Larry O’Brien

Today the joint Transit and Transportation Committee, chaired by Councillor Maria McRae, approved a motion that enhanced the staff recommendation of option four. The enhanced option four dramatically extends the Light Rail Transit line both east and west. I am proud of the hard and tedious work completed by committee at 9 p.m.

It was a solid and well-found decision that was made after we listened to our Peer Review Panel, 17 public delegations and a careful review of staff recommendations. Yes, there were a few little shenanigans but eventually common sense prevailed and we approved the extended version of option four. Some conditions were placed on the east and west extension including density targets, funding, ridership and cost.

The next step is confirming the Committee decision next week at full Council. Council is now one week away from making our biggest decision this term. And I think the biggest decision for Ottawa since the creation of the Greenbelt. The final vote at Committee was unanimous with one dissent by Councillor Clive Doucet.

So it was a very good day for transit in Ottawa! Not only did common sense win at Committee but also in the morning the City received $12 Million in funding from Minister Jim Bradley and Minister Jim Watson for 31 new articulated buses. These new buses will keep our City moving while we start building our new transit system (See video of this announcement to the right). The McGuinty Government has been good to Ottawa this year and it bodes well for the future as we make our case for our new green transit proposal. Yes, a good day for transit in Ottawa.

Today we got it right and I am delighted by the hard work of the Committee - we got transit back on track.

Larry O’Brien

Mayor-City of Ottawa