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It’s a red wave or October or surge. Or maybe a crimson tide or scarlet letter. (Or maybe it’s time to ditch these colourful wordplays.) Whatever we call it, the Liberal Party has reclaimed power, earning a majority of seats in the House, and the vast majority of seats in the National Capital Region. Considering the recent antagonism between the city and the federal government, it is time for Ottawans to think about what they should expect — or demand — from an Ottawa caucus.
To get things rolling, here are four matters local MPs should address and rectify.
Save the Experimental Farm
When we think of inappropriate interventions into the dealings of the National Capital Commission by the recent Tory government, we often think of the placement of the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. It’s a (moderately) high-profile issue drawing condemnation from the mayor, councillors, outgoing MP Paul Dewar and the majority of the local population. However, it’s a trifle compared to what the government might do to the Experimental Farm, gifting a great portion of it for an expansion of the Ottawa Hospital’s Civic campus.
The deal would scuttle tillage and crop rotation research. Further, it would set the precedent that this working farm, an iconic feature of the city and a National Historic Site, maybe isn’t really worth preserving. It would be so sad if the Farm disappeared. There is nothing else like it in Ottawa, or many other places. It was a cynical, boorish move for the federal government to micro-manage the dealings of the NCC and, unfortunately, it seems like we will need another political move to save the farm. It’s not ideal, but it’s worth it.
Stability in the Public Service
Every industry changes and evolves, and there can be no expectation that the public service should be an exception. However, too much of the change that we see in the public service is executed for political expediency. It is easy to cut the civil service as a means to try to save money. It is easy to promise moving departments from one riding to another as part of the typical political manoeuvring. And it is easy to view public servants as pawns or political props.
But public servants are people, with lives and families and things to do on the weekend. Shuffling offices can be incredibly disruptive. Fears of politically motivated job cuts are demoralizing. We need our Liberal MPs to value stability over political opportunism.
(And maybe lighten up on curtailing their political activities a tad.)
Reform the NCC
With its unyielding embrace of parkways and its demonstrated antipathy towards light rail, the NCC clings to antiquated notions of city-building. This must change. The NCC holds much sway over the central neighbourhoods of Ottawa and Gatineau. The new government should charge the NCC with developing a modern urban vision for our city centres. If the NCC isn’t up to the task, perhaps we should just get rid of it.
This isn’t a call for political interference by the federal government. They should set this direction, then get out of the way. We do not want any more politicking going on, though it would be wise to include our mayors, or city council representatives, on the board.
Memorial to the Victims of Communism
(You knew this was coming.) It needs to be moved and de-funded. Its placement was crass politics and that’s not how to design a city.
It’s a new government with a new mandate, and that should include a new vision for Ottawa. We painted the town red, now we should get to enjoy it.
Jonathan McLeod is an Ottawa writer.
查看原文...
To get things rolling, here are four matters local MPs should address and rectify.
Save the Experimental Farm
When we think of inappropriate interventions into the dealings of the National Capital Commission by the recent Tory government, we often think of the placement of the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. It’s a (moderately) high-profile issue drawing condemnation from the mayor, councillors, outgoing MP Paul Dewar and the majority of the local population. However, it’s a trifle compared to what the government might do to the Experimental Farm, gifting a great portion of it for an expansion of the Ottawa Hospital’s Civic campus.
The deal would scuttle tillage and crop rotation research. Further, it would set the precedent that this working farm, an iconic feature of the city and a National Historic Site, maybe isn’t really worth preserving. It would be so sad if the Farm disappeared. There is nothing else like it in Ottawa, or many other places. It was a cynical, boorish move for the federal government to micro-manage the dealings of the NCC and, unfortunately, it seems like we will need another political move to save the farm. It’s not ideal, but it’s worth it.
Stability in the Public Service
Every industry changes and evolves, and there can be no expectation that the public service should be an exception. However, too much of the change that we see in the public service is executed for political expediency. It is easy to cut the civil service as a means to try to save money. It is easy to promise moving departments from one riding to another as part of the typical political manoeuvring. And it is easy to view public servants as pawns or political props.
But public servants are people, with lives and families and things to do on the weekend. Shuffling offices can be incredibly disruptive. Fears of politically motivated job cuts are demoralizing. We need our Liberal MPs to value stability over political opportunism.
(And maybe lighten up on curtailing their political activities a tad.)
Reform the NCC
With its unyielding embrace of parkways and its demonstrated antipathy towards light rail, the NCC clings to antiquated notions of city-building. This must change. The NCC holds much sway over the central neighbourhoods of Ottawa and Gatineau. The new government should charge the NCC with developing a modern urban vision for our city centres. If the NCC isn’t up to the task, perhaps we should just get rid of it.
This isn’t a call for political interference by the federal government. They should set this direction, then get out of the way. We do not want any more politicking going on, though it would be wise to include our mayors, or city council representatives, on the board.
Memorial to the Victims of Communism
(You knew this was coming.) It needs to be moved and de-funded. Its placement was crass politics and that’s not how to design a city.
It’s a new government with a new mandate, and that should include a new vision for Ottawa. We painted the town red, now we should get to enjoy it.
Jonathan McLeod is an Ottawa writer.
查看原文...
