Business owners, elected officials mingle at BIA networking event

It was an evening of optimism and positive energy as the Barrhaven BIA hosted its Barrhaven Business Networking Reception at Capital Funeral Home and Cemetery Fri., Feb. 17.

Several Barrhaven business owners mingled with each other and a plethora of special guests.

Councillors David Hill and Wilson Lo, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Nepean MP Chandra Arya, Councillors Sean Devine (Knoxdale-Merivale) and Laine Johnson (College), Conservative MP Scott Aitchison (Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion), City of Ottawa Planning Manager Lily Xu, and OCOBIA Executive Director Michelle Groulx. This signature event, hosted by the Barrhaven Business Improvement Area, brought together Barrhaven Business Leaders and Elected Officials along with those from neighbouring communities for an evening of networking and relationship building.

“The room was buzzing as we looked forward to what will be an amazing year in Barrhaven,” said Barrhaven BIA Executive Director Andrea Steenbakkers.

Planning is well underway for what will be an exciting year for the Barrhaven BIA. The BIA emphasizes that input from businesses in the community is extremely valuable for them to better understand the needs and current conditions, in order to best serve the business community.

The Barrhaven BIA works to create optimum conditions for all Barrhaven businesses to flourish. That means promoting Barrhaven as a prime shopping area, lobbying for ‘smart growth’ in the community and providing local businesses with tools for success.

Membership in the Barrhaven BIA is automatic for commercial taxpaying businesses, property owners and professional service providers in the Barrhaven area.

Firefighters battle garage fire at home on Larkin Drive in Barrhaven

Three people were displaced after a fire started in their home’s attached garage.

Ottawa firefighters responded to a 9-1-1 call placed at about 1 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 12. The caller indicated that his vehicle, parked inside the garage, was on fire. Ottawa Fire Service responded at 1:07 p.m.

Firefighters arrived to the home on Larkin Drive. The vehicle was engulfed in flames, and the fire had spread to the walls of the garage. Firefighters used a dry chemical agent on gas that had leaked form the vehicle while they battled the blaze.

The door from the garage to the attached home was closed, which helped to prevent the fire from spreading to the garage. However, there was a bedroom above the garage. An extended ladder was used for firefighters to gain access to the upper level of the home, where they confirmed no one was in there.

All three people made it out of the home safely. Firefighters had the fire under control by 1:45 p.m. and prevented it from spreading through the home. Ottawa Fire Services indicated that all contents inside the home were protected.

One firefighter was treated for overexertion by paramedics at the scene of the fire.

Ottawa firefighters battle a fire on Larkin Drive Feb. 12.

Transportation Committee approves City of Ottawa draft budget

The City’s Transportation Committee has approved its portion of Draft Budget 2023, which includes $475.3 million in capital funding for transportation infrastructure. The funding would help improve roads, bridges, culverts and intersections, and renew sidewalks and pathways. The funding would also build new transit priority measures, new sidewalks and cycling facilities. The City’s roads, parking, traffic, transportation and fleet services would have a gross operating budget of $355.7 million.

The City would commit $136 million to improve and renew our roads, including $74.3 million for road resurfacing. Other highlights of the capital budget include:

- $35 million to renew and replace fleet vehicles and equipment

- $34 million to repair and rehabilitate bridges and structures, including the Mackenzie King Bridge

- $7.7 million to renew and repair sidewalks and pathways

- $7.5 million to design and build new cycling facilities and improve existing ones

The City continues to make roads safer for everyone, committing $6.35 million to Strategic Road Safety Action Plan projects that seek to reduce fatalities and major injury collisions. Other investments in road safety include:

- $2.5 million for stand- alone neighbourhood trafficcalming measures across the city

- $62,500 per Ward for temporary traffic calming measures

- $1.3 million for automated speed enforcement cameras at 17 locations, especially near school zones. Monies collected from the cameras are reinvested in the Safer Roads Ottawa pro-