Ottawa City Council Meeting Summary

Ottawa City Council advanced a process to rename Trump Avenue, approved funding for repairs to Ottawa Community Housing properties and sought expanded provincial disaster assistance for residents and municipal infrastructure affected by storms and flooding. Council also approved transportation, heritage, parkland and road-closure measures and launched inquiries into cycling-event disruptions and the use of e-bikes and e-scooters on parks and trails.

Topics Discussed

TRUMP AVENUE RENAMING

Council approved a process to rename Trump Avenue in the Central Park neighbourhood. Councillor Riley Brockington will consult residents and establish a committee of three to five local residents to develop replacement names.

"So Mr. Mayor, the time has come for the city to change the name of Trump Avenue. I would appreciate your support in launching this process today." Brockington said.

Replacement names may reflect the subdivision's New York-themed naming history or use other themes. Residents will select a preferred name, which will return to council for formal approval. City staff will review proposed names for compliance with municipal policy and emergency-service requirements.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he supported the process if Trump Avenue residents were comfortable with the change. "They are the ones who will have to go through the whole administrative process that will follow," he said.

FLOODING, STORM DAMAGE AND DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Council called on the Ontario government to expand disaster-relief eligibility after severe storms and flooding affected more than 7,500 households. The motion cited residents whose properties were outside the Stillwater and Graham Creek areas covered by existing provincial assistance.

Councillors raised concerns about flooded basements, mould risks, homes without insulation or heat and gaps between insurance coverage and repair costs. Brockington said the impact extended beyond properties beside waterways: "Every ward was impacted and if you didn't live beside a swollen creek it doesn't matter. Your basement was still flooded, you still have tens of thousands worth of damages, and why should some people qualify for coverage and not others?"

Council directed the city to send its request to Premier Doug Ford, the responsible provincial minister, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

The city is assessing whether municipal storm-related costs exceed the provincial Disaster Recovery Assistance threshold. Mayor Sutcliffe said the threshold is 3 per cent of the annual tax base: "If we exceed 3%, we can submit a request to the province and obtain reimbursement for part of the expenses."

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Council approved temporary financing for Ottawa Community Housing Corporation to address repairs across approximately 15,500 city-owned affordable-housing units. The funds are restricted to physical repairs and infrastructure work, rather than administration or operations.

Council also endorsed a national plan to reduce and eliminate homelessness.

ROADS, TRAFFIC AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Council approved reducing the speed limit on Spratt Road near Riverside South High School from 60 km/h to 40 km/h during school hours. The measure will be funded through the traffic services budget.

It also approved a requirement that organizers of events involving major rural road closures provide access plans and at least 30 days' public notice. The motion identified potential effects on residents, businesses, farms and places of worship where detours or alternative routes are limited.

Council launched an inquiry into the GFNY cycling event. Staff will report on 311 and traffic-service complaints, resident notification, access and crossing arrangements and possible penalties or permit changes when event conditions are not met.

Councillor Catherine Kitts asked staff to report on the city's authority to restrict e-bikes and e-scooters on trails and in municipal parks. She cited "numerous concerns" about their use around pedestrians and vulnerable people and asked what legal power the city has "to restrict or prohibit the operation of these electric" vehicles.

HERITAGE, PARKLAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Council adopted Report No. 34 of the Built Heritage Committee, including decisions involving 575 Allen Park Crescent, Saint Mark Street United Church, and 1485 and 1495 Heron Road.

Council approved a land-swap framework involving 1197692 Ontario Inc. to create a replacement for McCann Park. The city will receive 72 and 74 Pamilla Street in exchange for 80 Norman Street. Demolition waivers were approved for derelict buildings at 72, 74 and 85 Pamilla Street. The Pamilla Street properties are to be paved, seeded and landscaped.

Council also directed that existing private driveways on Whitmore Crescent, Klein Crescent and Sherman Drive be restored to their previous condition after planned 2027–2028 water and sewer rehabilitation, including driveways that do not comply with current width bylaws.

Motions

• Trump Avenue Renaming Process — Passed: Launch a resident-led process to identify and select a new street name.
• Ottawa Community Housing Capital Repairs — Passed, Item 15.3: Approve temporary financing for physical repairs and infrastructure upgrades.
• National Plan to Reduce and Eliminate Homelessness — Passed, Item 15.2: Endorse the national plan.
• Canadian Red Cross Flood Appeal Extension — Passed, Item 15.4: Extend the period during which city contributions can support the appeal.
• Expansion of Disaster Compensation and Provincial Relief Eligibility — Passed: Seek broader provincial assistance for residents affected by flooding and natural disasters.
• July 1, 2026 Storm Disaster-Recovery Application — Passed: Authorize senior staff to apply for provincial assistance if eligible municipal costs exceed the 3 per cent threshold.
• Spratt Road School-Zone Speed Limit — Passed: Reduce the limit from 60 km/h to 40 km/h during school hours.
• Rural Event Road-Closure Notice — Passed: Require access plans and at least 30 days' public notice.
• Driveway Restoration During Water and Sewer Work — Passed: Restore specified driveways to their pre-construction condition.
• McCann Park Land Swap and Demolition Waivers — Passed: Advance the Pamilla-Norman streets exchange and waive demolition requirements for specified buildings.
• Built Heritage Committee Report No. 34 — Adopted: Approve the listed heritage matters.
• GFNY Cycling Event Inquiry — Approved: Review complaints, notification, access arrangements and permit-enforcement options.
• E-Bike and E-Scooter Inquiry — Approved: Examine restrictions or bans in parks and on multi-use trails.

No rejected or deferred motions were identified in the provided meeting notes.

Attendees

Councillors identified as participating:

• Riley Brockington
• Tim Tierney
• Kavanagh — first name not provided
• Johnson — first name not provided
• Kelly — first name not provided
• Mayor Mark Sutcliffe