Committee on Protective Services and Emergency Preparedness Meeting

The Committee on Protective Services and Emergency Preparedness reviewed Ottawa Paramedic Service performance and expansion, the 2025 annual report on 911 service, a rewrite of licensing and permit regulations, and a motion on light pollution. Members also discussed mental health supports for emergency personnel, rural service coverage, and violence against paramedics.

Topics Discussed

1. PARAMEDIC SERVICES: staffing, response times, and community care

The committee reviewed Ottawa Paramedic Service results and expansion plans. Discussion referenced 121 new positions added to expand capacity and continue the community model. Members also discussed response-time pressures across Ottawa's large geography, especially in rural areas.

Hospital offload delays were a major focus. Greg said wait times had "gone from 224 minutes to 62 minutes," calling it "a remarkable improvement," while adding that "there is still work to be done to reach our target of 30 minutes."

The committee also reviewed the community paramedic model, including in-home care intended to reduce emergency department visits. Councillor Jeff Leiper said, "En 2025... Nous avons pu voir 12000 patients chez eux. Cela réduit les visites à l'urgence. Nous pouvons offrir des soins avec compassion au bon endroit et au bon moment."

2. FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS AND SAFETY

The committee discussed mental health supports for paramedics and other emergency personnel. Councillor Matthew Luloff said, "Nous devons besoin de professionnels, faire un suivi également, offrir un soutien nécessaire et mettre en place une culture où demander de l'aide est vu comme une force et non pas comme une faiblesse."

Members also discussed violence against paramedics. A paramedic delegate said, "Ça ne peut pas être toléré et depuis beaucoup trop longtemps, on l'a accepté," referring to violence that had been treated as if it were simply part of the job.

3. 911 SERVICES: annual report and next-generation system

The committee examined the 2025 report on 911 emergency communications. Staff reported rising call volumes. David Hill said, "Nos chiffres, nos réponses, nos rappels, nos appels pour des réponses augmenteront," adding that an analysis comparing the previous year with the first five months of 2026 showed "une petite augmentation."

Members also discussed service visibility and deployment. One councillor said residents "want a presence" and asked that vehicles waiting for calls be stationed "in places where people can see them" rather than "hiding them."

4. LICENSING AND PERMIT BYLAW REVIEW

Staff presented a rewrite of the city licensing and permit bylaw, replacing the current framework with a new permit issuance regulation. Samantha Montreuil said, "The staff is asking to repeal the current law by implementing a new permit issuance regulation. We want the whole thing to be much more modern and efficient and this supports the council's priorities, which is a diversified economy."

The review covered entertainment venues, food and refreshment vendors, and other licensed businesses. A citizen delegate said the proposed rules were unclear on when a business shifts from food service to entertainment, asking: "When an establishment becomes... an entertainment establishment?" The delegate said if entertainment is already covered through existing food-service and AGCO rules, "there should not be additional permits required."

Councillor Laura Dudas highlighted one specific change, saying the bylaw currently requires refreshment vendors at special events to pay the same fee whether they operate for one day or several days, and staff proposed creating "une option d'une journée."

Marty Carr introduced an amendment on vendor hours: "Alors, c'est une motion de modification... pour que le tout ferme à 2h le matin afin que les heures soient alignées avec les autres établissements de restauration de divertissement."

Delegates also raised concerns about regulatory overlap. David Thompson said food truck operators face federal, provincial, municipal, and other requirements, listing safety, TSSA, ESA, plumbing, fire, and health inspections before paying for a permit.

5. LIGHT POLLUTION MOTION

The committee discussed and adopted a motion on light pollution. Delegates linked excessive lighting to sleep disruption, wildlife impacts, and bird collisions.

Nicole Carato said, "Les études en physiologie humaine ont démontré que l'éclairage excessif nuit à la production de mélatonine et nuit au sommeil des résidents." Nicole Cato asked, "Que fait la ville d'Ottawa pour éviter les collisions, que les oiseaux ne frappent une fenêtre? Que faites-vous pour atténuer le reflet et la pollution lumineuse?"

Councillor Laine Johnson said the motion includes work on "la pollution luminaire" and harmful lighting as part of a future plan, with other jurisdictions to be reviewed as possible models.

Motions

• Adoption of minutes of the May 28, 2026 meeting — adopted
• 2025 Annual Report on 911 Emergency Call Services — received
• Review and adoption of licensing permit regulations — approved with amendments
• Food and beverage vendor operating hours amendment — passed; closing time extended to 2 a.m.
• Street vendor/special event fee reduction motion (Councillors Dudas/Gower) — passed
• 60-minute extension motion (Councillor Hill) — passed
• Marriage and religious venue regulations motion — passed
• Light pollution motion (Motion 7.1) — adopted

Attendees

Councillors identified in the discussion as present or speaking: - Riley Brockington - David Brown - Steve Desroches - Laura Dudas - Glen Gower - Allan Hubley - Laine Johnson - Theresa Kavanagh - Clarke Kelly - Catherine Kitts - Jeff Leiper - Wilson Lo - Matthew Luloff - Shawn Menard - Stéphanie Plante - Rawlson King - Marty Carr - Cathy Curry - Jessica Bradley - Tim Tierney - Sean Devine - Ariel Troster

Also referenced: - Mayor Mark Sutcliffe - Samantha Montreuil, city staff - Chief Pierre Poirier, Ottawa Paramedic Service - Delegates including David Thompson, Nicole Carato, Nicole Cato, Tina, and others