Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

WHEREAS On April 2, 2026, Rideau Carleton Raceway announced the conclusion of its harness racing program beginning with the 2026 season, following a decision by Ontario Racing and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa; AND WHEREAS the Raceway has historically played a significant role in supporting Eastern Ontario’s horse racing community, including horse owners, trainers, boarders and associated agricultural and rural businesses; AND WHEREAS the closure of harness racing operations may have economic and social impacts on Ottawa’s rural communities, including effects on horse boarding operations, feed suppliers, hay producers, veterinarians, farriers, and other ancillary businesses; AND WHEREAS transitional supports announced by Ontario Racing are primarily focused on relocation and continued racing opportunities elsewhere in the province, and may not fully address local economic impacts within the City of Ottawa; AND WHEREAS the City of Ottawa has an interest in supporting rural economic development, local agriculture, and small businesses that may be affected by this change; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council direct staff to explore the economic impact of the local equine sector as part of the baseline evaluation and benchmark study of Ottawa’s rural economy (Economic Development Rural Plan Recommendation 10); BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT based on the economic impact staff explore and consider viable opportunities, where appropriate, to support the local equine sector, thr

WHEREAS rural villages across Ottawa have experienced a decline in local services, including banks, retail stores, and other essential commercial uses that support complete and vibrant communities; and WHEREAS rural residents, landowners, and businesses have identified a need for planning policies, zoning standards, and approval processes that better reflect rural realities, including the distinct needs of farms, village main streets, rural businesses, and unserviced properties; and WHEREAS many rural properties on mainstreets and in commercial corridors consist of unserviced or legacy-sized lots that face development constraints that may limit the ability of landowners, entrepreneurs, and businesses to repurpose or reinvest in rural properties for viable commercial uses; and WHEREAS advancements in private servicing, site design, and low-impact development may provide opportunities to safely and effectively use smaller or unserviced lots, while supporting rural economic revitalization; and WHEREAS feedback received through the City’s 2024 Rural Summit identified key issues affecting rural economic development suggesting that current zoning, planning policies, and approval processes should be reviewed to identify whether they unintentionally create barriers to investment, business development, and economic diversification in rural villages, and to support rural growth that is practical, context-sensitive, and respectful of rural character. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa’s rural villages, including the Village of Carp, serve as important economic, cultural, and social hubs that support local businesses, tourism, and community identity; and WHEREAS retail and service businesses form the backbone of rural village economies and rely on accessible infrastructure, including adequate parking, to attract customers, support employment, and sustain local economic activity; and WHEREAS consultation undertaken through the 2024 Ottawa Rural Summit and the Rural Economic Development Plan identified infrastructure, transportation, and parking capacity in village cores as key constraints to economic growth and barriers to business viability; and WHEREAS stakeholders specifically identified the need for additional municipal parking and improved visitor infrastructure in rural villages to support tourism, local spending, and business success; and WHEREAS the Rural Economic Development Plan emphasizes the importance of integrating rural economic considerations into City decision-making, including infrastructure investments such as transportation and parking that support and strengthen the rural economy; and WHEREAS the Plan also identifies the importance of coordinated, place-based economic development and investments in village infrastructure to sustain and grow rural economies; and WHEREAS the City of Ottawa Official Plan directs growth to rural villages as focal points for economic activity, service delivery, and community life, a

BE IT RESOLVED that this Motion with respect to the revised grant submission from the Metcalfe Farmers Market be considered at today's meeting pursuant to subsection 89(3) of the Procedure By-law so that it may be considered alongside the Rural Community Building Grant Program report already on the agenda. WHEREAS the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market applied to the City of Ottawa’s Rural Community Building Grant Program for a permanent sign to commemorate the 33 rd year of the market, a shade tent and some event signs; and WHEREAS on April 2, 2026, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approved report ACS2026-PDB-PS-0030, which included an application for the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market under the Rural Community Building Grant Program; and WHEREAS the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market has requested to adjust their grant to exchange the permanent sign for a projector to show images and graphics on the back wall of the market, allowing more flexibility and the ability to keep updating the imagery; and WHEREAS the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market will not exceed the already existing and allocated budget. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approve the request of the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market to substitute a projector, instead of the permanent commemorative sign that is outlined in report ACS2026-PDB-PS-0030.

That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee refer the Report Recommendations to Council.

WHEREAS rural residents in the City of Ottawa rely on private infrastructure including drilled wells, septic systems, and permanent standby power systems to safely occupy their homes; and WHEREAS having running water and functioning sanitary systems is an essential upgrade that can put unexpected pressure on family budgets; and WHEREAS climate change is increasing pressure on private water and wastewater systems, including more frequent and severe drought conditions, extreme rainfall events, and power outages that directly affect rural households; and WHEREAS this year’s exceptional drought conditions have highlighted the vulnerability of private wells and the growing need for resilient water infrastructure in rural communities; and WHEREAS the City of Ottawa already operates the Better Homes Ottawa program, which provides financing to homeowners through a Local Improvement Charge model that allows upgrades to be repaid over time through the property tax bill; and WHEREAS this financing structure has proven to be an effective tool for enabling homeowners to make major investments that improve environmental sustainability and climate resilience; and WHEREAS the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program is scheduled to undergo a comprehensive program review, including alignment with Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) partnership requirements; and WHEREAS there is currently no comparable financing program available to rural residents to support essential infrastructure upgrades

WHEREAS the intersection of Tenth Line Road and Wall Road is a rural intersection experiencing increased traffic volumes due to ongoing growth and development in the area; and WHEREAS recent collision data provided by the Ottawa Police Service indicates an emerging trend, with six reported collisions in 2024 and 2025 combined and highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to support driver awareness and road safety; and WHEREAS the intersection meets the City’s traffic signal warrant criteria and a permanent solution, such as traffic signals or a roundabout, is anticipated to be considered through the 2027 budget process and any interim measures would be subject to staff review, prioritization, and available funding; and WHEREAS the City is implementing interim safety improvements at this location, including enhanced warning signage, larger stop signs, pavement marking changes, and lighting adjustments; and WHEREAS the intersection does not currently meet City’s requirements or provincial recommendations for the installation of flashing mounted beacons; and WHEREAS flashing warning beacons mounted on signs are a relatively low-cost intervention that can improve driver awareness and reduce the risk of angle and high-speed collisions at rural intersections; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff be directed to install mounted flashing warning beacons on signs at the intersection of Tenth Line Road and Wall Road as an interim safety measure; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that fundin

That the Rules of Procedure be suspended to consider the following motion at today’s meeting as the matter is time sensitive as the Owner is looking to complete development in the current construction season. WHEREAS it is a condition of site plan approval for this development that the Owner enter into a Municipal Responsibility Agreement with the City with respect to the private communal water system and the private communal wastewater system servicing the subject property; AND WHEREAS the said Municipal Responsibility Agreement requires a reserve fund for the operation and maintenance of said private systems; AND WHEREAS it is a condition of the Owner’s financing that such reserve fund be established through an escrow agreement; AND WHEREAS the escrow agreement protects the City’s interest with respect to the establishment of the reserve fund; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the General Manager, Infrastructure and Water Services be delegated the authority to enter into an escrow agreement with respect to the reserve fund associated with this development, the terms and conditions of same to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this motion rise for consideration to the Council meeting of May 13, 2026.

That the Rules of Procedure be suspended to consider the following motion at today’s meeting as the matter is time sensitive as the septic system infrastructure at 2761 8 th Line Road is in distress and requires replacement. WHEREAS the Stanley Apartments at 2761 8 th Line Road in the Village of Metcalfe are operated by a not-for-profit corporation; and WHEREAS the apartment complex needs a new septic system to be installed, which due to its size requires Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) from the province; and WHEREAS there is sign off on the application form that is required from the City to establish the municipality's general concurrence with the proposal and to ensure that the proposed works would not contravene any municipal by-laws or other requirements; and WHEREAS the project does not require any type of planning approvals by the City, meaning that Planning, Development and Building Services staff do not have delegated authority to sign off on the ECA application to the Ministry; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that once Planning Services staff have been provided with the full application package and deemed it to be satisfactory, that Council delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure and Water Services to sign off on the ECA application form required to be submitted to the Ministry.