Newsletter - 22 May 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
A Stronger Economic Future for Rural Ottawa
Rural Ottawa is a major part of our city’s economy, and the new Economic Development Rural Plan includes several positive steps to better support our farms, villages, small businesses, tourism, and local entrepreneurs.
Read more
Ward Updates
2026 Wild Parsnip Strategy Now Underway
Wild parsnip has become increasingly common in Ottawa, and it can pose a real health risk. The sap from the plant contains chemicals that can cause skin and eye irritation, and when exposed to sunlight, it can lead to serious burning and blistering. That is why the City continues to take a targeted approach to reducing wild parsnip in areas with significant infestation, while also protecting environmentally sensitive areas and public safety.
The 2026 Wild Parsnip Strategy began this week. This year, approximately 1,400 lane kilometres of roadsides will be treated, along with several parkland locations. The City will also continue to monitor infestation levels, adjust mowing operations, and use herbicide treatment where appropriate.
On roadsides, the City will continue and expand the use of Clearview and Navius FLEX herbicides in highly infested areas, while also timing mowing operations to better support the treatment program. In parks and public spaces, mowing remains the primary mitigation tool, with hand pulling used for smaller infestations and herbicide applied only when necessary. Signage will be posted where spraying occurs.
Rural residents who do not want the roadside next to their property sprayed continue to have the option to opt out of the program (deadline was May 15th). Residents who opt out are responsible for managing wild parsnip adjacent to their property, as required under the Weed Control Act.
My office will continue to monitor this work closely and share updates as more information becomes available, including park treatment locations when they are confirmed in June.
Race Weekend Road Closures Downtown
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend returns this weekend, bringing thousands of runners, volunteers and spectators to downtown Ottawa on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24.
This is one of the largest running events in the country and a major weekend for the city. It is also important for residents to plan ahead if they are travelling downtown, as there will be intermittent lane reductions and road closures throughout the event.
The races begin and end at Ottawa City Hall, located at 110 Laurier Avenue West. Traffic impacts are expected on Saturday from as early as 11 am until 9 pm, and on Sunday from as early as 5 am until 2 pm.
Major roads impacted at different times include Laurier Avenue, Elgin Street, Bank Street, Wellington Street, Booth Street, Chaudière Bridge, Alexandra Bridge, Sussex Drive, Sir George Étienne Cartier Parkway, Rideau Street, Colonel By Drive, Pretoria Bridge and Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
A full list of lane reductions, closures and timing details is available through the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend website.
Whether you are running, cheering someone on, volunteering or simply travelling through the area, please plan ahead and give yourself extra time.
Public Works Big Wheels Expo Rolls Into Ottawa Stadium
Big machines, big jobs, and big fun are coming back to Ottawa Stadium for the annual Public Works Big Wheels Expo.
Now in its fourth year, this free family event gives residents a rare opportunity to get up close with the vehicles and equipment that keep our city running. It is a great chance for kids, families, truck enthusiasts and anyone curious about City operations to learn more about the work that happens behind the scenes every day.
Residents can expect to see vehicles such as a garbage truck, snowplow, road painting truck, sidewalk sweeper, bucket truck and more. Staff will be on site to answer questions and explain how these machines are used to maintain roads, sidewalks, parks, public spaces and other City services.
The event takes place on Sunday, June 7 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at Ottawa Stadium, located at 300 Coventry Road.
The Ottawa Titans are not playing at home that weekend, but starting at 10:30 am, 100 people will receive free Ottawa Titans Baseball tickets for their game on Tuesday, June 9.
This is a fun and educational event for the whole family, and a great way to learn more about the people and equipment that help keep Ottawa moving.
Road Safety Improvements Planned for Long Island Road, Ottawa Street, and McBean Street
I want to share an important update on planned road safety improvements on Long Island Road (Manotick), Ottawa Street, and McBean Street (both in Richmond) near schools.
Following the province-wide removal of automated speed enforcement cameras, municipalities were provided funding through the Road Safety Initiatives Fund to support replacement road safety measures near former and planned camera locations. Ottawa has been allocated approximately $4 million through the immediate funding stream to support improvements at 84 former or planned automated speed enforcement locations across the city.
City staff have been making sure our communities receive practical road safety improvements that respond to local concerns. Conceptual plans have now been prepared for speed cushions on Long Island Road and Ottawa Street, and a separate plan has also been prepared for McBean Street between Royal York Street and Ottawa Street.
On Long Island Road, speed data collected between Bridge Street and Elizabeth Avenue showed that only 27 percent of drivers were complying with the posted 40 kilometres per hour speed limit, with an operating speed of 54 kilometres per hour. That is a serious concern in a community area where residents have repeatedly raised issues about speeding and safety.
The proposed traffic calming measures are intended to improve safety near schools and support vulnerable road users. Subject to community feedback, the proposed work would take place in 2027.
The proposed locations of the speed cushions are approximate and may be adjusted during detailed design if impacts are identified. Other site-specific constraints may also affect the final feasibility or placement of the measures.
I have heard clearly from residents that road safety remains a major concern in our villages and rural communities. These measures are not the only answer, but they are an important step forward, and I will continue pushing for practical improvements that make our roads safer for pedestrians, students, cyclists and drivers.
Play Free Expands Access for Families Across Ottawa
The City’s Play Free program continues to make recreation more accessible for families across Ottawa, and this year the program is expanding to include additional Sunday skating opportunities at several facilities.
While these locations are not in Ward 21, this is still a positive step toward making free recreation easier to access across the city, especially for families in communities that may not always have the same level of drop-in programming available nearby. I know how important local recreation is for families in our rural villages, and I will continue to support opportunities to expand access where possible.
New this year, some arenas that do not usually offer Saturday drop-in public or family skating will now offer Sunday skating opportunities. These locations include:
Fred Barrett Arena
1:00 to 1:50 pm and 2:00 to 2:50 pmJack Charron Arena
3:00 to 3:50 pm and 4:00 to 4:50 pmJim Durrell Recreation Centre
3:15 to 4:05 pm and 4:15 to 5:05 pmLois Kemp Arena
3:00 to 3:50 pm and 4:00 to 4:50 pmMcNabb Arena and Community Centre
1:00 to 1:50 pm and 2:00 to 2:50 pmNavan Memorial Centre
1:00 to 2:50 pmOsgoode Community Centre and Stuart Holmes Arena
1:00 to 2:50 pmPinecrest Recreation Complex
2:00 to 2:50 pm and 3:00 to 3:50 pmSt. Laurent Complex
2:00 to 2:50 pm and 3:00 to 3:50 pmW. Erskine Johnston Arena
2:00 to 2:50 pm and 3:00 to 3:50 pm
Residents should confirm the schedule directly with their local recreation facility before heading out, as times and availability can change.
Play Free is about more than recreation. It is about making sure children and families have opportunities to be active, try something new and enjoy City facilities without cost being a barrier.
Out & About
Unleashing the quack-ends! 🦆 I had a blast at the Richmond & District Lions Club 18th Annual Duck Race. It was wonderful to see the community come together and enjoy an afternoon at Conservation Park.
From my farm to Foodeliver! I was happy to donate some of my eggs to help Foodeliver support newcomer and low-income families across Ottawa.
It was a treat to have the South Carleton High School Concert Band join us at City Hall on May 13. As a graduate of South Carleton, I was thrilled to see so much talent from my old high school performing for the City. These talented students, led by Ms. Katelyn Koenig, did a wonderful job performing "O Canada" to kick off the Council meeting. Huge thanks to all the musicians for making the trip and sharing your music with us!
I had the pleasure of presenting at the Manotick Village and Community Association (MVCA) meeting on the evening of May 13.
On the morning of May 14, I started my day with a visit to a farm in Ashton.
I stopped by the 12th anniversary celebration at Manotick Place Retirement Community on May 14. Their "Denim & Diamonds" party would not have been complete without a Neil Diamond impersonator. Happy Anniversary, Manotick Place!
For the afternoon of May 15, I headed to Osgoode Village Park for Police Week. I even got to lend a hand at the grill serving up hot dogs! It was a great opportunity to connect with the Ottawa Police team and other local community partners like Rural Ottawa South Support Services (ROSSS).
I had the privilege of presenting awards at the Ottawa Fiddle and Step Dance Competition at the Richmond Arena on May 17. Congratulations to all the winners and participants!
On May 19, members of my team dropped by the Canadian Blood Services clinic at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Richmond to donate.
Even though I wasn't able to donate this time around, I was happy to cheer them on, especially since three of the four were first-time donors!
There is another clinic coming up on June 25 at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower. Please visit blood.ca to check your eligibility and book an appointment!
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
Bankfield Road, from Kilreen Lane to 370 metres west of Prince of Wales Drive
Black’s Side Road, from Fernbank Road to Ridingview Crescent
Brophy Drive, from Eagleson Road to Fourth Line Road
Community Way, from Fourth Line Road to Relin Way
Doctor Leach Drive, residential, from Beaverwood Road to Potter Drive
Fallowfield Road, from Munster Road to Dwyer Hill Road
Farmstead Ridge, crack sealing, from Church Street to Church Street
Fernbank Road, from Jinkinson Road to Munster Road
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
Harbison Road, gravel road upgrade to hard asphalt surface, from Proven Line Road to McCordick Road
Jinkinson Road, from Fernbank Road to 2.7 kilometres north of Fernbank Road
Manotick Main Street, from Bridgeport Avenue to Eastman Avenue
McBean Street, from Perth Street to Strachan Street
Phelan Road West, slurry seal, from Prince of Wales Drive to Ormond Road
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!