The next ten big things
Based on current events and emerging trends, here are the ten biggest issues that will shape Ottawa and my ward, Rideau‑Rockcliffe, over the next four years. From transit shutdowns to housing pressures, infrastructure debt to climate adaptation – these are the challenges and opportunities that demand our attention.
1. 🚇 St‑Laurent LRT station shutdown & transit reliability
A major crisis for Ward 13: the St‑Laurent LRT station must close for extensive repairs. The tunnel, originally built for buses in the 1980s, suffers from severe structural decay – corroded metal framing and crumbling concrete.
- Impact: 11–13 months of repairs, including 5–6 weeks of a full, dual‑track closure that will halt service in both directions.
- Timeline: Design targeted for December 2027, construction finishing no earlier than December 2029.
- Context: A blow to the “Transit‑Oriented Development” zone, where thousands of new housing units were approved based on the promise of reliable rapid transit. Refer to my artical on this project
2. 🏠 Housing & homelessness crisis
Affordability and homelessness remain the top concerns for Ottawa residents – and Ward 13 is no exception.
- Hotel expense: In 2025, the city spent $29.3 million housing over 660 families in hotels – an expense that “buys nothing that lasts”.
- Waitlist: Over 16,000 households are on the social housing waiting list (end of 2025). The city aims for 5,000 new affordable units by 2030 but has built only 466 in the first three years.
3. 💰 Crushing fiscal pressures & the infrastructure gap
The new mayor and council inherit a city with daunting financial liabilities.
- Off‑the‑books liabilities: An infrastructure gap in the “double digits of billions”, plus an OMERS pension shortfall not fully reflected on the city’s balance sheet.
- Lansdowne 2.0 debt: The $418.8 million redevelopment carries a debt load of over $16 million a year, despite promises of no taxpayer risk.
- Runaway transit costs: LRT expansion is driving costs beyond what the city “didn’t fully anticipate and can’t handle”.
4. 🚔 Public safety & policing challenges
Crime and public safety are rising concerns, with notable increases in certain offenses.
- Property crime: Ottawa police reported a 28% increase in property crimes in 2026 compared to the previous year.
- Clearance rates: The robbery clearance rate in Ward 13 was cut in half in one year – from 42.4% to 20.0% – highlighting capacity issues.
- Police budget deficit: The Ottawa Police Service is projected to face a deficit of at least $20 million in 2026.
5. 🌳 Climate change adaptation
The city has launched “Climate Ready Ottawa”, a new five‑year action plan (2026–2030) to prepare for climate impacts.
- Focus: Protecting people, infrastructure, and essential services from flooding, extreme heat, and severe weather.
- Investment: Seven priority programs will guide investments in flood resilience, cooling amenities, and extreme weather preparedness.
6. 📉 Economic uncertainty & slow growth
Ottawa’s economy faces short‑term pressures with modest growth expectations.
- GDP: The Ottawa‑Gatineau region’s real GDP is projected to increase by only 1.4% in 2026.
- Job losses: Recent data shows Ottawa “experienced the largest employment loss”. However, emerging opportunities exist in defence, cybersecurity, and semiconductors.
7. 🏛️ New council dynamics & governance
The 2026 municipal election brings a new mayor and many new councillors – a chance for significant change.
- Key question: Will the new council move beyond political theatre and focus on structural fixes like accountability, oversight, and the vast infrastructure deficit?
- Ward‑level impact: Councillor Rawlson King often finds himself on the losing side of key votes as part of a progressive minority – this dynamic will shape Ward 13’s influence and priorities.
8. 🌉 Major interprovincial bridge construction
Work on the bridges connecting Ottawa and Gatineau will cause major traffic disruptions.
- Macdonald‑Cartier Bridge: Work started in June 2026 and will continue into 2027.
- Alexandra Bridge replacement: Construction on this 120‑year‑old bridge is expected to begin in 2028.
- New “sixth” bridge: The NCC has approved design principles, but construction remains years away – final design targeted for 2029.
9. 🚸 Ward 13 road safety improvements
Several road safety projects funded by the province will be implemented in Ward 13.
- Projects: Traffic calming measures – speed display signs, thermoplastic markings, and speed bumps – on St. Laurent Blvd., Crichton St., Queen Mary St., and Donald St.
- Deadline: All projects must be completed by March 31, 2028.
10. 🏗️ Intensified development & gentrification pressures
Ward 13 – with its mix of affluent and working‑class neighbourhoods – will face intense development pressure.
- Push for density: More moderate‑income and supportive housing units are sought, but balanced against concerns over renovictions and gentrification.
- Recent approvals: A nearly 1,770‑unit, six‑tower development was approved near the St‑Laurent station in 2025 – a clear sign of the scale of change to come.
Looking ahead – These ten issues are deeply interconnected. The decisions made by the new city council over the next four years will be critical in determining how Ottawa and Ward 13 navigate this period of significant change. From transit reliability to housing affordability, fiscal discipline to climate resilience, there is no shortage of work ahead. But with the right focus and accountability, we can build a more sustainable and inclusive future.
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