The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee today received a presentation showing progress towards a planned rural summit in November. The summit will be an opportunity to discuss how the City can improve the services it provides to the residents and communities of rural Ottawa.
To gather insight about how rural residents access services, the City is collecting information via a survey and consultations in Ottawa’s rural wards. The following in-person workshops are planned:
- April 10 at 7 pm – Ward 19 workshop at Navan Memorial Centre and Arena (1295 Colonial Road)
- April 19 at 7 pm – Ward 19 workshop at Sarsfield Community Hall (3585 Sarsfield Road). Bilingual workshop to be conducted primarily in French.
- April 24 at 7 pm – Ward 20 workshop at Greely Community Centre (1448 Meadow Drive)
- April 29 at 6:30 pm – Ward 21 workshop at Alfred Taylor Recreation Center (2300 Community Way). There will also be a drop-in session between 1 and 4 pm.
- May 27 at 7 pm – Ward 1 workshop at R.J. Kennedy Community Centre and Arena (1115 Dunning Road)
- June 1 at 9 am – Ward 5 workshop at West Carleton Community Complex (5670 Carp Road)
These workshops will help identify the challenges facing rural communities and highlight potential opportunities that could be addressed at the summit. All consultations and outreach will inform the agenda for Rural Summit 2024.
The Committee also approved funding for applications to the Rural Community-Building Grants Program, which supports rural-based community improvement projects undertaken by non-profit organizations.
The projects approved today would receive a total of about $93,000. That amount includes $60,000 to help the Navan Community Association design and build an outdoor pavilion on the Navan fairgrounds, and $21,000 to help the North Gower Gardeners install a raised garden of shrubs and plants at Fourth Line Road and Roger Stevens Drive. The Fitzroy Harbour Community Association would also receive just over $6,500 to purchase seating for community events, and the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market would receive more than $5,500 to purchase promotional materials.
The City will continue to accept applications until the annual budget is fully allocated. Please consult the grant program guidelines for information on how to apply.
Recommendations from today’s meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, April 17.