November Column
Content
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE OTTAWA REDBLACKS FOR THEIR WIN LAST SATURDAY!
BUDGET 2016 – The draft was prepared by City Staff and the Mayor, and provided to Council on
th
November 12 . The budget calls for $3.165 billion for operations (including police, library, water & sewer,
transit, parks, fire, paramedics, social services, housing, roads & governing). About half of this is paid for
by property taxes and 25% by fees and services (including the water bill & transit fares). The rest is paid
for by grants from other levels of government, reserves and other incomes.
I am concerned that insufficient funds are being provided for snow clearing, and maintaining our roads
and parks. For example, no road in Kanata North is listed for repaving in 2016. The capital budget is
funded separately but has also been cut due to funds from development charges (paid on new
construction) being less than expected. In Kanata North, that means that construction of the pass under
Terry Fox and fixing the intersection at the Centrum have been pushed back for at least 5 years as is the
road work on Campeau west of Huntmar. The work on Klondike east of March and the extension of
Campeau from Terry Fox to Huntmar will proceed, but the bridge over the Carp river won’t be completed
until 2019. The Carp River Restoration is progressing, and other projects are listed on my website.
You can provide input on the budget by presenting at any of the Standing Committees, Boards &
Commissions (dates are on ottawa.ca), sending me your comments or attending my Town Hall (see
below). I believe we need to reorganize the City to reduce management levels and give more
responsibility to front line employees.
TOWN HALL MEETING, Nov. 30, 7-9 pm
Kanata Senior’s Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr. (Owen Prince Room)
To find out more about the City budget and to provide your input make sure you attend. I’ll have plans for
the first fenced dog park in Kanata North and updates on development items, including Richardson Flats,
2 The Parkway, Expansion Lands, Carp River Restoration and March/Eagleson Overpass. I’ll also have
information on a nuisance mosquito plan, helping Syrian refugees, and taxi issues. Come & stay informed
about your community.
OC TRANSPO FOOD DRIVE AT LOBLAWS
th
On Saturday, Dec 5 buses will be at the Loblaws stores in Kanata to collect food and donations for the
Kanata Food Cupboard. At 5:30 pm the Food Cupboard will kick-off their Christmas season, and then
volunteers will unload the buses at the Food Cupboard warehouse, 340 Legget Drive, Unit 46. All are
welcome to help with the unloading – it’s a great community experience.
UPCOMING EVENTS
rd
Nov. 28, All That Glam! 3 Annual Jewelry Fundraiser for Nunavut, 8am-2pm, RRCK, 4101
Innovation Drive – gently used jewelry and brand-name handbags available for sale to support a
breakfast program for children in Nunavut.
Dec. 5, RRCK Holiday Party, 10am-12pm, 4101 Innovation Dr. – join me for holiday fun with cookie
decorating, crafts and other fun activities for the kids.
Dec. 5, Mayor’s Christmas Celebration, 2pm-6pm, City Hall – bring a non-perishable food donation to
the Ottawa Food Bank and enjoy free skating on the Sens Rink of Dreams, horse-drawn wagon rides, hot
chocolate, beaver tails and roasted marshmallows.
Dec. 8, Public Meeting on Kanata Highlands being added to the Urban Boundary, 6:30pm, Kanata
Senior’s Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr.
Dec. 13, Kanata North Holiday Social, 2-4 pm, Beaverbrook Library (Room B) – Refreshments and
entertainment.
View my website for a list of Kanata North Christmas Concerts.
BUDGET 2016 – The draft was prepared by City Staff and the Mayor, and provided to Council on
th
November 12 . The budget calls for $3.165 billion for operations (including police, library, water & sewer,
transit, parks, fire, paramedics, social services, housing, roads & governing). About half of this is paid for
by property taxes and 25% by fees and services (including the water bill & transit fares). The rest is paid
for by grants from other levels of government, reserves and other incomes.
I am concerned that insufficient funds are being provided for snow clearing, and maintaining our roads
and parks. For example, no road in Kanata North is listed for repaving in 2016. The capital budget is
funded separately but has also been cut due to funds from development charges (paid on new
construction) being less than expected. In Kanata North, that means that construction of the pass under
Terry Fox and fixing the intersection at the Centrum have been pushed back for at least 5 years as is the
road work on Campeau west of Huntmar. The work on Klondike east of March and the extension of
Campeau from Terry Fox to Huntmar will proceed, but the bridge over the Carp river won’t be completed
until 2019. The Carp River Restoration is progressing, and other projects are listed on my website.
You can provide input on the budget by presenting at any of the Standing Committees, Boards &
Commissions (dates are on ottawa.ca), sending me your comments or attending my Town Hall (see
below). I believe we need to reorganize the City to reduce management levels and give more
responsibility to front line employees.
TOWN HALL MEETING, Nov. 30, 7-9 pm
Kanata Senior’s Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr. (Owen Prince Room)
To find out more about the City budget and to provide your input make sure you attend. I’ll have plans for
the first fenced dog park in Kanata North and updates on development items, including Richardson Flats,
2 The Parkway, Expansion Lands, Carp River Restoration and March/Eagleson Overpass. I’ll also have
information on a nuisance mosquito plan, helping Syrian refugees, and taxi issues. Come & stay informed
about your community.
OC TRANSPO FOOD DRIVE AT LOBLAWS
th
On Saturday, Dec 5 buses will be at the Loblaws stores in Kanata to collect food and donations for the
Kanata Food Cupboard. At 5:30 pm the Food Cupboard will kick-off their Christmas season, and then
volunteers will unload the buses at the Food Cupboard warehouse, 340 Legget Drive, Unit 46. All are
welcome to help with the unloading – it’s a great community experience.
UPCOMING EVENTS
rd
Nov. 28, All That Glam! 3 Annual Jewelry Fundraiser for Nunavut, 8am-2pm, RRCK, 4101
Innovation Drive – gently used jewelry and brand-name handbags available for sale to support a
breakfast program for children in Nunavut.
Dec. 5, RRCK Holiday Party, 10am-12pm, 4101 Innovation Dr. – join me for holiday fun with cookie
decorating, crafts and other fun activities for the kids.
Dec. 5, Mayor’s Christmas Celebration, 2pm-6pm, City Hall – bring a non-perishable food donation to
the Ottawa Food Bank and enjoy free skating on the Sens Rink of Dreams, horse-drawn wagon rides, hot
chocolate, beaver tails and roasted marshmallows.
Dec. 8, Public Meeting on Kanata Highlands being added to the Urban Boundary, 6:30pm, Kanata
Senior’s Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr.
Dec. 13, Kanata North Holiday Social, 2-4 pm, Beaverbrook Library (Room B) – Refreshments and
entertainment.
View my website for a list of Kanata North Christmas Concerts.
