In response to The Watsonics, Part 8: Structure and Function, Not Tax Credits | Unpublished
Hello!

Unpublished Opinions

peter_karwacki's picture
Ottawa, Ontario
About the author

Former candidate for Rideau-Rockcliffe
Professional project manager

Like it

In response to The Watsonics, Part 8: Structure and Function, Not Tax Credits

April 6, 2023

The Ottawa airport hotel tax credit defied logic. 

I ran as a a replacement for Jenna Sudds in North Kanata. The councillors under Watson chose  Kathy Currie.   Recently Ms. Currie,  amongst others, voted for a tax benefit to proponents of a new airport hotel, which to his credit the mayor opposed.  

The bewildered Currie cited cries for improved transportation and accommodation options for her North Kanata constituents, especially those among them working in the business park.  Unfortunately,  this is not the role of city government. The city must provide structure and function, as Clive Doucet argues in part 8 of The Watsonics. The city must provide the infrastructure and services and then let the citizens and businesses do the rest. Why is this so hard to understand?

Well we saw something similar with the Porche dealership on Montreal road.   Doucet argues “systemic corruption” as the cause of most problems at city hall, but I doubt this is true concerning the councillor in question. Rather, I suggest that old habits and patterns were at work. My job here is to point that out and the need to think differently about spending precious taxpayer resources.



References