The Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee held its 23rd meeting, recognizing the retirement of Director Roger Chapman after 35 years of municipal service, receiving the annual Emergency Management report on flood readiness and the new Ottawa Alert system, and reviewing Municipal By-law Services’ annual results showing a rise to 108,000 service requests. The longest discussion focused on residents’ complaints about noise from rooftop mechanical equipment on newer high-rise buildings and a committee motion to review the city’s noise bylaw, including how the city measures (and does not currently measure) low-frequency tonal noise. The committee also approved amendments to landscaping contractor licensing rules after industry representatives said the March 1 changes created unintended impacts for a wider range of exterior contractors.

Topics Discussed

NOISE POLLUTION FROM NEW DEVELOPMENTS: Residents described impacts from noise they attributed to rooftop HVAC and cooling equipment on newer buildings. Carol R. told the committee, “I had to sell my house of 30 years last summer,” adding that she believed “nobody bought the house because who would want to live in such a situation?” Neil Pearon said “more than 100 properties” were affected and argued “the current study cannot detect tonal noise.” Another resident, Jeffrey Brown, said the sounds were “very worrying,” adding, “You can feel them… it’s energy that passes directly through the houses.” Staff also pointed to the challenge of constant operation from some equipment: “heat pumps… must be in operation 24/7,” and staff said the “constant noise that affects residents” was flagged for a future review. The committee passed a motion to review the noise bylaw, including how it aligns with provincial guidance and how stationary-source noise is assessed.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND FLOOD RESPONSE: The committee received an update on emergency management and flood readiness as the city prepared for potential high-water conditions. Director Beth Ging Gooding said, “Canada and specifically the city [is] experiencing changing extreme weather events,” and emphasized the importance of staff training. The committee also heard about Ottawa Alert and efforts to increase sign-ups. Staff outlined limits on what the city can do during flooding on private land, with one director stating, “we do not have the mandate to work on private property… the city has limited resources [and] must prioritize work” tied to municipal responsibilities.

MUNICIPAL BY-LAW SERVICES PERFORMANCE: Staff reported that in 2024 the city handled “nearly 98,000” service requests, and in 2025 that rose to “108,000,” with staff saying they exceeded service standards. Staff also clarified how performance is tracked: “When we talk about initial response… that doesn’t necessarily mean a resolution,” and later added, “closure means resolution.” Staff said they collect data on service requests but “do not know at the geographic level where these calls come from,” and confirmed they do not produce reports after each case closure.

LANDSCAPING CONTRACTOR LICENSING AMENDMENTS: The committee approved amendments to contractor licensing rules following testimony that the March 1 bylaw changes had broader impacts than intended. Jonathan Gilman said the regulation, “although driven by good intentions, was developed without the type of industry collaboration that would have mitigated certain unintended consequences.” Another speaker said the impacts extended “not only [to] landscapers but all exterior contractors… decks, foundation repair, etc.” The committee also heard the rationale for licensing as consumer protection, with a vice-president saying the goal is “an equilibrium” that protects residents from “predatory actors” while improving market access for smaller operators.

RETIREMENT OF ROGER CHAPMAN: The committee recognized Roger Chapman’s retirement after 35 years. In remarks read into the record in French, members noted: “Après 35 années de service exceptionnel, Roger prendra sa retraite à la fin de ce mois,” and described his career beginning in the former City of Nepean in traffic, parking, and animal control. Another tribute said Chapman was someone colleagues could rely on: “Même quand il fait golf, même quand il est en Floride,” he remained available when bylaw issues arose.

Motions

PASSED: Motion 7.1 — Review of noise bylaw to examine alignment with provincial guidance and address low-frequency noise from stationary sources including HVAC systems and cooling units.

PASSED: Amendments to Municipal Bylaw 2002-149 regarding landscaping contractor licensing requirements, including changes intended to reduce barriers while maintaining consumer protection.

PASSED: Recognition of Protection Services Appreciation Day.

Attendees

• Vice-President Hill
• Councillor Devine (Ward 16)
• Councillor Johnson
• Councillor Vkowski
• Councillor Des Roches
• Councillor Bradley
• Councillor Menard
• Councillor Des Roches
• Councillor Scarski