Thread by @HorizonOttawa

We're happy to be out tabling at the #Kanata Mayoral debate tonight to talk to Kanata residents about our movement for a better #ottcity!

We'll also be livetweeting the Mayoral debate tonight so follow along with us in the thread below!

First up with opening statements are Param Singh, former police officer at OPS; former mayor Bob Chiarelli (who still reads his statements off the sheet after all these years); and Ade Olumide, who is focused on a police complaints bill of rights.

Two comments from Ade: “I’m not sure why they put me next to the police officer…” and “I would like to hear how Mark Sutcliffe is going to pay for his environmental plan.”

And next up is Sutcliffe - who is the first to stand up during his opening statement, which is something?

Nour Kadri, professor at U of O, is the second to stand to speak but the first to do a land acknowledgment! He goes on to highlight the #PakistanFloods, but then ties it back to Ottawa’s recent extreme weather events.

“It’s the economy, stupid, again, but this time it’s green.”

Brandon Bay calls Kanata Ottawa’s “best suburb”, and speaks to personal ties in the west end. Highlights that the biggest missing piece for completing Kanata’s neighbourhoods is improving transit access.

@cmckenney is immediately misnamed as @cathmckenna, obviously some Kanata bias showing there….

“Our city has so much potential - we could live in green, affordable spaces with a great tree canopy that cools our homes. But what’s missing is political will.”

Gregory “Che” Guevara is up next, who is advocating for Ottawa to leave Canada as a solution to environmental challenges.

Claims to be the only candidate to have walked here - “won’t say from where, but I walked here.”

Zed Chebib has some microphone problems initially, which is a bit of a challenge in the standing-room-only crowd.

Followed by the final candidate Celine Debassige, who just arrived in the room, and highlights that they want to see green changes on “their stolen lands”.

We’re done with the appetizers, now into the main event! Three questions, with opportunities for rebuttals - only one rebuttal per candidate across the three questions.

Q1: Should Ottawa do more to protect drinking water by changing Chalk River’s approach to nuclear storage?

Celine says she isn’t surprised to learn about this issue, because a lot of reserves have no drinking water. Highlights that it is a human right that needs to be protected.

Zed says it is far enough from the city (140km), but it should later be changed so it can be buried.

Gregory says that different energy methods have failed, “have we considered just giving up?”. Says he doesn’t believe in that, but “wanted to throw it out there.”

Catherine says “absolutely” Ottawa should do more, plans to continue working with existing City efforts.

Brandon says it’s “a simple yes”, we have a responsibility to protect residents by protecting drinking water.

Nour highlights that Canada has the best sources of drinking water in the world, but says that things like Chalk River put that advantage at risk.

Mark also says yes, makes a specific commitment to improve water quality in Rideau/Ottawa with real-time reporting on wastewater.

Ade says yes, moves on to highlight that he wants to create the role of Ottawa Ombudsman, and highlights “an income equity lens” for policy.

Bob highlights that he was Minister of Energy, responsible for oversight of Chalk River. Says he was proud to decommission Ontario’s lost coal facility in TBay, believes Riverkeepers can manage oversight in Ottawa.

Param says that we should continue to do better, and push provincial and federal partners to “prevent a future natural disaster”.

Q2: Kanata is an urban community wanting to protect its green space. How should Ottawa manage urban boundary issues?

Oh wait, poll questions - ack, these moved quick.

On support for the #Tewin development: Celine and McKenney with thumbs down, all others with neutral/ambiguous responses

Back to Q2!

Param highlights that Kanata was a city before, says that we can do better on sprawl, quotes a study saying Ottawa will grow by 400k people in the next 25 years.

Bob says expanding the boundary should be avoided “except under exceptional circumstances”.

Ade says we should protect green space and ag-land, says that inadequate attention has been paid to rural transit. Highlights a “home to LRT” shuttle for rural residents as a plan.

Mark says he announced in Kanata, shouts out Marianne Wilkinson, says we need intensification…

And says “we need to stop blocking development”.

Hmmm, who paid for that statement?

Nour mentions taking 3 busses to get to his work at Newbridge Networks around 1990, didn’t expect Kanata to grow so much, supports intensification to allow responsible growth.

Brandon says it is a difficult balancing act, intensification should be primary method of growth.

Catherine stresses that Greenbelt development should not be allowed, highlights that it costs hundreds per person per year to do block development. Also highlights the Kanata green space agreement, laments that it ever became a private-public partnership.

Ade uses his rebuttal card now, asks McKenney “what is your number” for their campaign’s proposed budget?

McKenney says that a budget is coming out soon.

Gregory says that we should challenge assumptions, for example…that we could build a wall around Ottawa, or that the Greenbelt could reclaim housing developments in Ottawa.

Zed says we should build a circle road route around the city to relieve pressure on the 417, looping from Stittsville to 416 towards the proposed Tewin development.

Celine says #landback, that Mother Earth is bound to outlive us and that if we do make a wall it should be living.

Q3: What can we do to reduce pressure on waste management and landfill growth, would you support a per-use fee?

Celine jumps in by highlighting DIY options, shouts out @MooShuIceCream for its “box of life” composting program.

Zed says a user-pay system should be implemented along with an education and awareness campaign. Also suggests at-home composting as a partial solution.

Greg says his campaign is always open to new ideas, including catapulting waste over the proposed wall.

Cat starts on single-use plastics, then moves on how to capture more of organic waste from multi-resident buildings as a key focus area to reduce overall waste. Highlights Halifax’s “bag limits” as a way to improve diversion rates.

Brandon starts with Toronto’s user pay system which uses bin sizing to price waste. Suggests that there is more to be done to “make the green choice the convenience choice” re: single use plastics.

Nour highlights Quebec’s eco centres for waste, mentions strong mayor powers here

Mark says he is not in favour of more landfills, against single-use plastics.

Then turns to McKenney, misgenders them, and targets them on free transit.

Cat responds that moving towards free transit is the right move, but that it is not part of their election platform.

Ade discusses the per-use charges in the context of an “income equity lens”, suggesting it could be income-based.

Bob says province is already banning single-use, that a new landfill takes a decade to site, and that it is a $400-500m price to build one.

Param says that education and awareness is important, that alternatives to landfills should be pursued, and that “we should not waste time”.

Now it’s time for audience questions!

Questions must be directed to at most 3 candidates, must be limited to 45 seconds. Responses will be 90 seconds, and there will be more rebuttals allowed in this segment.

Q1/Q4: What about Zero Waste Vision, Circular Economy? Directed to McKenney, Kadri, and Sutcliffe.

McKenney says that driving towards zero emissions can be done by following a methodical plan.

Kadri says it is the ultimate goal, says that a zero waste strategy is proposed with net zero in 2050.

Sutcliffe says he agrees “directionally”, backs retrofits on city buildings.

Audience Q2: Strong perception that city hall is owned by developers? Names Hubley’s 99% developer backing.

Sutcliffe jumps in and says that he won’t accept funds from developers “or unions”.

Kadri says there is division, thinks we should stop, says nobody will influence him.

Audience Q3: Did you read our climate report and will you bring us to speak at council?

McKenney supports the Climate Energy plan, says they could attend in committee.

Kadri supports debate, says they could come when he is mayor.

Singh says he started reading, isn’t an expert.

Audience Q4: Has the city done a business case or EI report, will it be published?

Sutcliffe isn’t on council, believes in transparency, can do better.

Chiarelli says council hasn’t showed its finances, wants 💯 day assessment.

McKenney says there are 39 costed actions…

actions in the plan, but it has not been funded adequately. Wants the city to be more serious, says we cannot afford not to.

Bob thanks McKenney for “giving us the straight goods” on this issue.

Audience Q5: Chinese Embassy, rights of Chinese Canadians?

Kadri says we are the capital, needs to manage foreign relations issues federally not municipally.

Olumide says he would like to lead a trade delegation to 🇨🇳 but that you cannot be quiet on human rights, mentions 🇷🇺.

Guevara says this problem would also be solved with a wall.

Chebib says he agrees with the asker but that we can’t do much from the city. Focused on human rights issues here in the municipality.

Audience Q6: 613-819 Black Hub asks about police budget shifting to climate?

Sutcliffe says we need to invest in environment solutions, but that “we can also protect the citizens”.

So…not shifting any funds away from police.

McKenney says we need to invest in green, and that effective policing Is still needed - but that the convoy was proof of ineffective policing.

Need to be able to ask questions about what is not working re: policing. First applause line of the night.

Guevara says that as mayor, he would be “the most marginalized group” because there is only one mayor. Would fund a personal police force to protect himself, as the most marginalized.

Multiple cards here, lots of rebuttals.

Zed says that “we shouldn’t interfere with police”, that it exacerbated his issues.

Celine says “basically…ACAB”, wants to defund and reform the police as an indigenous person because “they don’t want to be hate crimed.”

Ade says that he would cut police funding for transit funding, then directs a question to McKenney re: his proposed Police Complaints Bill of Rights, which Cat rebuffs.

Audience Q7: how did we decide climate was an emergency and how will we pay for it?

Bob says he didn’t decide, but he wants to do a 💯 day review to determine funding.

Nour says the climate crisis is real, says he will be at #COP27 in 🇪🇬. Touches on cost overruns at city.

Param says we need to prioritize what’s important and do it in an affordable way. Says we shouldn’t start taking more money from taxpayers, looks to other institutions to help and innovative ways. Says “I’m not an expert” for the third time tonight.

Audience Q8: Solar Power and Batteries - what about child labour/human rights?

Param says we want to shift from gas to battery vehicles, not sure how we can do even better yet. Used the first French of the night!

Ade says it’s a good but not easy Q - wants more city analyses.

Cat says we can’t just look at batteries and electrification when trying to phase out fossil fuels - need to decrease total demand, increase use of renewable resources.

Nour says ICE to EV is happening world-wide, “ethical sourcing” is the key.

Zed says “batteries are expensive and difficult to dispose of”, suggests natural gas or propane as a backup.

Interruption supporting a stronger alliance with Pikwàkanagàn and the Anishinaabeg councils on environmental issues.

Closing statements!

Celine says miigwetch, says the solutions can be found at nonprofit organizations (like Horizon!!), says to check them out!

Zed says #1 is to fire all the lawyers, #2 is listen to OC transpo drivers more.

Gregory says big ideas like “no free transit” inspire him, build a wall.

Cat says climate is about building good communities, will fight for what’s right.

Brandon says transit plan leaves a lot to be desired for Kanata, Tewin and Clublink fails, council struggles.

Nour thanks Kanata, Mayor Kadri will have a climate office to approve policies.

Mark says “not more bureaucrats”, goes after McKenney again - is that really a good use of your 60 seconds?

Ade says a hiring freeze will fund free transit “for those who can’t afford it”, shocked at police issues in Ottawa.

Bob says he is proud of his past work, says “who’s Bob?”, then doesn’t really answer the question.

Param closes by saying that climate change is real, all decisions should have an environmental lens, and no more bandaid solutions.

Hold for final applause from the crowd.

Alright, thank you everybody - thanks to @CAFES_Ottawa for allowing us to come out to Kanata and table at this event!

Appreciate getting the chance to hear all of the candidates speak - if you want to know more, check out horizonottawa.ca for more on #ottvote #ottawa2022