City Councillor for #SomersetWard in Ottawa. Queer Jew. A better city is possible. Let’s build it together. 🏳️‍🌈https://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3miyma5t63k2qHere’s a first look at the proposed Centretown public bathroom, and a breakdown of the downtown public toilet strategy that I had passed unanimously by Finance Committee yesterday. Happy to see momentum building to finally solve a massive problem that our city is currently leaving unaddressed.08 Apr 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3miyma5t63k2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3miwkmwqd322lBuilding proper public infrastructure that can withstand the challenges of downtown Ottawa is expensive — but the alternative is unacceptable. Public washrooms are a human right and a basic need. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-downtown-public-washroom-plan-2026-9.715519307 Apr 2026 19:54 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwkmwqd322lhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mivlxlfuac2yMy rabbi cousin and her teenage daughter were included. So incredibly proud of their bravery. [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 Apr 2026 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mivlxlfuac2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3miqviyymgc23Lately parenthood is about telling my teenager that we need to leave the house right now … and then waiting another 45 min.05 Apr 2026 13:52 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3miqviyymgc23https://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mipqgmza7k2xHad an absolute blast judging Showtune Showdown tonight, this time as a fundraiser for Orpheus Musical Theatre. This is such a good hearted event, and an absolute dream for a musical theatre nerd like me. Support community arts organizations! Our city is better for it.05 Apr 2026 02:49 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mipqgmza7k2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mikd37zkqs2zThe latest issue of the Somerset Ward newsletter is out, with reflections on the value of public delegations, as well as info on the Minto Park Sale, the Plant Your Place program, garbage pickup changes, and more! Read it and sign up here: www.arieltroster.com/swm_6802 Apr 2026 23:07 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mikd37zkqs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mij7eutg5k26Celebrated Passover with dear friends last night. There were some contemporary additions to the Seder plate: an orange to celebrate the queer/trans community and an olive, in solidarity with Palestinians. May we all resist tyrants and find both freedom and justice.02 Apr 2026 12:28 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mij7eutg5k26https://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mihfpi6vu22lLast Friday, I visited The House of Hope on McLeod Street and met volunteers from the Ottawa Parole Office’s Citizens Advisory Committee, as they distributed backpacks with essential supplies. I am grateful for the work they do to help people integrate back into society post-incarceration.01 Apr 2026 19:16 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihfpi6vu22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3migsvug6gc22“I really want to challenge the idea that closing supervised consumption sites makes neighbourhoods safer. It has actually made my neighbourhood a lot less safe. It has brought public drug use closer to children and families.” https://ca.news.yahoo.com/experts-call-ontario-reverse-plans-201723602.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACawPFU-B2wko2OHNzA6xcgCMAUnJjEuyu82RD57z7TqEuwz8-TspGUlTSVxYvRK7X1cNrJdwVUGZTIHs0LJVNAAt39sPOsRvv22xXcACtSStbZpWFg-MBYLFQcgTPgWbjU5i4bySTjoZ3ew9XaPi5DAEAKrjalNSH68l2mxJFRL&guccounter=201 Apr 2026 13:39 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3migsvug6gc22https://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mieaeaiurs2oVictory for accessibility and urban mobility at Public Works and Infrastructure Committee yesterday! Sidewalks are not optional, they are essential — in Manor Park and all over our city. [contains quote post or other embedded content]31 Mar 2026 13:02 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mieaeaiurs2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3micj5fsksk2xThanks, I hate it [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Mar 2026 20:34 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3micj5fsksk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mibu6cetws2fMore than 70 delegates are signed up to speak at Public Works and Infrastructure Committee today. Major items: Manor Park sidewalks and Bank Street bus lanes. This is democracy in action. (Send snacks.)30 Mar 2026 14:19 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mibu6cetws2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mia7r4c4x22rIf you live in Somerset Ward, a reminder that our new garbage day is Monday (starting tomorrow!) [contains quote post or other embedded content]29 Mar 2026 22:41 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mia7r4c4x22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mi7ihcpiis2gWhat a fun morning at the Sisters Fitness Club at the St. Anthony Soccer Club in Little Italy! Our #SweatLocal team was put through our paces by Coach Haneen. The classes are women-only and designed to accommodate hijabi women. Check them out and book a free trial at: www.sistersfitnessclub.com29 Mar 2026 15:44 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi7ihcpiis2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mi5w22cmsk2nI had a wonderful time seeing so many neighbours at the fundraising banquet for the Vietnamese Boat People Museum. Ever since Marion Dewar launched Project 4000 in 1979, Ottawa has been a leader in welcoming refugees and asylum seekers to our city.29 Mar 2026 00:41 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi5w22cmsk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mi2whjwjes2rI highly recommend the Vietnamese iced coffee from Ugly Monday at 255 Albert Street, but I must warn you that it is basically delicious rocket fuel.27 Mar 2026 20:11 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2whjwjes2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mi2up7qe2s2rIt was wonderful to visit Ottawa Community Housing’s Gladstone Village development today. This building will provide 336 beautiful new affordable homes and is part of a larger project in Little Italy that will include 1,000 apartments.27 Mar 2026 19:39 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2up7qe2s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mi2bssnkms25Co-signed. [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Mar 2026 14:01 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2bssnkms25https://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mi2b7vvrs225Speak up. Our trans loved ones need all of us right now. [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Mar 2026 13:51 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2b7vvrs225https://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mi25jntoy22uAs a result of a change in the collection contract, new garbage, recycling, and green bin collection days will take effect on March 30, 2026. Moving forward, all residents in Somerset Ward will have their garbage, green bin, and recycling collected on Mondays. https://www.arieltroster.com/new_garbage_collection_schedule27 Mar 2026 12:45 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi25jntoy22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mhyu4mjxgk2vThrilled to be a judge for the third time — Showtune Showdown is always a blast, and now it will raise money for Orpheus Musical Theatre! Saturday, April 4th at 7:30pm Buy tickets here: https://www.orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/showtuneshowdown27 Mar 2026 00:24 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhyu4mjxgk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mhxk5nj4oc2yThis was entirely predictable. And now we are mourning the loss of an Ottawa crossing guard who was just trying to keep kids safe. Shame on the Ford government for putting populist politics over people’s lives. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-more-speeding-school-zones-cameras26 Mar 2026 11:53 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhxk5nj4oc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mhw3eveo6s2gEnfin ! Une journée mémorable pour l'enseignement public français dans le quartier de Somerset. [contains quote post or other embedded content]25 Mar 2026 21:56 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhw3eveo6s2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mhsqpdztpk2aThis is beyond awful. My heart goes out to this man’s family. Crossing guards keep us all safe and deserve to be safe from road violence when they do their essential jobs. The irony of this having occurred on School Crossing Guard Day is not lost on me. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-school-crossing-guard-crash-dead-9.713982324 Mar 2026 14:07 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsqpdztpk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/arieltroster.com/post/3mhqtqkauos2tNever underestimate the power of a sunny day, an iced coffee and a little afternoon treat.23 Mar 2026 19:56 +0000at://did:plc:phod2o7bz2lycc42sqtwhubx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhqtqkauos2t