Regional councillor Wendy Stewart's:

May 3, 1999

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1. Up-date – Bus bays on Riverside Drive

Thanks to the overwhelming response from area residents who called, e-mailed, faxed and mailed in questions and concerns, the proposal to remove bus bays on Riverside Drive has been withdrawn until further study is completed. Regional Council directed staff to complete the necessary research on the relationship between operating speeds and safe bus bay removal and report back in September 1999. At that time Transportation Committee will review the policy from a safety perspective.

It is worth noting that this is the first time ever that RMOC Transportation Department staff have asked for a report to be removed from the Council agenda. I am reassured that safety will never by compromised in the application of any of our policies.

If you have contacted my office on this issue, you will be notified when the review is completed and a date has been set for consideration of this new policy.

2. Windmill Proposal for Mooney’s Bay Park

It appears that another proposal is in the works to locate a "Friendship" Windmill in Mooney’s Bay Park. The proposed site, directly across from the Rideau Canoe Club, is currently owned by Parks Canada and has been used as a marina. Parks Canada has made an effort to improve the site in recent years but servicing problems resulted in no takers for redevelopment. In 1996, regional staff considered what it would cost to locate a windmill in the north end of the park. The estimate of $350,000. included 420 metres of water & fire service and sewage forcemain. Additional expenses such as roadway improvements, underground electrical service, site landscaping and pedestrian pathways were not considered at that time.

On its own, it would appear that the land Parks Canada owns is inadequate for a structure of this size. Cooperation would be required from the City of Ottawa, who currently leases Mooney’s Bay Park from the NCC.

A representative from the federal government has given assurances that the proponent must clear a couple of hurdles before this proposal is seriously considered. First, municipal zoning (which is not currently appropriate) must be obtained, as well as required approvals such as environmental assessments. Second, the proponents must demonstrate that the project is financially viable, both in construction and ongoing operating costs. Project costs are estimated at $3 million.

Many residents have expressed concern to my office about the appropriateness of locating a major tourist facility in an area which has been dedicated to passive recreation. If you would like to be kept informed of developments and have not yet contacted my office on this issue, please let me know.

Between mid-April and September, to meet the Fire Code, RMOC will test approximately 7,000 hydrants in Ottawa-Carleton. During last summer’s Hydrant Testing Program we had a reported increase in discoloured (red) water. As a result we have developed an improved, proactive public notification plan for this testing season. Our objective is to lessen complaints about red water by informing residents why hydrant testing is important, and explaining the temporary inconveniences that sometimes occur as a result of the maintenance work.

4. Report in on Land Trusts

A draft report has been prepared on the ongoing discussions on land trust activities in Ottawa-Carleton. It is intended to go to Planning & Environment Committee on May 11^th.

Recommendations in the report are as follows:

1. The Region support in principle the creation of a land trust organisation focussing on urban Ottawa-Carleton and form a working group of potential partners to define the possible form and mandate of such an organization.
1. The Region provide logistical support and any necessary facilitation and expert advice for the working group from the Environmental Resource Areas Acquisition account.

Copies of the 9 page report can be obtained by contacting my office. Please forward any comments by May 10^th in time for committee consideration. Individuals may also wish to make a presentation to Committee on this matter, and should confirm whether this item has been scheduled as planned.

The O-C Board of Trade has been on record for over twenty years demanding that municipal governance in this region be restructured and are pushing for one new city for the region. I support this initiative.

In a global economic environment, our area’s capacity to reap economic rewards such as quality of life and job prosperity are directly linked to our ability to focus and function as one collective voice. The Board of Trade believes their vision for this new city has many benefits:

• The new city will be better positioned to contribute to Ontario’s economic growth and social prosperity in a competitive international environment.
• It supports the effort to reduce the number of municipalities in Ontario in order to improve the operations of local government.
• It allows the area to better realize both savings and increased effectiveness in pubic expenditures.
• It supports moves to reduce the number of elected officials at both the provincial and local levels, while maintaining representation and accountability (there are currently 84 municipal politicians in 12 municipal governments in our region).

The O-C Board of Trade urges you to copy these points in a letter format and mail, fax or e-mail it to your MPP’s, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Premier of Ontario. They have pledged to make restructuring the single most important issue in the upcoming provincial election.

Did you know that each day, the Region’s two purification plants produce enough water to fill 2.3 million bath tubs? Over 168,000 water quality tests performed in 1998 confirm that Ottawa-Carleton’s drinking water is better than provincial and federal drinking water standards.

To learn more about drinking water, please pay a visit to the Region’s new water web site. This site was created to respond to the many inquiries the Region receives each year about drinking water. Residents can visit the site to obtain up-to-date information about drinking water quality, water rates and billing, water education programs and more. The site is accessible from the Region’s internet site "Regional Contact" or directly at http://www.rmoc.on.ca/water-eau/index.htm

A one day public event is being planned for June 12^th to celebrate the International Year of Older Persons, as declared by the United Nations’ General Assembly. The purpose of the declaration is to foster international awareness of the important role of seniors in society and the need for multi-generational respect and support.

The world’s population is aging. A significant demographic trend will occur within the next few years – the average lifespan world-wide will increase by almost 20 years and the proportion of older persons (+60) will increase from one in 14 to one in four. Just as the world’s population is aging at an unprecedented rate, the number of seniors in Ottawa-Carleton is also on the rise. Currently, about one in ten (26,800) is over 65 years, a figure that will grow steadily over the next several decades reaching 23% by 2041. By 2001, 47% of seniors will be over 75 years of age.

As well, 1999 marks an important milestone for the Region of Ottawa-Carleton. Created in 1969, RMOC was the first regional government to be formed in Ontario under a broad municipal government reorganization program.

Since June is Senior’s Month, it is a perfect time to pay tribute to the past and continuing contributions of seniors and retired persons to our community and, at the same time, recognize the special milestone of RMOC turning 30 years of age.

Seniors, families, friends and visitors are all invited to attend activities taking place across the Region, including entertainment, tours, exhibits and displays. A program of the celebration is attached.