Reimagine Ottawa

11/12/2025

The end of Lansdowne marks the beginning of a 2026 Election Campaign. Lansdowne was lost but the movement to reduce big developer influence continues. It is time to shakeup council and create city leadership that prioritizes residents over partnerships with developer organizations like OSEG. The coalition created during the Lansdowne campaign will now refocus on the 2026 election.

As this map of the Lansdowne vote illustrates, the debate has fractured the city along an urban - suburban/rural divide. If we are to create a capital city that meets everyone’s needs and a political milieu that does not pit us against each other, we must focus on solutions that work for all citizens.

Vote tracking
Horizon Ottawa has developed a vote tracking tool that breaks down councillor votes at committees and council, by subject, and by alignment with the mayor.https://www.horizonottawa.ca/vote_tracker
Horizon will also continue to uncover developer-related donations to candidates in the 2026 election.

We want to hear from you!

How can we foster better development decisions? What are your priorities? How can we reach voters in suburban and rural wards? And importantly, how can you help over the next12 months to replace councillors who consistently value developer interests over the interests of the people of Ottawa?

Valerie Swinton
(613) 864-6442
(819) 457-4573

11/07/2025

A sad outcome today, but hopefully we can vote the "YES" councillors and Mayor out in 2026. Start organizing for the next election.

Council spent SIX HOURS debating the final Lansdowne 2.0 approval, and despite the massive backlash from the public, they have decided to move forward with the project.

It's worth taking note of the geographical imbalance on the Lansdowne 2.0 vote. The two out-of-place "yes" votes are Marty Carr (Alta Vista) and Stéphanie Plante (Rideau-Vanier).

This isn't the first time we've seen a map that looks like this, and it certainly won't be the last.

Help us elect a better council in 2026 - become a Horizon Ottawa member today and join our 2026 Election Committee today: https://www.horizonottawa.ca/membership

11/06/2025

Ottawa. Raucous audit committee meeting debates risks of Lansdowne 2.0. Auditor general pinpoints cost overruns as greatest risk facing redevelopment project. Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News · Posted: Nov 04, 2025 3:45 PM EST | Last Updated: November 4. An audit committee meeting erupted in commotion on Tuesday as Ottawa city councillors weighed the risks of proceeding with the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project.

The main point of contention was Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon’s finding that there’s an “opportunity cost” to the city in setting aside $17.4 million per year to service debt on the project.

Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard, a leading critic of the project, pushed staff to acknowledge that Gougeon's finding was tantamount to saying that the city could spend that sum on other priorities. He pushed them to answer yes or no.

“We’re getting the runaround on this,” Menard said.

Cyril Rogers, the city’s chief financial officer, said that wasn’t a fair question, since Lansdowne 2.0 is expected to generate revenue to offset the costs, and that money wouldn’t be available if the project doesn't proceed.

Menard pushed again and again, until audit committee chair Cathy Curry cut him short and he began exchanging words with his neighbour, Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney.

“I was just called a swear word by my colleague here next to me,” Menard said, pointing at Tierney.

“Emotions are running high,” Curry said.

Forecasts called 'too optimistic'

Amid the outbursts, councillors questioned Gougeon on the wide-ranging risks facing the $419-million redevelopment project, including the chance a major source of funding could dry up.

Mirabella Development Corporation, which has bought the rights to build the towers over the development for $65 million, is only putting up a $1-million deposit upon signing.

“The clauses within the purchase and sale agreement with the air rights allows Mirabella to pull out with a low cost,” Gougeon said.

She also focused on forecast profits from the Ottawa Redblacks, saying the financial assumptions underlying them “might still be a little too optimistic.”

But that's not the worst of it.

“The greatest risk is cost overruns,” she said. “Every dollar in excess is a dollar that the city is responsible for covering and in turn will be a cost that the taxpayer, indirectly, is covering as well.”

That's because the city would be on the hook for construction delays if it's responsible for them, and also because the added cost of new or expanded tariffs could be passed on to the city.

“This project has a significant likelihood of being higher cost, and we want taxpayers to understand that as well,” Gougeon said. “And then it’s up to members of council to decide if that’s something they’re comfortable with.”

Key numbers from Ottawa's final Lansdowne 2.0 report

Auditor general highlights risks of latest plan to retool Lansdowne Park

But Curry, the committee chair, said she was reassured by how city staff are responding to the report. They’ve accepted all of Gougeon’s recommendations and are promising regular updates to council on the project’s finances and construction progress.

“Nobody can prepare for all the risks,” Curry said. “Nobody could have predicted a worldwide pandemic and that impact on Lansdowne 1.0, but the key is, as a council, what you do to have oversight. You make sure you are apprised of all the risks.”

Deputy treasurer Isabelle Jasmin said the city has run the numbers and she’s confident the project still makes sense if risk turns to reality.

“This is a balance between risks and returns,” she said. “We looked at some way-out scenarios —what if construction costs were 50 per cent more than we expected? — and the results were still positive.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arthur White-Crummey

Reporter

Arthur White-Crummey is a reporter at CBC Ottawa. He has previously worked as a reporter in Saskatchewan covering the courts, city hall and the provincial legislature. You can reach him at arthur.white-crummey@cbc.ca.

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Lansdowne 2.0 cost stays put at $419M as city reveals builder

11/04/2025

Call/write to your councillor in these wards :“Not with my tax dollars!”

A message from Better Ottawa.

11/04/2025

Our LAST CHANCE to stop a bad decision at Council. Friday, 8:30am in front of Ottawa City Hall.

11/04/2025

11/03/2025

Auditor general warns Lansdowne 2.0 contract may not cover ‘unforeseen costs’ By Josh Pringle. Published: November 03, 2025 at 9:38AM EST
Ottawa’s auditor general warns there is little margin for error in the $418.8 million contract to build a new event centre and north-side stands at TD Place to cover “unforeseen costs,” including tariffs and project delays, in the Lansdowne 2.0 project.

In an audit to be discussed at the audit committee on Tuesday, Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon warns the $36.1 million contingency budget is a “minimum buffer” for a project of this size, escalating Redblacks expenses could decrease waterfall funding to the city by millions of dollars, and construction delays with the stadium could prevent the air rights sale for residential buildings to close.

Council will vote Friday on whether to approve the multi-million-dollar redevelopment at Lansdowne. The finance and corporate services committee voted last Friday 8 to 3 to proceed with Lansdowne 2.0, which will include a 6,600-person capacity new event centre and a north-side stands at TD Place, along with two new residential towers and retail space.

The $418 million contract includes a 10 per cent contingency budget, equalling $36.1 million.

In a follow-up audit of Lansdowne, Gougeon warns the contingency fund is the “minimum buffer for a project of this magnitude and duration.”

“Given the expected duration, size and interdependencies associated with the Lansdowne 2.0 construction project and the current level of economic uncertainty, there is a risk that the City’s contingency of 10 per cent for the project may not be sufficient to cover all unforeseen costs,” Gougeon said.

“If this risk was to materialize, it could require the City to take on additional debt.”

Gougeon said the established tender price with EBC Inc. has fixed the hard construction costs, the contingency must “be able to absorb a wide range of residual risks over a five-year construction period, including escalation, tariff exposure and interdependent development.”

The AG says the contract allows for wage and material cost escalation arising from city-causing delays.”

Office of the Auditor General - City of Ottawa

The report notes the BMO Field Expansion in Toronto was a two-year, $120 million renovation and expansion, but ended up 25 per cent over budget.

Gougeon notes tariffs imposed by the United States on steel, aluminum, and other essential materials have the potential to increase costs and disrupt supply chains within Canadian construction projects.

The audit also notes that since Lansdowne 2.0 “depends heavily” on the coordination of multiple workstreams, including the arena, north-side stands and Mirabella’s residential development, any delay “in a single component can lead to increased costs and schedule risk throughout the project.”

“Progress on the City’s construction schedule is directly linked to Mirabella’s ability to advance its residential development,” the auditor general writes.

“Delays in completing the North Side Stands could prevent the air rights sale from closing and trigger penalties payable by the City.”

According to the auditor general’s report, the draft purchase and sale agreement with Mirabella has penalties if the city does not complete construction of the north-side stands. The city must confirm the feasibility of completing the north side stands by December 29, 2028 or pay a $1 million payment to Mirabella. If the city fails to complete the transaction for any reason by the final closing deadline of July 31, 2031, the penalty increases to $13 million.

Other findings from the auditor general on Lansdowne 2.0

Lower-than-expected Redblacks revenue and higher expenses would decrease waterfall distributions to the City of Ottawa by tens of millions of dollars
The retail revenue and expense assumptions “appear to be reasonable and reflective of current market conditions,” according to the AG

In 2024, Gougeon warned the construction costs estimated for the project could be understated by $73.4 million.
Read the full report: @ CTV News online Monday Nov 3, 2025.

11/03/2025

11/02/2025

Reimagine Ottawa collaborated with community organizations yesterday at the People's Summit 2025. With Horizon Ottawa, Synapcity, CAFES, and others. Our own Val Swinton spoke on behalf of Reimagine Ottawa.

Hello,

We’re thrilled to welcome you to The People’s Summit – Fall Edition: New Ways to Win, happening Saturday, November 1st from 10am–5pm at the RA Centre (Clark Hall, West Wing).

Doors open at 10:00am, so plan to arrive right on time to check in, explore our exhibitor area, and grab a coffee before the day begins.

Event Schedule:

10:00am – Doors Open & Exhibitors

10:30am – Opening Words & Acknowledgements

10:40am – How We Win: Inspiring a Wave of Action

11:00am – Community Victories: Celebrating Success

11:40am – Community Voices: Setting Priorities

12:00pm – Lunch Break

1:00pm – Words of Welcome from Catherine McKenney & Josh Matlow

1:10pm – How Other Cities Are Winning: Panel Conversation with Daniel Sanger, Jessica Bradley & Kevin Rupasinghe, Moderated by Joanne Chianello

2:15pm – Break

2:30pm – Municipal Boot Camps: Issues, Candidates & Tactics That Win

4:00pm – Networking & Exhibitors

The Riverside entrance of the RA Centre is the most convenient access point, with parking and drop-off available nearby. Bike locks are also available at the RA Centre with the closest Transit Hub being Billings Bridge.

We’ll have light catered lunch served on site, and Scotty’s Corner is open next to Clark Hall with an excellent menu for food and drinks.

We can’t wait to spend the day exploring bold ideas, community victories, and new ways to build a city that works for everyone.

See you on Saturday, November 1st at 10:00am!

Warm regards,
Ottawa People's Summit Team