Adam: Ottawa mayoral candidate paves way for idea campaign

Elections are about issues that matter to people should be, and I hope that happens with municipal campaigns. That is why mayoral candidate Bob Chiarelli's recent policy statement, which includes a tax freeze and a halt to his $330 million Lansdowne redevelopment project, is so welcome. Progress that should be made. It sets the stage for campaigns of ideas we all desire.

It remains unclear how Chiarelli will freeze taxes in the face of high inflation and other challenges facing the city. . He clearly needs to explain more. But for now, what matters is that he has put important issues on the table for discussion, analysis, and deciding what is best for the city. This has been requested by all candidates, including rivals Mark Sutcliffe and Katherine McKennie, and is what we should expect. 

Mr. Chiarelli said that if he is elected, he will freeze taxes, fees and discretionary spending for the first year. He will also suspend the $1 billion purchase of electric buses, postpone Lansdowne 2.0, and halt new major road projects. but Chiarelli says a pause is needed to get an accurate picture of the city's financial health before making serious plans. 47}

Therefore, in the first 100 days, he commissions an outside expert to examine the city's financial roots and branches to come up with the necessary savings. Freeze taxes. “The key task is to find efficiencies that don't impact core services and get through the first year, while putting together a solid strategic plan,” he says. 162}

The basic idea of ​​getting the city finances in order before making big decisions is sound, and the other candidates are saying that before someone starts throwing money at the problem.

Of course, when politicians talk about savings and efficiency, they really mean cuts. You can't do something without doing something because there's always a price to pay. Chiarelli says he doesn't like the word 'cutting', but if you're going to absorb rising costs and freeze taxes, that's what really happens. .  

While all the attention is on tax cuts, the controversial Lansdowne 2.0 has been temporarily suspended. His Chiarelli's plan to stop is significant. The main criticism of the redevelopment, beyond whether it was good business for the city, is that Ottawa residents were not given a say in the second phase of the redevelopment. The City Council approved the key elements and a post-consultation took place.

Now, Chiarelli's plan gives Ottawa residents an opportunity to discuss redevelopment and see if it has public support. Remember, project delays come at a price. The city's brass are no doubt not happy with the delay, and it will be interesting to see if Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group hangs around for a year. may become. The purchase is part of the city's plan to fight climate change, and there are concerns that delays will undermine the city's commitments. 

Many questions have been raised about Chiarelli's plan and how he could carry it out. must indicate. Other candidates carry out their plans. But it will all be part of the debate the city will have in the coming weeks. , says it offers "zero-based budgeting" that includes line-by-line spending reviews, and McKennie "spends smart."  But both hope to go beyond words and flesh out plans in the coming weeks. What Chiarelli has done by opening the door to a campaign of ideas is good for local democracy. Ottawa voters will have a chance to compare and choose his three candidate plans evenly.  

Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa journalist and commentator . Please contact us at nylamiles48@gmail.com.

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