About the Councillor
Councillor Steve Desroches was first elected to City Council in 2006 for the Gloucester-South Nepean ward and was re-elected in 2010. He honoured his pledge to his community and family to not seek a third term in 2014. He was successful in returning to City Council in 2022.
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During his time at City Hall, Councillor Desroches delivered a number of key infrastructure projects to serve the rapid residential growth in south Ottawa including upgraded roads and cycling lanes, new parks and transit park-and-rides. Under his leadership, Findlay Creek’s largest central park, Diamond Jubilee Park, was opened.
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Councillor Desroches also championed the construction of the Vimy Memorial Bridge which has helped improve transit connections and support local business. From his first days in office, Councillor Desroches rallied for the construction of a north-south rapid transit rail network. He has helped build a clean and green city by planting over 10,000 trees in the ward and by acquiring and protecting the ward’s first large urban woodlot.
He is a career federal public servant within several departments including Agriculture and Agriculture-Food Canada, the Privy Council Office and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
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Councillor Desroches was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his local community service. In 2015, he was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for his work to honour and support veterans. He was also the recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2018 for his extensive community and not-for-profit volunteerism.
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He recently served on the Ottawa Region Métis Council and the St-John Ambulance Ontario Council. Councillor Desroches holds an MA (History) from the University of Ottawa and an MA (Public Administration) from Carleton University. In 2014, he was awarded the Bissett Alumni Award for Distinctive Contributions to the Public Sector by Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration.
About our Community
Ward 22 includes the two communities of Riverside South and Findlay Creek. The community is home to many parks, the Rideau River and the Findlay Creek Boardwalk.
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Both Riverside South and Findlay Creek are growing communities. Approximately, 44,060 residents call the area home. In the coming years, the population is estimated to grow by about 8,000 - 10,000 residents.
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Looking to get involved in your community? Check out the Riverside South Community Association and the Findlay Creek Community Association.
Findlay Creek Community Design Plan
The Leitrim Community Design Plan encompasses an area of just over 500 hectares. The growing community is home to the Leitrim Wetlands, a retail plaza, Fred Barrett Arena and Vimy Ridge Public School. The area will continue to grow with the urban boundary expansion.
Community Associations
Ward 22 has 2 community association representing our two joint communities, the Riverside South Community Association and the Findlay Creek Community Association. They regularly host community events including cleanups, movie nights, Canada Day festivities and more! They are always looking for volunteers to help execute these events and provide for community members.
Visit the community association's websites.
Riverside South Community Association
Findlay Creek Communities Association