Do developers run city hall? Ecology Ottawa report reveals developers donated $120,000 to councillors and mayor in last municipal election Debate about developer influence heats up as council prepares to re-draw urban boundary
May 7, 2009
Ecology Ottawa is asking if developers run city hall after their report released today revealed that developers donated more than $120,000 to city councillors and the mayor in the 2006 municipal election campaign.
The influence wielded by developers in city planning has been the subject of heated debate in Ottawa recently. Last month, the Ontario Municipal Board ruled that Minto's plan for a huge subdivision in Manotick will proceed despite community and city council opposition. This month, council opted to hand over the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park to a select group of developers who submitted an unsolicited proposal, rather than pursuing an open, competitive process. With council's approval of the city's revised official plan—a plan that includes a large expansion of the urban boundary—looming in June, the question of developer influence on city planning is a key issue.
"It seems large developers and their interests are being put first—ahead of the broader public interest—in key decisions about how our city will grow," said Trevor Haché, Ecology Ottawa steering committee member. "What is most revealing about this report, however, is how widespread the acceptance of political contributions from these influential vested interests is."
The report, titled Do Developers Run City Hall?, shows that all but six city councillors accepted money from developers in the last municipal election. The councillors who did not accept donations from developers are: Glenn Brooks, Alex Cullen, Clive Doucet, Diane Holmes, Peter Hume and Peggy Feltmate.
Two of the top five councillors who accepted the most contributions from developers are members of the city's Planning and Environment Committee (PEC), which plays a large role in shaping and enforcing the city's official plan. Gord Hunter, the number one recipient of developer donations, accepted $14,600 from developers—representing 49% of his total contributions received from all sources. Jan Harder, the fifth highest recipient, accepted $10,900.
In addition to these campaign contributions, developers are omni-present at city hall, lobbying city planning staff and councillors through public consultations and informal channels. Developers have been especially active in the city's review of its official plan and urban boundary, which limits the area inside which the city will supply infrastructure, such as piped water and sewers to new residential developments. City planning staff have proposed an 850 hectare expansion of the urban boundary. Developers are demanding 2,000 hectares.
"The city's new proposed official plan will be reviewed at the PEC on May 11 and 12, and approved by council on June 10." Haché said. "Ecology Ottawa hopes the acceptance of these donations does not influence how our councillors end up voting."
