Ottawa

Respectfully, I think you are giving municipal politicians too much credit.

Do they promise things they have zero power to achieve? Yes, absolutely. I would like to see better understanding of how municipalities operate so that people can see through that. And to understand wording like "work towards" and "advance" and being super vague because he can't promise to actually do much.

If you're suggesting that you simply cannot hold public officials to their word, because reasons that just isn't good enough. That's just acknowledging that we're letting them lie to the citizenry with no consequences at all.

I'm saying he's not actually promising much if anything, because he can't do much, if anything. I can be more specific, if you'd like. Here is his plan: https://marksutcliffe.ca/priorities/infrastructure I will focus on what he can do, not whether it's a good idea.

Promises that involve asking staff to look at things and make recommendations (that they might already be doing, I don't know Ottawa that well) or directing them to work with others:

I will expand the application of a climate lens for infrastructure investments

Through analysis and community consultation, I will identify Ottawa’s worst intersections and will fix the 50 worst.

Roads in many local communities and former municipalities, such as Nepean, are more than 20 years old. I will develop a dedicated funding stream for improving aging local roads throughout rural, urban, and suburban Ottawa.

I will work with the federal and provincial governments to secure major investments, such as the $4 billion upload of the LRT and the start of LRT Phase 3 to Kanata, Stittsville, and Barrhaven.

Ottawa should have a downtown core that reflects the greatness of Canada. By addressing intersections and nodes that hinder this key area, we can bring a true national capital experience closer to visitors, residents and commuters. I will advance the redevelopment of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive by rationalizing traffic flow, promoting pedestrian accessibility and prioritizing public safety. 

I will modernize and undertake a full reform of infrastructure procurement and planning to deliver infrastructure more quickly and thoughtfully. We will examine how much infrastructure costs in Ottawa compared to other municipalities to ensure that we are getting the best value for money possible on our investments.

(My popcorn is READY for this one.)

To advance this new strategy, I will create a new Parks and Recreation Committee of Council, ensuring that capital, operating, and planning decisions regarding City parks and recreational centres are properly considered, coordinated, and consulted on with members of the community.

We will also explore new revenue sources to help offset debt costs, including naming rights, advertising strategies on both municipal sites and through by-law changes that permit digital signage in more locations city-wide subject to municipal fees, and mixed-use redevelopment on sites that can support it while retaining or enhancing existing community uses.

Promises that require others who he has no power over to agree to do

Before communities are built, I will ensure infrastructure like roundabouts, traffic lights, and sidewalks are constructed prior to residents moving in. I will ensure that the infrastructure is built prior to homes being built by leveraging front ending agreements.

I will work with the provincial government to move forward quickly on the Ring Road, creating the conditions to remove trucks from Manotick and surrounding communities, as well as lower congestion on the 417 and truck traffic in the downtown core.

I will ensure we receive our fair share of infrastructure investment from other levels of government, as I have successfully done in my first term.

Promises that depend on things outside of his control, like availability of engineering and construction contractors, regulatory approvals, etc.

Before communities are built, I will ensure infrastructure like roundabouts, traffic lights, and sidewalks are constructed prior to residents moving in. I will ensure that the infrastructure is built prior to homes being built by leveraging front ending agreements.

Through analysis and community consultation, I will identify Ottawa’s worst intersections and will fix the 50 worst.

Through the $10-billion infrastructure plan, I will rapidly expedite the speed at which this renewal work is undertaken so that a full municipal renewal is completed by 2033.

Promises to do with the budget, which he has a lot of power over but cannot unilaterally set (if 2/3 vote to override his veto he's SOL)

I will invest $500 million by 2030 to develop 1,000 kilometres of new or resurfaced traffic lanes, inclusive of new roads, widenings, and restoration work to ensure commutes are safe, fast, and frustration-free. This includes a $50-million increase in rural road funding, compared to the 2022-2026 term of Council.

I will ensure that funding is provided or construction is started on at least four new community or recreation complexes, with at least one located in every region of the city, including the Barrhaven Civic Centre, a new facility at Confederation Heights, and a new facility in Vanier.

I will find another $250 million in savings and efficiencies over the next four years, as I did over the last four years. These measures allow us to invest without asking local families to pay more.

Promises he has a single vote towards, i.e. approving the award of contracts

I will prioritize infrastructure investments in communities where flood risks are present, moving quickly to upgrade infrastructure to improve resilience against future extreme weather events.

I will advance priority transportation infrastructure projects that ease traffic. This will include new roads, widening existing arteries, and adding new traffic signals and roundabouts.

I will also prioritize $1.3 billion of expedited new bus rapid transit or dedicated bus lane projects.

I will ensure that funding is shifted toward “missing links” in our network for sidewalks and multi-use pathways that are used as routes for kids to get to school, such as the sidewalk on Church Street in North Gower.

Ottawa should have a downtown core that reflects the greatness of Canada. By addressing intersections and nodes that hinder this key area, we can bring a true national capital experience closer to visitors, residents and commuters. I will advance the redevelopment of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive by rationalizing traffic flow, promoting pedestrian accessibility and prioritizing public safety.

Things that aren't promises, but statements of what is currently planned.

Over the next four years, $500 million is prioritized for investments in infrastructure that make our communities stronger in the face of extreme weather, such as the heavy rain events that caused flooding. This will include upgraded storm sewers, ditch enhancements, and more. Priority will be given to addressing infrastructure gaps in flood-prone communities as guided by expert recommendations.

Over the next 10 years, there is over $400 million worth of renewal work across all our city recreational facilities, representing roughly 6,000 projects.

To fund this effort, a mix of parkland dedication and unlocked cash in-lieu of parkland will be advanced. New parks will include a mix of new dog parks, new central / district parks, parkettes and urban “third spaces”, fully revitalized parks in existing communities, new parks in communities with fewer existing amenities

I hope this helps. I think the public needs to stop thinking of municipal politicians as people who can promise results and instead look to what they say they will prioritize and support.