Weekly newsletter: February 25, 2025

Timbit the dog

Hi everyone!

That’s Timbit, one of my sister’s dogs.

There is no snowbank removal scheduled for Barrhaven East today, as it’s waste collection day here. Crews will return tonight and continue working 24/7 to remove snowbanks across the community (except Tuesdays).

Snowbank removal has progressed slower than in previous winters due mostly to the volume of snow, but the warmer temperatures over the next few days should help. The crew that was assigned to Beatrice Drive on Sunday progressed so well, they managed an unscheduled operation on most of Mountshannon, too! The rest of Mountshannon should be completed during the week.

Some of the forecast snowfall this week may slow down or pause the operation, as snowbank removal uses the same snowplow crews as snow clearing. Updates will be shared via my Facebook page as the week progresses.

Spring begins at the end of next month, though!

Newcomer reception centre (sprung structure)

Competitive procurement process begins in coming weeks.

This week, it’s a bit of a throwback to an issue that was more local last year.

Back in November 2024, City staff released a memo which included the two sites ultimately selected for sprung structure shelters to house asylum seekers, along with the site selection process. The two sites are at 1645 Woodroffe Avenue by the Nepean Sportsplex and at 40 Hearst Way at the Eagleson Park and Ride.

Since then, the project has been known by a different name, newcomer reception centre, as Sprung Structure is actually the commercial name of a company that produces the type of structure the City intends to use.

As a refresher, the federal government created the Interim Housing Assistance Programme↗ funding stream to help address the asylum claimant pressures faced by provinces and cities across Canada.

Through its overall housing strategy, the City of Ottawa created a newcomer reception system to house asylum seekers as they proceed through the process. The reception centre is a part of that system, meant to house asylum seekers upon their arrival, wholly funded by the federal government.

Almost a year ago, City staff selected a temporary structure that resembles a large tent due to its perceived rapid deployment and ease of maintenance.

Last summer, I tried to motion to withdraw staff’s delegated authority to advance the file, but that failed in a 3-to-21 vote. The file then continued through a long and dark site selection process, which many residents may recall activated the community, generally in opposition to using the temporary structures.

Detailed accounts and updates of the file throughout the latter half of 2024 are compiled in a handy list at Ward24.ca.

Then came the November 2024 memo, which took the proposal out of Barrhaven, and thrust it upon our neighbours in Nepean and Kanata.

Since that memo, City staff have advanced the site planning process and applied for the federal funding stream. The site by the Nepean Sportsplex was already zoned to permit a shelter use, but the estimated cost and procurement process has not been without controversy.

Including site preparation costs, staff’s estimate for the large tent-like structure at the Sportsplex, expected to house up to 150 people, is about $15 million. For comparison, the 140 affordable units under construction at 811 Gladstone Avenue is an approximately $20 million investment.

Last month, staff also opted for the Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) process to procure a contractor to construct the structure. An ACAN basically indicates a supplier has already been pre-identified but serves as a notification to allow other suppliers to submit statements of capability.

In Ottawa’s case, an ACAN was given to Toronto-based BLT Construction Services mid-January. Per staff, they were the “only available and qualified vendor to perform the scope of the work required for this project.” Local contractors had two weeks to respond.

Understandably, local construction associations were displeased, calling the City’s decision “profoundly insulting to the abilities of the local industry.” Some residents also perceived the decision as opaque sole sourcing.

Letters of concern were shared by the local construction industry, but staff continued with the process, which closed January 31. Three local contractors submitted statements demonstrating their ability to deliver the project.

Yesterday, City staff sent a short email advising Council they have determined a competitive procurement process (which takes at least a few months) is now necessary, with details to come in the next few weeks.

In emails as recent as January 20, staff had general confidence in delivering the project by next winter, but the most recent update has my doubts cast on that timeline.

Despite several learning opportunities last year, the comedy of errors continues.

So, what’s next for the project?

As shared earlier, details of the competitive procurement process will be released in the coming weeks. Concurrently, staff will continue with planning-related matters with the NCC at the Sportsplex site.

No timeline has been provided regarding the funding, but City staff remain hopeful for a confirmation soon. Should funding not materialise, staff have stated will continue using the two recreation centres currently used to house asylum seekers in Alta Vista and Vanier.

My opposition to the built form and concerns about transparency and communication remain unchanged from last year.

Last month, Councillor Devine submitted a formal inquiry to staff about the project at the Sportsplex, relating to past site contamination, the ACAN process, and federal funding. Upon receipt of a response, I will share it with you.

As for the site at Eagleson, it’s still officially “as needed,” and staff’s comments have both pushed and pulled the needle on that second site. As that site is not zoned to permit shelter uses, a rezoning and requisite public hearing would be required. It would also be a separate funding application (and possibly a separate procurement).

More information will be shared as it becomes available, as the project is one of citywide interest.

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Parents, a reminder summer camp registration↗ opens at 9:00 pm on Thursday February 27.

Also, voting day for the provincial election↗ is Thursday February 27.

Until next week!

-Wilson