Latest news with #OttawaCityCouncil
Ottawa Citizen
30-05-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Transit union claims petition 'ignored' at Ottawa city council
Members of the union representing OC Transpo operators say they were 'met with silence' at Wednesday's city council meeting after showing up in numbers with a petition demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Article content Article content 'Despite arriving early and submitting a formal petition — listed on the official agenda — Ottawa City Council essentially ignored it, an action that bypasses the voices of front-line transit workers and undermines democratic participation,' according to a statement from ATU Local 279 president Noah Vineberg. Article content Article content The union, which signed a five-year contract in June 2020, submitted a petition containing 1,836 signatures at the May 28 council session outlining their requests for ongoing contract negotiations. Article content Article content OC Transpo's 'New Ways to Bus' schedule, which has been met with criticism from some riders since it rolled out with redesigned routes in April, 'reinforces the chaos' of the transit system, Vineberg said. Article content 'For years we've heard promises of New Ways to Bus — promises of innovation, better service, and a transit future we could believe in,' Vineberg said. 'But we lived through unrealistic schedules and a system spiralling deeper into dysfunction for both riders and workers.' Article content Riders are 'frustrated' and operators are 'exhausted,' Vineberg said. Article content The ATU is calling for 'a serious, honest review of Ottawa's transit system — one that truly listens to both riders and workers.' Article content Article content OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar responded Thursday by saying the transit authority 'is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace that values and encourages employee feedback. Article content Article content 'We continue to meet regularly with our union partners to discuss employee feedback as part of the ongoing collective bargaining agreement process. We remain focused on supporting one another in finding a shared path forward as we continue to keep Ottawa moving.' Article content City Clerk Caitlin Salter-MacDonald said the ATU's petition was not ignored and followed the usual procedures for petitions presented to council. Article content 'The petition in question was presented to council in compliance with the Policy and the Procedure By-law and placed on the May 28 council agenda under agenda item 7 — communications.'
CBC
03-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Who's running in the Osgoode ward byelection
Social Sharing The race is on to fill the Osgoode ward council seat, left vacant after George Darouze was elected as Carleton's MPP. Eleven people have been certified as candidates as of the May 2 nomination deadline — the same day that their campaigns were allowed to begin putting up election signs across the sprawling rural ward. Residents will vote on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m, or in advance on June 6. Byelection June 16 to fill George Darouze's Osgoode seat Here's who's running, in the order they filed their nomination papers: Doug Thompson Relying on decades of experience in municipal politics, Doug Thompson is hoping to get back onto Ottawa City Council after years away. Thompson was the pre-amalgation mayor of Osgoode Township from 1980 to 2000 and subsequently represented the area on the amalgamated Ottawa council. He retired as councillor in 2014 and endorsed Darouze, before barrelling back into the municipal realm with an unsuccessful challenge of his successor in the 2022 municipal election. Thompson's election website lists a number of priorities, including roads, policing and doctor recruitment. Colette Lacroix-Velthuis Dubbing herself a volunteer, proud farmer and business woman, Colette Lacroix-Velthuis boasts a career in the tech sector and community experience. Her election website highlights promises to improve roads and ditches, access to emergency services and the rural economy. Dan O'Brien Taking a second run at representing Osgoode ward is Dan O'Brien, who came in third in the 2022 election after Darouze and Doug Thompson. As of Friday, O'Brien did not have a website listed on the city's election page. A post on his social media account emphasizes his roles as a volunteer, entrepreneur and farmer. Isabelle Skalski Current president of the Greely Community Association, Isabelle Skalski notes on her election website that she has stepped away from a career in the federal public service to run. She most recently served as a senior policy advisor at the Privy Council Office. Skalski's site highlighted several priorities, including well-maintained roads, low taxes and less red tape. Jennifer van Koughnett Jennifer van Koughnett describes herself as a community health advocate with leadership experience. Her campaign website highlights three main issues: traffic, trails and the Tewin suburb planned for the area. Bobby Gulati While the city's election website indicated as of Friday that Bobby Gulati did not provide an election website, a campaign Facebook page indicates his priorities include fair taxes, support for local businesses and removing red tape. Gulati's LinkedIn page lists his current job as mortgage broker. Gregory Vail Gregory Vail's election website emphasizes decades of corporate business experience, along with local volunteer work. His listed priorities include roads, policing and strengthening the city's ties with farmers. Arnold Vaughan The city's election website indicated that, as of Friday, Arnold Vaughan had not provided an election website, social media page or any contact information. Peter Scott Westaway Peter Scott Westaway describes himself as a candidate with a "single issue political platform." A resident of Nepean, his campaign website said he believes the Ottawa greenbelt must be changed. Guy Clarence Boone The city's election website indicated that, as of Friday, Guy Clarence Boone had not provided an election website or social media page. Dalton Holloway
