Kitchissippi Times | November 24, 2016

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IT’S A PAPER WITHIN A PAPER! FIND IT on page 11 • Community safety meeting • 25 years of good deeds • Fundraising for Connaught PS

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100% LOCAL

Jeff Leiper City Councillor conseiller municipal

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November 24, 2016

A letter of thanks from Julie Drury

Find your perfect gift!

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The future of parking in Westboro and Wellington West

Linda Greenberg, owner of Capital City Luggage, says the City of Ottawa has contributed to the parking problem over the years by removing parking spots. Photo by Ellen Bond

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The future of parking in Kitchissippi Discussion driven by growth and development

By Alyson Queen

1079 Wellington Street West

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3 • November 24, 2016

We love to hear from our readers and we welcome letters to the editor. Send them by email to editor@kitchissippi.com.

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says Sonya.

Some business owners also note parking spots have been removed over time.

“I think the City created the problem. There may have been 70 spots that we lost in the area,” says Linda Greenberg, owner of Capital City Luggage. “Most of the stores have staff who are parking on the street, and they’re taking over a lot of the spots.”

There is no silver bullet to meeting the community’s broader needs, particularly when looking ahead to LRT usage and a greater emphasis on cycling and walking. Like anything, a balance will need to be struck.

“Enforcement, time limits and paid parking all are inter-related in terms of how they influence turnover,” says Scott.

The sticking point is paid parking.

To many, this would significantly reduce attraction to the area.

“I’ve never had one complaint about customers not finding a parking space. Paid parking is anti-business, it’s a tax grab,” says Ken Lauzon, owner of Lauzon Music. “Why would someone come in and buy guitar strings for $4.95 and pay $2 in the metre when they can go to a shopping centre and park for free?”

The local BIAs are doing their part to solicit feedback and present it to the City in an organized way.

Members are currently being polled about their thoughts, which will be passed along to the City.

“Our board looked at it, and all the data, and [decided] that the membership should have a say,” says Zach.

Mary Thorne of the Westboro BIA also notes that a board task force has been dedicated to addressing parking issues.

“The task force has been very active and diligent and hard working,” she says, adding that 13 spaces were recently opened up on Kirkwood as a result of their work.

When asked his position on paid parking, Scott is fairly frank.

“When faced with a parking issue, there are limited possible solutions.

The conclusion is that paid parking is warranted in both Westboro and Wellington West, but that will only be a formal recommendation if we receive concurrence. “ That concurrence is hard-written into the rules. Under the Delegation of Authority By-Law, staff have the ability to trigger a rate change but Continued on page 8

KitchissippiTimes

Since 2011, a number of Local Area Parking Studies (LAPS) have been undertaken by the City of Ottawa on almost all neighbourhood main streets in the core. The purpose, under the Municipal Parking Management Strategy, is to ensure affordable and accessible public parking that supports local business and tourism.

A study was recently concluded for Wellington West, starting at the east end near the old train tracks at Somerset and ending in the west end at Golden and Richmond.

It is one of the last LAPS for the City to undertake. With it comes a number of recommendations to address congestion, including better enforcement, promotion of alternative transportation and addressing use of loading zones but the recommendation that is generating all of the attention from business owners is the potential introduction of paid parking.

Scott Caldwell is the area manager for parking at the City of Ottawa and he has been peddling the study and its results. In an interview with the Kitchissippi Times, he says it “made sense to look at Wellington West now, given the way that the area has developed, which really didn’t exist even four or five years ago.”

On that point, Zach Dayler, Executive Director of the Wellington West BIA, agrees.

“Wellington West is the largest commercial destination in the urban core of Ottawa.”

With continued growth and development, parking has become an issue for the broader area. That’s why discussions are now taking place on how to deal with the entire SomersetWellington-Richmond corridor.

According to the City’s guidelines, if a neighbourhood hits about 85% of parking spots being used at a given time, then congestion and turn-over need to be dealt with.

“We’re floating just below 80%, depending on the time of day and week,” confirms Zach. “I’d like to hold we’re actually lower than that because of the issue of longer-term parking.”

A variety of opinions and suggestions are being raised, including the fact there is no area-wide consistency when it comes to time limits. Along the corridor, you need to check signs, because they range from 30 minutes to three hours.

Sonya Fisher of ER Fisher Menswear invests in her own customer parking but hopes the City doesn’t implement flat one-hour parking rules.

“If the City wants to encourage local businesses, they need to give customers more time, perhaps two hours,”

Kitchissippi Times

KT HUMANS OF KITCHISSIPPI

250 City Centre Ave., Suite 500 Ottawa ON K1R-6K7 www.kitchissippi.com Kitchissippi, meaning “the Grand River,” is the former Algonquin name for the Ottawa River. The name now identifies the urban community to the west of downtown Ottawa. Newswest is a not-forprofit community-owned publication that is distributed 12 times per year inside the Kitchissippi Times.

Editor/Associate Publisher Andrea Tomkins editor@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/kitchissippi Contributors Dave Allston, Ellen Bond, Alyson Queen Proofreader Judith van Berkom Advertising Sales Eric Dupuis 613-238-1818 x273 eric@kitchissippi.com Grace Fulton 613-238-1818 x274 grace@kitchissippi.com Publisher Mark Sutcliffe mark@kitchissippi.com Creative Director Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca

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Production Regan Van Dusen regan@greatriver.ca

Meet Etienne Cuerrier Collected by Ellen Bond

“I grew up in Kitchissippi, near the Bagel Shop. My family is French-Canadian and I attended school at Lycée Claudel… can’t get more French than that! When I was 8-years-old, my mom put my brother and I in Elmdale school, at that time I couldn’t speak English at all: yes, no, and that’s really it. It was a sad time for me at first, not understanding a word from anyone! But one teacher, Mr. Cambell, stayed with me at recess and after school to slowly teach me vocabulary and by Christmas I was able to

make friends and have actual conversations in English!

Kitchissippi is home to me, I grew up learning to play hockey and soccer at Fisher Park, played tennis late at night at Elmdale Tennis Club with my dad, learned to drive in Tunney’s parking lots! Now, 30 years later, my kids are doing the same, taking dance class at Hintonburg community centre, making friends on the street like Tuls from the fish store and Vicky from Rochon at Parkdale Market.

What has really struck me in this past year while operating a business in Kitchissippi, is the strong sense of community help from other businesses and the loyalty of residents.

From other businesses helping out promoting or even lending a hand when I needed it, to neighbours helping me with renovations, decorating and lending their tools and knowledge! Without them, I wouldn’t be as proud and happy about my restaurant.”

Humans of Kitchissippi is a special street photography project designed to introduce readers to some of the people who live, work, and play in Kitchissippi. Each instalment of HOK contains three elements: a photo, a name, and a quote from the subject that reveals a little bit about who they are. Go to kitchissippi.com to view our ongoing collection of humans.

Finance Jackie Whalen 613-238-1818 x250 jackie@greatriver.ca All other enquiries 613-238-1818 info@kitchissippi.com Distribution A minimum of 17,600 copies distributed from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue between the O-Train tracks and Woodroffe Avenue.

Most residents in this area will receive the Kitchissippi Times directly to their door through Ottawa Citizen or Flyer Force.

If you did not receive your copy, or would like additional copies, please contact us and we’ll deliver to you. Bulk copies delivered to multi-unit dwellings and retail locations. Copies available at Dovercourt Recreation Centre and Hintonburg Community Centre. distribution@kitchissippi.com 613-238-1818 x248 Tips and ideas We want to hear from you about what’s happening in our community.

Contact the Editor.

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On November 30th, 2015, we lost our daughter Kate after tragic complications following a bone marrow transplant. Kate was an incredible child. She was beautiful, loving, happy and absolutely endearing to anyone she met.

Kate had a rare form of mitochondrial disease called SIFD (sideroblastic anemia, immune deficiency, fever, and developmental delay), and in an effort to minimize the impact of her disease, her amazing big brother Jack donated his bone mar- File photo of Julie Drury by Ellen Bond row to her.

Over the course of Kate’s life, we Montreal for many more months. have faced many challenges as a family.

Our community came together to In facing those challenges, we are grate- send care packages, crafts, puzzles, ful to our incredible McKellar Park and books, and activities to Kate. When Highland Park community of friends, financial pressures began to get diffineighbours, and supporters. cult, you supported a GoFundMe for Throughout Kate’s life, many of you our family. When we finally arrived were there with a helping hand, and an home with a very unwell little girl, but open heart. You made sure she was safe with incredible hope for her recovery, when she was out in the community, you fed us and brought us meals. and you helped Julie and Brian with a Last December, the incredible outsecond set of eyes or helping hand at pouring of love and support at Kate’s school yards, pools and parks.

Celebration of Life saw more than 650 Through the support of organiza- people in attendance, and love letters tions like Dovercourt (John Rapp), of hearts in memory of Kate. Our comOttawa Gymnastics Centre (Lori munity came together again to make it Ierello), Westboro Nursery School a very special memorial, with friends (Wendy and Lavonne), MotherCraft, and neighbours lending their talents to the JCC and many others, Kate was ensure it was simply perfect (Tara able to participate in many community Studios, Marnie Johnstone, Amanda activities.

Sage).

She was a student at Broadview This past month we woke to an Public School, and she couldn’t have incredible gift of a basket of hearts on been prouder. She was a fierce sup- our doorstep the morning of her birthporter of the Ottawa West Golden day, October 11th. Beautiful words of Knights hockey team that her big remembrance and celebrating what a brother played for. Kate loved her local gift Kate was to all of you. stores and businesses; Bridgehead We are incredibly grateful. This is a (Golden Avenue) for a croissant, letter of thanks, but also one to celeStarbucks (Richmond Rd) for a sand- brate the wonderful community Kate wich and water with ‘Kate’ on it, lived in and was a part of.

Pharmasave (Richmond Rd) for her We want to especially thank bag of chips and a visit with the team Stephanie Craze for the ‘quarterback’ there (while picking up her medica- role she played in keeping the support tions). She loved Farm Boy (Richmond for our family organized. Sheila Hodges Rd) and Produce Depot (Carling), and for organizing the GoFundMe, and the staff at both stores still ask about Sunita Kingwell whose friendship and Kate and share memories of the little trips to Montreal were invaluable to girl who loved getting groceries and us. ‘helping’.

We are an amazing community, and Kate and our family were supported though Kate is gone, I know you all by the ‘Hope For Kate’ fundraiser in love and miss her incredibly. Thank 2009, and many of you have been part you for that. of Team MitoCanada and have run and walked at Ottawa Race Weekend in Julie Drury, support of mitochondrial disease Kate’s mom awareness and research.

The last year of Kate’s life was especially difficult as we went through her bone marrow transplant procedure in Montreal in full isolation. Julie and We love to hear from our readers and we Kate were separated from Brian (dad) welcome letters to the editor. Send them and Jack, and when Kate suffered seriby email to editor@kitchissippi.com. ous complications she remained in

Building a healthy, active and engaged community through recreation

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Pioneer times in Kitchissippi Get to know one of Westboro’s founding families

By Dave Allston

path at the time.

The Thomsons settled on 200 acres of Nepean Township lot 29, a tall rectangular parcel of land that stretched from what we now know as Carling Avenue to the Ottawa River, between Golden and Denbury Avenue.

Williams’s wife and the rest of their children (two sons and six daughters) arrived soon afterwards. They constructed a log cabin and began to farm the land, which was less than ideal. The property was described as a “second or third rate farm” in which “the Thomsons had to remove boulders for fences and drains, and level down hills and fill hollows.”

In July 1822, after successfully performing the terms of their settlement, the Thomsons were officially granted ownership of the property. Their farm would eventually be recognized as one of the finest in the Ottawa Valley and a model for other immigrants.

The property was originally named Teviot Grove (likely after a river in Scotland near their original home), later Maple Grove, and finally, Maplelawn.

In 1831, the Thomsons began work on their grand stone house. William’s

This view of Maplelawn is from 1906.

Photo courtesy of the City of Ottawa Archives, CA-1864

friendship with Lt-Col John By ensured many of By’s top men assisted the project once the Rideau Canal was completed. The limestone and timber used in its construction were sourced directly from the farm property. Both the stone fence and the house – which is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Canada today – remain a symbol of the Thomson family’s early prosperity and a memorial to expert

and meticulous craftsmanship. William Thomson Sr. died in December of 1833, around the time of its completion.

His sons, William Jr. and John, also became major players in the early days of the square timber and lumber industry in the Ottawa Valley. Their success allowed them to further re-invest into the growth of their farm. They were also involved in local politics. At the Continued on page 9

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For a column titled “Early Days,” what better subject than to go back in time and take a look at Kitchissippi’s very earliest days and its first residents, the Thomson family. Nearly 200 years after their arrival, they are still recognized as builders and long-time farmers of the Maplelawn estate and gardens, the marquee heritage property in the ward.

William Thomson and his son John arrived in Quebec City aboard the Agincourt on August 8, 1817 after a 28-day journey from their home in Scotland. They arrived in Bytown soon afterwards, aboard a boat with other key Nepean pioneers, docking at Richmond Landing below the Chaudière Falls.

They had little money and big aspirations for a new life in Upper Canada.

Land in Upper Canada was available to immigrant settlers if they fulfilled specific settlement duties. Thanks to surviving records of the Perth Military Settlement, we know the Thomsons first settled on their land in Westboro on February 9, 1818. They had just one neighbour (the Honeywells, to the west), and Richmond Road was barely a cleared

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NOVEMBER 25th - DECEMBER 23rd When you purchase gifts from participating merchants in Westboro Village, ask for a ballot for your chance to win.

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WESTBORO VILLAGE HOLIDAY EVENTS

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Westboro’s Ivo Balinov, who is pictured here with fellow medalists Sorin Comsa (left, silver medalist) and Colin Huff (centre, gold medalist), is a member of one of the two Canadian teams that participated in the 2016 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships at Mt. Tremblant in September. 14 teams representing 10 countries took part in this competition. Not only was this the first time the event was held in Canada since its origins in 1988, but it was also the first time a Canadian team won the gold. It’s also the first team medal Canada has ever won at any major international fly fishing competition. Read a Q&A with Ivo Balinov online at Kitchissippi.com. Photo by Guillaume Vincent

Parking in Kitchissippi (613) 292-4668 laura.bolton@live.ca Monday – Friday 9-5

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November 24, 2016 • 8

paid parking on Somerset-WellingtonRichmond. If I hear over the next few months that this is something residents support, that might change.”

The findings and community feedback will be presented to the Transportation Committee in March 2017.

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Continued from page 3 cannot proceed and implement changes without concurrence from community associations, the affected BIAs and the ward councillor.

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Continued from page 6 first council of the District of Dalhousie in 1842 at Bytown, John represented Nepean. William Jr.’s son John would also later serve as Deputy-Reeve of Nepean Township from 1874-1888.

Over the years, the Thomsons acquired even more land in Kitchissippi, eventually owning over 700 acres.

William farmed the Maplelawn property, while John farmed the western extension. In the early 1850s, another stone mansion was constructed (likely by John shortly before his death), which still exists today. It’s known as the McKellarBingham house.

Their brother Andrew opened a store at the corner Richmond and Britannia Roads, and later on Rideau Street. He married Mehitabel Parker, daughter of Harvey Parker, one of the first settlers of the Ottawa area, and later became a preacher in Smith’s Falls.

Their sister Janet married James Aylen, son of the shiner and lumberman Peter Aylen, and had a son William Thomas Aylen, who later managed the Thomson’s affairs.

The Thomsons also helped contribute to the growth of the neighbourhood, providing land for the first area schoolhouse in 1851 and for the construction of All Saints Church in 1865.

At its peak, the Thomson farm was valued at $26,250, the third most valuable in Nepean Township. It is quite an accomplishment from when the family arrived in 1817, nearly broke.

William and John both died in 1855.

William left behind seven children and Maplelawn was inherited by William’s two eldest children, William and John.

In the late 1850s, they laid out a subdivision plan for the eastern portion of their farm, a village they called Baytown, with streets named for members of the family. However, due to the isolation of the area, lot sales were nearly non-existent. The layout of the plan however, eventually formed the Westboro we know today.

The family’s finances went downhill in the 1860s. Much of their western and northern acreage was sold and Maplelawn offered for sale. The Thomsons defaulted on their $16,250 mortgage in 1876 and the final order of foreclosure was issued on June 27, 1878, transferring ownership of Maplelawn to the mortgage holder, Colin Cameron. It was the end of an era. The Thomsons moved into a rented house on Preston at Spruce.

A year later, Colin Cameron sold the property to Thomas Cole, who established the Highland Park Dairy Farm, keeping Maplelawn in the family for nearly 100 years. The NCC acquired it to ensure its preservation, and it remains today a true monument to the lasting legacy of the Thomson family.

Dave Allston is a local history buff and author of The Kitchissippi Museum (kitchissippimuseum.blogspot.ca). His family has lived in Kitchissippi for six generations. Do you have stories to share about the area? We’d love to hear them! Send your email to stories@ kitchissippi.com.

HOWLiday Pet Portraits Photo event at your neighbourhood pet store

Saturday, December 3

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All proceeds will be donated to local dog and cat rescues Photography by Leslie Yeow

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November 24, 2016

90 Angry People

Stuffed into 1 Happy Goat

By Hintonburg Community Association 90 Angry People Stuffed into 1 Happy Goat - this is the comment that brought some laughter to a very serious and packed Community Safety meeting called by Councillor Jeff Leiper and the Hintonburg Community Association (HCA).

The meeting was very quickly organized for Nov. 10th to talk about recent and very disturbing crimes in the area - multiple gunshots Oct. 21, swarmings Oct 22 & 23rd, and a stabbing early on the morning of Nov. 5, 2016 - all around or within 2 blocks of Bayswater and Somerset.

Police confirmed there are links from the shooting and stabbing to the Vibe Café located at the intersection of Bayswater & Somerset.

Many, many stories were heard that evening of the recent events, but also events over the last 4 years – noise, fighting, violence, threats to life, residents’ fear entering their own property, threats to residents’ lives, property damage, drinking and drugs in the back lane. All residents linked these issues to the Vibe Café.

The HCA had opposed the Liquor License Application for the Vibe in early 2013 but it was granted with conditions

on the license.

Less than 6 months later there was the first shooting outside the Vibe.

In February 2016 the Vibe Liquor License was revoked – since then drinking alcohol in the back lane has become the norm. Meetings with the owner of the Vibe Café and the owner of the building have yielded no results.

Several strategies are being worked on. A call for increased Police presence especially Friday and Saturday nights was heard loud and clear. Councillor Leiper and HCA will work with Cst. Neilly to help residents organize some Neighbourhood Watches in the area as well to conducting some Safety Audits of the back lanes. Writing community impact statements to send to the City and Chief of Police was also suggested.

The stories heard that evening provided some new information. Anyone with information please contact: Councillor Leiper - Jeff.Leiper@ottawa.ca, the HCA - info@hintonburg.ca and Cst. Dawn Neilly - NeillyD@ottawapolice.ca Remember to report: • Noise – 311 or better yet, e-mail 311@ottawa.ca but KEEP THE SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER whichever way you report. By-law

Considered a focal point of local crime complaints, the Vibe Lounge carries on without a liquor licence, with patrons accused of rowdy and dangerous behaviour in the surrounding neighbourhood’s common areas. Photo by T. Hairbach

is not likely to get there quickly so the Service Request Number provides an important record of complaints.

Numbers of complaints do count – especially when from a variety of different people.

• Police – alcohol outside, fights, yelling, arguments, damage to property, drugs, aggressive behaviour – if it is in progress call 613230-6211 to ask for an officer to be sent, or 911 if there is life

threatening danger or a crime in progress. If you report this as “noise” you will be quickly transferred to By-Law when it could be a police matter.

• For reporting after the fact: online go to ottawapolice.ca or call 613-236-1222 x 7300 if no online access is available.

• If you want to report anonymously remember your only option is Crime Stoppers for non-urgent issues -

1-800-222-8477 crimestoppers.ca

or

Thanks to Happy Goat Coffee on Laurel for making their place available to

a packed crowd.

This is a community problem, and by acting together we can solve it as a community.

INSIDE NEWSWEST 25 years of His Mercy............................. p.12 Schoolyards for Tomorrow’s Students..... p.14 Do you remember skurfboards?.............. p.17 Deadline for the December 8 Newswest is November 25.

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Community Office 107 Catherine Street @CMcKennaOttawa /McKenna.Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0P4 T 613-946-8682 • F 613-946-8680 /McKenna.Ottawa

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www. CatherineMcKennaMP.ca

NEWSWEST 12 November 24, 2016

www. CatherineMcKennaMP.ca

Our Lady of His Mercy Apostolate

By Cheryl Parrott Fred Schubert established a street ministry called Our Lady of His Mercy Apostolate in Hintonburg 25 years ago.

His aim was to provide help, comfort and a community connection to those in need in this neighbourhood.

The drop-in centre also provided a free hot lunch. Not only was it a place of warmth and warm food, it was a place for the “the homeless of the heart” to find a home.

Volunteers and many that frequented His Mercy became the substitute family that provided unconditional love and support, and help, to people dealing with the demons in their lives.

Some were homeless; some lived in rooming houses. Some just needed to be around people.

Many had mental health issues. Still others came just to help.

The Ministry started on Somerset St. W. where the Tinseltown Christmas Emporium is located; later it moved onto Wellington, to the building that now houses Mint Hair Studio. Four years ago His Mercy moved to Vanier, an area that is dealing with many of the same issues that troubled Hintonburg from the early 1990s to 2010.

Both the Hintonburg Community Association and several local Community Police Officers worked closely

A safe haven for the neighbourhood’s vulnerable, Our Lady of His Mercy has provided help and comfort without judgement or charge since 1991. Once located on Wellington Street in Hintonburg, the ministry has now moved to Vanier following the need for its services. Photo courtesy of HCA

with His Mercy as Fred’s success in helping vulnerable people transform their lives became evident in this community.

Local politicians at every level knew of the work of His Mercy, and its importance in improving safety and people’s lives in our community. His Mercy did not seek out, nor accept, any government funding but relied on Church and community benefactors to support its work.

The 25th anniversary celebration, October 22, was held at St. Francois d’Assise church on Wellington. The church

was filled. Fellowship and a wonderful meal was provided afterwards in the church basement.

People were invited to the microphone to recount so many wonderful memories of His Mercy in Hintonburg.

For many years His Mercy ran a program at Christmas to provide gifts to the “homeless of the heart” called the Gifts of the Magi. A crèche was set-up in Somerset Square in early December every year and then a Christmas Concert held in mid-December at St. Francois church.

At least 400 gifts were accepted and distributed each year to residents of shelters, rooming houses and others. Buses were hired to bring residents of the shelters to the Christmas Concert and at the end of the concert a procession down Wellington St. to the crèche with blessings from many different faiths ended the evening.

Fred and His Mercy did create miracles on Wellington Street for many years, and demonstrated repeatedly that one determined person can make a difference.

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Federal Report

One Year in Office

Catherine McKenna MP, Ottawa-Centre On October 19, 2015, I was deeply honoured to be elected as your representative in the House of Commons. Over the last year, as Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, I have: Held over 100 constituent meetings and four community consultations with participation by over 1,000 people; Championed reform of the National Capital Commission Board; Secured $10.5 million in federal funding for a canal footbridge and two access points for paddling on the canal; Approved heritage designation of the Ottawa River (Ontario) and announced $62 million in federal funds to control sewage in the Ottawa River; and Cancelled ‘ten percenter’ print newsletters in favour of face-toface pop up community meetings, electronic communications and columns in community newspapers.

More than a year ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and our Cabinet took office with a clear mandate to deliver real change for Canadians from coast-to-coast-tocoast.

As a first step, the Prime Minister named his Cabinet that was not only gender-balanced, but reflected the great diversity of Canada.

After one month in office, the government introduced a middle class tax cut that asked the wealthiest one percent to pay a little more so that the middle class – and those working hard to join it – could pay less.

As part of Budget 2016, the federal government introduced a new Canada Child Benefit – a fair and generous tax-free monthly cheque that gives nine out of ten

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On November 11, Ottawa-Centre MP Catherine McKenna, accompanied by Westboro Legion Branch 480 member, Brent Craig, lays a wreath at the Westboro Cenotaph to commemorate the sacrifices of Canada’s war veterans Photo by Tim Thibeault

Canadian families more money to help with the high cost of raising their children.

Working in close partnership with the provinces and the territories, the federal government came to a historic agreement that strengthened the Canadian Pension Plan, so that hard working Canadians can secure the strong and stable retirement they deserve.

Building on its commitment to forge a new, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, the federal government launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – a powerful step in the reconciliation process.

In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, the Prime Minister kept his promise to open Canada’s doors to more than 25,000 Syrian refu-

gees fleeing war and persecution.

Recognizing the need for concerted global action to combat climate change, the government proposed a pan-Canadian approach to pricing carbon pollution, one where all Canadian jurisdictions will have carbon pricing in place by 2018.

Finally, the government made a strong investment in Canada’s youth by boosting Canada Student Grants for middle and low-income families by 50 percent – so that more Canadians can afford a post-secondary education and receive the skills and training they need to get the jobs of today and tomorrow.

A more detailed one-year status report is available on my website at w w w.

CatherineMcKennaMP.ca.

The full text of Minister McKenna’s Federal Report can be found online at Newswest.org.

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Fundraising to fight the effects of time, provide for tomorrow

By Sophia Wong On October 25th, Connaught Public School in Hintonburg kicked off a fundraising campaign to raise $180,000 to renew, revitalize, and green its schoolyard.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the first step in the schoolyard renewal: a new outdoor classroom in the kindergarten yard with enough seating for 25 children to allow teachers to take learning outside.

The new structure was built with funding contributions from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).

But an outdoor classroom is only the first step. The play structure in the kindergarten yard is at the end of its 25-year life span and as the school board does not replace play structures, it will simply be removed if parent volunteers are unable to raise the funds to replace it. As well, due to encroaching development, the big yard for the children in Grades 1 to 6 has lost 80% of its tree canopy and will soon be towered over by a 13-storey apartment building.

We have much work to do to take a schoolyard, dominated by dust and concrete, and turn it into a place that is green,

Volunteer Driven since 1978 Newswest c/o 132 Bayview Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 2C6 613-710-3553 www.newswest.org EDITOR: Tim Thibeault editor@newswest.org

fun and accessible. We will be reaching out to our community of parents, neighbouring residents, local businesses and corporations to help us achieve our fundraising goal.

More information can be found at connaughtschoolyardrenewal.ca, which is also where donations, eligible for tax receipts, can be made.

Kindergarten students in Connaught Public School’s new outdoor classroom show some gratitude to donors helping with fundraising to aid in the renewal and greening of their schoolyard.

Photo by courtesy of Sophia Wong

613-238-1818 x273

Grace Fulton 613-238-1818 x274 grace@kitchissippi.com

Reviewing the Ontario Municipal Board

NEWSWEST 14 November 24, 2016

Eric Dupuis eric @kitchissippi.com

Provincial Report

By Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa-Centre We are fortunate to live in a vibrant downtown community in a major North American city. Our neighbourhoods continue to grow with development all around us. As your MPP nothing is more important to me than ensuring that Ottawa is healthy, sustainable and safe for all of us.

Balance is a central factor in maintaining the vibrancy of our communities. We must understand the need for growth and development along with the protection of our green spaces and enhancing the character of our neighbourhoods. The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) plays a central role in the province’s land-use planning process and the City of Ottawa’s own plans for how to best develop our land.

Because of this, the OMB’s decisions have a direct impact on Ottawa families and communities.

As such, along with you, I have long advocated for changes to OMB to ensure community-inspired development. I am proud that the Ontario government has undertaken a comprehensive review of how OMB operates and its role in our province’s land-use planning system to help make it more efficient and more accessible to all communities.

The OMB review is framed by the fol-

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lowing guiding principles: protection of long-term public interests; maintenance or enhancement of access to dispute resolution; provision of transparency in hearing processes and decision-making; and, minimizing impacts on the court system. As a result, the review has been organized according to the following five themes: • OMB’s jurisdiction and powers; • citizen participation and local perspective; • clear and predictable decision-making; • modern procedures and faster decisions; and, • alternative dispute resolution and fewer hearings.

The government has released a Public Consultation Document to support the review of the OMB. It provides context and direction. It gives background on Ontario’s land use planning system and on the OMB. It sets out possible changes being considered to improve the OMB’s role within the system as organized under the five key themes, and raises questions for consideration. I had the opportunity to host the Ottawa town hall on November 9th. The turnout was fantastic with great ideas and suggestions on how to make the OMB work

better for our community and give more consideration to council decisions.

If you were not able to attend, there is still opportunity to submit your thoughts online by simply going to ontario.ca/ OMBreview. We want to hear from you!

As the MPP for Ottawa Centre, I have often heard from residents that the OMB must be reformed so that it can better serve the unique needs of our community and incorporate better land-use planning principles. Any changes our government makes to the OMB in the future will put people, and communities like ours, first.

Over the next 25 years, our population is expected to increase by more than four million. That means our communities and municipalities will need to respond and adjust to this growth. We believe that no one knows what is best for the community than the people who live there.

That is why the input and advice you share on how to move forward with an improved and modernized OMB is very important.

With that in mind, I hope everyone has the opportunity to gather with family and explore our wonderful community this holiday season. My family and I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Season’s Greetings!

SUBMISSIONS Newswest accepts submissions from the community. Articles, photographs and community calendar items are welcome.

Send to: editor@newswest.org SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Articles should be maximum 500 words; letters to the editor maximum 300 words; community calendar items maximum 50 words. Photographs should be 300 dpi; print photos 3X5.

All signed letters to the editor are welcome. We reserve the right to edit for length and content.

Opinions and information published in Newswest through letters we receive, community association news, or individual columns, do not necessarily reflect the opinion(s) of this newspaper.

MORE than just great coffee!

Past Neighbours #7

53 Carruthers Avenue

By Maureen Cullingham This is the 7th in a series showing houses gone from Mechanicsville.

The area is bounded by Scott Street to the north and the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway to the south, between Parkdale and Bayview avenues.

This photo of 53 Carruthers Avenue was taken in early 1991. The house was torn down later that year to make way for a City of Ottawa social housing building at 18 Burnside. Names of occupants of 53 Carruthers include Blais, Joanisse, Vaillancourt, Vachon, Laviolette and Villleneuve.

The building on Burnside that includes this lot is named after the Vachon family, whose members occupied several dwellings at the north end of Carruthers.

See the online version of Newswest for a photo of

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Place Vachon.

Interest in the history of Mechanicsville and its people has increased in recent years, with Dave Allston of the Kitchissippi Museum blog recently devoting articles to Forward and Carruthers avenues, and Tunney’s Pasture. A Facebook group has be-

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Westboro Beach Community Association

Annual General Meeting

By Bonnie Campbell You are invited to the annual general meeting of the Westboro Beach Community Association (WBCA) on Monday December 5 at the Field house located on 29 Van Lang Private at 7pm.

The guest speaker will be local historian Dave Allston who will speak on the 145th anniversary of the great fire that torched Skead’s Mill at Westboro Beach.

Learn the history before Westboro residents gather at the beach this summer to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. There will also be a short business meeting reporting on WBCA activities in the past year and election of officers. For further information, contact us at infowestborobeach@gmail.com, visit our website westborobeach.ca, or become a friend of Westboro Beach Community on Facebook and connect with us on twitter @WestboroBeachCA.

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Cst Neilly accompanied by the team who nominated her for the Crime Prevention Ottawa Enforcement Officer Award. From left: Holly Cartwright, Wayne Rodney Mechanicsville Community Assoc., Cst Neilly, Cheryl Parrott Hintonburg Community Assoc., Shane Quinn Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Assoc., and Lorrie Marlow MCA. Photo courtesy of Ottawa Police Service

Cst Neilly’s Neighbourhood

Winter is coming

NEWSWEST 16 November 24, 2016

By Cst Dawn Neilly Most every week, the Wellington Community Police Centre sends out an online Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin to a number of residents in the area. It’s another form of communication between the Ottawa Police and the community we serve.

Once a month, there is an item about the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) that focuses particular attention on two traffic offences each month. This month, for example, shone the spotlight on red light running and stop sign violations.

There are any number of bad driving behaviours that can earn you a fine and demerit points. For example, cell phone use while driving is worth $490 and 3 demerit points. But speeding is the number one factor leading to injuries and fatalities on the roadway.

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“In 2015, Ottawa Police issued over 15,000 tickets for speeding. And 2015 saw 19 traffic-related fatalities.”

In 2015, Ottawa Police issued over 15,000 tickets for speeding. And 2015 saw 19 traffic-related fatalities.

Ottawa police want you to slow down. We participate in any number of programs (RIDE, Leave the

Phone Alone, etc.) throughout the year to encourage responsible driving habits, but what we really want is for you to slow the heck down. This is an important message especially at this time of year when we’re facing snow and ice conditions that do not mix well with high speeds.

If you haven’t got your winter tires on yet, think about doing it real soon. Remember to leave more room between you and the vehicle in front of you. But, above all, slow down. That’s three times I’ve said that and I hope three is the charm.

By the way, if you’re not on the list to receive the Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin and would like to be, don’t hesitate to send an email to that effect to wellingtoncpc@ gmail.com.

Safe driving!

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Skurfing 1965

Life, like pavement, can be rough

By Anna Borris During my childhood/teenage years I had presented my dad with some weird requests, but one in particular took the cake. “Dad, would you buy me a skurfboard? Or could we make one?” I knew my chances of buying one were nil.

Dad was doing some kind of car repair in the laneway. “A what?” His voice floated out from under the car, sounding midway between annoyance and puzzlement.

“A skurfboard. It’s like a surfboard with wheels. All we need is a piece of board, and my old roller skates. You just take one apart, attach one set of wheels to the front of the board and the other set to the back. Then I’ll paint it. Simple.” I leaned under the car with a dazzling smile.

The next afternoon found us in Dad’s basement workshop sawing and sanding a piece of board. He took apart a roller skate, and fastened the wheels to each end. With some leftover paint I gave my new board two coats of green and when it dried I was ready to go.

Starting at the garage I trundled down the laneway picking up speed before I lost my balance and jumped off. After a few practice runs, my friend Judy appeared, casting a disapproving glance at my homemade board.

Unlike the rest of my friends, Judy always had the best of everything and loved showing off. Our bikes were either hand-me-downs or came from Neighbourhood Services on Wellington at Garland. Her bike was a brand new CCM from Canadian Tire just west of Island Park Drive. Of course she had a cool store-bought skurfboard with wide nylon wheels.

She even had desert boots.

We decided to start on a small hill just down the street. Judy sailed to the bottom, her arms flailing like a tightrope walker. I hesitated at the top.

“Come on, it’s easy!” she yelled.

Joyce Owen AD_Layout 4 2016-11-01 4:30 PM “No fair, you’ve been practising,” I

answered. “You have a better board too,” I thought, feeling slightly embarrassed. Anyway, I couldn’t do it. I had to walk halfway down the street before I hopped on my skurfboard and slowly rode the rest of the way.

As soon as I had mastered the small slope, we looked for a better hill. Our goal was to try out the paved ramp downtown near the train station where all the cool Yohawks hung out. There were only two “gangs” in Ottawa at the time, Yohawks in lumberjack shirts and desert boots, and Squirrels with denim jackets and greasy hair.

In the meantime we needed a steeper grade. Fortunately a grocery store a few blocks away had exactly the slope we were looking for.

Judy started off confidently and made it down the hill without falling.

My turn started a little shakily. I began to pick up speed, but halfway down the hill I hit a stone and had to jump off. We tried the hill a few more times, flying faster and farther with every run.

On the last turn, Judy pushed off from the brick wall of the store and shot down the hill at full speed. She didn’t notice the small hole in the asphalt until her board stopped abruptly and sent her sailing along without it.

She landed with a crunch; her ankle had bent the wrong way. When she stood up, walking was impossible.

Luckily the store was open, so I was able to use their phone to call her mom to pick us up. She helped Judy hobble to the car while I carried our boards - the brand new one full of scuff marks and with a loose wheel, and mine a simpler, homemade version, but still as good as new.

So our visit to the downtown ramp had to wait a couple of weeks.

Thankfully, by then I had saved enough money to buy some desert boots.

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NOVEMBER 24 - CARLINGWOOD FILM CLUB Those with long-term financial plans in retirement are Watch and discuss a good film in a relaxed, book-clubstyle chat about film and cinematography! The Film Club runs from September to November, then resumes from March-May. Coming up on November 24: Into the Arctic II. Happening at the Carlingwood Library at 6:30 pm. Drop-in. For more information, go to biblioottawalibrary.ca.

NOVEMBER 25 - TRIVIA FUNDRAISER FOR CAMP MISQUAH This trivia tournament at the Westboro Legion (389 Richmond Rd.) is a fundraiser for Camp Misquah.

Door opens at 6:30 p.m. and the tournament begins at 7:30 p.m. Teams of up to six (6) players are welcome to register. Cost: $10/player. Pre-register by contacting dougcody@hotmail.com. Each member of the winning team will receive a $50 restaurant/bar gift certificate.

There are door prizes and a raffle too. Cash bar, no food services.

NOVEMBER 25 - ARTS NIGHT See presentations and performances by Laura Golden, poet; Marie Rakos, visual artist; Imelda Basudde, vocalist/songwriter. 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 30 Cleary Ave. (off Richmond Rd.) Admission is $5. For more information call 613-725-1066.

NOVEMBER 26 & DECEMBER 4 - SATURDAY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOWS Drop by the Westboro Legion (389 Richmond Rd.) for some holiday fun! 40 local vendors will be showing off their wares between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on each Saturday. The Snack Shack will be open and there will be live music as well! Admission is free.

NOVEMBER 26 - FALL CRAFT SALE Ottawa Grace Manor (1156 Wellington W.) is inviting the public to come to the annual Fall Craft Sale on Saturday November 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get some Christmas shopping done, or find something special for yourself. Some of the great handmade items you will find include knitted mittens, hats and sweaters; gift baskets; jewelry; homemade baking and preserves; greeting cards; handmade wood objects; and much, much more! There will also be a used book sale with a great selection of books for everyone. Don’t forget to stop by the café for a bowl of homemade chilli or a hot dog!

NOVEMBER 26 - FOOD BAZAAR St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church (579 Parkdale Ave., corner of Sherwood Drive) will be holding its annual Food Bazaar on Saturday November 26 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information, call 613-236-2087.

NEWSWEST 18 November 24, 2016

NOVEMBER 26 - CHURCHILL ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL CRAFT SALE Arts and crafts from local artisans, baking, second hand books, kids shopping area, hot food, and holiday crafts.

Come celebrate the season at Churchill School (345 Ravenhill Ave.) from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.!

NOVEMBER 26 - ST. MARTIN’S CHRISTMAS BAKE SHOP, BISTRO & BAUBLES BONANZA St Martin’s is located at 2120 Prince Charles Road in

McKellar Park, just two blocks north of the Carlingwood Shopping Centre. The Bake Shop, Bistro & Baubles Bonanza is the place to stock up on Yuletide baking, enjoy a pleasant lunch with entertainment and a wallet friendly assortment of unique gift selections in jewellery, home décor treasures, knitted goods, craft ware, festive decorations, and fashion accessories. Pick up an exclusive 2017 calendar featuring St Martin’s stained glass windows. Doors open 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information go to stmartinsottawa.ca.

NOVEMBER 27 - BEETHOVEN AND RACHMANINOFF Sunday, Nov. 27, 3:00 p.m. Kanata Symphony Orchestra Concert at Woodroffe United Church, 207 Woodroffe Ave. Beethoven, Prokofiev, and featuring Frederic Lacroix playing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. Tickets: Adult $15; Student/Senior $10; Family $30.

NOVEMBER 28 - NEWSWEST AGM Newswest’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday November 28, in the Laurel Room of the Hintonburg Community Centre at 1064 Wellington West, at 7 p.m. At the AGM, new board members are elected for a 2-year period by members of Newswest.

Membership is open to anyone in Ward 15 and costs $5 per year. If you would like to have a say in directing Ottawa’s longest running community newspaper, the Nov. 28 Annual General Meeting is your opportunity to participate.

NOVEMBER 29 - FINAL MEDITATION WORKSHOP FOR 2016 Our final meditation workshop for 2016 will be happening November 29 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join us as we share mindful ways to relax and cope in our busy world by using meditation. No cost, but donations graciously accepted. No experience in meditation necessary. Kitchissippi United Church, 631 Island Park Dr. For more information contact Robert at 819-770-5853 or rowbear@hotmail.ca.

NOVEMBER 30 - OTTAWA FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT This concert is in support of the Huntington Society of Canada and will be taking place Wednesday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Bromley Road Baptist Church (1900 Lauder Dr.) Join us for an evening of music and socializing to get you in the holiday spirit. With performances by Voices of Harmony and Soloist Sonja Milsom, it will be a wonderful festive evening. A great event for the entire family! Stay after the show for some Christmas baking and punch, and to talk with the entertainers, and friends of the Ottawa Chapter. Tickets are $20. Children 10 and under are free. All proceeds will go directly to the Huntington Society of Canada.

You can purchase tickets online at http://bit. ly/2dxOkmb. For more information contact Sharon Haig at 613-739-4446, Sharon.haig@sympatico.ca.

DECEMBER 1 - KNIGHT AT NEPEAN Knight at Nepean is Nepean High School’s annual fundraiser for programs and clubs that directly benefit students. Everyone is invited! Tickets are available online online at knightatnepean.com. The event includes an Italian-themed dinner (including vegetarian and gluten-free options), a silent auction and a cash bar.

For more information, or to donate a silent auction item, contact knightatnepean2016@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 3 - GRUFF SISTERS’ KITCHEN PARTY It’s the 10th Anniversary Toilet Paper Drive for the Parkdale Food Center with the Gruff Sisters Kitchen Party, Saturday December 3rd at the Carleton Tavern.

Live music, dancing, raffle prizes and 50/50 tickets.

month, 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. All ages and levels of experience welcome. We will sing songs from the songbook “Rise up Singing” and include music from the 50s to the 80s, Celtic and other folk music. Cost: $2.75. For more information, please call 613-798-8927.

DECEMBER 3 - FISHER PARK CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW AND SALE This unique gathering of local urban artisans, handcrafted items & gourmet foods is taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fisher Park School (250 Holland Ave.). Free parking at the front of the school on Holland Avenue and at the back of the school access by Harmer Ave. North. Admission is free. BBQ and refreshments are available.

PAINTERS’ CIRCLE Is it difficult for you to find the time to paint? Set aside Tuesday mornings with the Painters’ Circle. We are a friendly group with a wide range of painting experience from beginners to people who sell their work. All media are welcome including oils. This is not a class. We meet in the First Unitarian Ottawa church building on Cleary Avenue. Please contact Clea Derwent for more information at clderwent@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 4 - A SUNDAY IN DECEMBER WITH GERI CHILDS This is the fifth year for this concert fundraiser in aid of Harmony House, a home for women seeking refuge and will be taking place Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 p.m. (doors open by 1:45 p.m.). Vocalist, Geri Childs will be accompanied by Mark Ferguson on piano.

Special guests include singer Dominique Forest, Carolyne Solberg on harp, and storyteller Evelyn Voigt.

There will be a bake sale and a silent auction. All baked goods are provided by members of the music community along with a selection of hand made crafts. A great opportunity to stock up the freezer and find some one of a kind gifts for the holidays. All proceeds from this sale will go to Harmony House. Cash and cheques only, please. Refreshments to be served after the concert.

Tickets are $20 and are avalable online at gigspace.ca.

YOUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS For up-to-date news on your neighbourhood, stay in touch with your community association. Information about events, traffic changes, development, neighbourhood clubs, volunteer opportunities and board meetings is available from the following Community Association websites.

DECEMBER 5 - WESTBORO BEACH AGM You are invited to the annual general meeting of the Westboro Beach Community Association (WBCA) on Monday December 5 at the Field house located on 29 Van Lang Private at 7pm. The guest speaker will be local historian Dave Allston who will speak on the 145th anniversary of the great fire that torched Skead’s Mill at Westboro Beach. Learn the history before Westboro residents gather at the beach this summer to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. There will also be a short business meeting reporting on WBCA activities in the past year and election of officers. For further information, contact us at infowestborobeach@gmail.com, visit our website at westborobeach.ca or become a friend of Westboro Beach Community on Facebook and connect with us on Twitter @WestboroBeachCA. DECEMBER 9 - CHOIR PERFORMANCE Nepean Choir and Harmonia Choir present ‘a little Messiah music’ with orchestra and Shawn Potter, organ. 7:30 pm Woodroffe United Church, 207 Woodroffe Ave. Tickets: $20 from choir members or $25 at the door. See nepeanchoir.ca for more information.

BINGO Bingo every Wednesday night at the Westboro Legion.

Doors open at 4 p.m. and games begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit rcl480.com or call 613-725-3475.

THIRD FRIDAY SONG CIRCLE Drop-in Folk Song Circle at the Churchill Seniors Centre (345 Richmond Rd.), every third Friday of every

Champlain Park Community Association champlainpark.org Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association Chnaottawa.ca Friends of Churchill Seniors Centre friendsofchurchill.com Hintonburg Community Association hintonburg.com Hampton-Iona Community Group hamptoniona.wordpress.com Island Park Community Association islandpark.wordpress.com McKellar Park Community Association mckellarparkcommunity.wordpress.com Mechanicsville Community Association facebook.com/MechanicsvilleCA Wellington Village Community Association wvca.ca Westboro Beach Community Association www.westborobeach.ca Westboro Community Association Lovewestboro.wordpress.com

Deadline for submissions:

December 1, 2016 editor@kitchissippi.com Please include “Community Calendar” in the subject line of your email.

KITCHISSIPPI MARKET PLACE To place a Classified or Marketplace ad, please call

613.238.1818

COMMUNITY

UPDATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TOURISM

•

Innovation Centre at Bayview Yard: Grand Opening Fall 2016

•

Year-long sesquicentennial Celebrations in 2017

•

$ 2.2 Billion in building permits

•

•

Provincial funding secured for Stage 2 LRT

Hosted 1300 One Young World Summit delegates from 196 countries

•

Confederation Line to open in 2018

•

Tourism Summit held for industry leaders - Beyond 2017

•

Education and the Economy Summit held

•

Ottawa Art Gallery opens in 2017

%

4.9%

5.0

4.9% 3.9%

4.0 3.0

2.45% 2.39%

2.0

2.09% 1.91% 1.75%

1.0 0.0

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

ENVIRONMENT

FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE •

2.5% or lower tax promise kept every year

•

Maintained front line community services

•

Moody’s triple A credit rating

•

Ottawa River Action plan underway

•

Planted trees and built community gardens across the City

•

Converting City streetlights to green LED technology

•

Record Investments in active mobility infrastructure

COMMUNITY SAFETY

HELPING PEOPLE

•

Record Investments in Affordable Housing and accelerated 10 year Housing Homelessness Plan

Hired 25 new police officers this year and another 25 in 2017

•

Increased the number of Paramedics

•

New EquiPass low income transit pass introduced for 2017

•

Created and implemented the Gang Exit Strategy

•

New recreation facilities opened across the City

•

20 additional red light cameras installed

•

@JIMWATSONOTTAWA

JIMWATSON.CA

JIM.WATSON@OTTAWA.CA

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