Press releases

Acting Mayor invites 3,000 seniors for Canada Day breakfast

Ottawa – Up to 3,000 seniors will enjoy a fun and festive start to Canada Day at the Mayor’s Annual Canada Day Celebration for Seniors on Wednesday, July 1 at the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park.

Council acknowledges Beechwood Cemetery’s national and historic significance with permit fee and charge reimbursement

Ottawa – City Council agreed today to reimburse the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation, the non-profit charitable foundation that owns and operates Beechwood Cemetery, for $111,693 in municipal permit fees and charges it incurred while expanding its facilities between 2002 and 2006.

City Council makes changes to their decision-making process

Ottawa – Ottawa City Council today approved a series of changes to its governance structure and the way in which decisions are made at City Hall. As part of the Mid-term Governance Review, City Councillors approved a wide range of options that will enable Council to focus more on financial and management accountability and on major policy issues that directly affect residents, such as transit and budget.

New online service provides simpler birth registrations for Ottawa parents

Ottawa – Parents of newborn children born within the city of Ottawa can now register the birth of their child directly with the Office of the Registrar General (ORG) through a new provincial online registration service. This fully electronic service means that the City of Ottawa will no longer be responsible for collecting live birth registrations for babies born on or after June 22, 2009.

City staff recognized for exceptional contributions

Ottawa – Twelve City of Ottawa employees were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the City and its residents at the third annual City Manager’s Award for Excellence ceremony in Council Chambers today.

Michel Bellemare to host sixth annual community BBQ

Ottawa - On Sunday, June 28th, Acting Mayor Michel Bellemare will host his sixth annual community barbecue at the Gloucester Shopping Centre. Attracting thousands each year, the fair also helps raise funds for the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre and the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard.

The City of Ottawa encourages residents to Walk like your life depends on it

Ottawa - In an effort to reduce Ottawa's pedestrian injury rate, the City of Ottawa, through its Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP), today launched a public education campaign entitled, Walk like your life depends on it to promote pedestrian safety practices.

Art comes to life at grand opening of Shenkman Arts Centre

Ottawa – Decades of planning and persistence paid off with today’s launch of the $37-million Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans. The ribbon-cutting ceremony of Ottawa’s newest home for the arts was followed by a sold-out gala evening performance.

Infrastructure investments by all three levels of government will reduce sewer overflows in Ottawa

Ottawa – Funding to improve Ottawa’s sewer systems, including the recent announcement of an $18.73-million investment partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Federal Government and earlier funding commitments from the Provincial Government, will help to drastically reduce overflow during heavy rainfalls.

Government of Canada Supports Wastewater Infrastructure in Ottawa

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 12, 2009) - John Baird, Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister, and Michel Bellemare, Acting Mayor of the City of Ottawa, today announced that residents of Ottawa will benefit from federal funding of an infrastructure project aimed at reducing the frequency of sewer overflows into the Ottawa River.

City dedicates park in honour of Clarence Maheral

Ottawa – Family, friends and associates of Clarence Maheral gathered in celebration with him today as the City of Ottawa officially renamed the former Pumphouse Park in Kanata’s Glen Cairn neighbourhood as Clarence Maheral Park.

Comprehensive report on Lansdowne Park renewal negotiations to be tabled in August

Ottawa - City Council agreed yesterday that partnership agreement negotiations underway with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) on the future of Lansdowne Park would benefit from further time over the summer before a comprehensive proposal is tabled. As a result, City staff has been granted a 30-day extension to complete negotiations and will present its report to Council on August 26.

Councillor Wilkinson elected as Ontario representative on FCM National Board of Directors

Ottawa - Councillor Marianne Wilkinson is the new Ontario representative on the National Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

City Council approves Official Plan amendment

OTTAWA – City Council today approved an amendment to the 2003 Official Plan. The document provides a vision of how and where the city should grow through to 2031 and a policy framework to guide its physical development.

Federal and Provincial Governments announces $375 million of ready-to-go stimulus funding for City of Ottawa

Ottawa – The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario today announced $375 million in stimulus funding for infrastructure projects across the City of Ottawa.

The injection of federal and provincial funding significantly increases the number of projects the City will undertake as part of its own Ottawa Builds infrastructure program and enables the City to address more of its infrastructure priorities.

“Today’s announcement proves that, together, we can achieve great things in a short period of time”, said Acting Ottawa Mayor Michel Bellemare. “Ottawa can now launch the most significant infrastructure investment seen in many years. The impact this will have on our local economy, including the creation of thousands of jobs, will see benefits for generations to come.”

City Caps Environment Week by honoring employee excellence

Ottawa - Every year at this time, the City celebrates outstanding achievements made by individuals and teams to foster environmental awareness and sustainability for the community. This year’s Employee Environmental Excellence Awards recognize an employee for tireless work in implementing and promoting dozens of reduce and reuse initiatives across the City, and a team that implemented a leading-edge approach to air quality assessment.

City breaks ground at City Hall for community garden

Ottawa – Dans le cadre de la Semaine de l’environnement, le Conseiller Alex Cullen et ses partenaires du Réseau des jardins communautaires et du Nanny Goat Hill Garden ont entamé les travaux d’implantation d’un nouveau jardin communautaire à l’hôtel de ville d’Ottawa.

City rolls out Green Bin pilot project for Environment Week kick-off

Ottawa – Environment Week in the City of Ottawa got the green light earlier today with the official launch of the Green Bin Champions pilot project. Acting Ottawa Mayor, Michel Bellemare, kicked off the project and proclaimed the week of May 31 to June 6 as Environment Week in the City.

Successes for OC Transpo in a challenging year

City Council calls for plan to keep Nortel in Ottawa

Ottawa – Ottawa City Council is calling on the federal and provincial governments to work with the City of Ottawa to ensure that Nortel Networks remains a vital part of Ottawa’s high technology sector. They also directed the City Manager to meet with governments and business leaders to develop a plan to ensure the continuation of Nortel operations in Ottawa.

Downtown tunnel on the right track

Council voted today to approve the recommended corridor alignment and station options for the downtown Ottawa transit tunnel (DOTT). The project includes 12.5 km of Light Rail Transit (LRT) track, extending from Tunney’s Pasture to Blair Road with 13 transit stations.

City endorses interest arbitration for transit workers

Ottawa – City Council has endorsed a joint union-management proposal that will prevent transit strikes or lockouts by settling future unresolved labour negotiations with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 through interest arbitration. The proposal must still be ratified by the Local’s membership.

Ottawa takes on Yellowknife in Commuter Challenge

Ottawa – City Council has taken up a challenge from Sierra Club Canada to compete with Yellowknife City Council to see which group of councillors can find the greenest ways to commute in the 2009 Commuter Challenge during the week of May 31 to June 6.

Ottawa City Council increases partnership funding for economic development

Bus operator honoured for saving young child from snowstorm

Ottawa - OC Transpo bus operator Marino Verzeroli is the 2008 TRANSECURE Employee of the Year. He received the award at the 19th annual TRANSECURE awards ceremony today, for his role in helping a young child in need.

City dedicates park in memory of Heather Crowe

Ottawa - Today, in memory of a courageous and exceptional woman, the City of Ottawa officially dedicated a park located at 1902 Scott Street in Ottawa’s Kitchissippi Ward as Heather Crowe Park.

Ottawa proclaimed Canada’s Knowledge Destination

Ottawa – On behalf of City Council, Acting Ottawa Mayor Michel Bellemare today proclaimed the City of Ottawa as Canada’s Knowledge Destination during the month of May.

Bellemare and other City Councillor's join forces to bring light-rail to eastern Ottawa

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare was joined today by his eastern Ottawa colleagues, Councillors Rob Jellett, Rainer Bloess, and Bob Monette, at the Blair Transitway station. Together, they outlined their plan to bring light-rail to eastern Ottawa.

Bellemare et d'autre conseillers municipaux rassemblent leurs forces afin d'acheminer le train léger dans l'est d'Ottawa

Les conseillers municipaux d’Ottawa Rob Jellett, Rainer Bloess et Bob Monette, ses collègues de l’est d’Ottawa, se sont joints aujourd’hui au conseiller Michel Bellemare à la station Blair du Transitway. Ensemble, ils ont présenté leur plan pour amener le train léger dans l’est d’Ottawa.

Bellemare opposes NCC's Kettle Island bridge for heavy transport trucks

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare today said it would be wrong for federal and provincial governments to build a bridge at Kettle Island for long haul heavy transport truck traffic.

Bellemare s'oppose au pont à l'île Kettle pour les poids lourds

Le conseiller municipal d’Ottawa Michel Bellemare affirme que les gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux ne devraient pas ériger un pont pour les poids lourds à l’île Kettle.

Bellemare patrols neighbourhoods with Police Chief White

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare today went on patrol throughout Beacon Hill-Cyrville with Chief of Police Vern White. Patrolling neighbourhood streets, visiting parks and various parts of the ward, Councillor Bellemare and Chief White discussed policing priorities.

Bellemare patrouille dans le quartier avec le chef de police White

Le conseiller municipal Michel Bellemare a patrouillé aujourd’hui dans le quartier Beacon Hill-Cyrville en compagnie du chef de police Vern White. Le conseiller Bellemare et le chef White ont profité de cette patrouille dans les rues, les parcs et divers endroits du quartier pour discuter des priorités des services policiers.

Bellemare strengthens food safety

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Bellemare renforce la salubrité des aliments

L’amendement du conseiller de la ville d’Ottawa, Michel Bellemare, visant la vérification du Programme de salubrité des aliments a été adopté aujourd’hui par le Conseil municipal.

Bellemare declares driving school traffic prohibition in Beacon Hill a success

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare today announced that action to reduce driving school traffic in Beacon Hill during the past year has succeeded and will continue.

Bellemare déclare que l'interdiction des autos-écoles dans Beacon Hill est un succès

Michel Bellemare, conseiller municipal à Ottawa, a annoncé que les mesures prises depuis un an afin de réduire la circulation d’autos-écoles dans Beacon Hill ont donné les résultats attendus et demeureront en place.

Bellemare announces major park improvements for Beacon Hill-Cyrville

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare today announced a series of projects to improve parks in Beacon Hill-Cyrville, including a fun pirate ship for Eastvale Park.

Bellemare annonce d'importantes améliorations à de nombreux parcs du quartier Beacon Hill-Cyrville

Michel Bellemare, conseiller municipal à Ottawa, a fait l’annonce aujourd’hui d’une série de projets visant à améliorer de nombreux parcs du quartier Beacon Hill-Cyrville, dont l’aménagement d’un bateau pirate pour enfants au parc Eastvale.

Bellemare invites residents to fifth annual community BBQ

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare will host his fifth community barbecue at the Gloucester Shopping Centre on Sunday, June 29th. The summer event attracts thousands of people each year with free entertainment and rides for kids, helping to raise thousands of dollars for local charities.

Bellemare invite les résidants au cinquième barbecue communautaire annuel

Ottawa - Le conseiller Michel Bellemare invite les résidants au cinquième barbecue communautaire annuel qui aura lieu le dimanche 29 juin au centre commercial Gloucester. À chaque année cette foire estivale, avec ses manèges gratuits pour les enfants, attire des milliers de personnes et aide à amasser des milliers de dollars pour les charités locales.

Bellemare honors young hero

Ottawa Councillor Michel Bellemare honoured a remarkable young student today for her bravery and quick thinking in an emergency.

During the annual Children’s 9-1-1 Achievement Awards at Ottawa City Hall, Councillor Bellemare, Mayor Larry O’Brien and other members of Council presented certificates to six young Ottawans who called 9-1-1 when faced with an emergency, including 12-year old Beacon Hill-Cyrville student Katherine Brown.

Bellemare rend hommage à une jeune héroïne

Le conseiller municipal Michel Bellemare a rendu hommage à une remarquable jeunes résidante aujourd'hui pour sa bravoure et sa présence d’esprit.

À l’occasion de la remise annuelle des prix de mérite 9-1-1 décernés aux enfants à l’hôtel de ville, le conseiller Bellemare, le maire Larry O'Brien et d'autres conseillers ont présenté des certificats à six jeunes ottaviens qui, en situation d'urgence, ont composé le 9-1-1. Parmi les jeunes héros se trouvent Katherine Brown, une écolière âgée de 12 ans du quartier Beacon Hill-Cyrville.

Bellemare and O'Brien honour local volunteers

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare and Mayor Larry O'Brien honoured outstanding volunteers at Monday's seventh annual Civic Appreciation Awards ceremony. Mayor O’Brien and Councillor Bellemare presented certificates to individuals who give of themselves to better their communities and the lives of others. Recipients included three residents from Beacon Hill-Cyrville ward: Ramachandran Vaidyanath, Frank O'Donnell, and Veronica Lorriman.

Bellemare et O'Brien honorent des bénévoles

Le conseiller municipal Michel Bellemare et le maire Larry O'Brien ont honoré lundi des bénévoles exceptionnels lors de la septième cérémonie annuelle des Prix du mérite civique. Le maire O’Brien et le conseiller Bellemare ont présenté des certificats à des individus afin de souligner leur contribution fort appréciée à la qualité de vie de notre ville. Trois résidants du quartier Beacon Hill-Cyrville ont notamment reçu des certificats : Ramachandran Vaidyanath, Frank O'Donnell et Veronica Lorriman.

Michel Bellemare renforce la surveillance de la qualité de l’eau à l’île Petrie

Les modifications aux Rapports sur les plages pour 2007 proposées par le conseiller Michel Bellemare ont été adoptées à l’unanimité cette semaine par le Conseil municipal d’Ottawa.

Bellemare strengthens monitoring of water quality at Petrie Island

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare’s amendments to the city’s 2007 Beach Report were unanimously adopted by City Council this week.

Bellemare veut un plan « audacieux et efficace» pour le train léger

Ayant depuis longtemps réclamé la conversion du Transitway au train léger, le conseiller municipal Michel Bellemare déclarait aujourd’hui une importante victoire. Alors que le personnel de la Ville d’Ottawa soumet sa recommandation pour un nouveau projet de transport en commun rapide, il semble que le vœu du conseiller Bellemare se réalisera.

Bellemare calls for “bold and effective” light rail plan

After years of calling for the conversion of the Transitway to light rail Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare declared victory today. As city staff release their recommended new rapid transit plan for Ottawa, it seems Councillor Bellemare will finally get his wish.

Bellemare insiste sur un pont pour remédier au problème de la circulation des poids lourds

Le conseiller exprime ses préoccupations concernant les faiblesses du réseau de transport actuel et exige qu'une évaluation rigoureuse des solutions proposées soit menée avant que le parcours des poids lourds soit tracé dans le secteur Est d'Ottawa

Bellemare urges bridge solution for long haul heavy transport trucks

Raises concerns about current transportation deficiencies and urges rigorous review before possible re-routing of long haul heavy transport trucks through eastern Ottawa.

Michel Bellemare to host fourth annual community BBQ

Ottawa - On Saturday, June 23rd, City Councillor Michel Bellemare will host the fourth annual community barbecue at the Gloucester Shopping Centre. The same event last year attracted over four thousand people, and raised $8,000 for two local charities.

Michel Bellemare congratulates top Orléans school La Source

Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare salutes Orléans' La Source as the top-ranking elementary school in the Ottawa area.

Michel Bellemare félicite la meilleure école de la région La Source d'Orléans

Le conseiller municipal Michel Bellemare applaudit l'École personalisée La Source d'Orléans, maintenant reconnu comme étant la meilleure école de la région.

A better way to build light-rail in Ottawa

Ottawa City Councillor for Beacon Hill-Cyrville

City staff say building the north-south light-rail line will stimulate the local economy. So would any other billion-dollar project. The real question is whether this is the right way to spend a billion dollars in our community.

Michel Bellemare to host 3rd annual community BBQ

Ottawa - On Sunday, June 25th, City Councillor Michel Bellemare will host the third annual community barbecue at the Gloucester Shopping Centre. The same event last year attracted four thousand people, and organizers expect an even bigger crowd on Sunday.

"Bringing families and neighbourhoods together is a great way to start the summer", said Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare.

Michel Bellemare organise le troisième barbecue communautaire annuel

Ottawa - Le dimanche 25 juin, le conseiller Michel Bellemare animera le troisième barbecue communautaire annuel qui aura lieu au centre commercial Gloucester. Le même événement a attiré, l’année passée, 4 000 personnes, et les organisateurs s’attendent à accueillir une plus grande foule ce dimanche.

An open letter to the Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister:

Plans to move the RCMP headquarters from its current location on Vanier Parkway to Merivale Road in the western part of the city run contrary to Ottawa City Council's policy of encouraging balanced growth in the capital...

Lettre au premier ministre

News Room

Monsieur le Premier ministre,

Il paraît que votre gouvernement s'apprête à déménager le quartier général de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada de la promenade Vanier à un édifice du chemin Merivale dans l'ouest de la ville. Cela serait contraire à la politique du conseil municipal d'Ottawa visant à assurer une croissance équilibrée de la capitale...