One of my fondest memories was when Ottawa joined in Canada’s 150th celebrations, when we partook in extraordinary events and activities happening in nearly every nook and cranny of our city.
This year marks another historic milestone, as Ottawa celebrates its 200th anniversary and once again provides opportunities for residents and community groups to fête our incredible city and its residents.
Founded on September 26, 1826, as the small logging settlement of Bytown, Ottawa has grown over the past two centuries to become our nation’s capital and home to more than one million residents. From its early days along the Ottawa River to the vibrant, diverse city we know today, Ottawa’s story is one of resilience, growth, and community.
Ottawa’s once‑in‑a‑generation milestone will feature a multitude of large-scale activities, from a massive Bytown 200 Day at Bluesfest featuring legendary Canadian rock icons The Guess Who, to new immersive experiences like the Lantern Grove at Winterlude, and even a Shawarmafest, celebrating the transplant food that has become (nearly) as ubiquitous as BeaverTails .
This bicentennial year is shaping up to be one to remember, and I want to make absolutely sure that the east end and Orléans are front and centre in these celebrations. Ottawa’s story is not just in our downtown core or along the canal. It is in all our neighbourhoods, our communities, and the people who make the east end such a special place to call home.
Excitingly, there are several new grants that were launched by the City as part of the 200th celebrations that provide more opportunities for homegrown, grassroots events to flourish in our community:
- Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Grant Program
- Ottawa 200 Civic Events Funding Program
- Ottawa 200 BIA Activation Grant
If you are interested in applying for any of these grants, you can learn more at: https://ottawa.ca/en/business/economic-development-services/ottawa-200-celebrations?page=3042494 .
For a list of 200th anniversary events, you can visit: https://ottawa.ca/en/business/economic-development-services/ottawa-200-celebrations/bytown-200th-2026.
Throughout this year, celebrating what makes Ottawa special will be front and centre, and I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait.
Speaking of local celebrations, I am very excited to share that I’ll be hosting several of my annual community events in the coming months, including:
- My Seniors’ Tea Speaker Series – spring edition
- The 2026 Gems Awards – recognizing the outstanding businesses and organizations in our community
- My ever-popular Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt at the Orléans Fruit Farm
- Hosting another free Family Skate at Lois Kemp Arena
I am also organizing my second mega Community Tree Planting for early May. This past fall’s tree planting saw the community come out to plant over 1,000 trees on the former convent grounds, now City-owned greenspace, at 1754 St. Joseph Blvd. The details are coming soon, but we are tentatively booked for May 2, so save the date!
As you can tell, my sights are set on the months ahead (and hopefully warmer weather!), causing me to busily plan exciting community events for us to celebrate together. I truly hope you will join me for these festivities. Dates and more information to come, so stay tuned.
I also wanted to share an update on the Ottawa River Lookout Project that started last year with the clearing of a small patch next to the Ottawa River Pathway, between Fairwinds Terrace and Radisson Way. This coming spring, work will commence on the final stage of the Lookout Project, which will see the creation of an intimate space overlooking the river, featuring a bench, cozy Muskoka chairs, a bike rack, and a water permeable “riverstone-style” base, making the new space fully accessible for the community.
Whether you are stargazing on a clear night, taking a break from biking along the pathway, or enjoying a leisurely moment soaking in the view, this new lookout will provide a tranquil public space that honours the beauty of the river and our community.
There is so much to look forward to in the year ahead, and I’m excited to experience these milestone moments with you.
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