Edition:  Thursday, November 3rd,  2011

New Chapman Mills Community Building included in 2012 draft budget
This past week, City Council was presented with the 2012 draft budget.  The draft budget balances efficiencies with long-term investment that will ensure a safe and prosperous city.  Ottawa taxpayers want better service that is delivered responsibly and this budget meets this goal.

I am very excited that there is funding in the 2012 budget for a new community building on Chapman Mills Drive as well as the new Barrhaven South Recreation Centre.  The Chapman Mills Community Building will be a new 3,000 sq. ft. community building to be built at the Chapman Mills Drive Park and will consist of a large multi-purpose room, kitchenette, washroom facilities, office, storage space and potential change room. 

Some of the highlights for the 2012 draft budget include:
• A continued freeze on fees for City recreation programs, Council budgets and salaries;
• Reducing the size of the City’s workforce for the first time since 2004, saving $3.4 million;
• Prepare the capital city for the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation in 2017. Ottawa on the Move will provide needed upgrades and repairs to existing roads, sidewalks, bridges and sewers on an accelerated schedule.
• Investing $133 million in road and sidewalk improvements over the next three years;
• $18.3 million for continued upgrading of the City’s sewer system to further improve the quality of water in the Ottawa River;
• $24 million over the next three years on cycling infrastructure across the City;
• $5.5 million will be spent to increase bus service to meet the rising demand for transit and ease bus overcrowding. OC Transpo will see the introduction of the smart-card payment system and a system that allows riders to know when their buses will arrive.
• $4.4 million to build new parks to meet the parkland and leisure needs of growing communities.
Locally, draft 2012 Budget highlights for residents in Ward 22 include:
• $43.3 million for the Barrhaven South Recreational Complex. The facility will include a twin-pad arena, 25-metre indoor community pool, a full-service community centre including gymnasium and outdoor facilities such as a play area and sports fields;
• Funding for the Chapman Mills Community Building, a new 3,000 sq. ft. community building consisting of a large multi-purpose room, kitchenette, washroom facilities, office, storage space and potential change room;
• Funding for Ventanna Park  and to complete landscaping for Chapman Mills Drive Park;
• Continued funding to complete the construction of the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge; and

The complete draft budget is available online for your review at www.ottawa.ca.

I would like to thank all the residents who made it out to the Budget 2012 consultation held this week at the Rideauview Community Centre in Riverside South.  This was one of the initial steps in the budget process as we move towards a finalized budget.  City Council will be debating the recommendations from all Committees of Council and relevant Boards on Wednesday, November 30th.   Further information on the 2012 budget and the process can be found on the city website at www.ottawa.ca/budget2012. 

There are still many ways to participate in the process including emailing your comments and suggestions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , attending a Standing Committee meeting during the month of November, and sending me your feedback at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Over the coming weeks, I will be reviewing the budget in great detail and will be looking to the community for your feedback.

2011 Business Achievement Awards
I would like to congratulate all the recent award winners from the Nepean Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business Achievement Awards that were announced this past week.  You have all made our community a better place and I thank you for your devotion to customer service and our community.  Congratulations to you all.  A full list of award recipients can be found at www.nepeanchamber.com.

Plasco Approval by Ministry of Environment
Congratulations to Rod Bryden and Plasco Energy Group Inc. on their recent receipt of Certificates of Approval from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for the permanent operation of our Ottawa Trail Road facility.  This followed approval of the Environmental Assessment under the expedited Environmental Screening Report process.  This is the first time that a waste processing facility has been approved under the expedited process.   I look forward to a continued partnership between the City and Plasco in providing new environmental alternatives for waste.   As you may know, the City has been a key partner with the Plasco pilot project for some time and I have been a supporter of this initiative.

Veterans Ride free during National Veterans’ Week
War veterans who wear their medals and/or uniforms may ride OC Transpo and STO (Société de transport de l’Outaouais) free during National Veterans’ Week – November 5 to 11.  Companions accompanying veterans during National Veterans’ Week will also be able to ride for free.  Please note that OC Transpo will be operating on a reduced schedule on Remembrance Day and will be honouring our veterans with the Last Post and Reveille played over the radios of OCTranspo buses and a 2 minute moment of silence at 11am on November 11th.  The buses will pull over when and where it is safe to do so during this time.

Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Barrhaven
The Barrhaven Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will be holding its annual Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th at the Walter Baker Sports Centre.  The Parade will begin at 10:40 a.m. at the underpass of the Public Library (Walter Baker Centre) and all legion members are invited to participate in the parade.  Official ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. in the Memorial Garden located at the main entrance to John McRae High on the west side of the sports complex.  I invite all available residents to join us in remembering those who gave their lives for the betterment of us all.  Lest we forget.

I will also be participating in the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Carleton Lodge on Saturday, November 5th.  Councillor Harder and I will be presenting the Lodge with a commemorative flag box to be used to provide the final honours to veterans on their passing. 

“No Wake” Zones Consultations
I would like to remind residents that the Parks Canada public consultation on the creation of two new “no wake” zones in the Northern Sector of the Rideau Canal will be held on November 8, 2011 at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority building in Manotick (3889 Rideau Valley Drive-corner of Prince of Wales & Rideau Valley Drive) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.   I would encourage those who live along the Rideau River or use it for boating purposes to attend this open house.

Manotick Resident receives Mayor’s City Builder Award
I would like to congratulate Manotick resident Coralie Lalonde for receiving the Mayor’s City Builder Award for her outstanding volunteer work in the community. Ms. Lalonde has volunteered countless hours in her community and across the City of Ottawa in various programs and initiatives including Volunteer Ottawa, the Ottawa Humane Society, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and the Ottawa Heart institute Research Corporation. Thank you for all the work you have done in the community.

Future Shop Grand Opening
It was my honour to be present at the Grand Opening of the new Future Shop at the Barrhaven Town Centre on Strandherd Drive this past week.  It is great to see that Barrhaven continues to be a destination for new and vibrant retail businesses. I would like to offer my congratulations to the staff and management of the new Future Shop on the grand opening of this new retail location and thank them for their generous contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge Construction Continues
Interested in the construction of the new bridge?  You can now see live pictures of the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge construction through my website at www.stevedesroches.ca.  This is a safe way for residents to view the construction without visiting the construction site.

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