Transit emerged as a hot button issue at a crowded mayoral candidates’ environmental debate, hosted Sunday night by Ecology Ottawa.
A capacity crowd packed the Laframboise Dining Hall at St. Paul University, where eight candidates were slated to participate.
Ten showed up, including Mayor Larry O’Brien, former Ottawa MPP Jim Watson, Capital Ward Coun. Clive Doucet, Green Party organizer Cesar Bello, former O’Brien campaign assistant Mike Maguire, Carleton University student Charlie Taylor and Robin Lawrance.
Candidate Jane Scharf left early in the debate, while candidates Andrew Haydon, a former mayor of Nepean, and Joseph Furtenbacher joined in late.
Plans to build a light-rail tunnel through downtown came under fire during the debate, with Doucet criticizing the cost of the project compared to a previously discussed surface train plan. The surface train plan would also be quicker for the city to implement, according to Doucet, who said it could be completed in four years.
Haydon joined Doucet’s criticism of the light rail tunnel, suggesting the city build a bus tunnel instead.
Combining commercial and residential zoning was also suggested as an answer to Ottawa’s transit woes. Taylor said he supported the idea as a way to reduce the number of people who commute long distances.
But candidates shied from supporting increased bicycling infrastructure. Maguire said downtown bike lanes are bad for businesses, because they take away from space that could be used for parking.
He and O’Brien said getting the light rail finished would reduce the number of cars on the road anyway, making it safer for cyclists without cutting into parking space.
But Watson criticized O’Brien for only wanting to create an “auto-friendly city.”
Recycling was also a key issue at the debate.
Doucet said he supported bringing back free recycling to businesses on major streets.
Watson called for more city-owned recycling bins in those areas, but his promises to consult with community groups were met with skepticism from other candidates.
Maguire said his personal experience was that community groups did all the talking, but the mayor never listened.