Newsletter - 11 September 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Election Update
I am deeply honoured to have been acclaimed as Councillor for Ward 21, Rideau Jock, and to have the opportunity to continue serving our communities in the next term of Council.
Over this term, my team and I have worked hard to advance the priorities that matter to residents, from roads and infrastructure to public safety, rural services, responsible growth, and making sure the concerns of our communities are heard at City Hall. There is still much more work ahead, and I am proud to have the opportunity to continue that work on your behalf.
While my name will appear on the municipal election ballot with the word “acclaimed” beside it, residents are still encouraged to participate in the election. You will continue to have the opportunity to cast your vote for Mayor and for your local School Board Trustee. Residents should have received information in the mail outlining when, where, and how to vote.
With my return to Council now confirmed, I am also looking ahead to the priorities we will tackle together during the next term. In the coming weeks and months, I will be hosting opportunities across Ward 21 to hear directly from residents about the issues affecting your communities and the priorities you want to see advanced at City Hall.
These conversations will help set the stage for the new term of Council and ensure that our work continues to reflect the needs of the people who call Ward 21 home.
I remain as committed as ever to working hard, being accessible, and delivering results for our communities. I look forward to continuing that work together.
Ward Updates
E-Scooters and E-Bikes: Know the Rules Before You Ride
More residents across Ward 21 are picking up e-scooters and e-bikes. With that growth comes a responsibility to know the rules, so I want to share what Ottawa Police has laid out for both.
E-bikes are treated much like bicycles with a motor assist. You need to be at least 16 to operate one, and the vehicle is capped at 32 km/h with no more than three wheels. Every operator must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet, regardless of age. Keep your e-bike in good working order, too. If you remove the pedals or push it past the speed limit, it no longer meets the legal definition of an e-bike, and the rules that protect you no longer apply either.
E-scooters carry their own requirements, and the same rules around impaired and distracted driving that apply to any vehicle apply here too. Riders must be 16 or older, and personal e-scooters are capped at 20 km/h. You ride in a bike lane or on the shoulder, never on a sidewalk; that's a $150 fine if you're caught. Helmets are mandatory under 18, with a $175 fine for skipping one, and Ottawa Police encourages everyone else to wear one as well. Every e-scooter needs a bell or horn, plus a white front light and red rear light that should be on from dusk onward. They're built for one rider at a time, so no passengers.
One rule applies to the rest of us, too. Drivers are required to give cyclists and e-scooters users at least a meter of space when passing. With more of these vehicles on our roads every season, that bit of distance matters.
None of this is meant to discourage anyone from using e-bike or e-scooter. They're a genuinely useful way to get around, especially for short trips through our villages. I just want everyone, riders and drivers alike, heading into the season with a clear sense of what's expected. If you spot unsafe or reckless driving, you can reach Ottawa Police's non-emergency line at 613-236-1222. If you have questions, my office is always available at ward21@ottawa.ca.
Rural Business Services Showcase
Rural business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to the Rural Business Services Showcase on Tuesday, September 22, from 7 to 9 pm at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower. This free, drop-in event connects you with City staff and organizations that support rural businesses, from navigating permits and funding to growing your existing operation.
You can visit service provider tables anytime during the two-hour window and hear from a panel of business speakers. Partner organizations include Invest Ottawa, the City's Business Ambassador Program, Futurpreneur, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and the Centre for Social Enterprise Development.
The showcase is part of the City's 2026 Economic Development Rural Plan. For full details, visit the City's newsroom announcement.
Watson’s Mill Christmas Craft Market: Vendor Applications Open
Watson's Mill is preparing for its annual Christmas Craft Market, and if you make and sell your own products, they want to hear from you.
This year's market runs across three weekends: November 21-22, November 28-29, and December 5-6, at Watson's Mill and Dickinson House in Manotick. It's one of the most loved seasonal traditions in our area, bringing local artisan and holiday shoppers together in a historic setting.
If you're an artisan, maker, crafter, or small business owner, this is a chance to showcase your work during the busiest shopping weeks of the year and connect with new customers. Applications are now open, though submitting one doesn't guarantee a spot. Selected vendors will hear back with details on booth placement, fees, and setup.
Repair, Swap, Give Away: Fall Waste Reduction Events
Fall is full of opportunities to reduce waste across Ottawa! Attend the Circular Fair where you can bring a broken item to the Repair Cafe or find a new-to-you outfit at the Clothing Drop and Swap, learn tips to prevent food waste, or find a treasure at Giveaway Weekend.
These events make it easy to keep useful items out of the landfill, save money, learn new skills, and connect with your community.
Find upcoming events and details at ottawa.ca/wastereduction. New events are added regularly, so be sure to check back often.
Keep Ward 21 Clean This Fall
The fall Cleaning the Capital campaign is underway. Registration is now open, and you can sign up by visiting the Cleaning the Capital webpage. The deadline to register is Friday, October 2.
The spring campaign was a huge success, with over 50,000 participants taking part in a record 1,094 registered cleanup projects. Every bag of litter collected helps protect our green spaces and waterways and makes our public spaces cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone.
This year's fall campaign runs from Tuesday, September 15 to Thursday, October 15. Whether you want to organize a cleanup with neighbours, family, or coworkers, there's an easy way to get involved. High school students can also earn up to qw community involvement hours, so this is a great option if you're looking to get a head start on the school year.
You can register your own project through the Cleaning the Capital webpage or connect with your community association to join one already underway. Cleanup kits, including gloves and garbage bags, will be available for pickup at participating City facilities between September 4 and October 11.
Our ward covers a lot of ground, and every project, big or small, makes a difference. I hope to see many of you out there this fall.
Searching for Family Members of Manotick’s Fallen Soliders
A three-year research project has identified 17 Manotick residents killed in the World Wars. This month, brass plaques bearing their names will be unveiled at the community Cenotaph, and organizers are inviting their descendants to participate.
Terry Hunter, Archives and Historical Officer of Branch 314 Manotick Legion, began the project after Canadian military historian Norm Christie pointed out in a video that Manotick's Cenotaph did not contain the names of those from the community who had made the ultimate sacrifice and therefore their stories were not being told.
Hunter subsequently assembled a small research team consisting of Patti Mitton, Jim Morris, Margery Toner and St. Mark's student Ava Tyan that has identified these fallen residents from the First and Second World Wars or shortly thereafter.
The research has not been easy. During the World Wars, Manotick did not have a municipal registry documenting local residents who served in the military. The research team pieced together information from military records, historical documents, newspapers, archival sources and other records to establish the identities and Manotick connections of those who served and died.
Two brass plaques listing the names and service numbers of Manotick's fallen soldiers will be added to the community Cenotaph. The plaques have been generously donated by Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery.
The research team is also developing a Manotick Virtual War Memorial website, which will provide the public with online access to military attestation papers, service records, photographs, newspaper clippings, and biographical information about each individual. The goal is to ensure that future generations know more than just the names engraved on a memorial. They will be able to learn about the people themselves, their military service, their lives, their families, and the sacrifices they made.
Hunter is hoping to locate relatives and descendants of Manotick's fallen who may wish to participate in the September 26 ceremony. If you believe your family member is among those identified, or you recognize a family name, contact Terry Hunter at peilighthorse@hotmail.com.
The Great War — 1914-1918
· 246153 Private Alfred Wheeler Armstrong — 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
· A11004 Lance Corporal Clayton Adam Bradley — Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
· 349364 Gunner Charles Frederic Gorman — 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery
· 144001 Private Samuel Helem — 146th Battalion (Kingston), CEF
· 128070 Corporal Frederick Gorman Hicks — Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC)
· 288666 Private Peter Allan Hicks — 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion, CEF
· 781487 Private John Robison Padget — 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Regiment), CEF
· 883 Private Claude Potter — Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC)
· 40998 Gunner Matthew Herbert Scott — 17th Battery, 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA)
· 466682 Sapper Hubert Stamp — Headquarters Signal Company, Canadian Corps
· 1051594 Private Percy Edward Vaughan — 5th Battalion (Saskatchewan), CEF
The Second World War — 1939-1945
· Sub-Lieutenant (Acting) Arthur Byshe — Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy (HMS Saker)
· J25431 Pilot Officer Leonard Cornelius Driscoll — Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
· C75111 Private Eugene Foubert — Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
· C53965 Lance Corporal Ray Stuart Graham — Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
· C11410 Private Eldred Leonard Johnston — Royal Regiment of Canada
· J21312 Pilot Officer Thomas Albert Kidd Watterson — No. 145 Squadron, RCA
Out & About
It was fantastic to join everyone at Richmond Lions Park on Friday, August 14th for the rescheduled fireworks display! While the rain washed out our original Canada Day plans on July 1st, it was definitely worth the wait.
A huge thank you to the Richmond Village Association for their hard work, dedication, and flexibility in organizing such a great community event, and for handing out glow sticks to keep the kids smiling while we waited for the show!
I was pleased to welcome Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to Twin Hill Farms on August 20 to tour the dairy operation.
I had a wonderful time dropping by the Richmond Fair Homecraft Kids Craft Night at the arena on August 26. The upstairs hall was packed with creative kids getting their entries ready for the fair. A big thank you to the Junior Division of the Homecraft Department and all the volunteers who put together such a fun, engaging night.
I had a great time out on the Rideau River on August 29 learning about SkiAbility Ottawa. It was incredible to see everyone on the water enjoying the morning. The work SkiAbility does to make adaptive water skiing accessible and fun for individuals of all abilities is truly inspiring. A huge thank you to Chris, Ross, and all the wonderful volunteers for having me. To learn more or get involved, visit skiabilityottawa.ca.
I dropped by MPP George Darouze’s Back to School Community BBQ on August 29 at Centennial Park in Manotick. A huge thank you to MPP Darouze and his team for organizing such a fun afternoon for local families.
It was truly an honour to join the community on August 29 to celebrate a local legend, Bob Easy. The Munster ball diamond was officially dedicated as the Bob Easy Ball Diamond in recognition of his decades of volunteer work, coaching, and dedication to youth sports. To make the day even more special, $1,500 was raised on Bob’s behalf and presented to the Richmond Food Bank.
I had a fantastic time on August 30 for the 14th annual Allan Haan Manotick Soapbox Derby. I may not have crossed the finish line first, but racing down the hill is always a great time. A big thank you to the Manotick Village and Community Association and all the volunteers who organized another great community event.
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.
Bridge Rehabilitation
Rideau Valley Drive South from Roger Stevens Drive to Lockhead Road East will be closed starting on Monday, June 29th, until late October/early November for work to rehabilitate a bridge in the south end of Kars Village
Temporary access for pedestrians and cyclists will remain during construction on the bridge
Third Line Road South from Prince of Wales Drive to Roger Stevens Drive will be closed from Monday, June 29th until mid-November for work to rehabilitate the Stevens Creek Bridge northwest of North Gower Village
Culvert Renewals
Fourth Line Road (0.15 north of Dilworth Rd)
Work scheduled from August 31st to September 18th. Full road closure with local traffic access maintained.
Second Line Road (0.10 km north of Roger Stevens Dr)
Work scheduled from September 16th to September 30th.
Stratton Drive (0.01 km west of Third Line Rd)
Work scheduled from September 23rd to 30th.
Coldstream Drive
Work scheduled from September 28th to 30th.
Road Renewal Projects
Bankfield Road, from Kilreen Lane to 370 metres west of Prince of Wales Drive
Work completed
Black’s Side Road, from Fernbank Road to Ridingview Crescent
Work expected to start the week of August 31st
Brophy Drive, from Eagleson Road to Fourth Line Road
Work ongoing
Community Way, from Fourth Line Road to Relin Way
Work completed
Doctor Leach Drive from Beaverwood Road to Potter Drive
Work ongoing
Fallowfield Road, gravel road upgrade to asphalt hard surface, from McCaffrey Trail to Dwyer Hill Road
Work completed
Fallowfield Road, from Munster Road to Dwyer Hill Road
Work ongoing
Farmstead Ridge, crack sealing, from Church Street to Church Street
Work completed
Fernbank Road, from Jinkinson Road to Munster Road
Work ongoing; locates started
Fourth Line Road, from Lockhead Road West to Shellstar Drive
Granular shouldering and driveway tie-ins ongoing; landscaping started
Harbison Road, gravel road upgrade to hard asphalt surface, from Proven Line Road to McCordick Road
Work completed
Jinkinson Road, from Fernbank Road to 2.7 kilometres north of Fernbank Road
Work ongoing
McBean Street, from Perth Street to Strachan Street
Work ongoing
Phelan Road West, slurry seal, from Prince of Wales Drive to Ormond Road
Work completed
Rideau Valley Drive South, crack sealing, Dilworth Road to Roger Stevens Drive
Work 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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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 continues to install new hydro poles and equipment along Franktown Road. This work is being 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!