Announcement: Ottawa Rural Summit 2024

The Ottawa Rural Summit 2024 was held on Saturday, November 2, at Sir Robert Borden High School (131 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2H 8R1). This year’s event built upon the feedback we received from rural residents through our engagement activities, including ward workshops and the rural survey. We heard residents' concerns, and the Summit was chance to collaborate with the City on potential solutions, action items, and next steps that will improve the quality of life for rural communities across Ottawa.

Why attend

This was an opportunity to move from discussion to action. The summit was designed to provide a platform for residents to work directly with Councillors and the Mayor to develop innovative ideas to address key issues affecting rural life.

Event highlights

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024

Location: Sir Robert Borden High School, Ottawa

Time: 9:00 AM – 1:15 PM

Agenda:

9 am: Doors open for mingling and refreshments

10 am – 10:45 am: Introduction remarks, including presentations from the Mayor and Councillors on feedback they've received so far regarding various city services such as governance, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, and community services.

11 am – noon: Breakout sessions on key topics including:

• Transportation, Transit, and Infrastructure
  • Potential Topics: Road maintenance and upgrades, winter road maintenance, traffic issues, pedestrian infrastructure, truck traffic, traffic control devices, public transit, ditches, culverts, drainage, stormwater, other capital investments and assets.
• Environment and Agriculture
  • Potential Topics: Watercourses and conservation authorities, solid waste (garbage), farming and agriculture, renewable energy, climate change, natural heritage (wetlands, forests), noxious weeds
• Community and Social Services
  • Potential Topics: Parks and recreation facilities, emergency services (police, paramedics, fire), road safety, seniors issues, youth issues, vulnerable communities, affordable housing, health, mental health, community centres and programming, social services
• Planning and Economic Development
  • Potential Topics: Official Plan, Secondary plans, zoning, village growth, BIAs, local commercial activity, preserving rural culture
• Governance
  • Potential topics: Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee mandate, budget processes, rural affairs office, consultation, engagement and communications, accountability, red tape / efficiency, 3-1-1 services, client services,

Noon – 12:45 pm: Catered lunch and further engagement with Councillors. It is important to register to ensure we have the right amount of food available for everyone.

12:45 pm – 1 pm: Closing remarks outlining next steps and timelines for final reports, followed by a celebration of rural communities with light entertainment.

The Rural Summit was a unique opportunity to learn more from and engage directly with city leadership.