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Media Releases Media Release April 15,2008 Ottawa - Councillor Clive Doucet was delighted to see that the largest survey ever conducted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) revealed that 90 per cent of respondents say that the federal government should provide financial support to municipal governments. Canadians are saying to Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, that his job includes potholes. Canadians are saying to Stéphane Dion that he was right; the surplus should be spent on community infrastructure, roads and public transit. City infrastructure, after health care, is a top priority for Canadians. Canadians are supporting the request of Mayor Miller of Toronto, and city councils across the country that the GST be returned to 6% from 5%, and the extra 1% be transferred to municipal governments. The message to the federal government is clear, Canadians want a share of their taxes redirected to cities and they want it now! Sixty eight per cent (68%), a robust majority of those polled, said they would support the idea of the GST being increased to 6%, if the extra funds were allocated directly to cities on a permanent basis. Councillor Doucet and his fellow councillors, who marched on Parliament Hill in December 2007 in support of the One Cent NOW! campaign, agree with the survey’s findings. It was the first time ever in the history of the city that councillors, endorsed by their council, have marched on Parliament Hill. They congratulate the FCM for such a useful clarification of the real preferences of Canadians. It’s not about tax cuts. It’s about spending our money differently and more effectively. Media contacts: Catherine Henry (613) 580-2424, ext. 25287, Tara Pearman, ext. 27441 Visit the Federation of Canadian Municipalities website for more information on the surveyhttp://www.fcm.ca/english/media/press/april152008.html Councillor Doucet calls for fresh air summit
in Fall Ottawa – Air pollution, and the fine particulate matters associated with it, are closely related to a wide variety of health problems, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, immune deficiency diseases and low birth weights. Ottawa’s air quality is the same as Toronto’s but without the same level of heavy industry. Local pollution comes from many different sources, including cars, diesel trucks, factories, power plants, residential fireplaces, wood stoves and agricultural burning. At ‘Why Clean Air Matters’ held yesterday, April 6, at the Mayfair Theatre, hosted by Councillor Clive Doucet with guest speaker Dr. Tom Kovesi, it was clear that the people attending the event wanted Ottawa’s air quality cleaned up and had ideas about how to do it. They wanted the City of Ottawa’s air pollution mapping project extended to include risk assessment for local health. For example, if the poorest air quality in Ottawa occurs at the intersection of the 417 and Carling Avenue - should the province be widening the Queensway? Children are especially sensitive to air pollution because their airways are narrower, they tend to breath through the mouth, and they have a higher breathing rate relative to body weight and lung surface area than adults. Lung growth in children is also adversely affected by air pollution. Councillor Doucet is committed to working with his colleagues on council to bring forward a Fresh Air Summit this fall at City Hall and to develop a Clean Air Mandate for the city. Media contact: Catherine Henry, (613) 580-2424, ext. 25287 or 580-2487 Recently Clive hosted an event on clean air quality issues in Ottawa with guest speaker Dr. Tom Kovesi , Pediatric Respirologist, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and a screening of the NFB film, Radiant City on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the Mayfair Theatre on Bank St. at Sunnyside in Old Ottawa South For more information about this past event>> The Ottawa/Russell Water Supply Agreement January 29, 2008 Mayor Larry O’Brien will host Russell Mayor Ken Hill for a signing ceremony of the Ottawa Russell water supply agreement tomorrow at City Hall. The 28-kilometre fresh water pipeline to Russell Township is nothing to celebrate. It is a new step in urban sprawl. It is the result of the inability of many rural areas to address pesticide and nutrient pollution of our groundwater. By making Ottawa’s water available to the Township, there is no pressing need to deal with the root causes of groundwater pollution. This decision was also made within the context of many areas within the city’s boundaries not having access to piped water. Councillor Doucet voted against the extension of the city’s water pipeline to Russell Township and believes that it is irresponsible environmentally and financially to expand City services in this way. Where do we stop? How many more Townships will come knocking on our door to solve their water problems? While many argued in favour of helping our neighbours, most failed to ask the important question – why are we in this mess in the first place? Lend a helping shovel;Councillor
Doucet Encourages Ottawans’ to lend a helping shovel In exceptional circumstances like the recent snowstorm, there is not enough equipment or staff available to any city to dig streets and sidewalks out immediately. Further, with climate change, the possibility of freezing rain or snap freezing is always just around the corner. Frozen rutted sidewalks are almost impossible to clear without specialized equipment and a heavy amount of salt, hence the necessity of clearing them down to packed snow before such an event transpires. In the spirit of the season, please consider helping out so that your neighbours, both young and old, can once again get around on the City’s sidewalks. The City will continue to deploy its full resources to clear all streets and sidewalks. Three additional sidewalk plows have been purchased and will be deployed today. This adds to the 28 machines currently working in the central district of the city. Councillors ready to march on Parliament Hill
on Monday, Dec. 3 at Noon. The Crises at City Hall Priorities and Budget – Whose Crisis Is It? Since the Mayor has already agreed to tax increases and the importance of retaining existing service levels, how does 0 means 0 add up? For complete release>> (pdf) Support our troops Public Consultation on Strategic Directions July 10, 2007 Yesterday I walked out of a City Council meeting with public delegations,
something I have never done and here’s why. If you’re going to have public consultation, it better have an effect. People make time and devote energy bringing their points of view to the table. That commitment to public engagement must be honoured by a process which relates to action. Artists, councillor want hopscotch players to
take back Ottawa streets From CBC News, May 14/07- complete story (new page) |