INTERPROVINCIAL TRANSIT SERVICES

services de transport en commun interprovinciaux

ACS2007-CCS-TTC-0006 CITY WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE

Councillor Legendre briefed the Committee on his proposed motion. While recognizing that there are already exchanges at the staff level between the STO and the OC Transpo, he suggested that this is something different. He noted that the proposed body would be decision making in nature, with elected representatives dealing only with interprovincial transit. He anticipates that upon approval of his motion, discussion would follow to determine the composition, the authority and the details of this body. Following these discussions, it is expected that a report would come back to Committee for debate and approval by City Council. He suspects similar process on the part of the City of Gatineau. He advised that he has approached the two mayors, who both received this motion with enthusiasm, and are very comfortable with the idea. He urged the Committee to accept this motion to determine where preliminary discussion would lead.

Ms. Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager of Planning, Transit and the Environment, acknowledging the benefits of this body, encouraged and supported it. However, she offered to come back to Committee with some ideas as to how that could be facilitated. She noted the past tri-partite committee meetings held between the two Mayors and the Chair of NCC that have been very successful. She suggested that the proposed body could follow that model but she understands that while those meetings were more information sharing that the Councillor is looking for understanding and looking for other options that might exist in terms of a stronger mandate.

In response to Chair Cullen, Councillor Legendre clarified that approving his motion would give an indication to the City of Gatineau that the City of Ottawa would like to have a dialogue involving staff and elected officials. He then expects staff to report back on its feasibility.

In order to report back, Ms. Schepers asked for clarification on the objectives and on what kind of outcome the Committee would expect from that committee structure.

Councillor Wilkinson asked for the same clarification in that decisions made by that committee could not be final but would have to be approved by both municipalities. She would prefer to have wordings such as “to make recommendations to their relevant governments”. Councillor Legendre agreed with the amendment.

The Committee then approved the following motion:

Moved by Councillor J. Legendre:

That the Transit Committee recommend to Council that the City of Ottawa approach the City of Gatineau with a view to establish a joint body of elected officials to make recommendations to their respective governments dealing with integration issues relating to interprovincial transit services.

CARRIED

YEAS (6): Councillors R. Bloess, J. Legendre, C. Leadman, M. McRae, M. Wilkinson, and Chair A. Cullen

NAYS (0):

That the Transit Committee recommend Council to approach the City of Gatineau with a view of establishing a joint decision making body of elected officials to deal with integration issues of the interprovincial transit services.

CARRIED, as amended.