Ottawa City Council met for an extremely brief session today, May 29th. Councillor Shawn Menard proposed that Council direct city staff to consider Hydro Ottawa’s resiliency and system capacity planning objectives to determine design priority for the burial of power lines. Menard explained that Hydro Ottawa has its own list of areas that it would like to see made more resilient as a result of the 2022 derecho—the 2022 windstorm left some areas of the city without power for more than a week. He said the city should align its objectives with Hydro Ottawa’s. The motion was carried.
Councillor Stephanie Plante proposed to Council that June 1st be recognized as National Health and Fitness Day in Ottawa. The motion was approved.
Councillor Steve Desroches tabled a motion to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Desroches spoke of the RCAF’s storied history, from its founding in 1924 through the Second World War to the Afghan conflict and peacekeeping operations, including the recent deployment to Mali. The councillor for Riverside South-Findlay Creek also paid tribute to Canadian Forces Station Lietram, located in his ward.
Desroches’ proposed centennial commemorations at Ottawa City Hall will showcase the history behind Ottawa’s connections to the Royal Canadian Air Force, including significant operations at CFB Rockliffe and CFB Uplands, which played a significant role in the Commonwealth Pilot Training Program during the Second World War. Desroches’ motion was carried.
Councillors Matthew Luloff and Ariel Troster asked Council for extended road closure permits for the Orleans Craft Beer Festival (June 7th) and the Chinatown Night Market (May 31st -June 2nd). The Somerset Street road closure will begin May 30th to allow vendors time to set up. Both motions were carried.
Councillor Jeff Lieper brought forward two similar motions asking for the closure of a stretch of Hamilton Avenue every Wednesday from June 5th until October 9th for the Parkdale Night Market and the Vegans who Snack Market event on May 31st. Both motions were carried.
Council was adjourned shortly after, with the session lasting less than one hour.