It’s that time of year when the leaves are starting to show their fall colours as we embark on the month of September towards the first day of fall. This week, Councillor Gower is sharing news and events in our community such as the upcoming Butter Tart Festival on September 12th. Some good news for heritage fans – the Iolene and Beattie Hartin house and stone shed on Maplegrove could possibly be designated ‘heritage’ under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The Councillor shares a map of current and future Stittsville schools. The Crossway Park Playground is officially opening on September 25th. The monthly Multicultural & Human Rights Calendar for September is available on the Councillor’s website. Verify your information on the Voters’ List for the upcoming October 26th Municipal Election at the links provided below. The Ottawa Fire Services’ fall Wake Up! Program has begun and you may get a knock on your door. Blasting is set to begin the week of September 14th for the Idylea Phase 2 – north of Fernbank Road and east of Caribou/Liard. Have you registered your thoughts for the plan for the Fernbank District Park? The survey closes on September 10th. As always, should you require assistance, please get in touch with the Councillor’s office at the contact information below.
Butter Tart Festival this weekend
This Saturday is the 5th annual Stittsville Butter Tart Festival. It’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a new location this year: the grounds of Sacred Heart High School at 5870 Abbott Street. You can sample and shop for delicious butter tarts from local bakers, then vote for your favourite in the People’s Choice competition. The event also features live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, carnival-style games, and tractor tours. A variety of gluten-free, vegan, celiac-friendly, and nut-free options will be available. More info…
Tips: Arrive early, walk or bike or use transit if you can. Sacred Heart is served by OC Transpo routes 61, 62, and 163.
Historic Hartin buildings on Maple Grove recommended for heritage designation
The Built Heritage Committee will meet on September 15 to consider designating the historic Hartin farmstead buildings in Stittsville’s Fairwinds community under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The larger Patrick Hartin House dates back to the late nineteenth century. The stone cottage is a more modest building constructed 40 years earlier, around 1840, and is one of the few buildings in the area that survived the Great Fire of 1870. More info…
A map of current and future schools in Stittsville
Stittsville is growing, and so is the number of schools! This fall, École élémentaire publique Cassiopée opened for students as the first CEPEO (French public board) school in Stittsville.
Construction is underway for a new Catholic high school (on Cope Drive near the Walmart) and Catholic elementary school (on Triangle Street near Cranesbill). And earlier this year, the Provincial government approved funding for a future French Catholic elementary school (on Cope Drive at Shinny) – although the construction timeline is still to be determined.
We’ve put together a map showing all of the current and future school sites in Stittsville…
September 25: Join Us for the Crossway Park Playground Opening Party!
Join us for a fun evening at the park as we celebrate this exciting new addition to the neighbourhood. Bring your family, connect with neighbours, and enjoy games, activities, and plenty of opportunities for kids to explore the new play structure.
Date: Friday, September 25
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Crossway Park – 649 Allied Mews
More information…
September 2026: Multicultural & Human Rights Calendar
We publish a monthly calendar listing the main commemorative dates of different religions and cultures, as well as important dates related to the strengthening of human rights and diversity. Dates include Latin American Heritage Month, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Franco-Ontarian Day, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. See the calendar…
Verify your information on the Voters’ List and make a plan to vote
Voting Day in the 2026 Municipal Elections is Monday, October 26. Eligible electors will have the opportunity to vote for their choice of Mayor, City Councillor, and School Board Trustee. Verify your information on the Voters’ List. Eligible electors can verify, add, or amend their information on the Voters’ List until Sunday, September 20, at 4:30 pm by using the ‘Am I on the Voters’ List?’ tool on ottawa.ca/vote. You can also complete and submit an ‘Application to add or amend my information on the Voters’ List’ to the City of Ottawa’s Elections Office (1221 B Cyrville Rd) or any City of Ottawa Client Service Centre. More info…
Firefighters will make home visits to check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
As part of the fall Wake Up! program, firefighters from Ottawa Fire Services will visit selected homes across the city on Sundays this month to ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are present and working. Ontario’s Fire Code requires homes to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. Homes with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage must also have carbon monoxide alarms beside each sleeping area and on every storey. More info…
UPDATE: Blasting operations in the Stittsville area
Blasting for Idylea Phase 2 (north of Fernbank Road and east of Caribou/Liard) is scheduled to begin September 14. The work is expected to last about two months. More information at: glengower.ca/blasting/
Fernbank District Park survey closes Thursday
The city has posted draft plans for Fernbank District Park. You can provide feedback via email or by taking a survey, available until Thursday September 10, 2026. More info…
Get in touch!
If we can help in any way, please email me at glen.gower@ottawa.ca or leave a voicemail at 613-580-2476. Please call 3-1-1 if you require immediate assistance, or submit a request online at ottawa.ca/en/311. – Councillor Glen Gower