November 30, 2024

Monthly Newsletter

  • Community Update

If you require immediate assistance, please email us at jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at

613-736-9573.

Holiday Pancake Breakfast!

Join us for a special holiday pancake breakfast on December 21, 2024, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM at Albion Heatherington Recreation Centre (1560 Heatherington Rd).

Pancakes and beverages will be served from 8:00 to 10:00 AM!

Please RSVP to jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or 613-736-9573.

RSVP

Read the following news release for more information on this change.

Ontario Begins Automatic Licence Plate Renewals | Ontario Newsroom

Brantwood Gates Remembrance Day Ceremony – November 10th


I have joined community members at the Brantwood Place Gates annually to lay a wreath in honour of those men and women who lost their lives in service to Canada. A beautiful but solemn local community event each year.

Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association Remembrance Day Breakfast – November 11th


I was pleased to join the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association at their annual Remembrance Day breakfast and catch up with colleagues at the federal and municipal level before we all headed out to participate in local Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Remembrance Day Service at the Perley – November 11th

Perley Health is an extraordinary place which cares for our local veterans as they age. I was happy to once again lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ontario to thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice for our country.

Coffee Connections Group at SEOCHC – November 12th

I had a fun time canning preserves and chatting with local seniors in Ottawa South.

Minds R Ageless Group at SEOCHC – November 14th

It was great to join seniors at the South East Ottawa Community Health Centre to discuss the issues that are facing them today. I am always happy to answer questions about how my office is able to help those in need in our community.

Meeting and Tour of Dominion City Brewing Co – November 14th

On November 14th, I joined my colleague Lucille Collard for a meeting and tour at Dominion City Brewing Company to discuss the issues facing small craft breweries in Ontario and the barriers that have been put in place by the current government’s inaction to support them.

On November 4th, I participated in debate on the government’s Fall Economic Statement regarding the lack of funding in health care in Ontario.

On November 5th, I joined my colleague MPP Stephen Blais to discuss the importance of public access to AEDs (defibrillators) in the Province of Ontario.

On November 18th, I asked the Premier why he is spending millions of taxpayer dollars on TV ads when 2.5 million Ontarians don’t have a family doctor.

Provincial Updates. Government of Ontario.
Provincial News

Ontario Helping Veterans Start New Careers in the Skilled Trades

All Parties in Ontario Legislature Support Extending Per-Vote Subsidy

Funding Boost for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario

Ontario Boosting Efforts to Combat Bullying and Support Student Mental Health

Ontario Building More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Ontario Expanding the Role of Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

Seniors Community Grant Program Applications Now Open

Applications Now Open for Next Round of Skills Development Fund

Ontario Senior Achievement Award

This award recognizes individuals for significant contributions to their communities after the age of 65. Up to 20 individuals are recognized each year.

Eligibility

The person you nominate (the nominee) must:

  • have contributed to the community after the age of 65
  • be a resident of Ontario

Seniors who qualify for this award may have contributed to many different fields such as the arts, literature, community service, volunteering, education, environment, fitness, and humanitarian activities.

You cannot nominate:

  • yourself
  • someone who has passed away
  • someone currently holding political office
  • elected federal, provincial, municipal representatives or political appointees

Required information

To submit a nomination, you will need to provide:

  • The nominee’s first name, last name, address, email and phone number.
  • A detailed description of the nominee’s achievements and why they should receive the award.
  • At least two signed testimonial letters. The letters must be from two different people who are not the nominator. An electronic signature or scanned copy of the signed letters are acceptable. The testimonial writers should:
    • know the nominee
    • be able to explain the value and impact of the nominee’s achievements
    • support the nomination
  • The testimonial writers’ first name, last name, email address and phone number.

Additional information

You may include optional supporting documents to give more insight into your nominee’s accomplishments, such as:

  • supplementary testimonials
  • publications
  • media stories and news articles

The annual deadline for nominations is December 1st. You can submit a nomination online by registering through the Ontario Honours and Awards Portal.

About the Order of Ontario

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest civilian honour. It is awarded to an Ontarian who has shown the highest level of excellence and achievement in their field, and whose impact has left a legacy in our province, in our country and around the world.

Members of the Order are a collective of Ontario’s finest citizens, whose contributions have shaped — and continue to shape — the province’s history and place in Canada.

Excellence in any field

You can nominate someone for achievements and excellence in any field. Some examples include:

  • business and technology
  • healthcare and medicine
  • education and academia
  • engineering and architecture
  • skilled trades
  • mining
  • arts and culture
  • sports and entertainment
  • law and social justice
  • media and journalism
  • social and community services
  • science and aerospace
  • literature and writing
  • environment and conservation

Eligibility

The person you nominate (the nominee) must be:

  • a long-term or former resident of Ontario (the nominee does not need to be a Canadian citizen)
  • someone whose career, in any field, has had a major impact or influence on the province, Canada and around the world
  • living at the time of nomination

People who are not eligible

You cannot nominate:

  • yourself
  • someone who has passed away
  • an elected federal, provincial or municipal politician currently in office
  • a sitting judge of any court
  • one of Ontario’s legislative officers while in office:
    • auditor general
    • ombudsman
    • information and privacy commissioner
    • financial accountability officer
    • integrity commissioner
    • chief electoral officer
  • a volunteer
  • someone for acts of bravery

No person may be appointed to the Order posthumously, unless death occurs following the council’s recommendation for appointment.

Deadline

Nominations are now open.

The deadline to nominate someone is March 31, 2025.

Please visit www.ontario.ca/page/honours-and-awards to learn more about other Honours and Awards programs and how to nominate individuals deserving of recognition.

As Ontario is in the midst of respiratory illness season, we are taking this opportunity to remind all individuals aged 65+ to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot to protect yourself against currently circulating variants.

Vaccination continues to be the best way for people to remain protected against severe outcomes from respiratory viruses. It is safe and convenient to receive both the updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time, reducing the need for multiple visits.

You can book a COVID-19 vaccine through:

You can book a flu shot through:

You can also speak to a health care provider about potential antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and influenza if you become ill.
If you have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine since September 30, 2024, guidance for vaccination in Spring 2025 will be available closer to then.

Thank you,

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health

You may be receiving this message more than once if your email was used to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment(s) for an individual(s) aged 65 years or older.
Please note that this email address was collected from (or confirmed with) you at the clinic where you received earlier doses. You would have been advised about the purposes for collecting your email address at that time.

If you want to stop receiving email communication, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to change your email preferences.

211 is completely free, confidential and calls are answered 24/7 in 150+ languages. If you prefer, you can also text the number 2-1-1 or use the online chat at 211ontario.ca Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Value Matters – Awareness Campaign

MPAC recently launched Home Values Matter, a new awareness campaign that aims to help homeowners and prospective homeowners better understand the role MPAC plays in property assessment.

We’ve launched a new Home Values Matter page to host helpful resources for Ontarians and have started promoting these tools with our new Home Values Matter YouTube video.

You can view our recent social media posts on this campaign at the below links. X (Twitter), Linked-In, Facebook.

How your property is assessed

We determine the assessed value of each property based on several variables, and we use different approaches to value properties depending on the property type. Click on the links below to learn more: 

Property assessment and taxation toolkit

To better help property owners understand the relationship between property assessment and taxes, as well as the key roles different levels of government play, MPAC has developed a toolkit. 

View the toolkit here.

Home prices are top of mind for property owners throughout Ontario. That’s why MPAC recently created the Property Pulse dashboard which can be accessed through mpac.ca. This free new resource allows users to access the very latest residential sales data so they can research price changes throughout the province.

Users can search through their own neighborhoods or explore the entire Province by comparing up to 5 municipalities simultaneously. The data is updated monthly which allows users to monitor how the property landscape continues to shift over time. Property owners can visit mpac.ca to create an AboutMyProperty™ account and view the new dashboard.

When everyday people step forward to make a lifesaving connection, the impact is significant Lives are changed. Lives are saved.

Book now at Blood.ca

More than 90% of Ontarians are in favour of organ donation.


However, only one in three Ontarians have registered their consent to donate. It only takes two minutes to register…

BeADonor.ca is the simple, electronic and quick way for you to register your consent for organ and tissue donation. It only takes a moment to register with results that will be long-lasting and positive. Register today.

__

In an innovative new collaboration between Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) and the provincial and federal governments, millions of Ontarians will be one step closer to saving and improving lives.
 
Through this initiative, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has included a question to the federal annual income tax return that allows Ontario taxpayers to indicate their interest in receiving information about organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The question will appear on tax forms each year moving forward, with the goal of raising awareness and increasing donor registrations.
 
As a result of this initiative, this fall, over 2.1 million Ontario taxpayers who expressed interest will receive an email from TGLN with information about how to register as a potential donor.
 
Learn more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation and take 2 minutes to change someone’s life by visiting beadonor.ca.

In our community. Ottawa South

Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas Concert and Market – December 1st

This Sunday, December 1st, St. Thomas the Apostle Church and the Legacy Brass and Chorus of the Salvation Army will be holding their Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas Concert and Christmas Market at 2345 Alta Vista Drive! The Christmas Market will feature crafts, baked goods, a silent auction, and more! The market and refreshments will begin at 1:30p.m., with the concert taking place at 3p.m. Admission to this event is by donation with proceeds supporting the launch of the Newcomers Program at St. Thomas.

Just Gifts Christmas Market– December 7th

Join us Saturday, December 7, 10 am – 1 pm at the Just Gifts Christmas Market for in-person shopping of Fair Trade & local food, handcrafts and gifts. Market products include coffee, honey, chocolate, olive oil, winter-accessories, art, homemade baking and more. Stay for a delicious hot meal in our lunchroom. Proceeds support Emmanuel’s partners in Zambia and El Salvador.

A Caroling We Will Go! – December 13th

Please join the Riverview Park Community Association (RPCA) for a live outdoor Christmas Caroling evening on Friday, 13 December at 7 PM at Balena Park at 1640 Devon Street. Resident neighborhood musician Craig Cormier will be leading a fun sing-along evening of Christmas Carols under the stars. Enjoy sleigh rides, candles, a campfire, hot chocolate and smores for a wonderful start to the Holiday Season.

All are welcome. If you are able, please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Blair Court Community House Food Bank. For a list of what they need most, visit:  https://blaircourt.ca/non-perishable-food-items/. Thank you to our steadfast partners for this event, notably our elected representatives Marty Carr, Ottawa City Councillor, the Honourable David McGuinty, Member of the House of Commons, and John Fraser, Member of the Provincial Parliament in Ontario, as well as the Blair Court Community House and the southeast city church.

Councilor Shawn Menard’s Capital Ward Holiday Party – December 13th

Don’t forget about the Capital Ward holiday party. Come out for some holiday cheer on Friday, December 13, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Clark Hall at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive.

Councillor Marty Carr’s Breakfast with Santa – December 14th
 
Our annual Breakfast with Santa event is just around the corner! This event will be taking place on Saturday, December 14th, from 8a.m. to 11a.m. at the Canterbury Community Centre (2185 Arch Street). Parking will be available at the Community Centre with overflow parking available next door at Arch Street Public School. You can look forward to a pancake breakfast, face painting, and a visit from Santa! We will be collecting donations and money for the Ottawa Food Bank. You can find a list of their most needed non-perishable items on their website.

Councilor Jessica Bradley’s Christmas in Gloucester-Southgate – December 17th

Get ready for an evening of festive fun for the whole family!
Date: Tuesday December 17th
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Diane Deans Greenboro Community Centre (363 Lorry Greenberg Drive)

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Join us for a casual meet-and-greet with Santa Claus! Families are invited to:

  • Chat with Santa and share their Christmas wishes.
  • Grab crayons and a Christmas-themed colouring sheet.
  • Settle in and get cozy for movie night.

6:00 PM: The holiday magic continues with a screening of The Grinch (2018 cartoon edition).

Important Details:

  • All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the event.
  • Bring blankets and stuffies to make your movie experience extra cozy. Parents are welcome to bring lawn chairs and sit at the back if they prefer.

This free event is the perfect way to share the holiday spirit and create lasting memories. 

Flo’s Seniors Christmas Celebration – Black Soiree – December 21st

This Christmas dinner titled Black Soirée, will be held on December 21st, 2024, at the Boys and Girls Club located at 1770 Heatherington Rd. This lively gathering will feature refreshments at 5pm and a formal dinner starting at 6 PM, followed by a dance at 9 PM, with music by DJ’s David “Supersound” Bostic and Renford Thomas Jr. – known as Bojangles, a 50/50 raffle, prizes, and more.

We are seeking sponsors to help make this event memorable, accessible, and impactful for our community. The Black Soirée is a community celebration that also offers an opportunity for your office to support Black seniors within our community. As we know, seniors often face financial and social barriers that prevent them from fully participating in cultural events. We are asking for monetary or product donations or sponsorships to cover the cost of tickets for our seniors to attend the Soirée. Each ticket is $35.00, and with your support, we can offer our seniors an evening filled with good food, music, and connection. Your assistance will ensure our elders feel valued and included, surrounded by their community and culture.

Mark your calendar for OrKidstra’s Holiday Concerts!

Dec. 11: Vanier Hub Concert

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 6:30 PM, the OrKidstra family is encouraged to come out and cheer on our students at our FREE OrKidstra Vanier Hub Holiday Concert!

This concert will feature a wonderful selection of classical, jazz, pop, holiday favourites, and music from around the world. The OrKidstra Vanier Hub Holiday Concert will take place in the theatre at Ottawa Technical Secondary School (485 Donald Street). Plenty of free parking is available behind the school; please enter through the main doors facing Donald Street.

Dec. 17: Centre Hub Concert

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6:30 PM, bring a friend and celebrate the sounds of the season at our OrKidstra Centre Hub Holiday Concert. Featuring over 150 young musicians onstage, this show is an Ottawa holiday favourite!

This FREE concert will get you into the festive spirit with a wonderful array of music including classical, jazz, holiday favourites, and much more! Experience the magic and music of OrKidstra LIVE this holiday season at our Centre Hub Holiday Concert at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (355 Cooper Street).

Join OrKidstra in Heron Gate: make music, make friends!’

OrKidstra is an Ottawa-based social development program that empowers kids and builds community through the universal language of music.

Join OrKidstra’s FREE and fun after-school music program in the heart of Heron Gate, complete with healthy snacks! Programming includes KiddlyWinks (a fun music and movement program for kids ages 5-8) and KidSingers (an innovative choir program for children and youth ages 8+). KidSingers will also be introduced to the wonderful world of instruments through our KidStarters program. OrKidstra’s After-School Program in Heron Gate will run on Mondays and Wednesdays between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM from October 16, 2024, through June 2025.

Location: Heron Gate Community Hub (2850 Cedarwood Dr., rear entrance)

Ready to join in on the musical fun? Apply today at orkidstra.ca/apply.

If you have any questions about the OrKidstra program, please contact OrKidstra at programadmin@orkidstra.ca.

Riley Brockington’s River Ward Holiday Dinner – December 19th 

River Ward’s Holiday Dinner is Back!
Please join me in celebration of the holiday season with your friends, family and neighbours for a holiday meal!

When: Thursday, December 19 at 5 pm and 6:15pm (two seatings)
Where: Hunt Club Riverside Park Community Centre, 3320 Paul Anka Dr
Admission: FREE

RSVP: Riley.Brockington@ottawa.ca

Accepting non-perishable food items for the Ottawa Food Bank

Go Steam!

Where: Heron Gate Community Hub – 2850 Cedarwood Drive.
When: Tuesdays, 4:00 – 5:00 PM – October 8th to December 3rd.

Advancing the wellbeing of Ottawa’s older adults.

As a bilingual and inclusive Council, their vision is respected, informed and engaged older adults living in an age-friendly city.

Visit them at 217 – 815 St. Laurent Blvd. Ottawa, Ontario K1K 3A7 and for more information give them a call (613) 789-3577, send them an email coa@coaottawa.ca or visit their website at The Council on Aging of Ottawa – The Council on Aging of Ottawa (coaottawa.ca).

Cheo - Kids come first.

Catching up on routine immunizations

If your child has missed a vital immunization required for school this fall, we can help! The Kids Come First Health Team, has launched their Vaccination and Up-to-Date campaign to tackle just that, and they are taking appointments now!

Find out the requirements and book your child’s vaccination today!

Purse Project: Ottawa Police and partners collecting personal hygiene products


(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service and our partners Shoppers Drug Mart and Citron Hygiene are once again inviting Ottawa residents to help us collect personal hygiene products for women, starting on November 15th.

“Hygiene products are an expense that some women in our community simply can’t afford,” said Cst. Dawn Neilly, co-organizer of 9th installment of the Purse Project. “With a sharp increase in the cost for goods this year, more women are struggling.”

In addition to sanitary and hygiene products like pads and tampons, donations of soap, deodorant, toothpaste & toothbrushes, shampoo & conditioner, and shaving products are also welcomed. We are also inviting the community to donate gently used purses, as they are a discreet way to deliver the products to women in need.

The collection of personal hygiene products was introduced in 2016 as the ‘Purse Project’ and resulted in over 8000 purses filled with necessities that have been donated to women living at local area shelters over the past years.

There are several locations where people can drop off donations until December 1st :

  • The Ottawa Police Service will accept donations at 211 Huntmar Drive, 3343 St. Joseph Boulevard and 474 Elgin Street (see their respective Hours of operation);
  • Shoppers Drug Mart locations: 174 Bank Street, 702 Bank Street, 1080 Bank Street/Sunnyside, 181 Greenbank Road and 3781 Strandherd Drive;
  • The Citron Hygiene warehouse located at 150-2855 Swansea Crescent is also a drop-off location, from Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 4:30pm.

All items collected will be delivered by OPS to local area shelters including, but not limited to Youville Centre, St Joe’s Women’s Centre, Emily Murphy Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and la Maison d’amitié.

If you are unable to attend any of these locations and still wish to donate, you can send an e-transfer to Purseproject@ottawapolice.ca.

Festive RIDE 2024: Drive sober this holiday season

(Ottawa) —This holiday season, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will be conducting RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) programs and is reminding drivers to celebrate responsibly and keep our roads safe.
The OPS’ municipal and policing partners, like the RCMP, OPP, MADD Ottawa and the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association, will also be involved in the RIDE campaign.
During the program, RIDE checkpoints will be present at various times throughout the city.
“We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe,” says Acting Sergeant Amy Gagnon with the Impaired Countermeasures Section. “During this holiday season, we want everyone to make it home safely to their loved ones, and we are asking our community to drive sober and plan a ride home.”  
We continue to work hard to address impaired driving, even more so during the festive season. Year to date, we have seen:

  • 752 drivers charged with impaired driving related offences, 299 of those charges were as a result of calls to 9-1-1;
  • 195 collisions;
  • In 2024, as of early November, there were 12 fatal or life-threatening collisions where alcohol or drugs were determined to be a factor (of the 195 collisions).

If you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, plan a safe ride home, like a designated driver, a taxi, rideshare or public transit.
As a reminder, since 2018, officers can demand that a driver provide a sample of their breath into an approved screening device without first suspecting that the driver had been drinking.

Let’s all do our part to keep our roads and community safe this holiday season.

If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1.

November is Radon Action Month – Winter is the best time to test your home!

Ottawa residents are encouraged to test their homes for radon gas this winter to ensure levels do not exceed Health Canada guidelines. Long-term exposure to high levels of this harmful gas can cause lung cancer and smoking can increase this risk by ten-fold or more. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released when uranium in soil, rock, or water breaks down. It is invisible, odourless and tasteless. The only way to know if you are being exposed to radon gas is to test for it. Radon is not a health concern outdoors; however, indoors it can accumulate to unacceptable levels. The higher the level of radon gas in a building, the faster you should take action to reduce your exposure. It is easy to test for radon and if levels are found to be high, remediation is less difficult than most people imagine.

Radon and Lung Cancer

In Canada, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke. When people who smoke also have long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon, there is a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer. While the lifetime exposure to continuous high levels of radon in a non-smoker can pose a risk of developing lung cancer as high as 1-in-20, that risk can increase to 1-in-3 for a person who smokes. This makes radon another important reason to quit smoking. All homes, and in particular those of people who smoke, should be tested for radon.

Do you have high levels of radon gas in your home?

Studies by Health Canada have shown that radon concentrations vary a great deal across Canada. Elevated indoor radon levels occur in Ottawa, in Ontario, and in every Canadian province, but it is difficult to predict which homes are most at risk. The only way to know if you are being exposed to high levels of radon gas is to test for it. Testing for radon is easy and affordable. Do-it-yourself radon test kits can be purchased over the internet and at local hardware and building supply stores. Health Canada suggests that you use a long-term radon detector for a minimum of three months. The cost of testing is now as low as $48 including laboratory analysis. You can also hire a radon testing company to test your home.
Radon levels of 200 becquerels per cubic metre or more in a normal occupancy area of the home should be remediated. For a list of certified Canadian radon testing and remediation companies consult the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) or call 1-855-722-6777.

For more information, visit ottawapublichealth.ca/radon.

In Ontario, all children going to school need to be vaccinated against certain diseases. These vaccines are offered at no cost and are given to protect children and youth from serious diseases like measles and meningitis. The summer is a great time for families to catch up on any missed vaccines before the next school year. 

What can parents/caregivers do to make sure their child(ren) are up to date?  

  • Check their child’s vaccine record: compare the records they have with the Publicly  
  • Funded Immunization Schedule to make sure it is up to date. Speak to their child’s health care provider about any vaccines their child needs. 
  • Report their child’s vaccine(s) to Ottawa Public Health (OPH): It is possible that the child (ren) are up to date on their vaccines, but OPH was not notified. Health care providers do not report vaccinations to OPH, so even if they are up to date, OPH might not have this information.  
  • If they need a vaccine: OPH is working with the Kids Come First Health Team and other partners to make it easier to get children vaccinated. For children without access to a primary care provider or an Ontario Health Card (OHIP), parents or guardians can book an appointment to have their child’s vaccine record reviewed or to receive a vaccine.   
  • Routine childhood vaccines are also offered on a drop-in basis at the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs .     

For any additional questions about immunization records or accessing a clinic, parents can call Ottawa Public Health, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 613-580-6744.

Protect yourself against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 by getting your vaccines
 
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the annual flu vaccine and the updated KP.2-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. OPH is anticipating an active respiratory illness season with flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating in the community at the same time. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are particularly recommended for people at high risk of severe illness. 

Effective October 28, 2024, flu vaccines and the updated COVID-19 vaccines are available for all residents. There are many options for getting your flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine: 

  • Visit your nearest pharmacy (pharmacies continue to be the main point of access for flu and COVID-19 vaccines). 
  • Check with your regular health care provider to see if they offer the vaccines. 
  • Visit an OPH Community Clinic to get your vaccines. 
  • Visit an OPH Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub, if you face barriers to access, for vaccines on a walk-in basis, as capacity allows.

To book your appointment for the updated COVID-19 vaccine: 
COVID-19 vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ontario COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). 

To book your appointment for your annual flu vaccine: 
Flu vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ottawa Public Health website. 

To book the RSV antibody immunization appointment for your infant:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs resulting in cold-like symptoms. RSV infection can happen at any age but is particularly severe in infants, often leading to serious lung infections requiring hospitalization. RSV immunization appointments, for eligible infants and children, can be booked through the Kids Come First webpage.
 
For more detailed information, please review the Public Service Announcements on the updated COVID-19 vaccine, the annual flu vaccine and the provincial RSV prevention program.

Respiratory Virus Prevention 
Ottawa Public Health wants to remind Ottawa residents that there are simple and effective ways to help protect yourself, your families and our communities against respiratory illness. Using the following layers of protection helps keep everyone safe:  

  • Stay home when sick until you are fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication AND your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea).  
  • Wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.  
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  
  • Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace.  
  • Keep your vaccinations up to date, including getting your annual flu vaccine and your updated COVID-19 vaccine.  
  • Avoid visiting people at high-risk of severe illness when you are sick (including people living in long-term care, retirement homes or in hospital).  
  • Wear a mask:  
  • To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses.  
  • To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness.  
  • When you’re recovering from illness.  
  • Use local monitoring indicators, updated weekly on our dashboard at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/VirusReport to help you assess your level of risk.

Rapid Antigen Test Kits
Rapid Antigen Test Kits are no longer provided to Ottawa Public Health for distribution by the province. The Ontario Ministry of Health announced a new COVID-19 testing strategy which focuses on the testing of individuals who are highest risk and are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. For more information on who is eligible for publicly-funded testing, where to access testing, and what treatments are available, please visit the provincial website COVID testing and treatment.  
 
For information on what to do if you believe you have COVID-19, see the provincial site for more tailored advice.  
 
For more information on respiratory illness, including fall vaccines, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus, or call 613-580-6744 and follow the prompts for immunization support.

Ontario Health 811

A free, secure and confidential service you can call or access online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or to find health services or information. Toll free TTY line: 1-866-797-0007. You can visit Health 811 for more information.

Helpful Links – Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health

Stop Overdose Ottawa Webpage: StopOverdoseOttawa.ca

Public Online Learning Platform: OLearn (Ottawa.ca)

Ottawa’s Overdose Response Strategy: What is Ottawa’s Plan?

Harm Reduction Services: Ottawa Public Health – Harm Reduction Services

Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Resources:

Discarded Needles in Our Communities: Discarded Needles – StopOverdoseOttawa.ca

  • Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps (Training Video)
  • Needle Drop-Boxes
  • Returning Medical Sharps to Pharmacies
  • Integrated Strategies to Collect Discarded Needles
  • Working with Individuals Who Use Needles

Website for Parents: Youth and Opioids – What parents need to know – Parenting in Ottawa

Multilingual Print Resources: Ottawa Public Health – Opioid Signage
Multilingual Opioid Overdose Recognition Cards:

Overdose Detection Technologies Cards:

MPP John Fraser congratulatory scrolls.

Recognition

Have a special day coming up? Commemorative Scrolls are available from the province of Ontario to recognize events and special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or other notable events like the anniversary of a church, a major act of heroism, recognizing outstanding community service, or winning provincial championships.

For 60th wedding anniversaries and 100th birthdays, greetings from His Majesty the King can also be obtained, but a minimum of eight weeks advance notice is required as well as proof of birth or marriage.

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May Update

May 16, 2025

If you require immediate assistance, please email us at jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at 613-736-9573. Our office has free bilingual lawn signs…

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Monthly Newsletter

April 30, 2025

If you require immediate assistance, please email us at jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at 613-736-9573. Welcoming New Staff We have some staffing…

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Monthly Newsletter

March 31, 2025

If you require immediate assistance, please email us at jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at 613-736-9573. Our office will host 2 free tax…

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