Barrhaven Independent September 30 2022

Lyne and Dave

Safety improvements for Jockvale Road crossing proposed during public meeting

B y C harlie S ena C k

A public meeting was held to discuss improvements for the Jockvale Road crossing amid rising safety concerns.

The meeting was attended by over 50 nearby residents and municipal candidates who have long expressed concerns for pedestrians and cyclists who use the Barrhaven United Church side of Jockvale.

While a pathway runs along the other side between Weybridge and Tartan, only a stretch of dirt lines the other side.

Over the years various ideas have been brought forward, and in 2019, plans for a $6 million pedestrian underpass were unveiled during a public meeting at the Walter Baker Centre. It was labelled as the safest and most cost efficient option.

“We looked at a couple of options with respect to grade separation,” Frank

McKinney, Program Manager and Transportation Environmental Assessments for the City of Ottawa noted in 2019. “We actually looked at the idea of an overpass (similar to what runs over Greenbank Road), but it became very costly and required a lot of right of way to build something like that.”

There have been varying options over how to make the Jockvale Road rail crossing safer, but not all residents are on board with the project.

Others would prefer to see a crossing north of the VIA Rail tracks in order to provide connectivity to Barrhaven United Church and the nearby Steepleview affordable housing.

City officials have previously noted that was being reviewed by the Traffic Management Branch as a separate project.

A working group has recently been set up to push for the project. Their goal is to get neighbor-

hood residents from the multi-use pathway on the west side of Jockvale to the other side safer. That is where a bus stop is also placed which takes many of the Steepleview Crossing residents to the Marketplace shopping district.

Out of the 88 people living in the affordable housing complex, roughly 40 per cent struggle with health challenges and 20 of the residents use wheelchairs or mobility devices.

A number of those residents were at the public meeting held at Barrhaven United Church on Sept. 21 to share their concerns.

‘They shared some of their stories about the dangers of crossing the road. The speed of the vehicles and the fact they have to make it across the road all in one shot is a concern for them,” said Darrell Bartraw, president of the Barrhaven West

A memorial was set up early this year after a Steepleview Housing resident in a wheelchair was hit by a train and killed in February, 2022.

Community Association, who also sits on the working group. “Some of the

residents said they just don’t go out because they are too concerned about

crossing the road.”

Marketplace Ave Nepean, ON K2J 5G3 613-823-4700

C H A r lie Sen AC k p H oto

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The push for a safer rail crossing has long been in the works and began in the 1990’s when concerns were first raised. In 2002, Barrhaven councillor Jan Harder called for an Accessibility Advisory Committee to review issues and solutions. A report was filed but no action was taken.

Earlier this year, the city’s Transportation Master Plan added the Jockvale road rail underpass to its draft priority list, but work wouldn’t begin until somewhere between 2023 and 2046.

The future of the project has become a talking point for Barrhaven West council candidates running in the upcoming fall municipal election. All agree it should be a priority for the next term of council.

“Pedestrians need a way to safely get to and from the

west side of Jockvale Road to access the bus stop, grocery stores and other amenities,” said ward 3 candidate Taayo Simmonds. “Many of those affected live in the Steepleview community and have mobility issues.”

Simmonds vowed to “aggressively push” for a crosswalk and an improved bus stop at the site. He’s also supportive of approving the pedestrian underpass.

Jay Chadha, who is also running for city council in Barrhaven West, said the site is an accident waiting to happen.

“We need to improve the safety on Jockvale abroad before a serious incident occurs. Many people who walk along that section of the road use wheelchairs and walkers,” he said.

“Compared to what other city projects cost, this is not a lot of money. The city en-

gineers have come up with various portions for the site and now it’s time to act.

Barrhaven West candidate Sadaf Ebrahim said she’s been scared and feared for her safety when driving or walking along Jockvale Road.

“While I was loading my signs with my volunteers near the Jockvale rail crossing, I noticed someone went through the train tracks despite the signal being red,” she said. “It’s a big safety issue and people need to have patience for the train to pass by.”

David Hill, who was the first person to put their name forward to run in Barrhaven West, said as a chairperson with Barrhaven United Church, has long advocated for a safer rail crossing.

“It’s a busy road. We have folks who live here

in Steepleview Housing who have disabilities,” he said in a recent Twitter video. “They have a difficult time crossing this road. Even somebody without any physical impediments would have a difficult time crossing this road to get to the bus stop on the other side.”

Over the years, various incidents have taken place on the Barrhaven train tracks. In the summer of 1992, a young boy, only aged seven, died after being struck by a train on Dolan Avenue. At the time, the coroner said safety improvements were needed.

In September 2013, six people died just a few kilometers away when a VIA train struck a double-decker OC Transpo bus. The tragedy sparked calls for action.

And in February of this

year, a Steepleview Crossing resident in a wheelchair died after being hit by an oncoming VIA Rail train.

The Transit Safety Board has completed their investigation and said no further safety improvements were needed. Details of the man’s death were never publicly released.

“Following the deployment and the data and information collection in the

field, the TSB determined that further investigation would have little likelihood of identifying new safety lessons that will advance transportation safety,” said TSB communications advisor Marc-Antoine Brassard in March 2022.

Even so, the working group says their safety concerns are legitimate, and will continue to push the city for funding.

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McKenney stops in Barrhaven to announce affordable housing plan

By Charlie S ena C k

Mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney made a campaign stop in Barrhaven to release their affordable housing platform for the city.

Outside ‘The Haven’ Multi Faith Affordable Housing Complex on Verona Ave, near Longfields, McKenney pledged to end homelessness in Ottawa within four years.

The ambitious plan would cost the city $15 million in its first year, in addition to the funding already allotted.

“It’s getting harder to afford to live in our city,” McKenney told reporters at the Barrhaven press conference. “Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home — families, students, low income folks, everyone. But that’s not the reality in Ottawa right now.”

Under McKenney’s plan, 500 individuals and 300 families who are currently homeless would

receive a house to live in. It would then remove the need for motels being used for accommodation, a plan which can cost upwards of $3,000 a month. It’s expected this move in itself would save taxpayers $5 million a year.

This would ensure anyone who has been without a home for six months would receive accommodation and would remove the city’s chronically homeless population out of shelters.

Around 1,000 affordable housing units would be built in Ottawa over the next four years, a 30 per cent increase compared to current levels. The complexes would be built near public transit and would be for mixed-income, mixeduse, and multi-generational individuals.

McKenney also pledges to lobby the federal government for its fair share of the housing accelerator fund, which would total $108 million.

The Mayoral candidate is in support of getting rid

of R1 zoning, rules that are in place which disallow anything but a singlefamily home from being built on a property. In addition to that, McKenney opposes expanding the urban boundary.

McKenney said building can still be done in the current boundaries, noting any further expansion is bad for the environment and costs taxpayers more money.

Sutcliffe Criticizes McKenney’s Plan

McKenney’s main rival, Mark Sutcliffe, sent statements to the media before and after their media availability, criticizing the current Somerset ward councillors affordable housing plan.

Sutcliffe said McKenney’s record at council has demonstrated opposition to building new homes in Ottawa, including in the downtown core.

“At a time when we need real leadership and action on all types of housing, from new homes, to

affordable and community housing units, this announcement takes us in the wrong direction,” Sutcliffe wrote. “It does not address how the City of Ottawa can act today to increase all forms of housing supply, and is dependent on other levels of government to lead. Asking the federal government to simply get our fair share of funding is not enough.”

McKenney’s announcement offered no real solutions, criticized Sutcliffe, who added “it ignores the much-needed cultural change that must take place at Ottawa City Hall.”

Two days later Sutcliffe released his own housing plan, which aimed to build 100,000 new homes over ten years, including 10,000 community housing units.

Under current operations, McKenney said it’s expensive to have individuals or families live in shelters or motels, just to finally be rehomed a few years later. They called it a “moral imperative” to end

homelessness in Ottawa.

While this will be a costly task, McKenney has pledged to keep property tax increases at only three per cent per year.

McKenney’s plan also includes providing short term rental allowances to people who are “one paycheque away” from losing their home, and would set up a hotline for individuals who are struggling to pay their rent.

Every individual who

enters the shelter system already receives some funding to go towards a private market rental. McKenney said that’s often not enough and families require even more assistance to keep up with the rising prices.

A total of $5 million would also be invested into the Ottawa Community Land Trust, which would help non-profit and co-op organizations retain existing affordable housing.

Ottawa mayoral candidate Mike Maguire releases his Safe Streets platform.

Ottawa mayoral candidate Mike Maguire has outlined his Safe Streets platform.

“I’ve been consulting with front-line mental health counsellors on the best approaches to reduce the effects of Homelessness, to reduce the levels of street crime and, how best to re-

spond to the housing needs of those in need,” Maguire said

A three-part plan has emerged from those discussions:

“Let’s increasing availability of counselling and front-line support for the homeless while also increasing the pay for the counsel-

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lors themselves,” Maguire said. “This is a must in order to provide stable and skilled support for the Homeless and, ensure Ottawa retains the best counselling expertise.”

The second part of the plan involves cleaning up the drug problems that often lead to homelessness.

“It’s vital that Ottawa increase police enforcement of street-level drug dealing. Getting these drugs off the streets is essential to combating part of the root causes of Homelessness,” he said. “Ottawa Police Services have all the expertise to do this, they need strong support from the new Mayor and Council”.

The third part of his plan involved affordable housing.

“Shift housing support from expensive ‘affordable housing’ to a portable rent subsidy so the individual can select their own accommodations,” he said. “This will be less expensive, more responsive and flexible and, will allow qualified individ-

uals some leeway in choosing where they want to live.

Taking this more fiscally prudent and humanitarian approach will be a win-win for the City and the affected individuals”.

More information on Maguire’s campaign can be found at visit www.mikeforottawa.ca.

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Sutcliffe critical, says a real plan would need more than asking feds for more money

Ottawa Mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney visited Barrhaven to make a pledge to end homelessness in Ottawa. Charlie SenaC K ph OtO

QCH Foundation seeking members for Patient Family Advisory Council

The establishment of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) reaffirms Queensway Carleton Hospital’s commitment to engaging the community in order to provide excellent and effective health care to all its patients. This commitment was recently recognized by the Ontario Hospital Association in its recent accreditation review of the hospital. The Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) are now recruiting for members to replace those that have left following their mandated tenures. If interested please apply to QCH.on.ca/PFAC.

The Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) PFAC is a joint committee composed of patients and family members as well as hospital administrative staff.

Engaging patients and families through the use of PFACs is a strategy hospitals across the country are utilizing to improve the quality of care, and patient experiences. The insights in which these individuals can provide offer a fresh perspective and can add significant value as quality improvement partners.

PFAC’s mission is to provide comments and suggestions coupled with experience to the hospital administrative and medical leadership teams on improving both patient care and on patient-family experiences.

For reference, further information is available at QCH’s website under Patient and Visitors.

Slow Down Signs

If you are a Barrhaven resident, send an email to mark.bouwman@ottawa.ca with your contact information to order one or more ‘Slow Down For Us!’ signs for your front yard and we will schedule a pick-up time at the ward office (located at the Walter Baker Sports Centre100 Malvern Dr.).

Barrhaven Business Improvement Area –Networking After Work

Our most popular event is back! Join us for an evening of networking! There is no set agenda giving you the

LET’S TALK BARRHAVEN

by Jan Harder

opportunity to connect with other local business leaders.

Thursday, October 13th, 2022 5:00pm to 6:30pm @Heart & Crown Barrhaven (3161 Strandherd Drive)

After 2 years, our popular Networking After Work events are back! We are excited to connect with you again!

Our Networking After Work events provide great opportunities for business members to connect with one another outside of a work environment and to strengthen relationships with fellow BBIA members. Just networking! No speeches or special guests. Enjoy snacks and a beverage of your choice, courtesy of the BBIA.

Admission is FREE for BBIA members and $15 for non-members. Registration is required. Not sure if you are a member? Email marketing@ barrhavenbia.ca - we are happy to help!

Artists of Stonebridge

Visual artists in the Barrhaven area are invited to consider joining the Artists of Stonebridge, an active community art group. These energetic and talented artists have been exhibiting artwork in the community since 2009, have hosted many special events, and have contributed to various community charities. If you are interested in joining this active group of artists, check out the organization at www.artistsofstonebridge. com or send an email to the Membership Coordinator at artistsofstonebridge@gmail. com

Ruth E. Dickinson Library Update

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day, originally called Orange Shirt Day, was

created to honour the victims and survivors of residential schools. In collaboration with Anishinābe Algonquin Host Nation, OPL decided to open seven of its larger branches on the statutory holiday to raise awareness and support public education about the intergenerational impact of residential schools. OPL employees will be wearing an orange shirt to honour the experiences of residential school survivors and reaffirm that every child matters.

Join us at the Ruth E. Dickinson branch from 10 am to 5 pm to learn more about the residential school system and the experiences of Indigenous children and youth who were torn away from their family, community, and culture. Explore displays, film screenings, resources and more:

• Meet Jay Odjick during his presentation of Residential Schools: A Lasting Impact from 2 pm to 3 pm

• View the exhibition Youth on Reconciliation - Imagine a Canada by Legacy of Hope Foundation, which explores the concept of Reconciliation through artistic expression and what that means to youth in Canada

• Watch the streaming of National Film Board films related to residential schools

• Visit the bilingual Family StoryWalk® featuring David Robertson’s When We Were Alone / Quand on était seuls

• Take home and read a copy of the 94 Calls to Action booklet

Driving in Ontario: Test Preparation Workshop for Newcomers

Are you a newcomer to Canada? Are you interested in getting an Ontario driver’s licence? This workshop will focus on the most frequently asked questions and mistakes that drivers face during testing. Join us on Saturday October 15, 2022 at 11:15 am. Registration recommended.

Into the Heart of the Matter: A Workshop on Grief and Bereavement Grief is not easy. In this workshop, you will be guided through an interactive session by trained facilitators to

increase your knowledge and comfort on the topic. You will also be provided with tools and techniques to have conversations with those around you experiencing grief to be able to better support them. Join us on Thursday October 20 at 6:30 pm at the Manotick Branch. Registration required.The Log FarmAutumn is in the air around the farm!

Ottawa Police Reporting - Stunt Driving & Excessive Noise

Make a report when you witness stunt driving and hear excessive noise to the Police Reporting Unit at 613-2361222, ext. 7300.

Online reporting is another way the Ottawa Police Service enhances its service to the community. It’s easy, timely, and effective. Online reports are only reviewed during the Police Reporting Unit’s hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Once you submit the report, you will receive a

temporary reference number until it is reviewed by an online agent (approximately 24 hours).

Once reviewed, you will be contacted with further information. Should there be any difficulty filing the report online, a member of the Police Reporting Unit will be pleased to help. Visit www. ottawapolice.ca to access the Ottawa Police Report.

Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign

This year’s Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign will proceed with cleanup projects taking place between September 15 and October 15. Participants can register their cleanup projects by using the online registration form available at ottawa.ca/ clean or by calling 3-1-1. The registration form populates an interactive map, showing which locations have been chosen for cleanup projects. Cleanup kits, which include garbage bags, recycling bags, and gloves, will be made

available for pick-up by registrants at one of seven City of Ottawa facilities across the city.

Key Fall campaign dates:

September 15 to October 15: Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign

September 30: Deadline to register

October 31: Deadline to submit online cleanup reports

Campaign Success

2022 marks the 29th year that the Cleaning the Capital program has been leveraging corporate sponsorship and resident engagement to keep our city clean and green. Cleaning the Capital program staff delivered a more traditional campaign this past spring with nearly 30,000 participants and 895 registered projects. Thanks to our city’s dedicated volunteers, as well as Council’s ongoing support and program promotion in your wards and across our city, we look forward to an even more successful Fall campaign.

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The bleeding continues for restaurants

If you think that things are back to normal for the many restaurants in Barrhaven, think again. Over the past year in Canada, restaurant closures outpaced openings by a whopping 43 per cent. The industry is still shrinking.

Inflation-adjusted food service sales will be around 11 per cent below 2019 levels by the time we’re done with 2022, according to the latest report from Restaurants Canada. Traffic in full-service outlets is down nine percent, and for quick service, it’s down five per cent.

The annual report is, of course, imbued with the optimism and resilience characteristic of the sector. But with both a possible recession and higher in terest rates on the horizon, consumers will have to make choices and change habits. With a tighter budget, many consumers will eat in restaurants less often.

In fast food, only 16.5 per cent of consumers will eat their meals on site. Before the pandemic, that percentage was 33.9 per cent. Restaurant chains like Subway are relying heavily on their own app. SKIP, which just laid off 350 employees, knows this all too well. This e-commerce platform, as well as UBER EATS, Doordash, and others which offer meal delivery from partner restaurants, are seeing their turnover affected by competitors that recognize the potential of a virtual market.

Even grocers are improving their service and relying on online shopping, and they are getting better at it. Before the pandemic, the food service sector had almost a monopoly on delivery and counter service. This is no longer the case.

Of course, some major headwinds affecting the sector include inflation and labour issues. As prices on the menus increase with inflation, the number of food choices decreases. Less waste, less cost. We may see more and more restaurants with service that offers only one or two dishes on any given day because this provides more predictability for the back-of-house staff. Several European restaurants are already doing this. The demand becomes more man ageable, and so do the costs.

As to labour issues, Restaurants Canada estimates that the sector has had between 150,000 and 170,000 vacant positions for some time. The sector cur rently employs 271,000 fewer people than in 2019, before the pandemic hit. The difference is enormous. Several establishments will close earlier or will open less often. Operators will rely more and more on robotics, which we already see in several businesses, both in the kitchen and dining room.

The sector is clearly redefining itself, but the bleeding continues. As it emerges from a tumultuous period with a firm desire to adapt to a market that is difficult to predict, many establishments won’t survive. Interestingly, the report notes a few trends to watch for, including increased demand for lo cal food, comfort food, and globally inspired foods and flavours. Talk about paradoxes.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

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The day Canada, and St. Leonard, stood still

To reflect on the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series and Paul Henderson’s goal, we give our From the Other Side col umn space to local hockey historian and media personality Liam Maguire.

from the other side

In the annals of Canadian history, Paul Henderson scoring for Canada with 34 seconds to play in game eight of the Summit Series on that Thursday afternoon, Sep tember 28, 1972 at 2:30pm EST was our JFK moment. Everybody old enough to remember it knows where they were. It defined our country as that team took our nation on a roller coaster of emo tion, passion, vitriol, hope and finally ela tion. For those of us who were in school it marked such a special time of our youth as the entire country shut down including all academic institutions to watch history unfold.

St. Leonard Catholic School was no dif ferent. Most of the students watched in the gym. Our class was fortunate. Thanks to the late John O’Brien, we had a TV in our room and for us, 1972-73, our final year at St. Leonard’s as we were in grade 8, what a way to start the school season watching that game and moment unfold. For many of us that goal will always be a defining moment in our history, the school’s history and we share it with the country. It’s for that rea son that I have to nominate Paul Henderson and Ron Ellis’s visit to St. Leonard as THE most memorable event in school history in this writer’s humble opinion.

As many of you know I have a very spe cial and unique friendship with Paul Hen derson. I have worked countless events most of them Team Canada 72 alumni re lated where of course he’s been in attend ance.

Further to that, my first formal meeting with Paul happened on a Monday night De cember 4th, 1995 on CBC national TV, I shook his hand at 9:31pm EST only to find out after the show that my father had suc cumbed to his battle with cancer; the exact minute I shook Paul’s hand my Dad died, so we have a very unique friendship. We are forever linked, through that goal, through t. Leonard’s, Pat Jennings’s grade 8 class, Team Canada and my father. That’s a lot. As you can imagine being able to have Paul and his dear friend Ron Ellis come to the school in February of 2012 was surreal.

Paul and Ron were in town for an event I was scheduled to emcee. They had a free morning so I asked them if I picked them up if they’d drive out to Manotick with me to where I was that day nearly 40 years earlier. They agreed, the school rolled out

the welcome mat, everybody dressed in red, big greeting at the door, in we went to where our grade 8 class was that day in 1972 and thanks to the teachers, especially Richard Peters, the staff and students we all got to listen to Paul and Ron give a heartfelt speech of never giving up, chasing dreams, believing to achieve, being Canadian and being in that moment. I get a chill just thinking about it. I carry a sound card of that goal in my front left pocket every day of my life, if you see me around just ask me to play it for you. The morning was made even more special for me by hav ing two of my closest friends who were part of our group sitting watching the game in 1972. Kevin Jardine and Phil Byrne came back to the school for the special visit of the Summit Series heroes. Speaking of Phil Byrne, he too played a role in defining a large segment of the male population at the school by doing what seemed so natural then but would never, ever be duplicated today.

I can’t imagine St. Leonard’s in our day without ball hockey. Our ball hockey in those days was unbridled, unfettered, pure Canadiana same as every other boys games in Canada at that time. A tennis ball, sticks, no equipment, drawing up sides just keep ing the numbers even really and away you went. Chunks of snow, maybe some mitts to define a goal, no video review, no par ental or teacher influence or attention. Not every boy played but most did and it was so much fun.

Phil’s plan was simple; he selected sev eral of his classmates to be captains. We were all in charge of picking our team, through a draft just like the NHL did. Phil drew up a schedule; he defined three play ing areas around the school called, rink 1, 2 or 3. The schedule would be played out over the month. There would be playoffs, a winner declared, then an all-star game then next month, we’d do it all again. There were trades, stats were kept; every single player would come in after lunch hour then eventually after both recesses and dutifully give your accumulated point totals to Phil who would erase the previous numbers, add in the new ones and away we went.

In all my years speaking publically across Canada I have never heard of any elementary school having anything like this that was a student led initiative.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Paul Henderson’s goal, there are count less people like me who not only remem ber the goal, but who we were with when we watched it, and how it influenced our young lives.

It’s time to stop depriving the suburbs and bring in fresh ideas

The Editor,

I’ve never found de bates about the suburbs very productive. They too often focus on aesthetic critiques - “cookie cutter” houses, manicured lawns, monotony, conformity. I say leave people’s person al preferences alone and let’s talk about the real problem. The suburban development model pol iticians have sold us for decades is financially and ecologically unsustain able.

So called “R1 Zoning” refers to neighbourhoods where nothing but single family housing is al lowed. This has presented huge environmental, ac

cessibility, and financial issues for suburban resi dents. It means you can’t get to groceries or shop ping, work or school, li braries, movie theatres, or doctor’s appointments without a car (or two). It makes high emission trav el necessary in a climate crisis and leaves residents stuck if they can’t drive or afford a vehicle. And the $10k annual expense for gas, insurance, mainten ance, and car payments sure isn’t affordable.

We should strive for communities where people can, but don’t have to drive.

So if someone wants to build a sixplex or a grocery store down the street, or a

granny flat in their back yard, does it really make sense for the city to stop them? Surely residents can decide how to make it work rather than being deprived of the option al together. There is more autonomy and savings to be had running errands on your block than being car dependent. We make teens beg for rides everywhere when they could be ex ploring their own vibrant neighbourhood close to home. We make seniors choose between the retire ment home or moving into their son’s spare room, beholden to his schedule, when they could age in place with a pharmacy or clinic across the street.

R1 areas wouldn’t be so bad if there were al ternative transport op tions, but the suburbs have some of the worst transit service in Ottawa - and that’s saying something! This is a design issueit’s hard for cities to jus tify transit service to low density areas. The City of Ottawa already provides services at a loss in newer suburbs, spending $465 more per person each year on waste collection, emer gency vehicles, roads, and sewage than it gets back in taxes. This is finan cially unsustainable plan ning, yet the city plans to add another 1650 hectares to the urban boundary. So more homes and pavement

over farmland and green space rather than building within our existing neigh bourhoods, over empty lots, or retrofitting dead malls.

Too often we are asked to accept density with out proximity - high rises or row houses that are still car dependent. But neighbourhoods dotted with daily amenities, con nected to shopping hubs and workplaces by fast, frequent transit and pro tected cycling lanes, can help us cut costs, carbon, and commutes.

Ottawa is at a cross roads. We face twin crises of climate and affordabil ity while politicians cam paign on “low property

taxes” for easy votes. But it’s hardly “low” if our spending is wasteful. Wid ening a few kilometres of road costs $100 million plus 3% in perpetuity for annual maintenance. Sub sidising car centric de velopment makes people pay twice - once on their tax bill and again through car ownership - rather than investing in options that save us money, like good public transit and walkable neighbourhoods.

Business as usual isn’t working. Thankfully there are people bringing fresh, creative ideas to the table this election.

Nick Grover, Ottawa

Queensway Carleton Hospital opens satellite COVID-19 clinic

Queensway Carleton Hospital has opened a new off-site clinic for COVID-19 treatment and testing.

The clinic was opened Monday, Sept. 19 at the former Grant Alternative School on Draper Ave., near the Baseline-Greenbank intersection north of Barrhaven.

With the colder weather coming quickly, COVID-19 restrictions lifted, and flu season underway, health officials are expecting a spike in COVID-19 cases. The clinic was put in place to ease the pressure on the hospital’s emergency room and free up beds. The clinic will also help keep the virus out of the local hospital. The Barrhaven Independent was told two months ago that more than 35 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the province were contacted in hospitals.

The school has been turned into a fully equipped medical clinic. It is staffed by doctors and nurses who provide respiratory care to

COVID-19 patients, as well as COVID-19 testing.

Dr. Lisa Lalonde, who works at the clinic a few days a week, told CTV in an interview that the environment at the new clinic is ideal for both patients and physicians.

“We have bloodwork. We have EKG. We have chest X-ray,” Lalonde said. “It’s a really efficient model; we’re a great team. Nurses are from QCH and the cleaners, and most of the physicians. And yeah, we put 600 people through in a day. We’ve used the school setting before and it’s spacious and in fact it’s, I think, more comfortable than an emergency department.”

Lalonde added in the interview that the clinic provided a great environment for both doctors and patients. She said that the care at the clinic is much different than at the hospital.

“It’s providing care for people in a setting where we’re not in a rush,” said Lalonde. “You know, that’s

not like the office and it’s really isn’t like emerge. We can take time with people.”

Many emergency rooms around the province have gone through shut downs due to staffing shortages, while others have had to deal with crowding. Most recently, Kemptville District Hospital, which is affiliated with Queensway Carleton and is often used as an alternative to local residents who do not want to go to Queensway Carleton, had a nightly ER shutdown earlier this month that lasted for more than a week.

City of Ottawa health officials are expecting an overflow in emergency rooms.

Dr. Joseph Pollard is the Medical Director of the West Ottawa Clinical Assessment Centre. He told CTV Ottawa that the clinic’s opening is just in time for an expected fall COVID surge.

“Unfortunately, at the moment, we’re still predicting another wave as far as COVID,” Pollard said. “And certainly, with the

reopening of the schools, we’re certainly concerned about a resurgence and that’s part of why we’re here is to make sure that we can continue to care for our community.”

He told CTV Ottawa that it was important to keep pa-

tient levels and wait times down at the QCH emergency room.

“Emergency rooms, as everybody knows right now, are getting hit pretty hard,” Pollard said. “Wait times are going up and we’re here to partly unload the emergency

rooms and take away those patients that can be properly treated here.”

The assessment centre at the former Grant Alternative School at 2625 Draper Ave. is open for appointments Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

OC Transpo implements new measures to increase performance, attract ridership

The City of Ottawa Transit Commission received a full report on OC Transpo last week at City Hall.

OC Transpo’s second quarter operating budget saw a year-to-date deficit of $42.57 million. This gap can be attributed to lower ridership due to the emergence of the Omicron variants, as well as the convoy occupation. The City continues discussions with the federal and provincial governments

to determine its funding allocation of the Safe Restart Agreement to help offset lost fare revenue. The City also continues discussions with the Ottawa Police Service and the federal government to recover lost revenue and operational costs because of the convoy occupation.

The City of Ottawa Transit Commission learned that ridership in July was 3.3 million customer trips, a steady annual increase compared to

2 million trips in July 2021. Overall, on-time performance and bus service availability remain high. The Commission was also advised that OC Transpo distributed 2,300 emergency shelter passes since the program launched in March. Approved by Council in December 2021, the emergency shelter pass program provides no-charge weekly and monthly transit passes to participating shelters.

OC Transpo continues

to make progress on its bus operator recruitment campaign: 90 new bus operators are hired and on the road, with another 67 currently in training. Para Transpo ridership continues to increase, with more than 47,000 customer-trips per month in July and August, and on-time performance is sitting high at 93 per cent.

On September 12, OC Transpo expanded its We’re Here to Take You There rider-

ship marketing campaign. Approved by Council as part of Budget 2022, the objectives of the campaign are to rebuild positive attitudes toward public transit in Ottawa and to increase ridership.

The Commission also heard that OC Transpo’s Community Pass will now automatically renew every two years. The Community Pass offers customers registered in the Ontario Disability Support Program

(ODSP) a reduced price for both single-ride fares and monthly passes. Community Passes will only expire when a customer reaches the age of 65 or when they are no longer eligible for ODSP.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service.

Queensway Carleton Hospital has opened a COVID-19 clinic on Draper Ave. at the former Grant Alternative School, adjacent to St. Paul High School near Greenbank and Baseline Roads.

Poilievre

By Charlie SenaCk

As Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilevre is focusing his priorities around the rising cost of living, saying as Prime Minister, he’d form a “small government” with “big citizens.”

Poilievre, who lived in Barrhaven while he served the community as the Nepean-Carleton MP for a decade before the riding was split, was named the Tory leader at the Conservative Party of Canada leadership convention earlier this month.

In his first speech after being elected to head the party, the Carleton MP said people are feeling like they have lost control of their pocketbooks and lives under the Trudeau-led Liberal government.

“The cost of government is driving up the cost of living. This liberal government doubled our international debt, adding more debt than all previous governments combined,” Poilievre Is said to a booing crowd. “That means another half trillion dollars bidding up the costs of the goods we buy and the interest we pay. Inflationary taxes increase those costs further. Now they plan to triple the carbon tax on gas, heat, and everything else.”

Justin Trudeau is leading the most expensive government in Canada’s history, said Poilievre, who said the more they spend, the more the cost of living increases.

If a single mom with three kids earning $55,000 a year goes out and earns another dollar, she loses 80 cents of it to taxes and clawbacks,” he said. “She can’t get ahead. I will reform programs and cut taxes so when that single mother and people like her earn more they keep more,”

Poilievre said Canadians need a government which would make life affordable for young individuals again, allowing them to buy houses, pay their bills, save for retirement, and purchase healthy foods.

A Conservative govern-

ment would cap spending, reverse waste, and axe new gas taxes. Poilievre also said that would mean fighting climate change with modern technology instead of additional taxes.

He also believes Canada needs to rely on its own country for essentials.

“Let’s remove the government gatekeepers to build more homes, grow more food, and produce more energy right here in Canada,” said Poilevre. “Right now youth and newcomers can’t get a home because government gatekeepers block housing with heavy fees and long delays for building permits, leaving us with the fewest houses per capita in any country in the G7, even though we have the most land to build on.”

Similar to the platform he ran on in the last federal election, Poilievre wants to sell off 15 per cent of the underutilized 37,000 federal office buildings and turn them into affordable housing. The proceeds of the sales would go towards reducing Canada’s deficit.

Poilievre shied away from talking about freedom in his speech, but did call for an end to the “disastrous” AriveCan app, which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic for anyone entering the country. He also called for an end to remaining COVID-19 mandates.

Throughout the last two years, the Carleton MP has been vocal about freedom of choice when it came to vaccination status and other pandemic protocols. Poilievre was against people losing their jobs or being barred from entering Canada because they weren’t vaccinated for COVID-19.

During this winter’s trucker convoy in downtown Ottawa, Poilievre showed support for the movement, and joined in delivering coffee at some rallies on highway overpasses. Shortly before Canada Day, he helped lead a Freedom March through

parts of Ottawa.

His involvement with the cause led to increased support from one demographic, but controversy from another. Marjory LeBreton, former Government Leader of the Senate, resigned from Poilevre’s local Carleton Conservative riding board as a result. The Manotick resident said it brought her no joy to speak out against a party she’s been a part of for decades.

In Manotick after Poilievre’s big leadership win, reaction was mixed with some residents saying he lost support because of his stance on the convoy.

“As the partner of a Police Officer working throughout the occupation, seeing him pose for pictures (with convoy members) was insulting,” said Shelley Power on Facebook. “He has no ideas of his own; Just criticizing the other parties.”

Others felt Poilievre was their only hope at beating the current Liberal government.

“Under the current government life has become completely unaffordable and our rights and freedoms are abused for political gain,” said Jamie James, also on Facebook. “Pierre has always stood for the middle class and will restore personal freedoms and give Canadians back control over their lives.”

Conservative MP leaves party

On the Monday after being elected new Conservative party leader, Poilievre met with his party’s caucus to start planning a new way forward.

Poilievre entered the room to a standing ovation with his wife Anaida by his side. The caucus sang happy birthday for the Carleton MP’s son Cruz, who was also in attendance and turned one that day.

While there was a strong sense of unity in the party, one Conservative Quebec MP chose to now sit as an Independent following

Poilievre’s victory.

Richmond—Arthabaska MP Alain Rayes said in a statement: “Some of my political ideals, values, and convictions are not compatible with the new path. I leave without bitterness and I remain driven by the deep desire to continue to serve the population on the political scene.”

Rayes, who was among 24 Conservative MP’s to openly back Jean Charest’s leadership bid, has previously said Poilievre would swing the party too far to the right.

Following Rayes’ announcement, members of Poilievre’s staff sent text messages to party members in the MP’s riding, asking them to encourage him to resign. The party has since apologized for sending the automated text messages.

Out of the 10 Conservative MP’s in Quebec, many supported Charest’s leadership bid. Even so, Poilievre

as

leader

won almost all of that province’s ridings.

Poilievre has wasted no time getting to work, already unveiling his nineperson House of Commons Leadership team. Melissa Lantsman, a member of the LGBTQ community, and Tim Uppal, who is of South

Asian descent, will serve as Poilievre’s deputy leaders. Following his leadership win, Poilievre and his family will move into Stornoway, the residence provided for the head of the Official Opposition. No date has been given for the move.

Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre’s first priority as the leader of the opposition is the rising cost of living facing Canadians. Charlie SenaC k P h oto

MacLeod returning to her role as Nepean MPP after taking time off

By Barrhaven Independent staff

Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod is slowly returning back to work after taking time off to deal with her mental health.

On Sept 14, MacLeod, who was elected for a sixth term in June, returned to Queens Park to re-take her oath of office in the name of King Charles lll.

Following her election win, MacLeod released a statement saying she was taking the summer off to focus on “health and healing.”

“I owe it to myself, my husband Joe and daughter Victoria to take that advice,” she wrote. “The last

couple of years have been difficult for many people.

I know I am not alone in this regard. In my case, my mental and physical health and well- being has been greatly impacted.”

The statement was released on the same day Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his new cabinet, which MacLeod was not part of.

Throughout the provincial election campaign, MacLeod did not do any interviews with the media, and did not allow journalists, including the Barrhaven Independent, into her victory party. The doors were locked and supporters stood guard at the door.

Since taking the summer off MacLeod has deleted her public Facebook and Twitter pages.

In recent weeks, MacLeod has been spotted attending a few community events. She joined Myles Egli at his KnoxdaleMerivale council campaign launch, and was out canvassing with Osgoode councillor George Darouze. The Nepean MPP was also recently spotted in a photo with Mayoral candidate Mark Sutcliffe at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa’s morning social.

MacLeod didn’t answer legislative reporters’ questions as to when she will return to work on a full time basis.

Vote on October 24 because the 2022 municipal election matters

By JIm Watson, ottaWa mayor

Over the last twelve years, our nation’s capital has grown to be a vibrant and diverse city of a million people with so much to boast about.

From the launch of Stage 1 LRT to our record investments in affordable housing.

From the Ottawa 2017 celebrations to a flourishing arts and culinary scene.

Or the opening of countless community centres and a thriving tech sector for local startups and business giants alike.

Since 2010, we’ve also expanded our cycling network by 58%.

The list goes on and on.

This fall, Ottawa residents will head back to the ballot box.

You may hear your family members, friends or colleagues say: “Another election? Why should I care?”

For starters, we rely on the municipal government

much more on a day-today basis than we think.

Whether you’re turning on the lights in your home, filling up a glass of water from the tap, walking on a cleared sidewalk, hopping on a bus to get to a community centre, or calling 9-1-1… Those are all City services – and we all expect these basic services to be delivered to us every single day.

Secondly, those elected this fall will ultimately oversee a number of transformative projects that will have an impact on the development of our city for years to come. We need to ensure that those who we elect will work to build on the momentum of the last few terms: Stage 2 & 3 LRT, revitalizing LeBreton Flats, opening Ādisōke, the new net-zero central library, building the new Civic Campus of The Ottawa Hospital – and so much more.

Last but not least: we can’t give up on democracy. In June’s provincial election, we saw the lowest voter turn-

out in Ontario’s history.

Nearly three years of living through a pandemic, paired with an increase in vitriol on social media have resulted in a lack of interest on the part of voters and an apprehension on the part of potential candidates to register.

While we’re all tired, we can’t let fatigue and hatred overshadow the fact that this election will have major impacts on our city’s future.

So do your research, ask the tough questions, and vote for people who will continue to work for a better Ottawa.

Vote like the future of our city depends on it – be-

cause it does.

Vote like our democracy is at stake – because it is.

We’re far from perfect, but we should be proud of the progress we have made as a city and as a community.

I love this city, and I know you do too.

Voting Day is Monday, October 24. Advance Vote Days take place on October 7 and October 14 from 10 am to 8 pm. To find your assigned voting location or for more information about the 2022 municipal election, please visit: https://ottawa.ca/en/ city-hall/elections/2022municipal-elections.

Construction Ltd.

Bob Riley:

Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod is returning to her role at Queen’s Park after taking time off for mental and physical health. Barrhave N I N d e P e N d e N t f I L e P h oto

o ttawa Mayor Jim Watson is stepping down after his term at City hall ends.

Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Friday, September 30 marks the second National Day for Truth and Recon ciliation.

This day provides an op portunity to bring aware ness to the painful legacy and impact of the residen tial school system. It is a time to advance our recon ciliation efforts to build a better future for everyone in our community.

The federal govern ment established the Na tional Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commis sion’s Calls to Action #80. The Calls to Action provide important direction for all levels of government, insti tutions and all Canadians to redress the legacy of resi dential schools and advance reconciliation.

Working towards reconciliation

The City of Ottawa con tinues to make progress towards our reconciliation commitments. Ottawa is built on the unceded ter ritory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation, and the Ottawa region is home to an estimated 40,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

The Truth and Recon ciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, alongside the Principles of Recon

ciliationOpens in a new tab or window, informed the development of the City’s first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2018, which includ ed work aimed at raising cultural awareness for City staff.

In 2022, the City es tablished a new Indigen ous Relations Branch. This team works alongside In digenous and non-Indigen ous partners to identify opportunities for systemic changes that improve ac cess to programs and ser vices. It also supports the City’s work to further rec onciliation, including a re newal of the Reconciliation Action Plan.

How you can honour the day

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we can learn and reflect on the meaning of this day by attending an event, reading the Truth and Reconcilia tion report, speaking and listening to Elders or taking a moment for quiet reflec tion. Reconciliation is a shared responsibility for all Canadians and requires ac tion not just on this day but every day.

– On Friday, September 30 from 10 am to noon at Parliament Hill, there will be a national gathering to honour Indigenous children and families impacted by residential schools. Visit the Remember Me website for more information.

Màmawi Together Sur vivors’ Gathering – On Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30, hear the testimonies of survivors from Ottawa, Quebec and Northern Can ada, take part in cultural and traditional celebrations and honour those impacted by the residential school system. Visit the Màmawi Together website(link is external) for more infor mation and to register to participate in the scheduled activities.

Remember Me: A Na tional Day of Remembrance

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at Beechwood Cemetery – On Friday, September 30 from 9 am to 7 pm, attend an event hosted by the Beech wood Cemetery Foundation and the Project of Heart, the Assembly of 7 Generations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Soci ety. The event includes a screening of the Spirit Bear and Children Make History short film and Reconcilia tion Tour. Visit the Beech wood Cemetery website for more information.

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the flags at City Hall, including the Survivor’s Flag, and flags at all City facilities will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise on Friday, September 30 until sunrise on Saturday, October 1. Additionally, the following buildings will be illumin ated in orange:

- Marian Dewar Plaza from sunset on Thursday, September 29 to sunrise Saturday, October 1

- Heritage Building, from sunset on Friday, Sep tember 30 to sunrise on Sat urday, October 1

- OTTAWA sign in the ByWard Market, from sun set on Friday, September 30

to sunrise on Saturday, Oc tober 1

Wearing orange: a symbol of commemoration

Whether you’re attending an event or taking some time to learn on your own, we encourage you to wear an orange shirt on the National Day for Truth and Reconcilia tion to help spread awareness.

Friday, September 30 co incides with Orange Shirt Day, which honours the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a former residential school stu dent who had her orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school.

The orange shirt has be come a symbol of commem oration of the experiences

of Indigenous children who were removed from their families to attend residential schools where their language and culture were repressed, and many children endured physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Last year, thousands of un marked graves were discov ered across Canada at former residential school sites. The work to uncover additional graves continues today in a number of Indigenous com munities. In response to these discoveries, the Assembly of First Nations and other Indigenous groups organ ized a visit with Pope Francis where he offered an apology to survivors for the Catholic Church’s role in the residen tial school system.

Here are a few ways to observe and honour the day:

Simon Brascoupé created this piece of art of an Algonquin Moose out of painted steel City of ottAwA photo

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Kosher BBQ and Cook-off has a successful return to Barrhaven

The sweet smell of barbecue filled the air in Barrhaven Sun., Sept 11 as the Ottawa Kosher BBQ Cook-off & Festival (OKBBQ) returned to the Ottawa Torah Centre.

Teams from Barrhaven and across Eastern Canada competed in the only Kosher BBQ competition in the

country. The meat categories included brisket, chicken, chili and turkey.

In partnership with Ottawa Tourism, the Canadian BBQ Society and many other community stakeholders, the OKBBQ was a celebration of rich flavours and cuisine that will engage all sectors of the

Ottawa community, Jews and non-Jews alike, to discover the Jewish culture with a focus on its Kosher diet.

“It is so nice to see people from all over coming together to enjoy the only Kosher BBQ competition and festival of its kind in Canada,” explained Rabbi Menachem M.

Blum, organizer of the event. “This is an experience that will allow the broad spectrum of our community to come together, reconnect following the pandemic and learn about each other while enjoying some delicious food.”

Rabbi Blum commented at the event that he was very

pleased with the turnout for the event, especially considering it had been postponed for the past two years.

A musical stage to feature Jewish and Israeli music as well as cooking demonstrations and workshops were part of the activities available throughout the day. A

kids zone with inflatables and games, children’s concert, face paint, and balloon twisting kept the children entertained. A Kosher food court offered smoked meat and pulled brisket sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, as well as some vegetarian options.

Nepean Raiders open season in Central Canada Hockey League

The visiting Kemptville 73s scored two goals in the final two minutes of the third period to beat the Nepean Raiders 5-3 in the Raiders’ Central Canada Hockey League Junior A season opener at the Steve Yzerman Arena Wed., Sept. 21.

“The long-awaited home opener to showcase our rebuild was a success despite the 5 - 3 loss,” said Raiders GM Randy Watt. “We had a spirited effort right to the final buzzer. We have a talented young Team captain Colemen Bennett scored the first goal of the season for the Raiders, as he connected on the power play from Luke Posthumus and Ryan Liverman.

In the second period, Kemptville bounced back with three straight goals. Chase Lammi scored a pair of goals, both assisted by Devon Savignac and Ty While. Patrick Haughian

also scored with Benjamin Campeau and Carter Vollett assisting.

The Raiders bounced back to tie the game with two goals in a 40-second span before the end of the period.

Jack Matsukubo scored from Harris Hilfiker, while Joshua Reid scored on the power play from Anthony Rivard and Hilfiker.

In the third period, both teams had scoring chances, but it wasn’t until Ty White scored the winner with 1:35 left to play that the stalemate would be broken. Savignac and Lammi had assists.

Lammi got his fourth point of the night as he completed the hat trick, scoring with 37 seconds left to play to give Kemptville a 5-3 win.

“We had a great start to the season, there’s lots of positives and a solid foundation to build off of,” said Coach Defazio. “ With only seven returning players, 11

first year players and two new goalies, our future is bright. Five 17-year-olds from last year’s Nepean U18 AAA league champions made the jump and are key factors to our success. The team was introduced to a supportive crowd and a loud approval when our leadership team was introduced. This year, Coleman Bennett will be our Captain for the second year and for his senior year. Other members of the leadership group are senior Nolan Mozer, second year, Junior Tyler Melvin and an off-season acquisition, 19-year-old Joshua Reid round out the leadership group.”

The Raiders were scheduled for road games in Cornwall and Hawkesbury before returning to home ice at the Stevie Y Sun., Oct. 2 against the Brockville Braves at 2:30 p.m. Games can also be watched on HockeyTV.

The Nepean Raiders and Kemptville 73s lined up before the game as Junior A hockey returned to an enthusiastic crowd at the Steve Yzerman Arena in the Nepean Sportsplex. The Raiders host the Brockville Braves at the Stevie Y Sun., Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m.

Merivale Transformer Station Modernization

Notice of Commencement

Hydro One is committed to energizing life in Ottawa

September 2022

As the population of Ottawa grows, so does the need to ensure safe and reliable power is available to power homes and businesses across the region. That’s why Hydro One is planning to modernize critical equipment at its Merivale Transformer Station (TS), located in the City of Ottawa, to ensure power is available for customers now and in the future. Merivale TS is one of two major transformer stations that supply approximately 60% of power to customers across Ottawa, including to Hydro Ottawa.

Planning Process

The need for this investment was identified through a collective planning process which includes the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), Hydro One and Hydro Ottawa.

Minimizing the effects of our projects and operations on the environment is important to us. The planning of this project will follow the “Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities (2016)” (Class EA for MTF), established in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This planning process applies to transmission infrastructure projects that are carried out routinely and have predictable environmental effects that can be readily managed.

This project involves expanding the current transmission station on our property in order to house two new 230kV transformers, a new protections and controls building along with associated equipment. The project also includes refurbishing an existing transformer, installing 8 new transmission structures inside and outside the new station footprint and decommissioning the existing aging protections and controls building. In order to avoid outages during construction, a temporary bypass line, approximately 1.7 km long, will be built along Cedarview Road, approximately 5 km west of Merivale TS.

Contingent on the outcome of the Class EA screening process, construction could begin as early as 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

We’re here to help

For more information, to sign up for the project contact list, or to ask questions, please contact Hydro One Community Relations:

Your input is important to us! Feedback from residents, interest groups, elected officials, and Indigenous communities will inform all aspects of the Class EA. In November, Hydro One will host a Community Open House to share additional project details and we look forward to hearing from you. In the coming weeks you will receive an invitation to the upcoming Community Open House. In the meantime, please contact our Community Relations team should you have any questions or wish to be added to our project contact list.

All personal information included in your request – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, under the authority of section 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public. As this information is collected for the purpose of a public record, the protection of personal information provided in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) does not apply (s.37). Personal information you submit will become part of the available public record unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.

We’d like to hear from you