By Claude & Parth on 2026-06-25, City: Ottawa, View Transcript
Ottawa City Council renewed the city's seniors' plan and proclaimed June 2026 as Seniors' Month, while also approving Hydro Ottawa shareholder matters, receiving annual reports on paramedic and 911 services, adopting emergency preparedness and heritage items, and passing motions on the proposed Alto high-speed rail project, an Invictus-related initiative, and the renaming of Cobble Hill Park. Debate was most pointed around Alto, where councillors said residents lacked clear information about possible property and community impacts, and around Hydro Ottawa, where members raised outage, affordability and infrastructure concerns.
Council renewed Ottawa's seniors' plan and proclaimed June 2026 as Seniors' Month. The discussion referenced 2021 census data showing more than 182,000 Ottawa residents aged 65 and older, representing 16.9 per cent of the population. One speaker said seniors are "the fastest-growing" demographic in the city. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe formally proclaimed "le mois de juin 2026 le mois des aînés à la ville d'Ottawa."
Council considered Hydro Ottawa's 2025 consolidated financial statements, 2026-2030 strategic direction, auditor appointment and shareholder resolutions. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said, "As our city grows and electrifies, we are embarking on our largest capital program ever, nearly doubling our grid investment to boost capacity by 25% and energizing one substation every single year."
Hydro Ottawa told council the average monthly bill would rise by about $5.85 to $5.87, with smaller annual increases afterward. Councillors also raised reliability concerns. Councillor Riley Brockington said his residents had experienced repeated short outages, including "the 6th time in 3 months" in his area. Councillor Catherine Kitts also pointed to poor connectivity in some communities, saying residents near Kanata's tech park still lack reliable cellular service and high-speed internet.
Council received the Ottawa Paramedic Service annual report and the annual 911 report, and adopted a pilot grant program tied to extreme weather preparedness. Councillor Clarke Kelly said paramedic service availability had improved sharply: "On est passé d'une indisponibilité de 3h et 20 minutes par jour à 2 minutes par jour. C'est une amélioration extraordinaire."
The emergency preparedness grant program is intended to support community-level planning, training and emergency supply storage.
Council debated a motion on the proposed Alto high-speed rail project, with several councillors saying residents had too little information about possible impacts on homes, farmland and local roads. Councillor Jeff Leiper said, "I receive so many calls and requests for information, I I have no answers to provide," adding, "People are worried about their property. Nobody knows anything."
Councillor Catherine Kitts described the uncertainty facing residents: "Imaginez vivre avec cette crainte sans autre renseignement… on veut être à l'écoute de la communauté et on veut répondre à leurs questions, mais nous sommes dans le noir aussi." Councillor Isabelle Skalski said she supported the motion "pour donner voix aux résidents anxieux," citing uncertainty around a major project that could directly affect residents.
Council ultimately backed a motion calling for meaningful consultation and for impacts on private property, agricultural land, drinking water, wildlife and local roads to be avoided or mitigated.
Council adopted several heritage items, including permits, designations, delisting 60 Fairmont Avenue under the Ontario Heritage Act, and an update on the Bank Street Heritage Conservation District.
Council also received updates on the ByWard and Parkdale markets. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the district welcomed "25,6 millions de personnes," up 16 per cent from 2024 and already back to 2019 levels. Market representatives also spoke about security costs. A market representative speaking about downtown conditions said a security program is "extremely expensive" and that additional funding "would be really wonderful."
Other approved items included a revised motion on a City of Ottawa–Ottawa Public Library service agreement, exploration of an Invictus-related initiative, a non-binding memorandum with Carleton University for an aquatic sports centre, and the renaming of Cobble Hill Park to School Crossing Guard Park in memory of Peter Clark. Councillor Cathy Curry's motion said the new name would honour "not only Peter Clark but all crossing guards who are at intersections every day to protect children."
Adopted: - Renewal of the Seniors' Plan / Proclamation of June 2026 as Seniors' Month - 2025 Consolidated Financial Statements - Hydro Ottawa 2026-2030 Strategic Direction - Appointment of KPMG as Auditor for 2026 - Authorization for Mayor and Municipal Clerk to sign shareholder resolutions - General Auditor reports, including planning and cybersecurity reviews - Heritage permit for 275 chemin Ilescairn - Heritage designations and notice items (Items 15.1-15.2) - Delisting of 60 Fairmont Avenue under the Ontario Heritage Act (Item 15.3) - Bank Street Heritage Conservation District update (Item 15.5) - Pilot grant program for extreme weather preparedness (Item 16.1) - Motion on expansion of Ontario's deposit return program (Item 18.2) - Motion on light pollution impacts (Item 17.4) - Motion regarding the Alto high-speed rail project and consultation/mitigation - Revised motion on City of Ottawa-Ottawa Public Library service agreement (Item 22.6) - Motion to explore an Invictus-related initiative - Non-binding memorandum of understanding with Carleton University for an aquatic sports centre - Renaming of Cobble Hill Park to School Crossing Guard Park - Closure of bus lane at Nepean Woods Station for the Barrhaven Market on Sept. 20, 2026
Received: - Solid Waste Management Master Plan (Item 18.1) - Annual 911 report (Item 17.3) - Ottawa Paramedic Service Annual Report (Item 17.1)
Deferred: - Ontario heritage matter postponed to August 2026
The notes provided do not include a complete attendance record. Councillors and officials specifically mentioned in the meeting notes include: