Honouring Ottawa’s Black History
Moved by M. Sutcliffe
Seconded byL. Dudas
WHEREAS Black History Ottawa (BHO) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to advancing education by increasing the public's knowledge and appreciation of Black history, and 2026 marks its 40th anniversary, having been first formed as the Black History Month Committee in 1986; and
WHEREAS the history of Ottawa's Black community dates back over two centuries, beginning with early settlers such as London Oxford in 1800 in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and the first recorded Black family in Bytown (Perry Adams and Henrietta Joyce) in 1844, followed by contributions from figures like Paul Barber in the mid-19th century and ongoing growth through immigration, resilience in the face of challenges, and trailblazing achievements in community leadership; and
WHEREAS this legacy includes key milestones for persons of African descent in Ottawa, such as Hubert Waugh, Ottawa's first Black police officer (1970); June Girvan, Ottawa’s first Black Supervisory Officer for the Ontario Ministry of Education (1990), Isobel Granger, first Black female police officer (1994); and Rawlson King, first Black City Councillor (2019), highlighting contributions of persons of African descent to the city's fabric; and
WHEREAS on March 21, 2018, the City of Ottawa marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with a proclamation launching local actions aligned with the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), leading to systemic policy adoptions across the municipality to promote recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent; and
WHEREAS the main objectives of the Decade are to 1) Adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks according to the Durban Declaration and Program of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective implementation; 2) promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies; and 3) promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African Descent, as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
WHEREAS our city has demonstrated a community-wide, systemic commitment to the objectives of The Decade through the adoption of its first Anti-Racism Strategy on June 22, 2022, a five-year plan to proactively identify and remove systemic barriers in City policies, programs and services, addressing racism and promoting equity; and
WHEREAS the City is committed to promoting greater knowledge and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of Ottawa, through partnerships with Black History Ottawa for event such as Black History Month events, Black History in Ottawa Streets initiative, and other programs to celebrate and preserve the legacies of residents of African descent to Ottawa.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor proclaim the City of Ottawa as a "Human Rights Community”, recognizing our community’s commitment to uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to foster an inclusive environment in which the objectives of the Decade are the cultural norm, freed from discrimination; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Ottawa, supported by Black History Ottawa, identify 40 distinguished Black Ottawa residents to be commemorated over the next decade (2026-2035) for their significant legacy contributions to the community, starting with the following people: 1. Dr Horace Alexis; 2. civil rights activist Minnijean Brown-Trickey; 3. professor Cynthia Bled; 4. child and human rights activist June Girvan; 5. Ottawa's first Black City Councillor Rawlson King; 6. diplomat and author Mairuth Sarsfield; and 7. journalist and writer Ewart Walters.
Demolition Control Exemption –139 Parkdale Avenue and 122 Forward Avenue
Moved by J. Leiper
Seconded byR. Brockington
WHEREAS the owner of 139 Parkdale Avenue and 122 Forward Avenue, located in the Mechanicsville neighbourhood, has applied for demolition permits; and
WHEREAS the properties currently consist of a two-storey, detached residential building (139 Parkdale Avenue) and a two-storey apartment building (122 Forward Avenue), both properties being vacant, deteriorating, in poor condition, and raising concerns around public safety; and
WHEREAS the properties are part of a larger, future development (inclusive of 131 Parkdale Avenue) that will add much needed residential units to the City’s housing stock in the form of a mid-rise and high-rise development; and
WHEREAS the owner is amenable to providing landscaping requirements and/or potentially permitting the Mechanicsville Community Association to plant a temporary community garden plot in the interim before the future development; and
WHEREAS the pending development proposal is subject to Site Plan Control under the Planning Act; and
WHEREAS the property is subject to the Demolition Control By-law (By-law 2012-377), but did not have the benefit of the Consent application condition requiring the demolition of the existing residential buildings, which was recently amended in the Demolition Control By-law and would have had the effect of allowing the demo permits to proceed in advance of the building permit; and
WHEREAS, by waiving demolition control approval, the City will not receive $6,200.48 (includes $1,274.64 Legal Fee + HST), which is the fee associated with a demolition control application.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council exempt 139 Parkdale Avenue and 122 Forward Avenue from demolition control, allowing the owner to proceed directly to demolition permit issuance at the discretion of Building Code Services.
Motions Requiring Suspension of the Rules of Procedure
Notices of Motion (for Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)
Notice of Intent
Notice of Intent from the Auditor General to submit the 2025 Annual Report for consideration at the Audit Committee meeting of March 31, 2026, rising to the City Council Meeting of April 8, 2026.
Notice of Intent from the Light Rail Regulatory Monitor and Compliance Officer to submit the Annual Compliance report to the April 9, 2026, meeting of the Transit Committee, rising to the City Council meeting of April 22, 2026.
Motion to Introduce By-laws
Three Readings
That the by-laws listed on the Agenda under Motion to Introduce By-laws, Three Readings, be read and passed.
a. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law 2024-228, Riverside South - South Urban Centre Stormwater Development Charges By-Law, 2024.b. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law 2024-218 in respect of Roads and Related Services and Public Transit.c. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to authorize the payment of rebates to individuals who make monetary contributions to participating candidates for office on the municipal council and to repeal By-Law No. 2022-76.d. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to authorize the City Clerk to implement the use of an alternative voting method for the 2026 Municipal Elections and any by-elections that may occur during the 2026-2030 Term of Council.e. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-445 with respect to road cut, temporary road closures & temporary construction related encroachment feesf. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-446 to regulate encroachments on City highways.g. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2024-486 to regulate Municipal Consent Applications and Utility Circulation fees.h. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-497 respecting permit fees for over-dimensional vehicles.i. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-447 respecting fees for private approaches.j. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2023-230 respecting fees for ROW patios on City highwaysk. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-520 respecting the fees for certain signs and advertising devices on City roadsl. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2002-189 respecting the licensing, regulating and governing of Driving School Operators and Driving School Instructors, to repeal “Area C”.m. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2025-094, being a by-law of the City of Ottawa to regulate the control of discharges to sewers and sewage works and to repeal by-law 2003-514.n. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2017-180 respecting the appointment of Municipal Law Enforcement Officers in accordance with private property parking enforcement.o. A bylaw of the city of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-499 respecting the designation of fire routes.p. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2024-453 being a by-law of the City of Ottawa to provide for solid waste management and to repeal by-law No. 2012-370. q. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2021-290 being a by-law of the City of Ottawa regulating the operation and use of cargo power-assisted bicycles in the City of Ottawa.r. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to establish certain lands as common and public highway and assume them for public use (Star Top Road).s. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to establish certain lands as common and public highway and assume them for public use (Mineral Street, Les Emmerson Drive, Sapling Grove, Conservancy Drive and Penisula Road).t. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at Bankside Way, Tadpole Crescent, Moonglade Crescent, Deltaview Lane, Concerto Lane and Symphony Way, as being exempt from Part Lot Control.u. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at Sencha Terrace, as being exempt from Part Lot Control.v. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend Volume 1 of the Official Plan for the City of Ottawa to implement the Transportation Master Plan.w. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend Schedules B9, C11-A, and C11-B of the Official Plan for the City of Ottawa to allow mineral extraction on parts of the lands known municipally as 635 Jinkinson Road and 891 Jinkinson Road.x. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of parts of the lands known municipally as 635 Jinkinson Road and 891 Jinkinson Road.y. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend the Official Plan for the City of Ottawa by amending Schedules B9, C11-A, and C11-B to reflect recent updates to wetlands by the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. z. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to implement zoning related to recent updates to wetlands by the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources.aa. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of part of the lands known municipally as 6659 Franktown Road. bb. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to remove the holding symbol from the lands known municipally as 15 Deerfox Drive and 3162 Woodroffe Avenue.cc. A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 3490 Innes Road.