One organizer wants to bring back the convoy in February

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Good morning!

Believe it or not, we’re coming to the end of inquiry season. This week, the convoy hearings wrap up, and next week the LRT inquiry (remember that?) will release its final report. 

The inquiries have been a fascinating look into how governments in this town operate. We’ve seen text message exchanges, officials pointing fingers, and so much more. Governments don’t much care for this transparency — they’d prefer to put forward a much more polished image — but it’s been worthwhile to see how things actually work in the halls of power.

They are worthwhile endeavours. It shouldn’t take extraordinary circumstances and public inquiries to find out why decisions are made, but these days it seems to. We should be grateful for this peek behind the curtain.

Let’s get to the newsletter.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

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Weather Report

Friday: +6 🌡️ -6 | 🌧

Saturday: +6 🌡️ +2 | ☀️

Sunday: +6 🌡️ +2 | 🌧

Monday: +3 🌡️ -5 | 🌧

CONVOY

Organizer plans for February convoy reunion in Ottawa

What happened: One organizer of last year’s convoy wants a reunion in February, CTV reported. James Bauder said the next iteration of the convoy would be the “olive branch” edition.

The hitch: Bauder had been arrested when downtown was cleared. He’s facing mischief and obstruction charges, with his next court date Feb. 3. He was released on the condition he would not return to downtown Ottawa. Police said they were aware of the nascent plans.

At the inquiry: The federal attorney general refused to answer questions about the legal reasoning for invoking the Emergencies Act at the convoy inquiry, citing attorney-client privilege, CBC reported. The central question of the inquiry is whether the government was right to invoke the act.

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said the blockades at the border were a “dangerous moment for Canada” because it risked the country’s international credibility. 

• She heard from several American CEOs who questioned the government’s ability to reopen the border and lift the occupation of Ottawa. The unnamed CEOs also questioned the government’s pandemic measures, according to CBC.

Never considered: Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said the government at no time planned to remove the vaccine mandate at the border, according to the National Post.

Coming up: Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will testify in the last day of public hearings at the inquiry. As always, you can watch on the commission website. The Ottawa People’s Commission is entering its final few hearings, where it has focused on the effect of the occupation on residents. Find their schedule here.

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🚏 31 cm: When this much snow is in the forecast, OC Transpo will pull its double-length articulated buses from service because they often get stuck in snow storms. [CTV]

⛽️ 152.9: The average price, in cents per litre, gas is expected to drop to today. [CityNews]

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CITY HALL

🛣️ The city held its first public meeting on the expansion of the Airport Parkway. Councillors were skeptical of the proposal, as the idea for the expansion came before the extension of the O Train parallel to the parkway. [CTV]

🚊 Next week, the LRT inquiry report will be released. "We said we would find out why problems occurred in the construction and maintenance of the LRT, and how to avoid these in the future. I believe we have done that," inquiry commissioner Justice William Hourigan said. [CBC]

• Want to catch up on everything that was said at the inquiry before the report comes out? See our guide.

🏛️ New Mayor Mark Sutcliffe made his first trip to Toronto to meet with the provincial government, but a planned meeting with Premier Doug Ford was cancelled. Instead, Sutcliffe met with several provincial ministers to talk about issues like the new provincial housing law, the OC Transpo budget shortfall, and the continuing lack of paramedics in the city. [Ottawa Citizen]

HOUSING

Conservative donors cash in on urban expansion

What happened: A parcel of land unilaterally added to Ottawa’s urban boundary by the province was bought for development last year by a company run by Progressive Conservative donors, CBC reported. 

• The parcel of land wasn’t even discussed for development by the city because the 37 hectares were farmland, which is excluded by provincial rules from development.

A newly formed company, 1177 Watters Developments Ltd., bought the land in August of last year for $12.7 million, CBC reported. The company’s five directors are all a part of the Toronto group of construction companies Verdi Alliance, and together gave more than $12,000 to the governing Progressive Conservative party over the last two years, according to CBC.

What’s the plan: The province added this piece of land along with another 617 hectares when they approved the city’s official plan and overrode the city’s decisions on where the boundary would be.

Why it was controversial It sprawled the city’s boundaries even further than council had decided. A report last year from the city estimated it costs every household in the city $465 per year in property taxes to service new homes on the edge of the city, CBC reported at the time. Meanwhile, new homes in the city’s core pay for themselves and bring in $606 per household.

EDUCATION

No mask mandate at public schools

What happened: The Ottawa Carleton District School Board voted not to institute a mask mandate after a second day of debate. The vote ended in a 6-6 tie, which means it did not pass, CTV reported.

Online only: The meeting Tuesday was disrupted by anti-mask protestors. The board said “concerns about safety” at the previous meeting meant last night’s was entirely held virtually. Tuesday, police were called to clear the room after a second disruption, and while the board moved online, they ran out of time before getting to the vote.

Not just Ottawa: It’s a split issue across the province, as other boards take up the issue of mask mandates. In Hamilton, the board voted to re-impose a mask mandate. While in Durham, the local board voted against reimposing a mandate, CTV reported.

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

Friday

Children’s Storytelling Festival: At library branches across town, and a few online events as well, children’s authors and others bring their magic to town. Free.

European Union Film Festival, until Dec. 3: The Ottawa Art Gallery hosts this celebration of films from across the European continent. Tickets start at $14.

School of the Photographic Arts Open House, 5 pm: The city’s photo school at 77 Pamilla St. in Little Italy is holding its annual open house, with live music and plenty of prints for sale. Free, register in advance.

Saturday

St. Pat’s Craft Fair, 10 am: Holiday fair season is in full swing. Jewellery, artwork, and plenty more will be on offer at this event at St. Patrick’s High School, 2525 Alta Vista Dr. Admission is free.

Indigenous Holiday Market, 10 am: The first edition of this fair, with Indigenous artists from all over the region bringing their handmade wares for sale. At the ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub at 338 Somerset St. W. Admission is free.

Santa’s Parade of Lights, 6 pm: The Orléans Santa parade is back, with the route running along St-Joseph Boulevard from Youville to Centrum. Free, of course!

Broadway’s Hot Wings Challenge, 7pm: Can you handle the heat? It’s a Hot wings challenge of increasing intensity at the Broadway’s at 1896 Prince of Wales Dr. There will be trivia, prizes and more. Tickets start at $20.

Sunday

HoliYay Market, 11 am: Head over to the NAC’s atrium for a market with vendors with plenty of holiday treats. Tickets are free.

World Multicultural Festival, 12 pm: A celebration of the music, culture, fashion, and flavours from all over the world at this festival at Lansdowne’s Horticulture Building. Free admission.

Upcoming

Holiday Festival of Small Halls, Dec. 2-3: The dates this weekend are all sold out, but you can still get tickets to events early next month for this concert series in small halls in the region. Tickets start at $30.

Food and Events (Insiders Only)

How to get them: Insider members get a curated food event list in our Thursday Insider email, as well as early access to restaurant reviews. Try an Insider membership for only $1 for your first month - there’s no risk and you can cancel anytime. 

QUICK HITS

🥅 The Senators fell to last place in the NHL, tied with the Anaheim Ducks, after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1. [The Associated Press]

🧥 The winter jacket of a woman’s late father was accidentally donated to the Value Village at Bank and Walkley, and she’s looking to get it back. If you’ve seen the purple and blue ski jacket, email [email protected] with any information. [CTV]

🔥 A huge fire at a commercial shop in Stittsville had firefighters battling many hazards, including diesel fuel tanks that needed to be kept from exploding. [CTV]

💉 Health officials are urging parents to get their kids vaccinated for the flu and COVID, as hospitals continue to be overloaded. [Ottawa Citizen]

🔌 Renfrew-area seniors are being targeted by scammers looking to convince people they can help reduce their hydro bills. [CTV]

CAPITAL EATS

More than just meats, Moe’s BBQ sizzles

Story written by food editor Ralf Joneikies.

Every once in a little while, you have the good fortune of coming across a place that surprises you in all the right ways.

My friend Adriana, who works nearby, recommended I try a local BBQ joint. Their hours happened to fit my schedule, so I sat down for a late lunch. 

The atmosphere is meant to be warming. Wood planks line the walls and copper plumbers piping spells out Moe’s BBQ along one wall, and the place is redolent with the smell of hickory and maple smoke.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 30 years is too long. It’s time to update Canada’s Broadcasting Act. See why Bill C-11 will level the playing field for independent Canadian stories.*

• At Blackburn Hamlet’s ecole secondaire publique Louis-Riel, students cheered on Canada’s Jonathan David at the World Cup who graduated from the school. [CTV]

• Looking for Santa? CTV has you covered with all the places you can get your photo with the big man. [CTV]

• Olitos Cafe has Portuguese favourites and great World Cup atmosphere in the east end. 

• An 83-year-old Vankleek Hill woman won a $60-million Lotto Max jackpot this week. [Ottawa Citizen]

• The Kingston Frontenacs hope to host the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament. [CityNews]

• Kyle Braatz of medical technology company Fullscript was named the Ottawa Business Journal’s CEO of the year. [OBJ]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Contact our partnership team for more info.

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TOP PHOTO

Today’s photo comes from reader Nancy Ray, who wonders if this might be the last rose of the season.

Do you have photos you’d like to share with Lookout readers? Send them in, we love sharing them with the community.

OTTAWA WORDLE

Congrats to Ron, who was the sole correct respondent, who knew that this week’s OttawaGuesser was on Carling Avenue near Britannia Park. Well done, Ron!

Today we’ve got another edition of the Ottawa Wordle. Play now.

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