Latest news with #JeffLeiper
CBC
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Hearings on bill to oust misbehaving councillors arrive in Ottawa
Social Sharing When a series of internal investigations found former Ottawa city councillor Rick Chiarelli had sexually harassed multiple female staffers over several years back in 2020, it sparked public outrage and demands for accountability. At the time, council imposed the harshest penalty available — docking Chiarelli's pay for 90 days times six, once for each complainant who came forward in three separate reports. That cost Chiarelli a little over $100,000, but he held onto his council seat until the end of his term in 2022. That was a difficult thing to explain to constituents, according to Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper. "I don't think residents really ever understood why [we] couldn't sanction such an egregious violation by kicking that councillor off of council," he said. "It's just not a power that city council has." But that could soon change. Thanks to years of advocacy, private members' bills, and other calls to update municipal codes of conducts and impose harsher penalties on those who violate them, the province is now proposing new legislation. Bill 9 would create a standard code of conduct for all municipalities, giving them the power to remove and disqualify from office members who are found to be in serious violation. Under the proposed rules, three things would need to happen first: a recommendation from a municipal integrity commissioner, an approval from an Ontario integrity commissioner, and a unanimous vote by the rest of council. Former staffer to address committee Several Ottawa residents are expected to speak before the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy when it visits the city on Thursday as part of the public hearings on the bill. Among them is Stephanie Dobbs, a former employee of Chiarelli's and one of the main complainants against him. "I want to bring back the human aspect to this," Dobbs told CBC. "It's very difficult in policy proceedings to remember the impact this has on real people." Dobbs said she intends to speak about what she went through and the long-term impact it has had on her. She said she's grateful for the bill, although she believes it contains one serious flaw: the requirement that councillors unanimously vote for removal. "This threshold of 100 per cent is absolutely ridiculous and unrealistic," she said. MPP hoping for amendments MPP Stephen Blais shares that concern. Blais served on Ottawa city council with Chiarelli before making the jump to provincial politics. He has introduced three different bills aimed at creating a process to remove an elected official from office for egregious workplace violence or harassment, but all three were voted down. "We've seen here in Ottawa and other cities that when controversial items come up, it's very easy to get up and just be away from the table," he said of the unanimity requirement. "It would be very easy for that vote simply not to happen because someone was absent." Blais argues the decision to remove a councillor should ultimately be up to the courts. He and other opposition MPPs intend to propose amendments to Bill 9 once it passes to the next stage, but he isn't sure their suggestions will be well received. "The current government has a distaste for the courts," he said. When then Municipal Affairs minister Paul Calandra introduced the bill last December, he defended the "very high bar" it sets. "Ultimately, the people will decide in an election. I wanted to have a mechanism [for removal], though. I thought it was very important," he said. Thursday's hearing will take place at the Sheraton Hotel on Albert Street.
CTV News
05-07-2025
- CTV News
Legal drinking allowed in 8th Ottawa park this summer
Parkgoers can now enjoy beer, wine or a spirit in an eighth park in Ottawa, as a park in Kitchissippi ward has been added to the list of designated parks for legal alcohol consumption. As of July 1, residents and visitors can drink alcohol in designated parks across the city. Under the alcohol in parks pilot project, councillors are allowed to select parks for alcohol consumption in consultation with city staff. Seven parks were officially designated for alcohol consumption: Minto Park, McNabb Park, Queenswood Ridge Park, the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park, Riverain Park, Strathcona Park and Brewer Park. On Friday, the city's website showed legal alcohol consumption is now allowed in Champlain Park. Coun. Jeff Leiper told constituents last weekend that it was his intention to ask the city to designate Champlain Park for legal alcohol consumption, but he was 'late to fill out the form.' Leiper said it would be in the second round of parks announced for the pilot project. According to the City of Ottawa, alcohol consumption is permitted in the designated parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Individuals consuming alcohol must: be 19 years of age or older take all empty alcoholic beverage containers home not drink, drive, be intoxicated in public or cause a disturbance. The City of Ottawa says alcohol cannot be sold, supplied or served without a permit. Under the alcohol in parks pilot project, alcohol consumption is not permitted within five-metres of the following areas: Playgrounds Wading pools and splash pads Beaches Rinks Playing fields and ball diamonds Basketball, tennis and pickleball courts Skateboard parks Parking lots Here is the list of designated parks for legal alcohol consumption in Ottawa
CTV News
02-07-2025
- CTV News
You can legally drink alcohol in 7 Ottawa parks. Here's what you need to know
Alcohol could be allowed in some Ottawa parks this summer Parkgoers can now enjoy a beer, wine or spirit at seven parks across the City of Ottawa, with at least one more park expected to be added to the list this summer. The City of Ottawa has launched an alcohol in parks pilot project, allowing alcohol consumption in designated areas of parks. Councillors are allowed to select parks for alcohol consumption. Here is a look at what you need to know about legal drinking in Ottawa's parks. Designated parks Alcohol consumption is permitted in the following parks: Minto Park on Lewis Street McNabb Park on Percy Street Queenswood Ridge Park on Kennedy Lane East Lansdowne Park - Great Lawn Riverain Park on North River Road Strathcona Park on Range Road Brewer Park on Brewer Way Coun. Jeff Leiper says he has asked staff to designate Champlain Park, and it will be included in the 'second round of parks announced officially and the signs go up.' Alcohol to be allowed in 7 Ottawa parks Alcohol to be allowed in 7 Ottawa parks Rules According to the City of Ottawa, alcohol consumption is permitted in the designated parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Individuals consuming alcohol must: be 19 years of age or older take all empty alcoholic beverage containers home not drink, drive, be intoxicated in public or cause a disturbance. The City of Ottawa says alcohol cannot be sold, supplied or served without a permit. Restrictions While alcohol consumption is permitted in seven Ottawa parks, there are restrictions on where you can drink in parks. The City of Ottawa says alcohol consumption is not permitted within five-metres of the following areas: Playgrounds Wading pools and splash pads Beaches Rinks Playing fields and ball diamonds Basketball, tennis and pickleball courts Skateboard parks Parking lots Federal parks Parkgoers cannot legally drink in federal parks in Ottawa, including on Parliament Hill, at Major's Hill Park, Kìwekì Point and along the Rideau Canal. The National Capital Commission told CTV News Ottawa the rules for alcohol consumption in NCC managed parks and lands are in accordance with Ontario rules. 'In Québec and in Ontario, alcohol consumption on NCC managed lands is subject to section 36 of the National Capital Commission Traffic and Property Regulations: 'No person shall have liquor in his possession on or in the property of the Commission other than in accordance with the laws of the province in which the Commission property is situated,'' the NCC said in a statement in June. The NCC says bistros and patios in several parks sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on-site: Confederation Park, Remic Rapids Park, Patterson Creek Park, Hog's Back Park, as well as the taverns in Major's Hill Park and Bate Island Park.
Ottawa Citizen
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Which Ottawa parks can you drink booze in starting Canada Day?
The City of Ottawa is allowing booze in seven parks across the city for the first time ever this summer as part of a pilot project starting Canada Day. Article content The pilot, which was approved on June 11, will allow alcohol consumption in designated parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. The pilot will run until Oct. 31, and city staff will report back to council shortly after. Article content Article content The designated parks include: Article content Article content Minto Park, 102 Lewis Street McNabb Park, 180 Percy Street Queenswood Ridge Park, 346 Kennedy Lane East Lansdowne Park – Great Lawn, 1525 Princess Patricia Way Riverain Park, 400 North River Road Strathcona Park, 25 Range Road Brewer Park, 100 Brewer Way Article content Article content Article content Coun. Jeff Leiper said in a post on the social media site BlueSky that Champlain Park in his ward would soon be added to the list of parks where you can drink, but it might be slightly delayed. Article content 'I was late to get my form in requesting that. It will be a few days after the July 1 pilot start that goes into effect in Champlain once they're able to get the signage up,' Leiper said. Article content The pilot program comes after Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard asked the city about doing the pilot last year. Article content According to a report presented to council's community services committee in May, councillors were presented with two options on how to run the pilot program. Article content Article content The first approach would allow the councillor in each ward to work with the city's general manager and their communities to decide whether or not they would designate a park to allow alcohol consumption. Article content The second approach would be a phased process where the general manager would consult with ward councillors to authorize one park for alcohol consumption between July 31 and Oct. 30. A post-pilot evaluation and report would be presented to council for further direction. Article content Council opted for the latter. Article content 'Some of us downtown councillors may have multiple locations that we think would be suitable because we have a more of a population without access to outdoor space,' Menard said after a city council meeting on May 28.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Unofficial race begins for mayor of Ottawa in 2026 election
As elected officials prepare for a lighter legislative agenda over the summer months, the race for mayor of the City of Ottawa in the 2026 is officially underway. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has said he intends to seek re-election for a second term in next year's municipal election. Meantime, Coun. Jeff Leiper says he is exploring a run for mayor of Ottawa in the 2026 election. 'It is a year and a half away from the election. I intend to get to every part of our city – rural, suburban and urban – listen to what residents are saying, solicit their input, solicit their feedback and by the time this is an actual election campaign, I'll have to have a fully costed budget platform on the table,' Leiper told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with guest host Andrew Pinsent. Leiper has represented the urban riding of Kitchissippi for three terms. 'I'm not happy with the direction in which our city is going. I don't think you have to ask very many residents before you get a good idea that residents are concerned about the state of delivery of their services,' Leiper said. 'What I hear every week is about garbage isn't being cleaned up in a timely way in city parks, garbage bins are overflowing, sidewalks that aren't being maintained, roads that are in rough shape with no hope of resurfacing and, of course, transit continues to bedevil the city.' The next municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2026. Sutcliffe was asked about the next municipal election following Wednesday's election campaign. 'There's still almost 18 months left in this mandate,' Sutcliffe said, who said he spoke with Leiper 'a few weeks ago.' 'I'm not a lifelong politician; I'm not a career politician so I don't get up every day thinking about the next election or thinking about what the next role I want to have. I was given a four-year mandate in 2022 to serve the people in Ottawa. When I get up every morning, my focus is on delivering results for the people of Ottawa. It's not on the next election campaign.' Sutcliffe won the 2022 municipal election with 51 per cent of the vote.
