Cyclist critically injured on dangerous stretch of road

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Good morning!

One of the great things about having a dog again is just…getting out in the world. I hadn’t realized how much of my life was structured around walking, until all of a sudden I wasn’t doing it anymore. While I know you can always just go out and walk, it’s just not the same without a good dog at your side (or tugging you along, depending).

In any case, it turned into a decent weekend to get out and about. But we’ve got plenty to get to today.

So let’s get to it.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

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Weather Report

Monday: 24 🌡️ 13 | 🌦

Tuesday: 28 🌡️ 15 | ☀️

Wednesday: 29 🌡️ 16 | ☀️

WEEKLY LOOKOUT

🛣️ Parkway name: The NCC will meet Thursday to discuss a new name for SJAM Parkway. The board will vote on whether to approve Kichi Zībī Mīkan — which means “great river path” or “great river road” in the Algonquin language — as the new name for the roadway, CTV reported. The board will also vote whether to approve the design for a 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument. [NCC]

🚂 Stage 2: The light rail subcommittee will go through a report Monday from staff outlining the programs designed to get the Trillium north-south rail line ready to go later this year. The programs include training, testing, changes to the bus system, and more.

🌲 Environment: The environment committee will get an update on the city’s forest management plan, which is heading into its second five-year phase. In the first phase, the report said there were not enough staff to keep up with both forest management and the effects of major storms. The committee will also vote on whether to explore financial assistance to help people buy green homes.

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SAFETY

Cyclist critically injured, hit by dump truck

What happened: A female cyclist was critically injured when she was hit by the driver of a dump truck in Little Italy on Friday, CBC reported. The woman was struck in Little Italy, at Rochester and Gladstone.

• Friday, the police said the woman remained in hospital with life-threatening injuries. The force is investigating the collision, and is looking to hear from any witnesses.

Needs to be safer: Coun. Ariel Troster told the broadcaster she doesn’t want to wait for the typical timelines for a full reconstruction of the street. “I don't want to wait years for this. I think we need to throw down a quick build to make the street as safe as possible,” she said.

Study planned: In April, council approved a plan for a feasibility study for adding a bike lane along Gladstone that would go from the Stage 2 LRT station near Preston, all the way to the McNabb Community Centre, with the possibility of going further west. The earliest construction could start would be 2024, but may never be built because funding is not confirmed for feasibility study projects.

The numbers: Data on cycling injuries is several years out of date, but between 2018 and 2021, 54 cyclists were injured, and seven people were killed, CBC reported. Data for last year is still being collected, and there are no figures out yet. In Gatineau, where data is up to date as of last week, no cyclists have been killed in the last five years. From 2018-21, 186 people were injured, however. Another 60 cyclists have been injured in 2022 and 23.

• Last year, a woman was killed in Overbrook when the driver of a city grader overtook the cyclist and hit her, CBC reported at the time.

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🅿️ $12.2 million: The city’s revenue from parking fees last year. While it’s more than the last couple years, it’s still $4.9 million less than the $17.1 million in 2019. [CTV]

🏢 0.8%: The vacancy rate in Gatineau. The rental market is extremely tight, with rents rising 62.6 percent in four years, to $1,745 last month from $1,073 in May 2019. [CBC]

SPONSORED BY SUMMER SOLSTICE INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL

Visit The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Mādahòkì Farm from June 21-25

Starting at 3pm on June 21, experience Canada's diverse Indigenous culture, interactive activities and free family fun. Enjoy creative workshops, Ojibwe Spirit Horses and non-stop live entertainment featuring Brad Lafortune, Niego Aasivak Inuit Throat Singers, Pow Wow Dancers and more!

Oh and did we mention there’s a drone show?

In celebration of NIPD, 200 drones will light up the sky, sharing an intimate story, Mewnizha.

Mewinzha, a creation story to guide each individual’s pathway to Truth and Reconciliation. Miigwetch to Storyteller, Elder, and language keeper Barbara Nolan for graciously providing the Mewnizha story in English and Anishinaabemowin for a spectacular bilingual Drone Show.

Learn more and see why this is a must-see event.

• There is limited parking on June 21st, no onsite parking June 24/25. Get a free shuttle from Algonquin College.

POLICING

City considers pilot to divert some calls away from police

What happened: The city wants to send people other than police to respond to mental health and substance abuse calls. A three-year pilot program would be rolled out first in one neighbourhood (TBD), then across the city.

• There will be a non-911 number the public can call to get help from the new teams, a report to the community services committee said. Callers to 911 for specific types of calls would be redirected to the new number if appropriate, CTV reported.

The goal is to create teams of social workers, nurses, case managers, psychiatrists and psychologists to help people through crises. Mobile teams of mental health professionals and other outreach workers will be available 24/7, as well as follow-up services to keep people on the right track.

• The city estimates the program will cost $2.5 million in its first year.

Policing problem: Police officers aren’t well equipped to deal with mental health or substance abuse calls. The tools at their disposal — punishment, arrest, violence — aren’t well suited to helping someone in crisis. By sending civilians specifically trained to deal with people in distress, the city hopes to get better outcomes.

Where: The neighbourhood the pilot project will roll out in has not been decided, but it will be based on a few factors, which would suggest the program would start in a downtown neighbourhood:

• Call volumes for mental health and substance abuse to 911;

• Proximity to community agencies who could host a response team, and offer follow-up support;

• Demographic data including race and economic status;

• Number of ER visits because of mental health and substance use.

NEW LOCAL JOBS

Check out the new open positions in Ottawa.

1. Governance officer at the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

2. Planning and policy analyst at the National Research Council

3. Manager of service delivery (YOW) at Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

4. Director of government relations at Schneider Electric

5. Hotel manager at Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites Ottawa Downtown

THE AGENDA

🐍 Get that motherf— …pardon. There was a pet snake loose on the LRT on Friday, keeping a train stopped at Hurdman Station for more than an hour. [CTV]

🚧 The Ontario Land Tribunal approved the plan for the Larga Baffin facility on Hunt Club Road. The complex will provide 350 beds for people travelling from Nunavut to Ottawa for medical care. [Nunatsiaq News]

⚖️ OPP Const. Jason Redmond was given a six-year sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman. The sentence also meant Redmond was finally fired from the police force. He had been on paid leave for several years while awaiting trial. [Ottawa Citizen]

⚽️ Atlético Ottawa banned a fan for one game for throwing an object onto the field. The fan was part of a supporters group that came forward once an investigation started. [CTV]

🗳️ PSAC workers approved a deal with the federal government. The deal gives a raise of 12.6 percent compounded over four years. [CBC]

🚲 This week Coun. Shawn Menard will ask city staff to study bringing back a bike share program to Ottawa. If his motion passes, the transportation committee won’t get a report until 2025, at the earliest. [CTV]

🐀 The city is bringing back a working group to try and deal with a number of rat outbreaks across the city. Large construction projects have stirred up large numbers of rodents. [CTV]

🔥 Much of Ontario is still under fire bans, as at least 54 wildfires rage through the province. There have been three times as many fires so far this year than there were at the same time last year. [CTV]

🚛 Randy Hillier and Pat King, two men facing convoy-related charges, won a court decision to allow them to reapply for a change of venue for their criminal cases. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENTS

What to do this week

Arts

🩰 Ballet Technique For Everyone Workshop, Monday 7:30 pm: A two-hour workshop by the Voices Dance Project to introduce you to the basics of ballet. Beginners welcome. At Ottawa Dance Directive, 2 Daily Ave., Studio B. Tickets $17.

Food/Drink

🥃 Whiskey at the Well, Thursday 6:30 pm: An evening to try a selection of 10+ Irish whiskeys. At Brigid’s Well, 310 Saint Patrick St. Tickets $30.

Culture

🌞 Stories at the Solstice — A Celebration of Summer in Story and Song, Wednesday 6:15 pm: An evening of inspiring stories, live music, hors d'oeuvres, desserts and door prizes, all to raise money for the Stephan Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign, which supports grandmothers and children affected by the AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. At the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave. Tickets $33.

☀️ Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, Wednesday to Sunday: Celebrate the sumer solstice with a picnic, marketplace, cooking classes, workshops and more. At Mādahòkì Farm, 4420 West Hunt Club Rd. No on-site parking, free shuttle from Algonquin College. Free, with some paid activities.

Other

💍 Beads & Booze, A Night of Cocktails and DIY Jewelry, Thursday 6 pm: A fun night of crafting and cocktails. Learn how to make your own jewelry and bring it home with you. At Drip House, 340B Parkdale Ave. Tickets $33.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Humane Society is selling t-shirts for $150 to raise money for new crates for foster dogs. “Save a dog, and get a cool shirt.” [Ottawa Humane Society]

• Summer is finally here, as beaches across the city opened last weekend. Wading pools will begin opening in the coming weeks. [CBC]

• The city looks pretty good from above. [Reddit]

• Hot weather is on its way, with temperatures in the 30s starting Wednesday and lasting into the weekend. [CTV]

• If you’re looking for fun and free activities for the whole family, check out this list for a dozen great ideas. [CTV]

• A very good cat, Fox, out in the wild, was reunited with his owners. Yay! [Reddit]

• Ottawa’s Michael Woods won the French cycling race La Route d’Occitanie for the second year in a row. [The Canadian Press]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Contact our partnership team for more info.

TOP PHOTO

Today’s photo comes from reader Joanne Reyes, with a busy bee hard at work. “Bees deserve credit for pollinating our beautiful flowers. This one is enjoying the sunshine while busy at work,” she said.

Do you have a photo you’d like to share with the Lookout community? Send it in!

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to everyone who got last week’s Ottawa Wordle. The answer was FORCE, as in the Air Force flyover of two CF-18 for the Ottawa Redblacks home opener.

Today, we want to know what the vacancy rate for rental units in Gatineau is. The first five people to write in with the correct answer will get their names mentioned in the next issue.

Subscribe to Insider to read the rest.