Building a Better Budget

On Wednesday November 13th, the City of Ottawa will introduce the draft operating and capital budget for 2025. After the approval of the 2025 Budget Directions early this fall, Ottawa residents can likely expect to see property taxes remain low at the expense of our public transit system and other vital community services. Several City Councillors have expressed objections to the priorities as not being reflective of city priorities and not leaving room for new ideas to emerge. 

That same day, a coalition of community and non profit groups will hold a press conference and workshop event to outline what a more visionary and imaginative “Alternative Budget” could look like.  

The group will the ask the City to: 

• Investigate and implement revenue raising tools so we can fund social programs without needing to go to different levels of government
• Invest in community services instead of cutting them
• Invest in transit as a vital community service 
• Invest in climate change mitigation
• Seriously address the housing crisis

That evening, the group will come together to help envision a “Better Budget” and allow everyday residents to have their say. Join Synapcity, the People’s Official Plan Coalition, Horizon Ottawa, and a coalition of groups working for a more inclusive and fair budget. 

Joining us for a keynote presentation to kick off the event will be Neil Saravanamuttoo. Neil is director of non-profit CitySHAPES and an advocate for housing, transit and climate action. He is an economist  who has held senior roles at the Department of Finance Canada and at the G20’s Global Infrastructure Hub. He and former City Councillor Catherine McKenney founded CitySHAPES in 2023 as a national organization advocating for better cities across the country. Neil is a vocal supporter of several community initiatives and is also the author of the 613 substack.  

Following Neil’s presentation we will invite several leading advocates to join a panel to discuss the City of Ottawa’s municipal budget and their vision of what an “Alternative Budget” could look like. The panel will be moderated by Horizon Ottawa’s Sam Hersh. 

After the panel, attendees will be invited to one of several smaller breakout groups to discuss alternative solutions and learn how they can drive change in their communities.

The event will take place at 464 Metcalfe Street, home of the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation. Doors will open at 530pm with proceedings beginning just before 6pm. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge with donations being accepted. 

Come help us "Build a Better Budget" for Ottawa on Wednesday November 13th. 

Host or Publisher Synapcity