Committee approves new program for community-led gardens and green initiatives

The Community Services Committee today approved a Community-led Green Initiatives and Garden Program to enable the City to continue its work with community stakeholders to create a greener, more resilient and liveable Ottawa.  The program would support the growing demand to host community gardens and other community-led green initiatives on City-owned land. In addition to community food gardens, this would support efforts to foster ornamental and pollinator gardens on City-owned lands.  The City would lift the current pause on applications for access to City-owned land and begin reviewing outstanding community requests for new or expanded gardens. Staff would develop clear guidelines and streamline the intake process. The City would engage with local community organizations and leaders to ensure community needs are driving the program.  The Committee approved the Child Care and Early Years Service System Plan 2025-2029 to guide local early learning and child care services over the next five years. The child care sector is facing significant change as it addresses recent federal and provincial initiatives designed to make child care more accessible and affordable for families. In Ontario, fees for child care were reduced in 2025 through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system. The changes affected more than 26,000 children in Ottawa, as base fees were capped at $22 per day to support the transition to average fees of $10 per day by the end of 2026.   The City’s plan sets a clear, sustainable path for transforming Ottawa’s system to meet the diverse needs of children and families. Guided by research, data and community engagement, the plan would simplify access, reduce barriers and systemic inequities, foster meaningful reconciliation and strengthen the workforce. The plan would be implemented within the provincial funding allocation and existing municipal contributions.  The Committee approved updates to maximize the impact of the Municipal Housing Allowance Programs and the Home for Good Housing Allowance Program. Pending provincial and federal funding announcements, the City would temporarily limit eligibility for new benefits to those experiencing homelessness only. It would use municipal funds to administer benefits to new recipients as well as existing households. These interim measures will help keep existing recipients housed, reduce the need for additional shelter beds, and allow the City to focus on longer-term housing solutions.  The Committee received an update on a new Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Strategy. This strategy addresses the increased demand for outdoor courts and establishes guidelines to balance the needs of tennis and pickleball players. The strategy is informed by community input and includes standards court layouts, guidelines for noise mitigation and considerations for court conversion requests. The City will continue to consult and engage with the community on how to further improve court access and experience.  The Committee approved recommending that City Council request support from upper levels of government for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs). Support would be for programming, long-term sustainable funding and streamlining home care services. NORCs offer paths for older adults to age in place while delivering existing health and social services in more efficient and innovative ways than institutional settings. City staff would incorporate considerations for NORCs into the upcoming update of the Older Adult Plan.  The Committee approved a revised pricing structure for City gymnasium rentals. The changes would streamline processes, ensure consistency across facilities and provide a more equitable, user-friendly pricing framework. The proposed structure would offer reduced rates to minors, standard rates for adults and premium rates for commercial groups and events with alcohol. The standard rates would be reduced at times of day when there is less demand.  Items considered at this meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, April 30.