Harold Brown Park, Order of Ottawa, Brian Kilrea Award & More

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We hope everyone had a chance to enjoy Dickinson Days, an annual tradition which celebrates Manotick’s founder, Moss Kent Dickinson.

We hope everyone had a chance to enjoy Dickinson Days, an annual tradition which celebrates Manotick’s founder, Moss Kent Dickinson.

We hear many concerns about speeding in our communities. Most recently, a resident called our office and asked that we remind neighbours to share Second Line Road. In general, we ask residents to be cognizant of pedestrians and cyclists using our roads and to be mindful of the speed limit. Of course, this also applies to every other road as well.

Although we wish we had the means to eliminate speeding permanently, we have traffic calming measures that can help address this concern. First and foremost, we always like to stress the importance of reporting speeding and dangerous driving. You can report this to Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222 or online at www.ottawapolice.ca/onlinereporting. Reporting traffic infractions will assist police in deploying staff for enforcement in the area.

Another traffic calming measure we routinely utilize is deploying speed display boards, which raise awareness of excessive speeding. Boards are placed on a rotational basis to capture speed data, which is then used, by the City and Ottawa Police to address speeding concerns in our neighbourhoods. If you notice excessive speeding and believe a speed display board would be beneficial, please contact my office. Please note: the timeline for deployment does vary based on availability.

My office also has a limited amount of “Slow Down For Us” lawn signs. If you would like one for your lawn, please contact my office and we will do our best to get you one. 

We understand how dangerous speeding is and ask all residents to be cognizant and careful while driving in Rideau-Goulbourn and beyond. 

Harold Brown Park

In recognition of his historical significance to the community of Richmond, the City of Ottawa has received a proposal to name the future park at Shea Road and Kirkham Crescent, the Harold Brown Park. Harold Brown played an integral role in the history of the landmark Richmond Bakery, which operated in the community for more than seven decades. In 1930, Harold Brown went into business as a baker, initially operating on McBean Street, in Richmond.

The bakery had no electricity and produced 325 loaves per batch in a brick, wood-fired oven. Bread was delivered to the surrounding countryside using horses loaned by local farmers, across an area 32 kilometres from the bakery, in all directions.

Mr. Brown joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939, and served as a sergeant until his discharge in 1945. He returned to Richmond to open a new bakeshop, which subsequently relocated to Perth Street, where it would remain until it closed in August 2014.

Rural Economic Development Strategy

I would like to extend an invitation to join the City of Ottawa on Wednesday, June 12th or Thursday, June 13th for a focus group designed to convene key rural stakeholders to help guide the City of Ottawa’s Rural Economic Development Strategy (REDS).

The focus groups are part of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan that is intended to support the development of a Rural Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. The Strategy and Plan will outline the City’s strategy and approach to stimulate economic growth in rural Ottawa. The geographic focus of the strategy is targeted primarily at Wards 5 (West Carleton-March), 19 (Cumberland), 20 (Osgoode), and 21 (Rideau-Goulbourn).

The focus group sessions will be action oriented with an emphasis on priority setting. The goals of the sessions will be to:

  • Understand the perspectives, challenges, and expectations of rural businesses

  • Provide clarity to issues identified in the business and community surveys

  • Explore solutions or emerging opportunities to stimulate rural economic growth

As a key rural stakeholder, the City’s REDS will greatly benefit from your knowledge, experience, and views. Please visit engage.ottawa.ca/REDS for registration details and other ways to engage. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jephtée Elysée at 613-580-2424 x 21656 or [email protected].

Nominations Open for 2019 Order of Ottawa

The Order of Ottawa recognizes the professional achievements and outstanding service of exceptional Ottawa residents. This prestigious civic award honours up to 15 of Ottawa’s most deserving individuals each year. Any resident of Ottawa who has made a significant contribution in a professional capacity that has been of benefit to our community may be nominated.

The Order of Ottawa is intended to recognize those who have made significant contributions through their professional endeavours, to life in the city in any of the following areas: arts and culture, business, philanthropy, health care, education, public service, labour, communications and media, science, sports and entertainment and other fields that benefit Ottawa.

The Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching, which will be presented at the Order of Ottawa awards ceremony in the fall of 2019, recognizes the contribution of an amateur coach who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership and commitment that have been the hallmarks of Brian Kilrea’s career. Mr. Kilrea is a retired hockey head coach, general manager and player, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Ottawa 67’s. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, has played and coached in the NHL and, with more than 1,000 career victories, he is the most successful coach in Canadian junior hockey history.

Nominations for the Order of Ottawa or the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching may be completed online or by filling out a nomination form in pamphlets that are available at the City Hall Information Desk, and at your local community centre, public library, or at any client service centre. The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 13th at 11:59pm EST.

Previous Rideau-Goulbourn recipients include Drs. Rod & Lucy Rabb, Cyril Leeder and William Tupper. More information on both awards can be found online at ottawa.ca/orderofottawa. Nominations by immediate family members, self-nominations, and posthumous nominations will not be accepted. Elected municipal, provincial and federal officials are not eligible for this award while they are in office.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

June's ARAC Agenda, Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program & Upcoming Events

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  The first barn quilt was installed on the dining hall in Richmond! This barn quilt is to celebrate the loyalist settlers of Richmond... red and grey for the uniforms, yellow and green for the fields of corn and blue for the Mighty Jock River. Thanks to Peter and Alison Tranter for the picture!

 The first barn quilt was installed on the dining hall in Richmond! This barn quilt is to celebrate the loyalist settlers of Richmond... red and grey for the uniforms, yellow and green for the fields of corn and blue for the Mighty Jock River. Thanks to Peter and Alison Tranter for the picture!

While the immediate focus is on Dickinson Day weekend, I would like to look ahead to next week’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting. The Thursday, June 7th agenda includes the following items:

  • Floodplain Mapping Updates
  • Surplus Farm Severance Zoning: 1670 Lockhead Road
  • Temporary Zoning Amendment: 4041 Moodie Drive
  • Surplus Farm Severance Zoning: 6420 First Line Road

After a few months of busy meetings with the Cranberry Creek, Hard Rock Casino Ottawa, Site Alteration By-Law and the Carlsbad Springs waste recovery facility, this is a fairly light agenda in comparison.

The report on the floodplain mapping recommends approving updates to the zoning by-law to reflect new floodplain mapping conducted by the Conservation Authorities. Lands affected are within the watersheds of Constance Creek, the Ottawa River near Constance Bay, Huntley Creek, Feedmill Creek and the Rideau River between the Ottawa River and Burritt’s Rapids. The temporary zoning amendment for 4041 Moodie Drive will allow Ottawa Fire Services to continue using the City-owned site as a training facility.

As usual, we meet at Ben Franklin Place in the Nepean Council Chambers and our meetings begin at 10:00am.

Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program

The Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program (ORCWP) provides funding to landowners and non-profit organizations for projects that protect surface water and groundwater quality.

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for 18 kinds of projects related to nutrient management, soil protection, water management, land stewardship, and education and innovation. 

Farmers from rural and urban Ottawa along with landowners within rural Ottawa are eligible to apply. Approved applicants must complete a 3rd or 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan (farm projects), or Healthy Home Guidebook (non-farm projects). Canadian Organic Certification is also accepted for some farm projects. Non-profit organizations can apply for education and innovation projects.

Applications will be accepted through the Land Owner Resource Centre, which works in partnership with the Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities and the City of Ottawa. 

Contact the Land Owner Resource Centre at 613-692-3571 or toll free at 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1136. Visit www.ottawa.ca/cleanwater to see a full list of eligible projects and to download an application form.

The Big Give

Amidst Dickinson Days weekend, June 2nd is the date of the 2018 Big Give. Every year, churches across the country use this day to bless their neighbourhoods through a unified day of giving.  It is not a garage sale. They are not raising money. Everything is free. It is their way of helping those in need.

This year, Manotick’s newest church, the Manotick Community Church, will be taking part for the third time.  This Saturday, drop by 5492 South River Drive, former Manotick Medical Centre, between 8:00am and 1:00pm.  They will also have free muffins and coffee in the morning and free hot dogs at lunch.  Most importantly, they will have a parking lot FULL of free stuff to choose from.

The Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in North Gower is also participating at their home, 6556 Prince of Wales Drive.

2018 Food Aid Day and Mayor’s Rural Expo

This annual tradition and significant fundraiser takes place this year on Friday, June 1st between 10:00am and 2:00pm at Ottawa City Hall. The event is an opportunity for urban residents to get a taste of rural Ottawa and while they are there, partake in a fundraiser BBQ cooked by THE WORKS.

The cost of the BBQ lunch is $10 and includes a burger, side and drink (debit, credit or cash will be accepted). Music will be provided by New Country 94. As always, the event will also feature the celebrity cow milking competition.

The rural tradeshow, kicking off at 10:00am, features farmers, businesses and organizations promoting unique goods and services. Booths will be located at Marion Dewar Plaza and inside City Hall at Jean Pigott Place.

Last year the event raised $106,000 in support of Food Aid; a program run by the Ottawa Food Bank to purchase and process beef from local farmers. Beef adds nutritious protein to the diets of families requiring this support while boosting the domestic market for cattle.

Doors Open Ottawa

Doors Open Ottawa, a free annual architectural event that celebrates our community’s built heritage, is back! On June 2nd and 3rd, you can explore over 140 unique buildings that have shaped the Ottawa landscape, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, Hydro Ottawa’s new Hydroelectric facility at Chaudière Falls, the Global Centre for Pluralism, and the Bank of Canada.

Local participants include Dickinson House, Watson’s Mill, Rideau Archives, Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and the Goulbourn Museum.

For disability-related accommodation required to participate fully in this event, please contact the City at [email protected] or call 3-1-1. For more information on this event, please visit Ottawa.ca/doorsopen.

North Gower Farmers’ Market

The North Gower Farmers’ Market is now open! You can visit the market at 2397 Roger Stevens Drive between 8:30am and 1:00pm on Saturdays until October 6th. For more details, please visit www.northgowerfarmersmarket.wordpress.com.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

June's ARAC Meeting Agenda and Other Updates

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June is always a busy month in Rideau-Goubourn and across the City of Ottawa, with events such as Food Aid Day and the Mayor’s Rural Expo as well as Dickinson Days. Of course, there are Ottawa 2017 events and it all leads up to July 1st where Canada Day events will be taking place in North Gower and Munster.

To kick off the month, there is nothing more exciting than a rousing meeting of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee! Our upcoming June 1st meeting agenda includes the following items:

  • Surplus Farm Severance Zoning Amendments for:
    • 2638 Mackey Road
    • 4779 Carp Road
    • 6462 First Line Road
  • Report on Coach Houses in the Rural area on private services
  • Manotick Mahogany Harbour Dock Project
  • Rural Residential Land Survey: 2015-16 Update
  • Hobbs Municipal Drain
  • All-Way Stop Control at Van Vliet Road & South River Drive
  • 1229 Dwyer Hill Road Development Charge Report

The report on coach houses in the rural area is the response to a direction that had been given by ARAC in the fall. Staff were asked to look at ways of reducing costs and process on building a coach house on private services in the rural area. The proposal before ARAC on June 1st does that. However, I feel more could be done and Committee will explore those options at the meeting.

The report on the Mahogany Harbour Dock will provide an update on the status of this project and speak to the temporary Parks Canada facility being installed this season. It will also lay out the City’s role going forward from an ongoing maintenance perspective.

The report on 1229 Dwyer Hill Road relates to the Dwyer Hill RV Park and the potential sale of the property. This report looks at waiving a portion of the Development Charges owed to the City of Ottawa by the current park owners. The waiver is only available to a potential purchaser and not the current owner.

As usual, the monthly ARAC meeting is held at 10:00am at Ben Franklin Place in Centrepointe.

UPDATE: Munster Sewer Backup

On April 7th, 2017, amidst heavy rainfall and runoff occurring during the spring freshet, the City of Ottawa received eight calls from Munster residents who were experience sewage backups in their basement. Seven of these calls came from the southeast portion of Munster, on Middlewood Court and nearby Dogwood Drive homeowners. At that time, the pumping station became surcharged with stormwater and crews were quick to respond to alleviate the surcharge. Unfortunately, during this time, several homeowners closest to the pumping station saw backups.

After some investigation, it was determined that the pumping station reached capacity due to the existence of sump pumps connected to the system. Since the backup occurred in early April, bypass pumping into the overflow lagoon at the Munster pumping station was activated earlier during rainy periods in early May to reduce the risk of basement flooding. The connection of sump pumps to sanitary sewers also caused capacity issues in Richmond during that same time in April. As a result, I will be working with City staff on developing a program that will seek to encourage the disconnection of sump pumps from the sanitary system. In the meantime, the City will continue to initiate the bypass measures earlier than done previously.

As homeowners, there are options to protect your home against flooding as well. There is information on the City of Ottawa’s website regarding the Residential Protective Plumbing Program. If you did experience flooding as a result of the pumping station backup, you can also file a claim with the City of Ottawa. For more information on the protection program or on how to file a claim, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

McLean Bridge Renewal

Beginning the week of the May 15, 2017th, the City of Ottawa commenced construction on the McLean Bridge Rehabilitation on Barnsdale Road. The City of Ottawa has retained the firm, RW Tomlinson Ltd., to complete the work. The McLean Bridge must undergo rehabilitation in order to extend its service life. Work will involve repairing the deck, widening the north sidewalk, removing and replacing the bridge railings, repairing the guard rails, concrete and steel repairs as well as some painting of steel members. The work is planned to begin in mid-May 2017 and continue until late October 2017.

There will be an impact to traffic on the McLean Bridge. Traffic will be reduced to one lane for the duration of construction. With the assistance of portable temporary traffic signals, motorists will be able to safely pass over the bridge during construction. One direction of traffic will proceed at a time. OC Transpo will be impacted by the rehabilitation to the McLean Bridge and will experience a minor delay to the route. Pedestrians will have access to the McLean Bridge at all times.

RW Tomlinson Ltd. will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to the normal life of your family, but as you can appreciate, there may be some inconvenience during the course of the operation of the work including noise and delays. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and co-operation.

For any emergency outside normal working hours on weekdays and weekends, please call the City at

3-1-1. Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the Project Manager, Elizabeth Murphy at [email protected] or by phone at 613-580-2424 ext. 15397.

Dickinson Days & Gathering in the Square

Dickinson Days is happening in Manotick between Friday, June 2nd and Sunday, June 4th. The weekend events celebrate the birthday of Manotick's founder Moss Kent Dickinson with a parade, fireworks, street market, and so much more. You won’t want to miss the Gathering in the Square on Sunday, which be filled with live entertainment, horse drawn wagon rides, guided tours, a flour grinding demonstration, crafts for children, and lots of fun! The Dickinson House will also be open and will be doing a cake cutting and housewarming to celebrate the house being built 150 years ago. 

On Sunday the meal will be a ticketed mechoui barbeque with a choice of meat, salads, and fries. The cost of the meal is $12 for children 11 years old and under and $15 for adults aged 12 and over. We encourage people to reserve a table of 6 or 8. Tickets can be purchased by calling Watson's Mill at 613-692-6455. For a detailed schedule of events, visit watsonsmill.com.

At the same time, you are welcome to visit the good folks at Dickinson House, as they too celebrate Moss Kent Dickinson.  Not only are they honouring Dickinson and his achievements, but they are also part of Doors Open Ottawa.  June 4th will be extra special, not just because of the aforementioned Gathering in the Square, but also the 150th anniversary of the construction of Dickinson House.  To celebrate this milestone, special guests from the past will be in attendance.  Please come and join them for a re-enactment of the Dickinson House housewarming for a piece of birthday cake at 1:30pm.

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If you have any other comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me on those as well or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

City of Ottawa presents plans for managing Wild Parsnip

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Before getting into the bulk of my column, I just wanted to provide an update to residents in Richmond on the state of 74 Colonel Murray Street, a residence that, unfortunately, was lost due to fire last fall.  The site has now become a bit of an eyesore generating some concern in the community.  I just wanted to assure residents that the City of Ottawa will not allow the property to remain in its current state and will be cleaning it up if the site remains untouched as of May 15th.

On to more positive news, the annual Rural Expo & Food Aid Day BBQ returns to City Hall on Thursday, June 4th. The day will feature a great display of rural flavor on the front steps of City Hall, a pancake breakfast and a delicious lunch from The WORKS all in support of the Ottawa Food Bank. The Rural Expo helps urban residents learn more about what rural Ottawa has to offer. If your organization wishes to participate in the Rural Expo, please contact the Rural Affairs Office at [email protected] or 613-580-2424 x28352.

Summer has finally arrived and, with it, a number of great reasons to be outside.  This Saturday, the Manotick Kiwanis Club will be out in full force for their annual spring clean-up.  The following weekend, Watson’s Mill opens for the season. Activities will begin on Saturday at 10:00am, and the Season Opening Ceremony is scheduled to start at 11:30am featuring a full schedule of activities for the upcoming summer season. The ceremony will be followed by a community barbeque. The Manotick Farmers’ Market will also launch that morning and the Mill opening also marks the return of the Carriage Shed Book Sale.

A new season is set to begin at Dickinson House as well.  You are invited to come & celebrate spring and Queen Victoria’s Birthday at Dickinson House on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 2:00pm. There will be cake and lemonade and an opportunity to see the special exhibit of 2015, “Tableware in Times Past”.  As always, admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.  Also of note, a new season at the North Gower Farmers’ Market kicks off at the end of the month on May 30th.

Dickinson Days is fast approaching and so too is the annual Rural Expo & Food Aid Day BBQ at City Hall.  This year, our event is on Thursday, June 4th. The day will feature a great display of rural flavor on the front steps of City Hall, a pancake breakfast and a delicious lunch from The WORKS all in support of the Ottawa Food Bank. The Rural Expo helps urban residents learn more about what rural Ottawa has to offer. If your organization wishes to participate in the Rural Expo, please contact the Rural Affairs Office at [email protected] or 613-580-2424 x28352.

Wild Parsnip

While talking about being outside, it’s also the time of year for wild parsnip. Wild parsnip is an invasive plant that is commonly found within the City of Ottawa in areas of uncultivated land, roadside ditches, nature trails, as well as on and surrounding rural and residential properties.

Wild parsnip may pose a health risk to humans. The plant sap contains chemicals that will cause skin irritation and make the skin prone to severe burning and blistering when exposed to the sun. The blisters typically occur one to two days after contact with the plant. This can result in long-term scarring of the skin.

Wild parsnip is a highly branched plant, with hollow green stems. The compound leaves are green and dense growing. The yellow flowers are in clusters of up to 20 cm across. The plant can grow to a height of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. It is a biennial plant, reproducing only by seed. When working around wild parsnip or when walking through dense vegetation, wear goggles, gloves, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Thoroughly wash boots and gloves with soap and water before taking off your protective clothing.

Children should be reminded not to pick wild flowers. Ensure children are able to identify wild parsnip in order to avoid exposure. If you are exposed to the plant sap, wash the contaminated area(s) thoroughly as soon as possible, and seek medical attention if skin irritation occurs. For more information, visit ottawa.ca.

Our Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee is receiving an update from Public Works this week on how we are managing wild parsnip this year.  I do know we are increasing are resources when it comes to managing this invasive plant and I’ll provide more information on that next week.

Visit www.rideaugoulbourn.ca/wildparsnip for more information about the weed and what the City of Ottawa is doing to help prevent it spreading.

Property Tax Deferral Program

The City of Ottawa offers two property tax deferral programs for low-income seniors and low-income people with disabilities. Eligible homeowners may apply for a full or partial deferral of annual property taxes. Application for tax deferral must be made annually to the City of Ottawa to establish eligibility or confirm continued eligibility.

You may apply for one of the following programs: Full Property Tax Deferral Program or Partial Property Tax Deferral Program. For more information, visit ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2740.

Farm Grant Program

The City of Ottawa Farm Grant Program provides financial relief to working farmers. The grant program will assist eligible farm property owners by allowing the June final tax installment to be paid in December.

To qualify for the grant, the following conditions must be met:

  • The property must be defined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation in the farmlands property class
  • The property must not be owned by a commercial enterprise
  • Taxes have been paid up to date before the June instalment
  • The final  tax instalment billed (mailed May) is paid in full in early December

How the program will work:

  • Penalty charges will continue
  • Notification of the amount to be paid will be communicated to you in the fall
  • The grant amount will be the equivalent of the penalty charges and fees added to your account during the deferral
  • The City will automatically calculate and apply a credit for the grant amount to your tax account; there is no application to fill out

Should you have any questions, please contact Revenue Branch from Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm (June to August 8:00am to 4:00pm) at 613-580-2444 (Transactions will be recorded for training and verification purposes). TTY: 613-580-2401.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491.