City hall demands government funds to fix 'transit crisis'

Good morning! 

I am writing today's newsletter from the ByWard Market which is trying desperately to bounce back after a sea of bad headlines over recent years. It was great to see so many people out and about supporting local businesses and exploring some of the hidden gems Ottawa has to offer. 

A few blocks over at city hall, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe held a press conference to beg the provincial and federal governments for more support to help Ottawa’s struggling transit system. He used his harshest words yet in a last-ditch effort to rebuild trust in the system before the Trillium Line of LRT opens this fall. 

Capital Pride organizers are facing backlash after throwing its support behind Palestine in the ongoing conflict with the Middle East. Some LGBTQ2S+ and Jewish members say the organization should not get political. 

Let’s get to the newsletter.

— Charlie Senack, [email protected].

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WEATHER

🚨 Rainfall warning 🚨

Friday: 22 🌡️ 15 | ⛈️

Saturday: 24 🌡️ 13 | ☀️

Sunday: 21 🌡️ 14 | 🌦

Monday: 24 🌡️ 16 | ☀️

CITY HALL

Ottawa declares ‘transit crisis’ and demands government funds

The issue: In the harshest language he’s used yet, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said taxes and transit levies will need to be raised if more help doesn’t come in from other levels of government to fund the city’s public transit system. 

During a press conference at city hall on Thursday, Sutcliffe said the city is in a “transit crisis,” noting money isn’t available to operate the existing system let alone the still-under-construction Phase 2 of light rail. 

The problem: OC Transpo has been strapped for cash for years, an issue made worse during the pandemic when work from home, particularly in the public service, became common. Despite somewhat of a return to the office, the transit agency is still forecasting a $140-million budget gap over the next three years. Ridership is down 38% this year with a $36-million decline in revenue as a result. 

• “We’ll have to raise taxes and transit fares enormously, or we’ll have to cut service drastically — either transit or other services, so we can pay for transit,” Sutcliffe said, if the federal and provincial governments don’t step up. 

Who’s to blame: The crisis, Sutcliffe said, is not of the city’s own doing. He blamed the federal government for lowballing the payments it gives the city in lieu of property taxes. The feds are paying $30 million less than it did eight years ago, according to the city. They now want about $95 million more a year. 

“They send moderately positive signals, ‘Yes, we’re going to look into this,’ but time is of the essence,” Sutcliffe said according to the Ottawa Citizen. “If we don’t get some answers from the federal and provincial government in the next 60 to 90 days, we’re going to have to make some very tough decisions.”

Fewer payments: As the federal government starts selling off its sea of office complexes, which have towered over the Nation's Capital for decades, the payments will decrease in dollar value. Sutcliffe said even if the footprint was lowered by five buildings a year, it would cost local taxpayers an extra $70 to $90 million over a decade. 

• Sutcliffe also blamed other levels of government for funding transit in other cities more than in Ottawa. OC Transpo plans to apply for the new $3-billion Canada Public Transit Fund, according to CBC. 

LRT costs: The city has paid for about 60% of the construction costs of Stage 2 of its problem-plagued LRT system, which has eaten up a large portion of taxpayer dollars. Given increased costs and delays — primarily caused by the COVID pandemic — the city’s share has increased with government support from the feds and province falling to 22% each.

If the financial pressures persist, Sutcliffe hinted, or at least threatened, that further light rail expansions might not open at all — at least in the interim.

• “We don’t even have the money we need to operate our existing system. If we don’t get the help we need, it won’t even make financial sense to open Phase 2 of light rail. We’d be better off, from a financial perspective, not to open and run the system,” said Sutcliffe during the 30-minute speech. 

Provincial contribution: In March, Premier Doug Ford was in Ottawa to make a series of “new deal” announcements which would add funding to various key sectors of the city which were desperate for help. It included millions for new housing and roads, but what was missing was any money for the transit system.

The future of light rail: The Trillium line connecting Bayview Station to Limebank Road in Riverside South and the airport is expected to open early this fall, reported CBC. The full extension of the Confederation line most likely won’t be completed until 2027, though sections are likely to open sooner.

• Starting this fall, the existing Line 1 will face service cuts with trains running every 10 minutes during off-peak periods.

In the long run: Once Stage 2 is fully operational the goal was to continue out to Kanata, Stittsville and Barrhaven, though that now seems very unlikely. Despite the mayor’s commitment to build the entire system, as he said during this interview with the Barrhaven Independent, many councillors have told the Ottawa Lookout plans are likely to be shelved for a few decades with an emphasis being put on buses. 

• During an interview with the Kitchissippi Times last fall, OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar seemed to hint that she was in support of shelving plans for now.  “We need to make sure that we can fix the problem that we have with the Confederation line and we have to make sure that we have success with Stage 2, then we will see. Maybe we can see with bus rapid transit.… BRT can do the same level of job.”

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

☔️ 55 mm: The amount of rain which could fall in Ottawa on Thursday and Friday as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Debby.  [CTV] 

🏍️ 191 km/h: The speed a group of motorcycles were caught going on Highway 417 Tuesday night. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚗 $4: The amount paid parking will increase by in select areas of the city on Monday. [CTV]

NEWS

Capital Pride faces backlash over its support for Palestine

The issue: Capital Pride’s statement to support Palestine during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused controversy as some prominent Jewish members say they now fear for their safety if they attend the annual event. 

• In a statement posted to the organization’s Instagram page a few days ago, the group said Israel is “portraying itself as a protector of the rights of queer and trans people in the Middle East,” and “seeks to draw attention away from its abhorrent human rights abuses against Palestinians.”

“We refuse to be complicit in this violence. Indeed, to withhold our solidarity from Palestinians in the name of upholding 2SLGBTQIA+ rights betrays the promise of liberation that guides our work. We join our voice to the calls for greater protection of civilians and reject any attempts to use a devastating conflict as a pretext to advance hate,” a portion of the statement read. 

Reaction: Dan Pujdak, chief strategy officer at Blackbird Strategies, told the Ottawa Citizen that the move is further dividing the community. “Capital Pride is supposed to be an inclusive event where anyone can show up and feel safe, to protest and celebrate LGBTQ+ history and the struggles. It’s a place where everyone should feel welcome, but it feels like they’re asking Jewish people to leave their history and religion at the door,” he said. 

Federation’s response: The Jewish Federation of Ottawa has said that its been in regular contact with Capital Pride organizers to avoid any unnecessary conflict. Representatives from Capital Pride have denied interviews with various media agencies. 

“Although Capital Pride recognizes the horrors of the October 7th terrorist attack, their statement turns Pride into a protest against Israel, the only Jewish homeland in the world and the only country singled out by Capital Pride. It does nothing to achieve the peace everyone wants to see overseas. Instead, it creates conditions for more hateful antisemitic rhetoric targeting Ottawa’s Jewish community here at home," the Jewish Federation of Ottawa told CTV.

THE AGENDA

🐶 It’s sad news for dog owners. The days of off-leash playtime at Owl Park might soon be over — at least during certain hours. River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington is bringing forward a motion to support the change during school hours between the months of September and June. Two elementary schools are located just metres away. [CTV]

💉 Ottawa Public Health says more than 14,000 school-aged children across the city have out-of-date vaccine records. The health agency said parents of children who don’t have the required needles will receive letters stating they could be suspended if they don’t receive the vaccines. [CTV]

🚌 A new report says changing the start and end times for schools could mean be a solution to Ottawa’s long problem-plagued school bus shortage. The review produced by Deloitte and released by the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority, also said fewer vehicles, longer routes, and more flexibility would reduce expenses and increase efficiency. The bus agency is currently facing a funding gap of $7 million. [CBC]

🚓 Ottawa Police say they are investigating a suspicious death which occurred in Orléans. A 34-year-old man died in the early morning on Wednesday on Mockingbird Drive. No further details have been released. [CTV]

🚴‍♀️ Ottawa residents are being reminded to keep an eye on their bikes as reports of theft skyrocket. In the first seven months of this year, 700 bikes across the capital have been reported as stolen. Between 2016 and 2021, more than 5,000 have been taken, totalling an estimated $3.3 million in theft. [CTV]

👮🏼‍♀️ The provincial Special Investigations Unit has closed the file on a man who jumped from an Orleans overpass in April. The 52-year-old jumped onto Highway 417 after attempting to flee police and suffered serious injuries. He was caught attempting to steal items from Place d'Orleans before getting in his car and driving off. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

🚂 Trainfest of Eastern Ontario, Saturday: Come for a weekend celebration of all things railway. Fans of all ages will love seeing trains big, small and even made of LEGO! At Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, 90 William St. W, Smiths Falls. Tickets are $23.

🎡 Puppets Up! | Almonte | This Saturday and Sunday | A fun-filled family festival featuring puppet shows for all ages, street performers, a daily puppet parade and more | Learn more [Sponsored]

👑 Lexington Westboro Drag Brunch, Saturday: Join Saltina Shaker and Sunshine Glitterchild and Karamilk for jaw dropping acts, laughs and glamour. At Lexington Smokehouse & Bar, 344 Richmond Rd. Tickets are $17.

🎶 The Boo Radley Project, Saturday: Seven piece indie-funk band The Boo Radley Project (Guelph/Toronto) make their Cafe Dekcuf debut. At Dekcuf, 221 Rideau St. Tickets are $23.

🪴 Street beds and rain gardens in an urban neighbourhood, Saturday: Visit up to six gardens along Bank Street and Sunnyside Avenue in Old Ottawa South. At Ottawa Public Library - Sunnyside, 1049 Bank St. Free.

🎡 Eddy Street Festival, Saturday: In a festive, musical and playful atmosphere, a stretch of street at the corner of rue Eddy and Hôtel-de-Ville will be open to pedestrians to allow festival-goers to enjoy the site. Along Eddy Street in Gatineau. Free. 

👗 Runway for HOPE in support of CHEO, Sunday: Join Runway for HOPE Ottawa to strut your stuff and raise funds for CHEO while enjoying a fabulous fashion show. At Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park. Tickets start at $71.

🏳️‍🌈 Queer History Walking Tours of Ottawa - August Edition, Sunday: Join drag king Morgan Mercury (plus special guests) for a fun and educational walking tour of Ottawa, exploring the city’s rich queer history. At Dundonald Park, 516 Somerset St. W. Tickets start at $5

🪦 Stittsville Heritage Tombstone Tours 2024, Sunday: A 90 minute tour of the original settling families of Stittsville, take a stroll through the graveyard. At 6255 Fernbank Road. Tickets are $28.

📚 ReStore Reads Book Fair: Great selection for a great cause, Saturday and Sunday: Prices start at just $1 for paperbacks and children's books and $3 for hardcovers. Proceeds will go directly to Habitat Greater Ottawa. At Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa ReStore, 3 Iber Rd.

CAPITAL EATS

This week in food

🍨 If you’re looking for a dessert treat to help you cool down this summer, this downtown milkshake spot is bound to fulfil your sweet tooth. 

🥃 This blended rum from France is great in a mixed drink, or on its own on ice. (Insiders)

🍜 Calling all Vietnamese food lovers: Are you looking for a new place to grab some noodles? Put this Gladstone area business on your list.   

🌭 Across the river in Buckingham is a phenomenal new high-end pub, that you do not want to miss. (Insiders)

🍎 Do you enjoy supporting local? Here is a list of businesses you should check out. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• A non-binary artist from Centretown is dismantling stereotypes with their feminist creations. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Save time, track your budget and eat local—it’s possible! We deliver foods from our farms and producers to your door. Sign up today. [Sponsored]

• Take a look at this Hintonburg factory which played a big role during World War ll. [Kitchissippi Times]

• A Harvest Fest Market is coming to Barrhaven. [Barrhaven Independent]

• Chairs for YOMA Auction Celebrates Community Spirit and Creativity in Manotick. [Manotick Messenger]

• Over 15,000 was raised for TEMBO, an Ottawa-based charity which helps females in Tanzania. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to Adam, James, Corey, Measar, Cameron, and Karen, who all knew this week’s Ottawa Guesser was of Baxter Road between the 417 and the Ottawa Citizen.

Think you can solve this week’s Ottawa Wordle? Play now.

Editors note: A previous version misgendered artists KJ Forman. The Lookout regrets the error.