Black History Month
Across the country, Canadians will dedicate February to recognizing and learning about the contributions of African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Canadians to the rich history and culture of our nation and communities.
This year also marks the 28th official Black History Month in Canada. This year’s national theme is “Ours to Tell,” which asks Canadians to remember the legacies of so many remarkable individuals and ACB-led organizations and encourages ACB Canadians to continue telling their stories with each new experience.
Happy 2023 and welcome to the first Capital Ward Bulletin of the new year! After a bit of a lull over the holidays, things are starting to heat up at City Hall. Here’s some news and happenings that you might be interested in.
The new term of council kicked off last week, and I’m excited to get to work with my new and returning colleagues!
Next week, the new term of council starts, and I am honoured to be returning to City Hall as your representative. There will be a lot of important work to do, and, together, I am certain we can improve quality of life in Capital Ward and make our city a healthier, more sustainable place for people.
Thank you to everyone who has put their faith in our team.
We’re Hiring!
We’re looking for a Councillor’s Assistant to handle office and administrative duties. Part-time to start, likely moving to full-time in the future. Check it out: www.shawnmenard.ca/careers.
It’s an election year in Ottawa, so this will be the last Capital Ward Bulletin before election day on October 24. This is in respect to the blackout period that is put in affect according to the City of Ottawa's Election Related Resources Policy. Members of Council who are seeking re-election may not publish electronic newsletters during this period.
For city-related news and information during the blackout period, you can visit the city's website.
For contact information for all candidates currently registered for the 2022 Municipal Elections, please visit the city’s election website.
For Immediate Release
On Monday, Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard joined councillor Mathieu Fleury, le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) representatives on a tour of the Deschâtelets Building in Capital Ward. This heritage building is being refurbished to house a new elementary school, a community centre, new daycare spaces and affordable housing. Through an innovative partnership between le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, Ottawa Community Housing and the City of Ottawa, we are working towards the Deschâtelets Building becoming an intergenerational hub to serve the growing community of Old Ottawa East.
Brewer Park and Arena
Recently there was an erroneous news report regarding Brewer Arena. Brewer Arena had been converted to a COVID-19 testing site at the outset of the pandemic. Presently, Brewer Arena is returning to its regular usage. The city has re-started the rink, and we expect ice use to resume this month. Public Pool use returned earlier this year.
The testing centre and testing kit distribution is continuing at a trailer in the Brewer Academy parking. This should not have an impact on the arena or the pool, and we look forward to having the arena back in full operation imminently.
This summer and fall, residents can expect a lot of new projects taking shape in our ward. This is a result of collaboration amongst residents, community associations, city staff and our office. Thank you for all you have done to deliver on these accomplishments.
Council Approves Next Steps on Lansdowne 2.0
Last week, city council approved the business and financial plan, and $332.6M in debt authority regarding the re-development of Lansdowne Park. This comes less than ten years after the last multi-million-dollar re-development of Lansdowne was completed. Unfortunately, it was approved without public consultation, despite explicit direction from council in July 2021.
Lansdowne Update
The entire project will cost $332.6M, and the city would take on significant new debt and interest payments.
Our office has a number of questions about this plan—which we go over on our website—but our biggest concern is the lack of public consultation.
Upcoming Consultations
In the coming weeks, our office will be hosting a number of public consultations. Please consider this an invitation to participate in any that interest you:
Clover Street Contraflow Lane, Wednesday April 20: We will be holding an online consultation on a proposed contraflow bicycle lane on Clover Street.
Town Hall on Developer Influence, Thursday April 28: Join us for a virtual town hall on developer influence in Ottawa, moderated by Laine Johnson, and featuring Somerset Ward Councillor Catherine McKenney and Horizon Ottawa member Chris Lee.
Bronson Avenue Re-Design Consultation, Wednesday May 4: We will be discussing how residents would like to see Bronson Avenue re-designed, when it comes up for re-construciton in a few years.
Older Adult Forum, Thursday May 19: As the community ages, we need to ensure that our city is built for older residents. Join us to talk about how the city can meet the needs of older adults.
A list of all upcoming consultations can be found on our Events page.
The Ministry of Transportation has offered us an update on the upcoming work taking place in 2022 as part of the Midtown Bridge Replacement project that started last year. Below is an overview of the expected construction work, highway lane and ramp closures, and city street impacts. You may find more information on the project website at http://417midtown.ca.
Thank You to Our Outdoor Rink Volunteers!
It’s been a challenging winter, but through all the stress of the pandemic and the occupation, it has been great to have access to outdoor activity spaces, especially our local outdoor rinks. I want to say a big Thank You! to all the volunteers who spend hours maintaining these rinks for us. You make winter much more fun.
I’d like to make special mention of the Brewer Oval, maintained by volunteer Mike Rivet. Two of our recent Olympians—Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin—trained on that oval. Congrats to all!
Ongoing Disruption Downtown
Throughout the pandemic, we have been having robust debates about public health measures and COVID-related restrictions. These discussions have occurred among individuals and with every level of government, trying to strike a balance to keep communities safe. I have openly pushed back against some proposed restrictions including the closure of park space, playgrounds and the need for repurposing outdoor space among many other issues. These discussions can and should continue—we must discuss what is effective, as well as the impact on civil liberties, livelihoods, and overall health.
But the demonstration we are seeing downtown is not that. It is not a peaceful protest. It is a campaign that purports to focus the federal government but which consists of targeted harassment, debilitating noise and violence towards the people of Ottawa. It should not be accepted.
I am disappointed in the lack of leadership from the senior levels of our city. In the absence of any clear plan communicated to residents, here is what I believe needs to occur:
I cannot, in good conscience, support the proposed design for the four-storey parking garage at Queen Juliana Park. The proposal would take valued and well-loved green space from our central area and leave our city with an overbearing parking structure which has not been designed with accessibility, transportation or environmental needs of Ottawa and our residents.
It was three-and-a-half years ago, in June 2018, that city council agreed that a hold provision on The Ottawa Hospital’s (TOH) Master Site Plan would not be lifted until four key items had been met:
- Integration of the Trillium Line into the new hospital
- Full accessibility for all modes of mobility
- On-site parking, including underground parking
- Implementation of an off-site parking strategy
Despite none of these conditions being met, the hold provision was lifted last fall. As a result, we are presented with a four-storey parking garage where we should see underground parking, and where accessibility issues to and through the site are not being rectified.
Originally published: November 18, 2021
Updated: January 21, 2022
The blasting at the construction site at 275 Carling Avenue has been significantly disruptive for residents in the Glebe Annex, Dow’s Lake and the Glebe since the fall. The purpose of the blasting to remove bedrock from the site to excavate a underground parking garage and structure supports for the tower. The contractor has just started blasting for the garage level P4 and there’s another level (P5) that needs to be blasted. We have been told that the blasting should be completed by the end of March, if everything goes according to plan.
We have been working with city staff and with the developer, Katasa, to address the concerns of residents, and Shawn visited the construction site to experience the blasting procedure firsthand. The developer has a third-party consultant, Explotech, who monitors all blasts and ensures that they remain within all guidelines.
We have also been reviewing the blasting data to ensure that the intensity of the blasts fall within the applicable regulations. Aside from some blasts in October, all blasting at the site have been within the regulations.
Latest COVID Updates
With the surge of Omicron cases and the return to in-person schooling, we know that a lot of residents are worried about their physical and mental health during the pandemic. Here’s what everyone can continue to do to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools and child care is:
- get vaccinated; and
- stay home when sick.
Ottawa Public Health and partners continue to focus on increasing vaccination rates among students, children and school staff. There are many available vaccine appointments for people who have not yet been able to receive their vaccine. Please book your child’s first or second dose as soon as they are eligible. And for parents, if you haven’t done so already, it’s not too late to book your vaccine appointments as well. OPH will be returning to offer school-based immunization clinics for people of all ages facing more barriers to vaccination and people will be notified of these opportunities in their neighbourhoods.
Back in the spring, development of a Vacant Unit Tax was given the green light. Recent studies have estimated that there are many residential units in Ottawa sitting vacant; meanwhile there are thousands of Ottawans who are either unhoused, underhoused, or otherwise precariously housed. We have people without houses and houses without people. A 1% vacancy tax is one way to help put two and two together. Rents and land values continue to go up in Ottawa, and that is in part driven by speculative pressures on the real estate market. A Vacant Unit Tax is one significant step in the right direction: it can disincentivize speculative behaviour while at the same time generating some revenue for the city that can be used to fund affordable non-market housing options.
Holiday Office Hours
Our office will close from Friday, December 24 to Monday January 3, with minimal email monitoring during that time. If you require assistance, please contact Service Ottawa by phoning 311 or emailing [email protected].
Otherwise, we will be back to take care of all your municipal questions in 2022.
New Official Plan Approved
I’m sure most of you have heard about the new Official Plan that staff and city council have been working on. The Official Plan is the primary planning document for the city. It sets the course for how the city will grow in the coming years. We want the city to significantly shift to be more livable with walkable human scale neighborhoods, protecting our tree canopy, improving our air quality, building truly affordable housing, and enhancing our public infrastructure like open green spaces and parks.
As with all plans, it’s the details that matter. We’ve been listening to the community and working with staff to try and address some concerns that we’ve had with the plan.
We brought over ten motions and directions to Committee and Council on the Official Plan. We passed a motion to increase the affordable housing target to 20% of all new residential units. The goal was 10-15% in the draft OP, this will be important when an inclusionary zoning policy is developed. We also ensured that measures for anti-displacement to protect affordable rental housing will be on the city’s workplan for 2022.
Ward Investments in 2022
Infrastructure
- $1 million to design the Bank Street Canal bridge over the Rideau Canal
- $19 million for integrated road, sewer and water work on Bank Street between Riverside Drive and Ledbury Avenue
- $1.3 million for integrated road, sewer and water work on Ella Street between Gordon and Craig streets, and on Ralph Street between Fifth and Holmwood avenues
- $30 million for integrated road, sewer and water work on Main Street, Greenfield Avenue, Echo Drive and Concord Street
- $2.3 million to build integrated road, sewer and water work on Riverside Drive between Industrial Avenue and the Transitway
- $1 million to design integrated road, sewer and water work on Bronson Avenue from Arlington Avenue to the Rideau Canal
- $500,000 to rehabilitate the Confederation Heights Bridge north of Walkley Road
- $20,000 to replace streetlight poles on Dow's Lake Road and Kippewa Drive
- $1.1 million to renew roads, including:
- $380,000 on Frobisher Lane
- $320,000 on Lees Avenue from Chestnut Street to west of the transitway overpass
- $380,000 on Lycée Place
There are a lot of big issues at City Hall, and it can often seem daunting. Change comes slowly, but it can come. For the past couple of years, we’d been working with city staff and the owners of the vacant West Coast Video building to try to get it torn down so that it can be re-developed. It was a lot of work to get that done, but, in the end, it is a great result for the city.
I share this, because I know how much work residents and community associations put in to making our ward and our city better, and it can be hard to see that work pay off. But we know that it can pay off, and we’ll keep working with you and supporting our communities to keep improving our city.
We’re halfway through September now, and the activity at City Hall is back in full swing...virtually. We have a lot of important meetings coming up, public consultations on developments in Dow’s Lake and Old Ottawa East, and other community updates.
Civic Hospital Update
Earlier this summer, our office released our concerns about the proposed development of the new Civic Hospital Campus. Years ago, the location in the Experimental Farm next to Dow’s Lake was chosen as the site of the campus, even though Tunney’s Pasture was identified as the optimal location.
We have three primary concerns about the current development plan for the Civic Hospital:
- The paving of cherished and declining greenspace in the core, the destruction of more than 500 trees, and the lack of a plan to provide enough replacement for that lost tree canopy;
- The building of a four-storey parking garage on Queen Juliana Park, when all parking should be underground, as originally promised by the Hospital;
- The lack of a robust, forward-looking transportation plan. The current plan may lead to serious traffic congestion and parking issues in the neighbouring communities.
The city should not rubber stamp this development at this location until the Hospital provides a modern, thoughtful design proposal that eschews last-century thinking.
In response to the recent problems plaguing Ottawa’s two-year-old LRT system, and the Transit Commission Chair’s refusal to hold a Transit Commission meeting on this important matter that daily affects the lives of residents, Councillors Shawn Menard (Capital Ward) and Catherine McKenney (Somerset Ward) will be hosting a public rally this Wednesday at 11:00 am in front of City Hall.
Councillors Menard and McKenney will be joined by other councillors and transit commissioners calling on transparency from OC Transpo and City Hall on the unrelenting issues experienced on our light rail system.
You are invited to come and join us in our demand for transparency and accountability. Questions about the reliability, safety and operation of LRT must be answered in an open, public forum.
When: Wednesday August 25, 11:00 am
Where: City Hall (Marion Dewar Plaza), 110 Laurier Avenue West
Summer is coming and the 2020-2021 school year is coming to a close. I know it has been a tough year for all students, whether you’re in elementary school, high school or at a post-secondary institution. I want to commend you all on your work this year, and I especially want to congratulate all graduates. Great work, Class of 2021, your voices seeking change are needed now more than ever!
Patterson Creek Update
The National Capital Commission is beginning work on renovations to Patterson Creek Park near the pavilion. The work will include new flooring, upgraded washrooms, automatic push-button doors in the pavilion, and landscaping work around the pavilion to create a patio/terrace seating area to be used when the bistro will be in operation.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the NCC’s client services at 613-239-5000 or [email protected].
Councillors Jeff Leiper, Catherine McKenney and Shawn Menard have some good news: Carling Avenue will soon have seasonal bicycle lanes extending from Sherwood Avenue to Cambridge Street South. Traffic cones will be set up along this stretch to separate bicyclists from cars, trucks and buses. These lanes will also provide an extra buffer for pedestrians, who will no longer be forced to walk right beside speeding traffic.
Alta Vista—Capital—Somerset Bicycling Network Online Consultation
Join councillors Jean Cloutier (Alta Vista Ward), Shawn Menard (Capital Ward) and Catherine McKenney (Somerset Ward) for a discussion of how we can improve bicycling infrastructure for the residents of Ottawa.
The meeting will be led by city transportation staff as part of their work updating the city’s Active Transportation Plan.
We want to make bicycling safer and easier for all residents, so tell us what routes need infrastructure, what missing links need to be fixed and what sort of facilities will help you get to your destinations safely and comfortably.
Monday May 31, 2021
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
The online meeting will be held using Zoom.
Please RSVP here: https://www.shawnmenard.ca/bicycling_network_consultation
La version française suit.
Made-in-Ottawa COVID-19 Measures
Last week, I called for a “Made-in-Ottawa” approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. This came after a ham-fisted announcement by the provincial government that would both shut down playgrounds and also give police officers unchecked power to stop, question and detain people for simply going outside.
These two measures proposed by the province would do nothing to stop the pandemic, but they would inflict harm on residents.
La version française suit.
The pandemic has meant that almost all media and political attention has been focussed on COVID-19. When the pandemic has been declared ‘over’ there will be another large test the world over: our ability to mitigate and adapt to the greatest threat facing us, irreversible climate crisis. Back in April of 2019, many of you rallied (in person!) at City Hall to demand the city take bold and decisive action on climate change. With your help, our office pushed city council to unanimously declare a Climate Change Emergency in Ottawa.
La version française suit.
As we head into spring, there’s more and more activity at City Hall, as we roll out Temporary Traffic Calming measures, fix up our parks and greenspace and work on road renewal. There’s a lot going on, and we’ve included updates about COVID-19 measures and vaccination programs at the end of the bulletin.
La version française suit.
Ontario Implements Provincewide Emergency Brake
The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is imposing a provincewide emergency brake as a result of increasing cases of people contracting Covid-19 and hospitalizations across the province. The provincewide emergency brake will be effective Saturday, April 3, 2021, at 12:01 am. and the government intends to keep this in place for at least four weeks.
The provincewide emergency brake would put in place time-limited public health and workplace safety measures to help to stop the rapid transmission of COVID-19 variants in communities, protect hospital capacity and save lives. Measures include, but are not limited to:
The Fight for Paid Sick Days at City Hall
By Shawn Menard
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021
Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash
La version française suit.
One Difficult Year—Hope is on the Horizon
It has been over a year since COVID-19 really hit Ottawa and the subsequent measures that were implemented. It has been a very difficult time. We have been hearing first-hand about the hardships experienced by people who have lost loved ones, about the mental health challenges, isolation, and the strain on kids, parents, teachers and front-line workers.
Our approach during this time has been to share information with residents and work as a member of the Board of Health to bring about long-term changes such as advocating for permanent paid sick leave and short-term changes improving outdoor spaces for exercise. This has also meant assisting people in navigating the challenges in Capital Ward (such as changes to recreation and facilities, assisting store fronts, public access to the Brewer COVID-19 Assessment Centre while minimizing issues for immediate neighbours to the greatest extent possible).
Recently, the city has moved back into the Red Zone. You can see what that means here.
This has been tough on everyone, but we are going to get through this together. We are almost there. We are going to turn this corner and ensure that lessons are learned.
The Federal-Municipal Gas Tax Fund
Why it’s so important, and how it could help save the day
By Shawn Menard
Wednesday, March 17th, 2021
Photo by Damien DUFOUR Photographie on Unsplash
Today city staff gave an update on their vaccine rollout. Highlights included some changes in priority, estimated timeline for vaccination, and locations of several community clinics. Below you can find all of the important information included in the update.
La version française suit.
A Shameful City Council Meeting
The February 10 council meeting was a shameful affair. A week earlier at the joint meeting of the Planning Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, members approved new lands that would be earmarked for sprawl in Ottawa. The expansion of the urban boundary was never a wise financial, environmental, or developmental choice to begin with, but now, some members wanted to add 445 hectares of land (Tewin lands) that was deemed ill-suited for urban expansion by city staff.
Ottawa—Today, the office of Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard released a report on the winter maintenance of Ottawa’s active transportation network—sidewalks, Multi-Use Paths (MUPs), bicycle lanes and pathways.
The report, titled Staying Active in the Snow: Active Transportation Winter Maintenance Survey, is based on the findings of a survey conducted by the councillor’s office in November 2020. More than 500 residents participated in the survey, and the results revealed a level of dissatisfaction with the way sidewalks, paths and bicycle infrastructure are maintained in the winter.
La version française suit
It’s February, and that means snow-clearing, skating on the canal, and committee and council meetings ramping up (virtually) at City Hall. It’s also Black History Month, and the city has a few events for Black History Month that could interest you.
La version française suit
La version française suit
A big "Happy New Year!" to everyone. I know 2020 was a difficult time, and I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2021. There continues to be a very substantial council agenda, with the city consulting on multiple initiatives during the pandemic, as you will see below.
City staff released a memo today outlining COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans in Ottawa.
Three phases of vaccine distribution were outlined in the memo:
The memo also specifies four clinics for COVID-19 vaccination, beyond the Ottawa Hospital (Civic campus), that are set to begin operations as early as this month, including one at Lansdowne Park in Capital Ward:
the City and OPH will be prepared to launch its four community clinics as soon as mid-January for the population groups targeted in Phase 1. These clinics have been identified as a contingency measure should more vaccine become available (or arrives sooner) than expected. The four clinic sites are identified as follows:
1. Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way
2. Eva James Memorial Centre, 65 Stonehaven Drive
3. Orléans Client Service Centre, 255 Centrum Boulevard
4. Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
La version française suit
Update from the City Council Meeting of December 9
The last meeting of council was certainly a mix of positives and great disappointment.
Starting with some of the positives (because don’t we all want good news these days?):
Our office ushered through two successful initiatives- one regarding financing mechanisms for Energy Evolution looking to fund projects which save the city money while reducing emissions and the other to look at city of Ottawa divestment from fossil fuels. We are very pleased to have received unanimous council endorsement on these initiatives. We also received unanimous support for a much-anticipated agreement between the City and the French Catholic School Board (CECCE) for a community center in the historic Deschâtelets building (more on that to follow in the newsletter).
Councillors Leiper, McKenney, King, Fleury, and Menard
November 26, 2020
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The 2021 Draft Municipal budget
- Summary of Panel Discussion
- Summary of Breakout Room Discussions
- Summary of Questions from the Chat Log
- Conclusion
Introduction
On October 27, Councillors Leiper, McKenney, King, Fleury, and Menard hosted their sixth annual BudgetSpeak meeting. This annual meeting offers residents of the urban wards an important opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions about the draft municipal budget for the upcoming year. The focus of BudgetSpeak 2021 was housing.
Over 200 residents gathered virtually to listen to Isabelle Jasmine, Deputy Treasurer for the City of Ottawa, and Shelley Van Buskirk, Director of Housing Services, give a short presentation about the draft municipal budget for 2021, followed by a panel discussion featuring experts in the affordable housing sector. After these presentations, during which meeting participants were encouraged to share additional ideas and questions in the meeting’s chatroom, participants were randomly sorted into smaller groups to have a facilitated conversation with each other, guided by councillors and/or staff, where they shared additional questions, concerns, and suggestions for prioritizing affordable housing in 2021 and beyond.
This report will provide a brief overview of what meeting participants learned during the presentation and panel before diving into the feedback we received during the meeting. This feedback will help guide the councillors’ votes on the 2021 draft budget, and we hope this report will provide some useful information for residents who want to learn more about how they can support the development of better housing supports and strategies in Ottawa.
10 Ways the City of Ottawa Budget Needs to Change
In the coming weeks, city committees and city council will approve a budget for 2021.
We need to shift our thinking on the budget from tax cuts vs. spending cuts. Instead, we need to think about re-allocating spending so it is more efficient and more effective.
Recently, I wrote an op-ed for the Citizen talking about how the city needs to re-align budget priorities.
Comparison of City of Ottawa Returns vs. OSEG Returns Under the Waterfall
Under the Lansdowne agreement, the original waterfall was expected to deliver further gains for the city and OSEG. Under the proposal in front of Council, here is who benefits:
|
|
Investments in Lansdowne |
Estimated New Contributions |
Estimated return at end of 30-year agreement to 2044 |
Estimated return at the end of the 10-year extension (40 Years) |
|
OSEG |
$152 Million* |
$40 Million* |
$216.5 Million |
$468.4 Million |
|
City of Ottawa |
$210 Million |
TBD |
$0 |
$0 |
*OSEG’s contributions have mostly come from annual operational losses, which are returned to the waterfall as equity which earns interest.
What does the 10-year extension mean for the city and taxpayers?
- With the 10-year extension under the current arrangement, the city will be giving up market rents for the stadium, arena and retail for an additional 10 years until 2054, and continuing to rent those spaces for $1/year.
- The city will also be foregoing any competitive process, or alternative arrangement to ensure value for Ottawa residents.
What does remove the ‘participation rent, and maintaining base rents at current levels’, during the TERM of the retail lease do?
- This is a concerning clause for Ottawa. This clause would mean that Ottawa would not collect the base rent nor its net profits from the retail operations until the year 2066.
- Mr. Greenberg has also publicly confirmed that OSEG is looking to sell the retail portion of the site.
Benefits to Ottawa?
The city has said that Ottawa will benefit from not having to pay operational deficits. However, the city is predicting profits far above and beyond the operational costs as per the waterfall above. OSEG has also stated profitability will return within a few years.
City Assumptions in ‘Default Scenario’
In the default scenario envisioned by the city, the assumption is that no teams would be operating at the site and that the primary source of revenue will be events and concerts, which are expected to be reduced for the next several years. They assume that the retail subleases would be taken over by the city along with the cost to operate these retail building/facilities and the principal and interest repayment of the retail loan and the loan for the arena (which the city pays regardless) are also included in the net budget pressure.
The city’s default scenario seems very pessimistic over the course of the next 22 years and does not take into account any alternative partner, competitive RFP process, sports team operations, or innovation in operating the site.
Analysis
The main goal here is to 1) Have a cohesive, complete and realistic plan for how the City and OSEG are going to address the systemic problems of the project 2) Tie any long-term financial changes directly to the achievement of the 1st goal.
The site has struggled on many levels (retail, non-game day activity) and COVID-19 has exacerbated this. OSEG has requested assistance, however, there is no plan for how they will turn the site around.
OSEG is asking for the financial terms to change upfront with no guarantee that the operational situation will improve or an outline of what will be done to improve the operations. In any other professional setting this would require a full business plan showing how they are going to fix the current issues before any new long-term investment is made. The City is considering providing a financial restructuring without asking for a turnaround plan and without full information on covid-19.
The most prudent course of action for the city would be to allow for short term relief, while allowing the working group and sponsors group to consider the implications of the long-term changes being proposed. This should require a complete business plan, community discussion, and be accompanied with a new detailed plan to improve operations at Lansdowne.
In the short term the city should:
- Approve the one-time access to the current capital reserve (lifecycle funds) for immediate relief
- Approve the working group and sponsors group with minor modifications to include local communities and the Ottawa Farmers Market
- Move the extension of the waterfall and the city’s foregoing of market rents and retail profits to the proposed working group and sponsors group for consideration, subject to the development of a business plan, full information on OSEG selling off commercial operations, and proper public consultation.
- Extend the guarantee of the 67’s and Redblacks staying in Ottawa
For Information - City of Ottawa Top Project Debts:
- Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project- current debt is $1.676 billion.
- Stage 1 Light Rail Transit Project- current debt is $426 million.
- Lansdowne Stadium and Parking- current debt is $127.6 million.
- Central Library- current debt is $92.5 million.
- Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel – current debt is $75.7 million.
It’s budget season at city hall. COVID-19 has meant some revenues have declined, but the needs of residents haven’t.
We often hear arguments this time of year at city hall to “keep taxes low” all while making sweeping changes that do the exact opposite.
Read my list of ten ways the city of Ottawa's budget needs to change in the Ottawa Citizen here.
For Immediate Release
Over 200 residents joined an online Zoom public meeting hosted by the office of Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard to discuss changes to the Lansdowne Park deal proposed by city staff.
The staff proposal, framed as a response to the pressures brought on by COVID-19, seeks to change key aspects of the Lansdowne Park Agreement, including extending the term of the deal by ten years to 2054.
Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard expressed concern about the deal after it was released at the last minute without any input from the public or city councillors, worrying that the deal is a “a short-sighted stop-gap measure created out of panic”.
Today, the councillor’s office released a backgrounder on the Lansdowne deal today on the councillor’s website, the document notes:
There are significant problems with the city report that requires more reflection.
It is very unlikely that OSEG would choose to default, and they have not indicated this. Any decision by OSEG to walk away from its obligations at Lansdowne would represent a default under the Material Agreements that would result in OSEG losing the equity (>$150 million) that it has invested in the project. That is, and will continue to be, the major deterrent to OSEG withdrawing from Lansdowne.
At tonight’s meeting, residents expressed concerns about the deal, pointing to the lack of financial details and questioning what benefit it would actually bring to the city.
“This is the only time the community will be able to come out and discuss this important issue before the FEDCO meeting. That’s not good governance; that’s not respect for our constituents; that’s just not right,” argues Councillor Menard.
City management declined to attend the public meeting. The city has not held any public consultations on the issue.
“We had over 200 engaged citizens make time and come out on short notice,” he continued, “and city management wouldn’t even come out and participate in the discussion or listen to residents’ concerns. This is no way to run a city.”
OSEG CEO Mark Goudie joined the beginning of the meeting to speak to OSEG’s position, explaining that the pandemic has affected the retail and commercial businesses at Lansdowne, as well as forcing the cancellation of the corporation’s large events, including the 2020 CFL season.
June Creelman, a Glebe resident and member of the Community Association, was also invited to speak at the event. Creelman has been involved in the Lansdowne issue from the community side and expressed concerns about the lack of transparency or consultation from the city and OSEG, noting that “it’s hard to have a public space where you don’t involve the public.”
The staff report will be considered by the city’s Finance and Economic Development on Thursday. If it is accepted, it will go to city council on November 25 for final approval, without any further public consultation events.
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Lansdowne Summary
Lansdowne Park is a 40-acre parcel of city-owned land that has been part of Ottawa’s history for 150 years. Centrally located with unique heritage features, green space, local sports, and city facilities.
The Lansdowne Partnership Plan (LPP)
On October 12, 2012, the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (the “Partners”) entered a 30-year limited partnership agreement for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park.
The City of Ottawa
- Funded the renovation of the stadium and the development of the Urban Park
- Is responsible for the programming and management of the Urban Park which includes the Aberdeen Pavilion, Horticulture Building, Aberdeen Square, the Great Lawn, skating court, children’s play structure and community garden.
- Manages a long-term contract with the Ottawa Farmers Market
- Leases the Stadium/arena and retail land to OSEG for $1/year
- Retains ownership of all 40 acres of land
OSEG
- Manages the sports teams on the site (with the city as a 50% silent partner for the 67’s and RedBlacks). The Project Agreement requires that the CFL team be operated for at least 8 years “unless the CFL ceases to operate during such period”. The team has been operated through 6 years being 2014 through 2019. The CFL did not operate in 2020, so two years of operation remain in this obligation.
- Is responsible for the operation and programming of the stadium, arena and parking
- Built and manages a mixed-use development that includes an office building and a large retail complex with restaurants, stores and a cinema (took out a loan for this).
The Subsidiary Businesses
- Ottawa 67s Limited Partnership (“Ottawa 67s”)
- Ottawa REDBLACKS Limited Partnership (“Ottawa REDBLACKS”)
- Lansdowne Stadium Limited Partnership (“Lansdowne Stadium”)
- Lansdowne Retail Limited Partnership (“Lansdowne Retail”)
The funding that goes into the partnership does not include:
- The sale of condo’s and associated fees on the site (air rights sold to Minto by the city)
- The other sports franchises
- Annual fees received from loan guarantees to the partnership
A complicated ‘Waterfall’ structure was set up to provide returns to the City and OSEG.
- The city is currently projected to receive $0 from this waterfall. The city funded $210 million of improvements to the stadium, arena, parking garage, horticulture building relocation and retrofit, urban park, and soft costs. The city took on debt and maintains a loan (Stadium and Parking Garage is $127.6M and $26.4M for the Urban Park), which it pays annual interest on. The only deemed equity considered in the waterfall for the city was $23.75 million for the ‘market value of the retail lands’.
- OSEG is now projected to receive $286 million from this waterfall and is deemed to have contributed $152 million. The city is estimating this contribution may increase by $40 million. It is important to note that most of OSEG’s contribution ($97 million) came from annual ‘operational losses’ incurred, which are rolled back into the waterfall for OSEG with an 8% annual return. In the last two fiscal years, operational losses only occurred because of the depreciation of assets in the accounting.
Financial Deal
- The term of the Stadium / Arena Lease is approximately thirty years ending on December 31, 2044 (the waterfall expiry). The City may offer to extend the term on or before the twenty-fifth anniversary of the commencement of the Stadium Lease, taking up to a year to negotiate terms.
- The lease provided by the city to OSEG for the stadium and arena is $1 per year.
- The city also leased 11 acres of prime downtown land to OSEG for the retail at $1 per year.
- At the end of the 30 year agreement, the city is supposed to receive base land rent for the retail, as well as 50% of the net retail cashflow (revenues less expenses to operate).
- OSEG is responsible for all operating deficits of the LPP, however, this is considered ‘equity’ and put back into the waterfall at a return of 8% per year.
- In the last two fiscal years there were positive financial returns but the losses were attributed almost entirely to the write down or depreciation of the assets.
- OSEG has a mortgage of $106 million at 3.9% for the Retail Space. It was secured by a $40 million guarantee from companies affiliated with the OSEG Partners who were entitled to receive annual fees equal to about 2% of the guarantee ($600,000). The loan is up for renewal in October of 2022.
- In addition, a related company received “… $300,000 in financing fees in consideration of services rendered in relation to closing of the mortgage”.
- No annual audited financial information is available for each of the 4 limited partnerships – only a consolidated report.
- The city covers all costs of the Urban Park including the heritage buildings.
City Managers Report
Recently, the City Manager’s office released a report on Covid-19 effects at Lansdowne and made several significant recommendations. There was no prior consultation with taxpayers, communities, the local city councillor or the businesses and organizations that occupy Lansdowne.
The report recommends the following:
- Extend the partnership by ten years from 2044 to 2054
- Remove the participation rent and maintain base rents at current levels in the event of a permitted transfer of the Retail Component during the term of the Retail Lease
- Remove the city’s provision to terminate the Retail Lease without cause
- Provide OSEG one-time access to the current capital reserve lifecycle funds (~$4.7M)
- Approve the establishment of a Lansdowne Park Partnership Working Group consisting of city staff and OSEG representatives to explore the options to improve the Lansdowne Park Partnership, and a Council Sponsor’s Group
There are two major risks the city outlines:
1) That OSEG could default and leave
2) That the amount of money required to operate the stadium/arena/retail would be a burden on the city (estimated between $4.5 million and $12.5 million annually).
Analysis
There are significant problems with the city report that requires more reflection.
It is very unlikely that OSEG would choose to default, and they have not indicated this. Any decision by OSEG to walk away from its obligations at Lansdowne would represent a default under the Material Agreements that would result in OSEG losing the equity (>$150 mil.) that it has invested in the project. That is, and will continue to be, the major deterrent to OSEG withdrawing from Lansdowne.
The city has not done the analysis of what it would look like to have a not-for-profit entity operate the site in partnership with the city, including sports teams under a similar arrangement prior to OSEG being granted partnership status under the LPP. It is very likely that a favourable arrangement could be struck that better benefits the city than the current deal.
The deal struck with OSEG has $1 leases for all the spaces it operates, 8% return on equity, while the city is expected to receive nothing back for the investment it made. OSEG also writes down or depreciates the assets, which has led to operational losses which get folded back into the waterfall at an 8% return.
Under the scenario crafted by the city manager:
- The city would be foregoing market base rents of the retail, as well as 50% profit sharing of the net retail cashflow, even under a situation where OSEG transfers control over the retail space to another entity. It makes very little sense for the city to give this up.
- The city has cited the $106 million retail loan as a risk, but this loan is secured by OSEG.
- The ten-year extension is cited as a positive for the city because it can avoid the operational costs of the stadium and arena, but no calculation is completed for the rent the stadium and arena could generate for the city instead of the $1 per year we currently lease it for. It also doesn’t account for the potential profits that could be derived under a new arrangement. It assumes a steady state based on OSEG operations.
- The city is openly talking about more housing, and more opportunities at Lansdowne. Why would these opportunities be relegated to the private sector partner as was done with the sale of air rights to Minto for the homes built on Lansdowne? This is public land and the residents of Ottawa should be the beneficiaries.
This deal needs more time to analyze. No 10-year extension or retail changes should be granted until there is robust analysis and public discussion.
This week, city staff released a report about the state of Lansdowne Park and the city’s deal with the Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG). Staff are proposing big changes, and it all amounts to a bailout to OSEG.
We’re worried about this. This proposal was developed without any input from the public or city council. It was developed behind closed doors, and it clearly benefits OSEG, while adding more long-term liabilities to the city.
The report will be considered by the Finance and Economic Development Committee (FEDCO) this coming Thursday. We want this deal changed, and we want them to delay a decision until proper public consultations can be done.
If you’re worried about this, too, please attend our online public consultation on Tuesday. It will be held over Zoom. Please RSVP & register here
You can also help by sending an e-mail to city council letting them know you’re concerned about this rushed proposal by clicking here
If you would like to speak at the FEDCO meeting, please contact Carol Legault at [email protected] requesting to register as a 'public delegation'. Public delegations are given five minutes to make their point to committee.
You can download the staff report here
Stay well,
Shawn
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Experience // Expérience des piétons et des cyclistes
We need to hear from you // Nous avons besoin de vous entendre
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Ottawa’s Maintenance Quality Standards, which govern snow clearance and winter maintenance operations, have not been updated since 2003. Roads in Ottawa have obviously changed drastically since then; furthermore, considerations such as sidewalk accessibility and the maintenance of bike paths were not prioritized when these standards were crafted.
With long awaited upcoming changes to the Maintenance Quality Standards, and the review to inform said changes currently underway, this is your chance to provide input on your experience as a winter pedestrian or cyclist to help inform policy-based changes.
This survey and subsequent report will supplement our first report on snow clearance and winter maintenance released in early 2020 following a Community Information Session on Snow Clearance in 2019.
This survey will close November 15th.
Les normes de qualité de l’entretien d’Ottawa, qui régissent les opérations de déneigement et d’entretien hivernal, n’ont pas été mises à jour depuis 2003. Les routes à Ottawa ont manifestement changé radicalement depuis lors; de plus, des considérations telles que l'accessibilité des trottoirs et l'entretien des pistes cyclables n'ont pas été priorisées lors de l'élaboration de ces normes.
Avec les changements à venir attendus depuis longtemps aux normes de qualité de l'entretien et l'examen pour informer lesdits changements actuellement en cours, c'est votre chance de donner votre avis sur votre expérience en tant que piéton ou cycliste d'hiver pour aider à éclairer les changements fondés sur les politiques.
Cette sondage et le rapport ultérieur complèteront notre premier rapport sur le déneigement et l'entretien hivernal publié au début de 2020 à la suite d'une séance d'information communautaire sur le déneigement en 2019.
Cette sondage se terminera le 15 novembre.
Today is city budget day, when the 2021 budget is presented. We will have full updates on that in the next newsletter. Here are some important updates in the meantime.
Sunnyside Library Opening Update
I know many feel that it is well past due that the local Sunnyside library re-open. At the start of the pandemic, all libraries were closed. It was months before any re-opened. The OPL Board had communicated that due to COVID-19 staffing difficulties, the Sunnyside branch and many others would remain closed. We have met repeatedly with library staff, the CEO, Chair and ad-hoc committee to discuss this issue and pass on concerns from residents.
I’m happy to say that Sunnyside will be the next branch to open in Ottawa. It will return to full-service (within COVID-19 restrictions) in January of 2021. In the interim, we wanted a plan that would allow for some service at the Branch. The Library Board announced last night that starting November 16, the branch will be open for contactless service, six days a week. Thank you all for your advocacy on this; your voices made a huge difference. Library access is so important, but even more so in this moment we are living in.
Justice for Abdirahman
The need for alternatives to police-led emergency responses in Ottawa is clear. The brutal killing of Ottawa resident Abdirahman Abdi is one example of a situation where a non-police led intervention would likely have led to a different outcome.
On Tuesday October 20th, 2020, Ottawa received the verdict—the Ottawa Police Service officer charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in the death of Abdirahman Abdi: Not Guilty on all 3 charges. It is rare to see law enforcement held to account and it is further evidence that we need alternatives to police-led emergency response calls.
The Justice for Abdirahman Coalition will be holding a press conference Tuesday October 20th at 5pm at 55 Hilda and this Thursday to discuss the verdict.
Council Motion for Police Reform
Councillors Menard and McKenney have brought forward a motion to Ottawa City Council that seeks changes to emergency responses in Ottawa. The motion that calls on the Ottawa Police Services Board to undertake a public consultation and report outlining potential alternative models of community safety response. You can read the motion in full here.
Notice has been given for this motion and it will be debated and voted on at the October 28th meeting of city council. Help us show that this motion coming before council has public support by adding your name to the petition.
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New Splash Pad at Kaladar Park
The city is currently working on designs for a new improved splash pad at Kaladar park. Currently, there are three spray posts at the park, but these will be replaced by a new splash pad—which we anticipate will be larger and will be moved to the north side of the existing play structure. There should also be a new seating area installed near the existing rocks. The project should also include an accessible pathway from Traverse Drive, and an accessible bench near the splash pad.
Designs will be completed over the winter and construction will take place in the spring and summer next year.
Heron Road Bike Lanes
Heron Road, from Data Centre Road to Bank Street, is part of the city’s Cross-Town Bikeway #7. It is a four-lane arterial road with a posted speed limit of 60 km/h where the addition of separated cycling facilities will dramatically improve cyclist safety and comfort.
The City has completed the first phase of the Heron Road cycling facilities project, from Clover Street to Data Centre, and the second phase of construction is underway. The first phase added a protected intersection at Clover Street, a new multi-use pathway connection to connect Heron Transitway Station, and a new eastbound cycle track from Data Centre to Clover. Cycle tracks are now being built from Clover to just east of Gilles Street. Substantial completion of this second phase is expected by the end of the year. The final connection to the planned Bank Street cycling facilities will occur as part of Bank Street renewal in a few years’ time. There are long-term plans to extend the separated cycling facilities west along the Heron/Baseline corridor.