Remember him? Doug Thompson is running in the Osgoode by-election

There could soon be a familiar face or perhaps a new one representing Osgoode Ward. The city has declared a by-election to replace the seat formerly held by George Darouze, who is now the PC MPP for Carleton. 

To date five people have registered: Former area councillor Doug Thompson; Colette Lacroix-Velthuis; Dan O'Brien; Isabelle Skalski; and Jennifer Van Koughnett. The Lookout plans to sit down with all council hopefuls to hear their plans and visions for the rural ward. 

Today we are hearing from Thompson, who talked about what he feels the biggest challenges Osgoode residents are facing, and what he thinks city council should be doing differently. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. 

Lookout: You served the residents of Osgoode previously in a number of roles. You’re now at the age when many people are enjoying retirement. What makes you want to enter municipal politics again? 

Thompson: I was 17 years with the former township of Osgoode, 14 as councillor, then three as mayor. Then I ran in 2000, and I served 14 years with the councillor for Osgood Ward. But following my retirement, I kept busy in the community. I'm on a number of local boards and committees. Maybe two or three times a month people will ask me for assistance. I've kept a close relationship with city staff. I follow politics at all levels. It's just an interest to me. 

I put my name forward in 2022 for the municipal election and I came up short by 233 votes. I won't be the youngest candidate in the field, but I certainly will have the most elected municipal experience. 

Lookout: So what are the biggest issues impacting Osgoode Ward right now?

Thompson: I think it feels like not just Osgoode, but other rural areas around the city, have been neglected. When we amalgamated in 2000, the four rural townships that became part of the city, the four mayors were elected to the first city council. And we worked hard to establish a rural affairs committee and a rural affairs office. 

Some of the major things that are a big concern is the infrastructure network. Rural roads are in desperate need of more funding. If you take a drive out here, some of them are almost impassable. 

Police and bylaw enforcement in rural areas is lacking. It seems there's a great deal of evidence of speeding and stunt driving. It's like a racetrack out on some of these roads that are in good condition. 

We had the city a few years ago designate Richmond, Manotick and Greely three of the major rural villages that would substantially grow in size. But there seems to be no development strategy. Local developers are concerned because there's a great need for housing everywhere, but we don't have that support from the city. 

Province-wide, doctor recruitment is so critical in rural areas. In Greeley, we've lost our local doctor who retired. He had about 3,000 patients. A doctor in Metcalfe has 5,000 patients and will retire this year.

The last one is a real sore spot: It’s this stormwater tax for rural properties that I really believe should be removed. It's just an impediment to the rural way of life and it's really unfair. It's a levy so they can increase it whatever they want. It's gone up 200 per cent in the last seven or so years. 

Lookout: You used to be on council making the decisions. Now you’re looking from the shadows. How would you rate the job they are doing?

Thompson: I feel that there's not a lot of empathy for the concerns of the rural residents. If you look at the rural affairs department when I was on council, we had a staff of four or five. Now they're down to one person.

I was disappointed with how the Tewin proposal was handled initially. I think Mayor Watson felt that it was partially necessary in order for reconciliation with the Indigenous. Planning on that one didn't score high by city staff. I think with the light rail, there were a lot of uncanny episodes when Mayor Watson was there which led to things being pushed ahead when they shouldn’t. 

Lookout: Lastly, an easy question, what's your favourite place in the ward to hang out, and your favourite place to grab a bite to eat?

Thompson: That's a tough question to ask, but I think the Metcalfe Arena because we have five grandkids in minor hockey. 

To eat we had the world-famous Red Dot Cafe in the village of Osgoode and we had the beautiful Stable Restaurant in Metcalfe. Just outside the ward, the Black Dog Bistro in Manotick is great.