Newsletter - 29 January 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Providing Value at City Hall
Rising costs are impacting everyone, including the City of Ottawa. The difference is that City Hall must prove it is managing those pressures with discipline and transparency. Here are the numbers.
Since the launch of the Service Review Program in 2023, the City has found $252.7 million in efficiencies. That is the equivalent to a 12 percent tax increase that has been avoided or put in a different way, savings per household of over $500 dollars. The city implemented six automation and AI initiatives in 2025 with nine more underway, eliminating more than 245,000 manual steps and saving the equivalent of 44,000 staff hours, worth over $2 million dollars. These results are helping deliver services faster to the taxpayers and residents of our City and doing it without raising taxes unnecessarily.
From construction inflation to the price of maintaining roads, facilities, and essential services people rely on every day, nothing is getting cheaper. Residents expect City Hall to do two things well: manage tax dollars carefully and show its work.
I share that expectation. In my role on Council, I have pushed for the City to be more thoughtful about how we operate, where we can modernize, where we can reduce waste, and where we can deliver the same or better service at a lower cost. This is about building a City government that is disciplined, transparent, and prepared for the long term.
The Service Review Working Group and the Agile Government Working group have been tasked to continually evaluate how services are delivered and how costs can be managed responsibly. The key point is that this is not a one-time exercise. It is a cycle: review services, identify improvements, implement them, report on results, then repeat.
Council also froze hiring across the corporation to ensure we are using every position in the City wisely and not growing the public service needlessly.
When people hear “efficiency,” they sometimes assume it means service cuts. In practice, many efficiencies come from better asset management, cleaner processes, and modern tools that reduce duplication and avoid costs. That can mean reviewing City owned buildings and properties to reduce operating costs and improve long term value for taxpayers. It can mean operational improvements at water and wastewater facilities that reduce costs. It can also mean digital permitting that makes it easier for residents and businesses to submit applications, upload documents, make payments, and track progress online. These changes reduce administrative burden and improve the experience for taxpayers.
Ottawa cannot control inflation, but we can control how carefully we spend, how we report, and how relentlessly we look for better ways to deliver services. That is the approach I will keep pushing at City Hall, because every dollar saved responsibly is a dollar that can be reinvested where it matters most, or kept in our pockets.
Ward Updates
Rural Ontario Development Programs
The Ontario government has opened the second intake for the Rural Ontario Development Program, with applications accepted until February 26, 2026.
This program provides funding to eligible municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and small businesses with 1 to 20 employees located in designated rural areas.
Important note for Ward 21 residents: The provincial eligibility map does not include all parts of our ward. Areas like Greely and Manotick are excluded, likely because their postal codes or population density don’t meet the province’s rural classification criteria. However, many other parts of Ward 21 do qualify.
To check if your location is eligible, visit the program website and use the interactive map: ontario.ca/rural-development.
The province is also offering free webinars and coaching sessions to help applicants prepare strong submissions. I’d encourage any interested residents to take advantage of these resources before the February 26 deadline.
If you have questions about the program or need help determining your eligibility, feel free to contact my office.
Artists and Community Groups Invited to Apply Now for Ottawa 200 Grants
The City of Ottawa is offering $750,000 in grants to groups and individuals looking to commemorate Ottawa’s 200th anniversary through events, activities or a piece of public art. Throughout 2026 we’ll be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown on September 26, 1826. The City will be working with Ottawa Tourism, Ottawa Bluesfest and many others to make 2026 a memorable year to celebrate together. There are two new Ottawa 200 funds. Each has a total of $300,000 available for applicants, and one of them may be a great fit for you or your organization.
Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Fund
This grant will provide artists with funding to explore the people, stories, lands and legacies that define Ottawa. Projects may take the form of visual arts, performing arts, media arts, or interdisciplinary practices, under the Ottawa 200 theme of Celebrate Together. This could include community co-creations, temporary public installations and activations such as pop-up performances, interactive art experiences, or small-scale street-level events.
Artist/Creator Grant for individuals: Grants up to $10,000 for artists/creators with a professional practice.
Signature Project Grant for organizations: Grants up to $100,000 for local arts organizations and professional arts collectives supporting local first-time or emerging artists/creators to realize their work by providing mentorship throughout the creative process
The application deadline is Wednesday, February 25.
Learn more and apply!
Ottawa 200 Civic Events Funding Program
Ottawa-based non-profit organizations are eligible to receive grants for family-friendly events and activities that bring Ottawa residents together to celebrate civic pride and community connection. Events need to be free to the public and take place between April and December 2026. All events should reflect Ottawa’s cultural diversity and history.
The application deadline is Friday, February 27.
Learn more and apply!
Step into Spring: Discover Fun Programs for All Ages
What better time to stop thinking about the winter and start looking forward to warmer days? With spring just around the corner, the City of Ottawa has a variety of upcoming recreation and cultural available for everyone.
Whether you’re into team sports, spin classes, board games, dance, cooking, swimming, drawing, toga, science or any other activity that keeps your body and mind active, there’s something for small children to older adults at register.ottawa.ca.
Activities will be available to view online starting Tuesday, January 27, with registration opening at 9pm on Tuesday, February 10 for aquatics and 9pm on Thursday, February 12 for all other programs. In-person registration takes place the day after online registration, during business hours.
Make registration night smooth and stress-free by preparing your account early.
If you’re a new user, register 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.
Create a wish list of your preferred activities so you can register quickly and have backup options ready in case your first choices fill up.
Watch the tutorial video and read the FAQ resources for more detailed information as you get ready for registration night.
Registration for summer camps opens on February 26, and activities can be viewed online beginning February 3.
School Crossing Guard Update: Rural Safety Assessments
As the school year progresses, safety for students remains a top priority. Recently, City staff provided a formal response regarding the Adult School Crossing Guard Program and how it applies to our rural communities.
Between 2022 and 2025, the City conducted 199 reviews for crossing guards across Ottawa. In Ward 21, two specific locations were assessed.
Manotick Public School: Manotick Main Street at Bridge Street.
Richmond Public School: McBean Street at Martin Street.
While these locations were evaluated, they did not meet the “warrant criteria” required for a crossing guard. At the Richmond location (McBean/Martin), the site passed the initial screening but failed the technical “Exposure Index” or “Gap Study” due to low pedestrian and vehicle volumes.
Most rural sites fail to quality because the City’s policy is based on Ontario Traffic Council best practices, which include strict safety requirements:
Minimum student volume: At least 10 children (JK to Grade 6) must cross during school start/end times. Ottawa’s threshold of 10 is much lower than the provincial average of 28 students.
Speed limits: For the safety of the guards, uncontrolled crossings are only permitted on roads with speed limits of 60km/h or lower.
Infrastructure: Proper sidewalks and accessible infrastructure are required to ensure the crossing is safe and equitable for all.
Safety is a shared responsibility, and the program is responsive to resident feedback. If you believe a specific intersection near a school needs a crossing guard, you can request a review by calling 3-1-1 or contacting our office. City staff conducts these reviews annually between April and June based on the requests received throughout the year. If a crossing guard isn’t the right fit for a location due to high speeds or road design, the City may consider roadway redesigns, pedestrian infrastructure investments, or adjusting school bus transportation.
Out & About
I stopped by the Malborough Community Recreation Association's Game Night and learned a tough lesson in strategy. I sat down for a game of chess thinking I had a chance, but was quickly humbled by a young chess master. Thank you to the MCRA for organizing the evening.
I was in Toronto for the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference. I met with provincial ministers and municipal colleagues to advocate for Ward 21, with a focus on rural infrastructure and making sure our community’s needs are reflected in provincial planning.
Strong relationships with the Province are essential to delivering real results for rural Ottawa and I’ll keep pushing for the investments our residents deserve.
I was pleased to be involved in thanking Ottawa Fire Services for their quick and dedicated response to the Green Spirit crash in Manotick, helping keep our community safe. The appreciation certificate was presented at the Manotick BIA Annual General Meeting.
I attended the Richmond Village Association's Annual General Meeting on January 28. The board was pleased to welcome two new members! If you are interested in learning more about the RVA, please reach out at info@richmondvillage.ca.
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 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!