City dithering fuels citizen discontent

A recent Citizen article reported that Ottawa residents had a bad opinion of their local government. Although the conclusion was based on only 74 replies, it may serve to underscore resident dissatisfaction with the perceived dithering on some matters.

As an example, from the time when former mayor Larry O’Brien cancelled a contract in 2006 for a downtown-to-Barrhaven LRT in favour of an east-west route, it has taken 13 years to get the first phase completed.

A few years ago, there were discussions about developing the Frank Kenny Road in the east with the idea it would eventually connect to a bridge to Quebec. Although no one appeared to disagree with the need to remove heavy vehicle traffic from the downtown core, it has not been highlighted in Ottawa’s 25-year planning draft report.

While the general population were of the view that a multi-purpose arena would be more suitable in the downtown core, it was built 25 kilometres to the west. The same applies to the location for a casino.

The LeBreton Flats is another example of protracted decision-making. The Flats were destroyed by fire in

1900 and it took the federal government 60 years before the land was expropriated and the buildings demolished. Fifty years later, we are still no further ahead with what to do with this prime property. And how long will it be before a decision is made with regard to 24 Sussex Drive?

It seems that whenever our elected representatives, regardless of the level of government, sense a potential negative public reaction, there’s a tendency to defer decision-making, which merely furthers public discontent. As long as citizens feel their concerns are not being properly considered or if they are not receiving suitable and timely decisions, they may continue to hold unfavourable opinions.

Dale Boire, Ottawa