Thread by @OccTranspo

A big one on the Transit Commission Today

Starting with the former public face of RTG. Then going to a panel what will be a whole lot of FUN 😂

Peter Lauch (Rideau Transit Group) – Morn

Then C. McKenney, A. Hubley, S. Wright-Gilbert, D. Deans – Aft

ottawalrtpublicinquiry.ca/public-hearing…

Peter Lauch was technical director, communicating to the board and the city - then he later became the CEO of RTG and RTM to around July 2020.

You should recognize him from council and pressers.

Back and forth, but a small gem here. Peter here memo'ed that Alstom and their tech support were all over the place. Not holding up to promises.

Counsel notes that a "good day for the train" doesn't means it is a good day for passengers.

And we touch on that the public beat down was stressful and it was effective to put some life into their steps.

Counsel's question now is 'If a rando off the street read this private email. Wouldn't they be confused and lead to believe that there was some bargaining and impropriety here?'

When has anyone with zero context understood a situation properly?

Hahaha Counsel is walking though the bad logic of the "driving test" analogy of yesterday.

Ah, No City of Ottawa Wardle today. I was waiting for his retort about people running over his analogy :P

Panel time. The commissioner forewarns that he knows people are going to get cranky.

First point that is wish washy. Deans: "FEDCO makes recommendations, but ultimately it goes to council for [final approval]"

Counsel: [So its RTG to FedCo to Council]

Leading us to when... FedCo decides council doesn't need to know.

FedCo is notoriously all in camera and exclusive.

First blood goes to Alan, reminding @smwgilbert that she wasn't elected and she doesn't... really... represent the public.

Only elected people, can truly represent others by torpedoing a city though fine leadership.

Deans illudes to a inner circle around Watson that was undermining the democratic process.

If I am hearing this correctly.

Alan notes that after they have the secret meeting, then council gets a similar meeting where they learn everything, so they would all be aware.

Counsel asks if anyone was left out of the loop. Everyone was but Alan.

Not good.

Deans points out the WhatsApp chat that left her cut out. The one Alan was part of.

Counsel points out, what makes you special?

Alan points out he though people knew more. There was so many meetings and so many conversations - that he didn't feel he was in a privileged position.

But acknowledges he was in a privileged position.

Counsel: [Working in the dark made it hard for you to bring accountability?]

Yeeeea... that was the point Hombre 😂

Classic #OttPoli, don't ever improve.

.@smwgilbert cat gets on the commission. I hope the meow makes it to the transcript ❤️

Sarah: [Words]
CAT: MEOOOWW
Sarah: Sorry that was my cat.

Deans basically confirms she does the same thing as Alan. Make a decision whether or not others should know, and if they do, let them know.

But she does it with more virtue.

Alan offers the job of Transit Chair to @cmckenney - rightfully refused.

@cmckenney Now for the line up on counsels. Everyone passing so far.

Might be the quickest close to the day yet.

Union bites.

Deans makes a good point. BoxFish yesterday mentioned that they managed to find a billion in cost savings, but the project still came to 2.1 Billion... so if you do the math, it implies overruns from the start.

Wardel now is trying to paint that Counsel had loads of chances to ask questions.

The part he is leaving out, is that you can't ask questions if your intentionally being left in the dark.

Wardle tries to entrap @smwgilbert in getting her to say the "LRT is not safe". Smartly she dodges saying that she feels RTG isn't capable of maintaining "safe"

@smwgilbert Wardel: "You are pretty public [on the LRT]"
Gilbert: "On most things"

😂

@smwgilbert Wardel finishes with just some softballing/getting points on the transcript without expecting replies.

That is it for the panel. Far more behaved then expected 😂

Back Tomorrow at 9am.

@JustinKellyOTT continues with insurrection coverage coming to town this weekend <3