Councillor renews calls for judicial inquiry into Ottawa's LRT project
Coun. Catherine McKenney is renewing calls for a judicial inquiry into Ottawa's light rail transit system.
Two weeks after council voted to ask the auditor general to look into the LRT contract and system, McKenney gave notice of motion to present a new motion for debate at the Nov. 10 council meeting.
McKenney's motion asks the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario to designate a judge to conduct an inquiry in two stages.
The first stage would look at all records and documents necessary to investigate and understand the facts and sequences of events from 2012 to the present regarding the approvals, development, costs, timelines and operation of the city's LRT system.
The second stage would conduct public hearings into the matters "designated in accordance with the principles of fairness, thoroughness, efficiency and accessibility."
McKenney's motion notes an auditor general's investigation into the LRT contract would be done behind closed doors.
"The residents of Ottawa both require and deserve to know by way of an independent, open and transparent public process the complete truth of how and why the LRT transit system became the largest, flawed capital project," said McKenney.
The Somerset Councillor asked the City Clerk whether the motion was in order, but Mayor Jim Watson said the clerk would rule at the next meeting on Nov. 10.
Council was set to debate McKenney's motion to call a judicial inquiry on Oct. 13, however, coun. Glen Gower moved a replacement motion recommending the city of Ottawa's auditor general examine the contract. Council voted 14 to 9 in support of the AG investigation.
Coun. Diane Deans suggested the mayor and councillors who opposed an inquiry are hiding something.
"What are you hiding? Why wouldn't you want to get to the bottom of this mess that is LRT? Why wouldn't you? To me there is only one reason, because you have something to hide. And this audit will make sure that what you have to hide never gets out in the public because the auditor can't investigate you," said Deans, who seconded McKenney's new motion for a public inquiry.
CONSTRUCTION QUESTIONS
Coun. Carol Anne Meehan is calling on city staff to conduct a side-by-side comparison of the Confederation Line with construction on the Trillium Line.
SNC Lavalin, one of the partners of Rideau Transit Group, is also part of TransitNEXT, designing and building the line from Bayview Station to Riverside South.
Meehan presented a motion asking the city manager and director of rail construction to provide a detailed side-by-side comparison of the challenges faced on the Confederation Line with the technical design on the Trillium Line to provide additional background information on the Trillium Line design and construction.
The motion was referred to the meeting of the finance and economic development committee meeting in December.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
COMING UP @ 3:30 P.M. City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate outside of taxi bylaw, judge rules
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.