Jan Harder: Let’s Talk Barrhaven

6 min read

City is ready to ramp up once they have vaccine supply

Are you loving this weather?  I know it’s cooler right now but wow those few days last week of 20 degrees were more than a breath of fresh air.  Over a year now into COVID, who isn’t weary?  I surely know I am and there isn’t one of you that I have spoken with no matter your age who hasn’t had enough!

As I am writing this, we learn that the anticipated increased vaccine inventory may not be realized.  What does that mean for us particularly now we have decided to delay the second shots. Hearing Tony DiMonte state this morning (last Thursday) that he wasn’t sure when the next age group would be called was certainly disturbing.  I don’t know what to tell you.  As you know there are so few decisions within our control here at the City level. Rest assured though that we are ready to ramp up as soon as we have the vaccine supply. You can count on us.  

Find out what is happening in your Barrhaven & City of Ottawa communities through my weekly email blast. To sign up for my email blast please email mark.bouwman@ottawa.ca.

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Barrhaven Traffic Update

Road Close Authorization for Jockvale Road from Greenbank Road to Longfields Drive.

The road will be closed:

  • Friday, April 9th, 2021 at 7:00pm until Saturday, April 10th, 2021 at 10:00am
  • Saturday, April 10th, 2021 at 7:00pm until Sunday, April 11th, 2021 at 10:00am
  • Thursday, April 29th, 2021 at 7:00pm until Friday, April 30th, 2021 at 6:00am

Aecon Construction Ontario East Limited will be performing work on the watermain and completing a watermain connection.

Cleaning up the Capital

This year marks the 28th year of Cleaning the Capital, a popular City of Ottawa program that leverages corporate sponsorship and resident engagement to help keep our city clean and green. Since the program’s inception, over 1,400,000 volunteers have participated in over 23,000 cleanup projects in communities across the city, removing approximately 1,700,000 kilograms of waste from our public spaces.

This memorandum is to provide Council with information regarding the upcoming Spring campaign, including changes to sponsorship and to program delivery, as well as key dates for 2021.

Sponsorship Changes

GLAD (Clorox of Canada Ltd.) has recently advised that they will not be providing municipalities with monetary contributions moving forward. We are thankful for the financial support GLAD has offered over the past many years, and we continue to welcome their in-kind (product) support. Further, I am pleased that our program will continue to be sponsored by Giant Tiger, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, ROMCO and the National Capital Commission. It is expected that the Spring and Fall 2021 campaigns will proceed on a significantly reduced budget while program staff explore options for a new title sponsor.

Ruth E. Dickinson Library

Library services remain the same in the Red-Control Zone. Our branch is open for indoor returns and holds pick up, as well as browsing and use of public computers. Due to provincial regulations, branch capacity will be limited, and masks must be worn both inside the branch and in lineups outside. 

Please visit the Ottawa Public Library website for the most up to date information. All library branches will be closed on Friday April 2, Sunday April 4, and Monday April 5. 

Planning and Enjoying Your Garden | Préparer et profiter des joies du jardinage

OPL is partnering with the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton to offer a series of free online gardening programs throughout the spring and summer. The series runs on select Wednesdays from 12 pm – 1 pm. Programs are offered in English and in French. Registration is required. Join us over your lunch hour!  

April Break at the Ottawa Public Library: April 12 – 17, 2021

Children: Let your imagination run wild! Ages 4-12. Join us for daily live performances at 3:30 pm, yoga, dance, arts and crafts, puppets, and much more! Most programs require registration with a valid library card, while others are drop-in. 

Teens: Let your creativity shine! Ages 13-18. Space is limited to allow for plenty of communication and interaction between the presenter and participants. Register online with your library card. 

Hydro Ottawa Support Available

For residents who are on a low income and struggling to pay their hydro bills, there is support available through the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
Eligible residents receive a monthly credit on their hydro bill, but they must apply to receive this credit. NROCRC is providing OESP application support to anyone within the city Ottawa.

Paint it Up! Funding Applications Available – Crime Prevention Ottawa

Funding is available for outdoor mural art projects that support graffiti prevention, youth empowerment, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods. Projects must contribute to a clean, safe and beautiful city by engaging neighbourhoods and youth in a constructive learning process to create murals to prevent or deter graffiti.

Applications are due on April 23.  We are releasing the call for proposals with a timeline to ensure the completion of the projects over the summer period. 

This year we have added questions to the application form about pandemic safety.  All projects will be required to adhere to Public Health guidelines and ensure health and safety.  We are seeking a balance between ensuring pro-social activities for youth and pandemic safety.  We have also produced an information sheet with resources to assist you in developing COVID safe programming.

For more information about funding, please visit crimepreventionottawa.ca.

Help During Self Isolation

Do you need help during self-isolation? Call 2-1-1 for information on resources from the Community and Social Services Line.

Do you need a space to self-isolate safely?

The Voluntary Isolation Centre (VIC) is for people who do not have access to an adequate shelter or cannot self-isolate safely in their own homes. To find out more or to apply please call 613-580-2424 ext. 25890 or email OPHisolationcentre@ottawa.ca.

Here are some resources that might help:

  • Access to food: goodfoodottawa.ca
  • Access to mental wellness support: counsellingconnect.org
  • Supports for seniors & adults with a disability: communitysupport.covidresponse.ca
  • Delivery of food & supplies – Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre: 613-591-3686
  • CRB- Canada Recovery Benefits information & support – Service in English & Arabic: Email hanadi.alashi@occsc.org or fidaa.osman@occsc.org

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