Thirteen of the winning candidates in the October 27, 2014 election responded to our letter which set out four propositions. The propositions were:
1. Support for a strong site alteration by-law, with emphasis on “strong.”
2. Renewed commitment to an annual allocation towards an environmental lands acquisition fund.
3. Standing firm in support of the prohibition against future country lot subdivisions.
4. The City’s Advisory Committees should be genuine bridges between the public and Council.
Here are the winning candidates’ responses:
Bob Monette, incumbent (Ward 1 – Orleans) :
#1: “I support the preservation of wooded lots in the City of Ottawa such as was the case with my work to ensure the preservation of Hiawatha Park.”
#2: “I am open to having more dialogue on this while ensuring that our budget goals are kept in mind when reviewing this.”
#3: “I support the City’s Official Plan however this being said am always open to having discussions surrounding this question.”
#4: “I believe that the City’s Advisory Committees play a key role in ensuring that Council and staff have a ressource available to them comprised of residents of the City of Ottawa. I look forward to reviewing their role as part of the governance renewal process and agree that we must have more discussion surrounding our consultation with the residents of the City and what the best approach should be.”
Marianne Wilkinson, incumbent (Ward 4 – Kanata North) :
#1: “Re removal of topsoil, grade alteration and placement of fill – I support such a bylaw to ensure that changes to grade and removal of material only occurs after evaluation of proposals and receiving a permit in order to stop degradation of properties. For the new development along March Road, for example, I strongly endorsed tree preservation and fully support the legal action presently underway on illegal cutting of trees.”
#2: “I’ve recommended funding for environmental lands be provided and strongly support having funding available as well as encouraging landowners to consider donations of environmental lands in return for a tax receipt (which I’ve been recommending to some landowners and have done in the past).”
#3: “We have enough country estate lots to last for a long time and don’t need any more so I support the present policy to prohibit future country lot subdivisions.”
#4: “I’m a great believer in consultation with the public and do so in Kanata North. Openness leads to better decisions and members of the public have contributed to many improvements over the years. I agree that input in advance is needed as once decisions are made it is almost impossible to make even good changes. I put forward the requirement for a new Environmental Impact Study for each phase of a draft subdivision so that changes can be required as new information emerges. Your suggestions on the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee are useful and would improve dialogue and decisions.”
Keith Egli, incumbent (Ward 9 – Knoxdale-Merrivale) :
#1: “…this matter needs to be followed up on.”
#2: “…I support the fund but note that the emerald ash borer situation is one of environmental significance and we had to work to find solutions and resources to address it. Hopefully, similar issues of concern will not arise in the future.”
#3: “Yes.”
#4: “I agree there needs to be a greater discussion around consultation with and provision of information to the general public as well as the role the public can and should play in the process. The discussion of governance for the new term of Council will allow this topic to be on the table.”
Diane Deans, incumbent (Ward 10 – Gloucester-Southgate) :
“Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of requests, and given the time constraints during the campaign, Diane is unable to comment on her position on the four specific propositions at this time. Diane remains supportive of the efforts of the Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital, and feels that her voting record is representative of her position on the issues about which you inquired.”
Mathieu Fleury, incumbent (Ward 12 – Rideau-Vanier) :
“I am supportive of the four Greenspace Alliance propositions.”
Tobi Nussbaum (Ward 13 -Rideau-Rockcliffe) :
#1: “I support this proposition. If elected, I would work toward the introduction of such a by-law, as well as provisions regarding the impact on vegetation or trees.”
#2: “Yes, I support an annual allocation toward this fund. If elected, I would also work to making it a broad community fund that has financial support from a range of sectors.”
#3: “I am firmly in support of this prohibition. There can be serious detrimental effects from country lot subdivisions and the subsequent development in those areas. That kind of residential development contravenes Ottawa’s Official Plan and must not be undermined.”
#4: “I agree with this proposition. It would be important for advisory committees to develop opportunities for public input.”
Catherine McKenney (Ward 14 – Somerset) :
“… What you have done with this survey is demonstrate the wealth of knowledge and energy available among committed citizens and groups like the ones who have signed on to your position. This is a valuable resource that the City needs to be drawing on, through meaningful consultations, advisory committees, and an ongoing relationship with communities.
I would be pleased to support the positions put forth in your letter.”
Jeff Leiper (Ward 15 – Kitchissippi) :
Full Response Excerpts:
#1: “As Councillor, I would strongly support enacting a site alteration bylaw. It needs to be enforceable and enforced, with penalties for violations that are substantial enough to act as effective deterrents.”
#2: “Yes. The environmental lands acquisition fund should be for buying environmentally-sensitive land and only for that. It should be adequately funded, and not raided for other needs.”
#3: “Yes. Council acted correctly in prohibiting the continued subdividing of rural land into estate lots. I support this policy. This helps to control urban sprawl and protects open spaces. I will not support any compromises to settle OMB appeals that result in allowing country lot estates.”
#4: “Yes. One of the main reasons I am running is that I do not believe that Council and City Staff conduct meaningful consultations and make decisions transparently. I hear this over and over again at the door. Council’s abolition of most of the City’s advisory committees is a symptom of this.”
Riley Brockington (Ward 16 – River) :
#1: “I support the bylaw you reference.”
#2: “One of my priorities will be to examine the Budget in detail when it is presented, but also to work with staff and Council in setting the priorities and appropriate Budget process for this new Council. Thank you for the information that you have provided… I will now be vigilant in watching for slippage and raiding of reserve funds, such as the ELA Fund. If it is appropriate and possible, I will try to present a motion before Council to prevent the depletion of reserve funds for unspecified purposes. I understand the frustration.”
#3: “I simply do not know enough about this issue to make any firm commitments. If Council has already taken a stand, I will not seek to overturn that. But on this issue of vital concern, I am available to learn about the situation should your members wish to explain your views on this matter to me.”
#4: “I am not a supporter of having advisory committees if they aren’t functional or productive, however, given the committee exists within the City’s own advisory committee umbrella, then yes, it needs the resources to do its job effectively and I agree again, effective, productive and genuine consultation is expected.”
David Chernushenko, incumbent (Ward 17 – Capital) :
“Yes, I support your four propositions. I am not certain that so much should be expected of the Advisory Committees, however, as this approach has proven challenging and there may be more and better ways to engage and learn from the public than in this format.”
Stephen Blais, incumbent (Ward 19 – Cumberland) :
Full Response Excerpt:
“I support the establishment of naturalized areas in the City of Ottawa and the protection of woodlots.”
Scott Moffatt, incumbent (Ward 21 – Rideau-Goulbourn) :
#1: “In the rural area, I strongly believe that rural landowners shouldn’t be subject to policies that prevent them from using their land as they see fit. A stronger site plan alteration bylaw in the urban area would help protect wood lots and greenspace that are keys to creating great communities but I wouldn’t support that type of by-law in the rural area, where farmers could be restricted in clearing their lands for agricultural purposes.”
#2: “There have been several instances that have come up in this term with regard to the Marlborough Forest and the potential to acquire more lands but we haven’t had the funds. I have supported a commitment to acquiring natural lands in the past and would continue to do so in the future when it would be practical to do so.”
#3: “During the Official Plan Review process, I was in support of continuing the estate lot subdivision moratorium mainly because we already had 2900 lots either in the queue or already approved and awaiting development. In the future, I feel we need to review those 2900 lots to determine whether or not they’ll every be built. Following that, we’ll have a better idea of how many more homes would be built in estate lot subdivisions. In my opinions, some of this type of development is good and others are not. It all depends on access to services. If a potential development has poor access, we shouldn’t develop that site. If we ever revisit this policy, location needs to be a prime objective.”
#4: “There is a fine line between good Advisory Committees and bad Advisory Committees. I feel that before we made this most recent change, there were too many. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest we now have too few but I would like to see more applications for membership. At Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee, of which I am the Council liaison, we received so few applications that we had difficult time filling the spots on the Committee. At the moment, we only have six. We need to do a better job attracting people to fill these roles and ensure that the Committees are properly aligned with our Standing Committees.”
Michael Qaqish (Ward 22 – Gloucester-South Nepean) :
“…you can count on my support.”