Light rail cuts to stay after close and divided vote

Good morning!

It seems the warm weather is not letting up. Ottawa Weather Records state there have been seven days with temperatures over 27 C, which puts us in second place for a September record. If the trends continue, we will reach first place on Sept. 27. Enjoy it while it lasts! 

It seems the newsletter these days has been filled with transit woes and budget problems, and today will be no different. On Wednesday city council voted in favour of steaming ahead with light rail service reductions — at least for now. 

In Kingston a Care Hub Centre will remain closed for longer than initially thought after two people were killed near the site last week. City officials say it’s necessary to ensure everyone’s safety, but that it will reopen. 

Let's get to the news of the day! 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected].

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WEATHER

Friday: 25 🌡️ 16 | ⛅

Saturday: 24 🌡️ 14 | ☁️

Sunday: 24 🌡️ 15 | 🌤

Monday: 22 🌡️ 14 | ☁️

CITY HALL

Light rail cuts to stay after close and divided vote

The issue: Light trail transit trains on the Confederation Line will continue to run every 10 minutes during off peak hours. By reducing their intervals in half when there are fewer passengers, OC Transpo is expected to save $1.6 million per year. 

That’s not enough to make it worthwhile, said Kichissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper, who tabled a motion requesting the trains run every five minutes during off peak hours like before. 

A close vote: The motion was defeated 13-12 with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe being the one who voted to keep the cuts in place. 

• “It's just one more reason, when residents quickly read the headlines, to believe that transit sucks. If we don't bring riders back, the $120-million hole that we have in our budget is just going to continue to grow,” Leiper said according to CBC. 

Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Jessica Bradley said “shiny parked trains” will be the result of cuts. Those sentiments were echoed by Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster and Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King who said after so much money was invested into a light rail system, it should be running.  

A different opinion: Sutcliffe argued it’s up to OC Transpo to decide how often the trains should run. The transit organization said the city needed to find efficiencies and do more with less. Last week OC Transpo general manager René Amilcar said it doesn’t make sense to run trains that are only 19 per cent full, but today they said trains were 39 per cent full. 

Suburban representatives like Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo argued that by giving OC Transpo the flexibility to decide when vehicles run, they can better adjust for demand. He alongside Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry said priority should be given to bus routes that have a longer wait time than five minutes for trains. 

Next steps: Stittsville Ward Coun. Glen Gower, introduced a replacement motion which requested OC Transpo staff to study ridership patterns over the next three months following the return of federal office workers downtown. Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine attempted to amend Gower's motion to restore five-minute headways now, but that amendment was voted down 13-12. Gowers motion on the other hand passed 14 to 11, reported CTV.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🚎 2.9%: The increase city services are slated to go up by next year minus transit. It was a controversial vote which was carried 17-8. [Ottawa Citizen]

💉 14,500: The number of students who could face suspension this year due to vaccine records that aren’t up to date. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏥 4.1: The average number of hours it took to be seen by a doctor at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. That is compared to 2.8 hours at the Civic. [CTV] 

💰 $600M: The amount of money Ontario went over its budget during the 2023-2024 year. [CBC]

👮🏼‍♀️ 5: The number of teenagers facing consequences after an assault at a Pembroke high school. [CTV]

PUBLIC SAFETY

Kingston Care Hub to remain temporarily closed after homicide

The issue: An integrated care hub in Kingston will remain closed in order to review safety improvements at the site, following a fatal attack which occurred nearby last week. The decision was supported by Mayor Bryan Paterson, who also called for the Belle Encampment to be dismantled. 

• “Community agencies and the City recognize that substantive operational changes need to be made to 661 Montreal St. to preserve the safety of the individuals accessing services, site staff, and the public. It is important we take appropriate time to assess required changes to ensure service improvements and enhanced safety for all," a news release said according to CTV. "The additional closure time will be used to review operations and safety/security matters of the building and area.”

The statement went on to say that the services offered “are crucial to support the most vulnerable in our community” and will reopen at a later date, but no clear timelines were given. 

What happened: The closure came after two men were killed and a woman was seriously injured with a blunt object that caused stab wounds. The crime scene was large, with the violence breaking out on various grounds of the park and on Montreal Street where the Care Hub is located.

Arrest made: Andre Wareham, a 47-year-old who lived nearby but not at the encampment, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one of attempted murder.

What happens now: It's expected that as many as 60 people are displaced because of the closure, reported CBC. Residents, though, think the number is higher. Police say the clients will be allowed to come and claim their belongings. The site is also home to Kingston’s only safe drug consumption site, which advocates fear will lead to overdoses in the community until it can reopen. 

THE AGENDA

🚊 When Ottawa’s LRT Trillium line opens this fall, commuters will have the opportunity to commute to Riverside South by train. The station is in the middle of a near-empty field. While its location is puzzling, it does have a purpose: the community will see rapid growth and is close to Barrhaven, which will have connection routes to the growing neighbourhood. City councillor Steve Desroches said it will also be a benefit to Carleton University students. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏒 Sept. 21 marks one year since Michael Andlauer closed his deal to become owner of the Ottawa Senators hockey franchise. He’s had a tough job. The former minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens said he’s looking to leverage fans from Gatineau to get attendance up. [Ottawa Citizen]

🖼️ The portrait of Winston Churchill, which made headlines when it was stolen from the Chateau Laurier Hotel, was officially returned at a ceremony in Italy on Thursday. Canada’s ambassador to the country was in attendance alongside two primary Ottawa Police detectives and the general manager of the hotel. [CTV]

🏫 The saga to open a new high school in Stittsville continues, but could soon be over if the building passes inspection. That could mean students will be in the building as early as next week. It was supposed to open at the beginning of September but was pushed back after it failed to get the proper occupancy permits. Students have instead been doing their course work online or have been bused to a different school in Bell’s Corners. [CTV]

🛣️ A year after the federal government and city started talks on what the future of Wellington Street holds, it appears negotiations have stalled. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said no formal offer has been received. The street's future started to get discussed after the trucker convoy put the area under siege due to COVID-19 mandates. Due to the chaos it caused, there has been pressure to keep the road closed permanently. [CTV]

💊 Are police pushing drug users into Centretown? That is what at least one councillor thinks after an increased law enforcement presence in the ByWard Market. The concern has been echoed by the Centretown Community Association which says they have seen increased crime in their neighbourhood. The Ottawa Police meanwhile says there is no data to back up these claims. [Kitchissippi Times]

🇻🇳 Almost two decades after there was talk about building a museum to honour the Vietnamese boat people, construction is no closer to getting underway. The centre, which would be located on Somerset Street near Preston, has been held up due to legal battles and not enough funding. [Kitchissippi Times]

✡️ Artur Wilczynski, the University of Ottawa's special adviser on antisemitism, resigned from his post after three months on the job. The decision came after his social media posts about deadly device explosions across Lebanon had “hurt people” and impacted his ability to do the role. Wilczynski comments were, "Today's targeting of Hezbollah operatives was brilliant. It struck a major blow against a terror group that has fired thousands of rockets against civilians all while the useless UN mission in Lebanon stands by." Those comments sparked the controversy. [CBC]

🪦 Have you ever wondered what happens when bodies go unclaimed? A record 1,183 bodies were not picked up last year. In Ottawa, the numbers are rising. From the Capital to Renfrew and Stormont County the annual average was 86 over the last four years, reaching a high of 99 in the first year of the pandemic. That is compared to 39 cases in the four years prior. [CBC]

🍻 It’s good news for beer fans. Beyond the Pale is slated to open a taproom and events space in the former Courtyard Restaurant building. Work is underway on the space that will have its historical significance restored. The space is expected to open in November. [Ottawa Business Journal]

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

🍻 Dominion City Oktoberfest | Sept. 21 | Bierhalle, covered outdoor seating and standing room. Delicious German-style food available for purchase by North & Navy and Almanac Urban Mill & Bakery. Prost | At Dominion City Brewing Co., 15-5510 Canotek Rd | Tickets are $17.31. 

Ottawa Valley Cat Club | Nepean Sportsplex | Sept. 28-29, 9 am-4:30 pm | Come see different breeds and household pets compete, shop from our various vendors or sit in on a presentation | Learn more

🌺Ottawa Flower Market Collective at the Parkdale Public Market | Sept. 21 | Stop by and create your own stunning bouquet at the build-your-own bouquet bar! Or choose from a selection of ready to go bouquets carefully crafted by our florists | At 366 Parkdale Ave | Tickets are free. 

Taste of Wellington West | Sept. 21 | More than 50 Hintonburg and Wellington Village restaurants and shops will be offering free food samples, discounts, sales and entertainment in Wellington West neighbourhood | Along Wellington St West from Island Park Drive through Bayswater | Free. 

Orange Shirt - Beading Workshop | Sept. 21 | Learn how to make ancestral Indigenous beadwork. Create a beaded orange-shirt pin, guided by Ojibway artist Kelly Nahwegahbow Marsolais. Reflect upon the poignant significance of this design, in light of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | At Canada Science and Technology Museum, 2421 Lancaster Rd | Prices vary. 

Autumn Treasures Market | Sept. 21 | Embrace the vibrant colours and crisp air of fall at our beloved local market, a seasonal celebration that unites the community| At Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd | Free. 

Orleans Oktoberfest | Sept. 21 | Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and live entertainment! You will not want to miss this event full of draws and prizes | At Orléans Brewing Co., 4380 Innes Rd |  Tickets are $38. 

Walk for Dementia | Sept. 21 | Enjoy a family-friendly Saturday, with age-friendly activities. Join us at The Walk for Dementia, help ensure that no one in Ottawa and Renfrew County faces dementia alone | At The Dementia Society Centre, 2327 St. Laurent Blvd | By donation. 

Canada Army Run | Sept. 22 | From the cannon used as a starter's pistol to the "dog-tag" medals all participants receive when they cross the finish line, Canada Army Run is military in flavour from beginning to end. Military bands and Army equipment displays make for a weekend you won't soon forget | At 2 Queen Elizabeth Driveway | Prices vary. 

OperOttawa Classical Cabaret & Silent Auction | Sept. 22 | Limited tickets at the door. Coffee, Tea, Sweet snacks provided during intermission | At First Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Ave W | Tickets are $25. 

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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Here are nine great coffee shops to check out in Ottawa. [Narcity]

• Subscribe to Log Off, a free newsletter to help you disconnect from the internet and reconnect with the real world. Subscribe instantly here. [Sponsored]

• If you’re looking to check out an amazing place to see fall leaves in a few weeks, you need to stop by this close charming town. [Narcity]

• A Barrhaven teacher is using food  to teach local kids Arabic. [Barrhaven Independent]

• Drip House is celebrating five years of coffee. [Apt613]

• The Great Canadian Theatre Company is celebrating 50 years in business. [Apt613]

OTTAWA GAMES

Only a few people knew the Ottawa Guesser photo. Congrats to Jose, Deborah, and Gordon, who guessed it was Remic Rapids.

Think you can solve this week’s Ottawa Wordle? Play now.