Newsletter - 23 June 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Ditch Maintenance: What Rural Residents Should Know
Ditches are a familiar part of rural life, but they only work properly when they are kept clear and maintained as part of the larger drainage system. This update outlines key responsibilities, what the City looks after, what property owners should know, and why ditch alterations require approval.
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Ward Updates
Water Safety: A Responsibility We All Share
With pools, beaches, and water parks opening for the season, Ottawa Public Health is reminding residents that water safety takes everyone's participation. Drowning happens quickly and without warning, and most incidents in Ontario occur between May and September. The good news is that most are preventable.
Ottawa Police, Fire, and Paramedic Services recently joined OPH and the Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition at Brittania Beach for a community event focused on practical safety tips.
Here are a few key reminders that are always worth sharing with your family:
Keep children within arm's reach any time they're in or near water, whether that's a bathtub, pool, or open water. Weaker swimmers should wear a properly fitted lifejacket or PFD. Never swim alone and stay sober while swimming or supervising others in the water. Keep safety equipment and a phone nearby, and if you are in a backyard pool, make sure it's secured with fencing and self-closing gates.
Where lifeguards are on duty, that's the safest place to swim. Only one percent of fatal drownings in Ontario happen in lifeguard settings.
Open water carries extra risks that pools don't, including currents, sudden drop-offs, and changing weather. Stick to designated swimming areas marked by flags and stay alert to your surroundings.
For residents near the Rideau River or other open water spots, these reminders are especially relevant heading into summer. OPH has a water safety resource available in nine languages, linked here.
Extended Service Hours for Ottawa’s 200th Anniversary
Ottawa is preparing to mark a major milestone this year as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown.
September 26, 2026, marks 200 years since Bytown was founded along the Ottawa River. What began as a logging settlement has grown into the City of Ottawa we know today. To recognize this important anniversary, the City of Ottawa has designated Saturday, September 26, as a day of municipal significance.
This designation is important for local restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs, and event venues that may be planning special events as part of the Ottawa 200 celebrations. In Ontario, standard alcohol service hours are generally limited, and service past 2 a.m. requires approval through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Since September 26 has been designated as a day of municipal significance, eligible Ottawa establishments may be able to apply for a temporary extension of service hours for Ottawa 200 events.
Ottawa 200 will include events and activities across the city throughout the year. Residents can learn more about the anniversary and upcoming events through the Ottawa 200 celebrations page and the Ottawa Tourism Ottawa 200 page.
This is a good opportunity for local businesses and event organizers who are planning to participate in Ottawa 200 to begin the application process early. The City is encouraging applicants to start now so they have enough time to receive the required municipal and provincial approvals before September 26.
Businesses and event organizers should follow these steps:
Step 1: Review the City’s requirements
Start by reviewing the City’s information about a Municipal Letter of Significance for alcohol service.
A Municipal Letter of Significance is required for a one-time temporary extension of alcohol service hours past 2 am. The City has noted that there is no cost for this letter in 2026 and that the approximate processing timeline is 30 days.
Step 2: Submit the City application
Applicants can submit their request through the City’s Municipal alcohol letter form.
When completing the form, applicants should select the option for a licensed establishment seeking a Municipal Significance Letter to extend hours of service.
The application should include a detailed description of the event and explain how it connects to Ottawa 200, including the social, cultural, or economic benefit to the community or the City of Ottawa.
Step 3: Apply to the AGCO
After applying to the City, applicants must also complete the appropriate provincial process through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
More information is available through AGCO’s page on temporary extensions of hours and AGCO’s general information on Special Occasion Permits.
The City has noted that applicants can begin the AGCO application before receiving the municipal significance letter, then complete the AGCO application once the City letter has been received. This may help save time.
Step 4: Make sure all other permits and licences are in place
Applicants are responsible for complying with all municipal and provincial requirements. Depending on the event, this may include business licences, event permits, outdoor event approvals, alcohol permits, noise exemptions, patio permissions, or other approvals.
The City’s planning an outdoor special event page is a helpful starting point for event organizers. The City also has information about alcohol licences for events.
Step 5: Plan ahead
Both the City letter and the AGCO approval process may take time. The City has advised applicants to submit their applications by the end of June to allow enough time for review and approval before the September 26 celebrations.
The temporary extension of alcohol service hours may not go beyond 5 a.m. and approval is not automatic. Applications must meet the applicable requirements and will be reviewed through the proper process.
For businesses or event organizers who need assistance with the application process, the City’s Nightlife Office can be reached at nlco-bcvn@ottawa.ca.
New Grant Program to Help Ottawa Communities Prepare for Extreme Weather
This week, the Environment and Climate Change Committee and the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee approved a new three-year pilot Extreme Weather Preparedness Grant Program.
This new program is about helping neighbourhoods, community associations, local non-profit organizations, and other community groups prepare for the kinds of severe weather events Ottawa has been experiencing more often, including heat waves, flooding, ice storms, and other emergencies.
For rural communities like ours, this kind of preparedness matters. When severe weather hits, residents often step up quickly to check on neighbours, share information, help vulnerable residents, and support local response efforts. This program recognizes that community readiness is a major part of emergency preparedness.
The City is investing $1 million over three years to support neighbourhood-level preparedness. Local non-profit organizations may be eligible for up to $50,000 per year to help deliver practical projects that strengthen local emergency readiness.
The program is intended to support projects such as:
Creating community emergency plans
Training volunteers
Improving local coordination
Increasing public awareness
Purchasing and sharing emergency equipment and supplies
Supporting temporary shelter, cooling, or warming solutions
Purchasing items like radios, safety equipment, emergency kits, power stations, or mobile generators
This will help communities respond faster, support residents closer to home, and reduce pressure on first responders and social services during emergencies.
The program also responds directly to community feedback. The City heard that there is a real gap in local emergency planning, with fewer than one-third of survey respondents reporting that they had a community emergency plan. More information about the consultation and pilot program background is available on the City’s Pilot Extreme Weather Preparedness Grant Program page.
Residents can also take steps now to prepare their own households. The City’s Emergency Preparedness page includes helpful information for residents, families, and businesses. I also encourage residents to sign up for Ottawa Alert through Alertable, the City’s public emergency notification system.
Out & About
What an incredible evening stepping back in time! I had a wonderful time at The Founders' Table dinner alongside Kelly from the Manotick BIA and MPP Darouze as we kicked off the 50th anniversary celebrations for Dickinson Days. Seeing everyone dressed in their best, with many embracing the historic theme, was the perfect tribute to Manotick’s rich heritage. Thank you to the organizers who worked so hard to bring this unforgettable evening to life!
There was a fantastic turnout for the Richmond Ladies Night "An Evening in Paris" fundraiser! I teamed up with MPP Darouze to greet everyone coming out to support "Do it for Daron" (DIFD) Youth Mental Health and the Richmond Dining Hall Renovation Fund. Sincere thanks to the Richmond Agricultural Society and Richmond Auto Care for hosting such a meaningful event for our community.
The streets were packed for the Dickinson Days parade in Manotick! It was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate this landmark 50th anniversary. A huge thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Manotick for organizing such a spectacular evening.
I spent Saturday, June 6, connecting with residents and volunteers at the bustling Dickinson Days craft market. It was a pleasure chatting with community members and seeing the incredible support for our local vendors. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to pull this great market together!
We marked a memorable milestone in Manotick for Watson's Mill's very first Great Mill Duck Drop! As the grand finale to a great weekend, it was amazing to see the community line the bridge and watch 2,000 rubber ducks race down the Rideau River. Most importantly, this sold-out event was a huge success for heritage preservation, raising vital funds for Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Thank you to the Watson's Mill team, the volunteers, and our emergency services crew for keeping this great new tradition afloat, and congratulations to the big prize winners!
On June 8, I was deeply honoured to stand alongside Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, MPP Darouze, and members of the Ellis family at A.Y. Jackson Park for a truly special occasion. Together, we gathered for the commemorative plaque unveiling to officially name the Larry Ellis Pavilion. My gratitude to Ted Ross for organizing, Neil Usher for emceeing, and everyone who came out to celebrate the lasting legacy of a man who gave so much to the community he loved. Next time you are down by the water, be sure to step into the pavilion, read the new plaque, and take a moment to appreciate the remarkable history Larry preserved for us all.
I spent some time on June 11 checking out the site for our upcoming North Gower Tiny Forest Planting Event alongside two dedicated volunteers from Rural Woodlands Ottawa. We are getting ready to plant a brand-new green space to enhance our local ecosystem.
Last week, I had the privilege of returning to the Beth Donovan Hospice for a visit with guests of their Day Hospice program, this time bringing along some special visitors from the farm: five of my three-week-old chicks! The Beth Donovan Hospice provides vital, compassionate care directly to individuals and families across our rural communities, including Richmond, Manotick, North Gower, Kars, and Burritt’s Rapids. Thank you to Darlene and the entire team for the remarkable work they do every day, and for welcoming us into their space.
On Saturday, June 13, I had a wonderful time celebrating a major milestone at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s 60th Anniversary Community Day! It was great to join families for a day packed with activities, from the popular Raptor Shows and forestry demonstrations to hands-on conservation exhibits. Thank you to the entire RVCA team and the volunteers who put together such an engaging event to mark six decades of protecting our local watersheds and ecosystems.
You could smell the outdoor grill from blocks away! I joined Station 82 firefighters and a fantastic crowd of residents for the annual Richmond Firefighter Chicken BBQ. My sincere thanks go out to our local firefighters and the volunteers who worked hard over the hot grills to keep this delicious local tradition going strong.
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 September 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
June
Dorack Drive (0.01 km south of Rideauvale Ave) - road closure from Tues, June 16th to Mon, June 22nd
Fourth Line Road (0.01 km north of Century Rd W) - road closure from Weds, June 17th to Tues, June 23rd
Biltmore Crescent (0.21 km west of Munster Rd) - road closure from Mon, June 29th to Fri, July 10th
Munster Road (0.32 km south of Fallowfield Rd) - work starting on June 24th
Coldstream Drive (0.01 km east of Munster Rd) - road closure from Mon, July 6th to Weds, July 8th
William McEwen Drive (0.15 km north of Century Rd W) - road closure from Weds, June 29th to Tues, July 3rd
July
Fallowfield Road (0.02 km east of Munster Rd) - work starting on July 2nd
Roger Stevens Drive (0.14 km west of McKenna Rd) - work starting on July 6th
Fourth Line Road (0.06 km south of Callendor Rd) twin culvert renewal - starting on July 15th, with a road closure required for approximately 2 weeks
Fourth Line Road (0.15 km north of Dilworth Rd) - starting on July 15th, with a road closure required for approximately 2 weeks
August
Stratton Drive (0.01 km west of Third Line Rd) - starting on August 13th, with a road closure required for approximately 1 week
2nd Line Road South (0.10 km north of Roger Stevens Dr) - starting on August 4th, with a road closure required for approximately 2 weeks
Road Renewal Projects
Bankfield Road, from Kilreen Lane to 370 metres west of Prince of Wales Drive
Work expected to start the week of July 6th
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 expected to start the week of August 4th
Community Way, from Fourth Line Road to Relin Way
Work expected to start the week of July 6th
Doctor Leach Drive, residential, from Beaverwood Road to Potter Drive (Tentative start date in mid-July)
Fallowfield Road, from Munster Road to Dwyer Hill Road
Work expected to start the week of August 10th
Farmstead Ridge, crack sealing, from Church Street to Church Street (Tentative start date in late August)
Fernbank Road, from Jinkinson Road to Munster Road
Work expected to start the week of September 8th
Fernbank Road, from 138 metres east of Shea Road to 385 metres east of Shea Road
Fourth Line Road, from Lockhead Road West to Shellstar Drive
Work expected to start the week of June 29th
Harbison Road, gravel road upgrade to hard asphalt surface, from Proven Line Road to McCordick Road (Tentative start date in mid-July)
Jinkinson Road, from Fernbank Road to 2.7 kilometres north of Fernbank Road
Work expected to start the week of August 24th
McBean Street, from Perth Street to Strachan Street
Phelan Road West, slurry seal, from Prince of Wales Drive to Ormond Road (Tentative start date in late July)
Rideau Valley Drive South, crack sealing, Dilworth Road to Roger Stevens Drive (Tentative start date in mid-August)
Shea Road, crack sealing, from Hemphill Street to Fernbank Road
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. 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!