The Week In Review

• The Canada Day flood response continues as affected residents face a long road ahead, and over 6,000 basements face significant repairs.
• Questions have been raised about DRAO eligibility, and some residents are already dreading about a potential bankruptcy.
• The Canadian Red Cross has been activated in aid efforts, one of several relief measures passed by City Council this week.
• City Council received a roughly 4-hour update on the extent of the damages, as councillors also raised questions about the immediate municipal response.
• City Council also received the city’s Transportation Plan to address the anticipated commute volume this Fall, with federal workers at the office more frequently and students heading back to the classroom. The plan includes a number of significant tweaks to transit, as well as increases to some traffic fines.
• Ottawa’s renovation bylaw was approved by City Council this week, and new landlord requirements should be in place by 2027.

Interviews

Amy Avis, the Head of Humanitarian Operations at the Canadian Red Cross, provides a quick update on initial impressions and the relief being provided to residents.

Residents in Highgate Park are concerned about the city’s stormwater infrastructure in the wake of the Canada Day floods. We check in with Jennifer Drake, an Associate Professor at Carleton University and an expert on urban flooding.

Other news at City Hall this week...

• City Council approved the installation of an all-way stop at an Osgoode intersection, where a June crash killed an 8-year-old child.
• A Barrhaven park will honour a crossing guard that was killed on the job.
• City Council approves asking Queen’s Park to intervene again over the Kanata Golf and Country Club dispute.
• New discussions will be held with Carleton University on a potential partnership for a new aquatic facility.