An honour and pleasure to speak with Peter MacLeod on his thought-provoking and important book on participatory democracy. Highly recommend for anyone interested in making democracy work better - by including the public in more direct and genuine ways!

From last night’s DSA launch in Ottawa with the terrific @jchianello.bsky.social Democracyssecondact.org

Elmdale's Bookfest is on all weekend! As always, it's busy, the selection is great and all your neighbours are there... Le festival du livre d'Elmdale se déroule tout le week-end ! Comme toujours, il y a foule, le choix est excellent et tous vos voisins sont là…

Well, it’s in the paper, so I guess I’m actually running! Really enjoyed speaking with Charlie Senack at the Kitchissippi Times #ottnews

“Carney has been clear: the assumptions Canadians have held about our closest ally are outdated…Our elbows are up, but where are we to stand in response to the crisis? It’s time to show Canadians how they can help — and how together we can hold the line.” Great piece by @petermacleod.bsky.social.

This week, a resident in our community died and 19 others lost their homes after a fire broke out in their small apartment building. Hintonburg Community Association has launched a fund to help, if you'd like to donate: hintonburg.com/community-fi... #ottnews

I was glad to spend time with seniors at 1041 Wellington West over tea, and hear directly from them about their safety concerns. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and that’s something we can work towards together.

It's been 4 YEARS since two LRT trains derailed and we still don't have a fix. We don't even know the root cause of this problem. Where is the accountability on this huge project? More important, when can riders start relying on our LRT system? #ottnews www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...

Excited about the launch of @petermacleod.bsky.social’s new book, Democracy’s Second Act! It’s written for everyone worried about polarization & the growing sense of frustration with politics. Sign up for Ottawa book launch with @jchianello.bsky.social on Feb 12th! www.eventbrite.ca/e/book-launc...

I love how this video by @jleiper.bsky.social shows how a seemingly technical issue like the comprehensive zoning bylaw has a direct impact on our quality of life. It’s one of the many reasons why City Hall matters!

1/6 Expect family reunion at Council after '26 election No major change until 2030 but surprises. See Year-in-Review. @jchianello.bsky.social @jleiper.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/ottawa-cou...

Some heavy lifting by council’s planning members on a plan years in the making. Tune into the final decision in January! (Because who isn’t thinking about the final CZB debate during the holidays?)

The most Council fun of the season! Good pipes on some of our elected officials!

Not my best hair day sadly (when did my forehead get this giant???), but my favourite shirt - and my favourite Ottawa City Hall pundits!

Rise in late-stage prostate cancer raises concerns over testing. Q+A w/ @kellygrant1.bsky.social on #TheDecibel podcast. www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the... www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com

Will be interested in examining the details of this announcement - and how much it will cost the city - but looks like good news for affordable housing in Ottawa!

Sous réserve de l'approbation du Conseil, cette entente permettra de construire jusqu'à 3 000 nouveaux logements abordables dans notre ville. Ottawa montre la voie en construisant plus de logements et en les construisant plus rapidement.

A bit too soon, but blame CBC Ottawa Morning, lol!

The Parkdale Market lit up Ottawa's most delightful public tree today in memory of longtime vendor Maurice Lavoie, assisted by his widow Claire. It was a busy day in the ward and I was happy to see my friends @catmckenney.bsky.social and @jchianello.bsky.social again!

Cornerstone is accepting personal item (and cash!) donations as part of Light Up the Village at Winston Sq. until 4. Always glad to see my friend @jchianello.bsky.social !

The City has significantly improved its sidewalk snow clearing in recent years, but cost pressures mean they won't codify the change. Residents in walkable neighbourhoods should be able to hold them (and us) to account for something better than 2003 standards. ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n...

I hope neighbours can join Elder Verna McGregor, Mayor Sutcliffe, Dave Allston and me to cut the ribbon on the new Papichì Park at the corner of Spencer and Huron on Saturday at 11. We'll have warm drinks and some short words. (Papichì is the Algonquin Inòdewiziwin word for Robin).

The Better Ottawa Municipal Panel weighs in on #Lansdowne2.0 for one final time. Hats off to @neilsara.bsky.social for the city-wide conversation he led on this file! open.substack.com/pub/the613/p...

Yesterday I announced my new UN net zero report "Integrity Matters: Winning the Future". These are the critical six Calls to Action to step up and drive climate implementation this decade #COP30 @c40cities.bsky.social static1.squarespace.com/static/66200...

Ottawa Auditor General doubles down on her risk assessment for Lansdowne 2.0: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

There is nothing overly controversial about this plan - so why would #ottcity “not say” what it cost? #transparency+accountability www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...

I spoke to the @ottcity council committee dealing with Lansdowne 2.0 (first time delegate!). I didn't talk about the pros and cons, but the alarming lack of transparency around this file. #ottcity www.youtube.com/live/asifIBt...

Pretty interesting timing for this award, with Lansdowne on the table again. Jim Watson's council pushed forward Lansdowne 1.0, claiming it would be revenue neutral (not true) and not having the political will to spend enough to redevelop the site properly the first time. So here we are again.

Pretty hilarious, yet still informative, video on Lansdowne from @betterottawa.bsky.social podcast host Neil Saravanamuttoo: substack.com/@neilsara/no... #ottnews

I mostly just picked up the coffee and got to hang out with my fantastic neighbours! Thank you Todd and company for this continuing this great neighbourhood tradition!

It was a great time!

Thrilled to be part of this discussion on #Lansdowne 2.0 organized by @neilsara.bsky.social moderated by @jchianello.bsky.social

Required reading from CBC Kate Porter’s on the Lansdowne 2.0 numbers - facts are important!!!! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #ottnews

Hmmm … clearly this should have said “procurement debacle.” (Damn auto-correct/lack of coffee..)

Excellent reporting by ⁦‪Arthur White-Crummy‬⁩ … I am deeply disturbed that #ottcity has not released the wording for the Lansdowne 2.0 RFP. They seemed to have learned nothing from the LRT2 predicament debacle. Where is the transparency?

Parents, councillors rally to ‘Save Our Safety Cameras’ after Ford’s plan to ban them

Looking forward to reading the #Lansdowne 2.0 report but I’m disappointed that Mayor Sutcliffe held a media briefing before the report is out. He throws out a lot of numbers, makes his pitch and takes questions from reporters who don’t have all the facts. Not transparent, not accountable. #ottnews

L’événement Right to Food du Parkdale Food Centre a été un autre grand succès aujourd’hui – et tant de mes personnes préférées !

📍Nepean – Oct 22, Barley Mow Merivale 📍Orléans – Oct 23, Café Amore And on Oct 26, join us at Beyond the Pale, one year out from Ottawa’s election day. Together, let’s build a city that works.

I’m launching a listening tour to hear directly from residents. First stops: 📍Kanata – Oct 7, Three Brewers 📍Hunt Club – Oct 14, Moose McGuire 📍Bells Corners – Oct 15, Kichesippi Beer Co

Across Ottawa, from fairs and markets to townhalls and meetings, I’ve been hearing the same thing: people are frustrated and want a new direction for our city. We need a city that works, with reliable transit, strong services, repaired roads and community centres.

Speed enforcement cameras work to keep neighbourhoods safe by reducing dangerous speeding. I and @catmckenney.bsky.social ask you to write to your MPP and Premier Ford to oppose legislation that would ban their use in Ontario cities.

On Oct. 9, join me for Designing a Better City, an exciting lunch & learn on design vision & leadership. A rare opportunity to hear some of Canada's most exciting voices on architecture & public policy, in a panel discussion with Ottawa's new Chief Planner! www.eventbrite.com/e/designing-...

In 2017, Catherine McKenney and I traveled to Queen's Park to fight for safer streets in Ottawa-Centre. The government listened to residents. Now, Premier Ford is proposing to make our streets more dangerous. It's the wrong move for intensifying neighbourhoods. www.ola.org/sites/defaul...

The decision to remove speed cameras from Ontario streets is unbelievably irresponsible and flies in the face of clear evidence … even police chiefs are against this populist move. It’s disgraceful.

The engagement efforts by the city on this plan have been a big improvement over the last “refresh.” Always grateful to my Councillor @jleiper.bsky.social for his commitment to making our city better. Next up: Tunney’s Pasture development update, Monday at 6:30 at HCC! See you all there

Getting together with my friends and neighbours - and Councillor! - before school starts has been a cherished tradition on Patricia Ave N for more than 20 years!