Rural Summit 2024: A Step Forward for Ottawa’s Rural Communities

On November 2, over 250 residents gathered for Ottawa’s Rural Summit 2024 at Sir Robert Borden High School. The event provided a platform for rural voices to engage directly with City leaders on the most pressing issues affecting rural areas. The summit featured opening remarks from the mayor, who presented his "10 Commitments to Rural Ottawa," which outlined his plan and dedication to improving rural services and representation.

Mayor’s 10 Commitments to Ottawa’s Rural Community

During his presentation, the mayor announced a series of commitments focused on enhancing rural life:

1. Conduct a water rate review and improve rural ditches
2. Strengthen the mandate of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
3. Ensure a dedicated rural lead in every City department
4. Enhance rural paramedic response times
5. Develop a rural-focused list for prioritizing intersection signals
6. Incorporate rural feedback into road renewal projects
7. Streamline planning processes for rural applicants
8. Create a balanced rural growth strategy
9. Seek provincial recognition of Ottawa as a “rural city,”
10. Commit to another Rural Summit within the next four years

Breakout Sessions: Key Topics and Resident Engagement

Following the mayor’s address, attendees participated in breakout sessions on five key themes. Each session was led by one of Ottawa’s five rural councillors. These sessions allowed residents to discuss further and ask questions about the five themes, share their perspectives, and discuss actionable solutions. The five themes were:

• Transportation, Transit and Infrastructure
• Environment and Agriculture
• Community and Social Services
• Planning and Economic Development
• Governance

These discussions helped deepen the understanding of residents’ needs and identified potential solutions to address these key areas, laying the groundwork for more effective policies and programs.

The summit was an overall success, fostering collaboration between residents, city officials, and stakeholders to build a stronger, more inclusive rural community. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to these essential discussions—your voices are helping shape Ottawa's rural future!

This is a reminder that we want to hear your thoughts on how we can improve the public engagement experience for you! For those who did not have the chance to complete our survey at the Summit, it will be available online until Tuesday, November 12. We look forward to hearing your feedback and appreciate your participation in the Rural Summit 2024’s engagement activities.