Ottawa City Council Approves Housing, Infrastructure and Planning Measures

Ottawa City Council approved several housing, infrastructure and planning measures, including a 23-3 vote to ask the federal government to extend consultations on the proposed eastern interprovincial bridge beyond Oct. 9, 2026, and postpone approvals until the next council can review the project. Council also approved short-term financing for Ottawa Community Housing repairs, endorsed housing and homelessness priorities, and adopted planning and transportation items.

Topics Discussed

Eastern Interprovincial Bridge

Council approved Councillor Rawlson King's motion asking the federal government to extend consultation on the proposed eastern bridge beyond Oct. 9, 2026, and delay approvals until the newly elected council can study the project.

King said, "this motion should not be interpreted as a final endorsement for or against the eastern bridge project, but it is a request for time for better coordination and information until the new council takes office." He also moved that "the City Council requests that the Government of Canada extend the current consultation period and postpone approvals regarding this project until the newly elected Ottawa Council is in office and has the opportunity to study the matter thoroughly."

Discussion referenced the planned replacement of the Alexandra Bridge and the strain that could place on other crossings. One speaker noted: "There are five bridges between Ottawa and Gatino. The Alexandra Bridge is over 120 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. It will be replaced in 2028. That is to say, we will have to wait between 8 and 10 years with four bridges."

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said a new bridge was not his priority, adding: "We want to improve public transportation in the city of Atawa. I support Tramoué de Gâtino's project. I support increased investment from the federal government into our public transportation system. They will contribute to phase 3 of the light rail project in the near future. A new bridge is not a priority for me."

The motion passed 23-3.

Housing and Homelessness

Council endorsed a call for the federal government to set measurable objectives within five years to reduce homelessness through coordinated action across all orders of government.

The discussion cited rising homelessness and shelter use. Meeting material stated: "In 2025, 8947 people used emergency accommodation services and 4125 were in a situation of chronic homelessness. There is an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, a rise in the number of encampments with 545 reported in 2025, and 1176 homeless people receiving support."

The endorsed priorities include homelessness prevention, more affordable and supportive housing, preservation of existing affordable housing, intensive-service housing and improved data collection.

Ottawa Community Housing Financing

Council approved short-term financing tied to major repairs in Ottawa Community Housing buildings.

According to the meeting record, "the board approved the refinancing of the five social housing buildings between 2026 and 2028, which are expected to generate approximately $133 million for urgent and essential major repairs within the company's portfolio." The report added that because repair spending may come before refinancing proceeds are received, "this made provisional financing necessary to allow the completion of the essential repair work."

Flood Recovery and Residential Resilience

Council discussed the July 1 flooding and possible improvements to homeowner support and flood resilience programs.

Councillor Theresa Kavanagh said, "many Ottawa households suffered greatly from the floods on July 1st," adding that "the Beward and College neighbourhoods were the hardest hit." She said the city needs to review how existing programs "could be communicated and explained and improved to meet the challenges posed by extreme events."

A motion directed staff to review technical assistance for property owners, assess whether existing flood-mitigation programs could be expanded and examine tools to improve residential resilience.

Planning, Transportation and Street Naming

Council adopted several additional items, including Gladstone Avenue bike lane improvements, a zoning amendment affecting 3 Hamilton North and 233-229 Armstrong, and a grant application for redevelopment of the industrial brownfield site at 349 Avenue d'Andfort.

Councillor Riley Brockington introduced a proposal to rename Trump Avenue. He said, "the council should approve the renaming of Trump Avenue." His motion also called on the city to consult households on the street and develop a replacement name consistent with city naming policy, potentially keeping a New York theme.

The supplied material does not confirm a final council vote on the renaming proposal.

Motions

Passed / Approved / Adopted: - Eastern Interprovincial Bridge Consultation Extension — Councillor Rawlson King: Passed, 23-3 - Flood Recovery and Residential Resilience: Adopted - Ottawa Community Housing Short-Term Financing — File AC2025 CSSGen 012: Approved - National Housing Strategy and Homelessness Priorities: Endorsed - Gladstone Avenue Bike Lane Improvements: Adopted - Official Zoning By-law Amendment — 3 Hamilton North and 233-229 Armstrong: Adopted - Industrial Brownfield Grant — 349 Avenue d'Andfort: Approved

Status unclear in supplied material: - Trump Avenue Renaming Proposal — Councillor Riley Brockington

Attendees

Councillors listed in the supplied material:

• Stéphanie Plante
• Allan Hubley
• Riley Brockington
• Clarke Kelly
• Theresa Kavanagh
• Sean Devine
• Isabelle Skalski
• Glen Gower
• Catherine Kitts
• Mark Sutcliffe
• Marty Carr
• Steve Desroches
• David Hill
• David Brown
• Laura Dudas
• Rawlson King
• Wilson Lo
• Jeff Leiper
• Matthew Luloff
• Cathy Curry
• Jessica Bradley
• Shawn Menard
• Tim Tierney
• Laine Johnson
• Ariel Troster