Liz Bernstein, LCA president
Dear neighbours
Your voice did matter! The October 19th federal election attracted a huge voter turnout—Canada’s highest since 1993—resulting in a majority government that defied even the best polling numbers. Voter engagement as volunteers during the campaign period was also very high, with so many candidates taking the lead thanks to more people knocking on doors and getting the vote out. The voter turnout in Ottawa-Vanier was 75.6%. Congratulations to M.P. Mauril Bélanger, who was elected to his eighth term representing our riding.
Some early actions by the new federal government are encouraging, including committing to the Paris climate change talks and restoring the long-form census. Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna has already met with Mayor Jim Watson to discuss issues that are of common interest to both the federal and municipal governments. Elected in Ottawa Centre, she replaced John Baird as minister for the capital area. She and the mayor discussed a long list of topics, including the LRT, NCC, arts funding, and plans for the 2017 celebrations. The meeting was cordial and collegial, leading the Ottawa Citizen to report, “the relationship between the mayor’s office and Parliament Hill is the warmest it’s been in a decade.”
All of this bodes well for Lowertown. In this refreshed political climate, we at the LCA have high hopes for our future working relationship with federal officials, specifically around our efforts to: improve the ByWard Market area by 2017; address concerns related to the NCC; continue to press for shutting down the truck route on King Edward Avenue; and, other issues requiring cooperation amongst various levels of government.
Over the past couple of months the LCA has wrestled with the 2016 municipal budget, as well as the usual development and heritage planning matters, while continuing to tackle key issues of concern to our community such as ByWard Market revitalization, Uptown Rideau Community Design Plan (CDP) and cycling infrastructure. We are also concerned about losing a neighbourhood icon, Mellos Restaurant, at the end of December.
As the year comes to a close, we’re looking forward to the holiday festivities in the ByWard Market, as well as some milestones: approval of the Uptown Rideau CDP, official re-opening of Sussex Drive post-reconstruction, and, completion of the art installation in Bingham Park. The biggest event on the horizon is the ‘100% Possible March for Climate Solutions and Justice’ from Ottawa City Hall to Parliament Hill on Saturday afternoon, November 29th.
On behalf of the Lowertown Community Association, I wish you all a safe holiday season and a Happy New Year.