Newsletter - 13 March 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
March Break Is Here and Spring Is Around the Corner
As March Break arrives, I want to wish everyone across our community a fun week with family and friends. For many families, this is a welcome opportunity to step away from busy schedules, spend time together, and enjoy everything our community and region have to offer. Whether you are travelling, exploring local activities, or simply enjoying some well deserved downtime at home, I hope the week brings plenty of great moments.
March Break also reminds us that spring is just around the corner. After the long winter months, the longer days and warmer weather ahead give us all something to look forward to. Over the next several weeks, you will start to see the seasonal transition happening across our neighbourhoods as crews shift from winter operations to spring maintenance.
Street sweeping will begin as conditions allow, helping clear winter debris from our roads and pathways. Several infrastructure and road projects will also move forward as the weather improves. These projects are an important part of maintaining our local roads and ensuring our growing community continues to have safe and reliable infrastructure.
While many families are enjoying some time off, there is a great deal of work underway behind the scenes to prepare for the busy spring and summer construction season. I look forward to sharing more updates with you soon as these projects begin to roll out. In the meantime, I hope you and your family have a wonderful March Break and enjoy the first signs that warmer days are on the way.
Ward Updates
Get Notified Quickly About Potential Plumbing Leaks
The City of Ottawa has upgraded My ServiceOttawa so that homeowners with an account will now receive email alerts when the system detects continuous, uninterrupted water flow over a seven day period. That kind of sustained flow often points to a plumbing leak, and catching it early can save you a significant amount on your water bill.
The City has used automated metering to track hourly water usage since 2014. Previously, if something looked unusual, they would mail a courtesy letter to the homeowner, which could take several days to arrive. The new email notification gets that information to you much faster, giving you time to investigate and, if needed, call a licensed plumber before the problem gets worse.
A few things to keep in mind: these alerts typically flag leaks on private property. As a homeowner, you are responsible for all water usage on your property, including monitoring for leaks and maintaining your plumbing fixtures.
If you do not already have a My ServiceOttawa account, it is straightforward to set up. Visit My ServiceOttawa, and select "Create an account." You will need your water utility account number and most recent billed amount to link your water service. Once you are logged in, you can also turn on Daily Average Usage and Monthly Usage alerts to keep a closer eye on your consumption year-round.
Recycling Bin Updates: Free Replacements and the End of Black Bins
There have been a few updates to Ottawa’s recycling program recently that Ward 21 residents should be aware of.
First, replacement recycling bins will once again be delivered directly to residents. Circular Materials, the organization overseeing Ontario’s blue box program, has reversed its earlier position and confirmed that damaged bins no longer need to be picked up in person. Residents can now contact Miller Waste Systems to arrange a curbside exchange. The broken bin will be collected and a replacement will be dropped off at the same time, at no cost to you.
Residents can request a replacement recycling bin by contacting Miller Waste Systems at 1 (888) 852-2374 or by emailing Area2@MillerWaste.ca. In most cases you will be asked to place the broken bin at the curb for exchange. If not, broken bins can be disposed of as garbage on your regular garbage week, though it is best to label the bin clearly.
Replacement is not mandatory and can be done as needed.
Another change residents will notice over time is the gradual phase out of black recycling bins. Circular Materials has confirmed that all new recycling containers will be blue. As the existing stock of the City’s black bins runs out, they will no longer be replaced with black ones. Residents can continue using their current bins, and the two recycling streams will still be collected separately.
Circular Materials has also confirmed that residents may continue using clear plastic bags for plastic, glass, and metal recyclables. Flattened paper and cardboard can also be placed in a large cardboard box instead of a bin if needed.
For replacement green bins, residents should still contact the City by calling 3-1-1 or by submitting a request through the City webform.
Ottawa Police Launches Upgraded Online Reporting System
Starting next week, the Ottawa Police Service is rolling out a modernized online incident reporting tool that makes it easier for residents to report non-emergency incidents from their phone or computer at any time of day.
The updated system handles reports for property theft, vandalism, driving complaints, and now cryptocurrency fraud, which has become an increasingly common concern in our community.
The system also allows residents 30 days to save and return to a draft report, so an incomplete submission does not mean starting over. If OPS needs more information, or if a report is approved, rejected, or escalated, you will receive an email update explaining the next steps.
From a policing standpoint, the upgrade allows officers to stay focused on urgent calls while still ensuring non-emergency incidents are properly documented and reviewed. The ability to upload photos, videos, and files directly through the portal should also help investigators move faster when evidence is available.
OPS will be hosting live online information sessions for the public in the coming weeks. Registration will open online here. You can also visit the Community Safety Data portal to view and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.
Spring Flood Taskforce begins monitoring and preparing for this year’s melt
With the spring melt approaching, the City's Spring Flood Taskforce is actively monitoring water levels on the Rideau River.
Historically, flows on the Rideau River begin rising from mid-March through mid-April. The taskforce brings together multiple City departments alongside the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and produces forecasts to help the City get ahead of potential impacts. That preparation allows sandbag stations, infrastructure protection, and resident supports to be mobilized quickly if conditions change.
For the most current information on water levels, road closures, sandbag locations, and other supports, follow the City's Spring Flood page and the Spring Flood 2026 Facebook Group. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is also a good source for conditions specific to our area.
On your own property, there are practical steps you can take right now. Clearing snow and ice away from catch basins on your street helps stormwater drain properly during the melt. If you have a basement, consider sealing basement windows and disconnecting downspouts as a precaution.
The City's Residential Protective Plumbing Program also offers rebates to eligible homeowners, including those in rural areas of Ward 21, for installing devices such as sump pumps and backwater valves.
If your basement floods or you need guidance on next steps, visit the City's Basement Flooding page.
Have Your Say: Draft Rural Economic Development Plan Open for Public Feedback
The City has released its Draft Economic Development Rural Plan for public consultation, and Ward 21 residents and business owners are encouraged to weigh in.
The plan was presented to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) this week and is now posted on Engage Ottawa for a 30-day comment period. It focuses on reducing barriers, building on rural strengths, and supporting emerging economic opportunities across Ottawa's rural communities. A final version will be returned to ARAC for consideration at the May 7 meeting.
If you run a rural business, work in agriculture, or simply have a stake in the future of our rural economy, this is your opportunity to shape the final recommendations.
Feedback can be submitted at engage.ottawa.ca/edrp.
Council Approves Decrease to Development Charges
City Council approved changes to Ottawa’s Development Charges By law on March 11, following earlier approval by the Planning and Housing Committee. The update aligns the charges with the revised Transportation Master Plan approved in 2025.
For most residents, the headline is modest rate relief. Residential development charges will decrease by an average of one per cent citywide, with a slightly larger two per cent decrease for development outside the Greenbelt. In rural areas like Ward 21, rates remain essentially stable, with only a 0.1 per cent increase. Non-residential development charges will decrease by an average of three per cent across the city.
Development charges are one-time fees applied to new residential and commercial construction. The revenue funds infrastructure that growth requires, including roads, water and wastewater systems, parks, recreation facilities, and more. The principle is straightforward. The costs of growth should be borne by those who benefit from it, not downloaded onto existing taxpayers.
That said, development charges do factor into the cost of new homes and commercial space, so keeping rates competitive matters for housing affordability and economic development in our rural communities. Ottawa's rates remain moderate compared to many comparable municipalities.
Seasonal Load Restrictions in Effect for Heavy Vehicles Serving Ottawa
Seasonal load restrictions are now in effect.
Commercial vehicles or trailers with a gross vehicle weight exceeding five tonnes or 11,000 pounds per axle are prohibited on roads where restriction signage is posted, and on all truck routes identified as restricted on the Urban Truck Routes and Rural Truck Routes lists. These restrictions also apply to all non-truck routes.
During the spring thaw period, some roads cannot withstand heavy vehicle loads. Each year, the City monitors thaw progression using forecast temperature data to calculate the Thaw Index. When the Thaw Index reaches its threshold value, load restrictions are imposed. Heavy vehicles that exceed weight limits on restricted load roadways during the spring thaw period are subject to fines.
Once pavement strength has been restored, the load restrictions will be removed.
The seasonal load restrictions webpage includes an interactive map that allows users to explore the truck route network in detail. Users can click on specific road segments for more information or zoom in to a particular address or intersection. The map shows the status of each road segment affected by seasonal load restrictions.
Pothole Season Is Here: How to Report and What to Know
Ottawa crews have already filled nearly 14,000 potholes since January 1, almost double the same period last year. The city experiences an average of 79 freeze-thaw cycles each winter, and we're currently in the thick of the worst stretch. As temperatures swing above and below freezing, water gets into pavement cracks, freezes, expands, and breaks the surface apart. Late winter and early spring are consistently the hardest months on our roads.
The City has budgeted $12.6 million for pothole repairs in 2026, up from $12.3 million last year. Hundreds of crews are deployed citywide during peak season, and the roads team has confirmed that repairs remain a top priority.
If you encounter a pothole, report it directly to the City. Online reports help crews identify problem areas more quickly and allow staff to prioritize where resources are needed most.
One additional note: if a pothole damages your vehicle, you can submit a claim to the City. Ottawa received 405 pothole damage claims in 2025, the most common category of property claim the city handles. Details on how to file are available online here.
From the Landfill to the Gallery: Jordan Danger’s Year with Ottawa’s Solid Waste Services
Local artist Jordan Danger has spent the past year doing something most of us never would: embedding herself inside Ottawa's Solid Waste Services department as Artist in Residence in Government. The result is a striking exhibition that challenges how we think about garbage, the people who manage it, and our collective responsibility to do better.
Jordan rode along with garbage and recycling trucks, visited the landfill, and worked closely with the department to understand the invisible but essential work happening behind the scenes. Her biggest revelation came while standing atop the landfill itself, a mountain of compacted waste that continues to grow vertically because there is simply no room left to expand outward.
"The core samples that will be taken by the next scientific species after our demise," she writes, "will be of these mountains of trash, with each layer revealing something strangely candid and intimate about what we felt was worth discarding."
The exhibition features wall mounted textile pieces made from salvaged waste, a series of landfill animal spirits crafted entirely from reclaimed materials, and two biographical works including a pair of well-worn cowboy boots belonging to a waste department employee, transformed into glittering rockstar boots as a tribute to the workers whose efforts keep our city running.
Danger's key messages for all of us:
Once something reaches the landfill, it is gone. Offer unwanted items to neighbours, friends, and local artists before throwing them away. Tell your local artists, Facebook community groups, and neighbours when you have something to get rid of.
Embrace a circular economy. Reuse, repair, repurpose, and lift the stigma around secondhand goods. Someone in your area may want what you have, even if it no longer works.
Start small. Replace one out of every four purchases with something secondhand. That would mean 25 per cent less waste going to landfill.
Refuse plastic in clothing, bottles, cosmetics, and mattresses whenever possible.
Give one hour a month to the cause. Send an email to a representative, attend a cleanup, recycle your batteries, or refurbish an old piece of furniture.
The exhibition runs throughout March at Ben Franklin Place in Nepean. You can also explore the work, along with journal entries that accompany each piece, online at https://www.dangercreative.com/airg-residency.
Out & About
It was an honour to mark International Women’s Day at several events across the city this past week.
On March 5, I joined Councillor Cathy Curry for her annual International Women’s Day breakfast. A highlight of the morning was hearing from our Auditor General, Nathalie Gougeon, who shared thoughtful reflections on her leadership journey and the experiences that shaped her career. It is always a privilege to connect with community leaders and recognize the women who are making a real difference across Ottawa.
The celebrations continued at City Hall on Friday, March 6. I was pleased to attend a breakfast reception hosted in Council Chambers.
Most days, my team and I work from our ward office, but we made the trip to City Hall for this special occasion. The women on my team were especially pleased to represent our office for the keynote presentation by the remarkable Justice Rosalie Abella.
If you were unable to attend, you can watch the full recorded conversation here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4tWeicb7V8
To all the women in our community, thank you for everything you do to shape our city and make it stronger.
I was in Manotick for a vital community consultation with the Ottawa Police Service on March 4. As OPS prepares to launch a revitalized District Model in 2027, it is essential that our rural perspectives are at the forefront of the conversation. It was great to spend time with our dedicated OPS officers and, of course, the very hardworking K9 Cindy
Ed Schouten is a true leader in our agricultural community, and it was an honor to stop by Schouten Corner View Farms Ltd. to recognize his incredible career. I was joined by MPP George Darouze and Scott Phelan from Premier Doug Ford’s office to present Ed with a certificate of congratulations from Mayor Sutcliffe and myself. Ed was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, a recognition that he has earned through decades of hard work and innovation
It was an honor to return again this year to the Richmond Islamic Community Ottawa for Iftar March 7 at the Richmond Community Centre.
Incredible time at the CJPAC Generations conference! I had the opportunity to speak with some of our brightest up-and-coming leaders from across the country. We broke down how winning campaigns are built, teamwork, leadership, and a whole lot of doorknocking. Thanks for having me!
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
--
Phase 1 has been completed.
Phase 2: Transformer Installation and Infrastructure Upgrade on Garvin Road
--
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!