NEWS ARCHIVES

January 16, 2012

Easy Access for Councillor's Column

This is the second edition of my Councillor’s Column electronic release. As you can see, we’re going to be experimenting with some new features. Thanks to all the residents for writing in your suggestions and I will try to follow as many as I can. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact me by email at shad.qadri@ottawa.ca.
 

Hydro Ottawa’s 2012 Rate Application

Hydro Ottawa has proposed rates that will result in a decrease in the total bill for a typical residential customer for 2012. As a result of the OEB’s December 28, 2011 rate decision, Hydro Ottawa’s proposed rates for 2012 include an increase of approximately 2 percent on the total bill related to its operations offset by a number of one-time adjustments. When all of these adjustments are combined, a typical residential customer consuming 800 kWh of electricity per month will see their total bill decrease after taxes and the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit by 0.94 percent or $0.98 per month in 2012.

As part of this regulatory framework, Hydro Ottawa is required to file an application seeking OEB approval for any changes to its regulated rates. The OEB follows an adjudicative process when reviewing rate applications. It is a rigorous and transparent process involving significant input from stakeholder groups, including substantive responses to numerous stakeholder questions. The OEB assesses rate applications based on various factors to ensure that rates are just and reasonable. Rates must consider the needs of customers to not be charged more than is required while providing the utility with the ability to maintain and invest in the electricity system to ensure safe and reliable service to customers and allow the opportunity to earn a fair return for its shareholders. Hydro Ottawa filed an application in June 2011 for new rates effective January 1, 2012, and the OEB rendered its decision on December 28, 2011.

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact media@hydroottawa.com.
 

Snow Mobiles and the TransCanada Trail

Recently, residents have expressed concerns regarding the use of motorized vehicles on the Trans-Canada Trail in the area between Stittsville Main Street east and Terry Fox.

Please be aware that it is illegal to drive any motorized vehicle including snowmobiles, pocket motorcycles and ATV’s on the Trail. Many residents use this beautiful trail as a walking path so not only does using a motorized vehicle here pose an extreme safety issue with the vehicles themselves, it also poses danger to civilians and can cause damage to the walking path.

If you witness anyone driving a motorized vehicle on the Trans Canada Trail, please contact Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300. Also, please ensure you inform my office about any incident of concern. I have spoken with Community Police Constable Ryan Strotmann and he is aware of this issue.

For more information, please contact my office.
 

Free Skate- All Star Activities

 
The NHL All-Star weekend is scheduled to run from Thursday January 26th to Sunday January 29th, 2012. As part of the festivities, I would like to invite the public to come out and enjoy a free skate at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex arena which will run from 7:00-8:30 pm on Friday, January 27th. There will be activities for the family, hot chocolate fun games and prizes. We are still working out the details, but stay tuned to my column for further developments.
 

 
  Ottawa Police Chief Vern White Departs for Senate

Ottawa Chief of Police Vern White was appointed to the Senate last week by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. His departure will take effect on February 20, 2012.

Chief White was sworn in as Chief of Police of the Ottawa Police on May 22nd, 2007. Before joining the Ottawa Police Service, he led the Regional Police Service in Durham, a community of approximately 600,000 immediately east of Toronto. Before becoming Chief in Durham in 2005, he spent over 20 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Ottawa Police Services Board will be tasked with finding an appropriate replacement as soon as possible. It is a seven-member civilian body established under Provincial legislation, responsible for governing the Ottawa Police Service and for recruiting the Chief of Police.
 

Alzheimer Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month. An estimated 15,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in Ottawa and Renfrew County. Last week, a CTV Morning Live interview with Rudi Loepp, President of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, included information about the campaign focus on the importance of early diagnosis and the Walk for Memories that will be held at Carleton University Fieldhouse on January 29th, 2012. For more information on local Alzheimer Society Awareness Month activities, visit www.alzheimer.ca/ottawa.
 

Always listening and acting on your concerns

As your Councillor, I always welcome your keen input and ideas on how we can sustain and improve Stittsville. Please contact our office anytime by phone at 613-580-2476 or by e-mail at Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca.

My ward office is situated in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, located at 1500 Shea Road. Please note the summer hours of operation are Mondays 9-2pm, Wednesdays 3-8pm, Fridays 9-5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit. I welcome your call or email to arrange an appointment.

If you are not part of my electronic outreach list and would like to be added, please contact my office to ensure you receive pertinent information concerning our community.

Further information about any of these articles can be found on my website or you can contact my office to obtain details. 

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