The Importance of Voting Today

The importance of today’s vote can not be overstated. The polls would appear to indicate that Ottawa is about to elect Jim Watson as mayor of this great city. This despite that fact that Mr. Watson, who has been part of Mr. McGuinty’s Liberal cabinet minister, brought in some of the most outrageous tax increases.

It is true that virtually every politician makes unrealistic promises regarding taxes. One need only look at “Exhibit A” Larry O’Brien. However, a closer examination of the provincial Liberal’s tax increases should give cause for alarm. For instance, the first was the “Health Premium”.

The Health Premium was initially promoted not as a tax but a premium. The Liberal government actually thought they were so much smarter that than the people of Ontario that they could make a tax grab and the voters would not see it as a tax. They defended it because they argued we needed to help the health care system. Fair enough, but why the deception? It unfortunately doesn’t end there.

Mr. McGuinty after promising he would not raise taxes and then adding the “Health Premium” brought forward the Harmonized Sales Tax. Sounds nice as who doesn’t like harmony. However, they also bring in the eco-tax without announcing it to the public. In fact, without public outrage this insidious tax would still be charged on everyday items. These hidden taxes are doing serious harm to people’s lives.

I have much more respect for Clive Ducet, who, although would no doubt raises taxes, is not pretending otherwise. If people vote for him and his tax increases, so be it, that is democracy and it is honest. The two should go together.

I have no doubt that if Mr. Watson is elected mayor he will attempt to bring in municipal taxes the way Toronto did under a liberal mayor with the cooperation of the McGuinty government. These include the Municipal Land Transfer Tax, licensing fees, increased user fees, etc. It has been argued that Mr. Watson doesn’t have the power without the consent of the provincial government. “Exhibit B” Premier Dalton McGuinty… enough said.

The only anti-dote to Watson’s poisonous views on taxes is a council of fiscally responsible councilors. This means making your vote for councillor that much more important. O’Brien complained that he could not get his vision of the city through because of a liberal dominated council. If voters take care to make an informed choice, perhaps Mr. Watson, if elected, will face the same opposition from a fiscally conservative council.

There are numerous grassroots organizations that present information on candidates and their positions on the issues. At teapartyofottawa.ca we have compiled as much information, links, and websites on the candidates so that voters can make an informed choice at the ballot box.

Rather, than voting for the incumbent because you know his/her name vote for them because you believe that he/she would do a better job than the challengers. Moreover, if one opposes the incumbent don’t vote by the picking anyone other than the incumbent. Check their responses and make an informed choice.

We have the tools to make an informed choice today. We don’t have to take the anticipated tax increases unless we vote for councilors who will happily enact them.

Is Democracy working at the municipal level?

Winston Churchill said, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.” He is right of course, but it doesn’t seem to be working at the municipal level. After all, election after election, outside of the race for mayor, incumbents never lose. They have a seat for life which is more of a monarchy than the type of electoral process we as Canadian are used to. This surely is a very troubling sign that democracy is failing at the municipal level. Yet what is a voter to do?

With every incumbent winning that means the worst councilor will be re-elected until he/she decides to retire. Moreover, people who are well qualified often don’t run because they know unseating an incumbent simply does not occur. Neither of these results are good for the city and neither is a true reflection of the best democratic process.

In the past two elections we have had a voter turnout of 33% followed by 54% in 2006. The latter likely attributed to a highly contested mayoral race with a very divisive issue of great importance. So, while we can talk about voting being a civic duty there is little incentive for most people to vote for because, for many, there is little hope that their vote will make any difference and as a result few eligible voters take the time to cast a ballot.

So what choices do voters have? Name recognition is problem the number one reason people cast a vote for a candidate. They don’t know anyone else, and frankly, how could they. A non-incumbent is simply a non-entity for most of the voters, no matter how qualified, they are as they are lost among a group of unknowns which splits the anti-incumbent vote. The non-incumbent takes vacation or campaigns after hours in order to run for office, while the incumbent knocks on doors and speaks to the press and it is all part of their job.

We need to level the playing field so that those challenging an incumbent to represent the people of their ward, have an opportunity to have their voices heard, and more importantly, for the voters to know who and what they are voting for. However, this does not mean that we should vote against incumbents in the name of democracy, but rather that we vote for the best candidate based on an informed decision.

Hopefully, with grassroots groups, such as the Tea Party of Ottawa, posting the positions of the candidates online on various issues, there is hope that there is sufficient information available to voters in this election that voters will cast informed votes. If this were to occur, the next group of candidates is likely to be more qualified as they would be emboldened in the belief that the best candidate can win.

Just as important is that voters would be more likely to get out to the voting booth and casting a ballot for the candidate they believe is the best choice and that their voice can be heard. Mobilizing and inspiring the silent majority of eligible voters is the key to restoring democracy at the municipal level.

One might wonder why we hold this charade of holding elections when despite the millions of dollars being spent, there is no change in representation. Well, we do it because we recognize the importance of democracy. We do it because we need to have confidence that our elected representatives truly represent the views of the majority of the voters in their ward.  However, the system is broken and it needs to be repaired in the worst way. It doesn’t need to be fixed in the next election, it needs to be fixed now.

Voters can often point, quite rightly, to the government mishandling of a multi-million dollar project. However, in this case, it is the voters who must take responsibility. We are the essential component of the election process and many take their duty too lightly.

Democracy is one of the pillars upon which we, as Canadians, stand. It cannot be taken for granted and we should be prepared to fight for it. For the sake of democracy, every voter has a civic responsibility to make an informed choice by contacting all the candidates in his or her ward by phone, email or by attending the candidates’ debates and asking questions and getting firm unwavering responses.

On election night, if there are any gasps of amazement because an incumbent was unseated, then we can rest assured that democracy has finally regained its rightful place in municipal elections. We can then confidently state that the democracy we are so proud of as Canadians, and lauded by Sir Winston, does indeed work, and we are darn proud of it.

Dave MacDonald

Founder

Tea Party of Ottawa

www.teapartyofottawa.ca

Change is needed at City Hall- Saturday Demo

A change is needed at Ottawa City Hall- and it starts by promoting a stronger democratic process in municipal politics!

 The Tea Party of Ottawa is holding a demonstration demanding change at City Hall on Saturday, October 2 at 12 noon. Our electoral system is broken and in need of repair. That is, once someone is elected to council, he or she has the job for life. Certainly, that is not what the voters of Ottawa want, yet for most, the challengers for the job are unknown to the people of their wards.

 We hold elections, spending millions of dollars, but at the end of the day, every sitting councilor is re-elected. So whether they have done a good job or are totally incompetent they have no reason to fear they will lose their seat, until now. People are calling for change on council, but are left with little information on where the challengers stand on the issues. The Tea Party of Ottawa will do all it can to raise awareness of the positions of the candidates for public office.

 The Tea Party of Ottawa is a grass roots organization that is promoting democracy at the municipal level. We believe that by asking specific questions and posting the responses of candidates for public office, we are equipping the voter of Ottawa with the ability to make informed choices before casting their ballot.

 We seek candidates with integrity, who are fiscally responsible, and who have the ability to effectively and persuasively work with members of city council who have different political views and interests. In particular, we need candidates who can bridge the urban/rural divide and who understand the hardship that many feel with rising taxes.

 We believe that democracy is worth standing up for. We believe that a change is needed. We believe our voices will be heard and that a change is coming. On Saturday, October 2, our voices will be heard. On Monday, October 25^th, the will of the people will be decided

 For more information or if you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Dave MacDonaldby email him at  ottawateaparty@hotmail.com

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss?

In the Who’s classic song We Won’t Get Fooled Again, Roger Daltry belts out the line “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”. The lyrics are sticking with me as I look at how some candidates are acting in this municipal election. We will have new councilors this term, and many candidates are following the professional politician’s playbook. That is, agree with everything the voter is saying, and for God’s sake don’t take a stand that might alienate a potential voter.

Taking a stand, is as one very sly candidate stated, “political suicide, why bother”. He told me, rather boastfully of his savvy political style, that it is best to listen and then agree and go on to the next house.

So many candidates don’t respond to questionnaires and have websites that promise change and transparency. Some list the issues but fail to take positions. So voters are left to fill in the blanks.

The Tea Party of Ottawa is encouraging voters to only support candidates that are quick to give yes and no responses and who are not afraid to state their positions online. It is time that we won’t be fooled again.

Dave MacDonald
Founder
Tea Party of Ottawa

A transit plan for everyone or a colossal error?

I am at that age, like almost every man, when I dream of owning a Porsche. A nice red one with a stereo system that is out of this world. There are a few problems with attaining my dream, however. These cars really aren’t made for a guy 6’4’’ and it is not the best vehicle for carrying around your hockey equipment in the trunk… and oh ya, I can’t afford it.

This is much like the dream many councilors have about a transit system with an underground tunnel. It may look nice but doesn’t really address the needs of those in the city of Ottawa… and oh ya, we can’t afford it.

In order to be effective, a new transit system requires more track so that it will invite more rider on the transit system. Is there anyone living in Kanata, Orleans or Barrhaven who will take the bus simply because there is a downtown tunnel? I don’t think so and yet we are prepared to pay billions for this without it addressing the most basic needs of the city. That is, we need a transit plan that will significantly increase ridership resulting in fewer cars on the Queensway.

While Mayor O’Brien makes every attempt to be fiscally responsible, in this case, he is way off base. The Lionel Train Set that is the basis of the new plan simply won’t be effective. It is way too short and doesn’t address the needs of commuters.

What does appear to be effective is the plans put forward by Mayoral candidates, Mike McGuire and Clive Doucet. They both see the need for a transit plan that crosses the city from east to west and north to south in order to effectively serve the entire region. Furthermore, because the trains actually would go somewhere one could reasonably expect that it would increase ridership and ease traffic on The Queensway.

It is interesting that these two candidates for mayor are very far apart politically. However, this is not a left vs. right issue. Rather, it is about common sense. While there are differences between the two plans they share common elements, that is, the plans are affordable and address the real needs, both short and long term for the city.

The city should not opt for a plan simply because the voters, and councilors alike, are tired of discussing the transit issue. There is just too much at stake for us to make a major investment in a plan that is so expensive, and carries the possibility of unforeseen cost overruns, that just doesn’t address the reasons why we need a better transit system. This isn’t Vegas, we don’t need to gamble our future on the tunnel.

We need a proper public transit system. One that offers a legitimate alternative to driving downtown. It has to attract current drivers to forsake their cars in order to ease the congestion of The Queensway.

I wish the city had someone, like my wife, to talk sense into them. That is, if I went out and bought that Porsche, she would ask me why I bought a car that we can’t afford, and just as importantly, doesn’t address our needs… or words to that effect.

Mr. Doucet’s plan click here

Mr. McGuire’s plan click here

Ward 23-Kanata South

Marc Favreau – Yes, I support the current plan although it doesn’t address the immediate concerns of the residents in my ward of Kanata South. Residents overwhelmingly would like to see council implement the east-west transportation plan quicker.

Aaron Helleman – Did not respond

Allan Hubley – Did not respond

Perry Simpson – Did not respond

Michel Tardif – Did not respond

Rodney Telez – My answer is “Yes” At this point the city has invested too much money and time on this plan and the people of Ottawa are not in-favour of re-setting the start button again. I’m personally in favour of keeping the transit way as is and starting the light rail track from another point in the city (Kanata or Stittsville) and eventually connecting with the Transitway in 20 year down the road when it has been all used up and is ready to be replaced. I feel that we have spend too much money to build the Transitway to just tear it up.

Ward 22-Gloucester-South Nepean

Steve Desroches – Did not respond

Stephen Knight – responded that I go to his website to find out his position. I requested that he resond in writing to the question. No follow up response was received.

Ward 21-Rideau-Goulbourn

Glenn Brooks – Did not respond

Bruce Chrustie – My answer is absolutely not!

Iain McCallum – NO Having a tunnel within the city is not going to deal with the car pollution and traffic problems caused by the people traveling into the city. What this tunnel will do is take riders off the buses and put them under the ground. If someone is taking a bus from the West End, East End or South End they will not want to get off, go down onto the underground when the bus goes by there anyways. If they are traveling through the city, to use the underground, they would have to get off the bus, go onto the underground, then get on another (possibly the same) bus to reach their destination. In relation to the ‘it needs to go, through no matter the cost’ there have been no bids as of yet from any builders. An example of another time the city did this was with the OC Transpo bus garage on Industrial. The councillors estimated just under $30 million, the lowest bid was $50 million and the final total cost, including overruns was $100 million. For this underground tunnel, the councillors estimate $2.1 billion and if it goes along the same ‘it needs to go through, no matter the cost’, that could cost the City $7billion. Is it worth $ 7 billion to take people off of the buses and put them on an underground train? Not $7 billion of your money!

Scott Moffat – returned e-mail but did not respond to question. I requested that he respond to the question but no follow up response was received.

Bruce Webster – NO and I have made it clear for the last 4 years that I do not believe Ottawa can afford the expected price tag of 1.2 BILLION for 1/3 of the project. I have spent hours with Andy Haydaon and believe the concept of bus through tunnel is more secure, flexible, safe and cheaper. It also should maintain or increase ridership since the number of transfers will be lessened which is a known problem (transfers) to maintaining ridership.

Ward 20-Osgoode

Bob Masaro – No, I do not support the current transit plan due to its costly price tag towards the citizens of Ottawa.

Mark Scharfe – Did not respond

Doug Thompson – Yes

Ward 19-Cumberland

Stephen Blais – Did not respond

Robert Jellet – Did not respond

Patrick Paquette – Did not respond