OTTAWA CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES 69
Monday, February 7, 2022
1:30 PM
electronic participation
This Meeting will was held through electronic
participation in accordance with Section 238 of the Municipal Act, 2001 as
amended by the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020
The Council of
the City of Ottawa met on Monday, February 7, 2022, beginning at 1:30 PM. The
Mayor, Jim Watson, presided over the Zoom meeting from Andrew
S. Haydon Hall, with the remaining Members participating remotely by Zoom.
Mayor Watson
led Council in a moment of reflection.
All Members were present at the meeting.
No
declarations of interest were filed.
MOTION NO 69/1
Moved by
Councillor J. Cloutier
Seconded by Councillor
C. Kitts
That City Council resolve to move into Committee of the Whole
pursuant to Section 52 of the Procedure By-law.
CARRIED
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VERBAL
UPDATE
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UPDATE FROM MAYOR WATSON AND
CITY OFFICIALS
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1.
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IMPACT OF THE
TRUCK CONVOY DEMONSTRATION ON THE CITY’S RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES
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Mayor
Watson provided opening remarks, including advising that on February 6, 2022,
he had declared a State of Emergency in the City of Ottawa pursuant to
Subsection 4(1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Following
the Mayor’s remarks, Council received and update from Chief Peter Sloly, Ottawa
Police Service on ongoing police operations. City Manager Steve Kanellakos and
Kim Ayotte, General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services, provided an update
to Council on the response from the City of Ottawa and City departments.
Following
the introduction of Motions, Members asked questions of police and City
officials regarding the ongoing situation.
Council
recessed from 5:05 pm to 5:34 pm
Following
the conclusion of questions to staff, Motions were put to Council as set below.
MOTION NO 69/2
Moved by: Councillor L.
Dudas
Seconded by: Councillor
R. King
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa has now
declared a State of Emergency in response to the continued illegal occupation
of Ottawa’s downtown core;
WHEREAS lead organizers for the
occupation have released statements being unequivocal about their demands: they
seek to hold the City of Ottawa hostage as leverage against the Federal and
Provincial Governments, and they have no intention of ending their campaign and
leaving the city until their demands are met;
WHEREAS the methods used by these
individuals to illegally occupy the City of Ottawa, and terrorize residents and
businesses, utilize unprecedented tactics that have no place in a free and
democratic society, such as Canada and mark an intolerable departure from what could
be considered lawful protest. Including: the 24-hour blasting of airhorns;
tractor trailers blockading streets; makeshift structures popping up; vehicles
driving around residential streets with open tanks of fuel; numerous propane
tanks being stashed away under tarps; and the widespread harassment of
residents, businesses, and journalists;
WHEREAS the use of racist and
anti-Semitic flags and xenophobic symbols; the mockery of Indigenous culture;
the harassment and denigration of residents within the 2SLGBTQI+ community; as
well as the defacing of national and Indigenous monuments have left residents
fearful for their safety;
WHEREAS since their arrival in Ottawa,
the occupation has been spreading out to other parts of the city. With staging
areas now in suburban areas and trucks blocking residential streets, as well as
into the ByWard Market - far from the Parliamentary Precinct where
demonstrations are not only anticipated, but are welcomed;
WHEREAS the Ottawa Police Chief has been
clear: this occupation is so unprecedented, the Ottawa Police Service does not
have the resources to adequately address the situation. If this siege is going
to end, it will require more than just those resources from the OPS;
WHEREAS the tactics used by these
individuals set a very dangerous precedent, and regardless of the cause or
beliefs, this is an unacceptable departure from lawful forms of protest, that
cannot be condoned nor allowed to continue;
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa does not have
the power, the authority, nor the jurisdiction to meet the demands from the
individuals occupying our city, leaving Ottawa as collateral damage;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor,
supported by City Council, formally and publicly call on both the Government of
Ontario and the Government of Canada to step in and immediately provide all
necessary financial and logistical supports required to bring this occupation
to a peaceful end and allow the City of Ottawa to return to normal.
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/3
Moved by: Councilllor
L. Dudas
Seconded by: Councillor
J. Harder
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa has now
declared a State of Emergency in response to the continued illegal occupation
of Ottawa’s downtown;
WHEREAS the methods used by these
individuals to illegally occupy the City of Ottawa, and terrorize residents and
businesses, utilize unprecedented tactics that have no place in a free and
democratic society, such as Canada, and mark an intolerable departure from what
could be considered lawful protest;
WHEREAS, as per the survey of more than
200 businesses conducted by the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas
(OCOBIA), almost three-quarters of businesses located in and around the
downtown core have lost revenue as a direct result of the occupation;
WHEREAS that same survey found just over
half of those businesses will not be able to recover the lost revenues;
WHEREAS roughly 40 per cent of
businesses, mostly retailers, restaurants and services, had to close their
doors for the safety of their staff and patrons. With the Rideau Centre’s
closure alone impacting over 1,500 employees;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor,
with the support of City Council, make a formal request to both the Provincial
and Federal Governments for funding supports specifically focused on supporting
Ottawa businesses and their employees impacted by the occupation.
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/4
Moved by: Councillor L.
Dudas
Seconded by: Councillor
T. Tierney
WHEREAS the City
of Ottawa has now declared a State of Emergency in response to the continued
illegal occupation of Ottawa’s downtown;
WHEREAS the
methods used by these individuals to illegally occupy the City of Ottawa, and
terrorize residents and businesses, utilize unprecedented tactics that have no
place in a free and democratic society, such as Canada, and mark an intolerable
departure from what could be considered lawful protest;
WHEREAS,
throughout this period, countless residents have been under extraordinary distress.
And for those who suffer from anxiety, have been victims of violence, or
arrived as refugees from war-torn countries, it is causing additional
mental-health issues;
WHEREAS
agencies dedicated to supporting Ottawa’s most vulnerable, such as the Shepherds
of Good Hope, have seen volunteers and staff harassed, and even assaulted. As
well, after 62 years serving Ottawa most at-risk youth, the Youth Services
Bureau of Ottawa has had to shut down their Drop-in Centre for the first time
in their history;
WHEREAS due to
the sheer number of impacted community social support agencies, organizations
that are dedicated to caring for Ottawa’s most vulnerable residents, portends
the extensive and prolonged impact this occupation will have on Ottawa
residents, in particular vulnerable residents;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that the Mayor, with the support of City Council, make a formal
request to both the Provincial and Federal Governments for funding specifically
focused on supporting community social support agencies impacted by the
occupation.
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/5
Moved by: Councillor R.
King
Seconded by: Councillor
D. Deans
WHEREAS the illegal occupation of Ottawa has negatively impacted
residents who have been harassed and intimidated and whose daily lives have
been made intolerable; and
WHEREAS the illegal
occupation has obstructed the provision of essential City services; and
WHEREAS the
illegal occupation has augmented financial hardship for small businesses,
restaurants, and shopping complexes already negatively impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic within Ottawa's central business district, especially in the
Centretown, Sandy Hill, Lowertown and ByWard Market neighbourhoods; and
WHEREAS the illegal
occupation has totalled approximately $800,000 per day in policing costs,
impacting the Ottawa Police Service’s ability to deliver adequate and effective
policing; and
WHEREAS the
high cost of restoring public order and community safety due to this illegal
occupation should not unfairly burden municipal taxpayers;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that Council request the Mayor write to the Ontario Premier to
proclaim in force Schedule 1 of the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services
Act, 2019 to allow the Ottawa Police Service Board and the Solicitor
General of Ontario to charge those persons responsible for causing a temporary
increase in the cost of providing adequate and effective policing in the City
of Ottawa, those increased costs.
CARRIED
with Councillor R. Chiarelli dissenting.
MOTION NO 69/6
Moved by: Councillor J.
Leiper
Seconded by: Councillor
R. King
WHEREAS since
on or about Friday, January 28, 2022, hundreds of trucks and other vehicles as
well as hundreds to thousands of truck drivers and other individuals at any
given time have illegally occupied the downtown core; and
WHEREAS on
January 29, 2022, the City of Ottawa’s Emergency Operations Centre entered
Activated Operations in response to this threat; and
WHEREAS on
February 6, 2022, the Mayor declared a State of Emergency in Ottawa pursuant to
the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act; and
WHEREAS the
City’s response to this ongoing emergency continues to draw on the resources of
the City’s operational staff and Senior Leadership Team; and
WHREAS all
Members of Council, but particularly those whose residents are directly
impacted by the ongoing and illegal occupation of the downtown core, are
immediately focused on efforts to support the residents of the City of Ottawa
and ensuring their ongoing safety during this unprecedented crisis; and
WHEREAS
Subsection 14(7) of the Procedure By-law provides that during a State of Emergency,
Council and Committee meetings may be convened as Special Meetings in
accordance with Sections 14 and 87 of the Procedure By-law, and subject
to the following special provisions:
A. Agendas
may be limited to items that, in the opinion of the Chair, informed by
operational staff and the Clerk’s Office, are of a time sensitive nature such
that they must be considered during the Emergency Period;
B. Subject
to the minimum notice provisions for Special Meetings in this By-law, the Mayor
or Chair and the City Clerk’s Office shall endeavour to publish agendas in
accordance with the timelines for a regular meeting, and where not possible,
with as much notice as possible under the circumstances; and
C. When
a Special Meeting is called under this Section, and notwithstanding Subsections
14(5) and 87(3), additional items may be added to such Special Meeting agendas,
with less than six hours notice, with the approvals of ¾ of Members present and
voting; and
WHEREAS the
agenda for the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for February 9, 2022,
includes a number of items of regular business, some of which may carry on
consent; and
WHEREAS the
Built Heritage Sub Committee meeting agenda for February 8, 2022, includes
items where the deadline for approval under the Ontario Heritage Act will
expire should Council not approve them by February 28 and March 13,
respectively, and it is staff’s intention to bring forward an emergency demolition
for a building damaged by fire at 323 Daly Avenue, which must be approved by
the BHSC and Council at the earliest opportunity due to safety issues;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that Council approve the following:
1.
That at the Regular City Council meeting of February 9,
2022, Council shall consider only those matters that can carry on consent or
where staff advise that there is a statutory deadline under the Ontario
Heritage Act, Planning Act, or other legislation that will be
materially impacted by delaying the report to the next scheduled City Council
meeting of February 23, 2022; and
2.
That meetings of Standing Committee, Sub-Committee and
Advisory Committee meetings for the week of February 7-11 be cancelled,
including:
a.
Planning Committee February 10; and
b.
French Language Services Advisory Committee February 10;
and
3.
That the meeting of Built Heritage Sub-Committee (BHSC)
of February 8, 2022 be limited to the consideration of 323 Daly, rising to
Council on February 9, 2022; and
4.
That Staff be directed to seek extensions to the Ontario
Heritage Act (OHA) deadline for those matters on the February 8, 2022,
Built Heritage Sub-Committee (BHSC) Agenda to allow them to be considered by
the BHSC and Council in March and, should such extensions not be forthcoming,
authorize the BHSC Chair to call a Special Meeting to consider those items and
approve that those items may rise directly to City Council prior to the
expiration of the OHA deadline; and
5.
That, while the State of Emergency is in place, that all
City Council, Standing Committee, Sub-Committee and Advisory Committee meetings
shall be either cancelled by the Chair or convened as Special Meetings under
Subsection 14(7) of the Procedure By-law and limited to items that, in the
opinion of the Chair, informed by operational staff and the Clerk's Office, are
of a time sensitive nature such that they must be considered during the
Emergency Period.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this Motion be revisited at the February 23, 2022, Council
Meeting.
LOST
on a division of 10 YEAS and 14 NAYS, as follows:
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YEAS (10):
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Councillors T. Kavanagh, D. Deans, M. Fleury, C. McKenney,
C.A. Meehan, S. Menard, J. Leiper, R. King, R. Chiarelli, C. Kitts
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NAYS (14):
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Councillors G. Gower, M. Luloff, C. Curry, E. El-Chantiry, A.
Hubley,
K. Egli, S. Moffatt, T. Tierney, J. Harder, L. Dudas, R. Brockington,
G. Darouze, J. Cloutier, Mayor Watson
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MOTION NO 69/7
Moved by Councillor L.
Dudas
Seconded by Councillor G.
Darouze
BE IT RESOLVED that the meeting time be
extended past 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 PM pursuant to Subsection 8(1)(c) of Procedure
By-law (By-law No. 2021-24).
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/8
Moved by Councillor S.
Menard
Seconded by Councillor
C. McKenney
WHEREAS trucks have been occupying the downtown core for ten
consecutive days, running their engines continuously for extended periods of
time and exposing residents to fumes and noise; and
WHEREAS idling vehicles contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and
air pollution in the form of criteria air contaminants, which are responsible
for 15,300 premature deaths annually in Canada, with 500 of those taking place
in Ottawa; and
WHEREAS the existing Idling By-law is not enforceable against the
current occupation due to an exemption when the outside temperature is less
than 5 degrees Celsius including the windchill as determined by Environment
Canada; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a temporary additional provision in
the by-law be enacted , with a sunset clause of 2 months hence, as follows:
Section 3 be amended to add immediately after i):
ia) occupied vehicles when the temperature outside the vehicle is
less than negative fifteen degrees Celsius including the windchill value
as determined by the Environment Canada temperature reading, to be applicable
within the demonstration zone as defined in Schedule A attached to this by-law
and RCGT Park at 302 Coventry Road;
Schedule A
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/9
Moved by Councillor D.
Deans
Seconded by Councillor
R. King
WHEREAS residents need access to timely and accurate updates about
the ongoing truck convoy demonstrations; and
WHEREAS
misinformation about the demonstrations is prevalent; and
WHEREAS the
situation and response from the Ottawa Police Service and City of Ottawa is
fluid; and
WHEREAS the
City of Ottawa is not currently providing daily updates to keep the public informed
on how the demonstrations are evolving and the plans to end them as soon as
possible;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that City Staff, led by the Emergency Operations Centre, organize a
daily media availability for the duration of the truck convoy demonstrations,
including participation from a spokesperson from the Ottawa Police Service,
By-Law Services, and other affected City services as relevant.
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/10
Moved by Councillor C.
McKenney
Seconded by Councillor
M. Fleury
WHEREAS since on or about Friday, January 28, 2022, hundreds
of vehicles and hundreds to thousands of individuals at any given time have
illegally occupied the downtown core; and
WHEREAS this illegal occupation poses an ongoing serious
and immediate threat to public safety, the safety of all Ottawa residents, in
particular those residing in the abutting downtown neighbourhoods as well as
the operation of business and services in the downtown core; and
WHEREAS the illegal occupation shows no signs of ending; and
WHEREAS the Ottawa Police Service does not have sufficient
resources and capability to manage the occupation in the area of the
Parliamentary Precinct while also providing adequate police services to ensure
the safety of those residents living in the surrounding dense residential
areas;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of
Ottawa formally petition the Government of Canada to assume responsibility for
public safety and security within the Parliamentary Precinct and to commit to an
immediate and significant increased level of support (officers, resources,
materials and equipment) to the Ottawa Police, as the police force of
jurisdiction, in the adjoining areas, subject to the resolution of any jurisdictional
discussions between the Ottawa Police Service and the RCMP.
Councillor C. McKenney moved that the question be put on the McKenney/Fleury
Motion 69/10 (in accordance with Subsection 60(1)(b) of the Procedure By-law),
and then subsequently withdrew this procedural motion.
Motion
69/10 was put to Council CARRIED with Councillor R. Chiarelli dissenting.
MOTION NO 69/11
Moved by Councillor M.
Fleury
Seconded by Councillor
C. McKenney
WHEREAS the
Illegal occupation is bringing chaos to our downtown core; and
WHEREAS the defamation
of our City’s sacred monuments, streets, intimidation for our businesses and
residents and blatant disregard for our City’s laws is abhorrent;
WHEREAS the
noise and intimidation has forced businesses to remain closed, residents’
captive in their homes and living in fear;
WHEREAS the
occupation has entered its 11th day with no clear end expectations and
timelines.
WHEREAS
individuals who have taken over our City need to respect our laws and our
community (businesses and residents);
WHEREAS we are
extremely concerned with the number of incidents and the escalations of those
incidents within our community.
WHEREAS
specific to our City by-laws, this illegal occupation is consistently
disobeying by-laws pertaining to idling, noise, honking (from parked vehicles),
parking, outdoor fires, barbecues, food preparation, storage of combustible
items; and
WHEREAS more specifically
the Noise By-law 2017-255 Section 3, Idling By-law 2007-266, Section 2, Use and
Care of Roads By-law, 2003-498 as amended Section 3 and Open Air Fire By-law
2004-163 Section 3; and
WHEREAS it is
City Council’s duty to stand up for its residents and local businesses public
safety and well-being;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that staff in By-law and Regulatory Services consider making an
application for set fine increases for offences as set out in the
above-mentioned by-laws for more effective deterrence at $1,000 per offence, as
provided for under the Provincial Offences Act; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that these set fines remain in place during the declared State of
Emergency.
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/12
Moved by Councillor S.
Menard
Seconded by Councillor
C. McKenney
WHEREAS since
on or about Friday, January 28, 2022, hundreds of vehicles at any given time
have illegally occupied the downtown core; and
WHREAS although
the Ottawa Police Service has identified a “red zone” comprising the
Parliamentary Precinct and immediate area that have been the concentration of
the occupied area and response, the impacts of the convoy have extended well
beyond the Parliamentary Precinct to the surrounding streets and dense
residential areas; and
WHEREAS trucks
and other vehicles remain illegally in the broader downtown core, and over the
past weekend the activities have continued to negatively impact residential
areas at all hours, including but not limited to debilitating noise from
honking, excessive diesel fumes, the blocking of ambulances, driving on sidewalks,
fuel stockpiling for vehicles, and blocking residential and commercial access
with vehicles; and
WHEREAS the
remaining participants in this this federally-focused protest, so long as it
may continue, should be directed towards the area of the parliamentary precinct
as vehicles are cleared from the surrounding streets; and
WHEREAS the
City of Ottawa has the authority under the Municipal Act, 2001 and other
applicable legislation to enact and enforce By-laws within its jurisdiction;
and
WHEREAS Council
has duly enacted, and delegated authority to City staff to enforce, various
by-laws including but not limited to:
·
Traffic and Parking (By-law no. 2017-301)
·
Noise (By-law No.2017-255)
·
Use and Care of Roads (By-law No. 2003-498)
WHEREAS
penalties under these by-laws include but are not limited to issuance of
tickets and, in accordance with Section 86 of the Traffic and Parking By-law,
the towing of vehicles that are illegally parked or stopped;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED THAT City Council supports City Staff in using the recently declared
state of emergency and enforcement powers delegated to them under legislation
and the City’s By-laws to tow vehicles illegally occupying residential areas,
and address ongoing impacts of continued By-law violations from these
individuals; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that staff advise Council daily on the status of enforcement
activities related to the occupation, including number of vehicles towed, and
numbers and nature of tickets issued.
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/13
Moved by Councillor A.
Hubley
Seconded by Councillor
T. Tierney
WHEREAS Federal, Provincial, Municipal governments, including the
National Capital Commission (NCC), and Parliamentary Protective Service should
collaborate in a joint response to any national demonstrations; and
WHEREAS, there are always potential for inconsistencies and silos
within the information sharing and dissemination practices between the numerous
layers of government; and
WHEREAS; Municipalities such as Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec City
have experienced protests of a similar nature; and
WHEREAS, best practices would dictate that a review of communication
and information sharing protocol and dissemination be actioned
post-demonstration;
WHEREAS, residents of the city of Ottawa have significant questions
on the various aspects of the pre-planning, the initial response by both police
and the levels of government, the response to key events during the occupation
and we believe our residents have a right to know what went wrong including what
worked well; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Ottawa commissions an
independent evaluation of the response to the occupation of the City of Ottawa
with a view to better overall governmental agencies response to planning,
coordination, communications, sharing of resources including deployment and
report back to FEDCO by May 2022 for consideration by all levels of government
prior to Canada Day; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as this demonstration was national in
nature, the City of Ottawa seek funding from the Government of Canada for this
review; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council request the Ottawa Police
Service Board take part in this review; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include, but not be limited
to, answers to the questions included in Annex A to this Motion.
Annex A
What agencies were involved in the pre-planning for this event? Who
was the lead?
Why did the police and emergency response planners not anticipate
the size of this force and the potential for what our residents experienced?
Why were large trucks, fuel storage and other dangerous goods
allowed to enter our core and remain? Quebec City and other cities had no
issues in preventing this.
Why was an injunction not filed?
Why did the Police Services Board opt to not allow City Council
members into their closed meetings? Was a vote held to restrict information
sharing with Council?
What was the rationale for the Police Services Board to hire the
crisis communication company instead of investing in planning expertise to
protect residents? What was the vote on this matter?
Given that communications were one of the biggest complaints of the
occupation, the report should provide recommendations in selecting a service
provider going forward and providing clear expectations that include keeping
residents and council better informed.
When the Police Chief reported he did not have the resources early
on and the need may have possibly been identified during the pre-planning exercise
as well, what actions were taken by the Police Services Board and the City of
Ottawa?
Councillor J. Harder moved that the question
be put on the Hubley/ Tierney Motion 69/13 (in accordance with Subsection 60(b)
of the Procedure By-law).This procedural motion CARRIED with Councillor C. McKenney dissenting.
Motion No. 69/13 was then put to Council and CARRIED.
MOTION NO 69/14
Moved by Councillor R.
King
Seconded by Councillor
C. McKenney
WHEREAS we
acknowledge that the display of Confederate flags, Nazi yellow stars of David
and swastikas during the illegal occupation of the City of Ottawa is
traumatizing to members of vulnerable communities, especially from Black,
Jewish, Muslim, or racialized communities and members of the Two-Spirit,
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex (2SLGBTQI+)
communities who continue to be marginalized by acts of hate and violence.
WHEREAS the use
of racist and antisemitic flags and xenophobic symbols, the mockery of
Indigenous culture, and the harassment and denigration of residents within the
Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex
(2SLGBTQI+) community clearly shows that this illegal occupation has not been
peaceful.
WHEREAS
defacing national and Indigenous monuments, denigrating rainbow flags, inciting
hate, and wielding signs with violent imagery sows fear, division, and
polarization in neighbourhoods throughout the City of Ottawa.
WHEREAS
community cohesion requires the health, safety, and security of everyone in our
communities.
WHEREAS United
for All, a coalition of 44 organizations representing over 150 partners who are
all committed to overcoming hate-based violence, racism, and extremism in East
Ontario, has soundly condemned the hate that was both experienced and witnessed
during this occupation.
WHEREAS
preventing and confronting hatred in our communities is a responsibility of all
citizens.
WHEREAS Ottawa
City Council unanimously endorsed the establishment of an Anti-Racism
Secretariat for the City of Ottawa as a commitment to holding the City to
account for addressing systemic racism and discrimination.
WHEREAS the
Anti-Racism Secretariat is developing the City of Ottawa's first Anti-Racism
Strategy for consideration by Ottawa City Council this year.
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that Ottawa City Council unequivocally condemn the racism,
antisemitism and discrimination respectively experienced by the Black, Jewish,
Muslim, racialized and members of the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, questioning, intersex (2SLGBTQI+) communities during the
illegal occupation in the strongest of terms.
CARRIED
MOTION NO 69/15
Moved by Councillor
C.A. Meehan
Seconded by Councillor
C. McKenney
WHEREAS
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, and, as such should have the necessary
legislative powers and funding to ensure the peace and security of the City of
Ottawa and;
WHEREAS
in 1988 the Federal Emergencies Act was passed into law and;
WHEREAS the
Emergencies Act sets out procedures by which emergencies and public order threats
are present and;
WHEREAS the Governor in Council would be
empowered to make orders and regulations concerning the threat following the
provisions of the Act
THEREFORE BE
IT RESOLVED that City of Ottawa enter into
discussions with the Federal Minister of Public Safety to determine whether the
Emergencies Act can be invoked at this time.
Councillor J. Harder moved that the question be put on
the Meehan/McKenney Motion 69/15 (in accordance with Subsection 60(b) of the
Procedure By-law).This procedural motion CARRIED.
Motion
No 69/15 was then put to Council and LOST on a division of 12 YEAS and
12 NAYS, as follows:
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YEAS (12):
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Councillors T. Kavanagh, J. Harder, D. Deans, M. Fleury, L. Dudas,
C. McKenney, C.A. Meehan, S. Menard, J. Leiper, R. King,
C. Kitts, R. Brockington
|
|
NAYS (12):
|
Councillors G. Gower, M. Luloff, C. Curry, E. El-Chantiry, A.
Hubley, K. Egli, S. Moffatt, T. Tierney, R. Chiarelli, G. Darouze, J.
Cloutier, Mayor Watson
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MOTION NO 69/16
Moved by Councillor J. Cloutier
Seconded by Councillor C. Kitts
That the Committee of the Whole rise and report to City Council; and
Be it further resolved that any motions, votes, and declarations of
interest recorded during the Committee of the Whole session be deemed to be
recorded in the Council session.
CARRIED
DIRECTION
(Councillor E. El-Chantiry)
That
Mayor Watson, in talks with various Federal and Provincial Ministers, would ask
them to both consider and appreciate that the cars, regular trucks and transport
trucks, as well as most farm vehicles, etc, should not mix with
public demonstrations and pedestrian demonstrators due to the obvious
possibility of harm to protestors and anyone in the vicinity of demonstrations.
As we all know, Canadians have a constitutional right to free speech and to
object to any actions being undertaken by their Federal, Provincial and Municipal
Governments.
We also
know that peaceful protests are the hallmark of a democratic country. However,
we must always try to provide the safest environments for such demonstrations.
Councillor T. Tierney
(OCC 22-01)
Given
that towing companies with City contractual obligations were not available
during this February 2022 City of Ottawa occupation, what immediate measures
can the City take to sole source alternate provision of services, what are the
ramifications for City contracted companies which fail to meet those contractual
obligations, and how can this be avoided in future?
Councillor C.
McKenney (OCC 22-02)
Residents across Ottawa have been directing thousands of questions
to members of council regarding how this occupation was able to take root to
the extent that it did in Ottawa, and they are not satisfied with the public
responses provided; responses which have changed day to day in ways that some
residents have describes as inconsistent and contradictory. Residents are not
satisfied with the answers being provided to them by their chief of police, and
council should be aware of what options are available for council to investigate
further.
Can staff please advise members of council of the options available,
by the February 23, 2022, meeting of Council, for council to subject to scrutiny,
investigation, or public review the handling of this protest-cum-occupation in
our urban core by the chief of police
MOTION NO 69/17
Moved by Councillor J. Cloutier
Seconded by Councillor C. Kitts
That
the following by-law be read and passed:
To confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting of February 7,
2022.
CARRIED
The meeting
adjourned at 7:36 pm.
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CITY CLERK
MAYOR