Saturday November 4 between 1 and 3 pm we will be raking the paths around McKay Lake and the Pond. Please bring your own rake and wear gloves. Meet at the entrance on Hillsdale Road. Refreshments will be served when we finish at the Pond swimming area. Students are welcome – we will sign for volunteer hours. Rain date Sunday November 5 at the same time and meeting place.
Speaker Night, Nov 22, Stephen Poloz
These Turbulent Times
The frank, plain-speaking former Governor of the Bank of Canada and author of ‘The Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future’, will speak on the turbulent times we live in.
Wednesday, November 22, 8 p.m.
Community Hall, 380 Springfield Rd., Rockcliffe Park
Speaker Night, Nov 8, Charlotte Gray
Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons: The Lives of Jennie Jerome Churchill and Sara Delano Roosevelt
A captivating dual biography of two famous women whose sons would change the course of the 20th century—by award-winning historian Charlotte Gray. Impeccably researched and filled with intriguing social insights, Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons breathes new life into Sara and Jennie, offering a fascinating and fulsome portrait of how leaders are not just born but made.
Wednesday, November 8, 8 p.m.
Annual Village Clean-up, Saturday, May 6, 1 – 3 pm
The Annual Village Spring clean-up needs you! Come one, come all on Saturday afternoon, May 6, to get together with your neighbours while you help clean up our Village. Choose an area to clean, grab garbage bags, leaf bags, gloves (all provided) and see what a difference an hour or two can make!
Refreshments will be provided at 3 pm at the Community Centre (parking lot side). We will sign student volunteer hours forms. Meet behind the Community Hall, 380 Springfield Rd.
Rain Date: Sunday May 7, 1 – 3 pm
Speaker Night, March 8, with Thomas d’Aquino.
Wednesday, March 8, 8 pm at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Rd.
Based on his newly published memoir – Private Power ~ Public Purpose: Adventures in Business, Politics, and the Arts – long-time Rockcliffe Park resident Tom d’Aquino will offer personal insights on four decades of private sector leadership at the apex of power with the Business Council of Canada. He has been hailed as a transforming voice in redefining the role of business and the shaping of responsible capitalism, and as a champion of Canada’s place on the world stage. Beyond business and public policy, he tells tales about his lifelong love affair with arts and culture.
Speaker Night, February 1st with Andrew Leslie.
Russia’s War in the Ukraine: What Next?
Wednesday, February 1, 8 p.m.
Based on his personal experience, his expertise, and contacts within the Ukraine military, former general and member of Parliament, Andrew Leslie, will tell us what he believes lies ahead for war-torn Ukraine. While a soldier, Leslie led the 57,000 people in the Canadian Army in fires, floods, earthquakes, security missions, peacekeeping and war in Cyprus, Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Afghanistan and elsewhere. He has received many national and international honours and decorations. .
On Wednesday December 14, 6 pm. Please join us behind the Community Hall as the tree lights are lit and the Elmwood Junior School Choir performs, followed by a carol sing, accompanied by the Salvation Army Ottawa Citadel Brass Band. In the spirit of the season, hot chocolate will be served. Join your neighbours after a long hiatus to celebrate at this magical event.
On Sunday, December 11, 2 – 4 pm, Santa and his elves invite all children to come to the Community Hall, 380 Springfield Rd, for horse-drawn sleigh rides, outdoor activities, holiday traditions from around the world, crafts, holiday treats and lots of fun. Free admission. No registration required. Tax-deductible cheques or donations to Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre for its food bank are welcomed.
Andrew Cohen — best-selling author, journalist, professor, and long-term observer of the United States — discusses the state of democracy in “the great republic.” Reflecting on the congressional elections of 2022 and turning to the presidential election of 2024, he sees an ominous erosion of rights, an ebbing confidence in institutions, and a polarization of opinion descending into civil disorder. Is this how autocracy comes to America?
The RPRA is very pleased to return to engrossing evenings with distinguished speakers in the Community Hall in December! We expect a good turnout. Out of respect for all, we strongly urge that everyone wear a mask.
Mile Circle and Aviation Museum Area Lands to be Preserved from Development
The following response was received to a request seeking confirmation that Mile Circle and lands to the east of Birch St and lands around the Aviation Museum and the Rockcliffe Park Airport whose designations have been changed to allow for development will be preserved as green space.
Dear Ms. McAllister,
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to the NCC regarding the lands in the Mile Circle and Aviation Museum Area identified in the City of Ottawa’s new Official Plan. Mr. Nussbaum asked me to follow-up with you and provide you with additional information.
Under the National Capital Act, the planning authority for these federal lands is the National Capital Commission. The Capital Urban Lands Plan (2015) designates the lands in the subject area as Capital Urban Greenspace, Cultural Institution & Facility, and Other Federal Facility, which is in keeping with their capital functions.
One of the principal comments that the NCC has made in regards to the City of Ottawa’s New Official Plan is that the NCC’s planning authority, land use designations and policies must be respected where the NCC and City of Ottawa’s plans show overlap. We are continuing to work with the City to achieve this objective, and look forward to reviewing the next draft of the New Official Plan when it is released in the coming weeks.
As part of our review, the NCC noted that some lands along the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway – including Mile Circle – had been changed from Major Open Space to Neighbourhoods. We provided written comments to the City, and raised the issue in discussion with City staff. We have received confirmation that this was an inaccuracy and that the appropriate lands will appear as Greenspace in the next iteration of the New Official Plan.
Last, the City is not proposing any changes to the underlying zoning of the lands at this time, and the NCC always remains the land use planning authority for these federal lands.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Kind regards,
Émilie Ruel Manager, Public consultations Gestionnaire, Consultations publiques
National Capital Commission
Commission de la capitale nationale
