Community resources

Barrhaven BIA logo.

Barrhaven BIA

The Barrhaven Business Improvement Area (BIA)↗ was established in 2006 as the voice for the local business community to help them flourish. By promoting our community as a premier business destination, lobbying for smart growth, and providing networking opportunities and other tools for success, the BIA creates optimum conditions for all Barrhaven businesses to succeed.

All businesses, property owners, and professional service providers in Barrhaven paying commercial property taxes belong to the BIA, and membership is automatic. Home-based businesses are eligible to join.

Graphic of three houses around a laneway.

Community associations

Community associations are non-governmental organisations that represent the needs of residents in specific neighbourhoods. There are three community associations in Barrhaven East, all with varying degrees of activity, communication, and participation. Please reach out to the individual group to find out whose area you live in and to participate.

The logos of the governments of Ontario and Canada.

Other levels of government

Many services are the responsibility of the provincial and federal governments. Barrhaven East is wholly in the provincial and federal electoral districts (riding) of Nepean.

The provincial government, represented by MPP Lisa MacLeod↗, is responsible for education, health care, environmental protection, traffic regulations, social assistance, and housing funding, among others.

The federal government is represented by MP Chandra Arya↗. The federal government’s responsibilities include national defence, banking regulations, citizenship, immigration, criminal law and procedures, and the National Capital Commission↗, among others.

Ontario One Call

Ontario One Call↗ is a public safety administrative authority that acts as a communications link between buried infrastructure owners and individuals who are planning to dig in the province of Ontario. Residents planning to dig (including on private property) to build a fence, install an in-ground pool, plant a tree, etc., must contact Ontario One Call to have a free utility locate completed before any digging can begin.

Failure to have a locate completed before digging may result in charges and fines laid by one or more regulators, plus potential liability for damage to underground infrastructure.

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority logo.

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA)↗ is a provincial organisation overseen by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. They develop and deliver local, watershed-based resource management on behalf of the province and municipalities, including flood and erosion control, drinking water source protection, surface and groundwater monitoring, and regulate development in areas like shorelines, floodplains, and wetlands.

Locally, the RVCA also provides services for the Ottawa Septic System Office↗, which reviews septic designs and plans, issues permits for new and replacement sewage systems, and ensures compliance with approvals. They also own and are responsible for the Chapman Mills Conservation Area↗.

School boards

School boards are bodies which operate Ontario’s publicly-funded schools. Each school board is governed by a board of elected trustees. School board trustees are elected every four years on the same election cycle as the Mayor and City Council.

Which school your child attends typically depends on where you live, though special programming may take your child elsewhere. Please consult with your preferred school board.

Help and crisis lines

The organisations listed below are fully independent and not affiliated with the City of Ottawa or the Councillor’s office. Each of them has a governing body, non-profit registration, and has services available for residents in Barrhaven. Please consult their respective websites for more information, including how to support them.

Support and service organisations

The organisations listed below are fully independent and not affiliated with the City of Ottawa or the Councillor’s office. Each of them has a governing body, non-profit registration, and services available for residents in Barrhaven. Please consult their respective websites for more information, including how to support them.