OTTAWA CITY BUDGET will be approved at Council this week.

The budget maintains a 2% increase, approves 2017 transit fares

with a new low income pass and removing the higher fare for
express buses. Funding is included for an environmental
assessment for light rail from Bayshore to Canadian Tire Place, for
a multiuse path for cyclists and pedestrians along Campeau, for a
sidewalk on March Road and for some local cycling route
improvements.

CHRISTMAS CARD CONTEST Thank you to the more than 150

students who participated in my Annual Christmas Card Contest.
Prizes were handed out during the Kanata North Christmas Social
held on December 8. The winning entries are featured on my egreeting this year, which will be sent to all on my e-newsletter list.

WINTER SNOW OPERATIONS When 7 cm or more of snow is

forecasted cars must be off the streets from 1 am to 7 am. This
assists the City in the snow clearing process. To avoid being
ticketed or towed, sign up on ottawa.ca to receive alerts on when
the parking ban is in effect.
Standards for clearing local residential roads are within 10 hours
after a 7 cm snowfall and within 16 hours after 10 cm accumulate.
Arterial and collector roads are plowed during the snowfall and
should be clear within 2 hours of the end of the storm, when
snowfall is about 10 cm. Heavier snowfalls take longer. Details
on the standards for roads and sidewalks can be found on the
Citys website.

KANATA FOOD CUPBOARD provides food, including groceries

for a Christmas meal, and gifts for the family for those in need in
Kanata. This year they will be providing food and gifts for more
than 500 families in our community, the largest number ever.
You can help by donating food, turkeys and gifts and by helping

with deliveries. Go to www.kanatafoodcupboard.ca for details and

to register as a volunteer.

Business Improvement Area (BIA) for the Kanata Central

Area Update- We have received approval from the Citys Finance
and Economic Development Committee to proceed with a vote of
businesses in the area from the Marriot Hotel to the Brick
(included are the Centrum, Signature Centre, Canadian Tire and
more) on creation of a new BIA. Their approval will mean it can be
operational early in 2017 to provide support for businesses in the
area.
Canada Summer Games Bid-The Citys Finance and Economic
Development Committee this week approved Ottawas bid for the
2021 Canada Summer Games presented by Co-Chairs Cyril
Leeder and Sue Holloway. This is the largest multi-sport event in
Canada and would provide a positive economic benefit to the City.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec. 17, Running on Empties, 9:15 am 5 pm, Ottawa Beer
Stores Bottles collected help fund the Christmas Exchange
Program, which helps families outside of Kanata.
Dec. 17, Richcraft Recreation Complex Kanatas Holiday
Event, 8-11 am, 4101 Innovation Dr. Festive activities for the
whole family.
Dec. 31, Alcohol-Free Family New Years Eve Celebration,
from 6 pm, 101 Centrepointe Drive (Ben Franklin Place) Live
entertainment and fireworks.
Dec. 31, Kick off to 2017 at City Hall 6 pm a family friendly
celebration with a human chain to Parliament Hill and spectacular
fireworks, around 8 pm.

Gift of Light Wesley Clover Park Visit a 2 km long enchanted

drive through the park and enjoy over 1 million Christmas lights.
Open now until January 1.
Seasonal Concerts details on my website
Dec. 17, Kanata Choral Society, St. Pauls Anglican Church
Dec. 27-30, High School Musical, Kanata Theatre