The Ghost Of Watson Lurks In Budget: QUOTABLE

“Year after year, we are taking the same approach that mayor (Jim) Watson brought to the budget-setting exercise of writing a budget according to the directions to reach a tax target without knowing whether or not that target is going to allow staff to achieve the delivery of services that people expect,”

Kitchissippi councillor and mayoral candidate Jeff Leiper

The Bulldog doesn’t get to quote Leiper as much as we would like.

That’s probably because we disagree with most things he says. That’s an obstacle to appearing in Quotable.

But, pigs will fly, here’s Leiper in quotable.

Still, Leiper has struck a chord with the upcoming budget. The mighty budget figure is determined before all the public consultations have occurred (shows how much those meetings are worth) and more a political figure than a real one. In other words, what kind of tax increase will the public stomach. Apparently that’s 3.75 per cent.

Leiper is right about Watson’s methods becoming the prevailing budget madness. The city’s needs were subject to a political decision on how much the increase will be. Unfortunately we require flat roads but not if the money is not there. We need infrastructure repairs on arenas but not if the money is unavailable. Try to take that concept to the supermarket when you need a loaf of bread.

The results were predictable. You know the outcome. We need not repeat the various fiascos.

Now the problem with Leiper and no lid on spending is that he might just spend … impractically. We don’t know his mayoral program yet but a number of people on the left have suggested free transit. That pushes property taxes up markedly. And that forces some people from their homes.

Hey, free transit has seen ridership skyrocket. Wonder why homelessness is up? So hard to know.

Everything in moderation, Jeff. Everything in moderation.

Ottawa must return to doing basic services well. You know, transit, good roads, excellent snowplowing … those sorts of things.

Will Ottawa solve homelessness? No.

Will it bring down the price of housing through extremification? No.

Will cycling solve our commuting woes? No.

Will anything the City of Ottawa does solve climate change? Did anyone see the drought, smoke and extreme temperatures this summer? Summer in Ottawa is becoming as nasty as winter. So no, again.

Nevertheless, an arbitrary cap on spending doesn’t work. It doesn’t fix an arena or a community centre.

But giving council unlimited spending ability is something to fear.

Getting rid of the Watsonian budget cap is probably the right thing to do before infrastructure such as Ottawa City Hall falls down. That would bring home the problem.

But free-spending councillors allowed free spending? Maybe they’ll show restraint. Maybe they’ll buy what the city needs rather than what councillors want.

Of course once again, pigs might fly.

Ken Gray

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