From: Cruickshank, Peter <peter.cruickshank@ottawa.ca>

Sent: August 6, 2025 11:37 AM

To: graham@marchroad.ca

Cc: Curry, Cathy

Subject: Re: Ottawa English Dance

Good morning Graham,

Thank you very much for reaching out regarding this and sharing your concerns.

The City of Ottawa's General Manager of Recreation, Cultural, and Facility Services, Dan Chenier, reviewed the classification of Ottawa English Dance and sent the following response/resolution to a representative from your group:

"Thank you for your inquiry to members of City Council and for taking the time to elaborate on Ottawa English Dance’s programming, structure, and long-standing history in our community. We appreciate the additional context you have provided, along with the public-facing AGM minutes and treasurer’s report.

After reviewing the new information and considering your organization's commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and community engagement, we have reassessed the status of your group and we are pleased to confirm that Ottawa English Dance will continue to be classified under the Not-for-Profit (NFP) rental rate category.

In addition, we are happy to confirm that your current daytime program will continue to be supported through the Older Adult Funding, subject to the availability of funding for 2026. We remain committed to supporting programs that promote wellness, social connection, and inclusive participation for older adults in our city."

Feel free to reach out to Councillor Curry if you have any further questions or concerns.

Take care,

Peter

Peter Cruickshank

Office of Councillor Cathy Curry | Bureau de la conseillère Cathy Curry
Ward 4, Kanata North | Quartier 4, Kanata-Nord

City of Ottawa | Ville d’Ottawa

613-580-2400 ext./poste 13222

Full name
	Graham Thompson
Phone number
	613 839 0071
Email address
	graham@marchroad.ca
Address
	1825 March Road
Message
	Dear Councillor Curry, Ottawa English Dance has received a letter from Mlacak S.C. coordinator in answer to our application to continue renting Halls for our club in September: "The private rate has been applied to the permit in accordance with the City of Ottawa Rental Policy. Weekly dance classes are intended for select members of the community." From the City of Ottawa website, "Activity Category: Not-for-profit activity: An activity that fits with the Recreation, Culture and Facility Services’ mandate and is not intended to generate a profit. This activity must be open to everyone." Ottawa English Dance is Ontario Not for Profit Corporation 1824732 created when the City instituted not-for-profit requirements. As a dancing club run by volunteers with low membership fees open to anyone willing to dance, we have been enjoying preferred NFP (not for profit) rates for the past 15 years, and have been using City facilities for most of our history since 1984. The NFP rate is $13.25 per hour compared to regular rate $53 per hour. Such a change will almost certainly result in our ceasing current operations. Our club consists of mostly people 50+ and a large proportion of our dancers are senior citizens on fixed income. We have two visually impaired dancers, who use white canes, and people with mobility problems who nonetheless manage to dance with us, as most of the dances are low-impact. These still provide light exercise, mental engagement because of the figures, and social interaction. We have also on occasions over the years had people join us who want to watch, share in the music and special event costuming, or historical aspects. We are now told, however, that we are not open to all and therefore do not qualify for the NFP rate, even though our doors are open and we do not ask any payment for the first attendance. Thereafter, our fees are solely to cover expenses of which the hall is the largest. We have been informed that City Council approved changes to the hall rental policy. However, we wonder if the intention of this policy is to deny a group such as ours from the NFP rate, since as far as we can comprehend, we are open to all. Indeed, we wonder what examples exist of recreational groups more open than we are. Can we ask for the justification? Yours, Graham Thompson (80 next year) "You don't stop dancing when you get old You get old when you stop dancing"

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