Community Voice - September 3, 2020 1 Your WEST CommunityVoice CARLETON September 3, 2020 [email protected] 613-45-VOICE www.ottawavoice.ca [email protected] Vol. 3 No. 17 INSIDE THIS EDITION Walkable Carp survey launches, page 6. West Carleton welcomes rookie firefighters, page 11. Erin McCracken photo Plaza Progress Winston Ang, CEO of Blueprint Properties, centre, stands with his team of workers who are reconstructing the Dunrobin Plaza. Ang says the target West Carleton Legion completion date is October depending on weather. For the story, please turn to page 8. branch to reopen, page 14. 2 September 3, 2020 - Community Voice News Erin McCracken photo Papa Walks 4 Kids Russell Mackay and his supporters passed through Kinburn, Marathon and Carp last weekend in his quest to raise funds for CHEO. From Aug. 24 to Sept. 3 he walked 129 kilometres from his home in Beachburg, Ont. to the children’s hospital in Alta Vista, generating more than $50,000 along the way. Mackay, who is known as Papa, is 82, legally blind and diabetic. All ladies $ clothingbuy 3 ladies clothing get 1 free!!! All ladies $ buy 3 ladies swimsuits, swimsuits get 201 free!!! AALLLLargearLgeL QQuantities uMMEN’SanEtitNies’ oofSf SSmall SSHIRTSmaHll IaandnRd T55XLX25SL + ssmall 66XLXmL +a 77XLlXLl ttoo 7 XXLL $ ALL STORE RACKING & HANGERS FOR SALE! 5 OPEN DAILY 10 – 4 PM (Covid precautions in place) OTT-AD-4352 Your Community Voice-5.15x10.71-August-Small Things.indd 1 2020-08-17 11:40 AM News Community Voice - September 3, 2020 3 Public to weigh in on ward boundary options BY ERIN McCRACKEN “The only big push we possibly a fourth in 2034, ac- heard time and time again is cording to the city. Six options that will re- rural residents like to be with A second round of con- shape Ottawa’s wards actu- rural residents,” El-Chantiry sultations is now under- ally won’t result in significant said. way. A survey at ottawa.ca/ change for West Carleton During the last review in wardboundary and engage. and South March, accord- 2005, South March residents ottawa.ca/ward-boundary- ing to the Ward 5 councillor. indicated they wanted to be review-2020 is available, as “For West Carleton it part of a rural ward rather well as an online ranking means we go back to the pre- than remain with Kanata tool, until Sept. 25. vious boundary,” said West North. Virtual public consultation Carleton-March Coun. Eli “That’s why we took all sessions are scheduled from El-Chantiry. of South March,” said Sept. 10 to 23. Advance on- Under the six possible op- El-Chantiry. line registration is required tions, the ward will once Since the last ward bound- at the same links. again dip to the south side ary review, the city’s popu- The Zoom meetings with of Hwy. 417 to include the lation has grown to one a citywide focus take place West Carleton Business Park million people. Much of the Sept. 10, 12 and 19. A ses- as well as 156 homes in the growth has been in the sub- sion with a suburban focus vicinity of Rothbourne Road. urban wards. happens Sept. 14. The ru- “That should be with West “This has resulted in sub- ral-focus meeting is Sept. Carleton so that will come stantial population imbal- 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. and an back to us,” he said. “We felt ances between wards that urban-focus session takes it is better suited to stay with affect fair and equal repre- place Sept. 23. us. It’s closer to us.” sentation for voters and their The final boundary recom- The Canadian Golf & communities,” staff said in a mendations are scheduled Country Club and several recent statement. to go before the city’s finance homes on the south side of That prompted council to and economic development Hwy. 7 will also be returned task staff with hiring an in- commission and then city from Rideau-Goulbourn dependent consultant to council this December. Ward. review and establish ward You can also email com- South March will not boundaries for at least three ments to wardboundary@ change and will remain part future municipal elections ottawa.ca. of Ward 5. in 2022, 2026 and 2030, and [email protected] Erin McCracken photo Market Day in the Bay The Constance Bay Community Market was a popular destination Aug. 22 when organizers distributed their sold out monthly cheer boxes filled with goodies from West Carleton vendors. Amanda Gillespie from Limestone Acres and Amanda and Emma Chapman from Woodkilton Gardens also sold their wares during the mini market. Hudson corn was also available for purchase. Shannon Cuddihey from Constance Bay Rentals purchased 25 dozen ears and donated them to the market so that any sales would support market operations. 4 September 3, 2020 - Community Voice EDITORIAL Time to follow suit The provincial financial financial impacts as a result partnerships with compa- in services. This will be in bailout to municipalities is a of the pandemic and has sig- nies like Uber that offer on- addition to the federal and good start, but only goes part nalled more money could be demand services. provincial increases in taxes way to filling the deep hole on the way. A task force has been formed required to cover the costs of the city finds itself in. But the second phase of under the leadership of the the pandemic. The combined additional funding won’t be a blank city treasurer looking at ad- Everyone will have to funding by the province of cheque ditional budget reduction tighten their respective belts. $124 million represents just The city will have to submit measures in the event the city The city cannot run deficits two-thirds of the projected an application for Phase 2 doesn’t receive the second by provincial law. It means shortfall of $192 million for funding by the end of October round of provincial funding our elected representatives the fiscal year 2020. outlining expenses tied to to close the gap heading into will have to make some hard Of this amount $75 million COVID-19 operating costs. 2021. decisions affecting ongoing is for the deep drop in transit For OC Transpo, which has In other words, finance staff operations. revenue, just half of the antic- seen a steep decline in fare are trying to build a safety net Other municipalities across ipated year-end loss for OC revenue, and other transit should the expected remain- this country have bitten the Transpo. agencies in the province, ad- ing one-third shortfall not be bullet and laid off full-time The balance is to cover ditional financial relief comes covered by the upper level of staff temporarily, notably bus COVID-19 operating costs with a caveat. The provincial government. City council is operators – except Ottawa. and other budget pressures government has mandated missing a major piece of the This council needs to take for 2020. that the city will have to con- puzzle when it sits down to the blinders off and start talk- The Ford government has sider replacing some of their craft the 2021 budget, which ing tough with its unions that recognized some munici- least-used bus routes with is due in 120 days. the status quo isn’t an option palities like our capital city private short-haul private Be prepared for tax in- going forward. A hiring pause have experienced greater services – potentially through creases as well reductions will not be enough. time on city council, it took them to remind residents acquire and protect for pos- OP-ED: Be a local river keeper strong leadership and com- that the drains have a strong terity ecological properties mitment to chart a plan to connection to our local and wetlands or to help stop downtown sewers from ecology. The paint job is not plant much needed trees in done while respecting social commodities. spilling into the Ottawa graffiti. Rather it is a power- the river valleys. distancing requirements. Sales of the watercraft are River. ful message decorated by If you do get a chance to Fortunately, Ottawa has a strong and rentals through The same determination youth participating in the kayak or paddle board on long list of attractions and the share-economy are very is needed by all those who national yellow fish road our river systems please tourism officials are doing popular. The parking lots of swim, drink and fish. We all program by Trout Unlimited consider making a finan- their best to promote what local conservation areas are have a role to help preserve Canada. cial donation. The Ottawa our region has to offer. packed with people looking and protect our river sys- Our local conservation au- Riverkeeper as well as the Ontario Tourism Minister to enjoy the beautiful and tems. It is distressing to see thorities are responsible for conservation authorities Lisa MacLeod has been picturesque waterways. litter in our parks and water- promoting and enforcing for the Rideau, Mississippi, tremendously busy show- It is great to see the colorful courses. There is too much regulations that protect the Carp and South Nation riv- casing our province’s best watercraft splashing along junk entering our water and Rideau, Mississippi, Carp ers will gratefully accept features. our watercourses. canal system. and South Nation rivers that your donations. BY STEVE DESROCHES Ottawa’s local tourism Open and public sites We can all do our part and flow into the Ottawa River. Landowners within the @SteveDesroches promotion agency has de- along the shores of rivers remind our kids to put waste They are the good people river valleys may also be el- veloped an impressive pass- mean that we can all enjoy in its place.