Kitts Backs ‘Fairness For Ottawa’ Campaign

This is an excerpt from the newsletter of Orleans South-Navan Councillor Catherine Kitts:

Despite calls from colleagues for a higher tax increase, I voted in favour of the proposed 2.9% tax increase as we await more information on how we will address our transit deficit.

I deeply appreciate everyone’s frustration regarding the transit crisis our city is facing. Wards like ours are underserviced. Routes are infrequent and unreliable. Trust in the spine of our system has deservedly been eroded. Congestion is increasing and commute times are getting longer. In a city of over one million people, a functioning transit system is a necessity, yet Ottawa’s expansive geography, caused by amalgamation, makes delivering this service wildly expensive. The City invested in a new system on the eve of a pandemic that changed how we work and move around our community forever. We know we won’t attract more people to taking transit by cutting service or increasing fares, yet our current ridership cannot fund the system. Residents in areas like ours can’t be faulted for driving when no other options are available.

During these budget deliberations, I cautioned colleagues not to look at raising taxes as “the easy answer”. I’ve heard from many of you, especially seniors on fixed incomes, single parents, and renters who are already feeling the pressure of rising cost of living.

This is why the Mayor’s Fairness for Ottawa campaign is so important. We can’t let provincial and federal governments continue to shortchange us on funding for transit and other critical services when other cities get more funding and better solutions. It’s not sustainable for Ottawa property taxpayers to cover the gaps. In addition to continuing to find our own savings and efficiencies, we must keep pushing for our fair share of funding, and I remain optimistic that the Mayor’s negotiations will be fruitful.

I look forward to continuing this discussion at our upcoming budget consultations. I’ll be joint-hosting two public sessions:

Rural consultation on Wednesday, October 23, from 6:30-8:30 pm at 3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick
East-end consultation on Saturday, October 26, from 12:30–2 pm in Ray Friel Recreation Complex’s Rendez-vous Room
I hope to see you there!

This excerpt is courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

For You:

Build Homes For The Disadvantaged: THE VOTER

Senators Used Private Money To Build: MULVIHILL

The Alternative To A 2.5-Hour Commute: THE VOTER

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