Newsletter - 27 February 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Urban Intensification First: Why I oppose This Boundary Expansion
Claridge is proposing an urban boundary expansion onto Ward 21 rural land west of Stittsville to build nearly 3,000 homes. I strongly oppose this because Ottawa should be adding housing through urban intensification where services already exist, not by stretching roads, intersections, and first responders even further.
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Ward Updates
New Paramedic Facility Coming to Barrhaven
Council has approved the next steps for a new Ottawa Paramedic Service West Deployment Facility, and residents across the west and south end will be among the biggest beneficiaries.
This project addresses a real and growing problem. Our current paramedic headquarters was built in 2005 for a much smaller service and is now over capacity. Population growth, an expanded scope of practice, and changing service delivery have put significant pressure on staff, equipment, and training space. The existing facility simply cannot keep pace with the demands of Ottawa’s growing communities.
The new facility will be built at 4061 Strandherd Drive and will provide dedicated space for staff, vehicles, and equipment, while helping strengthen deployment and improve response times across the west and south end.
Council also approved a public-private partnership approach, using a Design, Build, Finance, Maintain model, which spreads project costs over a 30-year term and positions the City to access additional provincial funding tied to land ambulance services. Staff will return to Council at key milestones, including procurement strategy, preferred partner selection, and final agreements.
This is the kind of long-range infrastructure investment growing communities need. As Ottawa expands, we have to expand the services that keep residents safe, and I will keep pushing for smart planning that delivers results residents can count on.
Alto High-Speed Rail Project
Canada is moving forward with its first true high-speed rail network, and our region is right in the middle of the conversation. Alto is the official name of the federal High Speed Rail initiative connecting Toronto to Quebec City, with Ottawa as a key stop.
The federal government first announced Alto on February 19, 2025, and trains are planned to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. The first segment prioritized for construction will run between Ottawa and Montreal, which makes this project especially relevant for residents across our area.
Since Alto is a federal project, decisions about route alignment, timelines, and property impacts sit with the Government of Canada. If you have questions about the project’s scope or how it may affect your community, you can contact our federal representative, MP Bruce Fanjoy (Carleton):
Phone: 613-692-7900
Email: bruce.fanjoy@parl.gc.ca
Waste Collection Day IS Changing for a Small Portion of Ward 21
A small number of Ward 21 residents will see their waste collection day change starting March 30, 2026. This is part of a citywide schedule update tied to the City’s new curbside collection contract, and about half of Ottawa households will see a different collection day after the change.
If your collection day is changing, you should have received a letter by mail with details. The easiest way to confirm your schedule and sign up for reminders is to use the City’s collection calendar tool at ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar or the Ottawa Waste Collection Calendar mobile phone app.
If you have questions or trouble confirming your updated day, contact my office and we will be happy to help.
Pictured above is the current collection schedule and below is the new collection schedule. As you can see, the small portion of properties that are currently on a Thursday collection schedule will now be harmonized on a Friday collection schedule.
Ottawa is Growing Fast: What the Numbers Mean for Our Community
Council has now adopted refreshed population, household, and employment projections that paint a clear picture: Ottawa is entering a sustained period of significant growth, and planning for it needs to happen now.
By 2051, Ottawa’s population is projected to reach 1.68 million, up from about 1.15 million in 2024. That is roughly 530,000 additional residents over the period, with growth driven primarily by migration, especially international immigration, and an aging population that will increase demand for accessible housing, transit, and health services.
Households are projected to grow substantially by 2051, and employment is also expected to rise sharply, with total jobs approaching one million. These projections form the foundation for updating Ottawa’s Growth Management Strategy, which is expected to come forward in April. After that, the City will assess whether there is enough land within the urban area and villages to accommodate projected growth, and if not, additional areas could be evaluated through the Official Plan update process.
For rural wards like ours, how Ottawa manages growth matters enormously. Decisions about where development goes, what infrastructure gets funded, and how services are delivered will shape our communities for decades. I will be watching this closely and advocating to keep rural needs front and centre.
Reminder: Property Tax and Vacant Unit Tax Deadline is March 19
Two important deadlines are coming up on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Interim property taxes are due March 19. Payment options include online, through your bank, by mail, or in person at a City Client Service Centre.
Vacant Unit Tax declarations are also due March 19. Filing online is quick through [MyService.Ottawa.ca]MyService.Ottawa.ca or via [ottawa.ca/vut]ottawa.ca/vut using your tax bill. A $250 late fee applies to declarations submitted after the deadline, and late declarations are accepted until April 30.
Residents with questions or who need assistance filing their VUT are encouraged to reach out to the City's Revenue Services department by email at VUT_ILV@ottawa.ca or by phone at 613-580-2444.
Proposed Cricket Pitch at Beryl Gaffney Park
A proposal is underway to add a cricket pitch within Beryl Gaffney Park, and our office has been receiving questions from residents. Here is an accurate overview of what is being considered and where the process stands.
First, this proposal is intended to be additive, not subtractive. Over the past several years, I’ve repeatedly declined requests to repurpose existing soccer fields, football fields, and ball diamonds elsewhere in the ward for cricket, as those facilities are already heavily used. If cricket is going to be accommodated, adding a new location is the appropriate approach rather than displacing other sports.
Beryl Gaffney Park itself is a large, mixed-use park. The specific area being discussed for the pitch is currently underutilized and minimally maintained (often cut only once or twice a year). If this project proceeds, proper sod would be installed and the area would be maintained more regularly, meaning the space is likely to be in better condition day-to-day than it is now.
The park’s mixed-use function would remain, and the dogs-allowed status is not proposed to change. When the pitch is not booked for cricket, residents and dog walkers would still be able to use that space. There are also other nearby areas that many dog owners already use regularly, including David Bartlett Park (about 35 acres) with dog-walking/off-leash areas.
Operationally, the intent is for this to remain low impact. As currently described, field lighting is not proposed. Cricket also typically involves minimal equipment that players bring with them, set up for the match, and remove afterwards.
For additional context, the City’s inventory of outdoor recreation assets illustrates how limited cricket facilities currently are compared to other amenities. Ottawa has 384 rectangular grass sport fields, 315 outdoor tennis courts, 282 outdoor rinks, 258 ball diamonds, 186 outdoor basketball courts, 146 splash pads, 21 outdoor skateboard parks, 9 outdoor pools, 5 artificial turf fields, 5 cricket pitches, 5 BMX pump tracks, and 4 lawn bowling greens. Demand for cricket is strong across Ottawa, including in Manotick, and the City is working to identify appropriate locations that do not displace existing programmed sports fields.
If you want to see the City’s concept plan and the exact area under consideration, the Engage Ottawa page includes a location map and a fit plan document.
Please take a few minutes to review the materials and share your feedback through the official consultation before March 11, whether you support it, oppose it, or want design changes to reduce conflicts between park users.
Out & About
It was great to see so many neighbours out at Pierce’s Corners Hall for the Marlborough Community Recreation Association’s Family Day celebrations. From sleigh rides to a warm bonfire and crafts, there was truly something for everyone. Thank you to the MCRA and all the volunteers who worked so hard to put on such a wonderful event for our community.
It was a pleasure to spend time at City Hall on February 17 for Heritage Day 2026. Rideau-Jock was well represented at the Heritage Showcase, and I had a great time catching up with the teams from Watson’s Mill and the Goulbourn Museum. These two community staples work tirelessly to keep our local stories alive.
I had a wonderful time at the Annual Pancake Breakfast at Christ Church Hall in Burritts Rapids. It was a pleasure to visit the hall and enjoy a plate of pancakes and sausages with the community. A big thank you to the volunteers who worked so hard to make this event happen. It was great to be there alongside MPP George Darouze to support such a wonderful local tradition!
It was great to drop by Fallowfield United Church for their weekly community coffee. It was a special meet-up as they hosted a fantastic pancake breakfast! Thank you to all the volunteers who make this happen every Wednesday.
District Bound! I was honoured to assist in the award presentations for Juliana Owens and Rose MacIver at the Richmond Legion Branch 625. Both of these talented South Carleton High School students are moving on to the district competition for their entries in the Royal Canadian Legion Youth Poster Contest. Congratulations, Juliana and Rose!
On February 20, I joined MPP George Darouze and MP Bruce Fanjoy for a productive meeting with Manotick business owners. Having all three levels of government at one table ensures we are tackling local infrastructure and economic challenges with a unified approach. Thank you to the Manotick Village BIA for hosting this important discussion.
Constables Al and Cedric dropped by the office this week to discuss community safety and local updates.
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!