Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee allow discussion of the following item for consideration by the committee at today’s meeting, pursuant to subsection 89(4) of the Procedure By-law (being by-law no. 2022-410) to allow for questions to staff: 4.1 ARAC 2025-01 - Rural Crossing Guards Ms Heidi Cousineau, Manager, Traffic, Safety and Mobility, Public Works Department (PWD), and Mr. Riley Carter, Specialist, Traffic Assessment, PWD, were present to respond to Committee’s questions.

Vice-Chair C. Kelly moved the following Motion to allow for this item’s consideration, as the report had not originally been circulated with the Committee meeting agenda. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee consider the addition of the following Motion and associated documentation pursuant to Subsection 89(3) of the Procedure By-law, so that it may be considered at the first ARAC meeting of 2026. WHEREAS on November 2, 2024, the City of Ottawa held the Rural Summit, where the Mayor, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee heard from rural residents on the most pressing issues affecting rural areas; and WHEREAS the Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee has submitted the report titled Rural Summit (2024) Update – Progress on Ten Commitments to be received by the Committee; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee receive the document titled Rural Summit (2024) Update – Progress on Ten Commitments for information. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe spoke to provide context for the Rural Summit (2024) Update report. Chair D. Brown then spoke to a detailed slide presentation which served as an overview of the update report. A copy of this presentation is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk. The Committee then heard from Ms. Kathy Black, who also provided written correspondence, which is also held on file with the Office of the City Clerk. Following questions to the delegation and at the conclusion of Comm

WHEREAS the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee has received a Rural Summit Update, including the Rural Summit Commitment Updates provided with this item, outlining progress and remaining actions on preliminary Rural Summit commitments and priorities; WHEREAS continued public input from rural residents, producers, community associations, and rural businesses is necessary to validate progress, identify implementation issues, and confirm priorities for the next phase of work; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Staff from the rural affairs office draft a report outlining key findings and potential action items that address the top recorded concerns brought by rural residents to the 2024 Rural Summit. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee request that staff include on the agenda for the May 2026 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting an additional opportunity for the public to discuss and provide feedback on the Rural Summit commitments and priorities, informed by the Rural Summit Commitment Updates provided; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this agenda opportunity include a dedicated agenda item permitting written submissions and public delegations focused on the Commitment Updates and priority-setting. The Rural Summit (2024) Update – Progress on Ten Commitments report was then ‘Received’ by the Committee for information.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee defer consideration of Report No. ACS2025-PDB-PSX-0019 - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment – 635 and 891 Jinkinson Road - to the next meeting of ARAC; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be permitted to include, if necessary, a revised staff report and/or supporting documentation for inclusion in the distribution of the meeting agenda with appropriate notice provided.

WHEREAS Rural Woodlands Ottawa has established a productive working relationship with the City of Ottawa’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) through collaboration on initiatives such as the Living Snow Fence Pilot Program; and WHEREAS Rural Woodlands Ottawa and ARAC continue to advocate for the retention and expansion of the rural tree canopy in support of climate resilience, road safety, and rural quality of life; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in partnership with the Ward 21 Councillor, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council approve a small tree planting project at 2155 Roger Stevens Drive which Rural Woodlands Ottawa will maintain for the establishment period as a demonstration of our ongoing collaboration; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to provide the necessary support and coordination to ensure that the project will proceed in spring 2026, including engagement with Rural Woodlands Ottawa and any partners of the project.

on behalf of Chair D. Brown WHEREAS the concurrence for the antenna system at 8230 Bleeks Road expired and the applicant wishes to proceed with the project at the earliest opportunity. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following item be added to the agenda of the meeting of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee of February 5, 2026 pursuant to the Procedure By-law, subsection 89(3). WHEREAS the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-03, Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems, issue 6, requires proponents of proposals for new antenna systems to consult with municipalities and the public; and WHEREAS 4.5 of CPC-2-0-03 states that after three years, consultations will no longer be deemed valid except in the case where a proponent secures the agreement of the relevant land-use authority to an extension for a specified time period in writing; and WHEREAS staff provided the City’s concurrence through the Council-approved municipal concurrence and public consultation process for antenna systems for 8230 Bleeks Road on November 3, 2021; and WHEREAS the three-year period has expired, and City’s process does not provide staff with delegated authority to extend municipal concurrence; and WHEREAS the 2021 application for 8230 Bleeks Road remains unchanged; and WHEREAS the proponent has indicated they now intend to proceed with the proposed antenna which would improve service for cellular telephone users in