Newsletter - 16 October 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
A Balanced Approach to Growth: Focusing New Housing Where It Belongs
Ottawa City Council has approved a new housing strategy that focuses on building more homes downtown and near major transit corridors. I support this urban-focused approach because rural Ottawa, including our villages in Ward 21, has already experienced significant growth. What we need now is stability and a focus on maintaining the character and quality of life in our communities.
Read more here
Ward Updates
Have Your Say on Ottawa's 2026 Draft Budget
The City of Ottawa wants to hear from residents as work begins on the 2026 Draft Budget. While public input is always welcome, the next couple of months offer even more opportunities to share your ideas and priorities.
City Councillors are now hosting public consultation sessions where residents can discuss City priorities, suggest ways to improve services, and identify potential savings.
Additional sessions are being planned but please note that dates and times may change. For the most up-to-date list of meetings, background materials, and other resources, visit the Budget 2026 Engage Ottawa page.
You can also share your feedback online using the above link beginning on Wednesday, November 12.
Your feedback helps shape how the City invests in the services, programs, and infrastructure that matter most to our community.
Upcoming Rural Budget Consultation
Rural residents are invited to attend an in-person rural budget consultation, co-hosted by:
Myself (Ward 21 – Rideau-Jock)
Councillor Catherine Kitts (Ward 19 – Orléans South–Navan)
Councillor Isabelle Skalski (Ward 20 – Osgoode)
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 28, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Location: Fred Alexander Room, Osgoode Community Centre (5660 Osgoode Main Street)
Information: Councillors and City staff will be available to answer questions following a brief presentation.
A second virtual public consultation will take place on Tuesday, November 18 in the evening with details to follow.
Improving Access to Family Doctors and Primary Care
The City’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee has approved a new Primary Care Provider Recruitment and Retention Strategy to help bring more family doctors and other primary care professionals to Ottawa.
As of 2022, an estimated 165,000 Ottawa residents did not have a family doctor, a number that has likely grown, particularly among marginalized communities. To ensure everyone has access to a primary care provider, Ottawa will need to attract at least 270 new doctors and nurse practitioners, not including those nearing retirement.
The strategy identifies 10 key actions the City can take to attract and retain health professionals, including:
Establishing a Primary Care Recruitment and Retention Ambassador who will work with health care professionals, health organizations, and the Province to develop and deliver a focused recruitment plan.
Joining the Eastern Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance to leverage shared tools, best practices, and coordinated outreach efforts.
Exploring how the City can help develop nonprofit medical clinics to expand access to care.
Partnering with local Ontario Health Teams to assist physicians applying for provincial funding.
Collaborating with Ottawa Public Health and local nonprofit organizations to better connect residents with primary care services.
This initiative represents a proactive step toward addressing Ottawa’s family doctor shortage and ensuring that residents, especially those in rural and underserved communities, can access the care they need close to home.
Turning Your Yard Waste into Something New
Did you know your leaf and yard waste is turned into topsoil for City projects? Each year, the City’s Solid Waste Services team processes up to 20,000 tonnes of material collected from residents.
Through a new pilot project, that material is now being transformed into topsoil at the Trail Road facility, which will help support landscaping and restoration projects across Ottawa.
To keep this program running smoothly, please remember that items such as pet waste, pumpkins, soil, and rocks do not belong in your yard waste bags.
Waste collection operators have until 8 pm to pick up separately set out leaf and yard waste at the curb. The peak season typically lasts for approximately four weeks (first week of November) but can be longer depending on yard waste quantities and the weather. When it’s not peak leaf and yard waste season, curbside waste is picked up by 6 pm.
For more information on what goes where, visit the City’s Green Bin and Leaf and Yard Waste page.
Out & About
Congratulations to Anytime Fitness Richmond on their grand opening on October 2! I enjoyed a tour with owner Kelly. This new 24/7 gym at 5921 Perth Street is a fantastic addition to our community, welcome to the neighbourhood!
A big thank you to our North Gower Firefighters for hosting their annual Fall Food Drive on October 4. It was great to see the community come together in support of our local food bank. Well done, everyone! Together, Kars and North Gower raised $5,600 plus countless non-perishables, amazing work!
I stopped by Millers Farm and Market's Pick for a Purpose fundraiser on October 4. Thanks to everyone’s support, $1 from every pumpkin sold was donated to CHEO through the Griffin Bell Golden Endowment Fund. Together with grants, this fundraiser raised $22,500 in memory of Griffin.
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.
Construction Impacts
Cantle Crescent
From Meynell Road to Meynell Road
Impact: Full road closure
Dates: Monday, 3 November to Friday, 14 November
Reason: Replacing water service for a City of Ottawa water testing station. Local traffic will continue to have access. However, street parking will be limited where signs specify.
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.
Upcoming Culvert Replacements – Dwyer Hill Road & Donnelly Drive
As part of a $1.2 million investment, 25 culverts are being replaced in Ward 21 this fall. This important work will improve road safety and extend the life of our rural infrastructure, but it will require temporary road closures.
Dwyer Hill Road (north of Roger Stevens Drive)
October 7 – November 3
➔ Segmented closures will be required to complete six culvert replacements.
Donnelly Drive (east of Dwyer Hill Road)
October 7 – October 28
➔ Segmented closures will be required to complete four culvert replacements.
Detour routes for cars and trucks will be in place. Please refer to the map above for details. Thank you for your patience as this essential infrastructure work is completed.
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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Hydro Ottawa is installing new hydro poles and equipment along Dwyer Hill Road between Franktown Road and Jock Trail Road. This work will be carried out by Bradley Kelly Construction Ltd. and is expected to be completed by September 26, 2025.
Affected roads include Ashton Station Road, Dwyer Hill Road, and Purdy Road. Written notices will be delivered to affected households. If planned power outages are required for safety, additional notices will be issued in advance.
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!