Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his authorities is giving the Metropolis of Ottawa $48 million in funding to help public security on transit and within the downtown core and one other $40 million to help asylum seekers.
Ford was in Ottawa Tuesday to ship remarks to the Financial Membership of Canada, which included a “fireplace chat” with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
Ottawa’s transit system is dealing with important monetary pressures, together with a $25 million deficit in 2024 and a projected $120 million deficit in 2025. Sutcliffe has requested higher ranges of presidency for assist overlaying the deficits, however Tuesday’s provincial announcement was centered particularly on “public security” and didn’t point out OC Transpo operations.
In line with a information launch, the $48 million introduced Tuesday can be delivered over three years and is supposed for seven initiatives, together with growing the variety of uniformed particular constables on OC Transpo and different initiatives to bolster public security within the downtown core, comparable to outreach and different psychological well being helps. The funding would additionally help the Ottawa Police Service hub within the Rideau Centre.
“The brand new funding I introduced at this time, and our ongoing collaboration with Ottawa are a transparent demonstration of our authorities’s dedication to Ottawa’s success,” Ford stated. “We additionally want the federal authorities to step up as an energetic companion contributing to the success of our nation’s capital.”
With out extra funding for operations, Sutcliffe has stated choices to cowl OC Transpo’s deficit embrace important will increase to the transit levy and/or transit fares in addition to attainable service cuts. The town’s draft price range is to be tabled Nov. 13.
The province has additionally pledged $40 million over the subsequent yr to help emergency shelter operations, as the town faces an inflow of asylum seekers. The town is exploring the potential of constructing so-called “sprung buildings” to accommodate asylum seekers, however residents have opposed constructing them of their neighbourhoods.
“We’ll preserve supporting individuals. Regardless of if it is refugees or asylum seekers, they’re coming right here for a greater life,” Ford stated, saying he speaks frequently with refugees and asylum seekers in his using. “The issue is that they’re ready for a working allow – they wish to work; all these individuals wish to work – however they’re ready 18 months to 2 years to get a working allow. These individuals wish to work. Give them a working allow.”
The “New Deal for Ottawa” that was introduced earlier this yr contains $543 million in provincial cash for Ottawa for quite a few gadgets, together with a three-phased evaluation of potential provincial possession of Freeway 174, a brand new interchange at Freeway 416 and Barnsdale Street and to restore and improve main connecting routes and rural roads.
A number of residents and neighborhood organizations had been seen demonstrating outdoors the Chateau Laurier lodge Tuesday, protesting a proposal from the Ford authorities requiring municipalities obtain provincial approval earlier than constructing new bike lanes. Ford and Sutcliffe didn’t focus on bike lanes throughout their “fireplace chat.”
13 Ottawa metropolis councillors have signed an open letter opposing the laws.
