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Jim Watson met with the Citizen’s editorial board Wednesday for a wide-ranging discussion. Here is some of what he had to say.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson tour the Confederation Line light rail transit tunnel in August.
…On Phase 2 of LRT
In campaigning door-to-door, Watson said he’s been told residents want council “to come up with a plan, consult and get on with it.” He said he believes the majority of people are in favour of expanding light rail south to Leitrim, east to Place d’Orleans and west to Bayshore, with a spur to Algonquin College.
“Everyone wants a station in their community,” he said.
But what about the federal funding? The plan is to split the $3-billion price tag between the city and the province (which are on board) and the federal government (which hasn’t committed a dime). What happens if the feds don’t pony up $1 billion?
Watson said he expects local MPs to lobby for Ottawa’s “fair share” of transportation dollars. He also expects the federal government to change its infrastructure-funding tune in 2015, an election year that will see a federal budget surplus.
Mayor Jim Watson takes a swing at the baseball head of the Can-Am mascot following a news conference in June.
…On why baseball might work
Watson defended his decision to bring a Can-Am team to Ottawa, instead of his previously promised Toronto Blue Jays-affiliated Triple A team. “We have an asset worth $17 to 18 million,” said Watson, indicating that it would be a waste to tear down the Ottawa Stadium. And the Triple-A team’s bid was simply too rich for city.
But with a new pedestrian bridge connecting the transit station to the stadium, the relatively low cost of the baseball tickets and Can-Am’s short season, Watson contends the new team may have a shot at survival.
The Airport Parkway bridge fiasco raised questions about staff at city hall.
…On city staff accountability
There have been botched city projects where investigations after the fact have shown city staff incompetence — a prime example being the much-delayed Airport Parkway Bridge. What would Watson do about that? He said there are consequences for poor performance. Take the Airport Parkway Bridge: “There were a number of employees who were reprimanded and suspended without pay,” he said. If re-elected, he said he would boost the audit subcommittee to a full standing committee, in order both to investigate the workings of the city’s bureaucracies and to provide better followup to make sure improvements are made.
Uber, the app company that connects drivers with customers, was already in more than 200 other cities when it started up in Ottawa.
…On Uber
Watson dodged the question of the need to re-vamp the taxi regulations, suggesting that in the next term “There’ll probably be some desire to look at how technology is affecting the taxi industry.” He also pointed out that even though Uber says it’s a technology company, it really acts as a cab company (not a point anyone it the room was making). He did point out that it’s unclear what security measures Uber cabs offer or whether any are accessible.
…On recreation fees
They’ve been frozen for the past four years. Will they need to go up in the future? Watson would say, adding that he’ll announce it before election day. There have been suggestions that while the fee-freeze was great for users, there has been a shortage of funds for programming these public facilities.
Ottawa Police officers patrol an area where an apparent shooting incident took place near Iris Street in Ottawa earlier this month.
…On crime
When asked about the fact that Ottawa has seen more than 30 shootings this year, Watson said there are “no easy answers” to incidents such as the recent daytime shooting at Pinecrest Terrace, which is “frightening for everyone.” He said the city supports the police force, but that what the city can do is to help alleviate poverty. Watson pointed to, among other things, the $2 million he’s adding to the homelessness and affordable housing initiative.
An arena is one of the options for the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats, the NCC says.
…On LeBreton Flats — and a new Science and Technology Museum
Watson is in favour of the National Capital Commission’s move to finally develop the second phase of the downtown federal lands, referring to the site as a “moon-like surface on the left and some ugly condos.” Like local Conservative MP — and foreign minister — John Baird, Watson would like to see a new museum of science and technology as part of the redevelopment. However, both those elected officials have said that the federal government has indicated there’s no money for that public project.
“If the federal government is interested in putting museum of science and tech there, the city would do whatever it could,” says Watson.
Ottawa — and possibly Spartacat — are angling for a Winter Classic.
…On securing an NHL outdoor classic
Watson’s been trying to attract three events to Ottawa for the country’s sesquicentennial: the Junos, the Grey Cup and an NHL outdoor classic. The first two are virtually in the bag. Ottawa has the first right-of-refusal to host the Junes in 2017, and the CFL has guaranteed Ottawa that it will host a Grey Cup final by 2018. But the popular NHL outdoor game is still a bit up in the air. Watson said he is “optimistic” about Ottawa’s chances after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman last week. We might even know by Christmas, as the city has said they need a year’s lead time instead of the usual six months.
jchianello@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson tour the Confederation Line light rail transit tunnel in August.
…On Phase 2 of LRT
In campaigning door-to-door, Watson said he’s been told residents want council “to come up with a plan, consult and get on with it.” He said he believes the majority of people are in favour of expanding light rail south to Leitrim, east to Place d’Orleans and west to Bayshore, with a spur to Algonquin College.
“Everyone wants a station in their community,” he said.
But what about the federal funding? The plan is to split the $3-billion price tag between the city and the province (which are on board) and the federal government (which hasn’t committed a dime). What happens if the feds don’t pony up $1 billion?
Watson said he expects local MPs to lobby for Ottawa’s “fair share” of transportation dollars. He also expects the federal government to change its infrastructure-funding tune in 2015, an election year that will see a federal budget surplus.
Mayor Jim Watson takes a swing at the baseball head of the Can-Am mascot following a news conference in June.
…On why baseball might work
Watson defended his decision to bring a Can-Am team to Ottawa, instead of his previously promised Toronto Blue Jays-affiliated Triple A team. “We have an asset worth $17 to 18 million,” said Watson, indicating that it would be a waste to tear down the Ottawa Stadium. And the Triple-A team’s bid was simply too rich for city.
But with a new pedestrian bridge connecting the transit station to the stadium, the relatively low cost of the baseball tickets and Can-Am’s short season, Watson contends the new team may have a shot at survival.
The Airport Parkway bridge fiasco raised questions about staff at city hall.
…On city staff accountability
There have been botched city projects where investigations after the fact have shown city staff incompetence — a prime example being the much-delayed Airport Parkway Bridge. What would Watson do about that? He said there are consequences for poor performance. Take the Airport Parkway Bridge: “There were a number of employees who were reprimanded and suspended without pay,” he said. If re-elected, he said he would boost the audit subcommittee to a full standing committee, in order both to investigate the workings of the city’s bureaucracies and to provide better followup to make sure improvements are made.
Uber, the app company that connects drivers with customers, was already in more than 200 other cities when it started up in Ottawa.
…On Uber
Watson dodged the question of the need to re-vamp the taxi regulations, suggesting that in the next term “There’ll probably be some desire to look at how technology is affecting the taxi industry.” He also pointed out that even though Uber says it’s a technology company, it really acts as a cab company (not a point anyone it the room was making). He did point out that it’s unclear what security measures Uber cabs offer or whether any are accessible.
…On recreation fees
They’ve been frozen for the past four years. Will they need to go up in the future? Watson would say, adding that he’ll announce it before election day. There have been suggestions that while the fee-freeze was great for users, there has been a shortage of funds for programming these public facilities.
Ottawa Police officers patrol an area where an apparent shooting incident took place near Iris Street in Ottawa earlier this month.
…On crime
When asked about the fact that Ottawa has seen more than 30 shootings this year, Watson said there are “no easy answers” to incidents such as the recent daytime shooting at Pinecrest Terrace, which is “frightening for everyone.” He said the city supports the police force, but that what the city can do is to help alleviate poverty. Watson pointed to, among other things, the $2 million he’s adding to the homelessness and affordable housing initiative.
An arena is one of the options for the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats, the NCC says.
…On LeBreton Flats — and a new Science and Technology Museum
Watson is in favour of the National Capital Commission’s move to finally develop the second phase of the downtown federal lands, referring to the site as a “moon-like surface on the left and some ugly condos.” Like local Conservative MP — and foreign minister — John Baird, Watson would like to see a new museum of science and technology as part of the redevelopment. However, both those elected officials have said that the federal government has indicated there’s no money for that public project.
“If the federal government is interested in putting museum of science and tech there, the city would do whatever it could,” says Watson.
Ottawa — and possibly Spartacat — are angling for a Winter Classic.
…On securing an NHL outdoor classic
Watson’s been trying to attract three events to Ottawa for the country’s sesquicentennial: the Junos, the Grey Cup and an NHL outdoor classic. The first two are virtually in the bag. Ottawa has the first right-of-refusal to host the Junes in 2017, and the CFL has guaranteed Ottawa that it will host a Grey Cup final by 2018. But the popular NHL outdoor game is still a bit up in the air. Watson said he is “optimistic” about Ottawa’s chances after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman last week. We might even know by Christmas, as the city has said they need a year’s lead time instead of the usual six months.
jchianello@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
