Newsletter - 27 March 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Waste Collection Changes Begin Monday, March 30th
With Ottawa’s new waste collection contract taking effect on March 30, I want to make sure Ward 21 residents know exactly what to expect. From schedule updates to new leaf and yard waste rules, these changes are important to understand as we head into spring.
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Ward Updates
Cleaning the Capital: Spring Registration Opens March 27
With the snow finally melting, it's time to help Ward 21 shake off the winter blues. Registration for Cleaning the Capital Spring campaign officially opens tomorrow, March 27, for projects taking place between April 15 and May 31.
Whether it's a local park, a roadside, or a shoreline, your efforts help keep our rural communities clean and green.
Registration: Opens March 27 at ottawa.ca/clean
Cleanup Kits: Available for pickup from April 2 and May 15 at participating City facilities.
Youth Support: This year's kits are assembled by Operation Come Home, supporting vulnerable youth in developing valuable employment skills.
Student Hours: This is a great way for students to earn community involvement hours while giving back to their neighborhood.
The Ward Challenge: Congratulations to Barrhaven East (Ward 24) for winning the Fall 2025 challenge. Let's show them what Ward 21 can do this spring! Be sure to submit your cleanup reports by June 15 so our ward's hard work is officially counted.
For more information or to view the interactive map of cleanup locations, visit ottawa.ca/clean.
Commemorative Naming: Honour a Local Legacy
Do you know a person, group, or historical event that has made a lasting impact on our community? The City of Ottawa is now accepting spring nominations for the commemorative naming of municipal assets. This is a unique opportunity to honour the legacies that have shaped Ward 21 and the city at large.
Nominations can be submitted for a variety of assets, including:
New Streets
Parks and Greenspaces
Major facilities and buildings
Minor indoor and outdoor assets
The nomination period is open now and runs until May 1.
Following the submission deadline, all proposals will be reviewed against policy criteria. Qualifying nominations will then move to a 30-day public consultation period to ensure community support. While minor assets are dedicated in consultation with my office, major asset nominations will proceed to City Council for final approval.
If you miss the window, the next nomination period will take place from September 8 to October 20.
For more information on the process or to submit a proposal, please visit the City's commemorative naming page or contact the team directly at naming@ottawa.ca.
Green Funding: Grants Now Available for Community Projects
Does your community group have an idea to improve Ottawa's environmental sustainability? Applications are officially open for the City of Ottawa's 2026 Community Environmental Projects Grant Program (CEPGP).
This program provides funding for small-scale, community-based initiatives. If you have a project in mind that promotes waste avoidance, reduction, or reuse, now is the perfect time to apply.
Program Details:
Who Can Apply: The program is open to non-profit organizations, community groups, community associations, youth groups, and school councils.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026.
Project Timeline: Approved projects must be completed by June 30, 2027.
Whether it's a neighbourhood greening initiative or a creative waste-reduction program, this grant is designed to help local leaders turn ideas into action.
To learn more or to submit an application, please visit CEGEP website or email your questions directly to cegep@ottawa.ca.
High-Speed Rail: Upcoming Field Studies in Our Area
Canada's High-Speed Rail project team, known as Alto, is preparing to begin field investigations as part of their ongoing data collection program. These studies are scheduled to start this spring and will continue throughout the year to gather essential seasonal information.
As Alto continues to assess the broad corridor shared earlier this year, residents may notice activity related to these site investigations. Here is what you need to know about the process:
Land Access: Alto will require access to both public and private lands to complete this work. They will be reaching out to identified landowners to formally request "permission to enter" (PTE)
City Involvement: The City of Ottawa, as a landowner within a study area, also expects to receive requests for access to specific municipal sites.
Specific Locations: At this time, the City does not have a list of specific landowners being approached or the exact locations identified for these investigations.
Project Timeline:
May-April: Initial public consultations conclude
Summer: Alto expects to share consolidated results from the corridor consultations.
End of Year: Alto aims to identify a preliminary preferred rail alignment and station location for Ottawa, with further consultation to follow.
If any residents have questions about the field studies and “permission to enter” (PTE) process, they can call the Alto Liaison Office at 1-855-888-4421, or email permissions@altotrain.ca.
Recognizing Local Legends: Commemorative Naming for Stittsville's Newest Park
I am pleased to share that City Council has officially approved a motion to name a new park in Stittsville in honour of two individuals who dedicated decades to telling the stories of our community: John Brummell and John Curry.
Many of you will recognize these names from their extensive work with the Stittsville News. For over thirty years, "the two Johns" were staples of local journalism, covering everything from minor hockey games to major municipal milestones. While they were based in Stittsville, their reach was far wider as they both covered Richmond and our surrounding rural areas for several decades, ensuring our local news was always front and centre.
I was honoured to serve as the seconder on the motion to commemorate their contributions. This naming is a fitting tribute to their tireless dedication to local storytelling and their deep commitment to the people of Ward 21 and beyond.
By naming this park after John Brummell and John Curry, we ensure that their legacy of community service and historical preservation continues to be a part of the landscape they spent their careers documenting.
Community Research: Improving Flood Awareness in Kars
As part of the City's ongoing efforts to enhance emergency response planning, we are supporting a student-led research project focused on flood risks and awareness. This initiative specifically targets residents in the Kars area and other communities within the Rideau River catchment.
This project is being conducted by students from the Environmental Management and Assessment program at Algonquin College. Their goal is to gather feedback regarding the Upper Rideau River to help the City improve how it engages with residents during future spring freshet seasons.
How You Can Help:
The study team is looking for resident feedback by March 31, 2026. If you live in the Kars area, please consider taking a few minutes to complete their community survey. Your input will provide valuable data that could inform future outreach and safety recommendations for our ward.
Survey link: Understanding Flood Risks and Awareness in Wards 20 and 21
While this is a post-secondary project and not a direct branch of the Spring Freshet Task Force, the results will be shared with the City's Public Works department to support better emergency planning for us all.
Tackling Pothole Season in Ward 21
It has been a challenging winter, and our roads have potholes to prove it. The constant freeze and thaw cycles are wreaking havoc on our streets and sidewalks, we have already seen 45 of them this season.
To combat this, the Roads and Parking Services team is deploying additional resources and crews specifically to address the surge in road damage.
You may notice some new reinforcements in our neighbourhood this week. The City has secured two Python 5000 machines. These specialized patchers can fill a pothole in less than two minutes.
Because the operator stays safely inside the cab, the work is completed faster and more safely without the need for workers to step into traffic. These machines will be working 10-hour shifts, day and night, to get our roads back into shape.
How Potholes Form (and How We Fix Them)
Potholes are created when water seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, weakening the asphalt. When the ice melts and cars drive over these weak spots, the pavement breaks.
The Repair Process: Crews clean out debris and water before packing the hole with asphalt.
Winter Challenges: Because of the moisture and cold, many winter repairs are temporary. Crews use Cold Patch or Warm Mix asphalt, which are designed to be workable in freezing temperatures.
The Numbers: So far this winter, City crews have already repaired 52,755 potholes across Ottawa.
Well Water Testing: Protecting Your Rural Water Quality
For those of us who rely on private wells, consistent monitoring is the best way to ensure your drinking water remains safe. Even if your water looks, tastes, and smells fine, it can still contain bacteria or contaminants that are invisible to the senses.
It is important to remember that a single water test is only a "snapshot" of your well's quality at that specific moment. Water quality can shift due to heavy rain, spring runoff, or changes in the water table. The more frequently you test, the more confident you can be in the long-term safety of your supply.
When to Test:
Spring: As the ground thaws and runoff increases.
Summer: During periods of high usage or dry spells.
Fall: Before the ground freezes for the winter.
How to Get Started: The City makes it easy to stay on top of your water quality by providing free sample bottles and testing. You can pick up a bottle at various municipal locations, follow the instructions for collection, and drop it off for analysis at no cost to you.
For more information on the program, including bottle pickup and drop-off locations, please visit Ottawa Public Health's well water testing website.
Out & About
It was great to be at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show March 12. I joined my colleagues, Councillor Catherine Kitts and Councillor Isabelle Skalski. We saw incredible agri-tech like autonomous crop-tracking robots and the latest drone spraying technology
The show is hosted by the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, and it’s always inspiring to see their commitment to agricultural research and education.
A big shoutout to Rural Ottawa South Support Services (ROSSS) for hosting a lively St. Patrick’s Day Trivia ☘️
It was a pleasure for our team to go head-to-head with Councillor Skalski and her team for an evening of tough questions, delicious stew, and incredible community spirit. Thank you to everyone who came out to support such a great cause. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
Great morning with the WOCRC for "March for Meals!" last week. We were celebrating a new partnership between Meals on Wheels and Hollyer House, creating a streamlined hub for our west end residents. Seeing volunteers like Jim in action reminded me that this is more than a meal, it’s a lifeline of friendship and safety for our seniors.
It was a pleasure to welcome Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria to Manotick on March 19. Alongside MPP George Darouze and the MVCA, we discussed the urgent need for provincial funding for the Earl Armstrong Road Extension.
This $98 Million project is the most impactful long-term solution to truck traffic in Manotick that would dramatically reduce commercial vehicle volumes on Bridge Street and Manotick Main Street once complete.
I dropped by Willow Wellness on Perth Street to chat with owner Chris. It was a great opportunity to hear firsthand about the parking challenges local businesses are facing and discuss how we can work together to keep our village accessible and thriving.
I had the pleasure of joining the Richmond Islamic Community Ottawa (RICO) at South Carleton High School to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr. It was wonderful to see the school filled with so many families and neighbors coming together to mark the end of Ramadan.
I arrived just in time for the festivities and enjoyed a large helping of traditional foods and treats while catching up with residents. Thank you to the RICO volunteers for such a warm welcome!
A huge thank you to the Richmond community for the incredible turnout at our public information session on March 25! It was wonderful to see so many residents out to discuss the upcoming safety improvements and reconstruction of McBean Street.
Thank you also to City staff for hosting the event, sharing the preliminary designs, and taking the time to answer questions one-on-one.
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 our April 2026 newsletter.
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
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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!