Newsletter - 6 October 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Rural Transit Needs Local Solutions
Rural Ottawa residents pay millions each year into a transit system that struggles to serve them, leaving reasidents without reliable options. I have been pushing for creative solutions, such as restoring express routes, expanding on-demand minibuses, and exploring fairer funding models, to ensure rural transit meets real community needs.
Read More
Ward Updates
Provincial Government Proposes Ban on Speed Cameras
Premier Doug Ford has announced his government’s intention to ban the use of automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras across Ontario.
This move would directly undermine one of the most effective road safety tools we have. In Ottawa, speed cameras have consistently reduced dangerous speeding.
Why Speed Cameras Work
When ASE cameras are installed, drivers slow down:
Before cameras: only 16% of drivers followed the speed limit.
After 3 months: compliance jumped to 57%.
After 1 year: compliance reached 69%.
After 3 years: compliance averaged 81%.
High-end speeding (15 km/h+ over the limit) dropped from 14% to just 0.7%.
This is not about “cash grabs.” It’s about changing habits and protecting lives, especially children walking or cycling near schools and parks.
Where the Money Goes
Since 2020, Ottawa’s ASE program has collected about $97.5 million in fines. After required provincial surcharges and program operating costs, $41.6 million has been reinvested directly into road safety projects, including:
Traffic calming measures like flex stakes and speed display boards
More adult school crossing guards
Safer school crossings and engineered traffic calming in school areas
Cycling and pedestrian safety upgrades
New traffic signals, roundabouts, and pedestrian crossovers
Rural road safety improvements, including rumble strips and curve enhancements
By law, these revenues cannot be used for anything else, only road safety.
Public Support
Residents overwhelmingly support ASE cameras:
83% support them in school zones
80% support them near parks and playgrounds
71% want fine revenues reinvested in road safety
Among drivers who received a ticket, 69% said it changed their behaviour
These cameras have the trust of our community because they make our streets safer for kids, seniors, cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike.
Ottawa’s speed cameras are working. We should be strengthening, not scrapping, this program.
Don’t Sleep on Safety: Test Your Alarms
Ottawa Fire Services is reminding residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as part of the fall Wake Up! program.
What you need to know:
Ontario’s Fire Code requires a working smoke alarm on every floor and outside all sleeping areas.
Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside sleeping areas if you have a fuel-fired appliance, wood stove, or attached garage.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, batteries replaced annually, and alarms replaced every 10 years (or as directed by the manufacturer).
Missed Test Your Smoke Alarm Day?
If you missed the province-wide event on September 28, here’s your reminder: test your alarms now and review your family’s fire escape plan. Learn more at savedbythebeep.ca.
Even one home without a working smoke alarm is one too many. Smoke and CO alarms save lives, don’t wait, test yours today.
Postal Service Disruption – Impacts to City Billing and Notifications
With the ongoing Canada Post strike, the delivery of City of Ottawa paper bills, invoices, and notifications will be delayed. This includes property tax bills, water bills, traffic infractions, and other mailed notices. Payment due dates remain unchanged.
What you can do:
Sign up for paperless billing through My ServiceOttawa for instant access to water and property tax bills.
Pay bills online through your bank, by credit card, or by pre-authorized debit.
Vendors are encouraged to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to avoid cheque delays.
Parking tickets and fines can be paid online or in person at Provincial Offences Court offices or Client Service Centres.
OC Transpo: Presto cards, permits, and applications can be picked up at service centres and participating retailers.
Ontario Works and Housing Allowance clients will need to pick up cheques in person at their usual service centre.
For full details and contingency options, visit ottawa.ca.
Note: Questions about the postal strike itself should be directed to your local MP, as the labour negotiations falls under federal jurisdiction.
Stittsville South Development Plan Approved
The City’s Planning and Housing Committee has approved a concept plan and Official Plan amendment for a new residential subdivision in Stittsville South, located northwest of Flewellyn and Shea roads.
The 65-hectare development will include about 1,700 new homes (detached houses and townhomes), two new parks, stormwater ponds, environmental protection areas, and a connected network of streets and pathways. Enhanced tree planting is also planned throughout the neighbourhood.
The amendment also requires some commercial space to support a complete community. Next steps for the applicant include a Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law amendment.
This project is part of the City’s broader effort to increase housing supply, with more than 52,000 new homes approved since 2023 toward the Council’s 2031 target of 151,000 homes. You can track Ottawa’s housing progress using the City’s Housing Approvals Dashboard.
Out & About
Touring the Richmond Fairgrounds with Mayor Sutcliffe and MPP Darouze, and calling the winning numbers at ROSSS Seniors Day Bingo.
Had some fun showing off my sleight of hand on-stage with magician, Michael Bourada, at the Richmond Fair.
I had a great time visiting a Grade 5 classroom at North Gower Public School and sharing what I do as a City Councillor.
I picked up generous serving of ham supper at Alfred Taylor Rec Centre in North Gower from the North Gower United Church on Wednesday, September 24.
Attending the Auto Theft Town Hall in Manotick with MPP Darouze and Hon. Zee Hamid, Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform on September 25.
I had a fantastic time at the Oktoberfest Kitchen Party at the Malborough Township Hall this past Saturday! It was wonderful to see so many neighbours out enjoying the great music, food, and community spirit.
I attended the Richmond Newcomers Fair, exploring local resources and supporting families as they settle into the community.
Enjoying the first-ever Craft Show at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 27.
Cst O'Donnell and I were celebrity chefts this past weekend for Youth of Manotick Association brunch.
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
Third Line Road
From 115m south of Prince of Wales Drive to Roger Stevens Drive
Status: Ongoing driveway warranty work
Constructions Impacts
Beaverwood Road
From Doctor Leach Drive to Scharfield Road
Impact: Full road closure
Dates: Monday, September 29 to Friday, October 3
Reason: Storm service connection for new apartment building at 1185 Beaverwood Road
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
➔ Malakoff Bridge Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation work on the Malakoff Road bridge over Stevens Creek, located about 0.9 km south of Roger Stevens Drive, has begun. This project will address existing deficiencies and extend the service life of the bridge until a full replacement is completed in the future.
What to Expect:
The bridge will be fully closed during construction.
A traffic detour will be in place via McCordick Road, using Roger Stevens Drive and Pierce Road.
Local access for residents will be maintained.
Timeline:
Work is expected to be completed by early October 2025.
➔ 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!