More needs to be done to make Ottawa more user-friendly

Between mortgage renewals, rising grocery bills, and inflation, residents in Orléans are watching every dollar. That’s why I have always believed that local government should make life easier, not add more paperwork, stress and
financial burdens to our plates.

Unfortunately, common sense is not always the
default at City Hall.

There is a frustrating trend where municipal policies and programs create cumbersome, bureaucratic headaches for law-abiding homeowners. A prime example is the City’s Vacant Unit Tax. The intention of this policy was noble, targeting wealthy property speculators who are leaving homes empty to turn a profit. Instead, the reality is that it has cast far too wide a net, turning what should be a targeted tool into an intrusive, city-wide compliance trap. It is exactly why I voted against its creation and remain opposed.

I have heard from homeowners confused about whether their in-law suite needs to be rented out, and increasingly from families caught in stressful audits and appeals, forced to prove that they live in their own homes.

When City policies treat residents like suspects in their own neighbourhoods, they have missed the mark. No level of government should ever be so rigid or self-assured that it cannot acknowledge a mistake and take a step back with fresh perspective.

The City needs to design policies around the needs of everyday citizens, ensuring that municipal operations support your life rather than complicating it. The focus should always be on getting the basics right - delivering reliable transit, safe roads, and quality parks – not on placing additional regulatory burdens on residents.

There needs to be a refocus on accountability and outcomes, not process for the sake of process. Residents deserve a City Hall that listens, adapts, and corrects course when something is not working. That is how trust is built, and it is how all governments should operate.

 

Big Wheels event part of National Public Works Week

National Public Works Week may have wrapped up, but the work behind it never really stops and neither does the opportunity to celebrate the people who keep Ottawa running every day.

From clearing snow during winter storms to
maintaining roads, sidewalks, water systems, parks, traffic infrastruc-ture and public spaces, Public Works staff are often the people residents rely on most without even realizing it. Their work touches nearly every part of daily life in Ottawa, and when things are working well, it is usually because a dedicated team has been working behind the scenes to make sure they do.

This year’s National Public Works Week theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” could not be more fitting. Public Works is one of the clearest examples of how city services directly impact residents. Whether it is repairing roads after a harsh freeze-thaw season, collecting waste, maintaining safe drinking water, keeping traffic moving or responding during emergencies, these teams continue to deliver every day across Ottawa.

One of the best ways to see that work up close is through the return of the Public Works Big Wheels Expo on Sunday, June 7 at the Ottawa Stadium.

The event has become a favourite for families, especially for children fascinated by the massive vehicles and equipment that keep the city operating day and night. Residents will have the opportunity to get up close to snowplows, garbage trucks, road painting vehicles and more while meeting the operators behind them.

The City has also continued making the event more inclusive with a dedicated sensory-friendly opening from 9 to 9:30 a.m., featuring reduced noise, smaller crowds and limited announcements.

The Public Works Big Wheels Expo runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission is free, and beginning at 10:30 a.m., the first 100 attendees will receive free tickets to an upcoming Ottawa Titans game.

 

Accelerating housing should mean delivering infrastructure faster too

As Orléans South continues to grow at a rapid pace, residents are feeling the pressure every day through congestion, longer commute times, transit challenges, missing cycling and pedes-trian infrastructure and a transportation network that struggles to keep up with demand.

I have worked aggressively to highlight the funding imbalance that saw the east end receive significantly less investment in new road infrastructure compared to other parts of the city. I fought hard during the Transportation Master Plan update to move critical projects in our community higher on the priority list. Those efforts helped secure major wins for Orléans South–Navan, but approving projects is only part of the challenge.

While important progress has been made, I believe we need to fundamentally change how we deliver roads, intersections, and services that support new housing. The City has been moving quickly to accelerate housing approvals and reduce barriers to building. That work is important; but housing growth is advancing faster than the infrastructure needed to support it. That gap has real consequences.

We must fast-track how transportation projects move from planning to actual construction.

Recently, I brought for-ward a motion aimed at doing exactly that.

Staff will now be reviewing how infra-structure projects move from planning to construction and identify ways to speed up delivery. This includes reducing duplication/red tape, improving procurement practices, running processes concurrently where possible, and prioritizing infrastructure that directly supports housing growth.

Ultimately, this is about building complete communities, not simply approving growth on paper. As Orléans South–Navan continues to develop, I will continue pushing for practical solutions that ensure infrastructure keeps pace with the people who call our community home.

 

Community food service a true godsend for area families in need

One of the greatest barriers to addressing food insecurity is not always the lack of available help. Sometimes, the barrier is shame.

Many people in our community are strugg-ling quietly: seniors on fixed incomes, families facing rising grocery bills, newcomers getting settled, students, workers, or neighbours who have fallen on difficult times. Food insecurity does not always look the way people expect it to look, and even when services are available, asking for help can be incredibly difficult.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with Ali from Foodeliver, a local not-for-profit initiative working to support people experiencing food insecurity. I left feeling genuinely inspired.

Foodeliver is built around a simple but powerful idea: rescuing surplus food from restaurants, grocers, farmers, cafés, and other local partners, and helping get that food to people who need it in a discreet and dignified way. That approach matters.

Perfectly good food is too often thrown away while families in our own community struggle to put meals on the table. Connecting surplus food with those who need it is practical, compassionate, and necessary.

What stood out most was not just the logistics of moving food from one place to another. It was the focus on dignity.

I talk a lot about the inherent human dignity in every person. No one should have to sacrifice their privacy or sense of self-worth to access food. No one should be made to feel small because they are going through a difficult time.

Ali and his team understand that. They are working to remove barriers, not create new ones.

If you are a restaurant, grocer, farmer, café, or local business with food items to contribute, I encourage you to reach out to Foodeliver. Residents can also visit their website to learn more or make a monetary contribution.

Food is more than nutrition. It is security. It is comfort. It is dignity. Through this beautiful initiative, Foodeliver is helping deliver all of it.