Opposition MPPs blame province for forgetting Ottawa

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Good morning!

What a beautiful day Thursday was. It started off cool but quickly warmed up to almost feel like summer. I spent some time on my patio pulling out my flowers and replacing them with pots of mums. This weekend I’ll get my pumpkins and start planning my Halloween party. 

The newsletter is a little different today. I sat down with Ottawa South Liberal MPP John Fraser and Ottawa Centre NDP MPP Joel Harden to discuss if they feel the province is adequately supporting the city. In this newsletter we will delve into funding for transit, the “New Deal for Ottawa”, and how the Liberals and NDP are getting ready for a possible early election. 

The Ontario government is also looking at the possibility of changing legislation for bike lanes. It could have huge ramifications for Ottawa, and we explain how.  

A reminder there will be no newsletter on Monday as Truth and Reconciliation Day is a national holiday.  

Let's get to the important news of the day! 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected]

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign up for free.

WEATHER

Friday: 22 🌡️ 11 | ⛅

Saturday: 22 🌡️ 11 | ⛅

Sunday: 22 🌡️ 11 | ⛅

Monday: 23 🌡️ 12 | ⛅

Monday: 21 🌡️ 11 | 🌧

PROVINCIAL POLITICS

Ottawa opposition MPPs accuse Ford of forgetting Ottawa

The issue: For months Ottawa residents have complained of a lack of response coming from the province. Opposition MPPs have criticized the Doug Ford-led Progressive Conservative government for being too Toronto-centric and not offering up the same perks given to the GTA. 

• Some background: Politically, the city is split. Despite Ford having a strong majority of 78 seats, only one is located in Ottawa. It wasn’t always this way.

No local cabinet seat: At its peak there were two provincial cabinet ministers in Ottawa. MacLeod was first selected as the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, which also included the Ministry in charge of Women’s issues. But after repeated scandals with her handling of the province's autism system, MacLeod was named Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. She left cabinet in 2022. 

Fullerton was the Minister of Colleges and Universities from 2018 until 2019, when she was named the Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care. The Kanata representative held that position until taking over MacLeod’s community and social services ministry in 2021. 

Without a cabinet seat in Canada’s Capital city of over one million people, the Ottawa Lookout sat down with two opposition MPPs to discuss how the Premier is performing. Answers from Liberal Ottawa South MPP John Fraser and Ottawa Centre NDP MPP Joel Harden have been edited for length and clarity. 

A tunnel under the 401 won’t help Ottawa’s traffic congestion 

On Wednesday, the PCs announced a plan to look at perhaps building a tunnel under Toronto’s Highway 401 to ease traffic congestion, wrote the province in a news release. 

• “This expressway is expected to provide a new, faster route for some of the most gridlocked roadways in the province north of the City of Toronto, extending from beyond Brampton and Mississauga in the west to beyond Markham and Scarborough in the east,” the press release read. 

No timelines or price tags were announced, but experts told Global News the cost would be in the tens of billions of dollars. 

In Ottawa traffic is getting worse since federal office workers were mandated back to the office three days a week in early September, Some residents have said the gridlock is becoming even more unbearable, with 30 minute commutes turning into one to two hours, reported CBC.  

Both Harden and Fraser said the answer lies within funding an active transportation system that actually works. Both MPPs said the Highway 401 proposal is yet another Toronto-centric announcement that leaves out the needs of Ottawa. 

Harden: “This is an unserious proposal from an unserious government. People can’t get around in their communities. In Ottawa if we got more funding for transit you could get less cars off our roads. I’m not interested in a multi-billion proposal on the back of a napkin.”

Fraser: “You saw the Premier's announcement yesterday about his tunnel to ease traffic congestion. When he was here in the spring couldn’t even commit to taking Ottawa transit out to Kanata. Why don’t you focus on the things that are most important right now. It was a big flagship announcement with nothing underpinning it. We need solutions to transit problems that work in Toronto and Ottawa.”

A new deal for Ottawa 

After mounting pressure, Doug Ford was in Ottawa this spring to announce “A New Deal for Ottawa.” It came shortly after Toronto reached a similar deal, but the financial figures are nothing in comparison. 

• The agreement included up to $197 million over three years in provincial operating supports and up to $346 million over 10 years in provincial capital support. 

The highlights: The plan included maintenance and rehabilitation for Ottawa Road 174; funding to help revitalize the downtown area; funding to support public safety and address increased levels of crime; additional conditional funding for emergency shelters and homelessness prevention; advancing design and construction of a new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road, amongst other things.

But was this funding enough?

Harden: “No. There is no additional funding for the transit system. What's also missing is housing. The Premier and housing minister had talked about affordable housing around transit hubs. We have built LRT and bus rapid transit around housing density but there has been no plan. There is no plan for people on the streets or suffering from addictions. Now we see safe consumption sites being forced to close.”

Fraser: It’s nothing in comparison to the new deal for Toronto. Transit funding is tied to $196 dollars per person for the year in Toronto. For Ottawa it’s $31 per person. Let's do the same thing here. The funding doesn’t need to be exactly the same because our pressures are different, but there is nothing fair about this deal.” 

A new regional office 

Shortly after Ottawa’s new deal was reached, Ford was back in the Capital to announce a new regional office. Its aim was to ”support greater engagement with both municipal and federal governments and play an important role in implementing the new deal, advancing shared priorities,” and address Ottawa’s unique needs.

• The position is being held by Sean Webster, who has worked in the Canadian pharmaceutical and energy sectors, most recently holding senior positions at Canopy Growth Corporation and Shoppers Drug Mart. Recently, Webster ran for the PC seat in Kanata-Carleton. 

The new office was met with praise by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who said it would help keep Ottawa in the spotlight. But even within the PC Party, some MPPs disagreed. Nepean’s Lisa MacLeod told the Premier's office she refused to attend the press conference announcing the move, because it was “a bad idea” that would bring more bureaucracy to Ottawa. 

So how does the opposition respond?

Fraser: “It’s just adding another car to the gravy train. Another healthy six figure salary. What does that mean to the residents of Ottawa? No offence to Webster, but he lost a by-election in Kanata. That should be a qualification for getting a job in the Premier’s office unless they are just making sure he runs again.”

Harden: “I call Sean Webster pretty regularly with referrals from constituents. A lot of people I know are desperate for help. Shawn has always been responsive. But if the Premier ever wants to wake up and see what Ottawa needs, he needs to act. Mr. Webster tells me he is bringing the concerns to the Premier’s desk. But what we need is money for the healthcare and education system. Only one project got funded for people with addictions in Ottawa, and that’s in the market. We need to do more work than that, and the same goes for affordable housing. 

Could an early election be called? 

Federal voters will need to go back to the polls on or before Oct. 20, 2025. While a no confidence motion was shot down earlier this week, it could be tabled again. There has been lots of talk about a provincial election being called early before that, something even the Premier has hinted could be possible in the spring, reported CP24. 

What would that mean for Ottawa?

Nepean: Lisa MacLeod has announced she won’t seek re-election and has chosen Jay Chadha as her preferred PC candidate successor. At this time, no nomination has been called. Tyler Watt, who was the Liberal candidate in 2022, is running for the candidacy again. 

Ottawa Centre: Harden will be out in Ottawa Centre as he is running for the federal NDP nomination in the area, to perhaps go up against Yasir Naqvi, who he beat provincially in 2018. If Harden wins the nomination, he will have to step down from his position. And because the two elections could fall in the same year, the provincial NDP in Ottawa Centre are already looking for a new candidate. 

Carleton: It’s unclear if Goldie Ghamari plans to run again in Carleton, though regardless, it won’t be for the PCs. Matt Triemstra who ran for the Conservatives federally in Nepean during the last election is eyeing the PC candidacy in the typically blue riding. Another big name is expected to announce their bid for the Carleton PC nomination soon.  

Kanata-Carleton: During the byelection in 2023, the Liberals won this seat from the PCs by only about 800 votes. It’s unclear if Karen McCrimmon will stay as the Liberal candidate or not. 

New leaders: Both the Ontario NDP and Liberals will have new leaders this election. Former Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie took over from Steven Del Duca for the Liberals, and Marit Stiles will lead the NDP after Andrea Horwath stepped aside from the position.

The Ontario Liberals only have nine seats currently, which means they don’t have official party status. Rules in 2018 changed from eight seats to 12 — 10 per cent of the house. Four of the Liberal seats are in Ottawa. 

Harden and Fraser also discussed the province's lack of funding for OC Transpo. Become an insider today to read about OC Transpo’s biggest route overhaul in recent history coming out this weekend.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

💸 $564,000: The number of back taxes the City of Ottawa is no longer able to recover. Staff are recommending councillors approve writing it off. [CTV]

🏬 28: The number of storeys a proposed high rise near the east-end Via Rail station could be. Another on the site would be 14-storeys. [Ottawa Business Journal]

⚓️ 2037: The year Canada’s first submarine fleet will finally come into operation. [Ottawa Citizen]

PROVINCIAL POLITICS

Province eyes cutting bike lanes

The issue: As first reported last week, the Ontario government is eyeing new legislation which could ban new bike lanes if they would take away from lanes for motor vehicles, wrote CBC. 

The government is remaining tight-lipped on what their plans are, but the Progressive Conservatives are looking for new ways to improve traffic congestion. Sources have told various media outlets, including the Lookout, that the “Reducing Gridlock and Saving You Time Act” will be introduced in October. That has some councillors like Kitchissippi representative Jeff Leiper worried. 

• “I hope when people who are supporting these kinds of policies think about their kids and their grandkids and the kinds of cities they want them to be able to live in. This isn’t a battleground in the non-existent war on cars. It’s a blitzkrieg on planning for affordable cities,” Leiper told the Ottawa Citizen. 

So what do Ottawa opposition MPPs think? 

Harden: “People are being critically injured or killed because we don't promote road safety for all as it is. The latest numbers are pretty startling. The Ministry of Transportation indicates their were 3,850 injuries of pedestrians alone in 2023. Out of those 520 were major or fatal. For cyclists there were 1,807 injuries in 2023, 151 of which were major or fatal. This is happening in our city all too often.

“We want to reduce congestion. But the Premier’s belief that requesting municipalities to get his approval goes against our research on road safety. If the Premier wants to improve it, he should get more people on transit and active transportation. This will take more cars off our road. Doing edge politics makes Ontario less safe.”

Fraser: ”My daughter and so many others ride their bikes to work every day and I want them to be safe. We have to find a way to make that work. There are so many other areas That should take priority. The government is talking a lot about booze and bike lanes but there are 2.5 million in Ontario who don't have a family doctor. Anyone in the Premier's seat right now from my perspective should be squarely focused on making sure that people have access to primary healthcare. We also need to fix our education system. It’s shocking to me that there is no plan.”

On X PC MPP Lisa MacLeod also shared her thoughts: 

• “A winner for sure in Ottawa exurban and suburban neighbourhoods who voted overwhelmingly in the last city election to oppose more bike lanes,” MacLeod wrote.

THE AGENDA

🚔 Ottawa has already exceeded last year's homicide count which Police Chief Eric Stubbs says is “way too many.” In 2024 there were 20 homicides through 15 incidents. That is compared to last year's numbers of 16 homicides through 15 incidents. [Ottawa Citizen]

🛤️ New decals have been installed along a busy multi-use path in Barrhaven at the Fallowfield rail crossing. The city partnered with Operation Lifesaver Canada to install the "Look. Listen. Live." stickers, which crosses a rail line and the transitway. [CTV]

Ottawa city council wanted to appoint an Indigenous elder to the council table as a non-voting member, but those plans will need to be shelved due to the municipal act. The city is now exploring other options as to how they can have engagement with Elders. [Ottawa Citizen]

🧑‍🚒 An Ottawa firefighter and the station's captain have been found not guilty after an altercation occurred at a Half Moon Bay fire hall in September 2022. Former Ottawa firefighter Eric Einagel was charged with choking and assault causing bodily harm and Capt. Greg Wright was accused of threatening to discipline complainant Ash Weaver. Lawyers for the two accused firefighters said the crown had “not come close” to proving the accusations. [CBC]

👗 Cantas Fashion boutique in the ByWard Market has announced its set to shut its doors after two decades. Owner Semiha Cantas said the decision came after a lack of foot traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and people working from home. [CTV]

🥞 Popular breakfast joint John’s Family Diner has put its Wellington West location up for lease. It’s believed the business will still run in some form, with co-owner Peter Hatoum saying they are looking at “different options” to carry on their fathers legacy.  [Ottawa Business Journal]

🇱🇧 Two former Ottawa residents have been identified as victims in an air strike in Southern Lebanon. According to family members, Hussein and Daad Tabaja, moved to Lebanon to be closer to family, and were stuck in traffic for hours trying to flee the conflict when they were killed. The couple's son, Kamal Tabaja, said the bodies were badly burned and only his mothers watch was found. [CTV]

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

🎥 Capital Pop-Up Cinema |At various addresses | Sept. 27 | Bringing families and friends together to experience classic movies under stars. This is a free event for all! Prices vary.

😺 Ottawa Valley Cat Club | Nepean Sportsplex | Sept. 28-29, 9 am-4:30 pm | Come see different breeds and household pets compete, shop from our various vendors or sit in on a presentation | Learn more

🍻 Beau's Oktoberfest | At Manor Lounge, 292-A Elgin St | Sept. 27 | Enjoy an Oktoberfest menu featuring pretzels, sausages and more! All of the popular games will be available including Darts Reimagined, shuffleboard and foosball | Beer Party Ticket are $28 and General Admission is $7.

🎃 Fernie, Emilie Kahn and Unessential Oils | At  National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St | Sept. 27 | Fernie’s finally ready. At 26 years old, the Montreal singer has gone international | Tickets are $15.

👻 Stittsville Haunted Heritage Tours | 1549 Main St. South | Sept. 27-28 | Combine a riveting historical tour on the quaint and eerie town of Stittsville with a haunted twist to get this annual heritage tour | Tickets are $22.59.

🍺 Oktoberfest at Nita Beer Company | Nita Beer Company, 190 Colonnade Rd, Unit 17 | Sept. 28 | Come join the party! Nita Beer Company is excited to invite you to the 3rd annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 28 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. at the brewery | Tickets are $60.

💃 DanceMomsOttawa | One Up Cocktail Lounge, 1 Beechwood Ave. | Sept. 28 | Round up your girlfriends or grab your partner and join DanceMomsOttawa to dance the night away! For those over the age of 40 | Tickets are $20.

🪆 The Ottawa Doll and Miniature Sale | Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave | Sept. 29 | Come explore with over 70 vendors to see at this year’s Ottawa Doll and Miniature sale | Tickets are $5.00 for adults and free for kids.

🎃 sKreamers | At Proulx Maple & Berry Farm, 1865 O'Toole Rd. | Sept. 28 | Looking for a spooky group adventure this month? Look no further than this haunted weekend event full of wagon rides and scary surprises | Tickets start at $12.50.

🍂 Canadensis Garden Fall Celebration | At Canadensis site, Prince of Wales Drive, Central Experimental Farm | The 4th Annual Fall Celebration offers plenty of free family fun and learning experiences | Free.

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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Kanata High School students reflected on the residential school system ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. [CTV]

• It would be impossible to imagine life anywhere without access to this Chinese take-out food restaurant. 

• Ontario Festival of Small Halls brings big names to small spaces. [Apartment613]

• After 50 years of community giving the Stittsville Lionettes are retiring. [Stittsville Central] 

• The Pizza Safari goes deeper into the city’s pie scene, with a few very pleasant surprises (and some very fine wings).

• Experimental theatre festival subDevision is hosting interdisciplinary performances at the Ottawa Art Gallery. [Apartment613]

OTTAWA GAMES

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