FCA To Address Community Groups’ Insurance Woes

Published 09/01/2023 · Updated 08/31/2023

This is a release from the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa:

Dear Mayor and Members of City Council:

At your September 5, 2023 Finance & Corporate Services Committee meeting you will be discussing “Proposed 2024 Budget Directions, Timeline & Consultation Process”. You will recall the May 26, 2023 e-mail from David White, City Solicitor (see attached) indicating that the matter of City insurance for community groups will be a budget issue in 2024. On behalf of the FCA I will be addressing the Committee on this matter. Our intent is to secure a direction to City staff that the 2024 budget accommodate increases in insurance costs for City-sanctioned activities conducted by community groups without increasing the burden on community groups.

Photo Radar: Safety No, Money Yes: PATTON

As many of you know, the matter of City insurance costs for City-sanctioned activities conducted by community groups has been an outstanding problem for some time, pre-dating this Council. I have attached a link to a recent CBC story on this matter that is informative.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-s-2-tiered-insurance-system-forces-community-group-to-close-up-shop-1.6940944

Alex Cullen

Past-President FCA and Lead, FCA Working Group on Community Insurance

White CPIP memo 26May23

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