Before even getting into the flaws with the new Lansdowne proposal, it’s worth noting that the city is currently dealing with:
- A $10.8 billion infrastructure deficit to support essential city services.
- A housing crisis, with more than 3,000 people experiencing homelessness.
- A $120 million transit budget deficit.
- Community centres with major repairs that remain unfunded.
When Lansdowne 2.0 was initially presented to councillors in 2022, the stated reason for ripping up the existing retail (built only a decade ago), removing greenspace and adding residential towers to the area was because “the partnership” was not profitable and the city was apparently worried that Ottawa Sports and Entertainment group would pull out of the deal, leaving the city to manage its own facilities.
This is the fundamental risk associated with a P3s and with privatizing public assets: the never-ending quest for profit, often at the expense of the experience for residents. And Lansdowne 2.0 will undoubtably make thing worse for visitors:
- It will have no roof over the north side stands.
- It will remove 58,000 square feet of greenspace from the park and great lawn.
- It will reduce seating in the arena (to just 5,850) and the stands (by 3,000 seats).
- It will increase ticket prices with the focus shifting toward high-end, less affordable options for families.
- It will spend $8 million just to remove the green berm/hill where people peruse games from afar, remove half the height of the toboggan hill and kill 113 healthy trees.
The risky reliance on cash flow from “waterfall payments” to fund this project is in no way guaranteed. They say that the best way to predict the future is to look at the past. That means facing the reality that Lansdowne 1.0 did not produce the $100 million revenue that was promised. How on earth should residents be reassured that the new version will bring in $350 million? Public land should be developed for the public good, not private profit and its false promises of revenue to the city.
While there is no doubt that the stadium and north side stands will eventually have to be replaced, there are other financing models that are less risky for the city. This is not to mention options for repairs and renovations that extend the life of the facilities and give the city time to first tackle our massive infrastructure deficit, unreliable transit system and homelessness crisis.
I appreciate all of you who reached out to me about this proposal and the need to shift the city’s spending priorities. I will be voting no to Lansdowne 2.0.
Warmly,
Ariel
(Many thanks to Councillor Shawn Menard and team for leading the way on opposition to Lansdowne 2.0 and imagining a better way forward. You can join him and the team from Better Ottawa at a public forum on November 3 to discuss Lansdowne 2.0).
Ariel with Patti Lenard, Louisa Taylor and Councillor Jeff Leiper at the 10-year anniversary celebration for Refugee 613 at City Hall
Who to Call: the Sal Van!
In my latest video from my Who To Call series, I interview staff from the homelessness outreach van, run by the Salvation Army and funded by the city. Did you know that you can call 311, 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the city, to get help for someone sleeping rough or looking for access to housing or shelter? I learned a lot making this video and I hope it’s helpful to residents. You can also check out the first video in the series, featuring ANCHOR, the 24/7 crisis service available by calling 211 in Centretown.
As we heard it report launch
Join Councillors Troster and Leiper for a virtual meeting on November 4 at 6:30pm to discuss the feedback neighbours have provided about the city budget and learn about how we can build a budget that truly lifts up the city and addresses the most pressing issues.
RSVP here.
Provide your feedback on the Rental Renovation Licence By-law
The City of Ottawa is considering a Rental Renovation Licence By-law, also known as a “Renovictions” By-law. The term “renovictions” refers to evictions that occur when a landlord renovates or repairs a rental property and replaces the evicted tenant(s) with those who would pay higher rent after the renovations are completed, failing to meet the legislated requirements to let the tenant move back in. As opposed to legitimate evictions requiring vacancy for renovations or repairs, “renovictions” cause a concern that the eviction is occurring in bad faith and being used to illegally end the tenancy.
Learn more and provide your feedback by October 31 here.
Community Conversation on Homelessness
Join us for a Community Conversation on Homelessness in Ottawa on Thursday November 13, 2025, at the Knox Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m.
Come hear Dr. Andrew Boozary from Toronto’s University Health Network share his work in supporting and housing people with complex needs who are homeless. Dr. Boozary is a national leader in developing a health-focused, supportive housing initiative in Toronto called Dunn House for people who have been homeless for years. Dunn House is a response to hospital data that showed 100 people experiencing homelessness accounted for over 4300 visits to the Emergency Room in a single year.
Following Dr. Boozary’s presentation, former CBC journalist Joanne Chianello, will moderate a panel discussion with Dr. Boozary, MP Yasir Naqvi, MPP Catherine McKenney, Councillor Ariel Troster about how Ottawa is already building on this work and how we can continue to scale up a similar model locally.
RSVP here.
Bring Your Ideas to Life with Ottawa’s 200th Anniversary Grant
Ottawa Tourism has launched the 200th Tourism Animation Fund, a one-time funding program designed to ignite bold, creative projects that celebrate Ottawa’s bicentennial in 2026 and attract visitors from 100 km away or more.
What it is:
Support for festivals, venues, promoters, and creators who want to animate Ottawa through music, art, culture, nightlife, and public activations.
Who it’s for:
Artists, event producers, cultural organizations, promoters, anyone shaping Ottawa’s creative pulse.
Why apply:
This is your chance to scale up your ideas, from pop-ups and performances to large-scale installations or cross-disciplinary experiences, and be part of a major milestone for our city.
How it works:
Projects must run between March 1 – December 31, 2026, and you must apply by November 21, 2025
Learn more and apply here.
New Who to Call list available
The Somerset West Community Health Centre has put together a new “Who To Call” list for residents.
You can view the list and find a copy to print and share with neighbours online here.
