| |
![[Logo - Ottawa Rural Communities]](logo.gif)
The
Shortliffe Report
made a number of specific observtions and recommendations
regarding Rural Issues. Enclosed are selected highlights:
My Recommended Model
- the existing 18 regional wards, their names and boundaries
be continued as the electoral wards of the new City,
- for the first two terms of the new Council the
representatives from the Western Townships and Cumberland /
Osgoode will have 2 votes each on all matters before Council,
and on the proposed Standing Committees, in order to ensure
enhanced representation of rural interests,
The Standing Committees will meet in different geographic
locations in the new City.
Also,
- eight Community Satellite Offices (location guidelines
included in the Report) will be created to provide front-line
services to ensure accessibility and citizen engagement. These
offices will provide some services, information, small community
meeting rooms and other facilities. These Satellite locations
will also provide office space for the ward Councillors to meet
with constituents and to liaise on their behalf with City Hall,
The following observations are taken from the same report:
Chart 3: Population Growth to 2021
| Urban Municipalities |
1996 |
|
1999 |
|
2009 |
|
2021 |
|
| Cumberland |
47,367 |
7% |
50,400 |
7% |
63,300 |
7% |
76,600 |
8% |
| Gloucester |
104,067 |
14% |
108,430 |
15% |
127,650 |
15% |
151,480 |
15% |
| Kanata |
47,909 |
7% |
53,240 |
7% |
73,210 |
8% |
96,940 |
10% |
| Nepean |
115,100 |
16% |
120,600 |
16% |
145,120 |
17% |
168,050 |
17% |
| Ottawa |
323,340 |
45% |
327,000 |
44% |
357,100 |
41% |
388,600 |
39% |
| Vanier |
17,247 |
2% |
17,270 |
2% |
17,770 |
2% |
18,430 |
2% |
| Rockcliffe Park |
1,995 |
0% |
2,010 |
0% |
2,120 |
0% |
2,180 |
0% |
| Total Urban: |
657,025 |
91% |
678,950 |
91% |
786,270 |
90% |
902,280 |
89% |
| Rural Municipalities |
1996 |
|
1999 |
|
2009 |
|
2021 |
|
| Goulbourn |
19,267 |
3% |
21,900 |
3% |
28,100 |
3% |
34,100 |
3% |
| Osgoode |
15,904 |
2% |
17,100 |
2% |
21,200 |
2% |
25,300 |
3% |
| Rideau |
12,444 |
2% |
12,800 |
2% |
15,300 |
2% |
17,300 |
2% |
| West Carleton |
16,541 |
2% |
16,900 |
2% |
21,900 |
3% |
26,000 |
3% |
| Total Rural: |
64,156 |
9% |
68,700 |
9% |
86,500 |
10% |
102,700 |
11% |
| RMOC Total: |
721,181 |
100% |
747,650 |
100% |
872,770 |
100% |
1,004,980 |
100% |
"As the new City comes into existence, it is vital
that the reality of its character as a mix of urban / suburban
and rural residents and lifestyles be carefully taken into
account by the City Council as it establishes policies and takes
decisions. It is
particularly important that rural residents know that their
views and aspirations are being recognized in the governance
structure of their city."
Recommendation 10:
I recommend that, for the 1st term of the new City Council,
- votes in full Council be established at 21 (one each for the
Mayor and the 18 Councillors, save and except, Councillors for
the ward "Western Townships" and for the ward "Cumberland /
Osgoode" who are to be accorded 2 votes each to enhance
representation of rural interests;
- the special vote status for the two rural wards is to remain
in effect during the 2nd term of the new City Council. Not until
after the 1st two terms, is City Council to review and, if it so
determines, amend the vote allocation / weight of the two rural
Councillors.
"To recognize the
importance of rural communities and to ensure that their
concerns are specifically addressed by City Council:"
Recommendation 13:
I recommend that, for the 1st term of the new City Council,
- the responsibilities of the Rural Affairs Standing Committee
include such matters as:
- agricultural issues,
- rural lifestyle issues,
- maintenance of voluntarism,
- preservation of trees and wood lots,
- wet lands issues,
- drainage issues,
- livestock compensation issues,
- liaison with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture;
- votes in the Rural Affairs Standing Committee be established
at 8, and the Councillors for the ward "Western Townships" and
for the ward "Cumberland / Osgoode" be accorded 2 votes each
(i.e., the 2 rural Councillors would have a total of 4 votes and
the 4 urban Councillors would have 4 votes);
|
|
|