Keeping our community updated, Councillor Gower is sharing his weekly update with information we should be aware of. You can catch-up with Councillor Glen not only on Facebook Live or YouTube, his Saturday morning updates are now available as a podcast on Spotify and iTunes. The information being shared by the Councillor is as follows: rules of the road for ATVs, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles; a new e-book “Arriving in Ottawa”, aimed at Brazilian immigrants and written by Aline Rezende; dogs in parks; curbside waste diversion; RDOC’s upcoming garage sale; road closures; new development; and, Stittsville vaccination data.
Neighbourhood vaccination data
Last week, Ottawa Public Health released information that outlines COVID-19 vaccination coverage by neighbourhood in Ottawa, including an interactive mapping tool. “I am glad to see that Stittsville has one of the highest vaccination rates in Ottawa, with 79.3% of all residents 12+ fully vaccinated. 89.2% have at least one dose.”
Vaccination coverage is lower in less advantaged neighbourhoods than more advantaged neighbourhoods, which also have some of the largest Black and racialized populations. It’s important to understand that there are a variety of reasons for this.
As Dr. Etches pointed out: “It is not necessarily that people are vaccine hesitant, rather, there are also systemic barriers that prevent access to vaccine information and opportunities for vaccination. For example, residents of these neighbourhoods are more likely to work in jobs where taking paid leave to be vaccinated is difficult or impossible. Other barriers include language, transportation, lack of computer and internet access, need for childcare, or lack of trust in the government agencies, and in the health care system, given previous negative experiences and systemic racism. Some may not have a primary health care provider with whom they can discuss vaccine questions and the factors influencing immunization uptake go beyond just the operation of the healthcare system… We are seeing the coverage rates in disadvantaged communities grow as more options are added.”
Employers in Ottawa can play a significant role by providing time off for employees to get questions answered, to get vaccinated and if they are feeling unwell after getting vaccinated. Additionally, employers can request a mobile clinic come to the workplace.
You can visit ottawapublichealth.ca to access the data, and to find more information about vaccines and clinics.
Weekly video & podcast updates
My weekly video updates are available every Saturday morning on Facebook Live and YouTube. My Saturday morning updates are now available as a podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and more. Search for “Councillor Glen” on your favourite app & subscribe.
Dirt bikes, ATV’s and other off-road vehicles
You are not allowed to drive your off-road vehicle on the roadway. Not only is it unsafe, but it is illegal under both the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and City of Ottawa By-law No. 2019-421. These vehicles also cannot be driven on sidewalks, multi-use pathways, or the Trans Canada Trail within the Stittsville area. By law, all ATVs must be registered with the Ministry of Transportation, even if operated only on your property. ATV’s may not be registered to anyone under the age of 16. If you see one of these vehicles operating in a way that endangers people or property, please call 9-1-1. More info from the Ottawa Police…
Launch of e-book for Brazilian immigrants
Stittsville resident Aline Rezende has written a new e-book called “Arriving in Ottawa”, aimed at Brazilian immigrants who have recently arrived in Canada. This is a free e-book (written in Brazilian Portuguese) that brings a collection of important information to newcomers to Ottawa, with the goal of mitigating the biggest challenges faced by newcomers in the transition process to a new country. The book is available free of charge at: https://www.brinca.ca/guia-do-newcomer
Garage Sale for the Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (RDOC)
Saturday August 21st (rain Date: Sunday August 22nd) 8am to 12 noon at 24 Elderwood Trail, Stittsville. Masks must be worn. RDOC is a non-profit corporation comprised of volunteers dedicated to promoting responsible dog ownership and a dog friendly society. RDOC is holding a giant garage sale to raise much needed funds to carry out their activities. Fund raising activities had to be put on hold during COVID-19 and is now the corporation is in danger of folding.
Road closures & construction
• Palladium Drive will be closed between the Automall and the Queensway from August 23 to September 23, for construction of a new roundabout at the future Robert Grant Avenue. More info…
• Rouncey Road will be closed from Danzig Terrace to Condado Crescent from August 23-27 to repair the sanitary sewer.
• Terry Fox Drive will have intermittent lane closures between Castlefrank and Hazeldean roads beginning the week of August 16 to September.
Have your say on curbside waste diversion options
The City of Ottawa wants to hear from you about curbside collection options to divert household waste from garbage bins and into compost and recycling bins.
Over half of what Ottawa residents throw out as garbage right now could instead be recycled or composted. At this current rate, the Trail Road landfill will be full in about 15 years. A new landfill, or new technology, could cost taxpayers up to $200 million.
To extend the life of the Trail Waste Facility — as well as gain from environmental benefits like greenhouse gas reduction — we have to do a better job at reducing waste from garbage bins. Part of achieving that will involve rethinking how we collect garbage at the curb. Read more about options being considered and take the survey…
Know the rules for dogs in parks
With more people moving into Stittsville and more people getting dogs (especially in the past year), it’s likely there are more dogs in our community than ever before. If you’re a new resident of Stittsville — or long-time resident with a new dog — you might be wondering where you can bring your dog for a walk, and where you can let them go off leash.
Different parks in Ottawa have different rules for dogs, and these designations are managed by Bylaw Services. Read more…
Stacked townhomes proposed for 620 Bobolink
The City has received a Site Plan Control application from Richcraft for 620 Bobolink Ridge, located along the west side of Robert Grant between Bobolink Ridge and Cope Drive. Richcraft wants to build seven four-storey stacked townhomes with 12 units each (84 total new homes). We’re hosting an information meeting tonight (Wednesday, August 18) at 6:00 pm. More info…
Get in touch!
My team and I are working every day to answer your questions and connect residents with the resources they need. If we can help in any way, please email me at glen.gower@ottawa.ca or leave a voicemail at 613-580-2476.