01 Oct River Ward E-Newsletter, October 1, 2025 | Bulletin électronique du Quartier Rivière, 1 Octobre 2025
Dear Friends and Neighbours!
October already, how did this year fly by so fast? The leaves look beautiful, pumpkins and scarecrows are making their appearance, apple-picking is full swing – what a great month ahead.
This month, we recognize Yom Kippur (Oct 1-2), Thanksgiving (October 13), Fall Gathering Community Meal at the Alexander Community Centre (October 16), River Ward Electronics Waste Depot (October 25) and Halloween (October 31)
Last month, I was active in successfully getting approval for three commemorative namings: The community room in the basement of the Alta Vista Library will be named after Allan Higdon, former Mayor of Ottawa, City Councillor for Alta Vista, community leader and advocate for public libraries. City Council agreed to name the Carleton Heights outdoor rink in memory of Michael Mack, life-long resident of Carleton Heights and passionate outdoor rink volunteer and coordinator.
In addition, on the one-year anniversary this month of the femicide of Brkti Berhe, City Council endorsed my request to install a plaque in her memory in the north end of Paul Landry Park.
I wasn’t thrilled with Premier Ford’s announcement that the Province plans to rescind the regulations they wrote, authorizing the use of speed enforcement cameras, as the Premier believes they are only used as revenue tools for municipalities. The Province permitted municipalities like Ottawa to use the cameras only in school and community-safety zones, with signage installed before you enter each zone. Average speeds have plummeted in these zones. I welcome the Province amending the regulations to address concerns they have with their use, but a total ban is not the right decision and will contribute to making residential communities less safe, particularly for vulnerable road users. If you support the cameras, please reach out to your local MPP.
The draft 2026 City Budget will be released next month on November 12. I plan to co-host a four-ward Budget consultation on November 25 at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre. What are your Budget priorities? Please write to me and share your thoughts. Your feedback is critical.
Enjoy this spectacular month – watch out for little ghosts and goblins and as you gather with family and/or friends to give thanks for the bounty we enjoy, please remember those less fortunate in our ward.
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