James O'Grady supports borough councils

James O’Grady, candidate for Knoxdale-Merivale, announced his intention today to support the creation of borough councils in Ottawa.

These regional decision-making bodies, comprised of City councillors from neighboring wards, will provide public forums for issues of local concern to be discussed and debated by all relevant stakeholders. Sometimes referred to as community councils, borough councils will facilitate community consultation, improve accountability at City Hall and help safeguard community interests.

O’Grady says that “amalgamation created a power vacuum. While City Hall has gained power, the residents of Ottawa have lost the influence they once enjoyed. In an amalgamated Ottawa, residents are not encouraged to get involved and they are not engaged early on in a project. When they are consulted, their feedback is often marginalized or ignored. Public consultations are used as opportunities to ‘pitch’ the public rather than seek feedback.”

If elected, O’Grady intends to introduce a motion to create borough councils. “We have the right to participate in decisions that directly affect the communities where we have chosen to set down roots, invest financially and raise our families", he said.

While borough councils would handle issues of local concern, matters related to the well-being of the entire city and its citizens would continue to be directed to City Council. Rather than a move toward de-amalgamation, Ottawa City Council combined with borough councils, would allow for a unified structure where one is needed, while adding the virtues of local control and decision-making where appropriate.

Empowering local communities to take control of their own matters would allow City Council to focus on larger issues that effect everyone, while reducing the number of standing committees required at City Hall. Building on Jim Watson’s proposal for a rural borough council, O’Grady believes borough councils should be implemented city-wide and must have jurisdiction over local planning matters. Both the City of Toronto and Halifax, Nova Scotia use this model. In Toronto, the responsibilities of the community or borough council generally include making recommendations to City Council on local planning and development matters, as well as neighbourhood matters including traffic plans, parking regulations and exemptions to certain City bylaws.

Article courtesy YourOttawaRegion.com
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/local/article/869905--candidates-are-for-borough-councils