Thanks to the folks at the Ottawa Mission for the tour today; learned several things about operations and history; orgs like this shouldn’t need to exist; we need to aspire to a city where #HousingFirst is the norm, ppl are treated w/dignity and respect and meals are available. #OurBestOttawa

Low taxes bring us an $11b backlog in infrastructure; a failing transit system; crumbling sidewalks and parks; and FTR it’s not just about the amount of taxes, but how they’re spent: we could spend smarter, deliver better and create #OurBestOttawa w/better approaches.

You’d have to consult the platforms of those running, when they are announced/released and make your call; some believe the incumbent has this in hand, others do not. Hoping we see an engaged population participate and work together to make #OurBestOttawa

Heritage Ottawa - Tomorrow's Ottawa -- Setting the Path Towards Tomorrow's Heritage Welcome to the second of two special lectures this month that mark the BICENTENNIAL OF BYTOWN. Creating better built environments that conserve, restore and honour our past includes creating better places in 2026; better buildings, parks and landscapes that stand the test of time and become our heritage buildings of tomorrow. How do we create those meaningful experiences through built form that we hope future generations will honor and respect as much as we care about things built over the last 200 years? It starts with better policy, design leadership and engagement to create better places for people. A question and answer period will follow the lecture. Speaker: Toon Dreessen is a graduate of Carleton University, served as President of the OAA (2015 and 2016) and was inducted into the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada College of Fellows and the Order of DaVinci. He leads Architects DCA and is responsible for award-winning and high-profile projects. DCA is a company with roots dating back more than 40 years and is ISO 9001:2015 Certified. He leads the company’s activism and the role of architects in a strategic, visionary, and thoughtful planning. Toon founded, and is Chair, of the Ottawa Architecture Foundation. Heritage Ottawa is pleased to offer our lectures free of charge, but we do need your support. Consider making a donation or joining Heritage Ottawa as a member using our secure website: https://heritageottawa.org/en/become-member-make-difference

Thanks! Trying to bring it. Let’s make #OurBestOttawa bit.ly/4uUUIsf

Ottawa mayor responds after 'good morning' photo series went viral (in a bad way) Mark Sutcliffe regularly posts photos of the city taken during his morning runs, but critics called a melting-snow image 'hellscape.'

Good see the mayor has taken criticism of post in stride. I’d hope that while he’s willing to share #OttCity pics that include the ugly/gritty reality, I’d also wish he’d acknowledge the beautiful photos are, often, NCC places/landscapes and take inspiration to make #OurBestOttawa 1/ bit.ly/48fEMaf

Hallelujah. Toronto is figuring it out… will #OttCity be next in realizing that a few race to bottom to win a contract that is financially punitive, unfair, biased and may be uninsurable is no way to invest? Let’s do it. Let’s be #OurBestOttawa

We get designs that may not be as well suited to the needs to women and families and those in need. Change design process and become the best city we can. #OurBestOttawa

@arieltroster.com @tkavanaghbayward.bsky.social @stephanieplante.bsky.social

Ottawa, like Paris, is a G7 capital. While we’ll never match Parisian culture, history, and shouldn’t strive to be like Paris (or London, or Berlin etc) we should strive to be #OurBestOttawa; that means we can learn from other places and strive to achieve similar goals: better #PlacesForPeople 1/

I’ve (effectively) grown up here: lived here on/off as a kid/teen but it’s been my home since 93; by education, family and career are here. Which is why it’s so painful to write these articles. I care deeply about making #OurBestOttawa and see the bureaucracy/lack of political will an impediment 1/

Let’s be clear: something is better than nothing, but why not make the effort to do the best we can, not just the basics: let’s make #OurBestOttawa and capture the talent of creatives who live and work here; the 2020 planning concept was done by a Toronto firm, w/little or no local input 2/

What does #OttCity compare itself to? Instead of saying “we’re not (Montreal, Paris, London etc)” start by advocating to be #OurBestOttawa; look around and ask “is this our best? Are we doing everything we can?” Let’s work on continuously improving, and being our best

@jleiper.bsky.social

Globe editorial: The cost of Toronto’s free riders The federal government revoking part of the city’s housing money highlights a split between suburbs and old city

Much of this could apply to #OttCity as well: “The campaign must focus on a vision for the whole city, one that celebrates building homes, and the value of urban density.”

I want a mayor with a vision for #OurBestOttawa

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...

Movement I helped lead in the last few years, and continue to push for, to reform our procurement process. It’s not about RFP’s, it’s about getting. #OurBestOttawa

It’s about creating a better City through better vision and ideas which is delivered through better contracts, RFPs & procurement.

What an absolutely excellent thread. Every single post contains a new information and helps. Illustrate the challenges. Ottawa has faced for decades. Ask yourself what we can change to make #OurBestOttawa

The city I believe can be #OurBestOttawa is a place where ppl are welcomed; that means basics like washrooms in public places like transit and parks. We could be a city of equity, access and yes, design if we believed in #PlacesForPeople @picardonhealth.bsky.social

Same in #OttCity; we cd put public land used for surface parking (including those at urban community centres/libraries) to better use. But it would take political will (which largely exists) + budget and a creative approach to thinking about design (both MIA); we can be #OurBestOttawa if we want

This entire thread also applies to #OttCity; it is a place of great potential and shares challenges of suburban urban divide both electorally and in governance; these are fixable problems if we want to be #OurBestOttawa

Check out the thread as well as dan‘s incredible photos

This is awesome! @jskstreet.bsky.social is a treasure! This is proof that #DesignMatters and that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune; can produce great value and be driven by local talent, experience and ideas. Looking forward to exciting ways that we can all work to achieve #OurBestOttawa

We’re already facing billions of dollars in underfunded infrastructure; it can’t go on. Let’s make a better city for all of us, and be #OurBestOttawa

@jleiper.bsky.social
@shawnmenard.bsky.social
@jchianello.bsky.social
@arieltroster.com
@neilsara.bsky.social

#OttCity, another G7 capital could be in the same #ClimateLeadership position; we don’t have to let the sarcasm of #Autowa be our reputation forever. Be the change, dream big, be #OurBestOttawa

@brenttoderian.bsky.social
@neilsara.bsky.social

www.eventbrite.com/e/designing-...

Last muni election bike lanes were used as a divisive ploy; it’s not about biking from Carp to Navan for hockey practice in Feb; it’s about giving ppl a choice to bike to work, transit, store or school when and if they want to. We’d spend less, get more, create #OurBestOttawa if we cared more

Reaching an audience of those willing to listen and who want the same thing; a fair and equitable process that builds #OurBestOttawa; this includes councillors, staff and decision makers as well as the public who pays for public spaces and may not know (or care) about how these things are created 2/

Imagine Wellington west, Bank street or Montreal Road. Imagine #OurBestOttawa, a #PlaceForPeople where parking is off street, creating room for businesses to grow and thrive.

This a great example for #OttCity leadership to advance better #PlacesForPeople; thanks @glengower.ca for the repost of this thread and looking forward to your championing of better approaches to road safety, quality of experience and beauty in #OurBestOttawa

Let’s imagine #BigBoldIdeas

Hope you can come out to the event. Please circulate news of it to your friends and colleagues! Only a couple of days left for tickets!

Let’s imagine #OurBestOttawa

Thanks @brigittepellerin.bsky.social for sharing! We’re excited to see you there! Let’s make #OurBestOttawa with #BigBoldIdeas! Tickets available here: www.eventbrite.com/e/central-pa...

There should be clear accountability, a public apology from those who were responsible, and an immediate repayment to relocate these funds to the proper budget. That should immediately open the floodgates to infrastructure project to make. #OurBestOttawa that is safe for all. 1/

Thanks @neilsara.bsky.social for doing this! Great to see people who care about being #OurBestOttawa

Whenever we see someone suffering and they refuse help we have to ask why: are they afraid of the shelter system? What can we do to alleviate this? To reduce suffering and improve their lives and thereby make #OurBestOttawa possible? We need to stop looking away and start doing what’s needed.

To make the tough calls needed to be efficient (not empty words to “find efficiencies”) with the $ collected already, and then invest in making #OttCity the place we aspire to be. To feed & house those in need; to repair our infra and restore pride of place; to be #OurBestOttawa