About admin
Seniors
This page provides information about local services for our 50+ gang, from housing and healthcare to social engagement and recreation, tailored to seniors’ needs.
Senior Services and Programs in Beacon Hill-Cyrville
Senior Community Centers & Social Programs:
- Pat Clark Community Center: The Gloucester 50+ Center is a member of the OACAO – Older Adults Centre Association of Ontario.
The mission of this Centre is to enhance the quality of life of seniors of the City of Ottawa by disseminating relevant information and providing recreational, educational, cultural and related support services mainly through the utilization of senior volunteers. - Ottawa Public Health – Seniors Programs: As part of the Ottawa Public Health initiative, seniors in the ward can access local programs on fall prevention, chronic disease management, and mental health support.
Transportation Services for Seniors:
- OC Transpo provides convenient bus and light rail services for seniors, including reduced fares for those aged 65+. There are routes that connect Beacon Hill-Cyrville to other parts of Ottawa, including nearby shopping centers, medical facilities, and leisure areas.
- Para Transpo: Seniors who have mobility issues can apply for Para Transpo, Ottawa’s door-to-door transportation service for those with disabilities.
Local Amenities in Beacon Hill-Cyrville
Shopping:
- Gloucester Centre: Located at 1980 Ogilvie Road, the Gloucester Centre Mall is the closest shopping center to Beacon Hill-Cyrville. Seniors can find grocery stores (e.g., Metro), pharmacies, banks, and other essential shops here.
- Canotek Road: Many local small businesses such as Chris’s Ice Cream, Fettuccine’s Fine Foods and the Almanac Urban Mill & Bakery. Click HERE for more!
Dining and Social Opportunities:
- There are a number of cafés and restaurants in Beacon Hill-Cyrville, many of which are locally owned and offer senior discounts. Seniors can often find meal programs or social dining options at local churches or community halls whenever there are events or holidays.
Parks and Recreation:
- Cyrville Park: A local green space where seniors can enjoy nature, walk, or engage in outdoor activities.
- Beacon Hill Park: A larger park with walking paths, benches, and open green spaces for recreation.
- Ottawa Greenbelt: Situated just to the north of the ward, the Greenbelt offers larger natural spaces for hiking, walking, and enjoying outdoor leisure.
Financial Assistance and Benefits
Seniors in Beacon Hill-Cyrville may be eligible for a variety of financial programs available through provincial and federal government initiatives:
- Ontario Drug Benefit Program (ODB): Seniors over 65 are eligible for coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program, which helps with the cost of prescription medications.
- Senior’s Property Tax Relief: The City of Ottawa offers various property tax relief programs, including the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) tax rebate, which can help seniors who own their home by reducing property taxes.
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS): Seniors in the ward are eligible for federal programs like CPP and OAS to help provide income during retirement.
- Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS): Low-income seniors can benefit from the GAINS program, which provides a monthly income supplement.
Volunteer Opportunities and Social Engagement
- Volunteer Ottawa: This nonprofit organization offers a range of volunteer opportunities for seniors in the Beacon Hill-Cyrville area. Seniors can contribute to community projects, help at local charities, or participate in mentorship programs.
- Senior Social Clubs and Networks: Local churches and community centers often offer social events, volunteer opportunities, and community networks for seniors. Joining a group like the Beacon Hill Community Association can provide social engagement and keep seniors involved in the local neighborhood, and they always enjoy having extra volunteers at their events.
Emergency Services and Crisis Support
- Ottawa Fire Services: Beacon Hill-Cyrville is served by local fire stations, which provide emergency services and home safety visits for seniors, particularly for fall prevention and fire safety.
- Seniors’ Crisis Helplines: There are a variety of local resources available for seniors in crisis, including the Ottawa Seniors Crisis Line. The City of Ottawa also offers emergency assistance for seniors facing financial or health-related crises.
Beacon Hill-Cyrville (Ward 11) in Ottawa offers a wide range of services, from housing and healthcare to social engagement and recreation, tailored to seniors’ needs. With easily accessible transportation, a variety of local community centers, and several healthcare options nearby, seniors in the area are well-supported to live independently and stay connected to their community.
MORE INFORMATION TO COME – STAY TUNED!
Waste
Solid Waste Management in Ottawa: A Collaborative Approach
February 18th Update from the Environment Committee:
During the Environment Committee meeting on February 18th, I raised the question of providing additional yellow bag drop-off locations for residents who miss their designated garbage collection week. Specifically, I inquired about the possibility of offering drop-off points in the east, south, and west areas. Staff have agreed to review this suggestion and will provide an update on the feasibility in the near future.
Stay tuned for more information!
Understanding Our Waste Challenge
First, I want to clarify my stance: I was firmly against bag tags and a two-bag limit every two weeks, and we successfully challenged that policy. In 2021, Ottawa generated 194,142 tons of waste, with each household producing about 1,500 pounds of garbage annually—58% of which was recycled, while 42% ended up in landfills.
Goals of the Solid Waste Master Plan
The goals of the Solid Waste Master Plan are vital for our community:
- Extend the life of the Trail Waste Facility landfill
- Reduce the amount of waste generated
- Maximize the reuse and recycling of materials
- Enhance the recovery of materials and energy
- Aspire to achieve 100% greenhouse gas emission reductions
- Maximize community participation
- Minimize costs to taxpayers
My Experience and Initiatives
I’ve been involved in the push for responsible waste management since the 2012 transition to bi-weekly garbage pickup, recognizing that garbage must go somewhere and our landfill space is limited. I worked with colleagues to include the collection of plastics #1 through #7 in our recycling bins and successfully advocated for a delayed rollout of this change to allow residents to adjust during the hottest months of the year.
Historically, our garbage pickup guidelines have been loose, allowing for six bags with minimal enforcement. I believe a more appropriate and realistic approach would be a four-bag limit with no tags, supported by increased enforcement. Like you, I do not want to see garbage piling up in our parks, playgrounds, or along ditches.
Exploring Alternative Technologies
While alternative technologies like Mixed Waste Processing and Mass Burn Incineration can help reduce our dependence on landfills, they still generate residual waste that must be managed. Therefore, it’s crucial to continue investing in preserving capacity at the Trail Waste Facility landfill as we explore these options. These discussions are planned for this Fall.
Recent Council Actions
I support reduction, diversion, and recycling—just in a manner that makes sense. At the Council meeting on May 24, 2023, we passed a motion for City staff to return by Q4 of 2023 with recommended waste diversion technologies that meet or exceed all applicable environmental regulations, with a preference for solutions that can provide heat and/or electricity.
On June 5, I voted against the recommended bag/tag policy, which tied 5-5 at the Environment and Climate Change Committee. Then, at the Council on June 14, I voted against the staff recommendation for a two-bag limit and tags, as well as against a study on clear bags.
The motion that ultimately passed permits residents to put out three garbage items every two weeks. Notably, a single garbage item could be a garbage can containing up to three bags of waste (each weighing up to 15 kg), for a total weight of 45 kg (99 lbs). For example, you could dispose of a chair and two garbage cans, each containing 15 kg (33 lbs) of garbage, for a total weight of 30 kg (66 lbs) along with the chair.
Looking Ahead
A clear implementation and communication plan will precede this change, expected in 2024. As always, I appreciate your input and patience as we work toward a reasonable solution to our solid waste dilemma.
For more information, please refer to the Curbside Waste Diversion Policy report (English/French). Together, we can create a cleaner, more sustainable Ottawa for all.
Yellow Bag Tags in Ottawa
What Are Yellow Bag Tags?
Yellow bag tags are a helpful resource for managing extra garbage beyond the standard curbside collection limits in Ottawa. They provide a practical solution for residents and businesses that occasionally need to dispose of more waste.
Our Goal
Our goal with the Yellow Bag Program is to encourage more recycling and composting. By doing so, we can reduce the amount of waste sent to our landfills and extend the life of the Trail Road Waste Facility. Together, we can create a cleaner and more sustainable community for everyone.
Cost and Purchase
Yellow bags are available in packages of four for $17.60, which comes to $4.40 per bag (effective January 1, 2024). Each tag must be affixed to any additional garbage bags you set out for collection.
How to Use Yellow Bag Tags
To use yellow bag tags, simply attach one tag to each extra garbage bag before placing it at the curb on collection day. This ensures that your extra waste is collected and managed properly.
Important Guidelines
- Recycling and Green Bin Collection: There’s no additional fee for the collection of recycling and green bin materials.
- Garbage Requirements: Businesses must set out garbage every two weeks in a pre-purchased yellow bag to qualify for the recycling and green bin program.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure about what counts as an item or have excess waste, we encourage you to explore the Yellow Bag Program or check out the Waste Explorer tool here: Garbage | City of Ottawa for more information. We’re here to help you navigate these resources.
Where to Purchase Yellow Bag Tags
You can find yellow bag tags at various locations throughout the city, including:
- City Hall
- Community centers
- Designated retail outlets
Report and Dispose Responsibly: Addressing Illegal Dumping
Reporting Illegal Dumping Made Easy
Ottawa has launched a new online tool for reporting illegal dumping at ottawa.ca/311, or you can still call 3-1-1. Illegal dumping poses significant costs to local businesses, charities, farmers, and taxpayers for cleanup, and it harms our parks, greenspaces, wildlife, and pets.
Examples of Illegal Dumping:
- Leaving garbage in parks or greenspaces
- Disposing of trash in someone else’s curbside collection
- Dumping on roads or private property
Fines apply for illegal dumping, so let’s work together to keep our community clean!
Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines
Starting September 30, households with curbside collection can set out three garbage items per collection day, with no limits on recycling or yard waste. If you need to exceed this limit, you can purchase City of Ottawa yellow bags. For details on bag sales and waste sorting, visit ottawa.ca/garbage or use the Waste Explorer tool.
Additionally, the City hosts special waste disposal events throughout the year, including Repair Cafés for fixing items.
For more information, visit ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/city-news/newsroom/it-now-even-easier-report-illegal-dumping. Let’s work together to keep Ottawa clean and safe!
Motion at Transportation committee – LRT Construction
With full support from my East End colleagues, I moved a motion demanding accountability for the endless road closures, gridlock, and safety risks we face.
This motion prioritizes your safety and demands clear communication and planning from the city and contractors. The ongoing Light Rail construction has disrupted our lives without notice or support, leaving us all stuck in traffic, unsafe, and unheard.
Secure Bike Parking Lockers are now available!
Attention all Ottawa cycling enthusiasts! The City of Ottawa is now offering an innovative new bike parking solution for cyclists travelling in the downtown core. Our new Secure Bike Parking Lockers, placed at three key destination areas, provide residents and visitors alike with a high quality, secure option for bike storage while they are enjoying all that our city has to offer.
31 police recruits welcomed at Badge Ceremony today
(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) hosted a Badge Ceremony today to formally recognize 31 recruits hired in February 2024. The class was welcomed by Chief Eric Stubbs and Ottawa Police Service Board Chair Salim Fakirani.
The ceremony is an important part of recognizing the role of policing in the community and celebrating the individual successes of each officer.
Meet Julie Valliant-Saunders, BHCA President
In classic Canadian fashion, I had the opportunity to meet with the new president of the Beacon Hill Community Association.
Featured Discover Chris’s Ice Cream: A Local Treasure in Our Ward!
Today, we had the pleasure of visiting Chris’s Ice Cream 🍦 right here in our ward. Their in-house made ice cream comes in a myriad of flavors and varieties—you name it, they have it! For East-Coasters, the 🌗Moon Mist is a must-try, they offer Keto-friendly, Gluten-Free, and Dairy-Free options alongside the classic flavors we all love.