste at 1-888-852-2374 or Area2@MillerWaste.ca to request bins.
At this time, bins can only be picked up at two City locations, Stittsville (145 Walgreen Road near Hwy 417/Carp) and Trainyards (1815 Bantree Street near Hwy 417/Innes). Circular Materials has confirmed that they are exploring additional pickup locations across Ottawa, and I will continue pushing for more convenient options for residents.
Family Day: City service impacts and schedule changes
I would like to remind residents of schedule changes and City service impacts for the Family Day holiday on Monday, February 16.
Client Service Centres
ServiceOttawa Client Service Centres and Provincial Offences counters and phone lines will be closed. The City’s 311 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters only.
Green bin, recycling and garbage collection
There will be no curbside green bin, recycling, garbage or bulky item collection on Monday, February 16. Pickup will take place on Tuesday, February 17. Collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. The Trail Waste Facility landfill will be open on Monday, February 16 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Recreation and cultural services
Many community centres, pools and recreation facilities will be closed or have altered hours and changes to drop in schedules. Outdoor rinks, refrigerated rinks and sledding hills will be open, weather permitting.
Ottawa Police road safety update for January
The Ottawa Police Service Road Safety Unit, working alongside District Traffic Units and policing partners, had a strong enforcement and education impact throughout January, targeting high risk driving behaviours and improving safety on Ottawa roads.
Officers focused on speeding, stunt driving, distracted driving, commercial vehicle safety, winter driving compliance, and suspended or unlicensed driving. These efforts resulted in hundreds of vehicle stops, dozens of charges, and multiple unsafe vehicles removed from the road.
Celebrating a local champion: Ottawa’s top shooting athlete of 2025
Meet the City of Ottawa’s top shooting athlete of 2025. Amelia is a 16 year old athlete who competes against men and women of all ages in a long range target shooting sport called F Class.
In 2025, she made history by becoming the first female and youngest person ever to win the Ontario F Class Lieutenant Governor’s Championship in the Long Range Aggregate. She was recently awarded the Ottawa Sports Award for the City of Ottawa’s top shooting athlete of 2025.
Amelia is fundraising to help cover costs associated with her participation at the F Class World Championships. Funds raised will go toward her direct participation costs, not the team or family accompanying her.
For more information about Amelia and her various fundraising efforts, please visit her website at https://ameliaderkfclass.ca/ or contact her at aderk@ameliaderkfclass.ca.
Out & About
I attended the winter carnival pancake breakfast in North Gower with Mayor Sutcliffe and MPP Darouze. It was great to connect with friends, meet new people, and spend time with residents who came out to support this local tradition.
Thank you to everyone involved in organizing the breakfast and to the volunteers who helped create such a warm community atmosphere.
I had a great time attending Shiverfest in Manotick this past weekend. From the Timbits hockey and pancake breakfast to the chili cookoff, it was a fun and welcoming winter celebration for families and neighbours.
Thank you to the Manotick Village and Community Association for putting on such a fantastic event, and to the many volunteers who helped make the event such a success.
I had a great time visiting the Richmond Village Bakehouse and the Harmony Cafe to meet with the Minister of Red Tape Reduction, Andrea Khanjin, along with MPP Darouze and Scott Phelan. It was a valuable opportunity to talk about local priorities and spend time in two businesses that are important gathering places in our community.
Thank you to both restaurants for hosting us, and for everything they do to support Richmond residents year round.
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 been completed
➔ 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 ongoing.
For a full list of current and upcoming road work in Ward 21, visit the Ward 21 website. Major construction notices will be shared in future newsletters and community updates.
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!