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glengower.ca
Glen Gower
@glengower.ca
1.7K followers 340 following 2K posts
City Councillor in Stittsville, one of the most exciting suburbs *in the world*
🚲🚏🚇

(Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
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glengower.ca
An update about storm prep from Ottawa's Public Works department. Including a daytime winter parking ban on Sunday!
🌨️⚠️🚜 🅿️🚫
Forecast and conditions Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Ottawa region. Snow is forecast to develop early this evening and then become heavy at times with peak snowfall rates of 2 to 4 centimetres per hour. That’s a lot of snow! The snow is expected to diminish in intensity overnight with 10 to 15 centimetres possible. The wind will be 20 kilomeres per hour gusting to 40 with a low of minus 1 and wind chill of minus 7 this evening. Travel will likely be challenging at times with reduced visibility in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to the accumulating snow. If you are travelling, allow extra time and please exercise extreme caution by adjusting to the conditions of the transportation network. Our response The Roads and Parking Services team is ready! All resources will be deployed and once accumulation begins, crews will be out in full force clearing and treating sidewalks, roads, bus routes, the Transitway and the winter cycling network. Parks Maintenance will also be out clearing and treating emergency service stations, libraries and community centers as well as some City facility parking lots. A daytime parking ban is being called A Winter Weather Parking Ban will be in effect tomorrow Sunday, January 11 from 10 am to 7 pm. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide-open roadway. During this time, all vehicles must be removed from the roadway - unless you have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets. Though eligible parking permit holders are exempt, we encourage those who can, please try to find alternate parking during this time to prevent your vehicle from being snowed in. The City of Ottawa has several parking lots available for residents to park during a parking ban. Vehicles may remain parked at these sites for the duration of the ban and must be removed after the City announces that the ban has been lifted. Information on all parking options during a winter weather parking ban is available on Ottawa.ca/winterparking. Residents can stay in the know about our winter weather parking bans by signing up for e-alerts at Ottawa.ca, or by downloading the City of Ottawa app. Resident support is required All vehicles must be removed from the roadway - unless you have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets. Information on alternative parking options is available on Ottawa.ca/winterparking. You can support our operations by finding off-street parking options. If you can, please ask a friend or neighbour to share their laneway. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide-open roadway. There is no need to create a service request for routine snow clearing. We are on the job, and our efforts are currently needed out in the community; service requests should only be created for emergencies. Become a Snow Angel! Support your community by helping someone you know who is elderly or has a disability, by clearing snow or ice from their driveway, steps or walkway. More information on the Snow Angel Program is available on Ottawa.ca.
January 10, 2026 at 8:52 PM
glengower.ca
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement about strong winds with gusts of 70 to 90 km/h in Ottawa overnight.

The Hydro Ottawa outage map is showing several outages in our area. Have you lost power in Stittsville?
January 10, 2026 at 2:11 AM
glengower.ca
Our team took a tour of Ottawa’s Traffic Operations Centre on Loretta Avenue. Tucked in beside the Queensway, this old industrial building is where staff monitor and adjust traffic signals, fabricate street signs, coordinate pavement line painting, and more.

Photos:
glengower.ca/notebook/not...
January 9, 2026 at 7:06 PM
glengower.ca
Update from the City's public works department about snow clearing operations.

⚠️ If you can, ensure that your local catch basin is clear and able to take in water.

💡Did you know: You can find your nearest catch basin on ottawa.ca. Search for "catch basin locator map".
Update from the City's public works department about snow clearing operations: - Supervisors have been monitoring the conditions of the transportation network through the night and will continue through the day. - Crews were busy working through the night and the dayshift has picked up right where the nightshift left off. They will focus on cleaning up the transportation network and any problem areas such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners and cul de sacs. - Given the back-to-back snowfalls, crews will be deployed across the city to clear and treat residential neighborhoods and streets through the day as required. With Friday’s rain in the forecast, supervisors will also monitor areas that are prone to water ponding and localized flooding. The team will also work on opening catch basins and ditches as required to ensure they are able to take in water. ⚠️ We are asking for anyone who can to ensure that their local catch basin is clear and able to take in water. With over 100,000 catch basins in the city, we cannot do it alone and would appreciate any support you can offer. 💡Did you know: You can find your nearest catch basin on ottawa.ca. Search for "catch basin locator map". You can also report a blocked catch basin by contacting 3-1-1. Screen shot of the catchbasin map showing a neighbourhood in Stittsville
January 7, 2026 at 7:35 PM
glengower.ca
First skate of the year!
The ice is a bit soft.
January 7, 2026 at 7:09 PM
glengower.ca
Some info from the Queensway Carleton Hospital
We are currently experiencing higher patient volumes this viral season. The hospital is operating at 116% overall occupancy, with medicine units at 140%, and 29 patients in the ED who are awaiting inpatient beds. When the hospital gets this busy, wait times in Emergency can be longer as there is less available space to see new patients coming in the door. Our teams are working incredibly hard to ensure every patient receives safe, high-quality care. Care options for non-urgent health concerns: 💠Health811 – Call 811 or access 24/7 online chat with a registered nurse for health advice and referrals to services: ontario.ca/health811 💠Your primary care provider 💠Walk-in clinics 💠Your local pharmacist – Pharmacists can assess and help treat minor ailments such as cold sores, urinary tract infections, skin rashes, allergies, pink eye, insect bites, and more. 💠Mental health support – Distress Centre of Ottawa: 613-238-3311 | Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 Our Emergency Department is always here for urgent care. If you are experiencing a life-threatening condition, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Please visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/eQaj-fgu Thank you for your patience. Thank you for supporting our amazing staff who are working hard to provide every patient with quality care💙
January 7, 2026 at 4:15 PM
glengower.ca
Sometimes to pass time while I wait for the bus in the morning, I count how many vehicles come to a complete stop at the intersection. This morning, 27 of 60 drivers came to a full stop in 5 minutes. Most of the others rolled the stop and at least 8 or 9 of those just ran the stop sign completely. 😯
A stop sign with snow and bush in the background
January 7, 2026 at 1:15 PM
glengower.ca
Always a good reminder
A white sheet of paper attached to a metallic surface with a round magnet. The paper lists two columns under bold headings: “Easy Work” on the left and “Hard Work” on the right. Under “Easy Work,” the words are: criticize, complain, imitate, control, blame, give up, ignore, exaggerate. Under “Hard Work,” the words are: create, inspire, educate, empower, develop, finish, collaborate, trust. At the bottom, the text reads “@ValaAfshar.”
January 5, 2026 at 2:37 PM
glengower.ca
Results from Ottawa Police impaired driving enforcement during the holiday season.
The Ottawa Police Service has concluded its annual Festive RIDE campaign and is releasing enforcement results from the 2025 holiday season. Between the launch and conclusion of the Festive RIDE program, officers conducted enforcement at 76 locations across the city, resulting in 6,924 driver interactions. As a result of these enforcement efforts: 27 drivers were charged with impaired-related offences 2 suspended drivers were charged 3 drivers were charged with having open alcohol while driving 2 drivers were charged under the Cannabis Control Act In addition to RIDE checkpoints, frontline officers continued enforcement during regular patrols. In total, 94 drivers were charged with impaired-related offences during the Festive RIDE season, both through RIDE programs and routine policing.
January 5, 2026 at 2:25 PM
glengower.ca
🤷🏻‍♂️
January 3, 2026 at 1:55 PM
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Now reading!
Really interesting so far. Just made it through the 1974 election. The country was dealing with 10% inflation, yikes.
January 2, 2026 at 10:31 PM
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Wrapping up this year’s @theglobeandmail.com holiday crossword with 12 clues left. So close! ✏️🧐
January 1, 2026 at 4:45 PM
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A big welcome to Sanaa and Charaf who have just opened a new coffee shop on Stittsville Main Street called Cafe Vanille. Lots of sweet and savory treats plus coffee, lattes, and more. A bright and cozy space inside. ☕️
December 30, 2025 at 6:55 PM
glengower.ca
Stuck by @yappelbaum.bsky.social. I'm halfway through this one. A really interesting take on the housing crisis in the United States, as told through the lens of mobility. How it used to be a lot easier to move to pursue a new job or opportunity - either within a city or across the country.

6/6
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
glengower.ca
"Other People's Money" by Charles Bagli. I read it as kind of a post-script to The Power Broker. It's about the financialization of rental housing, told through the story of a massive real estate deal in New York City, just before the market crash in 2009.

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Book cover Other People's Money
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
glengower.ca
"The Power Broker" by Robert Caro. I started this is in 2024 and finally finished with a marathon reading session while on vacation in August. I am still absorbing and processing this one, many months later. For best results, read alongside the @99pi.org podcast series from 2024.

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Power Broker book cover
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
glengower.ca
"Home Truths" by @cwhitzman.bsky.social should be required reading for every elected official, at any level. A sharp history of housing policy in Canada, plus clear-headed policy solutions.

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Book cover of Home Truths
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
glengower.ca
"When Driving Is Not An Option" by @nondriver.bsky.social. She was a keynote speaker at @envirocentre.bsky.social's transit symposium. Her perspective has really changed my thinking about mobility and transit. Highly recommended.

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Book cover of When Driving Is Not An Option
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
glengower.ca
Five books about cities that I read in 2025.
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Collage of five different book covers
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
glengower.ca
Afternoon update from Ottawa's Public Works department.
Roads and Parking Services will continue treating sidewalks, priority roads and the winter cycling network throughout the day and have moved into residential areas. The transportation network is expected to be fully restored by this evening. The nightshift will pick up where the dayshift leaves off to complete any remaining work in the residential areas and will focus on cleaning up any problem areas such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners and cul de sacs. Parks Maintenance crews have been treating City facility parking lots, recreation centre lots and pathways since early morning and will continue throughout the day. Crews are also ready to deploy resources as required. Traffic Services continues to monitor and adjust traffic signals and manage mobility implications as required, with on-call personnel prepared for controller and signal issues. There have been no significant mobility impacts reported. Forestry Services received no urgent calls last night and continues to monitor wind and ice buildup and is prepared to respond for downed trees and dangerous limbs. There may be delays with waste collection due to icy conditions. Residents are reminded to leave their bins out at the curb until they are emptied as it may take crews longer to complete their collection routes. Our Transit partners have confirmed that O-Train Lines 1, 2 and 4, buses and Para Transpo are operating today; they recommend that transit customers stay safe, plan ahead, and allow extra time for their travels while watching for slippery surfaces and taking care when entering and exiting buses and trains.
December 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
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In 2025, King Charles and Queen Camilla admired radishes and asparagus at a farmer's market in Ottawa.
December 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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2025 was a year full of surprise and delight in Canadian politics.
December 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
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We got home about 9:30pm and the freezing rain was just starting. Glad we got home when we did - the rain was accumulating quickly on our windshield and intersections were icy. Seriously, stay off the roads if you can.
Franktown, Ontario weather radar map showing Eastern Ontario.
December 29, 2025 at 3:05 AM
glengower.ca
From Ottawa’s GM of Parks & Recreation
Mayor and Members of Council, We are expecting hazardous weather overnight. As a result, all RCFS drop-in activities starting before 9 am on Monday, December 29 are canceled. Please note, all camps, tournaments, and special events, including the Bell Capital Cup, will proceed as planned. Updates will be provided should there be further impacts. All recreation and cultural facilities will remain open for service.
December 29, 2025 at 2:55 AM
glengower.ca
Update from City staff in preparations for the ice storm.
December 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM