Council tables retail cannabis report, approves governance for term
A report providing options on retail cannabis stores in Ottawa was tabled at December 5th City Council.
Council will consider the Report on Ontario Cannabis Legislation, Cannabis Retail Stores and Response to Council Direction of August 29, 2018 at a special meeting on Wednesday, December 13.
The report responds to Council’s direction to staff to provide the options and consequences of opting-out of the Province of Ontario’s regime for private cannabis retail stores. It includes information on crime-related consequences, economic development opportunities and public health considerations, and summarizes the results of public input on retail stores.
The report also outlines the key facets of the Province’s retail cannabis regime that will be regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the role of municipalities within that regime and potential mechanisms for providing feedback to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Finally, the report provides an update on the City of Ottawa’s actions to prepare for and address the implementation of cannabis legalization.
Council will meet as Committee of the Whole on December 13 to consider this report and receive public delegations.
Council today approved the 2018-2022 Council Governance Review that sets out the committee structure, policies and procedures for this Term of Council.
Standing Committees will be: Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Audit Committee, Community and Protective Services Committee, Environment and Climate Protection Committee, Finance and Economic Development Committee (with an Information Technology Sub-Committee), Planning Committee (with a Built Heritage Sub-Committee), Transit Commission and Transportation Committee.
Among the changes for this Term of Council is that the Built Heritage Sub-Committee will be able to make recommendations directly to Council on Ontario Heritage Act applications, as long as the matter does not require a zoning change or Official Plan Amendment. The Chair of the Planning Committee will be an ex officio member of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, and vice versa, to strengthen the working relationship between the two committees. Reports on Zoning By-law and Official Plan amendments will be published 10 days before the Planning Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee consider them.
Advisory Committees for this Term of Council will be: Accessibility Advisory Committee, Arts, Culture and Recreation Advisory Committee, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee, French Language Services Advisory Committee and Planning Advisory Committee.
Council approved a motion to establish a Nominating Committee that will meet in public on Tuesday, December 11 at 9:30 am in the Champlain Room at City Hall. The Nominating Committee will prepare a report for a Council meeting the following day, Wednesday, December 12, recommending appointments to the various posts, including three deputy mayors, the chairs, vice-chairs and members of the various committees and boards. Appointments will be for the entire Term of Council.
The Committee will also recommend three Councillors to serve as a Council Liaison for Housing and Homelessness, a Sports Commissioner and a Council Liaison for Women and Gender Equity. A Council Sponsors Group will work with staff to develop a City of Ottawa Gender Equity Strategy and Women’s Bureau.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Ward 9 – By-law & Regulatory Services Branch Activity Report for Q3, (2018)
| WARD 9 | Q1 to Q3, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Q1 to Q3, 2018 | Ward 9 compared to Total City | ||
| Animals | 510 | 731 | 634 | 782 | 637 | 603 | 548 | 531 | 541 | 460 | 512 | 466 | 499 | 4.9% | |
| Care of Streets | 48 | 64 | 105 | 75 | 69 | 72 | 95 | 78 | 88 | 75 | 87 | 88 | 60 | 3.2% | |
| Graffiti | 11 | 30 | 38 | 24 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 0.4% | |||
| Noise | 467 | 406 | 397 | 541 | 507 | 432 | 435 | 367 | 339 | 330 | 275 | 317 | 279 | 3.3% | |
| Parking | 715 | 850 | 1103 | 941 | 895 | 953 | 998 | 1184 | 1068 | 999 | 1128 | 1339 | 1,023 | 3.6% | |
| Parks | 47 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 50 | 63 | 78 | 30 | 68 | 18 | 58 | 67 | 23 | 2.7% | |
| Property Standards | 273 | 299 | 334 | 279 | 261 | 250 | 357 | 486 | 377 | 407 | 357 | 408 | 369 | 3.4% | |
| Signs | 130 | 222 | 211 | 97 | 111 | 135 | 100 | 90 | 152 | 148 | 205 | 91 | 64 | 6.3% | |
| Zoning Enforcement | 49 | 59 | 67 | 90 | 85 | 82 | 78 | 113 | 150 | 155 | 171 | 90 | 70 | 4.6% | |
Ward 9 Update
I would like to provide you with an update on assistance provided by the Red Cross in Ward 9.
Beginning November 1, the Red Cross will be offering additional financial assistance to individuals and families in the Ottawa area who were affected by the tornadoes in September.
All impacted households in Ontario who have registered with the Red Cross and have not yet received any Red Cross financial assistance will automatically receive funds to help with their immediate needs:
- Households of three people or fewer will receive $600
- Households of four or more people will receive $800
In order to be eligible for funds you MUST register with the Red Cross and you can do so by calling 1-800-863-6582 or 1-800-418-1111. Agents are available from 11 am to 7 pm.
The Red Cross will also continue to provide additional financial assistance for unexpected costs related to temporary accommodation, debris removal, replacement of household items and extraordinary needs.
The Red Cross is also allocating up to $300,000 to support community organizations with their relief and recovery efforts. Community organizations play a critical role in recovery and the Community Partnerships Program is a project-based grants program that is available for non-profits, charities, and other community organizations working towards the recovery of those impacted by disasters in the Ottawa area. Interested organizations can contact ONCommunityPartners@redcross.ca for more information.
The Red Cross would appreciate any assistance you can provide in helping us to share this message to those impacted by the tornadoes. As more families come forward to identify their needs, they are confident that the distribution will continue at a faster pace in the days ahead.
Individuals and families who have outstanding needs, regardless of previous assistance received, are encouraged to call 1-800-863-6582 or visit one of the in-person locations:
- West Carleton, City of Ottawa Facility, 5670 Carp Rd., Kinburn -Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Arlington Woods, Woodvale Pentecostal Church, 205 Greenbank Rd., Ottawa – Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Bus Route Adjustments Ward 9
As discussed at the Finance and Economic Development Committee meeting of September 10, staff committed to reviewing bus route changes that had been implemented in anticipation of a fall launch of the Confederation Line. Staff undertook this review to identify any adjustments that could be implemented rapidly to improve connectivity and reduce walking distances for customers. The goal of the review was to identify bus route adjustments that provide maximum benefit to customers and could be implemented immediately.
Bus route adjustments for Ward 9 are as follows:
- Route 80
– A new southbound trip will be added from Tunney’s Pasture Station to Antares at approximately 6:51 p.m. This will extend 15-minute service until after 7:00 p.m., ensuring that there is frequent service for customers connecting from downtown at the end of the afternoon peak period.
- Route 89
– An early morning trip on Route 105 has already been extended to start at Tunney’s Pasture, coordinated with the arrival of an early trip on Route 89.
– Two new southbound trips will be added from Tunney’s Pasture Station at approximately 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. This will extend 15-minute service until approximately 6:45 p.m., ensuring that there is frequent service for customers connecting from downtown at the end of the afternoon peak period.
These changes will be implemented on Monday, October 15th.
For more information please visit www.octranspo.com or call the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre at 613-741-4390.
