October 5, 2010
Ottawa Mayor Larry O’Brien repeatedly accused mayoral candidate Jim Watson of being a big-city career politician during a televised debate Tuesday night at the National Arts Centre.
O’Brien went on the offensive after Watson criticized his plans to extend Ottawa’s urban boundary by building a ring-road through the city’s Greenbelt.
“Thank you, Mr. Watson. You’re no longer in Toronto,” he said, alluding to his rival’s former role as Ontario cabinet minister. “The idea that we can make a decision and cut roads is absolutely impossible to implement in a city this big.”
O’Brien defended the ring-road as part of a “unique” transportation plan that includes mass transit, light rail, cars and bicycles. He said that the road would be beneficial and suitable for Ottawa’s car culture, reiterating his oft-repeated statement that personal vehicles are essential “in a city that’s half the size of P.E.I.”
But Watson countered that “the farther we go out and the farther we extend the urban boundary, the more expensive it is and the worse off the environment is.” Instead, he emphasized the need for a “balanced approach” that focused on intensification and public transit.
Although the two leading candidates both support city council’s $2.1 billion plan for light rail, Watson has previously said it is contradictory for O’Brien to back the transit initiative and propose a new ring-road.
“I think one of the tell-tale signs of Mr. O’Brien’s commitment to the environment was in his opening speech when he said, quote, ‘I want to work to make Ottawa an auto-friendly place to live,’” he said in an environmentally-themed mayoral debate last Sunday, referring to a speech O’Brien made in September.
Their heated exchange happened during the environmental portion of Tuesday’s debate, which also touched on four other topics: transportation, governance, arts and culture, and a forward-looking section called “Imagine the Future.”
Aimed at youth voters, the 90-minute bilingual debate allowed viewers to interact with mayoral candidates through online platforms. Participants could upload their questions onto YouTube or submit them via Twitter.
Rosemary Thompson, the NAC’s director of communications, described the debate as the first of its kind in Ottawa: “I think we’re going to make a little bit of history tonight,” she said.
The lively debate also made a little bit of trouble among the top four participating mayoral contenders, which included city councillor Clive Doucet and Andrew Haydon, a former mayor of Nepean.
Although moderator Sheila Copps reminded the candidates to “keep it civilized,” the event was marked by moments of tension between Watson and O’Brien with Haydon often caught in the middle. Seated between the two leading candidates and caught between their bickering, Haydon yelled “Help!” at one point during the environmental “free-for-all” when candidates had the opportunity to refute their competitors’ comments.
Another big surprise of the night was the interruption by candidate Jane Scharf who protested her inability to participate in the debate. As the discussion turned to governance issues, Scharf climbed onto the stage where her four competitors sat.
“This is a public institution,” she said while facing the cameras and live audience. “It is not fair or reasonable.”
In response, Doucet gave up his seat, allowing Scharf to share her views for nearly 15 minutes.
Earlier in the evening, Scharf was protesting outside the NAC along with Carleton University journalism student Charlie Taylor, another mayoral candidate.
Organized by the Institute on Governance, the NAC and Ottawa blog Apartment613, the debate was broadcast on Rogers TV.
Anita is currently pursuing a Master of Journalism degree at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in international relations, Asia-Pacific studies and English from the University of Toronto's Trinity College. With experience in broadcast, print and online media, her journalistic roles have included stints as: on-air reporter for CIUT 89.5 FM, Editor-in-Chief of The Toronto Globalist and contributor to TheStar.com's Global Voices. In addition, Anita has worked as a researcher for the CTV Television Network, and has contributed to such publications as 2 Magazine and the Scarborough Mirror. Her most notable journalistic memories to date include interviewing Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean at the 4th World Youth Congress in Québec City and Food Network Canada host Anna Olson. As an active member of the Chinese Canadian National Council, Toronto Chapter, and the G8 Research Group, Anita is also interested in issues of local and global governance. In her spare time, Anita enjoys travelling, yoga and watching Gossip Girl religiously.