Tuesday, February 16 is Snow Angel Day in Ottawa

 

Take the Snow Angel Challenge

Help Keep Ottawa Kids Warm

 

The Snow Angel Challenge is a great opportunity to experience socially distant winter fun and connect with your friends, colleagues and loved ones online.

 

This February, head outside, make your snow angel and share your videos or images on social media using the hashtag #SnowAngelChallenge.  There are many prizes to be won, including a category for most outrageous, so wear your favourite costume, team uniform, silly hat or bathing suit- be creative!  

 

Those who register to collect donations can win even more prizes. Raise a minimum of $20 to receive a Snowsuit Fund toque. All donations support the purchase of snowsuits for low-income kids in our community by The Snowsuit Fund.  

 

Sign up on your own, as a family, with your school or with your team.  Businesses who register and raise a minimum of $100 will join the Workplace Challenge with a listing on our website. 

 

Find all the Snow Angel Challenge details, make a donation or register at https://snowsuitfund.com/2021-snow-angel-challenge/

Connect with us on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/snowsuitfund/

Instagram: @snowsuitfund
LinkedIn: The Snowsuit Fund 

Keeping Kids Warm is our Mission.  

Being outside in the winter remains an important part of growing up in Ottawa but children need warm clothes if they are going out to play.  Every year, The Snowsuit Fund purchases and distributes more than 16,000 snowsuits to low-income children 15 years and younger in Ottawa, bringing dignity and hope to families struggling with the necessities of life. Perhaps few people know that as a grassroots organization, The Snowsuit Fund receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of caring groups and individuals to keep its 40-year operation going. 

Relevez le Défi Ange de neige

Aidez à garder les enfants d’Ottawa au chaud

Le Défi Ange de neige est une excellente occasion de profiter de l’hiver avec vos amis, collègues et proches tout en respectant la distanciation physique.

 

En février, sortez, faites de votre ange de neige et partagez vos vidéos ou images sur les réseaux sociaux en utilisant le mot-clic #SnowAngelChallenge. Il y a de nombreux prix à gagner, y compris une catégorie pour l’ange de neige le plus surprenant, alors portez votre costume préféré, l’uniforme de votre équipe, un chapeau rigolo ou un maillot de bain — soyez créatif !

 

Ceux qui s’inscrivent pour collecter des dons peuvent gagner encore plus de prix. Amassez un minimum de 20 $ pour recevoir une tuque du Fonds Habineige. Tous les dons soutiennent l’achat d’habits de neige neufs destiné aux enfants dans le besoin de notre communauté par le Fonds Habineige. 

 

Inscrivez-vous seul, en famille, avec votre école ou avec votre équipe. Les entreprises qui s’inscrivent et recueillent un minimum de 100 $ seront inscrites au défi en milieu de travail, et figureront sur notre site Web.

Trouvez tous les détails du Défi Ange de neige, faites un don ou inscrivez-vous sur www.habineige.com. 

Suivez-nous sur les réseaux sociaux :

Facebook : facebook.com/snowsuitfund/

Instagram: @snowsuitfund

LinkedIn : Le Fonds Habineige

Garder les enfants au chaud est notre mission.

Jouer dehors en hiver est une partie importante de ce que cela signifie de grandir à Ottawa, mais pour ce faire, les enfants ont besoin de vêtements chauds. Chaque année, le Fonds Habineige achète et distribue plus de 16 000 habits de neige aux enfants dans le besoin de 15 ans et moins d’Ottawa, apportant ainsi dignité et espoir aux familles défavorisées. En tant qu’organisme communautaire, Habineige ne reçoit aucun financement du gouvernement et compte sur la générosité de groupes et d’individus bienveillants pour maintenir son fonctionnement depuis 40 ans.

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - February 2021

 

Sidewalk Standards Review

The City of Ottawa is reviewing the two adopted sidewalk standards and is looking for feedback from residents on their experiences using the sidewalks. Your feedback and engagement on this initiative is important to the City. Background on the project and examples of sidewalks are available for reference and the results of this review will be considered for the City of Ottawa’s design and construction specification documents. An online public information session will be held virtually on Zoom on February 9 from 7 to 8 pm. This session will provide information about the two sidewalk styles – traditional and ramp - and will also provide the public the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback about their experiences in the use of the two different styles. Please email StandardsSection@ottawa.ca(link sends e-mail) to register. Your feedback is important. If you would like to register for the session, request accessible formats or communication supports, or are not able to attend the session and would like to submit your feedback, please email StandardsSection@ottawa.ca(link sends e-mail) .

2021 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meetings

The City encourages you to participate in Ottawa’s Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) meetings, which are held electronically through Zoom until further notice, to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request so everyone can participate. The AAC is made up of volunteer residents with disabilities and is a municipal requirement under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The Committee provides advice to Council on programs, policies and services provided to persons with disabilities and seniors. Meetings are held at 6:30 in the evening and for 2021 will be held on February 16, March 30, May 25, June 15, September 21, October 19 and November 16 (pending approval by the AAC at its meeting on February 16, 2021). There are several ways you can participate and agendas are posted on Ottawa.ca prior to the meetings. You can join over Zoom and listen to the meeting. You can submit comments in writing, by email, to CaroleA.Legault@ottawa.ca or verbally by calling Carole Legault at 613-580-2424 ext 28934. Comments received will be provided to the Committee Members prior to the meeting. You can register to speak at the meeting, by contacting Carole Legault by phone or e-mail. Details for those wishing to make visual presentations can be provided upon request.

Have your say on parks

Our parks and recreation facilities are important to Ottawa residents and neighbourhoods, and now you can have your say on what amenities you think are important, and what type of parks and recreation facilities your family likes to use. There are two online surveys that are live on Engage.Ottawa.ca. Other engagement opportunities will be available soon. Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities survey: open from January 11 – February 21, 2021 Community Centres and Indoor Recreation Facilities survey: open from January 29 – March 12, 2021

City of Ottawa - February in the City

 

Reminder! Virtual programs starting now

There is still time to register for the City’s new virtual programs, but don’t wait too long. Many are already sold out! Pick up a new hobby or continue an old interest with everything from fitness to arts on offer for all ages. Register now at ottawa.ca/virtualprograms

Summer Employment Recruitment

Apply Now!  The City will be hiring Summer students for critical roles supporting essential services. The 2021 Summer Student Employment Program is excepting applications now. ottawa.ca *Please note that the availability of positions in Summer 2021 may be subject to Provincial regulations related to COVID-19.

Have your say on parks

We’ve seen how much parks and recreation facilities mean to Ottawa residents and neighbourhoods, and now you can have your say on what amenities you think are important and what your family likes to use. There are two online surveys that are live on Engage.Ottawa.ca with other public engagement opportunities to follow: Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities survey: open from January 11 – February 21, 2021 Community Centres and Indoor Recreation Facilities survey: open from January 29 – March 12, 2021

Snow Much Fun colouring book

Download and print the Snow Much Fun! colouring book featuring Dexter the Park-o-saurus. For an added challenge, try to do all of the winter activities pictured and colour the page after.

Happy Valentine’s Day

For extra colouring fun, print, colour and send these Dexter 2021 cards.

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