Get Frank Talk From OC Transpo: DEVINE

Like a lot of people who operate food banks, Salim Jam finds himself busier and busier these days.

As the manager of Sadaqa Food Bank, Salim has seen an increased need from the customers who come to his food bank on Colonnade Road, most of whom are recent immigrants to Canada. Sadaqa Food Bank is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, even on weekends, to provide access to families already struggling to get to work or to get their kids to school.

But to get to the food bank on Saturday or Sunday, Salim’s customers have one more barrier to face. Route 189, which is the only bus route which passes close to Sadaqa Food Bank, only operates Monday to Friday.

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This newsletter excerpt from Knoxdale-Merivale Councillor Sean Devine is courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

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Many families who use Sadaqa Food Bank don’t have a car. And so, they can choose to go to the food bank on a weekday, which involves eight minutes of walking to and from the nearest bus stop on Colonnade Road, or 36 minutes of walking on a Saturday or Sunday. Imagine doing that while carrying several boxes of emergency food, and perhaps while having your kids with you.

This is just another disturbing example of the consequences of New Ways to Bus, which, as I’ve said before, is nothing but service cuts disguised as improvements in efficiency. And yet, at last week’s transit committee meeting, outgoing OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar described New Ways to Bus as a success, stating that the loudest voices are always the ones who complain.

As many of my colleagues have rightly said, Amilcar inherited a massive problem not of her making when she took over leadership of OC Transpo. And yes, she did get several accomplishments and improvements across the finish line. However, I am looking forward to seeing new leadership at OC Transpo that brings a level of honesty and candor that we have not seen for many years here in Ottawa.

We need a general manager at OC Transpo who has the courage and conviction to face the city manager and Ottawa City Council, and to speak truth to power, especially when the truth reveals a reality that most of us would rather pretend does not exist.

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