COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGE
Ottawa’s financial crisis
On Thursday, Mayor Sutcliffe held a media announcement where he presented details of a significant financial crisis that the city is facing, expressing concern over Ottawa not getting “our fair share” of revenues from the upper levels of government. The mayor was addressing two issues of perceived unfair treatment by the federal and provincial governments. While I agree with much of what Mayor Sutcliffe said, my concern is that when it comes to Ottawa’s overall fiscal health, the mayor’s statement did not reflect City Council’s own responsibility for our current state. In short, we must fight for fair treatment, but we need to get our own house in order, too.
On the issue of funding for public transit, Mayor Sutcliffe stated that the provincial government has not funded Ottawa’s transit to the degree that it has funded transit in other Ontario cities. As an example, Premier Ford’s government has is providing Toronto with $330 million in transit operating funds over three years. In response to this, Mayor Sutcliffe has requested that the province give Ottawa $65 million per year for three years. While it’s a lost opportunity that transit operating funds were not part of what was negotiated in this year’s much lauded $543 million “New Deal for Ottawa”, there is still an argument to be made that the mayor’s request to the province is reasonable and fair.
The mayor has also asked that the federal government contribute funds towards Ottawa’s capital and operating costs for transit, arguing that the federal government’s work-from-home policies have affected Ottawa more than they do most other Canadian cities.
However, the mayor leveled his largest concern about fairness at the federal government over how it has historically handled PILTs. PILTs (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) are what the federal government, as landlords of federally owned buildings, pays to the City of Ottawa instead of property taxes. This system exists because, in Canada, one level of government cannot charge taxes to another.
The mayor’s position is that the federal government has arbitrarily made decisions and re-assessments that have led to significant decreases in the amount of PILTs paid to the city, to the tune of almost $100 million over the past 5 years. While the federal government follows this practice across the country, it has the greatest impact in Ottawa, since we have the largest number of federally owned buildings.
On these points, I agree with the mayor. I have long argued that Canadian municipalities need a new fiscal framework with the upper levels of government. The status quo is not sustainable and simply not fair.
I also agree with the mayor when it comes to seeking a more equitable contribution of revenues from upper levels of government for transit. Public transit is not a profitable business. It is a costly but essential public service that serves the long-term goals of all levels of government. For public transit to be viable, it must be heavily subsidized by all three levels of government.
But that is where my position and the mayor’s cease to align.
I appreciate Mayor Sutcliffe’s efforts to advocate for fairer treatment. But I can’t in all honestly agree with his statement, when it comes to Ottawa’s financial crisis, that “we didn’t create this mess”, or that “it is not of our own making.” At least not when it comes to our city’s overall financial picture.
There is more contributing to Ottawa’s financial precarity than a lack of fair treatment from the federal and provincial governments. Some of the mess is of our own making.
For many years, both before this Term of Council, and certainly including this term, Ottawa municipal government has made poor financial decisions. As a member of that government, I share responsibility for this. We commit hundreds of millions of dollars to projects that serve the interests of the few at the expense of the many (e.g. Lansdowne 2.0). We commit to almost a billion dollars in suburban road expansions, or the long-term infrastructure costs of the Tewin development, when the policy goals of our Official Plan advise otherwise. We continue to adhere to an outdated procurement system that allows for wasteful spending on lowest-bid infrastructure that can barely survive its warranty.
But of equal concern is our approach to revenues, namely property taxes. When it comes to our primary source of revenue, the revenue that we have the most control over, we swim against the current that almost every other Canadian city has been bold enough to dive into.
When Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek raised property taxes by 7.8% in 2023, she said “We didn’t make a popular decision. We made the right one.”
The chart below shows the rate of property tax increase for five Canadian cities between 2014 and 2024. A quick scan reveals two things. First, every city other than Ottawa seems to have experienced a wide fluctuation of tax increases (and the occasional decrease), which suggests a level of responsiveness to changing economic conditions. Second, Ottawa’s cumulative tax increase over the past 10 years is far lower than each other city. From 2022 to 2024 alone, Toronto’s cumulative property tax increase was 17.9%. Ottawa’s cumulative increase over that same span was 8%. I know that frugality is a value to be applauded, but when our streets and sidewalks are crumbling, when we can’t afford to plant enough trees, when our homeless numbers are increasing, when we don’t have enough lifeguards on our beaches, or enough trains on our tracks, this is not a record to be proud of.
Mayor Sutcliffe may be correct in suggesting that much of where we are today is the result of being treated unfairly by upper levels of government. But that’s not the whole story. Much of our current state can be addressed by choices and political positions within our control.
It is unfortunately true that there will be painful challenges ahead. Hopefully, we will make responsible decisions for the good of the city. Hopefully, courage and wisdom will prevail.
More proposed cuts to public transit
It’s mind-boggling to even be writing this. But even as city officials decry low ridership levels at OC Transpo, and the accompanying decline in revenues, OC Transpo has proposed service cuts to LRT Line 1. OC Transpo has said it will reduce LRT service levels during non–peak hours (weekdays from 9:00am – 3:00pm, and weekdays from 6:30pm – 9:30pm) to one train every 10 minutes instead of one every 5 minutes.
That’s a 50% decrease in service frequency, during 9 hours of every weekday. All to save $1.6 million. And people wonder why ridership is on the decline.
OC Transpo made these announcements in the last few weeks, with the proposed change to take effect on August 26th. A major shift in service will soon be implemented without bringing the matter to a Council meeting, or even to a Transit Commission meeting.
Several councillors, including me, are angry about this proposal. It makes no sense to make these changes before students return to school. It makes no sense to make these changes prior to the expected increase in ridership from federal workers mandated to be at the office more often, starting in September. At the very least, this proposal should only have been considered later in the Fall, after we’ve had an opportunity to assess new ridership numbers.
As with the Mayor’s announcement referenced above, this is big news coming during the lazy days of summer, when its next-to-impossible for councillors to properly consider and respond to such sweeping changes. Stay tuned for some action and debate on both matters at the upcoming City Council meeting on September 4th.
New solid waste policy starts soon
I wanted to use this opportunity to remind Ward 9 residents that the City of Ottawa’s new curbside waste policy takes effect September 30. As of this date, affected residents will be limited to three items of garbage to be picked up at the curb on collection day. A garbage item could be a garbage bag, a garbage container up to 140 litres, or a bulky item such as an unusable or broken piece of furniture. Households can put several smaller bags in one garbage container to count as one item. There is no limit to how much residents can set out through curbside recycling, green bins and leaf and yard waste bags. This change only applies to residents who receive curbside garbage collection.
This new three-item garbage limit will help the City extend the life of the Trail Waste Facility Landfill, as well as give us time to explore new options for waste disposal. This new limit also puts us in line with what neighbouring municipalities have in place for garbage collection.
For most households, this new policy will not have any adverse impacts, as over 85% of Ottawa households that use curbside waste already set out only three items or lower. The new limit will encourage residents to rethink how they dispose of household waste – whether it be through properly sorted recycling or use of the green bin, neighbourhood “buy-nothing” groups, donations, or return to retailer.
CITY WORKS
Zoning By-Law Info Session
Join us for a ward-specific virtual information session on Wednesday, August 21 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm to discuss Ottawa’s new Zoning By-law. This session will cover key topics relevant to Wards 7, 8 and 9. It’s your chance to learn about the basics of zoning, key concepts of the proposed by-law, and engage in further discussions where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts! To attend, please register here.
Parking rate changes
The City of Ottawa’s parking rate changes go into effect starting on Monday, August 12, and will affect 11 of 20 zones. There are seven zones where rates will go up and four zones that will see their parking rates go down. The cost of parking in the other nine zones will remain the same. Information related to the parking zones and rates can be found at ottawa.ca/parking.
Parking meters QR code scam
The City of Ottawa is alerting residents to a new scam that was recently discovered on parking machines in Ottawa. A sticker with a fake QR code has been attached to various machines which, when scanned with a smartphone, navigates residents to a fraudulent version of the PayByPhone website. Residents are asked not to scan any QR code that has been placed on a Pay & Display machine, as the City does not include this option on the machines.
Residents who suspect they have fallen victim to this scam are encouraged to verify with their credit card company and contact the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222. A side-by-side comparison of a regular display on the parking machines and the fraudulent sticker have been included below to help residents identify the scam.
Sewer cleaning in Tanglewood
City of Ottawa Water Services is performing routine sanitary sewer cleaning in Tanglewood starting August 14th. The City of Ottawa conducts routine cleaning of sewers to ensure that wastewater from homes and businesses is efficiently transported to the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC), the City’s treatment facility. The effected streets have been added to the City of Ottawa website.
During the cleaning process, the use of high-pressure water creates air pockets inside the sewer pipe that generally escape with no impact to a property’s internal plumbing. In some cases, this air pressure can only escape through the sewer connection between the house and the City’s sewer system, via the internal plumbing vent. If this passage is blocked, air pressure may escape through a toilet or drain. This can result in the release of odours, or on rare occasions sewage contaminated water, into a home or business – known as a "blow-back." For more info on how to prevent this, refer to the City’s website.
Registration for Fall recreational and cultural activities
Grab your swim goggles, sharpen your skates, and get your paintbrushes ready! It’s almost time to register for fall recreation and culture programs. You can even browse ottawa.ca to start planning your fall activities. Registration opens for:
- Fall swimming lessons on Tuesday, August 13 at 9 pm
- All recreation and cultural fall activities and, PA days and winter camps on Thursday, August 15 at 9 pm
From cooking classes to science and technology programs, to skating lessons and arts programs, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy a wide range of recreational and cultural activities at the City’s art studios, museums, parks, play structures and indoor and outdoor features including rinks, sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, pools and gymnasiums.
Ottawa Humane Society outdoor cat survey
The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) has recently launched the Ottawa Humane Society Outdoor Cat Survey to collect valuable data on the number and condition of outdoor cats in our community. The insights gained from this survey will help us develop more effective strategies for managing and supporting the outdoor cat population, ultimately contributing to the well-being of these animals and the broader community. You can participate in the survey here: Ottawa Humane Society Outdoor Cat Survey.
Additionally, don't forget about the OHS's annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run at Lansdowne Park on September 29th. This event is a crucial fundraiser, helping to provide for Ottawa's homeless animals. It's a fantastic opportunity to show your support for the animals and connect with others who share this passion. Register today!
Baseline Road new sidewalks and re-paving
Residents and road users along Baseline Road will have noticed construction over the past few weeks. This is the result of sidewalks being restored and repaired along Baseline between Farlane and Zena. Over the next few weeks, the asphalt along this stretch of Baseline will be replaced, so road users and residents should expect to see heavy construction on the road during this span.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ottawa’s Evolving Demographics and the Future of the Older Adult Plan
Ottawa’s population of older adults is becoming more diverse, and needs vary widely. Given the significant changes in demographics, needs, and resources since 2012, the City of Ottawa is developing a new version of the Older Adult Plan. This updated plan will reflect the findings from the Evaluation Report and address emerging needs of older adults.
To ensure the new Older Adult Plan effectively addresses community needs, the City of Ottawa is consulting with residents, community agencies, and City staff. Your feedback is crucial for shaping the priorities and structure of the new plan, which will be launched in 2025.
The Ward 9 Office is also excited to invite you to our upcoming Older Adults Summit on October 1st from 12:30pm – 4:30pm at the Nepean Sportsplex. This event will provide a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow older adults and explore community resources. Please save the date and stay tuned for more details!
In the meantime, please take a moment to complete the City of Ottawa survey, which will take approximately 15 minutes. The survey will be open until September 30, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for helping us create a better future for Ottawa’s older adults!
Get Ready for the Fall Cleaning the Capital Campaign!
As the vibrant fall colors start to transform our city, it’s time to gear up for the Cleaning the Capital Fall campaign. Registration opens on August 15, and cleanup projects will run from September 15 to October 15.
Participants can easily register their cleanup projects using the online form at ottawa.ca/clean. This form populates an interactive map displaying all registered project locations, dates, and times. Cleanup kits, which include garbage bags and nitrile gloves, will be available for pick-up at one of 14 City of Ottawa facilities, with four new sites added this fall based on your feedback—two of which are in rural areas.
Please note that the new three-item limit for curbside garbage collection will be in effect during the campaign. We encourage participants to review disposal instructions and options for collected waste prior to their cleanup projects. Detailed information will be provided in the registration confirmation and on the CIty of Ottawa website.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Ottawa Police community engagement survey
What is important to you about your police service? Here’s your chance to let Ottawa Police Services know. Take this survey to share your views on how OPS is performing and to help them determine priorities so that they can better serve our community.
Vaccine update: increase in rates of pertussis
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding parents and caregivers to ensure their children and youth are up to date on their routine vaccines, as we approach the school year and considering an increase in reports of pertussis (whooping cough) in Ontario and locally. Locally, OPH has received reports of 32 people with confirmed or probable pertussis in Ottawa and Ontario has seen a general rise in whooping cough cases between January and July 24, 2024. Vaccination remains the most effective defense against pertussis and other vaccine preventable diseases that used to be common in childhood. Maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to controlling vaccine preventable diseases and reducing severe illness.
Now is a great time to ensure your child’s routine vaccines are up to date ahead of the school year. Families facing barriers to accessing routine vaccinations can book an appointment at one of the many Kids Come First clinics. Additionally, OPH offers drop-in clinics at the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. Parents and caregivers can visit ParentingInOttawa.ca/Immunization for more information on routine vaccines, where to get routine vaccines, and how to report routine vaccines to OPH.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Councillor Devine’s band plays at the NCC Summer Zone
As we mentioned last issue, Councillor Devine will be playing live music with his cover band The Suburban Legends at the NCC’s Summer Zone on August 14th at 6:00pm. This outdoor performance takes place at the closed-off section of Queen Elizabeth Drive. Free ice cream is being provided thanks to Parkways for People.
Shakespeare in the Park: performances in Ward 9
Company of Fools is still bringing their innovative and entertaining performance of Shakespeare’s MacBeth to Ward 9 this August! Known for their Torchlight Shakespeare in the Park series, a Company of Fools presents 90-minute adaptations of Shakespeare’s classics, blending text with physical theatre techniques like slap-stick, mask, and puppetry.
Upcoming Shows in Nepean:
- August 20th in Fisher Heights Park at 7pm
What to Expect:
- Bring your family and friends: the shows are designed for all ages—kids and pets are welcome!
- Bring bug spray, a lawn chair, or a blanket for the grass
- Bring some cash: this theatre company relies heavily on donations from their audience (suggested donation of $20 per household)
