Osgoode Ward Report – Councillor George Darouze
Provincewide Emergency Brake
The provincewide emergency brake will be effective Saturday, April 3, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. and the government intends to keep this in place for at least four weeks.
OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES
- Dr. Vera Etches latest Statement
- Vaccination Appointments and Pre-Registration Open for High Priority Residents
- All Residents Over 70 Can Now Book or Receive a Covid 19 Vaccination
- Stigma Presentation Follow-up: Resources
COMMUNITY AND WARD NEWS
- Easter Bunny Hops Around the Osgoode Care Centre
- Delectable Delights at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
- Councillor Awards
- Ottawa Seniors Transportation to COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
- Metcalfe Community Association Meeting
CITY NEWS
- Easter schedule changes
- Paint it Up! Funding Applications Available
- Better Homes Loan Program
FEDERAL UPDATES
- City of Ottawa Pharmacy locations
PROVINCIAL UPDATES
- Province Doubles Support for Parents With New Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit
- Ontario Supports Tourism and Hospitality Sectors During COVID-19
OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES
Dr. Vera Etches latest Statement
Vaccination Appointments and Pre Registration Open for High Priority Residents
- If you are an adult recipient of chronic home health care living anywhere in the City of Ottawa, you can book an appointment at the Canterbury pop-up clinic or any of the City’s other COVID-19 vaccination pop-up clinics.
- Call 613-691-5505 to confirm your eligibility and book an appointment.
- https://ottawa.ca/en/news/vaccination-appointments-and-pre-registration-open-high-priority-residents
All Residents Over 70 Can Now Book or Receive a Covid 19 Vaccination
- All Ottawa residents age 70 and over (born in or before 1951) can begin booking appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine to access the provincial booking system or call the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week. Only book or call if you are eligible.
- https://ottawa.ca/en/news/all-residents-70-and-over-can-now-book-receive-covid-19-vaccination
Stigma Presentation Follow-up: Resources
COMMUNITY AND WARD NEWS
Easter Bunny Hops Around the Osgoode Care Centre
I was pretty “hoppy” to join the Easter Bunny this past weekend at the Osgoode Care Centre! While he window-hopped his way around the outside of the building, his singing and dancing brought smiles and a warm reception of waves from excited residents and staff. Air kisses were blown in and amongst this joyous outdoor visit. All a part of the charm Mr. Bunny brought to an otherwise dreary day. It was truly special to see the spirited reaction from many, seeing how such a small gesture could bring much happiness.
A special thank you to Greg Thurlow and Mr. Bunny for taking the time to join me and to The Care Centre staff who put up posters announcing the window visit. What would we do without our volunteers?
Delectable Delights at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
As the sap was still flowing well, I thought I had to check out Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm for myself last Saturday and see how Earl Stanley was holding up with his maple season during COVID. Much to my surprise, I also bumped into our Mayor, Jim Watson, checking them out too! Lots to see and do on the grounds for visitors and many great products in their store still available for purchase.
Couldn’t pass up on their latest culinary delight, deep fried pancake strips with maple syrup and sugar. Mmm good! Move over beaver tails, this little tasty delight is way better in my opinion. You will have to try it out on your next visit to the farm.
Councillor Awards
It’s the time of year where I like to publicly recognize community volunteers for 2020/2021 Councillor Darouze’s Community Award. Do you know of someone who contributes to the community and has made an impact? Given the current pandemic, I think we could all use some additional positivity by recognizing outstanding people. Members of the community have been contributing in so many ways, in order to help friends and family members get through this pandemic and I want to hear about it! If you would like to submit a nominee, please email my office: george.darouze@ottawa.ca
Ottawa Seniors Transportation to COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
- The Champlain Community Support Network are here to help you make a transportation to assistance with transportation to Covid-19 vaccination appointments.
- Request a ride online, free of cost, through Ottawa Community Transportation after you have booked your vaccination appointment.
- https://communitysupport.covidresponse.ca/transportationvaccination Ottawa Community Transportation will contact you directly.
- Please request transportation at least 48 hours advance notice of your appointment.
Metcalfe Community Association Meeting
CITY NEWS
Easter schedule changes
Client services
- Client service centres, including the Government Service Centre at 110 Laurier Avenue West and the service centre at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, will be closed.
- All other client service centres and the City’s Provincial Offences Court remain closed.
- The City’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters that require the City’s immediate attention.
Green bin, recycling and garbage collection
- There will be no curbside collection for green bin, recycling or garbage on Good Friday, April 2 and Easter Monday, April 5. Friday’s collection will be collected on Saturday, April 3.
- Easter Monday will be collected on Tuesday, April 6. Collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
- Garbage at multi-residential properties will be collected on the regularly scheduled day. Recycling containers and green bin collection and bulky items will be delayed by one day.
- The Trail Waste Facility will be open on Friday, April 2, Saturday, April 3, and Monday, April 5 from 9 am to 5 pm.
Parking
- Information on City parking regulations and restrictions is available on ottawa.ca.
- Please note that regular parking fees apply on Monday, April 5.
Transit Service – OC Transpo
- OC Transpo bus service, including Line 2 replacement bus service, will operate on a Sunday schedule on Friday, April 2 and on a reduced weekday schedule on Monday, April 5.
- O-Train Line 1 will operate on a Sunday schedule on Friday, April 2 and the current weekday schedule on Monday, April 5. Use OC Transpo’s Travel Planner to plan your trip.
- OC Transpo Customer Service (613-741-4390) will be open on Friday, April 2 from 8 am to 9 pm and on Monday, April 5 from 7 am to 9 pm.
- OC Transpo’s Rideau Centre Customer Service Centre will be closed on Friday, April 2, and Sunday, April 4, but will be open on Saturday, April 3, from 11 am to 6 pm, and on Monday, April 5 from 10 am to 6 pm.
- CF Rideau Centre will be closed for electrical maintenance work from 7 pm on Thursday, April 1 until 7 am Saturday, April 3. During this time, customers will not be able to walk through the mall to access Rideau or Mackenzie King stations. Visit octranspo.com or refer to onsite signage for information about pedestrian routes during the mall closure.
- For more information on Easter service, visit octranspo.com or call 613-741-4390.
Para Transpo
- Para Transpo will operate on a holiday service on April 2, April 4 and April 5. Regular scheduled trips are automatically cancelled on these dates, with the exception of Sunday, April 4. Customers may start booking trips one week before by calling 613-244-7272 or online.
Recreation services
- Visit ottawa.ca for the most updated information on the City’s recreation services.
- Most registered programs will be cancelled. Check with your facility to confirm as some exceptions will apply.
Community and Social Services
- The Tom Brown respite centre, at 141 Bayview Road, will be open from 9:30 am to 4 pm on Friday, April 2 to Monday, April 5.
- The Bernard Grandmaître respite centre at 309 McArthur Road, and the St. Paul’s Eastern United Church respite centre at 473 Cumberland Street, will be closed on Friday, April 2 to Sunday, April 4. Both centres will be open from 9:30 am to 4 pm on Monday, April 5.
Ottawa Public Health
- Visit the OPH COVID-19 Vaccine page for vaccination booking information and to determine your eligibility.
Cultural services
- The Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame remains closed.
- The City of Ottawa Archives and Gallery 112 will be closed.
- All other City arts centres, galleries, theatres and museums will be closed.
Municipal child-care services
- All Municipal childcare centres will be closed.
Library services
- The Ottawa Public Library will be closed on Friday, April 2, Sunday April 4, and Monday, April 5. Operating OPL branches will be open on Saturday, April 3 from 10 am to 4 pm for holds pickup and returns.
- Visit the OPL website for further information and to access library services online.
Paint it Up! Funding Applications Available
- Funding is available for outdoor mural art projects that support vandalism 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 tagging and vandalism.
- All projects will be required to adhere to Public Health guidelines and ensure health and safety.
- For more information about funding, please visit crimepreventionottawa.ca for the program guidelines and application form.
- Applications must be e-mailed, by Friday, April 23, 2021
Better Homes Loan Program
- The Better Homes Loan Program will make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to pay for home improvements over time as they save on their energy bills.
- Through the proposed Better Homes Loan Program, Ottawa homeowners could get a low-interest loan of up to 10 per cent of the current value of their home to cover the cost of home energy improvements.
- The loan would be tied to the property not the owner, this means that if the home is sold before the loan is repaid, the new owner will assume the balance of the loan.
- If you would like to receive updates on this program and other climate change news subscribe to the climate change e-newsletter
FEDERAL UPDATES
City of Ottawa Pharmacy locations
- The Government of Ontario has announced 34 pharmacy locations around the City of Ottawa will begin to accept appointments for vaccinations.
- All of these locations will be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55 and over, with some locations to begin offering the vaccine as early as Saturday, April 3, 2021.
- The Osgoode Pharmacy is included in this pilot, and they can be reached at 613-826-0667 or https://osgoodepharmacy.ca/.
- Please click below to find the list of other pharmacies that are included!
- https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
PROVINCIAL UPDATES
Province Doubles Support for Parents With New Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit
- The Ontario government is providing parents with $980 million in direct support as part of the Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit.
- Under this new round of funding, payments will be doubled to $400 per child and $500 for a child with special needs to help offset additional learning costs.
- https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60960/province-doubles-support-for-parents-with-new-ontario-covid-19-child-benefit
Ontario Supports Tourism and Hospitality Sectors During COVID-19
- The Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant will provide an estimated $100 million in one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses.
- Small businesses include: hotels, motels, travel agencies, amusement and water parks, hunting and fishing camps, and recreational and vacation camps including children’s overnight summer camps.
- Businesses must demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline and have less than 100 employees to qualify.
- Any small businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible for this new grant.
- https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60922/ontario-supports-the-tourism-and-hospitality-sectors-during-covid-19
