Derrick Simpson
@derricksimpson.bsky.social
Transportation and Board Chair, Centretown Community Association | Carleton Journalism Grad | Ottawa Urbanism Book Club | Board @strongtownsottawa.bsky.social| Substack: Improving Ottawa
The City bending over backwards to present Lansdowne 2.0 info with white gloves, make special financial exceptions, and then do absolutely nothing to meaningfully improve the transit and traffic situation on Bank Street is incredibly disappointing.
We’re moving Ottawa forward! Lansdowne 2.0 is a smart, responsible plan that invests in one of the city’s biggest attractions, while protecting taxpayers and reducing risk. This project will give us a better, more accessible Lansdowne, and new opportunities for events, sports, and public gatherings.
November 8, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The City bending over backwards to present Lansdowne 2.0 info with white gloves, make special financial exceptions, and then do absolutely nothing to meaningfully improve the transit and traffic situation on Bank Street is incredibly disappointing.
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
Lansdowne 2.0 passes 15-10.
As a group dedicated to financial transparency and smart investments in community infrastructure, we had concerns around the reporting process and special financial treatment given to Lansdowne 2.0, as well as the lack of tangible transit improvements.
@alex-is.online
As a group dedicated to financial transparency and smart investments in community infrastructure, we had concerns around the reporting process and special financial treatment given to Lansdowne 2.0, as well as the lack of tangible transit improvements.
@alex-is.online
November 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Lansdowne 2.0 passes 15-10.
As a group dedicated to financial transparency and smart investments in community infrastructure, we had concerns around the reporting process and special financial treatment given to Lansdowne 2.0, as well as the lack of tangible transit improvements.
@alex-is.online
As a group dedicated to financial transparency and smart investments in community infrastructure, we had concerns around the reporting process and special financial treatment given to Lansdowne 2.0, as well as the lack of tangible transit improvements.
@alex-is.online
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
What a wonderful turnout for our first ever monthly meeting, where we discussed preparing for the 2026 Budget, and how to give delegations!
Look forward to our upcoming monthly meetings to get involved if you couldn't attend this one! Thank you to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the space! #Ottawa
Look forward to our upcoming monthly meetings to get involved if you couldn't attend this one! Thank you to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the space! #Ottawa
November 7, 2025 at 7:32 PM
What a wonderful turnout for our first ever monthly meeting, where we discussed preparing for the 2026 Budget, and how to give delegations!
Look forward to our upcoming monthly meetings to get involved if you couldn't attend this one! Thank you to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the space! #Ottawa
Look forward to our upcoming monthly meetings to get involved if you couldn't attend this one! Thank you to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the space! #Ottawa
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
You would think the mayor was being ironic here when he says that we can't acquiesce to demands of wealthy sports owners, right before he says we need to be careful we don't lose the other wealthy sports owners in the same stadium 🤣🤣
#Ottawa #Lansdowne2.0
#Ottawa #Lansdowne2.0
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
You would think the mayor was being ironic here when he says that we can't acquiesce to demands of wealthy sports owners, right before he says we need to be careful we don't lose the other wealthy sports owners in the same stadium 🤣🤣
#Ottawa #Lansdowne2.0
#Ottawa #Lansdowne2.0
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
The contempt the city has shown for this expensive and genuinely impressive piece of art it bought and proudly installed is just perfectly symbolic of how it treats both the public realm and its own investments.
ottawacitizen.com/news/artist-...
ottawacitizen.com/news/artist-...
Artist fears Lansdowne installation may become '$2 million of scrap metal'
The final Lansdowne 2.0 report recommends decommissioning the art installation Moving Surfaces because there's no budget to restore it.
ottawacitizen.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The contempt the city has shown for this expensive and genuinely impressive piece of art it bought and proudly installed is just perfectly symbolic of how it treats both the public realm and its own investments.
ottawacitizen.com/news/artist-...
ottawacitizen.com/news/artist-...
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
I have been relatively quiet on here this week, because my office has been dealing with a barrage of email from people who attend a particular church, upset about the addition of paid parking on Saturdays nearby. BTW: there 525 free parking spots within the 400m zone (and 202 spots within 200m).
November 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I have been relatively quiet on here this week, because my office has been dealing with a barrage of email from people who attend a particular church, upset about the addition of paid parking on Saturdays nearby. BTW: there 525 free parking spots within the 400m zone (and 202 spots within 200m).
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
It was a joy to join @strongtownsottawa.ca for this month’s Urbanism Book Club and to honour @derricksimpson.bsky.social for his 2025 Eco Award for Active & Accessible Champion.
Congratulations, Derrick, and keep up the excellent work!
#Ottawa #EcoAward #Community #Environment
Congratulations, Derrick, and keep up the excellent work!
#Ottawa #EcoAward #Community #Environment
November 1, 2025 at 4:09 PM
It was a joy to join @strongtownsottawa.ca for this month’s Urbanism Book Club and to honour @derricksimpson.bsky.social for his 2025 Eco Award for Active & Accessible Champion.
Congratulations, Derrick, and keep up the excellent work!
#Ottawa #EcoAward #Community #Environment
Congratulations, Derrick, and keep up the excellent work!
#Ottawa #EcoAward #Community #Environment
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
Turns out the real political spectrum is just how people feel about free parking 😂
Tag yourself!
Tag yourself!
October 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Turns out the real political spectrum is just how people feel about free parking 😂
Tag yourself!
Tag yourself!
Spoke with the Centretown Buzz about the (not so great) proposal for bus lanes on Bank Street, and the need to put people before parking.
centretownbuzz.ca/2025/10/be-b...
centretownbuzz.ca/2025/10/be-b...
“Be bold!” Crowd asks city to improve bus lane proposal for Bank Street – Centretown BUZZ
centretownbuzz.ca
October 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Spoke with the Centretown Buzz about the (not so great) proposal for bus lanes on Bank Street, and the need to put people before parking.
centretownbuzz.ca/2025/10/be-b...
centretownbuzz.ca/2025/10/be-b...
The musical acrobatics event in the Byward market last night was a great example of the potential of our neighbourhoods when we pedestrianize streets and prioritize people.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
October 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The musical acrobatics event in the Byward market last night was a great example of the potential of our neighbourhoods when we pedestrianize streets and prioritize people.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
More space for people, more business, more fun.
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
We heard from many groups today about the Tewin development. This is unfortunately going to be a development that further entrenches us into unsustainable sprawl.
Property taxes have not and will not be able to provide long-term support for these types of developments. We have decades of evidence.
Property taxes have not and will not be able to provide long-term support for these types of developments. We have decades of evidence.
October 15, 2025 at 9:42 PM
We heard from many groups today about the Tewin development. This is unfortunately going to be a development that further entrenches us into unsustainable sprawl.
Property taxes have not and will not be able to provide long-term support for these types of developments. We have decades of evidence.
Property taxes have not and will not be able to provide long-term support for these types of developments. We have decades of evidence.
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
"Bettors lose billions of dollars a year on parlays ... and operators bring in far more revenue for every dollar wagered on these bets than they do straight bets. In most of the states that publish the relevant data, parlays account for between half and two-thirds of the operators’ revenue."
Americans can’t stop betting parlays. Sportsbooks are cashing in.
As betting booms, parlays are accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data.
wapo.st
October 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
"Bettors lose billions of dollars a year on parlays ... and operators bring in far more revenue for every dollar wagered on these bets than they do straight bets. In most of the states that publish the relevant data, parlays account for between half and two-thirds of the operators’ revenue."
The LRT being closed for maintenance on Panda Game weekend is such a confusing and poor decision.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
October 5, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The LRT being closed for maintenance on Panda Game weekend is such a confusing and poor decision.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.
Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
September 30, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.
Ahead of tonight’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, here’s my favourite quote from Strong Towns.
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
September 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Ahead of tonight’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, here’s my favourite quote from Strong Towns.
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required.
@strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca
CBC Radio joined us at the last Ottawa Urbanism Book Club to talk about how we’re building community and pushing for a better Ottawa.
A book club for people who care about the future of their city www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
A book club for people who care about the future of their city www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
September 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
CBC Radio joined us at the last Ottawa Urbanism Book Club to talk about how we’re building community and pushing for a better Ottawa.
A book club for people who care about the future of their city www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
A book club for people who care about the future of their city www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
The Centretown Community Association has sent a letter to @arieltroster.com supporting a ban on right turns on red in Centretown.
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
September 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The Centretown Community Association has sent a letter to @arieltroster.com supporting a ban on right turns on red in Centretown.
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
“The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”
The Berczy Park Dog Fountain in Toronto is a great example of a small improvement leading to big benefits.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
September 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The Berczy Park Dog Fountain in Toronto is a great example of a small improvement leading to big benefits.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.
Reposted by Derrick Simpson
Weeps in Bank Street, Montréal Road, Wellington West tears. @strongtownsottawa.ca @derricksimpson.bsky.social
Taking videos of vibrant businesses and patios along St. Clair West for @denisagar.bsky.social at Movement to show that transit only lanes complement low-rise commercial corridors like Burnaby Heights!
September 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Weeps in Bank Street, Montréal Road, Wellington West tears. @strongtownsottawa.ca @derricksimpson.bsky.social
Reliability is the biggest issue, but we don’t talk enough about how unenjoyable OC Transpo can be sometimes.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
August 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reliability is the biggest issue, but we don’t talk enough about how unenjoyable OC Transpo can be sometimes.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy.
If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.
An underrated place in Toronto that impressed me was the North York Central Library.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
August 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
An underrated place in Toronto that impressed me was the North York Central Library.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square.
Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.
I’m obviously not a fan of Ottawa’s 2026 budget direction.
I just wish we had the honesty to tell people what this budget will really mean.
Transit will get worse, traffic will take longer, life will get more unaffordable for those who can least afford it.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I just wish we had the honesty to tell people what this budget will really mean.
Transit will get worse, traffic will take longer, life will get more unaffordable for those who can least afford it.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Mayor asks council to limit next year's tax increase to 3.75% | CBC News
Policing and transit remain critical factors that will determine the final balance as the months-long municipal budget process gets underway.
www.cbc.ca
August 22, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I’m obviously not a fan of Ottawa’s 2026 budget direction.
I just wish we had the honesty to tell people what this budget will really mean.
Transit will get worse, traffic will take longer, life will get more unaffordable for those who can least afford it.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I just wish we had the honesty to tell people what this budget will really mean.
Transit will get worse, traffic will take longer, life will get more unaffordable for those who can least afford it.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Thanks to everyone who came out to the @strongtownsottawa.ca meetup this weekend at one of the the Uncommon Event Spaces.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
August 18, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Thanks to everyone who came out to the @strongtownsottawa.ca meetup this weekend at one of the the Uncommon Event Spaces.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space.
Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.
Finally visited the nicest looking library in Canada, the Toronto Reference Library.
My photos don’t do it justice.
My photos don’t do it justice.
August 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Finally visited the nicest looking library in Canada, the Toronto Reference Library.
My photos don’t do it justice.
My photos don’t do it justice.
Spoke with Apartment 613 about the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club and what @strongtownsottawa.ca is doing to push for positive change in Ottawa.
apt613.ca/ottawa-urban...
apt613.ca/ottawa-urban...
Ottawa Urbanism Book Club highlights community and urban living
Are you passionate about urban living and making your community a better place for everyone? Then the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club might be for you!
apt613.ca
August 16, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Spoke with Apartment 613 about the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club and what @strongtownsottawa.ca is doing to push for positive change in Ottawa.
apt613.ca/ottawa-urban...
apt613.ca/ottawa-urban...