Outdoor rink volunteers deserve community’s thanks

There is something uniquely special about winter in Ottawa, and nothing captures that spirit quite like coming together on the ice.

Last week my Family Skate was held at the Lois Kemp Arena, and it was wonderful to see so many come out and enjoy the evening.

Events like these also highlight how important our recreation spaces are. Our arenas, parks, and community centres are where families gather, grow and make memories, which is why I am always focused on keeping them strong for future generations

After the Lois Kemp Arena expansion, I heard from so many residents about how much the new space has meant to them. Building on that momentum, I am pushing forward on plans for a new gym addition at Bob MacQuarrie to give our community even more space to stay active.

Speaking of skating, I have also been visiting many of our community’s outdoor rinks over the past several weeks. These visits give me the chance to thank the incredible volunteers who make these rinks possible.

Their work is often done late at night, in freezing temperatures, and without any fanfare. Yet they continue to show up, creating beautiful sheets of ice only steps from our front doors.

We owe these volun-teers so much, and it was a real pleasure to celebrate them at the City’s Annual Outdoor Rink Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast this past weekend. The breakfast is only a small token of thanks, especially compared to the dedication they show all season long.

Next time you are at your local rink and see someone clearing snow or flooding the ice, I hope you’ll take a moment to say thanks. Their dedication keeps our rinks, and our winter spirit, alive.

I also want to remind everyone about my annual Egg-Stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 29th. It’s always a fabulous, fun event and I hope you can join me.

 

March is Brain Health Month in Canada: Let’s talk about it

March is recognized as Brain Health Awareness Month in Canada; an important reminder that brain health matters at every stage of life..

In our community, we often talk about physical health: recreation, walk-able streets, parks, and active living. But brain health is just as critical. It shapes how we think, connect, remember and live independently.

With groundwater levels still recovering, the City is asking residents with private wells to skip building backyard rinks this winter. Maintaining an outdoor rink takes a significant amount of water and can place strain on household wells and nearby water systems. Choosing a shared community rink is a simple way to help conserve water while still enjoying winter activities.

Recently, I connected with the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County to learn more about their work supporting individuals and families impacted by dementia.
One important takeaway is this: dementia is not a single disease. It is an umbrella term that includes Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and other conditions, and no two people experience it the same way.

Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, and a network of caregivers navigating change together. That’s why awareness matters.

Protecting brain health doesn’t start later in life. Research shows that staying physically active, socially connected, eating well, challenging your mind and managing heart health all help reduce risk and support long-term cognitive function.

We’re fortunate to have organizations and volunteers who support residents living with dementia and the care-givers who stand beside them every day. Their work reminds us this isn’t just a health issue, it’s a community issue.

Brain health is about dignity, independence and ensuring people feel supported and under-stood. This March, take a moment to reflect on your own brain health and check in on those around you. Start a conversation. Learn the signs. Reach out for information. Support the organizations doing this important work.

Healthy communities are built not just on strong infrastructure, but on strong minds and strong connections and that’s something worth investing in.

 

New zoning by-law is a balancing act in getting growth right

Last month, Council approved Ottawa’s new Zoning By-law, the first major update since 2008. In that time, how we live and grow has changed significantly, and both the provincial and federal government have required municipalities to modernize their rules.

On this file, my priority was clear: growth must happen in the right places. It cannot continue to be led by the most far-flung suburbs.

There is a strong sentiment across all levels of government that housing must be built as fast as possible. I share the urgency of improving affordability, but Ward 19 must serve as a cautionary tale. Here, speed has often been prioritized over substance.

Housing is more than delivering units; it is about building complete communities that are supported by real transportation options and anchored by the infrastructure and amenities people need to live full lives. That’s historically been lacking in Orléans South, and I continue working tirelessly to address it retroactively.

To strengthen the by-law, I passed several motions. First, ensuring taller suburban buildings are only permitted where transit is built and funded, not simply planned on paper. I also protected existing height limits along Innes Road so they cannot quietly increase without public consultation.

I directed staff to study how intensification affects neighbourhood plazas and local businesses and advanced improvements to suburban street design, including proper road width and on-street parking near schools. Another motion requires monitoring whether new suburban lot and road standards work as intended, including tree planting, snow storage and sidewalk usability.

I also secured regular updates on “as-of-right” infill permits to improve transparency.

At its core, this update is about balance: growth at the right pace, in the right locations, supported by real infrastructure so communities can truly thrive.

 

True community spirit is built on compassion and kindness

Behind every public role is a life being lived quietly and imperfectly.

While we are often reduced to our titles or responsibilities, it is important to remember that behind every role is a personal life. We carry families, friendships, worries, hopes and private struggles along-side our public work. Like everyone else, we move through uncertainty, learn as we go and try to do our best in moments that are not always easy.

Public visibility can flatten that reality. It can turn people into symbols rather than neighbours, and moments into labels rather than lessons. When personal challenges become visible, the scrutiny can be intense. Too often, empathy gives way to assumption, and disagreement hardens into something unkind. We would all benefit from being more graceful with one another.

Each of us comes from a different background. Some carry the weight of difficult life experiences, loss, health challenges or circumstances that shape how we see the world. Many of these struggles are unseen. They do not define us, but they do remind us that we are all fighting battles that are not obvious from the outside.

None of us is at our best all the time. Sometimes we fall short of our own standards. Sometimes we say the wrong thing, make imperfect choices, or realize in hindsight that we could have handled a moment better. Growth often begins there, in reflection rather than certainty. Strong communities understand this. They allow room for people to learn, to recalibrate, and to keep moving forward. They are built not on perfection, but on the shared recognition that we are all works in progress.

Community life works best when it is grounded in humanity. When we remember that behind every role is a person doing their best in real time. Disagreement will always exist, but compassion is what keeps us connected.

If we can offer a little more patience, a little more kindness, and a little more grace, we make space for stronger communities and healthier conversations for everyone.