Ghost bike memorial for cyclist killed on dangerous stretch of road

Good morning!

It’s official, it’s spring. Sunday marked the first day of the season, and we’re now in the part of the year when there is more sunlight than darkness. Thursday marked the first day of the year with more than 12 hours—12 hours, three minutes, and 10 seconds to be precise—with the sun up. And it only gets better. Today, we’ve got a whole 12 hours and 16 minutes of daylight. Winter hibernation is coming to an end, now it’s time to get out those rain boots before the real nice weather begins.

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Let’s not waste that daylight, here is some news.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

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Weather Report

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Ghost Bike Memorial For Cyclist Killed On Dangerous Stretch Of Road

HIt by a grader: A 43-year-old woman riding her bike was hit and killed by a City of Ottawa road grader on North River Road this week, at an intersection known to be dangerous. Nearby residents told CBC Ottawa they have often felt unsafe at the four-way-stop intersection of North River Road and Donald Street.

Already looking at changes: Local Coun. Rawlson King said it was a stretch of road his office and the city were already looking at adding traffic calming measures, including lowered speed limits, speed humps, and slow down signs. 

Elsewhere in the neighbourhood, they’re considering curb extensions, repaving Donald and adding a bike line, and narrowing North River for several blocks.

• “We were having that conversation even before this tragic incident,” King told CBC.

Ghost bike ceremony: A number of people gathered at the site of the crash Sunday to mark the spot with a white-painted bike, a ghost bike, to mark the spot where the woman was killed, CBC’s Guy Quenneville reported.  

• “The bike is a symbol of mourning, but also a reminder it doesn't have to be this way,” Ladybugspicnic, who helped organize the ceremony, said on Twitter.

Analysis: Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to large vehicles with open sides, like a road grader, sometimes used by the city to plow streets. A 2012 report by the Chief Coroner for Ontario recommended heavy trucks have side guards, blind spot mirrors and blind spot warning signs to make cyclists more visible. The corner said it would also help reduce the severity of possible injuries.

Ottawa By The Numbers

$36.3 million: The amount Ottawa says the convoy occupation cost the city, most of that being policing costs. [CBC]

887: The number of housing starts in Ottawa-Gatineau last month, a 16 percent increase from February last year. [OBJ]

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The Benefits Of A Living Wage

More than the bare minimum: Living in this city requires more than just minimum wage to get by. That’s where the living wage comes in. It’s an hourly rate that actually covers the financial needs of workers. In Ottawa, the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) puts that figure at $18.60 per hour. This takes into account food and utility prices, transportation, and of course, housing. 

• A living wage $3.60 more than the legal minimum wage in the province. That works out to about $7,500, according to a recent Ottawa Citizen report.

In Ottawa, there are only 13 employers certified by the OLWN. To be certified, every staff member must be paid at least the living wage, which is adjusted every year.

What it means for workers: For those working at a certified living-wage employer, it can make a huge difference. As one worker at Moo Shu Ice Cream and Kitchen told CBC, things like rent and groceries are less stressful. Plus, “And it's actually been really incredible to notice that it's not as horrifying when I have to pay a vet bill, because I do have that extra little bit that's coming through having a living wage,” Neha Sindhwani said to CBC.

What it means for the employers: The employers see a benefit, too. Not only do their staff tend to be healthier and happier, but it also brings good vibes to the business. As OLWN coordinator Craig Pickthorne told the Citizen, things like training costs go way down because turnover decreases, morale is higher, and the businesses tend to attract more qualified candidates.

You can find all the Ottawa employers who offer their staff a living wage on the OLWN map. 

Looking For a New Job?

Here are five new jobs you might like. 

1. Communications Officer, Office of the Auditor General  

2. Event Coordinator and Camp Counsellors, Saunders Farm

3. Customer Service Agent, Service Ottawa  

4. Full Stack Developer, multiple companies in Ottawa

5. Registered Practical Nurse, Ottawa Parks and Recreation

Reply if you’re an organization that wants to feature your job here and reach over 18,000 locals.

Stories You Might've Missed

Province paying to assess new 416 interchange: Ontario and the city are looking to build a new 416 access point at Barnsdale Road in south Barrhaven. The goal is to increase access to the highway to reduce suburban congestion. The province is paying for an environmental assessment to see if the location is viable. The city would pay for the actual construction. [CityNews] 

Convoy relief funds hard to access: Some Ottawa businesses hit hard by the convoy are finding it difficult to get access to promised relief funds. The owner of the Victoria Barber Shop, who was forced to close for the better part of a month, says she can’t apply because of an issue with paperwork. Others say the $1,000 to $15,000 may not be enough to cover losses. [CTV]

Supply chain might hold up Telesat launch: Ottawa telecom company Telesat is warning supply chain issues could delay the launch of the Lightspeed satellite system. The first of some 300 satellites was expected for 2024, but because of issues with supply chains affecting their French manufacturer and inflationary pressures, delays and downsizing of the project may happen. The project aims to bring high-speed internet to rural areas. [OBJ]

The toll of hate in Ottawa: For Ottawans of different backgrounds, incidents of racism have left a mark. A rabbi says he often heard racist remarks, but an incident where a man threatened him with violence at a gas station left him particularly shaken. The city has seen hate crimes rise over the past several years, which matches a broader national trend, one that police say likely underrepresents the problem because so many incidents go unreported. [CBC]

Westboro Beach closed for summer: One of the four city-operated beaches will be closed for the entire summer. The NCC will be overhauling almost the entirety of Westboro Beach, making its buildings more accessible, moving the parking lot, and much more, but this means the beach will have to be closed for the summer. Britannia, Mooney’s Bay, and Petrie Island beaches will all be open. [CTV]

Water levels stable: It’s still looking good along Ottawa-area rivers as the gradual snow melt isn’t showing signs of causing any flooding. The cities of Ottawa and Gatineau have both said water levels are so far stable, and flooding is unlikely. In the event flooding does become a risk, tens of thousands of sandbags have been prepared to hold back flood waters. [CTV]

City lifts most mask requirements: Following on the provincial rule changes, the City of Ottawa has dropped mask requirements in most of its buildings, including City Hall, libraries, sports facilities, and service centres. City-operated long-term care homes, respite centres, vaccine clinics, as well as on public transit and in transit stations will still require masks. The city still says the public is welcome to wear masks if they choose. [CTV]

Police officer charged over racist video: Caught on camera saying the “white man’s day is done” Const. Paull Heffler is facing charges of discreditable conduct and insubordination. The charges come from the video, as well as from his conduct in two investigations he conducted in a “inappropriate and unprofessional manner.” He’s also accused of sending inappropriate emails to the Ottawa Police Service’s entire mailing list. [CBC]

Feature Your Ad Here

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Community Highlight

• Senators acquired Canucks defenceman Travic Hamonic for a third-round draft pick. Critics derided the trade as a poor move by Ottawa. [Yahoo]

• Building a better and more connected future is possible. With 5G capabilities coming to Canada, let’s make sure we have the right wireless policies in place to unleash 5G innovation.*

• In other hockey news, Eve Gascon became the first woman to play for the Gatineau Olympiques. [CTV]

• Like Murals? Read about Paint it Up!, a program and funding for youth to paint murals throughout the city. [Apt613]

• Reddit users shared some of their favourite independent local coffee shops, including LIttle Victories, Ministry of Coffee, Morning Owl and Drip House. What’s your favourite? 

• YouTube user Walking Attractions shared a lovely video of Parc de la Ferme-Dalton in Gatineau.

• Instagram user Mimi.munches reviewed Hintonburg restaurant The Third at 1017 Wellington St. W. It’s a great place to meet up with a group and their crispy chicken sandwich and roasted brisket are must-try items.

• Spring is here and that means thin ice. Stay off the frozen water or you may fall in! [CTV]

• CTV has a helpful list of places that will still require masks indoors, including health care settings, long-term care, public transit, Ottawa Public Health and some businesses. [CTV]

• Vankleek Hill is opening up a tulip field this spring. Visit and wander through 300,000 flowers with 13 different colours. [Narcity]

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Today's Top Photo

Reader Alan Bacon sends in this view from the national capital of the Natural Resources Canada Building on Booth Street recently lit up in support of Ukraine.

Have a view you want to share with Lookout readers? Send it our way! We’re always looking to publish reader photos.

Daily COVID Stats

All infection and vaccination data via Ottawa Public Health. You can find the status of the wastewater tracking here. And you can find vaccination stats here.

• Active Cases: 842 (+142)

• Deaths: 756 (+1)

• Ottawans In Hospital: 12

• Ottawans In ICU: 2

• Acute Beds Occupied: 99% 

• ICU Beds Occupied: 70% 

• ICU Ventilator Beds Occupied: 4% 

Not All City Employees Need To Be Fully Vaccinated Come April In Updated Municipal Vaccination Policy [CityNews]

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