Latest news with #StéphaniePlante
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Three pedestrian-vehicle collisions in one day in Ottawa raising concerns
A recent string of pedestrian-vehicle collisions is raising concerns in Ottawa. On Wednesday, a nine-year-old-boy was struck and killed by a school bus while riding his bike in Almonte. This was followed by three separate collisions Thursday, including on the corner of George St. Sussex St. in the Byward Market, where a vehicle drove onto the sidewalk, striking a woman walking and sending her to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Ottawa councillor Stéphanie Plante says this is the first she heard about a car going onto a sidewalk, but adds the uptick in related collisions, has caught her attention. 'It's really eye opening because the more bikes and the more people we have walking, the easier it is for cars to commute if we have less people in them,' Plante says. 'It just goes to show that things like bollards, making sure that we have elevated spaces, making sure that we have pedestrian specific spaces, those can make a world of difference.' In 2023, CTV News Ottawa reported 23 vehicle collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. 10 of those were fatal. Executive director of the Ottawa Safety Council Jamie Kwong says with the weather getting nicer it is leading to more people being outside and motorists need to be extra cautious. 'Everyone has to keep their head on a swivel and really be mindful of paying attention to what's going on, not everyone is going to have predictable behaviors and we as motorists need to be able to be ready for those situations,' Kwong says. 'When people make mistakes, it shouldn't be fatal, so, we can all do things that mitigate the amount of harm, whether or not we build our street safer or slow it down, but also as drivers, to be more aware of yourself.' Some tips from the Safety Council for drivers include to give cyclists enough space to pass them, have patience and drive the speed limit especially in residential neighbourhoods where children may be present.
CBC
17-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
City seeking public input on ByWard Market makeover
The City of Ottawa is casting a wide net to gather public input on a major renewal project in the ByWard Market as the historic downtown district prepares to celebrate its 200th year. A series of public consultations on the William Street and ByWard Market Square redesign begins Tuesday afternoon in Barrhaven, where residents will be asked for their feedback on certain aspects of the city's $129-million plan to "reimagine the ByWard Market and strengthen its role as a premier destination within the nation's capital for many years to come. City council approved the larger plan in 2021. It's now seeking feedback on proposed designs for the streets and public spaces surrounding the central ByWard Market Building. The project scope includes one block of William Street and ByWard Market Square between York and George streets, including the George Street West Plaza. In addition to the "transformation of William Street as a pedestrian street," the renewal project includes "opportunities for commercial uses and animation," as well as road resurfacing, new lighting including an overhead catenary system, and new parking provisions. Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante, who represents the area, said some of the upgrades are simple, but long overdue. "Believe it or not, we don't have basic things out here in the ByWard Market like [electrical] plugs. The ByWard Market was built 200 years ago. No one could have foreseen that everybody needs a charger these days." ByWard Market Square will become "the heart of the outdoor public market" with new seating, trees and outdoor commercial attractions, turning it into an "outdoor living room," according to a news release. Safety, security and accessibility The project also takes safety, security and accessibility into account, according to the city. "The safety and security of visitors will be considered in the design of the public spaces to ensure that visitors feel safe and comfortable at all times of the day and night, including through the use of design principles such as the provision of clear sight lines, good lighting, and 'eyes on the street,'" according to the news release. "I think people will want to talk very honestly and very frankly about the social disorder in the area," Plante said. "This area of Ward 12 has the most social services in Canada within a 600-metre stretch, and people are quite rightfully worried about that." Four in-person public consultation sessions are planned: June 17, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Minto Recreation Complex, 3500 Cambrian Rd. June 18, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at François Dupuis Recreation Centre, 2260 Portobello Blvd. June 20, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata, 4101 Innovation Dr. June 19, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and June 21m 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ByWard Market Square (indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather). June 23, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Manotick Community Centre and Mike O'Neil Arena, 5572 Doctor Leach Dr. A final public engagement session will be held online on June 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Participants are asked to register for this session in advance. Plante said she's looking forward to hearing feedback from all corners of Ottawa. "I think it's important for people in the suburbs to realize that ByWard is one of the biggest economic generators in the city," she said. Construction on William Street is expected to begin next year, just in time for the 200th anniversary of the ByWard Market's founding in 2027.
CBC
09-02-2025
- General
- CBC
New Canadians making up larger share of Ottawa's homeless population: report
Newcomers to Canada are making up a bigger part of Ottawa's homeless population, while a smaller portion of homeless Ottawans are using the city's shelter system, according to a new detailed look at the situation in the nation's capital. On Friday, the city released the results of its most recent survey of people experiencing homelessness. The survey was part of a point-in-time count conducted over 24 hours last October, which found there were 2,952 homeless people in Ottawa — an increase of more than 300 people since the last count in 2021. During the count, the city also administered a 29-question survey that asked homeless people about their experiences. A total of 2,595 people completed the questionnaire. This is the third count and survey done by the city. Previous counts took place in 2021 and 2018. Newcomer homelessness up 22% The 2024 survey got more than 1,000 more responses than in 2021, in part because people were given five days to complete it rather than just one. One of the big shifts involved the percentage of respondents who said they'd come to Canada as an immigrant, refugee or refugee claimant. That share increased to 42 per cent, up from 20 per cent of respondents in 2021. As well, more than 600 respondents said they'd been in the country for less than a year and over 200 have been here for five years or more. "These findings suggest that housing supports for newcomers need to address both those who have arrived in Canada recently and those who have been here for many years," the report said. Additionally, 56 per cent of survey respondents identified as racialized. Nineteen per cent identified as First Nations, Métis, Inuit or having Indigenous ancestry — lower than the 34 per cent reported in the 2021 homelessness survey, although the overall number increased from 428 to 479. Smaller portion staying in shelters Of the people surveyed, 43 per cent said they were staying in emergency shelters — a decrease from 55 percent in 2021 and 67 per cent in 2018. However, the overall number of people who said they were doing so rose by more than 300 compared to 2021. Participants were also asked why they were avoiding the shelter network: 31 per cent of respondents reported they feared for their safety. 12 per cent said that they had other temporary housing. 12 per cent said the emergency shelters are too crowded. 11 per cent indicated concerns about bed bugs and other pests. Various reasons cited The data also showed that 30 per cent of respondents said the top reason they'd lost housing was because they weren't making enough money to address rising rents and cost of living expenses. That number stood out to Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante, who said it could easily be addressed with either rent supplements or some form of universal basic income. "I'm absolutely shocked that you would be homeless for a shortage of just a couple hundred dollars a month. It's completely unacceptable," said Plante, who sits on the city's emergency shelter crisis task force. Other top reasons for housing loss from those surveyed include: Conflicts with a spouse or partner, a parent or guardian, a landlord or someone else (878 respondents). Discrimination (411). Substance abuse issues (315). Mental health issues (289). Physical health issues (149). Foster care homelessness Plante said another detail that stood out was the number of youth who became homeless after being in foster care. According to the report, 19 per cent of respondents said they had previous experiences in foster care, a decrease from 27 per cent of respondents in the previous two counts. Among those with previous foster care and group home experiences, 29 per cent reported becoming homeless less than a year after leaving foster care. Additionally, 46 per cent of those with experience in foster care identified as Indigenous. "When you are homeless as a youth, it is extremely, extremely difficult to get back on your feet. So that is something I think we should have to be taking very, very seriously," Plante said.
