Five stories you might’ve missed here at Ottawa Lookout

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Good morning! 

Geoff here subbing in for Charlie today! One story the Lookout team is in the early stages of working on is looking at the city’s bike-sharing network, and whether the model is actually serving residents.

That got me wondering about Ottawa. The city’s last bike share program ended in 2018. Would all of you be interested in a story on that, why other cities have them but not Ottawa, and what it could look like? Vote on the poll below and let us know!

Let’s get to today’s newsletter!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder and managing editor

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WEATHER

Wednesday: 2 🌡️ -6 | 🌧️ ❄️ 

Thursday: 8 🌡️ -6 | ☁️ 

Friday: 2 🌡️ -7 | ❄️ 

OTTAWA NUMBERS

🚘️ 91: The number of complaints received by the city for idle vehicles during the winter. This year anti-idling rules were expanded. But only one ticket was issued. [CTV]

📈 $44.5 million: The city’s budget surplus last year. Budget surpluses were throughout many different departments including Ottawa Public Library Board, water and wastewater and the police. OC Transpo had a deficit of $21.7 million due to lower ridership and more people discounted faces. [CTV]

LOOKOUT EXCLUSIVES

Five stories you might’ve missed here at Ottawa Lookout

In the non-stop news cycle that exists today, it’s sometimes worth taking a step back and review what’s happened in Ottawa. With Charlie away today, and the first three months of the year almost done, I thought I’d use today’s newsletter to highlight some of the incredible work Charlie and our team of freelancers have written.

While Charlie wrote an inordinate amount of stories covering the provincial election and its impact on Ottawa in the last few months, since the election is over, we’re sharing these ones that are focused on the city.

The failed Ottawa 2006 light rail bid that almost was

With much of the last few years media coverage has been focused on what the future of the LRT and transit will be. But sometimes it’s good to look back at history in order to understand what the future holds.

In 2006, city council voted 14 to 7 to replace the diesel-fueled O-train with an electric system. The proposed plans at the time would have seen the system expand past Bayview Station to the University of Ottawa as part of one line. In the south-west it would have gone past South Keys to Riverside South — like it is now — but also to Barrhaven. 

Read the story

Ottawa has updated its wildlife strategy. Does it go far enough?

When a black bear roamed the streets of a Kanata neighbourhood in 2023, some believe it may have been attracted by the usual wildlife attractants—garbage, birdfeeders—or that it may have been squeezed out of its forestry habitat as Ottawa continues its urban sprawl. 

But most residents did not believe it deserved to die.  

Killed by Ottawa City Police over public safety concerns, the occurrence shed light on the disconnect between the city’s wildlife policies and its residents' attitudes. 

In 2024, the City of Ottawa updated its wildlife plan for the first time since 2013 with its updated action plan. However, some advocacy groups and community stakeholders say the city is still behind.

Read the story

Ottawa cancels plan to build Sprung structures

Charlie led the charge on covering from all sides, well, a very politically-charged subject — Ottawa city council’s plan to build sprung structures. The issue encompassed so many topics that we cover, from housing to public consultation, to how city hall decisions are made

In the end, two of the sprung structures that caused much of the local pushback did not end up proceeding. Charlie broke it all down in this comprehensive review of the issue, and what it means going forward.

Read the story 

Lansdowne will be worse off after development, says Capital Ward councillor 

If all goes to plan, shovels will be in the ground this November to start tearing down portions of Lansdowne Park for what could be a new, reimagined site. But the current drawings lack anything of value, says local Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard, who notes they will actually be taking away instead of adding. 

The Lookout sat down with Councillor Menard to gain more of an understanding as to why Lansdowne 2.0 would be such a bad idea. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. 

Read the story

Chinatown BIA opposes new HART hub in Centretown; looks to rebrand itself as a “multicultural village”

Ottawa’s Chinatown is rich in flavour and culture. It’s known for its rows of Asian restaurants, grocery shops, colourful signs, sculptures of cartoon animals, and smells of freshly cooked noodles and dumplings wafting through the streets. 

But today, it’s also known as a hotspot for drug overdoses and a rise in crime. 

According to the Ottawa Police Services 2022 Annual Report, Somerset Ward had the highest crime rate in Ottawa that year, with violent and non-violent crime rates increasing from the previous year. Crimes against property—which include vandalism and theft—were the second-highest in the city, following Rideau-Vanier Ward. Controlled drug—and substance-related offences rose by 16.2 percent and were second to Rideau-Vanier.

Read the story

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THE AGENDA

👮 A police officer who accessed data files of nine child death cases from June 2020 to January 2022, and in one instance, contacted the father about the child’s COVID vaccination status of the mother, has been found guilty of disrespectful conduct. There were no criminal charges since it was part of a disciplinary hearing. [CTV]

🚸 A new high school in Riverside South will be named, drum roll please, Riverside South Secondary School, which is not the most adventurous name… The school will open this year for students in Grades 7 to 12. [CTV]

🏠️ Westboro will soon see the completion of modular housing at 263 Currell Ave. The buildings take around four months to complete, reducing construction time by around eight months. Around 75 to 85 per cent of the unit is built at a factory, with the remaining done on location. There are plans for more of these units to be built across the city to tackle the housing crisis. [CTV]

💉 After passing a law that everyone thought banned safe consumption sites, including comments from Health Minister Sylvia Jones saying they were banned, the government is now arguing in court that it is only moving the locations, not shutting them down. The argument comes as the province faces a court challenge over the ban brought forth by two people who used the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site in Toronto. [CBC]

🏫 If you’re looking for a comprehensive breakdown of the OCDSB’s elementary school program changes, then you should check out this article (warning though, it may be paywalled). You can also read Charlie’s shorter explanation here for free. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏫 Speaking of education, the Ottawa Catholic School Board is working to minimize disruptions from the potential school boundary changes, in case families seek to switch school boards and accidentally register in multiple schools. Multiple registrations can impact student projections, which have implications for hiring and planning. [Ottawa Citizen]

💰️ The new Parliament Hill police unit, which will encompass 40 officers and nine civilian positions at a cost of $50 million over five years from the federal government, will be fully staffed by the end of the year. The new positions will help address the need for more security around Parliament from increased protests. [CBC]

👮 A man in his 30s was charged with multiple offences for causing an incident at CHEO with a replica gun earlier this week, including harassment and carrying a concealed weapon amongst others. 

🏒 The Senators lost in a close game, 2-3 against the Sabres, with the final go-ahead goal for Buffalo coming at 1:23 left in the third period. The team is 37-28-5 and is in the first wildcard spot in the east.

DREAM HOME

A perfect home for a family? This may be it.

With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this 1,200-square-foot detached home has a great layout and good good-sized patio in the back. Those who are handy will also love the opportunity to remodel the basement.

Is it cheap? Is it expensive? You’ll have to check it out to find out.

MUSIC GIG LISTING

Kyler Mackenzie | Bar Robo, Queen St. Fare | Mar. 26  | Blending the passion of flamenco with the intricate melodies of Celtic folk.  Free show.

Bedouin Soundclash | Overflow Brewing, 2477 Kaladar Av | Mar. 27| Acclaimed Toronto band known for their fusion of reggae, ska, and alternative rock. Tickets $29.

Qwan | Avant Garde Bar, 135 Besserer St | Mar. 28 | Representing a new generation of hardcore bands from the Ottawa Valley. Tickets $10.

QI de Abelha | Live! On Elgin, 220 Elgin St | Mar. 29 | A captivating blend of Brazilian roots music and rock. Tickets $15.

I, The Mountain |  Irene’s, 885 Bank St | Mar. 29 | Indie folk band known for their joyous harmonies, high-energy performances and infectious songwriting. Tickets $20.

Listings for music shows are provided by OttawaGigs.ca, the best place to discover live music in Ottawa. Check out Ottawagigs.ca for full listings across the city.

IMAGE OF THE DAY

If Dr. Suess wrote about Ottawa weather, this is probably what it would say.

OTTAWA QUIZ

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Dates have been announced for the fireworks festival Les Grands Feux.

• Pickleball players are looking to rent out backyards.

• Kanata could be getting a new amusement park. [CTV]

• The Youth Infringement Festival, showcasing plays from young Ottawans, is back on from Mar. 27-Apr. 3. [Apt613]

• OC Transpo’s bus route changes are arriving in one month, you can see all the changes here, including a new Gatineau route. 

• Riding boundaries have changed, so be sure to see which federal riding you’re in with Elections Canada’s riding tool. 

• The city is asking for feedback on its new Culture Plan beginning Apr. 1.