New Ottawa city manager vows to restore trust after damning LRT report
Ottawa's interim city manager is vowing to restore the public's trust after a damning report on the city's problem-plagued LRT system identified "egregious violations of the public trust."
In her first public remarks since taking over as interim city manager following Steve Kanellakos's resignation, Wendy Stephanson told city council that the senior leadership team is taking the inquiry's lessons to heart.
"Sometimes, it really takes somebody from the outside to point out where change is needed," she said Wednesday morning. "I recognize that council and the public's trust has been eroded over the light rail over a number of years.
"The senior leadership team is taking lessons form the inquiry to heart, and we're committed to taking the necessary actions needed to restore full confidence in the city's public service, and to make sure that the public knows that we put them first."
The Ottawa LRT public inquiry's final report found that Mayor Jim Watson and senior city staff withheld information from city council about the problematic testing period, during which the criteria for the system was lowered.
The report, released last week, said former city manager Steve Kanellakos "deliberately misled council" about the trial running period.
"This conduct … is part of a concerning approach taken by senior City officials to control the narrative by the nondisclosure of vital information or outright misrepresentation," the report said. "Worse, because the conduct was wilful and deliberate, it leads to serious questions about the good faith of senior City staff and raises questions about where their loyalties lie.
"It is difficult to imagine the successful completion of any significant project while these attitudes prevail within the municipal government."
Kanellakos resigned last Monday, two days before the report was released. Council appointed Stephanson, who had been the city treasurer, to take over the job on an interim basis.
Stephanson said Wednesday that openness and transparency will be of "paramount importance" to the senior leadership team and the organization as a whole.
"We are actively looking at practical ways to enhance our processes and change any parts of the culture that lessen accountability," she said.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said in his opening remarks to council that Stephanson recognized "work needs to be done to help re-establish council's and the public's trust going forward."
Along with city staff, the commission's report takes LRT consortium Rideau Transit Group to task for deliberately misleading the city as to when the Confederation Line would be ready.
City councillors voted to establish a new light rail sub-committee to oversee non-operational matters related to the system.
NO CITIZEN TRANSIT COMMISSIONERS
There will be no citizen transit commissioners on the transit commission during the 2022-2026 term of council.
The Council Governance Review recommended only elected representatives sit on the transit commission this term, removing the four citizen transit commissioners from the committee overseeing OC Transpo and Para Transpo.
Council voted 18 to 6 against a motion from Coun. Sean Devine and Coun. Jessica Bradley to keep citizen transit commissioners for two years until the mid-term governance review.
"I absolutely agree with the proposal to remove resident commissioners from the transit commission," Coun. Jeff Leiper said. "The more councillor eyes we have on transit who are required to be engaged day-to-day with the work of OC Transpo the better."
The city will set up a citizen's advisory committee made up of transit riders, including at least one Para Transpo user. Council also approved a motion to ensure the committee has a seat for a member of an OC Transpo union.
Council approved the full Council Governance Review, outlining the committee structures and procedures for the 2022-2026 term. The nominating committee will meet next week to vote on the members for each committee.
Some of the changes include:
- The Community and Protective Services Committee separated into the "Community Services Committee" and the "Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee."
- The Finance and Economic Development Committee renamed the Finance and Corporate Services Committee
- The Built Heritage Committee becomes a full standing committee
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.