Following the discussion at Corporate Committee on February 17, there was a host of media scrums by both English and French media, print, radio and television.

Found and heard:

“Seek legal costs from litigants, council told – Environmental group argues policy would bankrupt it” by Jake Rupert, Ottawa Citizen, 16 February 2009, (Feb 17 print edition, page C1)

“Debate begins on whether city should seek legal costs from groups that sue it” by Jake Rupert, Ottawa Citizen, 17 February 2009 [no longer online]

“City agrees to limit battles for legal fees” by Jake Rupert, Ottawa Citizen, 17 February 2009 [no longer online]

Note: This article, as published on the web, is a revised version. In the original version, City solicitor Rick O’Connor was quoted as saying the motion would not change the City’s decision to go after the Greenspace Alliance for costs, but when Jake Rupert contacted the Mayor’s office that interpretation was denied, so the story was changed. However, the following day, in the print edition and on the web, the story was changed again, with O’Connor’s interpretation back in and a comment from Councillor Cullen that he would move a motion at Council on February 25 to deny Legal Services’ position:

“Committee OKs legal costs policy – Hopes recommendation will deter nuisance suits against city without stalling legitimate debate” by Jake Rupert, Ottawa Citizen, 18 February 2009 (print edition, page C1).

CBC Ottawa Radio News, afternoon of February 17, with a long clip from Will Amos.

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Following Council approval on February 25:

“City to not seek legal costs from community group” — Ottawa Citizen, 26 February, 2009, page C2.

Note: The article mistakenly states that the policy was approved in an 11-7 vote. That vote was about an amendment to include individuals under the policy rather than just groups. The policy as a whole was then approved with two Councillors dissenting.