Ottawa's draft budget has been released. Get ready to pay some of the highest transit fares in the country

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Good morning! 

It was a pleasure to attend the opening of the 39th annual European Film Festival hosted at the Ottawa Art Gallery last night. For anyone who is interested, the event runs until Nov. 30. 

The City of Ottawa’s draft budget was tabled on Wednesday, and to no one’s surprise, it was a doozy. Steeper property tax increases and higher transit fares are coming. But some of the finer details are shocking and council is pushing back. We have all the details below. 

As we reported last week, city staff have released the two locations where sprung structures will be placed: the former Confederation High School near the Nepean Sportsplex and the Eagleson Park & Ride in Kanata. I wrote about some of the divisions it has caused in the Ottawa Citizen yesterday. The Ottawa Lookout now wants to know your thoughts on both the locations and sprung structures. Send me an email and we will include your comments in a special Sunday insider edition.

Let’s get to the news of the day!

— Charlie Senack, managing editor 

[email protected]

X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Friday: 9 🌡️ -1 | 🌤️

Saturday: 11 🌡️ -3 | ☀️

Sunday: 7 🌡️ 2 | ☁️

Monday: 10 🌡️ 2 | 🌧️

CITY HALL

Ottawa's draft budget has been released. Get ready to pay some of the highest transit fares in the country

You’re about to pay more: Ottawa’s draft budget was released on Wednesday and in some ways, it’s worse than council expected. Worth a total of $5 billion, a 3.9 per cent property tax increase is expected. That would raise the average property tax bill by $168 next year. A five per cent increase in transit fares and an eight per cent increase in the transit levy are also coming. 

What this means for transit: We will start with good news. No reduction in service is forecasted — at least for now. But the price of a monthly adult pass will climb to $135, up from $128.75 — or $4.00 per fair (add five cents if you’re paying by cash). 

It gets worse: Seniors will face a 120 per cent increase for their monthly pass, rising from $49 a month to $108. Discounted fares for those 13 to 18-years-old are being scrapped altogether and 11 and 12-year-olds — who used to ride transportation for free — will now also need to pay the full adult fee. 

• To ensure the situation isn’t even worse, the transit budget includes $21.3 million in capital efficiencies and deferrals, and $12.4 million in operating efficiencies. 

Why is it so bad? OC Transpo is facing a $120 million hole in its budget. This is in part due to low ridership, not enough support from upper levels of government, and the costly light rail transit system — approved before COVID-19 disrupted travel patterns. 

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has pleaded with the federal and provincial governments for more transit money, but to date, no luck. There was hope by city councillors that perhaps there was movement behind the scenes, but that was just optimism. A $36 million placeholder is in the budget, though, in case the situation changes and funding comes through. 

Ridership is expected to increase to about 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2025. 

• It’s the best the city can do: “While we wait for more sustainable funding solutions, we're going to have to do a lot of patchwork and use a lot of duct tape to get through each budget year. These solutions aren't always ideal; many of them are one-time answers that will help us only in 2025, but in the current climate that's what we need to do,” Sutcliffe said, according to CTV. 

• How seniors are responding: “Unbelievable. That's my only transportation, so I have no choice. And then I'm on limited income. So, what can you do? Complain? Complain to them? There's nothing. I've been taking the bus for over 40 years,” said 71-year-old transit user Rachel in an interview with CTV. 

• “We feel blindsided. They had mentioned that they were reviewing ridership and rates, but by no means had they given us any indication that seniors would be bearing the brunt (of the increases),” said Sarah Bercier, executive director of the Council on Aging of Ottawa, according to the Ottawa Citizen. 

How Ottawa transit fares compare to elsewhere: For monthly passes, Kingston has one of the lowest fares at $80. Regina is $88; Halifax $90; Montreal and Edmonton $100; and Calgary. Some cities are higher, like Mississauga and Brampton around $141 and Toronto at $156. 

For single cash fares, Edmonton is the cheapest at $2.95 followed by Halifax at $3; Winnipeg, Regina and Kingston at $3.25; and Montreal and Quebec City at $3.75. Gatineau and Brampton are higher than Ottawa at $4.50 a ride.  

What else is included in the draft budget: Funding has been allocated to hire 100 new emergency responders, including 50 staff for the Ottawa Police Service, 23 new paramedics, 22 new firefighters and 10 new bylaw officers.

• "This Draft Budget is designed to meet Ottawa's key public safety needs and will assist us in serving the residents and businesses of our community better," said police chief Chief Eric Stubbs in a statement. "It is designed to address gaps in our service and focuses on building public trust while advancing the strategic priorities set by the Ottawa Police Services Board."

Roads: An investment of $104 million will go towards improving roads and sidewalks. That includes $89.6 million to repair and resurface and $14 million for new and existing sidewalks. Another $200 million will go to integrated rehabilitation projects on road infrastructure. 

Social services: The social housing bucket will increase by $4.2 million with a $550,000 operating budget increase for Ottawa Community Housing Safety Services. There will also be a $4.4 million increase for shelter operations and diversion and $30 million allocated to more than 100 non-profit agencies. Another $176 million will support the Housing Accelerator Fund initiatives. The transitional housing file will be $1.45 million to support facility maintenance. 

Outdoors and greenspace: Parks maintenance will see a $279,000 base operating increase and $350,000 will be spent on capital projects for minor park repairs. The budget also includes $400,000 to upgrade park amenities. $375 million will be spent on climate action and environmental resilience, and $887,000 for tree replacement and maintenance to expand the urban tree canopy. 

Other highlights: Anti-hate initiatives will receive $150,000 in funding, and $2.3 million will be spent to support reducing landfill use. Each ward councillor will have a $12,500 increase in funding for traffic calming measures with a total budget of $85,000. 

Road widening projects: $10.9 million has been set aside for the Greenbank Road widening and realignment, with another $10.4 million for the Carp Road widening. The Mer Bleue widening and Renaud Road realignment along the Brian Coburn extension has $6 million set aside for detailed design work. 

CBC Ottawa compiled a list of some of the more specific increases such as getting a marriage license, on-street parking rates, and death certificates.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

💧 $21 million: The amount of money being invested by the provincial government to expand a Kemptville wastewater treatment facility. [CTV]

🏥 100: The number of years the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital is celebrating being in service. [CTV]

💰 $15.6 million: The amount of federal funding Invest Ottawa and other groups received from the federal government to boost startups. [Ottawa Business Journal]

THE AGENDA

🎅🏼 The beginning of the month-long Christmas season in Ottawa will begin Saturday with the return of the Help Santa Toy Parade. It will start at Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue, before travelling west to Bank St, where it will then end at Lansdowne. Toys and cash will be collected along the route. [CTV]

📚 Despite dealing with a funding shortfall due to Ontario's cap on foreign exchange students, Algonquin College said it’s ready to welcome international students in the spring with guaranteed residences. This year, the college is expected to be short 2,400 international students, which will result in “difficult budgetary decisions now,” said Algonquin president Claude Brulé. [CTV]

🎓 The union representing full-time professors and librarians at the University of Ottawa has announced its members voted 80.9 per cent in favour of a strike mandate. It could be called in February 2025 if conciliation with the university fails. The strike vote comes as a result of the university's continuous refusal to take the members' proposals to improve the quality of education and research, the union said, along with “deteriorating teaching and learning conditions at the university.” [CTV]

🐕 Ottawa residents Grace McEachern, 24, and Jarvis Wandallo, 36, have been charged with animal cruelty after a dog was found with burns to its face and body. The dog was cared for by the Ottawa Humane Centre after being found in “critical distress” and is expected to make a full recovery. [Ottawa Citizen]

⛷️ The Mont Tremblant Ski Resort was hoping to open for the season next Friday, but has pushed its opening date back to Nov. 28 due to above-seasonal temperatures. Colder weather is on the way, and the resort plans to use additional snow-making machines to intensify preparations. [CTV]

🖼️ Nearly three years after being hung last inside the Chateau Laurier Hotel, the famed portrait of former British prime minister Winston Churchill is back where it belongs. The “Roaring Lion” picture taken by esteemed photographer Yousuf Karsh was stolen and later found in Italy. Now, if someone touches or moves the photo, an alarm will be triggered. [CBC]

🛌 Multiple rallies are planned this weekend to protest against sprung strictures being built in Kanata and Nepean. One is being held at the Eagleson Park & Ride on Saturday with another outside the Nepean Sportsplex on Sunday. That same day Refugee 613 is hosting a rally at Ben Franklin Place to show solidarity with asylum seekers. [CBC]

🚑 A teenage boy is in serious condition after being struck by a vehicle in Barrhaven Thursday afternoon. The incident took place at the corner of Jockvale Rd and Tartan Dr. The boy is in stable condition and his injuries have been deemed non-life threatening. [Ottawa Citizen]

👮🏼‍♀️ A Toronto man is facing charges after threats were made to an Orleans health clinic. The 18-year-old whose name was not released has been charged with Uttering threats; Harassment by threatening conduct; Mischief under $5000;Mischief Over $5000; Attempted fraud; and Uttering a forged document. He was scheduled to appear in court yesterday. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚔 Ottawa Police say they have laid 150 charges against 17 people relating to drug trafficking and violent crime. According to police chief Chief Eric Stubbs, the charges against leaders of crime networks in Ottawa and Toronto are varied, and include attempted murder, drug trafficking, possession of weapons and assaulting police. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENT GUIDE

European Union Film Festival | Ottawa Art Gallery | Now until Nov. 30 | Movies from all across the European Union | Tickets $15

Salon Des Bananes Art Gallery Opening | 2207 Carling Ave | November 16 - 17, 2024 | The Salon Des Bananes is opening its doors to the public for the first time at their debut event "Peeking In". Part of the Loen.Design Studio with the funky sign. Space is limited; timeslot reservations are recommended | Learn more at Salon Des Bananes [Sponsored]

Champions of Magic | 1 Elgin Street | Nov. 15-16 | Explosive magical show featuring mind-bending illusions. And it’s funny! | Tickets $65

L’Outaouais au Menu | Various locations | Until Nov. 16 | The region is a favourite of our food editor. Many restaurants are participating with special prix fixe menus | List of restaurants

Crave Ottawa | Rogers Centre Ottawa | Nov. 16, 2 pm-10 pm | Ottawa’s premier food and wine festival | Tickets $43

Practically Petty: A Tribute to Tom Petty | Rideau Carleton Casino | Nov. 16, 8 pm | Not Tom Petty but close enough, a must-see for any Tom Petty fans | Tickets $25

A Golden Gala: Dance Party Fundraiser for Restoring Hope | 389 Richmond Road | Nov. 16, 7 pm-12 am | A local gala to help raise money for local youth charity that helps at-risk youth | Tickets $23

Barrhaven Winter Craft Market | Walter Baker Sports Centre | Nov. 16, 8 am-2 pm | Free parking and entry, the annual craft market is back from local artisans | Free

The Sandy Hill One & Only Arts & Crafts Fair | Sandy Hill Community Centre | Nov. 16, 10 am-3 pm | Come by and purchase gifts for the family | Free

Peeking In - Art Exhibition at Salon Des Bananes | Nov. 17, 11 am-5 pm | An exciting new art exhibition place, both experimental and experiential | Free

Hassan Phills Live in Ottawa | Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe | Nov. 17, 6 pm | Unique standup comedy show from a Canadian comedian from Toronto | Tickets $44

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - In Concert | TD Place | Nov. 23, 7 pm | See the movie but with a live orchestral accompaniment | Tickets $114

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The city is always looking for ways to get more residents involved. Here’s a list of all the projects they’re looking for public feedback.

• Sharpfle Waffle now has dinner. And yes, it’s incredible. 

• Taylor Swift fans from Ottawa are making their way to Toronto for the big shows. [CTV]

• Did you know Ottawa Public Library has a ton of resources on financial literacy?

• A small animal rescue in West Carlton has a number of cats up for adoption and is waiving the adoption fee.  [Reddit]

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

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Someone managed to capture this magical photo of a bird in Mer Bleue. Too cute!

OTTAWA WORDLE

Congrats to everyone who correctly guesed the answer to Wednesday’s Ottawa Guesser, which was Cartier and Gimour.

Think you can guess today’s Wordle? Play it here.