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horizonottawa.bsky.social
Horizon Ottawa
@horizonottawa.bsky.social
680 followers 77 following 240 posts
Horizon Ottawa is a progressive, municipal-focused grassroots organization dedicated to creating a city that genuinely works for everyone.

https://www.horizonottawa.ca/
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horizonottawa.bsky.social
Join us on Tuesday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 at 464 Metcalfe St. for our City Budget 101 event!

We'll be diving into the details of the budget, and discussing how we can organize to demand better, together.

Learn more and RSVP today: www.horizonottawa.ca/budget_101
City Budget 101
www.horizonottawa.ca
November 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by Horizon Ottawa
neilsara.bsky.social
Lansdowne 2.0 vote is in. How did your Councillor vote?
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Lansdowne 2.0 was just approved by Council 15-10, and it's definitely worth taking note of the geographical imbalance on the vote.

The two out-of-place "yes" votes are Marty Carr (Alta Vista) and Stéphanie Plante (Rideau-Vanier):
Map showing results of the Lansdowne 2.0 vote, with "no" votes concentrated around the urban core. Yes: Brown, Hubley, Skalski, Dudas, Hill, Desroches, Kelly, Plante, Carr, Curry, Gower, Tierney, Kitts, Luloff, Sutcliffe No: Johnson, Devine, Leiper, King, Kavanagh, Troster, Bradley, Menard, Brockington, Lo
November 7, 2025 at 9:54 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Premier Ford and Minister Calandra's appointed supervisor for the OCDSB has been avoiding questions from parents and says speaking to the media "isn't his mandate".

If Plamondon is going to get a $350k salary, we need to know what he's actually doing.

leveller.ca/2025/10/cons...
Conservative-Appointed Supervisor Cutting Class - The Leveller
By Peter Moore Parents are asking questions after three months with Robert Plamondon as the provincially-appointed Supervisor of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). The last two weeks h...
leveller.ca
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Just now - Councillor @shawnmenard.bsky.social
is interrupted by Councillor @timtierney.ca while asking questions on Lansdowne.

Menard pushes back, then Tierney calls him an "asshole". This behaviour is unbefitting of a councillor, and demands an integrity complaint.

➡️ integrity@ottawa.ca
November 4, 2025 at 6:22 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
This Friday is our LAST CHANCE to call on Mayor Sutcliffe and councillors to vote against the final Lansdowne 2.0 approval!

Come rally with our coalition of advocacy orgs at City Hall this Friday at 8:30 a.m. before council their decision: www.horizonottawa.ca/lansdowne_ra...
Say NO to Lansdowne 2.0 Press Conference & Rally
www.horizonottawa.ca
November 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
FINCO heard dozens of delegates express their concerns about Lansdowne 2.0 through the 2-day long meeting, yet a majority of members still approved the deal, sending it to council for final approval.

This result speaks to the lack of urban representation on this committee:
Lansdowne 2.0 Approval Finance & Corporate Services Committee October 30, 2025 No: Rawlson King Jeff Leiper Shawn Menard Yes: Matthew Luloff Laura Dudas Cathy Curry Glen Gower Tim Tierney Catherine Kitts David Brown Mark Sutcliffe
October 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Horizon Ottawa
lainejohnson.bsky.social
Why I'm voting against Lansdowne 2.0
youtu.be/qzpGjx4dBCk?...
Why I'm voting against Lansdowne 2 0
YouTube video by College Ward 8
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Ford’s new “Fighting Delays” bill would ban new bike lanes and let the province block anything that “interferes” with cars including bus lanes and safety projects.

This is a war on bikes, transit, and local democracy.

Send an email to Ford and your MPP: www.horizonottawa.ca/back_off_ford
Tell Ford to Back Off Our Bike and Bus Lanes!
www.horizonottawa.ca
October 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
🧵 - Mayor Sutcliffe gave an update on Lansdowne 2.0 earlier this week, claiming he wanted to counter the “misinformation” being spread by those who have concerns about the project.

Here’s what has changed, what’s confirmed, and what still needs answers ⤵️
October 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Horizon Ottawa
eugeniewaters.bsky.social
Join us here in Ottawa to stand strong for our speed cameras!
Tomorrow MONDAY:
8:15am Woodroffe PS
8:45am Queen Elizabeth PS

Sign our petition: schoolstreetsottawa.ca/get-involved...

#SafeSchools #SafeCommunities #SpeedKills #CamerasSaveLives
@schoolstreetsyow.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
🧵- Councillor Brown is suggesting a switch to private transit in rural areas, saying that they aren't getting enough in return for their tax dollars.

Rural residents absolutely deserve better transit, but his arguments are pretty misleading when you look at the facts. ⤵️

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This councillor says OC Transpo is failing his rural ward. Could private buses be the answer? | CBC News
Rural residents of Ottawa aren't adequately served by OC Transpo, and privatized transit may be the way to bridge the gap, according to Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown.
www.cbc.ca
October 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
🚨 JOINT LABOUR SOLIDARITY RALLY TODAY 🚨

🕚: 11:00 AM
📍: PMO, 80 Wellington

Join us in rallying with striking workers from CUPW, UNIFOR, and OPSEU, and other labour allies and help us take a stand for labour rights in our city and across the country!
Labour Solidarity Rally Workers at OPSEU, Unifor, and CUPW are all currently on strike. Labour is under attack and we need to remind our leaders that everyone deserves a fair contract and safe working conditions. It's time to push back! Wednesday, Oct. 1 @ 11am Office of the PM, 80 Wellington
October 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Tickets are now on sale for our 5th-year anniversary celebration, Vision to Victory, on October 26th.

Don't miss your chance to purchase tickets at the early bird price, this week only!

Get yours today: www.horizonottawa.ca/vision_to_vi...
Vision to Victory
www.horizonottawa.ca
September 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Council’s last-minute shenanigans undermined real debate today, but hybrid work survives for now.

Ottawa workers deserve evidence-based policy, not political games. We’ll keep fighting to protect flexible, modern workplaces.

Our full statement:
www.horizonottawa.ca/rto_vote_pr
PRESS RELEASE: Council’s Last-Minute Motion Undermines Debate, But Hybrid Work Survives For Now
www.horizonottawa.ca
September 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
We rallied to say no to RTO this morning with local union members and leaders — now its up to Council to embrace flexible work and rescind the 5-day return to office mandate for municipal workers.

Stay tuned for updates on how they vote!

www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Council to vote today on motion to rescind Ottawa’s return-to-office mandate
The debate over the future of hybrid work will shift to council chambers at Ottawa City Hall today, as council votes on a motion to rescind the planned return-to-office mandate for municipal employees...
www.ctvnews.ca
September 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Councillor @seandevine9.bsky.social is absolutely right to point out that the feds' hate crime bill is a great reason for Ottawa to cancel its plans for a bubble by-law.

The last thing the city needs is an expensive legal battle when this is inevitably challenged.

ottawacitizen.com/news/federal...
Does a federal hate crimes bill make a bubble bylaw unnecessary? This councillor thinks so
A federal hate crimes bill might just make a proposed bubble bylaw a waste of the city's time and resources, one councillor suggests.
ottawacitizen.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
On Wednesday, Council has the opportunity to cancel the RTO mandate for city workers, and we need to ensure they feel the pressure!

Join us at our rally with @psacncr-afpcrcn.bsky.social, @cape-acep.bsky.social, ATU 1760, and CIPP-IPPM at 8:00 AM: www.horizonottawa.ca/no_to_rto_ra...
Say NO to RTO Rally
www.horizonottawa.ca
September 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
The federal Combatting Hate Act is further evidence that Ottawa should drop its plans for a "bubble by-law".

This is outside their jurisdiction and risks massive legal costs when the city inevitably faces a Charter challenge.

Read our full statement:
The Carney government’s proposed Combatting Hate Act makes one thing crystal clear: only the federal government has the constitutional authority to legislate around speech and protest. That’s why it’s so alarming that Ottawa City Council is plowing ahead with its own Vulnerable Social Infrastructure (“Bubble”) By-law. This is an encroachment on federal jurisdiction and puts the City at enormous legal risk. Municipalities do not have the power to create sweeping limits on Charter-protected rights like freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. By attempting to do so, Ottawa is exposing itself to costly constitutional challenges that it is almost certain to lose. The Supreme Court has already made clear that restrictions on speech and protest must come from Parliament, not city councils. While speaking about the tabling of this federal legislation on September 19th, Liberal MP Sean Fraser said they did not include “bubble zone” provisions in this law because “it is for municipalities to regulate what behaviour may take place near a specific building”. However, the proposed by-law in Ottawa would likely go far beyond what they actually have the power to do. The City is effectively trying to use a by-law to carve out broad “no-protest zones” around community institutions, enforced through vague standards of “intimidation” or “obstruction.” This is a backdoor attempt to regulate speech locally, in direct conflict with constitutional jurisdiction. It is also unnecessary. Municipalities and local police already have tools to protect vulnerable communities without trampling on free expression. Courts can and do grant targeted injunctions when protests cross the line into harassment such as the anti-LGBTQIA+ demonstrations in front of schools on Broadview Ave. Police can also enforce existing Criminal Code provisions on threats, mischief, and harassment. These tools are precise, legally sound, and respect the Charter. Ottawa should not be gambling with people’s rights and public money by pushing through unconstitutional by-laws. If the federal government chooses to legislate in this space, that is their jurisdictional responsibility, and even then, those laws will have to survive Charter scrutiny. We are still concerned about this federal legislation, especially as similar laws in the UK have led to the arrest of many pro-Palestinian protestors. This is also being proposed as the Trump administration is threatening crackdowns on free speech in the United States. Despite these objections, the federal government is, in fact, the place where this discussion should be had. The City’s role should be promoting human rights and safety through lawful, proportionate measures, not writing unconstitutional by-laws. We call on Mayor Sutcliffe and Ottawa City Council to step back from this overreach and focus instead on proven, lawful approaches that protect communities without silencing dissent.
September 19, 2025 at 9:43 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
UPDATE: @LeiperOttawa has tabled a motion to rescind the 5-day RTO mandate for municipal workers and keep WFH where reasonable.

This is a big step forward, but Council still needs to back it.

Email your councillor today: www.horizonottawa.ca/cancelottawa...
Reject RTO Mandate, Embrace Flexible Work
www.horizonottawa.ca
September 10, 2025 at 6:55 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Ottawa’s City Manager is forcing a 5-day return to office for municipal workers. This will put on a strain on traffic, childcare, and families for no good reason.

Tell Mayor Sutcliffe and Council to reject this mandate 👇
www.horizonottawa.ca/cancelottawa...
Reject RTO Mandate, Embrace Flexible Work
www.horizonottawa.ca
September 8, 2025 at 1:14 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
The city has launched a survey looking for feedback on a bubble by-law, something that would be disastrous for protest rights in Ottawa.

We've heard a lot of complaints about the questions they're asking, so we've put together some analysis: www.horizonottawa.ca/bubble_survey
Bubble By-law Survey Analysis
www.horizonottawa.ca
September 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Implementing a bubble by-law would be disastrous for protest rights in our city and give the cops even more power to shut down dissent they don't like.

Fill out the survey from Engage Ottawa and tell them how dangerous this is: engage.ottawa.ca/vulnerable-s...
Safe access to vulnerable social infrastructure | Engage Ottawa
engage.ottawa.ca
August 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Mayor Sutcliffe's decision to force all city staff back to the office will worsen congestion, burden workers, and waste taxpayer money.

Ottawa should be embracing remote work, not fighting it.

Read our full statement: www.horizonottawa.ca/returntooffi...
PRESS RELEASE: Horizon Ottawa Condemns Mayor’s Mandatory Return-to-Office Policy
www.horizonottawa.ca
August 26, 2025 at 6:43 PM
horizonottawa.bsky.social
Mayor Sutcliffe announced today that he plans to increase the police budget by 6.5% in 2026, the most in 15 years, while neglecting improvements to services people actually rely on.

Read our full comments in our press release: www.horizonottawa.ca/2026budgetdi...
PRESS RELEASE: Horizon Ottawa slams Mayor Sutcliffe for largest police budget increase in 15 years, up to 7.5% fare hike
www.horizonottawa.ca
August 21, 2025 at 7:24 PM