Robert Fox
There’s an air of excitement in Ottawa these days. True, the worst of winter still lies ahead but there’s a sense of spring and new possibilities.
Last month’s announcement by Mayor Jim Watson that he would not run for re-election has sparked renewed hope that big changes could be on the horizon at City Hall. The announcement was long anticipated but earlier than expected. Already three candidates for the mayor’s job have come forward and others are gathering in the wings.
It’s shaping up to be an interesting race with the outcome uncertain – ironic given Mayor Watson has worked so hard to avoid surprises during his tenure.
Aware the mayor has only one vote at City Council, Jim Watson has worked diligently over the past 12 years to ensure nothing gets to council that doesn’t already enjoy his support.
Committee memberships are carefully curated, meetings carefully scripted, critics corralled. Layers of bureaucracy vet every item for risk, sidelining or burying those that threaten to break through the fog.
Watson has nurtured a culture of control and constraint that stifles initiative and smothers innovation. Better ideas and fresh perspectives are relentlessly deferred, deflected, discounted and dismissed, as the city keeps doing what the city keeps doing.
Members of council know, if they want something to move forward, they first need to get the mayor on side. And city staff, after a decade of discouragement and micro-management, are clear nothing can move forward without first getting a green light from the mayor’s office.
When citizens have risen to demand urgent action on pressing issues – the housing or climate emergencies are clear examples – Mayor Watson shifts from active to passive resistance, pretending to embrace the initiative while doing everything in his power to delay substantive action.
The budget process has been honed to ensure council has little impact. Allocations among departments are set early and centrally. Council can make minor adjustments within programs but is prevented from shifting resources across departmental lines – ensuring there’s no risk to the status quo. And except for the Ottawa Police Service, all are discouraged from advocating for increased funding for fear of losing the little they get.
But it’s in the planning sphere – and with the LRT – that Mayor Watson, aided and abetted by his loyal band of suburban and rural hangers-on, has benefited most from this combination of corporate cronyism, backroom deals, and going-along-to-get-along.
The influence wielded by developers and privateers at City Hall – and the disastrous consequences for local citizens – is manifest. You need only think of square wheels, Tewin, or the new Civic hospital campus debacle.
We’ve grown accustomed to developers funding 40 or 60 or 99(!) percent of municipal campaign expenses.
But the consequences of a decade and more of dismal drift are readily apparent. The absence of vision and ambition leaves us ill-served by our city and ill-prepared for the future.
In truth, it has been many years since Ottawa had a council that was open, dynamic, creative, and inclusive, where active citizenship was promoted and the interests of all its citizens were respected. That’s ironic given we have such a wealth of bright engaged citizens with expertise and energy on the full range of challenges and opportunities that face us as a city.
I’m excited to begin anew an overdue conversation about the future of our city: where housing is suitable and affordable, transit serves riders, artists flourish, people feel safe and welcome, Indigenous rights are respected, and our planning decisions support our climate goals.
It’s nine months to Election Day. Let’s take full advantage of this opportunity to bring wholesale change to City Hall, electing a council committed to transformative change, rooted in respect for the diversity of our communities and a commitment to justice and sustainability.
2022 holds great promise for Ottawa. Let’s get organizing!
Robert Fox is a long-time activist on social justice issues locally, nationally and internationally.