Record rain closes popular sunflower farm for the season

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Good morning,

Are we still in August? It’s feeling more like the end of September outside. While I must admit I’m a fan of the cooler temperatures, I’m certainly not ready for summer to end — at least not yet. 

Ottawa’s bizarre weather patterns have resulted in sunflower crops at Sultan Farm and Sanctuary being destroyed this year. I spoke with owner Jessica Sultan about the devastating financial impacts it will have on her family business. 

The province has also changed rules around supervised injection sites which will result in the closure of one facility in Ottawa. The Somerset West Health Centre said it will have a negative impact on their clients and lead to deaths. 

I’d like to take a moment to congratulate Robert Hiltz on his new position at the Ottawa Citizen. It’s been a true privilege working with Robert over the last year and I'm so excited to see where this new chapter leads him. I’d also like to thank Geoff Sharpe for allowing me to write for the Lookout on a more regular basis. I’ve seen firsthand in the community how engaged the readership is. It’s always a privilege to meet you on the streets and in coffee shops. 

A bit about me for those who don’t know: I’ve been an award-winning journalist in Ottawa for the last seven years. My day job is as editor of the Kitchissippi Times newspaper and I also write for our sister publication, the Ottawa Business Journal.

Much of my writings will be linked in future Lookout newsletters. You can also read my opinions in the Ottawa Citizen or follow me on X @charlie_senack. I was also recently on CBC’s The National to talk about how Meta’s sensor shop of news is affecting local news. You can watch that here.  

Let's get to the important news of the day.

— 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

Wednesday: 18 🌡️ 11 | 🌧

Thursday: 21 🌡️ 11 | 🌤

Friday: 26 🌡️ 15 | ☀️

ENVIRONMENT

Flooded fields: Rain washes out popular sunflower farm

Since 2019, Sultan Farm and Sanctuary has been a place where people have flocked to take pictures and create memories. The rows of sunflowers located in Ashton, about 30 minutes outside of the city, offer up a perfect backdrop for Instagram reels and wedding photos. 

What happened: But this year's rainy weather has resulted in the crops being destroyed. Owner Jessica Sultan said they have no choice but to remain closed for the rest of the year. 

• “In the spring it was wet for a very long time. The fields didn’t dry up from the thaw nearly as soon as they normally do,” Sultan told the Ottawa Lookout. “We also had many significant rain events. We couldn’t plant on time because of how wet it was and how long it took. The seeds were either washed away or were drowned.”

Fifteen acres with thousands of sunflowers are typically planted in two fields. They attract thousands to the farm each year. Sultan said many photographers regularly use the space for shoots and donate a portion of the proceeds back to the farm. 

Lost funds a burden to abandoned animals 

When Sultan purchased her Ashton hobby farm with husband Omar in 2016, they wanted to use their acreage to help animals who needed rescuing. They started planting sunflowers to harvest the seeds to be used for bird seed or oil, and opened up their fields to the public to raise funds for the rescue work. Admission is by donation. 

• “It’s something my family and I have really enjoyed. We have families who are regular visitors and send us pictures every year. It’s inspiring to see the joy it brings,” said Sultan. 

The farm currently houses about six goats and 12 pigs. In the past, they’ve also rescued miniature horses, rabbits, ducks and chicks. Even though it won’t be opened this year, many regulars have chosen to still donate. 

“We are responsible and we can pay for them, but we are a family of seven,” said Sultan. “The overwhelming amount of community support has provided comfort. It’s returned some of the joy to know how much people care that this has happened to us and what the impact will be.”

• How to donate: There is a PayPal button on our website where people can send money via e-transfer to [email protected]

Record rain and changing weather patterns 

It’s been a wet year in Ottawa. Two weeks ago between 80 and 120 millimetres of rain flooded the capital as a result of Tropical Storm Debby. In rural parts of the city, intersections were flooded and crops were drowned.

Around the same time, record-breaking rainfall resulted in 75.8 mm of rain being recorded at the Experimental Farm. In the south end, 45.5 mm was reported at the Ottawa Airport. Statistics on the city’s website stated 155,700 litres of storm water and wastewater overflowed the sewage system and flowed into the Ottawa River, reported the Ottawa Citizen. 

Sultan said she has concerns over how climate change might impact her farm and others in the future. 

“The weather has become completely unpredictable. We also grow hay for the animals and there is hay this year, but it’s not nearly as much,” she said. “You can see it on all the farms around here. People are trying to harvest their hay between bouts of rain.”

SPONSORED BY PERTH TOURISM

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Join us for the much-anticipated return of the Perth Night Market on Saturday, September 14, 2024! Starting at 5 p.m., this free event features over 90 artisans, crafters, and makers from Lanark County, Ottawa Valley, and beyond. Enjoy live entertainment, including musicians and magicians, showcasing local talent.

Stroll through Perth's charming heritage streets, with shops open late just for you. Savour delicious food and drinks under the stars at our fantastic restaurants and pubs, or enjoy takeout in the picturesque Stewart Park by the Tay River.

Convenient shuttle service from 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. will ensure easy access from various parking lots on the outskirts of Perth to the heart of the festivities.

Don't miss the magic of Perth’s streets at night. For more details and updates, visit Perth.ca/Nightmarket.

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🏥 $104k: The amount of money raised during the annual Spurs and Sparkles event in support of the Queensway Carleton Hospital. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🏢 158: The number of residential units being built in a converted government office building in Downtown Ottawa. [Ottawa Business Journal]

OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

🏋️‍♂️ A popular gym in Barrhaven has closed its doors temporarily due to “unforeseen circumstances.” My Gym located off Strandherd Drive said they are unable to continue operating in its current space. Refunds will be given to parents whose children’s summer camps and birthday parties have been cancelled. [CTV]

🏈 The kickoff of the National Capital Amateur Football Association’s 69th season and the 2024 Ottawa tackle football season is underway. On Aug. 10, the Tyke Tussle at TD Place Stadium brought together families and children in the U10 age division for their first taste of competitive football in a jamboree-style format. [Barrhaven Independent]

⛪️ Ottawa Police have laid charges following vandalism at a Bells Corners church. An unidentified 25-year-old male was arrested after several thousand dollars worth of damage was done in repeated attacks. [CTV] 

🏳️‍🌈 On Aug. 12, a large crowd was on hand for Councillor Gower’s annual Pride flag-raising ceremony held at Stittsville’s Village Square Park. Kimberlee Barter, Director of Centre 33, shared how the safe and inclusive space is making a positive difference in the lives of people while encouraging advocacy for equity and social justice. [Stittsville Central]

DRUG CRISIS

Ontario bans safe consumption sites near hospitals and childcare centres

The issue: At the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference held in Ottawa, Sylvia Jones, the province's health minister, announced supervised drug consumption sites would be banned within 200 metres of schools or childcare centres. That will result in the closure of 10 facilities across Ontario including one in Ottawa. 

Here in Ottawa: During a virtual press conference held Tuesday afternoon, the Somerset West Community Health Centre announced their safe injection site would be mandated to close by the end of March 2025. 

“We have not had any opportunity to engage with the provincial government prior to this message,” said Suzanne Obiorah, executive director of the Somerset West Community Health Centre. “We are concerned the decision to defund will have devastating consequences for our community. We have always been committed to the health and well-being of our community.” ‘

• The change will result in only seven safe consumption sites operating across the province. Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, which is allowed to remain open, has concerns it will further strain their already limited resources. 

“This is a supply and demand problem and reductions of one service to redirect services to another will not serve our issue,” said Robin McAndrew, executive director of the Sandy Hill Centre. “We are going to need to prepare for serious impact in lives lost, impact on emergency services and societal disorder. The HART model will be a wonderful addition, but it is devastating that it comes at a cost of lower barrier pathways to treatment.”

Why the closure: One of the reasons the Ontario government said it’s closing the Somerset West facility is due to a 146% increase in crime reported in the area. Obiorah called that number a “misconception.” 

Some services added: While there are cuts to service, the province has also announced $378 million to set up 19 new homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hubs using the ‘Hart’ Model.

• It will provide primary care, mental health services, addiction care support, social services/employment support, shelter and transition beds, and housing. What’s not provided under this model is a safe drug supply, supervised consumption sites or needle exchange programs — three areas Somerset says are crucial. 

Opposition reacts: In a press release, Ontario Liberal Party leader Bonnie Crombie seemed to welcome the move, agreeing that faculties where people inject drugs should not be around kids. She did however accuse the Premier of taking away essential services and said more clarity was needed on how treatment will be provided. 

The Ontario NDP had a different view and said critical health supports were being taken away in the middle of a worsening homelessness and addictions crisis. 

Other groups: The Registered Nurses Association called the move a “death sentence” for users. Justin Piché, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa, told CBC the change will result in more lives lost. 

• “Drug toxicity deaths will increase, and that's the bottom line. The province is making a big mistake that is going to cost people their lives,” said Piché.

GIG LISTINGS

Aviva Chernick, Wednesday 12 pm: Reimagining traditional Judeo-Spanish folk music into the present day with intimacy and emotional range. At the National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street. Free Show. 

Hank’s Dream, Thursday 8 pm: Montreal indie 4-piece with elements of new-wave rock.  At the Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray St.  Tickets $17. 

Banggz, Friday 8 pm: Nigerian rapper channels his life experiences into deeply relatable hip-hop infused with influences from his homeland.  At Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St. Tickets $18. 

Barnstorm Festival, Saturday 5 pm: Ash Ravens leads a bill of six live bands of various genres, along with DJ’s. At The Sanctuary, Finch. Tickets from $50.

Dead Root Revival, Saturday 8 pm: Elements of blues, rock, hard rock, jazz all mixed and moulded into a raw, powerful live show.  At Live! on Elgin, 220 Elgin Street. Tickets $15.

Listings are provided by OttawaGigs.ca, the best place to discover live music in Ottawa. Check out Ottawagigs.ca for full listings across the city.

THE AGENDA

🏫 The Ottawa Carleton District School Board is getting set to elect a new trustee for Kanata. The vote will take place in October after first-term trustee Alysha Aziz announced she was resigning for personal reasons. The board said they will hear short presentations from candidates who are eyeing the job. [Ottawa Citizen]

👮🏼‍♀️ Gatineau police confirm a body was pulled from the Ottawa River near Jacques Cartier Park on Saturday. Representatives said they are in the early proceedings of an investigation and would not comment on the manner of death or who the victim was. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏳️‍🌈 More organizations and community groups are pulling out of Capital Pride festivities two weeks after the group threw its support behind Palestine in the Middle Eastern conflict. The Liberal Party and the US Embassy have joined the growing list of boycotts, which also include Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, the Ottawa Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and the German Embassy. Capital Pride organizers issued a statement reiterating their “commitment to fostering safe and inclusive spaces where everyone is welcomed." [CTV]

🚊 In an unsurprising blow for university students, OC Transpo confirms its long-awaited Trillium Line will not be open for the first day of classes. The 21-day trial testing period has not begun but progress is going well, the city stated in a report for the Light-Rail Transit Subcommittee. On the brighter side, all 13 stations have obtained occupancy permits and certificates have been issued for elevators. [CTV]

🚎 Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford in the Capital on Monday, but no further commitments for transit funds were announced. Sutcliffe said he felt Ford was aware of the city’s “unique challenges” and was looking forward to ongoing conversations. As the city is looking to fill a $140 million transit funding gap, Kanata MP Jenna Sudds said it’s up to the city to get its own house in order. [CTV]

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus is getting set to perform its first Pride performance at the Gladstone Theatre. [Kitchissippi Times]  

• 🔜  Better fibre internet coming soon to Ottawa-Gatineau. Trust TELUS to deliver PureFibre internet at the speed of light. Conditions apply. Learn more at Telus.com/PureFibreOttawa.

• Ottawa native Richard Evans has returned to his hometown as the musical producer for a new production of “Come from Away.” [Ottawa Citizen]

• The West End Studio tour is gearing up for its annual fall festivities this September. [Kitchissippi Times]

• An Ottawa man is cycling to the city’s 33 library branches this summer. [CBC]

• Popular music venue Red Bird is taking its shows to other venues to keep up with the growing demand for live music. [Ottawa Citizen]

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INSIDER CITY HALL

What to expect when you’re expecting a transit death spiral

This story is available for Insider City Hall members. Consider becoming a member today and support independent journalism that investigates and explores the issues happening at city hall and across Ottawa.

In a lot of ways, the start of the spiral is no one’s fault. When COVID swept across the globe in 2020, it upended the underlying logic of transit systems almost everywhere. Ottawa was no exception. 

But since 2020, OC Transpo has been slower to recover ridership than other cities across the country. At the same time it has struggled with an LRT line beset by problems, and a bus service plagued by unreliability. 

As a result, ridership has lagged. Now, OC Transpo has announced that starting Aug. 26, it will cut LRT service in half during off-peak daytime and nighttime hours.