School Board delays new Catholic elementary school

Like many of you, I learned that the Ottawa Catholic School Board is delaying the new elementary school in south Orléans from CTV News, despite speaking with the Chair of the Board and the Director of Education only days beforehand.

I helped secure more than $20 million in funding to build the school last year and the site was reserved for the Ottawa Catholic Board in the community design plan while I was still a City Councillor.

There are known storm water drainage related issues that need to be addressed. Instead of taking my advice and working on a solution agreed upon with the South Nation Conservation Authority (SNCA) in the spring, the School Board chose a more laissez faire wait and see approach. You can see a social media post about my meeting with the SNCA here.

Hopefully the School Board will do the necessary work over the winter so that they can begin construction next year and not lose a second year due to a foreseeable and manageable land use planning issue.