2022 Ottawa Municipal Election

[Truenorth00]

I would vote against free transit only because I don't trust them to maintain and improve transit if it is free.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

I would vote against free transit only because I don't trust them to maintain and improve transit if it is free.

I'm the same. There are studies that show that free systems don't tend to get the appropriate level of investment over the longer term. I'm more interested in seeing the impact of a significant fare reduction on revenue. I expect that the financial impact would be limited as more people come to the system. It would have to be complemented by a route redesign that focused on all-day ridership though.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by Jay31

I'm not sure if it's getting much attention in traditional media (TV, radio, etc), but the "Free transit" study is getting attention in the campaign on Twitter, with Mark Sutcliffe coming out strongly against the idea. I suspect he (or his team rather) have identified it as a good wedge issue that the majority of Ottawa voters - particularly suburbanites(who don't take transit) will be strongly on his side. Judging by my facebook suburbanite reactions, he's probably right.... it's likely a good strategy. Though personally, it comes off to me as "let's not give the poor/students/elderly a break".

Gosh darn---I would probably be classified as elderly. I already get a break with free transit fares on Wednesday and Friday and a reduced fare on other days. Because I am retired, and therefore have a very flexible schedule, I can take good advantage of this. My flexible schedule also means I can avoid the hassle of travel, by transit and by car, at rush hour. This Grateful Leading Edge Boomer feels that longevity has bestowed a number of breaks on him.

[Kitchissippi]

I definitely would prefer reduced fares over free transit. We’d probably get people practically living in the LRT if it was free access, and as much as I recognize the plight of the homeless, the transit system shouldn’t be tempting as a shelter.

Already, I’ve experienced a few people closely follow me and jump the turnstile after I’ve gone through. Makes me a bit concerned for safety, I wish at the very least that the downtown stations had manned turnstiles.

One thing I would like a candidate to champion is getting transit passes mandated as part of condo fees for developments or units without parking. I imagine it could be a similar program as students getting passes built into their tuition. The city could provide these passes at a deep volume discount to condo associations/corporations, or even free by somehow justifying the cost within the property tax/transit levy that condo owners already pay a comparatively higher share of than the average harder to service suburban SFH.

[rocketphish]

How will Sutcliffe manage to deliver on his big promises for Ottawa?
What’s important for city residents is not fine talk but concrete plans. We're waiting.

Mohammed Adam, Ottawa Citizen
Jul 14, 2022 • 4 hours ago • 3 minute read

Mark Sutcliffe’s run for mayor fills a void many felt existed, and now the stage is set for a battle for the city’s top job.

When Coun. Diane Deans withdrew from the race, leaving it to former mayor Bob Chiarelli and two-term councillor Catherine McKenney to offer the major alternatives, the field thinned, and there was an expectation that a new candidate would jump in. It wasn’t surprising that it turned out to be Sutcliffe, who had long been rumoured to be eyeing a run. Sutcliffe acknowledges that he got in because there was a void to fill. “The reason I got in is that the race lacked a strong centrist candidate,” he says in an interview. “A lot of people were not happy with the choices available to them … and were hoping that somebody will step in who could bring fresh leadership to the city.”

Sutcliffe, an entrepreneur, broadcaster and community volunteer with no political experience, casts himself as an apolitical, non-partisan candidate who would bring a fresh outside perspective to the job. And he makes clear that he isn’t running as the corporate candidate. “I am not a big-business person, I am a small-business person,” he says. “I am not bringing a business perspective to the issues; I am bringing a community perspective.”

Sutcliffe, 54, says the city needs a new direction and he is the man with the right leadership skills to provide it. He says his focus in the campaign is to heal council’s divide and have everyone pulling in the same direction. “My thing is to build consensus … bring a collaborative approach,” he says. “I’d like to be a uniting force, not a polarizing force.”

What’s really important for city residents, though, is not fine talk but concrete plans, and what Sutcliffe is offering will take some doing. He says that at the top of the three most important issues he wants to tackle is affordability, which includes affordable housing, low property taxes, recreational fees and transit fares. Transit, which includes fixing LRT, making fares affordable and getting rail to Kanata, Barrhaven and Stittsville, is next. Rounding up the top three is safety, a broad category that includes fixing and making roads safer, readiness to deal with the challenges of being a capital, fighting crime, and dealing with addiction and mental health issues.

“Number one, we have to keep costs as affordable as possible for people,” Sutcliffe says. “We can’t afford huge property tax increases, increases in water and sewer bills, increases in recreation fees, transit fares, all of that.” He acknowledges that running transit is expensive, but the city just can’t pass all the increased costs to the user and put ridership at risk. “At a very basic level, we simply can’t add to the financial burden of residents,” he says.

That’s why for now, he is not supporting the Ottawa Hospital’s $150-million request for the new Civic campus, even though he has raised money in the past for the hospital foundation. “That’s a very big number at a time the city doesn’t have a lot of money,” Sutcliffe says. “We have to figure out where $150 million is going to come from. We can’t just write blank cheques.” And it is also why, if it ever comes to that, he’ll not back public funding for the construction of a new downtown arena for the Ottawa Senators. There simply is no public appetite for that, he says.

Sutcliffe certainly lays out an expansive menu of things he’d like to do, but it begs one important question: How will he manage all that? The city is drowning in debt; COVID and inflation have dented city finances even as new demands emerge. How he will deliver on his promises in a very challenging financial environment remains a big question.

Sutcliffe says he can’t answer “every ‘how’ question” now, only weeks into his campaign. The answers will be provided when his action plan is released. “We are going to have a very clear platform that lays out priorities and proposes solutions,” he says.

We shall see.


Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa journalist and commentator. Reach him at [email protected]

https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/ad...ses-for-ottawa

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Sutcliff has done a lot of talking so far, but has not offered anything in terms of solution.

He hasn't even defined a problem. (Neither has McKenney.)

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Already, I’ve experienced a few people closely follow me and jump the turnstile after I’ve gone through.

The turnstile-jumpers are just the ones who haven't yet figured out the shockingly easy hack to get the gates to open for you.

[J.OT13]

He won't back funding for the arena. Fine, but would he propose something else to assist?

[OTSkyline]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

One thing I would like a candidate to champion is getting transit passes mandated as part of condo fees for developments or units without parking. I imagine it could be a similar program as students getting passes built into their tuition. The city could provide these passes at a deep volume discount to condo associations/corporations, or even free by somehow justifying the cost within the property tax/transit levy that condo owners already pay a comparatively higher share of than the average harder to service suburban SFH.

I really like this idea, even if just for let's say 1 year. Might be enough to get people to trust & try the system and hopefully convince them to keep taking it after. I definitely saw an increase in transit usage when the universities implemented the U-pass.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

One thing I would like a candidate to champion is getting transit passes mandated as part of condo fees for developments or units without parking. I imagine it could be a similar program as students getting passes built into their tuition. The city could provide these passes at a deep volume discount to condo associations/corporations, or even free by somehow justifying the cost within the property tax/transit levy that condo owners already pay a comparatively higher share of than the average harder to service suburban SFH.

Sorry. But this is a terrible idea. And only makes housing affordability worse. As it stands, condo owners get a raw deal with property taxes, paying far more than they consume. Condo owners, are also far more likely to engage in active transport (walk, bike, etc). Forcing them to pay for transit while imposing no additional cost on suburbanites with two SUVs is patently ridiculous.

You want less cars in the core? Tax the drivers. Don't tax those who actually live in density. JFC.

If a candidate proposes this, I might just be pissed and offended enough to donate the maximum to their primary opponent.

[DarthVader_1961]

No sense making it free if it’s not reliable and frequent…

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by DarthVader_1961

No sense making it free if it’s not reliable and frequent…

You're thinking like a transit user. Not a politician.

Progressive politician: "Free transit for all!"
Conservative politician: "Tax cuts for all!"

They'll compromise eventually and cut transit service so they can both make their bases happy.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Sorry. But this is a terrible idea. And only makes housing affordability worse. As it stands, condo owners get a raw deal with property taxes, paying far more than they consume. Condo owners, are also far more likely to engage in active transport (walk, bike, etc). Forcing them to pay for transit while imposing no additional cost on suburbanites with two SUVs is patently ridiculous.

You want less cars in the core? Tax the drivers. Don't tax those who actually live in density. JFC.

If a candidate proposes this, I might just be pissed and offended enough to donate the maximum to their primary opponent.

I guess you missed reading this part of what I wrote

, or even free by somehow justifying the cost within the property tax/transit levy that condo owners already pay

Also, in case you missed it, it wouldn’t be for all condo owners, only those who have units without parking spots. The intention is not to burden them but rather provide incentives to live a car-free lifestyle.

Maybe it doesn’t involve condo fees at all, maybe the city provides the opportunity to buy discounted (say $25/month) transit passes through the condo association.

I happen to live next to a condo that has less parking than units. Some of the residents still persist in having a car and get away with parking on my street overnight since the probably have free parking at work during the day. As a result the street is rarely plowed properly in the winter or throughly swept in the summer because there are always cars in the way. The city keeps on approving these limited or zero parking developments without proper incentives live car-free while not regulating street parking effectively.

Lighten up, you’re a little quick on the trigger….

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I guess you missed reading this part of what I wrote

Also, in case you missed it, it wouldn’t be for all condo owners, only those who have units without parking spots. The intention is not to burden them but rather provide incentives to live a car-free lifestyle.

Maybe it doesn’t involve condo fees at all, maybe the city provides the opportunity to buy discounted (say $25/month) transit passes through the condo association.

It's a minor part of your proposal. Let's be honest. You thought it was a great idea to just roll it into the fees. The problem here is that you aren't thinking of the distortions to the housing market and the myriad ways people cope with high housing prices.

Why is someone living in a condo without a car more worthy of a discounted pass than somebody living in a basement apartment or somebody sharing a house without a car? Because of access to their fees and the ability to impose it involuntarily.

I also don't trust for a second that any such proposal would end up with zero increases in fees or taxes. I suspect it will become a plan to simply impose on all condo owners, with some flimsy excuse. That's usually just how these things go....

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I happen to live next to a condo that has less parking than units. Some of the residents still persist in having a car and get away with parking on my street overnight since the probably have free parking at work during the day. As a result the street is rarely plowed properly in the winter or throughly swept in the summer because there are always cars in the way. The city keeps on approving these limited or zero parking developments without proper incentives live car-free while not regulating street parking effectively.

First off. How typical of a house owner complaining about the street getting clogged with cars. Next, the solution isn't to force transit passes on the condo beside you. It's proper parking enforcement. Ticket and tow regularly. The problem will stop.

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Lighten up, you’re a little quick on the trigger….

Bad ideas need strong reactions. Especially when they start with, "Let's make my neighbour living in cheaper housing pay more."

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Bad ideas need strong reactions. Especially when they start with, "Let's make my neighbour living in cheaper housing pay more."

Sheesh, I don’t know how you could twist a idea to make transit more accessible and affordable to people who have opted for car-free living (since they’ve purchased condos without parking ) into some sinister plot to make housing less affordable.

Reminds me why I’ve refrained from contributing to this forum lately, it’s become a venue for aggressive opinions instead of a constructive sharing of ideas. I’m off to enjoy a sunny day on my bike instead of pointless sparring with you.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Sheesh, I don’t know how you could twist a idea to make transit more accessible and affordable to people who have opted for car-free living (since they’ve purchased condos without parking ) into some sinister plot to make housing less affordable.

Reminds me why I’ve refrained from contributing to this forum lately, it’s become a venue for aggressive opinions instead of a constructive sharing of ideas. I’m off to enjoy a sunny day on my bike instead of pointless sparring with you.

Agreed. A couple extra hundred dollars on a unit won't make housing less affordable. I think it's a good idea, even if it's just 1 year, as OTSkyline suggested. It would be similar to the STO's pilot of free transit for 15,000 high school students in the hope to build future ridership.

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle...ouais-ete-2022

[rocketphish]

Mike Maguire is back on the ballot in a much different mayoral race
This time his candidacy could be a wild card in the most competitive race Ottawa's municipal voters have seen in 12 years.

Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen
Jul 19, 2022 • 11 hours ago • 4 minute read

Mike Maguire is back on the mayoral ballot, but this time his candidacy could be a wild card in the most competitive race Ottawa’s municipal voters have seen in 12 years.

Maguire, a 61-year-old management consultant who lives in Kars, said a “sense of obligation” is fuelling his latest interest in the mayor’s job.

“When you think something that is broken, if you think you can contribute (to fixing it), you should,” Maguire said in an interview on Tuesday.

Stacked up against the most recognized candidates — former mayor and MPP Bob Chiarelli, city councillor Catherine McKenney and businessman Mark Sutcliffe — Maguire agreed his politics are probably to the right of where the others sit on the spectrum.

That alone could set him apart when voters cast their ballots on Oct. 24. It could also hurt other candidates trying to win the centre and right-leaning votes.

But the municipal election campaign is notoriously long and candidates have to keep voters interested and engaged. There’s still a full month until the deadline for people to file their election papers or withdraw their candidacies from the race.

Maguire has experience after running in two previous municipal elections, but he gained the most attention in 2014.

He emerged as Jim Watson’s chief opponent on a thin ballot in the 2014 municipal election. Maguire received 46,341 votes, or 18.6 per cent of the total votes cast. Watson easily won re-election that year with 76.2 per cent of the vote.

In the 2010 mayoral election, Maguire won 2.45 per cent of the vote, trailing far behind Watson’s clinching 48.7 per cent. There were 20 mayoral candidates that year and Maguire placed fifth behind Watson, Larry O’Brien, Clive Doucet and Andrew Haydon.

After building a name recognition, Maguire’s chances of winning a seat on council could be better if he ran in Rideau-Jock ward (currently named Rideau-Goulbourn). Coun. Scott Moffatt isn’t seeking re-election, opening the door to new representation for the rural communities in south-west Ottawa.

However, Maguire isn’t interested in being a ward councillor.

“I have a vision that really does require the mayor’s position. It can’t be done at the council level. It needs to be a leadership position,” Maguire said. “In many respects, it’s the chance to create a new narrative and see that narrative spread across Ottawa and look for support.”

Maguire is dusting off his transit proposal from the 2014 campaign and pitching a commuter rail service using existing rail corridors. In 2014, the idea ran contrary to the city’s priority, one favoured by Watson, to build and expand the LRT system. Maguire’s idea about using CN and Via Rail tracks to move suburban commuters lost traction.

But a recent city decision might give Maguire’s idea more credibility, even as the city makes LRT expansion its top infrastructure priority.

Last year, the city announced it was acquiring part of the old Beachburg Subdivision CN line between east Kanata and rural west Ottawa. The city has also been looking at other sections under a policy that calls for municipal acquisitions of defunct railways if it’s financially feasible.

“I don’t get it. Why aren’t we using the existing rail? It’s not a total solution, but it’s one extra option to use,” Maguire said, pointing to existing rail corridors that run from Kanata to Orleans, with an intersection at the Trillium Line, as potential routes.

Maguire said he’s working on the costs. “I can say it’s millions, not billions,” he said.

As for altering the LRT program, Maguire believes the train has left the station.

“It’s out of our hands,” he said. “I hope, I’m optimistic, it will be resolved in our favour. I hope they get things settled and it’s working great, but I don’t have much to say about it because we have no control. Those contracts are signed. It will be what it’s going to be.”

Transit is second on Maguire’s list of priorities behind housing affordability. He said he has a “clever idea” to help first-time homebuyers, but he wasn’t ready to reveal his proposal on Tuesday.

He said he’s not accepting campaign contributions from developers.

Maguire was also talking about the opioid crisis early in his campaign. He said the city shouldn’t criminalize addicts, but it should “aggressively” go after drug dealers.

He described himself as fiscally conservative, but Maguire didn’t have a lot to say about the state of Ottawa’s property taxes, other than predicting there will be more increases because of soaring inflation.

Maguire said residents simply want council to take care of the city’s daily responsibilities.

“I’m hearing from people constantly that anytime there’s a problem at the city (that they) ‘don’t want to hear another lecture’,” Maguire said.

“Sometimes a pothole is just a pothole. Fix the damn road.”


[email protected]
twitter.com/JonathanWilling

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...t-mayoral-race

[J.OT13]

Hoping that suburban votes get split between McGuire, Sutcliffe and Chiarelli so that McKenney can come out on top with strong urban support. It seems like a real possibility at this point, I think.

[passwordisnt123]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Hoping that suburban votes get split between McGuire, Sutcliffe and Chiarelli so that McKenney can come out on top with strong urban support. It seems like a real possibility at this point, I think.

Agreed. Though I'm worried about a repeat of 2006 when O'Brien (AKA Sutcliffe 1.0) bribed Terry Kilrea to drop out the race by offering to have John Baird set him up with a seat on the Parole Board in order for the right's vote to consolidate around him to keep Alex Munter out.

Funnily enough, McKenney worked for Munter. Sutcliffe is very much modelling himself off of O'Brien and John Baird is involved this time too with Sutcliffe so it really could be a déjà vu situation this year.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by passwordisnt123

Sutcliffe is very much modelling himself off of O'Brien and John Baird is involved this time too with Sutcliffe so it really could be a déjà vu situation this year.

What do you mean that he's modeling himself off of O'Brien? That is a bit of a scary concept.