Draft Budget 2021
Draft Budget 2021 strikes a balance between supporting evolving community needs and delivering essential municipal services, while also advancing City Council’s priorities in the face of COVID-19. These investments are key to our community’s recovery and to Ottawa’s future prosperity.
The pandemic has led to revenue losses and unplanned costs for the City, resulting in a forecasted year-end deficit. The City acted quickly at the beginning of the pandemic, reducing costs to help maintain a stable financial position and mitigate expenses despite declining revenues. The first phase of the Ontario Safe Restart Agreement delivered $124.3 million in federal and provincial funding to Ottawa’s COVID-19 response efforts, helping to mitigate the impact on this year’s budget.
While Draft Budget 2021 protects and delivers the many municipal services residents depend on, new investments have been limited to ensure the City can continue to support public health measures and keep residents safe while positioning local businesses for economic recovery. The budget also limits the municipal tax increase to three per cent overall as directed by Council – worth an estimated $52.7 million. By maintaining the approved tax cap, Ottawa will remain affordable for residents.
While the focus is on delivering core municipal services, Draft Budget 2021 proposes investments in public transit, infrastructure, road maintenance, affordable housing and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Draft Budget 2021 proposes a $3.94 billion operating budget and a capital budget of $781 million. The three-per-cent tax increase amounts to an extra $115 for the average urban homeowner and $88 for the average rural homeowner.
With continued partnership from the federal and provincial levels of governments, staff have delivered a budget that maintains the municipal services residents rely on. It’s a plan to continue to grow the city, investing in infrastructure to connect neighbourhoods and build communities that are resilient, and supporting those in need with a record investment in affordable housing.
For Mayor Watson’s speech, including all Budget 2021 highlights, please visit: jimwatsonottawa.ca/
City Services and COVID-19 Update
WHAT’S NEW?
- Ontario launches innovative solution to improve long-term care in Ottawa.
- Masks to remain mandatory until at least January.
- To help you support Ottawa’s diverse and vibrant small business community, please visit this page of useful links and resources.
- Gyms, Restaurants, Bars and more re-opening on Saturday. Visit the Provincial and City Rules page for the latest updates.
Get your flu shot!
Getting the flu vaccine is recommended every year, but given the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important this year to avoid pressure on our healthcare system from COVID-19 and influenza viruses circulating at once.
If residents don’t normally get a flu vaccine, OPH is urging them to get one this year. Adequate levels of influenza vaccination in our community will help reduce the spread of illness, thereby protecting our vulnerable population and keeping flu-related hospital admissions low. More people getting their flu vaccine reduces the risk of the flu virus spreading.
This year, there are several ways residents can access the flu vaccine:
- by making an appointment with your family doctor or other primary care provider;
- by visiting a participating pharmacy (a map of participating pharmacies can be found here);
- or by making an appointment at an OPH Flu clinic.
OPH Community Flu Vaccination Clinics
This year, as a result of COVID-19, OPH’s flu clinics will be at 6 fixed locations as opposed to roaming clinics throughout the city. These clinics will operate 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends. The 6 locations are:
- Notre-Dame-Des-Champs Community Hall in Navan;
- Ottawa Public Library Orleans Branch;
- Lansdowne Horticulture Building in the Glebe;
- Mary Pitt Centre in Nepean;
- Chapman Mills Community Building in Barrhaven; and,
- Eva James Memorial Centre in Kanata.
OPH has already seen significant interest in this year’s flu clinics, with appointments fully booked for the week of October 29 to November 4. Information regarding the release dates of future appointments is available on OPH’s website. Appointment time slots will be released every Thursday for the upcoming week. The goal is to steadily increase the number of residents who are immunized over the coming weeks and months. To ensure everyone’s the safety while COVID-19 is present in our community, and to encourage all residents to get the vaccine, this year’s clinics will include COVID-19 infection prevention control measures such as: screening staff, volunteers and clients for illness or exposure to COVID-19, physical distancing in terms of clinic layout and the number of clients allowed in the clinic at any given time, Personal Protective Equipment for staff and nurses, increased environmental cleaning, the use of an online appointment system to control client flow and avoid crowding, and enhanced communications.
Winter Activities
It will not be long before we start to see snow on the ground. With colder weather on the way, more people will be tempted to socialize indoors instead of outdoors. We know that outdoor activities are good for both physical and mental health and are usually safer than indoor activities in terms of reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The safest option is to choose activities that can be done with just household contacts or, if residents live alone, with one or two chosen social support persons. If residents get together with others, OPH is asking that they wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, don’t share snacks or drinks and, if traveling to destinations, carpool only with people in your household.
Here are some ideas to have fun this winter while reducing the risk of COVID-19:
- Outdoor play and leisure:
- Building a snowman
- Building a snow fort
- Going for a walk to look at holiday lights
- Ice Skating – Tips:
- Sit on a bench outside to put your skates on instead of inside a changing hut.
- Choose open spaces where it is easier to maintain a 2 meters distance from other people.
- Downhill Skiing – Tips:
- Share lifts only with members of your household or, if you live alone, with your chosen social support persons.
- Stay outdoors and on the slopes to avoid the ski resort lodge and crowded places.
- Tobogganing – Tips:
- Stay with your household members or, if you live alone, with your chosen social support persons.
- Avoid crowded hills – come back at a different time.
- Cross Country Skiing, Hiking or Snowshoeing – Tips:
- Find a multi-use winter trail to enjoy but keep a 2 meter distance from people outside of your household or chosen social support persons.
- Championing the cause of helping veterans living in our community who are experiencing challenges with their transition to civilian life;
- Advocating for our veterans and their family, particularly those not supported by entities (i.e. VAC) to receive complete and appropriate health care, including case management services and working with the Province to ensure they have access to a family doctor on a priority basis;
- Making housing more affordable and easier to secure for veterans and their family dealing with financial precarity. (In fact, the City is partnering with Multifaith Housing to build approximately 40 affordable housing units for Veterans at the Rockcliffe Air Base); and
- Enhancing 2nd career opportunities for veterans and their family.
OPH asks people to consider their own individual risk factors before participating in any outdoor group activity. For an older person or someone with chronic medical problems, the best decision may be not to participate in group activities at all, and instead focus on individual activities. OPH recommends the CDC website to all persons wishing to better understand their personal risks from COVID-19 infection. There is no doubt that this winter will be challenging as a result of the pandemic. OPH has already begun to share messaging encouraging Ottawa residents to remain COVID Wise throughout the winter months. You can find it on their Be Social Wise – Guidance for Social Gatherings During COVID-19 webpage.
Supporting our veterans and their families in our community
A year ago, Council appointed Deputy Mayor Matthew Luloff as City Council’s Liaison for Veteran and Military Issues. As a former member of the Canadian Forces having served in Afghanistan in 2008 with the 2nd Battallion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, it was clear that Councillor Luloff would be the perfect representative to solidify the City’s important relationship with the 23,000 active service members and more than 53,000 veterans and their families living in Ottawa.
Councillor Luloff will co-chair the newly created Veterans Task Force, responsible for developing a culture of supporting our veterans and their families in our community. The Task Force’s key objectives are the following:
I look forward to working with Councillor Luloff, the Task Force and our strategic partners in the years ahead to deliver projects, facilitate access to resources and promote opportunities for those who have served, and continue to serve our great country. I firmly believe that the creation of this Task Force will help foster the inclusive environment that active members, veterans and their families truly deserve. P.S. Every year on November 11, Canadians gather around the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa and across the country to honour the men and women who have sacrificed so much for the freedom we enjoy today – some giving the ultimate sacrifice. This year, on the 75th anniversary of Armistice Day, the Royal Canadian Legion has planned a more intimate ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Legion’s Poppy Campaign continues to run this year – Visit www.legion.ca/contact-us/find-a-branch to find poppies near you.
For more information on the Task Force and the Liaison’s role, please visit www.ottawa.ca
