Queensview corridor set to evolve from big box Stores to mixed-use living

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Good morning! 

There is nothing I love more than supporting local, and it was big week for that. I went to Veggie Trail Farms near Bayshore, where I got some of the last strawberry and raspberry crops of the season. Then I finally went to Parma Ravioli in Wellington West where their sandwiches and pasta dishes are to die for.

On Friday, I had the chance to be in the Village of Manotick, where I was working on a Lookout story you will get to read soon. I had some of the best fajita wraps I've ever tasted at Take Another Bite, and then went to the Britannia Coffee House for cookies.

I don't want to step on a scale after all that…

It is a tough time for businesses, and it is important that we support the family-owned ones. The atmosphere and service cannot be matched by the corporate chains.

In keeping with our community news theme, today our Lookout Insider members will get to read about massive changes happening in the Pinecrest-Queensway neighbourhoods. Like many parts of the city, zoning is changing, which means the areas will look a whole lot different in a few years (something most people may not be aware of). Sign up for our exclusive journalism and you can join thousands of members who are reading and supporting hyper-local, neighbourhood journalism.

Let’s get to it!

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor, [email protected], X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Monday: 17 🌡️ 8 | ☀️ 

Tuesday: 22 🌡️ 11 | ☀️

Wednesday: 24 🌡️ 13 | ☀️

DEVELOPMENT

Change is coming to Pinecrest-Queensview

Read this story online here.

Currently a stretch of big-box stores and sprawling parking lots, the area around the Pinecrest Shopping Centre is poised for a dramatic transformation. 

Ottawa’s planning and housing committee has approved the Pinecrest-Queensview Secondary Plan, which could see towers as high as 40 storeys built alongside new retail and greenspace. 

The tallest buildings would be located closest to the highway, with shorter buildings built closer to neighbouring residential communities, which are primarily made up of standalone homes. 

The new development roadmap is based on the fact that light rail transit will soon be rolling through the neighbourhood next to Highway 417, as part of future transit-oriented development opportunities. 

“What the city does is when there is anticipated significant growth, which generally involves transit, they have a special team within the planning department that will sort of carve out a study limit so that they can design what that significant growth will look like,” College Ward Coun. Laine Johnson explained to the Lookout. 

“They will look at what is under the ground, what kind of infrastructure there is, the soil conditions and so on. They will also look at transportation and connectivity to help them identify where a tower could go, how tall it should be, and how far it should be located from existing residences.”

Five neighbourhoods made up the new secondary plan, including Pinecrest, Foster Farm, Queensview, Baxter-Iris, and Morrison Drive. 

An approval does not mean development is imminent, and at the current time there are no publicly known plans to transform the community. But it does give developers permissions if they choose to use them. It is a way of cutting red tape and putting shovels in the ground faster, but is garnering mixed reactions from locals. 

UNITED WAY EAST ONTARIO

United we can face today’s challenges with hope, strength, and lasting solutions for all

Imagine a community where everyone feels supported, no matter what challenges arise. Where families living with housing insecurity find stability, youth struggling with addiction access help, seniors combat isolation, and neighbors come together to build resilience. 

At United Way East Ontario, we are the unifying force in our region, working tirelessly to tackle local issues—from poverty and homelessness to addiction and public safety—using research, advocacy, and smart investments.

We bring people together to build strong, healthy communities, because united, we can create hope and lasting change that reaches every corner of Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark, and Renfrew.

Our commitment: 100% local impact, transparency, and measurable results. Learn how united we can build a stronger region for everyone.

THE OTTAWA NUMBER

20,000

👔 That’s how many jobs were lost in Ottawa over the last five months, according to Statistics Canada. The city’s unemployment rate increased to 6.8 per cent in August from 6.4 per cent in July. The bulk of the jobs were lost in June when 10,100 employees had their positions eliminated. Read more. [CTV]

THE AGENDA

🏠 Ottawa house prices are on the rise. New numbers from Statistics Canada show home prices rose three per cent in August compared to last year. During that month, 1,236 homes were sold, up from 1,110 the previous August. The average price for a home was $686,635. Read more. [CTV]

🚌 OC Transpo drivers and staff approved a new three-year contract with the City of Ottawa. Read more. [CTV]

🚆 OC Transpo is considering an earlier start time for the O-Train Line 2, with the first train potentially departing around 5 am, instead of its current 6 am start. Read more. [CTV]

An independent audit has found that Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard understated his 2022 election sign expenses by $310.98.The amount recorded in Menard’s financial statement for 2022 campaign signs was “inaccurate and is an apparent non-compliance” of the Municipal Elections Act, said the conclusion of the report by OXARO, which conducted the audit. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🌳 Ottawa’s tree canopy study has found that while greenery across the municipality increased between 2017 and 2022, there was a slight decrease within the urban core. The study also identified eight neighbourhoods where more greenery is urgently needed. City staff will be working with councillors representing those wards to determine where more trees are needed. Read more. [CBC]

💨 You’re never too old to drive too fast. A 77-year-old driver was pulled over in the east end for going 141km/h in a construction zone with workers present. His car was impounded, his license suspended, and he faces a charge of stunt driving. Read more. [CTV]

👮 The former part-time deputy commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa was found guilty of sexual offences against a minor. A sentencing date has not yet been set, and while he was relieved of his command position when the charges were filed, the Department of National Defence has yet to comment on what consequences the Major may face following the guilty verdict. Read more. [CBC]

NEW JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Ottawa:

• Senior advisor, community relations at Alto

• Executive director at ByWard Market District Authority

• Government affairs and public policy manager at Cohere

• Director, user experience at Canada Post

• Director, business development and marketing at the University of Ottawa

IMPACT ON

Les activités d'Impact ON / Impact ON's activities

À Ottawa, de plus en plus d’initiatives voient le jour pour soutenir l’entrepreneuriat francophone sous toutes ses formes. Impact ON s’inscrit dans ce mouvement en proposant des programmes pensés pour répondre aux besoins de différentes communautés.

Avec Femmes en action, les femmes francophones trouvent un espace pour transformer leurs idées en projets concrets et prendre confiance en leur parcours entrepreneurial. Avec CoopLab Ottawa, ce sont les modèles collectifs et coopératifs qui sont à l’honneur, une alternative durable pour entreprendre autrement. Enfin, grâce au programme mené en collaboration avec FrancoQueer, les personnes 2SLGBTQIA+ francophones bénéficient d’un accompagnement inclusif pour donner vie à leurs ambitions.

Trois programmes, une mission : rendre l’entrepreneuriat accessible, inclusif et porteur d’impact.

Plus d’informations et inscriptions sur impact-on.com.

EVENTS

Orléans Ribfest and Poutine | 255 Centrum Blvd., Orléans | Sept. 12–14 | Ribs, poutine and sticky fingers at this tasty festival | Free

4th Annual Butter Tart Festival | 6154 Abbott St. East, Stittsville | Sept. 13, 9 am | Sweet treats, games, food and vegan tarts galore | Free

Dumpling Fest Ottawa | Various restaurants, K2P 2E3 | Sept. 10, 5:30–9:30 pm | Taste dumplings from around the world at restaurants | Tickets $54.61+

WOW Festival | Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W | Sept. 12, 2025 | Health-focused festival with 200+ groups supporting mental, physical and substance use wellness | Free

Nuits claires | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street | Sept. 12–13 | A theatrical collage of 12 playwrights’ nighttime-inspired works from across Canada | Tickets $25

Open NCC BikeNight | Confederation Park | Sept. 13, 7:30–9:30 pm | A nighttime cycling event along Queen Elizabeth Driveway with lights and fun | Free

Westboro Farmers' Market | Byron Linear Park, 579 Byron Avenue | Sept. 13, 9:30 am–3 pm | 60+ local vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and more | Free

Taste of Manotick | Manotick Main St. | Sept. 13 | Local shops and vendors fill the street with charm | Free

2025 Kanata Craft Beer Festival | KRP Properties, 373 Leggett Dr. | Sept. 19-20 | A west-end beer festival with craft brews, wines, eats and live entertainment | Tickets $25

Annual HARVEST Market | The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Old Montreal Rd. | Sept. 20, 9 am–3 pm | A special one-day market with 120 vendors, food, music and family fun | Free

Aqua | National Arts Centre – Southam Hal | Sept. 20 | 90s pop icons perform live with special guests | Tickets $61+

R&B Fest | Hyde & Seek – 130 George St. | Sept. 20, 4 pm | DJs spin 90s and 00s R&B for a throwback dance party | Tickets $35+

Carp Fair | Carp Fairgrounds – 3790 Carp Rd. | Sept. 25–28 | Historic rural fair with rides, food, and family fun | Tickets $20

Rick Mercer’s Stand-Up For Canada | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St. | Sept. 27, time not listed | Rick Mercer brings his comedy tour to Ottawa with special guest

Want to see your event here? Submit them to our event calendar.

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

Sidewalks won’t be built in Manor Park following fierce pushback

Sidewalks won’t be coming to Manor Park after all. Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King confirmed in his newsletter last week that plans fell through following fierce criticism from the community.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• HexRoute is a new local service, offering to create value for Ottawa South, with bicycle delivery for letters or small packages. [Sponsored]

• A group of six young adults raised over $26,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society during last month's Ironman Triathlon. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Redditors are compiling a list of Ottawa-area breweries that will take four-pack beer holders for reuse. [Reddit]

• The annual “Girls Fly Day” took place over the weekend. [CTV]

• The Gay Garden Society and a queer sewing group are providing new ways for LGBTQ2S+ individuals to make friends. [Kitchissippi Times]

• There are at least 15 job fairs taking place around town this week. [Reddit]

OTTAWA QUIZ

ON THIS DAY

September 8, 1964: The Ottawa-to-Carp cables, which set off 39 sirens in Ottawa and Hull a few days prior, “are so lightly protected, even screws can chew through them,” reported the Ottawa Citizen. The false alarm caused well over 1,000 people to call police asking if an air attack was imminent. 

September 8, 1970: Ottawa was on the verge of officially declaring itself a bilingual city. A 15-step long-term program was set to be released, but at the time, an official proclamation would not be coming. 

One piece of the debate was whether or not an official bilingual policy should be enacted. The city said no employees would lose their jobs if they didn’t also speak French, but said “there will be a move to place bilingual employees in positions which require contact with the public.”

Information is from the Ottawa Journal and Ottawa Citizen archives on newspapers.com

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Hundreds of people took to McCarthy Park on Saturday for the annual Hunt Club Community Association Fall Fair. There were free Zumba lessons, drum circles, food, music, and more.