One year since changes were made to Ottawa’s 911 system. What more is needed?

Good morning!

What a beautiful weekend it was. The sun was shining, the trees were in full colour, and a warm fall breeze wafted through the air. Could it not stay like this for a few more months? 

On Saturday, I had the chance to be at the grand opening of the Green Fresh Supermarket, a new Asian grocery store which opened on Merivale Road in the former Bad Boy (and before that Future Shop) location. It was beyond packed! The Lookout is putting together a story about how smaller grocery stores compete with big chains at a time of rising inflation. Have you changed your shopping habits? Are you shopping around or visiting smaller grocery stores? If so, we want to hear from you. Send me an email with your experience and it might be included in a future newsletter. 

It’s been almost a year since changes were made to Ottawa’s 911 system, which allows calls to be transferred outside of the city. The changes were long overdue but still don’t go far enough. The Lookout spoke with advocate Michael Wood about what more he feels needs to be done — and soon. 

A quick note to end the newsletter: In Friday’s edition, we said the feature image was of Nepean High School when it was in fact Notre Dame High School, located on the same street. We regret the error. 

Happy reading! 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected]. 

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign up for free.

WEATHER

Monday: 25 🌡️ 9 | ☀️

Tuesday: 24 🌡️ 12 | ☀️

Wednesday: 22 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

CITY

Ottawa’s 911 system needs to be modernized, says local advocate

The issue: It’s been one year since 911 calls out of Ottawa could be transferred to other districts in North America and it’s been widely successful. But the service is not widely available across Canada, and that could lead to dangerous situations, said advocate Mike Wood, who’s mainly to thank for the expanded service. 

Wood, the former owner of Ottawa Special Events, an Algonquin College professor, and a business advocate during the COVID-19 pandemic, learned the hard way in 2022 that calls could not be transferred. 

A family in crisis: His brother lived in Toronto and was in the middle of a mental health crisis. Wood, in Ottawa, was receiving text messages stating his family member wanted to harm himself. He called 911 to get help from the GTA, but was told transfers were not possible and he’d have to call Toronto Police directly on their non-emergency line. The wait was over an hour. 

Similar incidents with his brother happened 15 more times. A breaking point came on New Year’s Eve in 2022 when Wood’s brother said he’d slit his wrists. A phone call to the non-emergency line resulted in a hold of over two hours. Wood knew he’d have to use his business skills and lobby for change. 

• “Being on hold for that amount of time weighs on everyone — especially on those who are trying to respond in an efficient way. I realized that I could have travelled to almost Belleville in all that time,” Wood told the Lookout. “There are two parts to why I decided to do this. One, the system needs to be fixed. Two, we need to make people in emergency situations aware that the system is not always equipped.”

A new system: Changes to Ottawa’s 911 system were finalized by the end of 2023, and it wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Wood’s constant demands. There are plans to expand functions further, but it’s unclear as to when that will occur. 

• By the numbers: A total of 749 call request transfers have been made out of Ottawa since its implementation, averaging about 70 a month. Peaks were seen in May and July with 84 requests. 

Next steps: Wood said he’d like to see all of Canada implement the system. He referenced a real-life story where a family in the Toronto area hid in their closet and texted friends in Ottawa for help as someone broke into their home. But if the roles were reversed, the outcome would be different. 

• “If you texted someone in Toronto for help, that call cannot be transferred. That family would be waiting on hold with the non-emergency line while a home invasion is going on,” said Wood. 

The only other cities which can transfer calls at this time are Calgary, Nova Scotia, and Waterloo. 

Possible delays: Next-generation 9-1-1 (NG911), a national update planned by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), has been calling for changes to the system country-wide, including the re-direction of calls and the ability for people to communicate with 911 through video call and text messages. 

Current deadlines have these changes coming into effect by March 4, 2025, but some groups including the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) have applied for an extension to the CRTC's implementation deadline of March 4, 2025.

• An intervention request made by Wood with the CRTC argues against an extension. 

Wood said he’d especially like to see access to 911 texting to help with the mental health crisis Canada finds itself in and for women fleeing domestic violence situations. 

• ”She would not have the luxury of being able to pick up the phone and say my husband or boyfriend is beating me. You’d think she’d be able to lock herself in the bathroom discreetly and text police saying someone is beating me up. But in 2024 that technology is still not possible,” said Wood. “It’s amazing when you think about it. Speed cameras are able to catch drivers and send tickets and we all carry phones around that we don’t need cables for. In a wireless, digital environment, this needs to change.”

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🐶 2: The number of dogs safely located by OPP in an eastern Ontario Forest. A man was also found. [CTV]

🎃 40: Are you a mom over this age? A Halloween party for you is being held on Oct. 26. [CTV]

📸 2026: The year Ottawa Police may start wearing body-worn cameras. [CBC]

🗑️ 2%: The percentage of Ottawa households exceeding the new limits for garbage. [CBC]

🚨 12: The age of a boy missing in Gatineau since Friday. [Ottawa Citizen]

NEW LOCAL JOBS

Check out the new open positions in Ottawa:

1. Personal home and care support worker at Ottawa West Community Support. 

2. Staff accountant at Welch LLP.

3. Financial planner at Scotiabank. 

4. Ottawa warehouse worker at LCBO. 

5. Senior software developer at Thales.

Local jobs are selected by the Lookout team and are not paid ads, unless specifically noted. 

THE AGENDA

🇨🇦 It’s been 10 years since former Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers helped take down Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who stormed through the front doors of Parliament Hill after shooting Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the National War Monument. In his first and only interview about the incident, Vickers spoke at length about moments of that day nobody knows. [Ottawa Citizen]

🤰 Rideau-Vanier city councillor Stephanie Plante has been known as an advocate for the ByWard Market and for helping marginalized people in the community. But what many people don’t know is that after her first marriage failed, she carried a baby for a gay couple who lived in Spain. They all remain friends to this day. [Ottawa Citizen]

📢 A civil liberties group is questioning the constitutionality of a proposed Ottawa 'bubble bylaw' that would prohibit demonstrations in certain settings. Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, who is a lawyer with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, said the organization will monitor how the proposed bylaw is written and believes existing Criminal Code laws are sufficient enough. [CTV]

💰 A draft budget will be tabled to city councillors on Nov. 19 that will have the direction of raising property taxes by 2.9 per cent. But it also comes with a lot of unknowns. Some councillors feel the increase is not enough and will lead to more wear and tear with city amenities and infrastructure. There are also concerns over more cuts to transit. [CBC]

⛪️ Daily Catholic mass at the Ottawa Hospital has been cancelled, and it’s drawing some pushback. A hospital spokesperson said there has been “a shift in the way spiritual care is provided” and confirmed a priest will continue to provide mass once a week at both the Civic and General campuses. [Ottawa Citizen]

🤿 A man has died after a scuba diving incident in Brockville. Police are not saying much at this time, and the exact cause of death has not been revealed. It’s believed the man was not a native of the area. [CTV]

🍁Every fall, tens of thousands flock to Gatineau Park to take in the breathtaking colours of the changing leaves. October’s heatwave has resulted in a lot of traffic heading to the park, but free shuttle service is available on both weekdays and weekends. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENTS

What to do in Ottawa this Fall

613flea | Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park 1000 Exhibition Way | Oct. 26 | The free-to-attend event features an exciting (and ever-changing!) lineup of over 140 vendors who offer eclectic goods, handmade treasures, vintage finds and one-of-a-kind | Free 

Pumpkin Carving Contest | The Bridge Public House, 1 Donald St | Oct. 26, 1-4 pm | Participate in a pumpkin carving contest in support of the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club | Registration is $20

A Tribute to Taylor Swift with Simply Spice | TD Place at Lansdowne, 1015 Bank St | Oct. 26 | An affordable way to get that Taylor Swift experience. Secure your spot now and "spice up your life" with a night full of music, dance and memories | Ticket prices vary

Urban Art Collective Saturday Themed Market | 1088 Somerset Street W | Oct. 26 | A Halloween-themed market for all art lovers out there! Stroll through the Hintonburg Night Market to pickup local eats, treats and all things handmade | Free

Halloween Howl Market | Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd | Oct. 26 | Enter the Halloween Howl Market where the spooktacular entry is free, bewitching door prizes await and local vendors conjure up a cauldron of delights | Free

Undercover Legends of Rock | Rideau Carleton Casino, 4837 Albion Rd | Oct. 26 | Honouring the timeless hits of all your favourite rock bands like Bon Jovi, Queen, AC/DC, Kiss, Foreigner, Journey, STYX and more | Tickets start at $19.56

Halloween Bar Crawl: Walking Dead - Ottawa Bar Crawl | Various locations |  Oct. 26 | This Halloween, dive into a heart-racing, bone-chilling adventure with the Walking Dead Halloween Bar Crawl! | Tickets are $19.56 

Watson’s Mill Haunt Nights | Watson’s Mill, 5525 Dickinson St. in Manotick | Oct. 24-26 | Come join Watson’s Mill for a truly haunting experience. The historic grist mill is turned into a terrifying three-floor haunted house that will leave you scared of noises in the night | Free 

Pumpkin Fest | Proulx Maple & Berry Farm, 1865 O'Toole Rd | Until Oct. 26 | Pack a lunch and bring the whole family down to the Annual Pumpkin Festival featuring a petting zoo, corn maze, wagon rides, pick-your-own pumpkin, and loads of fun on multiple outdoor playgrounds! | Prices vary 

Halloween Heist | Billings Estate National Historic Site, 2100 Cabot St | Oct. 26-27 | Explore the museum grounds in a fun, self-guided adventure while completing games and activities. Along the way, you'll gather clues to gain access to the vault and collect a sweet treat for cracking the code | Admission is $33.66 for a group of up to six people

Halloween in the forest | Richelieu Park, 300 Des Pères-Blancs Ave | Oct. 27 | The Vanier Museopark, in collaboration with the Vanier Optimist Club, invites kids and grown-ups to take a stroll in the Richelieu Park forest to celebrate Halloween. | Free 

York Street Market | Along York St. | Oct. 27 | Visit the ByWard Market every other Sunday to explore 30+ vendors offering handmade goods like home decor, jewelry, cider, spices and more! | Free

Acres of Terror | Cannamore Orchard, 1480 County Road 32 | Until Oct. 30 | A terrifying Halloween attraction with four main parts: The Spooky Wagon Ride, House of Terror, Fog Maze and Spooky Village. Healthy and safety protocols are in place to ensure a safe visit | Ticket prices vary

Pumpkins After Dark | 401 Corkstown Rd | Until Oct. 31 | Pumpkins After Dark is an outdoor Halloween celebration featuring over 10,000 hand carved pumpkins, food trucks, roaming entertainment, and live pumpkin carving | Ticket prices vary

Pumpkinferno | Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Road 2, in Morrisburg | Until Oct. 31 | Take a nighttime stroll through a spellbinding outdoor exhibit of more than 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins lit up along a kilometre-long path | Ticket prices vary

PumpkinFest and FrightFest | Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Rd | PumpkinFest offers family-friendly autumn fun — find the perfect pumpkin, get lost in our hedge mazes, hop on a hayride and enjoy kid-friendly haunted attractions, and delicious food | Ticket prices vary 

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Délicieusement Thaï is a delicious addition to the Capital Region

This review is written by our food and drink writer Ralf Joneikies.

On a recent trip to the Buckingham quarter of Gatineau, I noticed a new Thai restaurant and made a mental note to return for a review. I’m glad I did.

A number of Thai places (Talay Thai, Tuk Tuk, Anna Thai) have closed in the last year so it’s nice to see something new open and it’s even better when the food tastes right.

Délicieusement Thaï owners Marc Parent and Preeya Phothiphon had been operating out of another nearby location but made the move to this mini-mall in June and now enjoy increased visibility.

Marc was happy to share with me that 90% of their menu is made from scratch and that they're becoming famous for their green curry. Naturally, I was excited to taste a house-made curry paste, but I’d have to wait for another occasion as they were sold out for the day. I was advised to call ahead and reserve an order.

Read this review and instantly subscribe to our food newsletter

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• An Ottawa volunteer group is helping clean up hoarders' homes infested with rats. [CTV]

• A local artist, seniors and students are calling for climate action through a school mural. [Kitchissippi Times]

• DYK you can get local foods and produce delivered year-round? Farmhouse Food brings items from regional farms and producers to your door. Sign up today! [Sponsored]

• Carleton University students are seeking to bring environmental education to Westboro. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Go behind the scenes at Ottawa’s newest haunted house. [CBC]

• The rare October heatwave has extended the boating season in Brockville. [CTV]

• Hundreds gathered under sunny skies for 9runrun. [Ottawa Citizen]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

COMMUNITY PHOTO

Ellen Bond shared this photo of the changing fall colours on the Quebec Side as seen from Tunney’s Pasture.

GAME TIME

In today’s Ottawa quiz, we want to know what year the Ottawa Police are expected to start wearing body cams? Reply with the correct answer and your name to be a featured in the newsletter.