HOW WILL OTTAWA’S GOVERNANCE REVIEW AFFECT YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY?

The City of Ottawa’s governance review will change the way City Council makes decisions, consults with residents and delivers services. All of this will have a great impact on your neighbourhood and your city.

Bill 130, Municipal Act 2001, gives Ontario’s municipalities’ greater power to change how they do things. That’s why it’s so important that groups like People for a Better Ottawa monitor the governance review. PBO will be working to get residents informed and engaged in this important process.

The Governance Review will examine:

1. Changes to how Council makes decisions. This includes standing committee structure (their mandate, membership and relationship to Council), the role of Councillors and the Mayor.
2. Changes in how services are delivered. New structures are being considered for local service delivery, including local boards, municipal boards or municipal service corporations.
3. Changes in the current methods of resident engagement and input.

People for a Better Ottawa (PBO) will keep residents informed and engaged in this important Governance Review. Working together, Ottawa residents can improve how the City consults and makes decisions.

Let’s ensure that our City is moving toward greater accountability, transparency and resident engagement – and not the other way.

The members of PBO have thought carefully about the goals and principles that are most important to this Governance Review if we are to move our City towards greater accountability, transparency and more effective resident engagement. Please have a look at our discussion paper on the City of Ottawa Mid-Term Governance Review.

City staff have produced a series of White Papers outlining the options open to City Council on various governance issues.
Mid-Term Governance Review Overview
Mid-Term Governance Review White Papers Summary #1
Proposal to Establish a Finance and Audit/Oversight Committee
Mid-Term Governance Review White Papers Summary #2
Proposals regarding the Budget Process
Mid-Term Governance Review White Papers Summary #3
Proposals regarding Advisory Committees
Mid-Term Governance Review White Papers Summary #4
Proposals regarding Public Engagement
Mid-Term Governance Review White Paper Summary #5
Proposal regarding Ward Councils
Mid-Term Governance Review White Papers Summary #6
Proposal regarding a Transit Commission

You are most welcome to use our Speaking Notes – a summary of what residents had to say at our May 23rd Forum. These are intended as a resource for residents who wish to make their voices heard on the changes that are being considered at City Hall.