SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT LIVING in Ottawa feels like living in a small town, which sounds strange for a city of more than one million people. But among Canada's eight most populous cities, Ottawa covers the largest area. It's a factor that brings a huge diversity of interests to the populace, particularly between the urban core and outer suburbs. Yet, unlike Toronto or even less-than-half-oursize Halifax, there are no community councils to liase between neighbourhood interests and city hall: every Ottawan is under one decision-making body. Why is this a problem? In the recent mayoral election, there was a stark regional split: Mark Sutcliffe won handily in wards outside the Greenbelt; Catherine McKenney dominated only the inner core.
To understand the situation, it's important to look at the city's origins. Before we called it the City of Ottawa, the area was known as the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton (RMOC) from 1969 to 2000. The RMOC delivered the majority of municipal services and had a directly elected regional chair and 18 regional ward councillors. Each of the 11 constituent municipalities had their own mayor and a handful of councillors.
On Jan. 1, 2001 the city was amalgamated because the previous system had, in the words of one provincial advisor, "become ineffective, inefficient, and too expensive."
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Denne historien er fra Spring - Summer 2023-utgaven av Ottawa Magazine.
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Voice - Hope on the horizon
\"I JUST CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY.\" Jackie, a 60-year-old mother of two, is describing her experience at a new community mental health clinic opened by the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group.
Drink - The low and no trend
Experts agree: a world of benefits and flavours come with reduced alcohol consumption. Yvonne Langen surveys the scene - and offers a refreshing recipe
Food for Thought - Exhibits with taste
While Ottawa may not be a sophisticated metropolis that compares with London, Paris, or Rome, it is still the national capital, and as such is blessed with excellent museums and galleries, as well as some really good food. But as Hattie Klotz learns, it can be difficult to find the two under the same roof
Working with the grain
As demand for artisanal bread and craft beer continues to grow, Hattie Klotz meets the people building Ontario's small-scale grain sector from the ground up
Found - Working with the grain
As demand for artisanal bread and craft beer continues to grow, Hattie Klotz meets the people building Ontario's small-scale grain sector from the ground up
Design Insider
Upcoming projects, recent awards, and new openings in the city's dynamic design and build sector
THE WINDS OF CHANGE
Storms that knock down trees and cut power are becoming increasingly common. A snapshot of the May 2022 derecho offers a glimpse of what city hall and small businesses are doing to prepare for the next big one
THE HOTEL FACTOR
As tourism returns, new hotels are opening - and many have their sights set on locals
THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN
The way people move and work in the core is changing. We explore the possibilities by talking to industry leaders and engaged residents about how to build a great downtown
Opinion - Counselling change
It's been 20 years, but the effects of amalgamation are still being felt. Drew-Anne Glennie argues community councils could reconnect us with city hall and our neighbours
