Traffic headaches end, as 417 is set to reopen

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Good morning!

At long last, the move is over. Well, at least, the moving part of moving. Now for all the unpacking. I’ve had to write this one surrounded by boxes looming over me. But the hard stuff is done, it’s downhill from here. You’ll no longer have to hear about the trials and tribulations that have plagued this move of mine.

All to say, it’s nice to be settled at last. Even if there’s more to be done, it’s a relief. (Maybe as much for you, as it has been for me.)

Anyhow, enough of that, let’s get to your newsletter.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

PS - There's still time to get early access to our new food publication. Take our Ottawa food survey here, help shape the direction of Capital Eats and get early access to new stories.

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Weather Report

Monday: 27 🌡️ 12 | ☀️

Tuesday: 26 🌡️ 17 | 🌦

Wednesday: 27 🌡️ 15 | 🌧

OTTAWA THIS WEEK

• Tuesday: Statistics Canada releases inflation figures for July. The Bank of Canada expects inflation to be about eight percent.

• Tuesday: A mayoral debate on the environment will be held in Barrhaven by CAFES Ottawa.

• Friday: The deadline for municipal election candidates is at 2 pm, after which point no one can register or withdraw from the run for mayor, councillor, or school board trustee.

• All week: Nightly LRT closures for maintenance are ongoing. See OC Transpo for the full schedule of what sections aren’t open

TRAFFIC

Queensway closure ends this morning

What happened: The traffic nightmare gripping much of the city should end at 6 am this morning. A five-kilometre stretch of the 417 will reopen after the Booth Street Bridge was replaced. The closure of the downtown section of the highway put extra pressure on roads throughout the city, causing slowdowns just about everywhere.

Not all bad: The construction contractor set up a viewing area so people could watch the work from a safe distance. Several people who spoke to the Ottawa Citizen said it was fascinating to see such a big project come together in such a brief span of time. “It’s not like every day you see an overpass being taken out and … a new one (put) in there,” a 10-year-old told the newspaper.

• If you’re reading this early enough, you can watch the live stream when the highway is scheduled to reopen.

It won’t be the last bridge replaced along the highway. The Citizen reported the Rochester Street bridge was scheduled to be replaced this month, but it was postponed and a new date hasn’t been set. Next year, the bridges at Bronson and Percy will be replaced in July and August.

HOUSING

Mobility device users trapped by elevator shutdown

What happened: Both elevators at a building in the Market have been down for more than a week. This has stranded about a dozen residents who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices, either leaving them stuck in their rooms, or unable to get to their apartments, CBC reported.

• The Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, who operate the building, told one resident to call the fire department to carry her and her wheelchair upstairs to her unit. Another resident had to get a friend to deliver food.

The problem: The corporation said a specialized part unexpectedly failed, and a new one wasn’t expected to arrive until sometime this week. The corporation said the elevators were well maintained, but residents told CBC one or both elevators were frequently out of order.

SPONSORED BY UBER

Uber Canada reaches agreement with Union

Uber Canada and UFCW Canada have reached an historic national agreement to advance a better future for app-based workers. It prioritizes what drivers and delivery people want: enhancing their flexibility to work if, when, and where they choose with a stronger voice and new benefits and protections.

This made-in-Canada agreement is a global first. And together, Uber and UFCW are pressing provincial governments for industry-wide reforms that were crafted from years of research and feedback from those who will be affected most.

The proposed reforms include a minimum earnings standard equivalent to at least 120% of minimum wage during engaged time, a benefits fund that scales based on time spent on platforms, notice of account termination, accident coverage, and access to workers’ rights.

From a driver’s perspective, these reforms are comprehensive and deserves to be implemented. Now, it’s time for governments to act.

JOBS AROUND TOWN

• Communications advisor at the Department of Justice

• Senior full stack developer at the Bank of Canada

• Intelligence specialist at the National Research Council

• Environmental group director at the International Institute for Sustainable Development

• Head of government affairs at 3M Canada

Have a job you want advertised? Contact our sales team about showing your job to 22,000 engaged locals.

HEALTHCARE

Health system problems reaches beyond hospitals

Long waits: The problems in health care go beyond closing emergency rooms, the waitlist for a family doctor is about a year long, CTV reported.

• The lack of family doctors puts the rest of the system in crisis. People have to take medical issues to an emergency room that otherwise could have been treated by a general practitioner.

No easy fix: The healthcare workers who spoke to CTV said there wasn’t a fast solution, but paying nurses better, and recruiting more family doctors was crucial. Bill 124, which caps healthcare wage rises at one percent, should be repealed, an ER doctor said told CTV.

The Renfrew model: Just to the west of the city, Renfrew County may offer an lesson in what could work, CBC reported. They employ community paramedics, who are available to go to the homes of the elderly or people with chronic health issues, for non-emergency calls. They’re able to help people that need it, without having to call 911 and go to an ER.

STORIES YOU MIGHT’VE MISSED

Lawsuit against councillor dropped: A defamation and breach of privacy lawsuit has been dropped against rural Coun. George Darouze. He was being sued over an incident that the integrity commissioner found him guilty of breaching the councillor code of conduct. Darouze emailed the chief of police to look into the conduct of a police officer after the officer's wife criticized him on Facebook. [CBC]

Community pantry damaged: The Parkdale Food Centre community fridge and pantry was deliberately set on fire and had to be closed for the weekend. Fortunately, an off-duty firefighter saw the fire before it got out of control. The pantry was damaged by smoke and water, but the firefighter and another bystander saved the fridge. [CTV]

Merry Dairy bike stolen, then found: It took only 30 minutes after the popular Merry Dairy noticed their ice cream delivery bike was missing for them to get it back. It was found a few kilometres away from the shop, after the Dairy posted online it was missing. Several residents said they’d seen it near Elgin Street, and the distinctive green bike was picked up. [CTV]

Two Ottawans die in plane crash: A man and a woman in their 70s from Ottawa died in a plane crash on Saturday. The plane they were in crashed near a private airport in Port Hope, Ont. The cause of the crash is not yet known. [CTV]

Global epidural shortage: Regional hospitals are looking to find other suppliers for epidural catheters, as supply chain issues are making them scarce. The Kingston General is warning expectant parents that while it currently has a supply of catheters, it may not be possible to administer anaesthetic when it comes time to give birth. The Ottawa Hospital said it is looking to find alternatives in case they need them. [CBC]

Community highlights

• Two Ottawa-area teens are heading to the Pokémon World Championships in London, hoping to win the $25,000 prize. [Ottawa Citizen]

• Over 75 public gardens, cocktails, tours, Shakespeare - Ottawa Garden Festival has something for everyone. On now until August 21. See the events.*

• If you’re having trouble getting a slot for your kids’ COVID vaccinations, Ottawa Public Health have a bunch of drop-in clinics across town.

• You need to try the cod fritters at Bistro Ristoro, a hidden gem in our city.

• A local father diagnosed with aggressive cancer is raising money for his son, who was born with a rare condition that needs constant care and medical supplies. You can donate to the family’s GoFundMe here.

• At the King Eddy, the onion rings are really great, but the burger is even better. Maybe even the best in Ottawa.

• The Lanark County Plowing Match returned after a two-year pandemic hiatus. [CTV]

• Instead of a series of bridges over the city, imagine instead if the 417 was underground. [Reddit]

*Sponsored post

OTTAWA QUIZ

The answer to Friday’s wordle was Heron. Did you get it right?

The 417 was closed over the weekend for a bridge replacement, in what year did construction begin on the section of the Queensway that runs through town? Reply to this email with your name, and we’ll share it if you get it right!

TOP PHOTO

Today’s top photo was sent in by Louise Bradley. It’s of two hummingbirds, captured in flight. “Beauty in flight at Fletcher Gardens,” Louise wrote. No kidding!

Do you have shots from around town you’d like to see in the newsletter? Send them our way! We’re always looking to publish reader photos.

Latest COVID stats

Note: Ottawa Public Health is now only updating COVID stats twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Because of the Lookout’s publishing schedule, this means the numbers here may be out of date. For the most recent stats, see the OPH COVID Dashboard.

• Active Cases: 980

• Total deaths: 859

• Ottawans In Hospital: 26

• Ottawans In ICU: 2

• Acute Beds Occupied: 100%

• ICU Beds Occupied: 76%

• ICU Ventilator Beds Occupied: 34%

Previous Lookout editions

• Road closures and private healthcare? - read more

• The province has no plan to fix hospitals - read more

• Five solutions to Ottawa’s healthcare crisis - read more 

• Why home sales dropped 35 percent in July - read more