Next Stop: Better Transit Ottawa

02/28/2026

Masculinity under construction: "Because I said so" Workshop

Join us for our next workshop, on receiving feedback
“Because I said so”

Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Shanghai Restaurant
651 Somerset St West, Ottawa
8pm

“Because I said so” is a workshop on working with feelings of insecurity, and receiving feedback gracefully.

We are often not aware of how our actions impact others, but we need that information to grow. How can we open ourselves up to this information, and handle the insecurity and vulnerability that we may feel?

Donations for Shanghai Restaurant for allowing us to share space are welcome.
*To improve the workshops, members of our accountability committee will have access to a sound recording and provide feedback to the facilitators.

As we aim to render ourselves more accountable we will release information on how we work, think, and why we make certain choices.

YouTube AI Summary

This video discusses a workshop titled "Because I said so" (0:16-0:22), focusing on receiving feedback gracefully (1:18-1:23) and addressing male bias and privilege (0:25-0:34).

The speaker highlights:

Men, due to their privileged position, often have limited experiences (0:34-0:47) and are unaware of how their actions impact others.

The workshop aims to help men learn effectively (1:13-1:17) from mistakes (0:50-1:00) by handling feedback gracefully.

It emphasizes the importance of not burdening vulnerable individuals (1:30-1:41), such as women of color, with the emotional labor of providing feedback to privileged men (1:42-1:56).

Receiving feedback, though potentially frightening, can be reframed as a gift and a trust-building exercise (2:01-2:25), rather than a conflictual situation.

Join us for our next workshop, on receiving feedback“Because I said so” Wednesday, July 3, 2019Shanghai Restaurant651 Somerset St West, Ottawa8pm“Because I s...

02/28/2026

Masculinity under construction: Bo**ers an analogy for receiving feedback

Join us for our next workshop, on receiving feedback
“Because I said so”

Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Shanghai Restaurant
651 Somerset St West, Ottawa
8pm

“Because I said so” is a workshop on working with feelings of insecurity, and receiving feedback gracefully.

We are often not aware of how our actions impact others, but we need that information to grow. How can we open ourselves up to this information, and handle the insecurity and vulnerability that we may feel?

Donations for Shanghai Restaurant for allowing us to share space are welcome.
*To improve the workshops, members of our accountability committee will have access to a sound recording and provide feedback to the facilitators.

As we aim to render ourselves more accountable we will release information on how we work, think, and why we make certain choices.

YouTube AI Summary:

This video uses the analogy of having a "bo**er on your nose" to explain the concept of receiving feedback and dealing with insecurity and defensiveness (0:04).

Here's a breakdown of the key points:

The Bo**er Analogy (0:04-1:10): The speaker emphasizes the importance of having someone who cares enough to tell you when you have a "bo**er" (i.e., a flaw or something you're doing wrong) that you're unaware of. This feedback is a gift that helps you improve.

The "Mirror" of Bias (1:30-2:13): The discussion expands on the analogy, noting that you can't see your own "bo**er" (bias or flaw) without a mirror (i.e., external feedback). Knowing your biases is crucial for growth.

The Shame of Discovery (2:13-3:05): When someone points out your "bo**er," it often leads to feelings of shame or discomfort because your self-image was incomplete. These feelings are unpleasant but necessary for awareness.

Defensiveness and Learning (3:05-4:07): People often react defensively when confronted with these feelings. The speaker admits to personal experiences of defensiveness when receiving important feedback.

Preventing Future "Bo**ers" (4:07-5:19): The video encourages self-awareness to recognize when a "bo**er" is forming and to take steps to prevent it from developing into something that requires external correction.

Stages of Feedback Work (5:24-6:22): The video highlights three stages of dealing with feedback:

Ideally, not developing the "bo**er" in the first place (though mistakes are inevitable).

Dealing with feelings of shame and guilt in the moment feedback is given.

Integrating new knowledge and learning from the feedback to prevent similar issues in the future.

Join us for our next workshop, on receiving feedback“Because I said so” Wednesday, July 3, 2019Shanghai Restaurant651 Somerset St West, Ottawa8pm“Because I s...

02/28/2026

Masculinity under construction: Accountability for facilitators
June 26, 2019

Join us for our next workshop, on receiving feedback
“Because I said so”

Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Shanghai Restaurant
651 Somerset St West, Ottawa
8pm

“Because I said so” is a workshop on working with feelings of insecurity, and receiving feedback gracefully.

We are often not aware of how our actions impact others, but we need that information to grow. How can we open ourselves up to this information, and handle the insecurity and vulnerability that we may feel?

Donations for Shanghai Restaurant for allowing us to share space are welcome.

*To improve the workshops, members of our accountability committee will have access to a sound recording and provide feedback to the facilitators.

As we aim to render ourselves more accountable we will release information on how we work, think, and why we make certain choices.

YouTube AI Summary:

This video discusses the importance of accountability for facilitators in workshops, particularly for the "Masculinity under construction" initiative. The speakers emphasize the need to provide correct and non-damaging information to participants (0:22).

Key points covered:

The facilitators' role: The speakers highlight their responsibility in ensuring the information they share is accurate and doesn't inadvertently cause harm (0:24-0:44). They want to avoid situations where participants misuse information in damaging ways (0:50-1:03).

Receiving feedback: The video stresses the value of feedback from other communities, viewing it as a "sheer gift" that helps facilitators be accountable for their delivery (1:10-1:32). This feedback is crucial for self-correction and improvement (2:08-2:24).

Building trust with participants: By being accountable, facilitators can build trust with participants, assuring them that the information provided is reliable and that the facilitators are committed to learning and improving (2:25-2:44).

Maintaining a safe space: While seeking accountability, the speakers clarify that the goal is not to expose participants' vulnerabilities but to hold facilitators accountable to the outside world, thus maintaining a safe space for members to have conversations (2:45-3:45).

Overcoming fears: The process involves confronting personal fears about potential mistakes, which ultimately contributes to a more mindful and confident facilitation approach (3:56-4:17).

https://youtu.be/n_TQnt7jjr8?si=__bhUApv64bjeTZb

Angus Wright, Angus By Design is now an Advanced Level Facilitator for WRAP - Wellness Recovery Action Plan, a Certified Peer Supporter Peer Support Canada, a qualified Emotional CPR practitioner National Empowerment Center, and a Certified Pat Deegan Personal Medicine Coach.

Join us for our next workshop, on receiving feedback“Because I said so” Wednesday, July 3, 2019Shanghai Restaurant651 Somerset St West, Ottawa8pm“Because I s...

02/26/2026

Drop a comment and tell me what you got from this video.

02/23/2026

In June 2021, I was nominated for President of my Local Union.

Supporting local businesses, and organizations is a value and ethic I hold.

If you need a list of former and current folks in the community or union who shouldn't have contact, feel free to let me know.

02/23/2026

02/22/2026

🚨 Did you know that using the mail to bully, threaten, or scam someone carries serious criminal charges in Canada? 🇨🇦 Know your rights and the laws around lawful mail conduct!

Whether you are dealing with a threatening registered letter or a tampered mailbox, here is how the Criminal Code of Canada protects you:

✉️ Mail Fraud vs. Harassment

It is a common misconception that any malicious behavior through the mail is "mail fraud."

Mail Fraud: This strictly involves schemes designed to trick you out of your money, property, or valuable security.

Intimidation & Harassment: If someone sends you a letter purely to bully, coerce, or mislead you into giving up your legal rights, they aren't committing fraud—but they could be charged with Extortion, Intimidation, or Criminal Harassment.

🛑 Faking Official Mail

Dropping a letter at someone's door but faking postmarks, stamps, or registered stickers to make it look like official Canada Post mail isn’t a postal offence—it is Forgery. Creating or using a false document to trick someone into believing it has legal weight is a serious criminal offence.

🔒 Mailbox Tampering

Interfering with someone else's locked mailbox is never a gray area.

Breaking a lock or damaging the physical box falls under Mischief.

Breaking in to snoop, intercept, or steal mail is a specific offence called Theft from Mail, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

🛡️ Know Your Rights

You have the right to feel safe, secure, and free from coercion. If you are being targeted by these tactics:

Keep the evidence. Do not throw the letters or envelopes away, and leave tampered mailboxes untouched.

Document everything. Write down the exact dates and times you received the letters or noticed the damage.

Report it. Contact your local police non-emergency line to file a report. If the sender is demanding money or posing as a fake business, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

02/22/2026

Former Skagit Transit CFO Christopher Stamey claims he was fired after coming forward with his findings.

Former Skagit Transit CFO Christopher Stamey claims he was fired after coming forward with his findings.

02/22/2026

The history of Ottawa’s mayors is a reflection of the city’s transformation from a rough-and-tumble lumber town known as Bytown to the G7 capital it is today. Since the first mayor was elected in 1847, the office has seen pioneers, controversial firebrands, and long-serving builders.🏛️

The Early Years: Bytown & The Victorian Era
Before it was Ottawa, the settlement was Bytown. The mayoralty began in 1847 with the town's incorporation.

John Scott (1847, 1850): Ottawa’s first mayor. He was a Reformer who helped establish the initial municipal framework.

Joseph-Balsora Turgeon (1853): The first French-Canadian mayor. He is credited with suggesting the name "Ottawa" for the city, which was officially adopted in 1855.

Robert Lyon (1867): Mayor during the year of Confederation. He is famously remembered for having the "longest beard in Ottawa’s mayoral history."

🏗️ The Builders: Early 20th Century

As the city grew, mayors focused on infrastructure, health, and transit.

Harold Fisher (1917–1920): Known for "Fisher’s Folly"—his then-controversial plan to build the Ottawa Civic Hospital in a location many thought was too far from the city center. Today, a statue of him stands in front of the hospital he championed.

Frank Plant (1921–23, 1930): A colorful figure who proposed a city zoo and a municipal golf course. While those didn't happen, he successfully established the Plant Bath and Champagne Bath public pools.J.E.

Stanley Lewis (1936–1948): Held the record for the longest continuous service (13 years) before the modern era. He guided Ottawa through the Great Depression and World War II.

🌟 Trailblazers & Reformers

The mid-to-late 20th century saw a shift toward social reform and breaking gender barriers.

Charlotte Whitton (1951–56, 1961–64)The first female mayor of a major Canadian city. Whitton was a brilliant, sharp-tongued, and often controversial figure.

"Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult." — Charlotte Whitton

Marion Dewar (1978–1985) A former nurse, Dewar is perhaps best loved for Project 4000, which saw Ottawa welcome 4,000 refugees from Southeast Asia in the late 1970s. She was a tireless advocate for social housing and public transit.

🔄 The Amalgamation Era (2001–Present)

In 2001, the "Old City" of Ottawa merged with 10 surrounding municipalities (like Kanata, Nepean, and Gloucester) to form the current mega-city.

Bob Chiarelli 2001–2006 - The first mayor of the amalgamated city; focused on merging disparate municipal services.

Larry O'Brien 2006–2010 - A businessman who ran on a "fix it" platform; his term was marked by a high-profile transit strike and legal battles.

Jim Watson 1997–2000 (Old City) 2010–2022 - The longest-serving mayor in Ottawa's history. He oversaw the construction of the LRT (Confederation Line) and the revitalization of Lansdowne Park.

Mark Sutcliffe 2022–Present - The current mayor, focusing on post-pandemic economic recovery and transit reliability.

Key Historical Milestones

1855: Bytown is renamed Ottawa.
1931: A massive fire destroys the Second City Hall; the city operated out of temporary spaces for decades.
1958: The opening of the "Modernist" City Hall on Green Island (now a federal building).
2001: Amalgamation creates the modern City of Ottawa.

02/22/2026

The history of Ottawa's police leadership reflects the city's evolution from a rough-and-tumble lumber town into a modern, amalgamated national capital. The role has shifted dramatically from the early days of "Chief Constables" to the complex, modern-day position of Chief of Police.

Here is an overview of the history of Ottawa's Police Chiefs, highlighting key eras and the leaders who shaped them.

Early History: The Bytown DaysBefore Ottawa was Ottawa, it was Bytown. The first official law enforcement agency was the Bytown Association for the Preservation of the Public Peace, formed in 1847.

Roderick Ross (1855): When Bytown was incorporated and renamed Ottawa in 1855, Roderick Ross was appointed the city's first Chief Constable. He oversaw a small force of about 17 constables tasked with keeping order in a notoriously rowdy lumber town. In those early days, officers didn't earn a standard salary; instead, they were paid $1 for every culprit they brought in.

The 1860s Reforms: By 1863, early dysfunction and political interference led to the creation of the Board of Commission of Police to oversee the force. By 1865, the fee-based pay system was scrapped, and the police force became a fully salaried, uniformed agency reporting to the Chief.

Late 20th Century: Modernization and RegionalizationAs the city grew, so did its policing needs. Surrounding municipalities (like Gloucester, Nepean, and Vanier) had their own forces, which eventually merged.Thomas G. Flanagan (1989–1993): Chief Flanagan, who started with the force in 1951, is remembered as a progressive visionary. He actively championed the recruitment of women from racialized and Indigenous communities.

Today, the Ottawa Police Service still awards an annual scholarship in his name to support Indigenous and racialized women pursuing careers in law enforcement.

Brian Ford (1993–2000): Ford served as Chief during a major transitional period. In 1995, the local municipal forces were amalgamated to create the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service, which Ford led until his retirement.

The Modern Era (2001–Present)On January 1, 2001, the region's municipalities officially amalgamated into the new City of Ottawa, and the force was renamed the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).

Here is the timeline of the modern Chiefs of Police:

Vince Bevan 2001–2007 - Guided the newly amalgamated Ottawa Police Service through its early years. He retired in 2007.

Vernon White 2007–2012 - A former RCMP officer who brought extensive northern and federal policing experience to Ottawa. He left the role when he was appointed to the Senate of Canada.

Charles Bordeleau 2012–2019 - An Ottawa native who began his policing career in 1984. He oversaw the force during Canada's 150th-anniversary celebrations in the capital and served until his retirement.

Peter Sloly 2019–2022 - A former Toronto Police Deputy Chief, Sloly made history as Ottawa's first Black Chief of Police. He was brought in with a mandate for change but resigned in February 2022 amid the logistical and political fallout of the Freedom Convoy protests.

Steve Bell (Interim)2022 - Stepped in as Interim Chief following Sloly's resignation, guiding the force through the conclusion of the convoy protests and the subsequent transition period.

Eric Stubbs 2022–Present - The current Chief of Police. He joined the OPS after a nearly 30-year career with the RCMP, where he served in various leadership roles in British Columbia and at RCMP headquarters in Ottawa.

"Officers deserve support for and experiences witnessing (meaning the reality of observing the lives of people outside of their control). Often those affected find themselves on the other side of the . What if we chance it to a circle to surround and support instead? I 💙 the ." - Angus Wright

People are my priority. Health, Safety, and Life Sustaining Care.

02/21/2026

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was born at the Riverside Hospital to parents John and Florence, who were both immigrants to Canada. Mark has lived his whole life in Ottawa. He was elected Mayor of Ottawa on October 24, 2022.

Prior to entering municipal politics, Mark was an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, volunteer, and community activist.

For over 30 years, Mark covered politics and current events as a broadcaster for CFRA, CityNews, Rogers TV, and CPAC, and as executive editor and columnist for the Ottawa Citizen.

Mark started his first business when he was 19 years old. He co-founded the Ottawa Business Journal in 1995 and founded and led several other small and medium-sized businesses. He has been a coach, mentor, and adviser to more than one hundred CEOs, entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and not-for-profit leaders.

Mark has been a passionate volunteer and fundraiser. He served as chair of the board of United Way Ottawa, the Ottawa Board of Trade, OrKidstra, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa Community Housing Foundation, and Run Ottawa. He also served as board member for Algonquin College, Invest Ottawa, Kind Ottawa, the Ottawa International Writers Festival, and the Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation. His contribution to the city was recognized in 2016 when he was inducted into the Order of Ottawa and named the United Way’s Ambassador of the Year. In 2018, Mark delivered a highly regarded TEDx Talk about the role of luck in his life.

Mark is an avid marathon runner who has raised more than $250,000 for Ottawa charities with his fundraising runs. He is the author of four books, including Long Road to Boston, which chronicled his quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which he completed in 2015 and 2018. Mark and his wife Ginny have three children.

Committee, board and liaison appointments
Standing and sub-committees:

- Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Ex officio
- Audit Committee, Ex officio
- Built Heritage Committee, Ex officio
- Community Services Committee, Ex officio
- Debenture Committee, Chair
- Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee, Ex officio
- Environment and Climate Change Committee, Ex officio
- Finance and Corporate Services Committee, Chair
- Planning and Housing Committee, Ex officio
- Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, Ex officio
- Transit Committee, Ex officio

Boards:

- Build Ottawa, Member
- ByWard Market District Authority(link is external), Board of Directors, Member
- Invest Ottawa Board of Directors(link is external), Co-Chair
- National Arts Centre(link is external), Board of Trustees, Trustee
- Ottawa Community Housing Corporation(link is external), Board of Directors, Ex officio

Working Groups:

- Agile Government Efficiency Review Working Group, Member
- Service Review Working Group, Member



https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/mayor-and-city-councillors/mark-sutcliffe-mayor