City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - January 2021

 

City reviewing its Winter Maintenance Quality Standards

Everyone has an opinion about how the City of Ottawa maintains roads in winter and residents have an opportunity to share that opinion with the City right now. The City of Ottawa is reviewing its Winter Maintenance Quality Standards (WMQS). The standards determine when and where snow clearing, sanding and salting take place, how often and for how long. Residents can visit engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs and contribute to the review in three ways: Complete a survey, available until February 19 Participate in one of two virtual workshops: January 27 or 28 Share an idea or ask a question in the discussion forum If you need to complete the survey by phone or require other accessibility related accommodations, please call 613-282-2685 for assistance. Issues such as climate change, accessibility, sustainability, equity and healthy living have evolved since the current standards were put in place in 2003. The 2021 review will focus on: Residential roads Sidewalks Cycling pathways Multi-use pathways for walking, cycling and rollerblading Results of the review will be shared later this year with Ottawa City Council, which will in turn establish updated standards for future winters. Facts The City manages approximately 2,300 kilometers of sidewalks and 12,700 lane kilometers of roads, transitway and local highway (HWY 174). This network is winter maintained by approximately 510 staff from 17 work yards dispersed throughout the city, complimented by contracted crews used to supplement service as needed throughout the winter season. More than 50 kilometers of cycling network will be maintained this winter Ottawa sees an average of 249 cm of snow (five-year average) and 312 in 2018-19 187,500 tonnes of rock and salt was used in 2018-19 Quotes "Clearing snow from Ottawa roads and pathways is one of the most important jobs we do at the City and we are always seeking ways to improve our service. As the City grows and evolves, so must our Winter Maintenance Quality Standards, to ensure Ottawa residents have a sustainable and efficient transportation network year round." Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa "The City’s current Winter Maintenance Quality Standards are outdated and do not account for the fact that the needs of the transportation network users have changed over the years. This review will result in improved standards that will serve Ottawa residents for years to come." Councillor Tim Tierney, Chair of the City’s Transportation Committee

Canada Video Relay Service (VRS)

The City of Ottawa is pleased to announce that Canada Video Relay Service (VRS) is available for residents wishing to use their service to access our general phone line by calling 613-580-2400. Canada VRS is a service that allows Canadians who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired to make phone calls using internet and cellphone-based technologies. Callers using VRS are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. This allows callers to express themselves in their first language, American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), when asking questions or making requests to the City. More information can be found on the Canada VRS webpage (link is external).

Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

We want to hear from you! - Phase 2 Enagagement Everyone has a role to play in safety and well-being, and the City of Ottawa is seeking your feedback as Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan is being developed. On October 28, 2020, City Council approved six local priorities that will be the focus of Ottawa’s first CSWB Plan as follows: discrimination, marginalization & racism, financial security & poverty reduction, gender-based violence & violence against women, housing, integrated & simpler systems, and mental well-being. Many of these priorities have a significant impact on persons with disabilities, and your input is important to us. The City is offering multiple engagement opportunities from January 18 to February 28, and wants your ideas to help set strategic objectives, strategies and actions for the six priorities. Join the conversation! Please register as space is limited. Each session will discuss one of the CSWB priorities in a small group setting. Discussion groups are available in either English or French. Thursday, January 28 from 6 to 7 pm: Discrimination, Marginalization and Racism Thursday, February 4 from 6 to 7 pm: Mental Well-Being Tuesday, February 9 from 6 to 7 pm: Financial Security and Poverty Reduction Thursday, February 18 from 6 to 7 pm: Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Women Monday, February 22 from 6 to 7 pm: Housing Tuesday, February 23 from 10 to 11 am: Integrated and Simpler Systems You can visit the CSWB website at ottawa.ca/CSWBP to complete the survey, add your comments to the virtual forum or drop a pin on the map so the City can gather input of where you experience gaps in services related to the CSWB priorities. You can sign up to take part in virtual public consultation sessions or host your own session using the Community Toolkit. Join the conversation and stay up to date on the progress of the CSWB Plan by signing up for the newsletter.

Ottawa Snowsuit Fund on the 2021 Snow Angel Challenge

The Ottawa Snowsuit Fund is launching a fun new initiative to raise awareness and funds called the Snow Angel Challenge.

Ottawa winters are cold, yet year-round outdoor play contributes fundamentally to mental health, active and healthy lifestyles, as well as learning and development.The Snow Angel Challenge was conceived based on one of the most fun, universal and safe winter play activities - making angels in the snow.

The Snowsuit Fund is inviting the business community along with families, schools, community, and sports groups to register online to fundraise, create snow angels, share their snow angel images and videos on social media using the hashtag #SnowAngelChallenge, and tag The Snowsuit Fund to win prizes next month - all in the name of making sure every Ottawa child is dressed warmly to play outdoors during winter.

Participation is FREE for the Snow Angel Challenge February 1-28, 2021! 

You can sign up on your own, as a family, group of friends, a social club, sports team or school. 

And, for just $100, businesses can register their workplace team to receive additional promotional benefits. 

All registered participants who raise a minimum of $20 receive a Snowsuit Fund toque and qualify to win additional prizes. There are also prizes for top fundraising individuals and teams.

Register now and find all the Snow Angel Challenge details at https://snowsuitfund.com/2020-snow-angel-challenge/.

For further information please contact snowangel@snowsuitfund.com .

You can also find additional information at in the attached documents:

• SnowAngel Challenge – Intro Letter 

• SnowAngel Challenge - FAQ

City of Ottawa Special advisory: winter weather parking ban lifted

 

The winter weather parking ban is now lifted for the City of Ottawa.

Be in the know about snow

Follow us on Twitter @ottawacity to receive updates, or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification each time a winter weather parking ban is put in place, extended or lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca.

For more winter parking information, please visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

City of Ottawa Special advisory: winter weather parking ban in effect from Thursday night until Friday morning

 

Due to weather conditions, the winter weather parking ban will be in effect between Thursday, January 21 at 10 pm and Friday, January 22 at 10 am across Ottawa. These hours might be extended if additional time is needed to complete winter road operations.

During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. On-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones.

Available parking

During winter weather parking bans, residents will have access to covered City-owned parking garages and select OC Transpo park and rides. Visit ottawa.ca for more information about which City facilities are available during winter weather parking bans.

Be in the know about snow

Follow us on Twitter @ottawacity to receive updates or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification each time a winter weather parking ban is put in place, extended or lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca.

For more winter parking information, please visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Pedestrian Death in Our Neighbourhood

We were saddened to learn today that a pedestrian was struck and killed on Southwood drive this afternoon. The Queensway Terrace South Ridgeview (QTSR) Community Association offers our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual who was struck today.

Media coverage of the accident is available on CBC News.

Community Safety and Well-Being Plan: Have Your Say // Plan de sécurité et de bien-être dans les collectivités : Prononcez-vous

 

Sending on behalf of  "Community Safety and Well-Being Plan" team / distribué au nom de l'équipe "Plan de sécurité et de bien-être dans les collectivités"

 

Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

We want to hear from you! - Phase 2 engagement

Everyone has a role to play in safety and well-being, and we want your feedback to continue to develop Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan. When we work effectively together as a community, we can address common priorities to ensure Ottawa is a safe, healthy, and vibrant community. On October 28, 2020, City Council approved six local priorities that will be the focus of Ottawa’s first CSWB Plan: discrimination, marginalization & racism, financial security & poverty reduction, gender-based violence & violence against women, housing, integrated & simpler systems, and mental well-being. The City is offering multiple engagement opportunities from January 18 to February 28 and we want your ideas! This phase of community engagement will focus on gathering more detailed feedback to set strategic objectives, strategies and actions on each of the priorities. Details are available on the CSWB webpage and here is how you can participate: Register to attend a City-led virtual community conversation meeting where you will discuss one of the CSWB priorities in a facilitated virtual session. Participate in the CSWB online survey. Join the conversation and add your suggestions to the online virtual forum. Drop a pin and leave a comment on the online map feature. The City is gathering input of where residents and stakeholders experience gaps in services related to the CSWB priorities. Host your own virtual meeting in your community using the CSWB Community Toolkit. Residents and stakeholders can sign up for the CSWB newsletter to stay informed or can share their feedback with the project team at CSWB/SBEC@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424, ext. 42489.

Partner updates

Anti-Asian racism in Ottawa Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our city has seen increasing reports of hate incidents targeting Asian residents. Although anti-Asian racism previously existed in Ottawa, the pandemic has created a new form of anti-Asian racism that links China and the novel coronavirus. The City's Anti-Racism Secretariat has launched an anti-Asian racism campaign. The campaign, which was spearheaded by Councillor Rawlson King, the City’s Council Liaison for Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations, sends the message that anti-Asian racism has no place in Ottawa and encourages all residents to be an ally and speak out against racism. You can see the campaign on the City’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

New Official Plan

The draft New Official Plan is a complex document. In order to facilitate your feedback, we have created a series of one-pagers on the key topics we heard in our engagements so far.

There are twenty-one of these documents providing a brief overview of the New Official Plan proposed policies. You can select the topics of interest to you or go through them all. A link is also provided below each one-pager, taking you to a tailored feedback form. This allows you to give feedback directly on this area of interest.

If you have any questions or would like to provide general comments, you can always do so through our email address newop@ottawa.ca.

Please share this email with your networks and encourage them to sign up for the CSWB newsletter to stay in touch.
 

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Plan de sécurité et de bien-être dans les collectivités

Nous voulons connaître votre point de vue - phase 2 de la mobilisation

Tout le monde a un rôle à jouer au chapitre de la sécurité et du bien-être et nous sollicitons vos commentaires pour poursuivre l’élaboration du Plan de sécurité et de bien-être dans les collectivités (PSBEC) d’Ottawa. Lorsque nous collaborons de façon efficace en tant que communauté, nous pouvons nous attaquer à des priorités communes afin qu’Ottawa soit une collectivité sûre, en santé et dynamique. Le 28 octobre 2020, le Conseil municipal a approuvé les six priorités dont traitera le premier PSBEC d’Ottawa : la discrimination, la marginalisation et le racisme; la sécurité financière et la réduction de la pauvreté; la violence fondée sur le genre et la violence à l’endroit des femmes; le logement; les systèmes intégrés et simplifiés; et le bien-être mental. La Ville propose plusieurs occasions de participer du 18 janvier au 28 février 2021 et nous sollicitons vos idées! Cette phase de la mobilisation communautaire mettra l’accent sur la collecte de renseignements plus détaillés dans le but de déterminer des objectifs stratégiques, des stratégies et des actions propres à chacune des six priorités. Vous trouverez des précisions sur la page Web du PSBEC. Voici différentes façons de participer : Inscrivez-vous pour participer à une conversation communautaire virtuelle organisée par la Ville où vous discuterez d’une des priorités du PSBEC dans le cadre d’une séance virtuelle animée. Participez au sondage en ligne sur le PSBEC. Joignez-vous à la conversation et faites-nous part de vos suggestions dans le forum en ligne. Ajoutez un repère et laissez un commentaire sur la carte virtuelle. La Ville recueille des données sur les endroits où les résidents et les intervenants constatent des lacunes de services reliées aux priorités du PSBEC. Organisez votre propre rencontre virtuelle au sein de votre communauté à l’aide de la trousse communautaire du PSBEC. Les résidents et les intervenants peuvent s’abonner au bulletin du PSBEC pour se tenir au courant et ils peuvent transmettre leurs commentaires à l’équipe du proje à CSWB/SBEC@ottawa.ca ou au 613-580-2424, poste 42489.

Rapports des partenaires

Racisme à l’endroit des Asiatiques dans Ottawa Depuis le début de la pandémie de COVID-19, un nombre croissant d’incidents haineux ciblant des résidents d’origine asiatique ont été signalés dans notre ville. Le racisme à l’endroit des Asiatiques existait auparavant dans Ottawa, mais la pandémie a fait naître une nouvelle forme de racisme anti-asiatique qui relie la Chine au nouveau coronavirus. Le Secrétariat de lutte contre le racisme de la Ville a lancé une campagne pour lutter contre racisme à l’endroit des Asiatiques. La campagne, dirigée par le conseiller Rawlson King, agent de liaison du Conseil pour les initiatives de relations ethnoculturelles et de lutte contre le racisme, diffuse le message comme quoi le racisme à l’endroit des Asiatiques n’a pas sa place à Ottawa et invite toute la population à se faire l’alliée de la cause et à dénoncer le racisme. Vous pouvez suivre la campagne sur les pages Facebook, Twitter et Instagram de la Ville.

Nouveau Plan officiel de la Ville.

Le nouveau Plan officiel est un document complexe. Pour vous faciliter l’exercice de nous soumettre vos commentaires, nous avons produit des feuillets d’une page sur les principaux sujets qui ont été abordés à ce jour dans nos séances d’engagement.

Il y a vingt-et-un feuillets qui font un bref survol des politiques proposées dans le nouveau Plan officiel. Vous pouvez choisir les sujets qui vous intéressent ou consulter l’ensemble des feuillets.

Un lien est fourni au bas de chaque document vous dirigeant vers un formulaire de rétroaction adapté à la thématique. De cette façon, vous pouvez commenter directement le sujet.

Si vous avez des questions ou si vous souhaitez fournir des commentaires généraux, vous pouvez toujours nous envoyer un courriel à nouveaupo@ottawa.ca.

Nous sommes conscients qu’il y a beaucoup de feuillets et de formulaires de rétroaction. Vous avez jusqu’au 17 février 2021 pour les remplir.
 
Merci de transmettre ce courriel aux membres de vos réseaux et de les inviter à s’abonner au bulletin du PSBEC afin de se tenir au courant.