Draft Budget 2021 is a no-frills budget that strikes a balance between supporting evolving community needs during this pandemic and delivering essential municipal services, while also advancing Council’s priorities. This is integral, both to our community’s recovery and to Ottawa’s future prosperity.
Many residents in our community face continued financial hardship; it’s more important than ever that Ottawa stay affordable to keep us on solid financial ground. Draft Budget 2021 maintains services that meet the community’s evolving needs, while limiting the property-tax increase and delivering on Council’s promise to keep increases at three per cent.
The year ahead still poses challenges and contains many unknowns, but decades of careful financial stewardship have made Ottawa resilient. With the continued commitment from our federal and provincial partners, we are on solid footing as we work towards a vibrant future and continue to meet the challenges of the changing world in which we live.
In Innes Ward, we saw some important, and some cases long-overdue investments in our local infrastructure and services. Some particular highlights include:
- Nearly half a million dollars to resurface Jeanne d’Arc boulevard both east and west of the Orléans Boulevard intersection is a much needed first step in the resurfacing of the entire roadway.
- A new sidewalk on Carrière Street between Orléans and Belcourt boulevards – as well as a much needed pedestrian crossover on Carrière in front of École secondaire catholique Garneau.
- $700,000 to improve the intersection of Innes Road and Lamarche Avenue.
- Renewal of the multi-use pathway links between:
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- Gaultois Avenue and Orléans Boulevard
- Orléans Boulevard and Kamouraska Circle
- Des Grives and Toulouse crescents
- Toulouse and Belval crescents
There are also many projects in the community that are now finishing up including:
- $4.9 million to the nearly complete renovations at The Blackburn Arena
- $1.2 million to contribute to the developer build of Trailsedge East Park
- $285,000 for a splash pad at Blackburn Park
- $200,000 to replace the play structure at Carrière Park
- $60,000 for a rink shack at the Bradley Estates rink
- $396,548 to contribute to the developer build of August Park
- $200,000 for lifecycle replacement at Ruisseau Park
- $141,000 to renew the playground at Laurier Carrière Park
- $8,000 to resurface the courts at Blackburn Tennis Club
- $3,663 for a bulletin board at Patrick Dugas Park
There are of course also those investments that are not as flashy, yet are equally as important to ensuring that our local infrastructure is maintained.
- $100,000 to replace the culvert at St. Joseph Boulevard between the Highway 174 off-ramp and Youville Drive
- Installed trenchless sewer lining at Blair Road and Highway 174
- Resurfaced the intersection of Beauséjour Drive and Orléans Boulevard, Eastpark Drive, Pagé Road, St. Joseph Boulevard, the Highway 174 on-ramps and off-ramps at Blair Road, and Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard
- $100,000 to replace the fire alarm system at the Orléans library branch
- Conduct an environmental assessment of the Brian Coburn Extension, The Cumberland Transitway and Blair Road corridor from Navan Road to Blair Station, part of a $2.6-million project
- Plan and design traffic-calming measures on Belcourt Boulevard and Renaud Road
- $300,000 to rehabilitate the storm sewers at the Blackburn Hamlet Bypass on Innes and on Renaud Road.
- Resurfacing of Innes Road between Orléans and Jeanne d’Arc boulevards
- Replace the Blair Road bridge culvert and watermain to prepare for the Blair Road Expansion
- $80,000 to repair the exterior insulated finish system at the Orléans library branch
- $400,000 to remove accumulated sediment at the Renaud stormwater management facility
- $2.8 million to renew the Highway 174 culverts over Green’s Creek
- $135,000 to renew culverts on:
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- Renaud Road west of Navan Road
- Navan Road east of the Innes Road bypass
- Renaud Road east of Anderson Road
While many of these investments may not be as visible as a new park for example, they are imperative to ensuring services in our community are effectively delivered. As well, as many of us know, with aging infrastructure in our community, it is crucial we proactively maintain our existing infrastructure before they reach end of life. Finally, Budget 2021 also has investments in our local social services and programs.
- $529,000 for a gym in the new building at MIFO’s cultural centre
- $400,000 to contribute to the developer build of Spring Valley Trails Community Park
- An additional crossing guard at Orléans Boulevard and Beauséjour Drive North
- $32,575 to help social housing providers complete building condition assessments and forecast long-range capital needs
- $56,058 to improve safety, accessibility and energy efficiency in social housing
- $20,000 through Ontario Renovates to repair and modify homes to support independent living for low-income seniors and people with disabilities
The health and safety of residents is Council’s top priority. A healthy and resilient community is the foundation Ottawa needs to facilitate social and economic recovery and to keep the momentum going. Delivering essential City services is integral to residents’ well-being – be that key social services, long-term care, public health response or recreation programs for your family’s physical and mental health. Budget 2021 may not spend as extravagantly as in years past, but what it does do, is invest in our community’s infrastructure, both physical and social; and ensure that the City is able to maintain service delivery standards.
