Better Ottawa

Budget season continues at the City of Ottawa.This week the Municipal Panel covers the Finance and Corporate Services Committee:* $156 million more for new (and old) LRT construction (1:00)* The City’s overdue long-term financial plan is coming in early 2026 (22:15)* Are delays to the Adisoke library a sign of deeper problems? (28:15)* The Mayor’s public safety press event (32:30)Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

It’s budget season at the City of Ottawa.In this episode, we cover:* whether City Council agreed to have staff buy us a new landfill* how every year the transit budget is pumped up with phantom money * how the City should push back against the province on where we can build bike lanes, and the impact on next year’s budget for roads and sewersLet us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

We’re coming to you a few days later than usual, as there was an important discussion at Ottawa City Hall this past Friday.In this episode, we cover:* how much the police budget is actually increasing * whether the city should take up an opportunity to bid on a landfill site* new movers and shakers in the municipal landscapeLet us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

The City released its draft 2026 budget this week. We cover:* Headlines from the Budget* What strong mayor powers mean for budgeting* The Mayor’s explanation for why Ottawa tax increases are lower than other cities* The City’s new window to make voluntary contributions* The City rejects urban boundary expansion We reference some documents in the show:* City’s draft Budget Magazine* My assessment of the New Deals for Toronto and Ottawa, here and here, Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

Late last week, City Council approved Lansdowne 2.0.The panel talks about that decision, as well as the related Audit Committee meeting and Lansdowne 2.0 Public Forum earlier in the week.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

Our extended Lansdowne coverage continues!We recap the 2-day Committee meeting that sent Lansdowne to a final vote at Council on Friday, November 7.The episode covers:* The PWHL comes to Committee — who won the PR battle?* The facts and alternate facts around Lansdowne financing* Housing at Lansdowne and Councillor Tierney’s promise to bring back a third tower* New polling on what Ottawa residents think of Lansdowne* What surprised us in the Lansdowne proposal* Plus our lightning round, including former Mayor Jim Watson getting inducted into the Order of Ottawa.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

For the next few weeks, it’s going to be all Lansdowne all the time! There was a big announcement from the PWHL right after we finished recording. We’ll talk about that next week.Here’s what we covered this week:* Vibe check! What Lansdowne 2.0 is really all about.* The Mayor’s unusual Monday press conference.* Council says no to extending the decision date.* What the report says and what the Mayor didn’t tell us.And we referenced a couple of very useful backgrounders. For more in-depth analysis on the Lansdowne finances:* Listen to Kate Porter on CBC Morning, 22 October.* See my quick summary analysis of the Lansdowne. Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.And don’t forget … the People’s Summit is back on Saturday 1 November! 🌟One powerful day of bold ideas, proven strategies, and people power to win our city back. Join organizers, advocates, and changemakers for keynotes, panels, municipal boot camps, and community victories worth celebrating. This isn’t just a conference — it’s the launchpad for a people-powered movement. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

See my latest Lansdowne YouTube video: This Time is DifferentThis week, we cover one and only one issue: Tewin, the controversial development project in south-east Ottawa.It was a long discussion. But a great one.Towards the end, we talk briefly about what to expect with Lansdowne over the next few weeks.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.And don’t forget … the People’s Summit is back this fall! 🌟One powerful day of bold ideas, proven strategies, and people power to win our city back. Join organizers, advocates, and changemakers for keynotes, panels, municipal boot camps, and community victories worth celebrating. This isn’t just a conference — it’s the launchpad for a people-powered movement.👉 Let’s organize. Let’s build power. Let’s win.🔗 More info & tickets: betterottawa.ca/summit This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

It was a fairly quiet week at Ottawa City Hall moving into the Thanksgiving Break. This week’s Municipal Panel covers:* The Housing Acceleration Plan gets approved by Council (4:53)* Ottawa takes a stand on speed light cameras (11:22)* Council tries to advance negotiations on uploading the LRT (22:55)* Lansdowne 2.0 shifts back into high gear (30:26)Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.And don’t forget … the People’s Summit is back this fall! 🌟One powerful day of bold ideas, proven strategies, and people power to win our city back. Join organizers, advocates, and changemakers for keynotes, panels, municipal boot camps, and community victories worth celebrating. This isn’t just a conference — it’s the launchpad for a people-powered movement.👉 Let’s organize. Let’s build power. Let’s win.🔗 More info & tickets: betterottawa.ca/summit This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

It was another busy week at Ottawa City Hall! In this episode, we cover:* The Housing Acceleration Plan goes to Committee (0:13)* Should there be bus lanes on Bank Street? (19:07)* NCC plans for a Confederation Boulevard gets a reaction out of the Mayor (30:35)* The Police Chief says a 6.5% budget increase is not enough (40:50)Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.And don’t forget … the People’s Summit is back this fall! 🌟One powerful day of bold ideas, proven strategies, and people power to win our city back. Join organizers, advocates, and changemakers for keynotes, panels, municipal boot camps, and community victories worth celebrating. This isn’t just a conference — it’s the launchpad for a people-powered movement.👉 Let’s organize. Let’s build power. Let’s win.🔗 More info & tickets: betterottawa.ca/summit This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

It was a busy week at Ottawa City Hall, and the Municipal Panel has thoughts.In this episode, we cover:* the Return to Office debate goes to Council (0:42)* Doug Ford plans to outlaw speed cameras (13:38)* the City introduces a new Housing Acceleration Plan (21:53)* the City finds a new way to fight the Kanata ClubLink development (31:02)* What’s holding up Lansdowne? (38:07)Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.And don’t forget … the People’s Summit is back this fall! 🌟One powerful day of bold ideas, proven strategies, and people power to win our city back. Join organizers, advocates, and changemakers for keynotes, panels, municipal boot camps, and community victories worth celebrating. This isn’t just a conference — it’s the launchpad for a people-powered movement.👉 Let’s organize. Let’s build power. Let’s win.🔗 More info & tickets: betterottawa.ca/summit This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

The Municipal Panel took a week off, and boy, was there a lot to cover when we got back. In this extended issue, we discuss: * the Mayor’s pledge to end youth homelessness by 2030 (2:58)* the investigation into Councillor Menard’s election spending (10:47)* Jeff Leiper turns the City’s return to office mandate into a hot potato (22:16)* the City’s report on climate progress (29:00)* Doug Ford’s war on speed cameras (37:37)* the City reverses course on sidewalks in Manor Park (45:35)* City Hall half-heartedly freezes its headcount (48:31)We didn’t get around to covering a number of housing initiatives that came out over the past two weeks, but we’ll do that in our next episode.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

Ottawa City Council is back in full swing, which means the Municipal Panel is here to provide our colour commentary.This week we cover:* the Integrity Commissioner’s report on Councillor Plante’s social media postings (0:15)* the City’s decision that all staff will return to office full time in January (11:18)* the 2026 budget directions, and specifically what it means for transit (22:38)* a potential pay increase for Councillors (40:15)Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

Break’s over, and the Better Ottawa Municipal Panel is back!If you appreciate the work of the Panel, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.This week, Joanne, Jon and Neil cover:* What to expect for the 2026 City of Ottawa budget (0:40)* Why beaches don’t stay open in late season heatwaves (18:40)* Delays to the release of the City’s new long-range financial plan (24:48)* NCC and Senators agree to a LeBreton Flats land sale (35:47)* Follow-up to our popular Lansdowne ParkPod (45:27)We’ll be back next week to cover the upcoming City Council meeting (including the Integrity Commissioner’s report on Councillor Plante’s social media postings).Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

We did an extended summer recording all about Lansdowne 2.0. The local RogersTV station filmed us on location at the Great Lawn.We talk about finances, benefits and risks, but perhaps most importantly, our perspectives on what Lansdowne 2.0 is in really about.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also find the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

The Municipal Panel looks at Ottawa municipal issues over the past two weeks:* the City’s updated Transportation Master Plan clears Committee. We discuss the big issues, including mode share, Airport Parkway, Alta Vista Transportation Corridor, and a ring road to the south of the city (1:30).* the City tries to hide its deal to lower the urban boundary review fees (26:24)* the provincial Municipality Accountability Act consultations are coming to Ottawa next week — what will Joanne say to the Committee?* (36:42)* with the new Queen St transitional housing for asylum seekers, why were we even considering Sprung tents? (41:40)Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also find the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.*The Parliamentary Committee hearings are open to the public and will take place on 17 July from 10:00am to 5:00pm at the Sheraton Hotel, 150 Albert Street in the Rideau Room. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

The Municipal Panel looks at the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:* Jeff Leiper considers running for Mayor (00:50)* Ottawa’s paramedic response improves (15:50)* What happened last year with bylaw … and why all the talk about dogs (27:49)* Our lightning round (34:40)We are taking the first week of July off. We’ll be back shortly after the 9 July City Council meeting.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also find the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s Municipal Panel looks at the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:* Isabelle Skalski wins in Osgoode Ward by-election (00:21)* Options for replacing the Trail Road landfill (10:31)* Fossil fuel advertising on city properties (20:50)* Swimming at Dow’s Lake (26:08)* Rats in the city (28:48)* How Council deals with a challenging fiscal situation (31:10)* Our plans for a ParkPod this summer (33:43)Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also find the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s Municipal Panel looks at highlights from the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:* battery energy storage systems take a step towards coming to Ottawa* we provide our own mid-term evaluation of Council* six weeks in how the New Ways to Bus is performing, and* our lightning round.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also find the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s Municipal Panel looks at highlights from the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:* alcohol in parks is coming to Ottawa* how the City is going to pay for its $11 billion infrastructure renewal gap* whether there should be a referendum on Lansdowne, and* our lightning round.In our discussion, we reference a public delegation by Jamie Murchison with some outstanding visuals of where and when our infrastructure will need renewing. You can see that delegation at this link.Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.You can also find the podcast on YouTube.Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe