Featured Guest
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
Jim Watson
Mayor of Ottawa
5 Key
Takeaways
A roundup of the most compelling ideas, themes and quotes from this candid conversation
1. Proud of the City of Ottawa’s response
Mayor Watson highlighted that he is proud of the city’s public health and economic responses to COVID-19, adding that the number of cases in the city are going down. Mayor Watson also discussed the implementation of two task forces in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a human needs task force and an economic recovery task force. The former deals with the most vulnerable people within the community while the latter focuses on the short-term and long-term effects of the pandemic on the local economy.
2. Reinstating funding for public health
Mayor Watson discussed the reinstating of funding for public health services which were previously cut by the province. “We managed to sort of lobby them. I worked with John Tory and others to get some of the cuts reinstated,” Mayor Watson said. “But we’re going to have to have a serious discussion with the province. You can’t go and cut public health because it’s played such an important role in the fight against COVID-19.”
3. Delineating responsibilities of public health services
Mayor Watson called for a clearer delineation of the responsibilities with regards to the public health system. He highlighted that Canada’s health system is comprised of various branches, with different levels of government responsible for each, and this leads to “too many people involved, resulting in a duplication of effort.” “You got public health at the local level, and the provincial government has health[care], the federal government has aboriginal health,” said Mayor Watson. “It’s very poorly coordinated.”
4. Impacts to the local economy
Mayor Watson discussed the impacts of remote working and learning on the local economy as well as on the city’s coffers. He said that the reduced economic activity due to people working from home has significantly impacted businesses in the downtown area. He also said that the purpose of the city investing in Light Rail Transit was “to get people in and out of the city as quickly and efficiently as possible.” Now that fewer people are coming in and out of the city’s core due to social distancing, the Mayor said the City is losing money at an unsustainable pace due to lost revenue from transit.
5. Heading into Day 100
As we approach the 100th day of COVID-19 being designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, Mayor Watson said that it is essential to “keep the message fresh” with regards to adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. He said, “we have to continue that because unfortunately that’s the only way we know to stop the spread [of COVID-19].” He added that the three orders of government have worked well together as they’ve navigated the unchartered waters of COVID-19, putting aside partisanship for the betterment of the community
Additional reading & Resources
Full Panel
Transcript
Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software. Manual editing was undertaken in an effort to improve readability and clarity. Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to events@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.
Full Audience
Chatroom Transcript
Note to reader: Chat comments have been edited for ease of readability. The text has not been edited for spelling or grammar. For questions or concerns, please contact events@canurb.org with “Chat Comments” in the subject line.12:01:56 From Canadian Urban Institute: Welcome! Folks, please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:02:24 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Today’s conversation is with Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa
https://jimwatsonottawa.ca/en/
@JimWatsonOttawa
12:03:27 From Laurel Davies Snyder: Hello from Stratford, ON
12:03:31 From tanya fink: Vancouver, BC
12:03:35 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:03:49 From Julie Bourgoin to All panelists: Hello from Saint-Lambert QC
12:03:51 From Beate Bowron: Toronto
12:03:53 From Abby S: Midtown Toronto
12:03:55 From Brian Owen: Hi Mayor Jim, I am in Hamilton ON today.
12:04:10 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #citytalk @canurb
12:04:11 From Christina Sisson: Hello from the City of Kawartha Lakes where it is a very warm day!! Stay safe everyone!!
12:04:27 From J. Scott: From Tkaronto.
12:05:15 From Tamara Awada: Tamara Awada, Ottawa
12:05:29 From Nadine Tischhauser: Hello Mayor, greetings from Riga, Latvia! We miss our home in Ottawa!
12:07:11 From Steve Winkelman: Cities across Canada and the world are making major expansions pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to support social distancing, economic recovery and climate action. The Montreal Chamber of Commerce called for the closing of Ste-Catherine Street to help save downtown merchants. What are Ottawa’s plans for enhancing active transport?
12:09:53 From Michelle Rowland: Can you provide updates on what your plan is to enhance active transportation opportunities for Ottawa? The NCC has opened Sir John A MacDonald parkway. What can the City of Ottawa do? Listening from Ottawa today.
12:10:23 From J. Scott: COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire among migrant farm workers with temporary immigration status, housed by their employers in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions and work without access to any paid sick days or protective equipment. As of June 4, over 280 migrant farm workers have tested positive, several are hospitalized, and one worker from Mexico — 31 year old Bonifacio Eugenio Romero — has died.
Please act to prevent more workers from getting infected. Call your Member of Provincial Parliament! https://www.15andfairness.org/protectallworkers?utm_campaign=onwide_june4_2020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=decentworknow
12:13:00 From J. Scott: Protect ALL residents not just citizens.
12:13:54 From J. Scott: Transit systems should be tax based so it could be free.
12:14:02 From Michelle Rowland: Will you make transit free in Ottawa?
12:15:33 From Michael Roschlau: Excellent step to require masks on OC Transpo. Congratulations to the City of Ottawa for being the first in Canada to take this critical step. Others will hopefully follow – Brampton already announced and Toronto seriously considering.
12:16:15 From Robert Lane: Are you prepared to pay higher taxes for free
12:18:27 From Michael Roschlau: Fare-free transit has many issues, such as discouraging active transportation and degrading the “value” of something you don’t pay for. Better to have a deep discount for low-income individuals as Mayor Watson says.
12:18:32 From J. Scott: All venues where it’s not easy to physically distance should demand that masks are worn. We’ve missed out on doing that so far in Toronto, I think. Now the TTC is threatening a 50% cut in service so it will become a virus incubator. Had the system been tax based, our public transit could continue to provide the same level of service as pre-Covid.
12:18:33 From Abby S: I don’t think it should be thought of as “free”, it is where we put our resources. Our medical care is not “free”, but it is universal and accessible. The issue with equipages is there is stigma attached (or there can be) and you must apply. Taking a universal approach to affordable transit is different than “free”
12:18:59 From Nadine Tischhauser: Here in Riga, masks are required on all Public Transportation (bus, tram, etc) and it is working very well. The fare has not changed for riders however it is a tap system so no money is used or exchanged.
12:19:05 From Robert Lane: I continue watch folks with a mask hanging from their rear view mirror or grabbed out of the workpants and put on This is not cleanliness Mask are not the answer A very small solution Wash your hands
12:19:07 From Julie Bourgoin to All panelists: C19 and isolation has made it very obvious that working at home is possible, and more cost-efficient and environmentally more friendly. Do you fear the death of cities – with the masses moving to suburbs ur rural areas, demanding to continue to work from home ?
12:19:45 From J. Scott: If I had to pay an additional 15% on my property tax, I’d SAVE on my transit costs!
12:20:38 From Abby S: typo above…equipasses.
12:23:00 From Robert Lane: Time for less levels of Government – each has to have staff that does create wealth
12:25:07 From J. Scott: Is anyone thinking about how removing more single occupant cars by providing improved public transit would save the environment and reduce health costs?
12:25:39 From Steve Winkelman: Would you please circle back and ask about Ottawa’s plans for cycling and pedestrian improvements for pandemic response and recovery? Studies from London UK: Pedestrians spend 40% more than drivers; NYC: Retail sales 24% higher on streets with protected bike lanes. Montreal is adding 300 km of walk/bike infrastructure. Toronto added 40 km of bike routes.
12:27:48 From J. Scott: We’ve seen how the outcome of the current government’s health “care” plan has looked after Ontario residents.
12:27:50 From Robert Lane: Bikers – remember this is Canada We have snow – especially in Ottawa
12:27:51 From Steve Winkelman: [J. Scott: A study for the San Francisco Bay Area found that reductions in driving due to smart growth strategies could reduce health care costs by $140 million USD by 2035. There’s also good evidence on health benefits of increased physical activity and reduced pedestrian deaths with compact development and walkable neighbourhoods: https://www.greenresilience.com/smart-growth]
12:31:04 From J. Scott: Robert Lane et al: free and improved transit systems would help address winter needs across Canada.
12:32:10 From Michael Roschlau: One danger is that the fallout from COVID will encourage more people to acquire cars and drive, thereby worsening traffic congestion and emissions from transport. The potential (albeit politically challenging) opportunity is to consider new road pricing measures that could generate revenue to offset the new realities of funding public transit.
12:34:04 From J. Scott: Yea bike lanes everywhere! Even in Enbridge territory this is happening: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bikes-popularity-increase-covid-calgary-1.5592984
12:35:31 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #citytalk @canurb
12:36:08 From J. Scott: My love handles are developing Covid handles!
12:36:57 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/36VfTQr
12:40:45 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:41:13 From Steve Winkelman: The Ottawa Official Plan has some exciting measures to increase housing in transit-oriented neighbourhoods (intensification), including the interesting “613” housing concept (6 rooms, 3 beds) to fill the “missing middle” (between single family and towers) and 15-minute neighbouhoods. How will the City be promoting travel-accessible, affordable housing?
12:41:16 From J. Scott: To learn more about how communities are organizing food growing and distribution systems, this is a fantastic webinar: RECIPE FOR ACTION: Building Food Security in Insecure Times https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nxBaIsSa7A
12:42:49 From J. Scott: Free rapid transit can only be a great boon to businesses and tourism!
12:43:01 From Brian Owen: Hey, you forgot the Old Spaghetti Factory.
12:43:56 From J. Scott: Mayor Watson, please share that map!
12:44:18 From Nadine Tischhauser to All panelists: Excellent map! Thank you for sharing!
12:45:14 From Venczel Gloria: What does such sprawl do to your infrastructure costs when sprawl low density doesn’t pay for itself in tax revenues?
12:47:12 From Steve Winkelman: The Ottawa Scale in Perspective map can be found here: https://apt613.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Capture-Ottawas-size-768×410.png
12:47:40 From J. Scott: Thanks, Steve!
12:50:47 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Please help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/36VfTQr
12:52:21 From Abby S: Wouldn’t it be nice if this become the new normal…less partisanship and a new way of political discourse in our parliamentary oppositional system?
12:52:26 From J. Scott: Today is also World Environment Day
WEBCAST TIME FOR NATURE: BIODIVERSITY IN THE CITY – 7 – 8:30 PM ET
For those with kids first part of the webcast may appeal. It feels to be putting on a positive program to help get us more connected with nature…. enjoy. https://climatefast.ca/united-nations-2020-world-environment-day-time-nature-biodiversity-city or register directly on EB – you will be sent a YouTube link https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/time-for-nature-biodiversity-in-the-city-world-environment-day-tickets-105657644860
12:52:51 From Abby S: Thank you Mayor Watson and Mary!
12:54:04 From Andrea Calla: Thank you Mayor Watson and Mary for an interesting discussion!
