1. Sandy Hill Community Rink
The Sandy Hill Community rink has been in operation for at least 70 years. The boards are up and another winter is coming! Our rink is operated by residents from the community. We need you to help build the ice, maintain the ice during the winter season, supervise during rink hours, and/or coordinate events with the City or 3rd parties.
If you are interested in helping out at the rink, please let us know at [email protected].
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2. Changes at the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre (SHCHC)
The SHCHC has advised ASH, that after careful consideration and the exploration of every possible alternative, it has made the difficult decision to adjust their operating hours. Beginning January 1, 2026, the CTS will operate Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will be closed on weekends.
While this decision was a last resort measure, the SHCHC told ASH that it is maintaining the broadest degree of services possible within the resources currently available and that it remains committed to maintaining core supports every day of the week to help mitigate the impacts. Outreach, security, and community clean-up will continue seven days per week. However, outreach services are currently only funded by the City until early to mid 2026.
The SHCHC also indicated that it recognizes that despite its best efforts to mitigate the outcome in our neighbourhood, the impact will remain significant and wide-reaching. It remains committed to trauma-informed care, neighbourhood safety, and collaboration with all levels of government and community partners towards a national approach that can address this crisis effectively and meaningfully.
The SHCHC will continue to work together with ASH and the community to monitor the impacts of these changes and ensure strong coordination across local services.
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3. Blue and Black Box Changes Coming January 1 2026
Changes are coming to how blue and black bins are collected across the province. Under regulations from the Government of Ontario, responsibility for collecting and processing recycling across Ontario will transfer to producers of paper and packaging. This means that all Ontarians will be able to recycle the same materials no matter where they live.
It also means that beginning on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the City of Ottawa will no longer be responsible for collecting your blue and black bins.
As part of this new recycling system, you will be able to recycle more – including plastic bags, toothpaste tubes and deodorant. Learn more about Ontario’s upcoming recycling system.
Circular Materials will be administrating the new recycling collection system on behalf of the producers. Their contractor, Miller Waste Services, will be collecting your blue and black bins.
What this will mean for our curbside recycling collection?
Continue to put your bins out by 7 am on your collection day. They will be collected by a different truck and collection may occur at a different time of day than usual.
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There will be minor changes to what can go in your blue and black bins as of January 1, 2026. A full list of items that can be recycled is available on the Circular Materials website. The City will provide more details in the coming weeks.
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You can continue to use your existing standard sized blue and black bins.
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Beginning on Thursday, January 1, 2026, you will no longer contact the City for any recycling-related services such as a broken bin or a missed collection.
Who to contact for more information?
More details will be provided in the coming weeks on who residents can contact for recycling collection services in 2026.
The City is working closely with Circular Materials and Miller Waste Services to assist with the transition of recycling collection services in Ottawa and will continue to provide information to residents over the coming weeks as more becomes available.
Stay up to date:
You can stay up to date on all things recycling and garbage by signing up for the Ottawa Collection Calendar mobile app, following the City on social media or subscribing to the City news or Waste Plan newsletters.
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4. Older Adult Plan
The City of Ottawa has released the Older Adult Plan 2025-2030. The Plan was shaped by input from residents during public consultations and developed in collaboration with community agencies. It was approved by City Council in November 2025.
The new version has a stronger focus on working with community partners to help make a
bigger, more lasting impact.
To help guide the Plan's progress, the City is creating an Older Adult Plan Roundtable. This group will include City staff, community partners and older adult residents.
The City is currently seeking five volunteer older adults to join the Roundtable. A selection process will be used to ensure fair and equitable representation. Click here to find out more about the selection process and how to join the Roundtable.
Applications will be accepted until December 3, 2025 and successful candidates will be contacted before December 17, 2025.
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5. Customer Satisfaction Survey – OC Transpo
OC Transpo is taking part in an international customer satisfaction survey by the International Bus Benchmarking Group (IBBG).
This survey is conducted every year by transit agencies around the world. The results provide information that helps transit agencies improve their services.
The survey includes questions about reliability, security, ease of use and other service factors. It takes approximately five minutes to complete. All responses remain anonymous.
The survey will be available at the link below until November 24, 2025.
day/longest night of the year. Many cultures around the world track and celebrate the return of the sun. Something to celebrate here too! 
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