CAFES has released our report documenting the outcomes of the Public Information and Stakeholder Consultation event that was held by CAFES, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, on October 25th, 2024. This final report summarizes the key discussion areas, resident input and next steps that were highlighted at the event, which was held to gather community input on the City's proposed updates to the Residential Protective Plumbing Program and Compassionate Grant policy.
Accompanying the report was a well-received public delegation delivered by CAFES' Angela Keller-Herzog at the February 18th Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) meeting, when the RPPP and Compassionate Grant program reviews were deliberated at committee. Angela presented our report and expressed some of the feedback we received at this event in October - including the need for the programs to have clearer eligibility requirements, increased promotion and higher rebates, and the importance of pro-actively targeting flood-prone areas with better responsiveness after a flooding event.
Below you can read the final report and check out our public delegation. To watch a recording of the ECCC meeting, visit the link here.
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Continue reading for a recap of the event in October:
On Friday October 25th, CAFES hosted a public consultation event in collaboration with the City of Ottawa to discuss the City's proposed updates to the Residential Protective Plumbing Program and Compassionate Grant policy. The RPPP is intended to help residents better protect their properties from basement flooding and provides incentives for the installation of storm and sanitary backwater valves and sump pumps. The Compassionate Grant policy is intended to support residents who have experienced sewer backups as a result of significant rainfall events.
The event began with opening remarks from CAFES' Angela Keller-Herzog and Alta Vista Councillor Marty Carr. Brian Simpson, Manager of Water Utility Customer Service in the City of Ottawa's Infrastructure and Water Services Department, presented the City's proposed amendments. Julia Robinson, the Program Manager for Climate Adaptation, Climate Change and Resiliency Services, spoke about Ottawa's climate resiliency strategy. This was followed by a Question & Answer session with community members, and breakout table discussions. Hiran Sandanayake, Manager for Water Resources Planning & Engineering Asset Management Service, answered questions along with Brian and Julia. About 100 community members came out to provide their feedback, and to share their experiences dealing with flooding in their homes.
CAFES was pleased to convene this climate resiliency consultation event in collaboration with the City. Residents have told us that flooding is one of their top climate concerns, and the insurance industry has told us that flooding is now the top claims area - exacting more damages than fire.
Thank you to Alta Vista Councillor Marty Carr for being the lead sponsor and host for the session, and thank you to our other sponsors, Councillors Riley Brockington (River Ward), Sean Devine (Knoxdale-Merivale Ward), Laine Johnson (College Ward) and Shawn Menard (Capital Ward).
