FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
"Community Groups Call for Strict Disciplining of Councilor Harder, Stronger Rules Around Campaign Finance Following Code of Conduct Violations"
PRESS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY JUNE 23rd at 8:30 AM ET
What: Community groups including: Horizon Ottawa, Ottawa ACORN, Ecology Ottawa and Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) are holding a press conference this Wednesday morning before the Council meeting calling for Council to implement the recommendations of the Integrity Commissioner's report regarding Councillor Jan Harder's contravention of the City's Code of Conduct. They are also calling for more reform around creating a fairer municipal campaign finance system and planning process.
Speakers
Sam Hersh, Horizon Ottawa
Last Mazambani , Ottawa ACORN
Robb Barnes, Ecology Ottawa
Angela Keller-Herzog, CAFES
When: Wednesday, June 23rd at 8:30 AM EDT
Media are invited to join via Zoom on Wednesday, June 23rd at 8:30 AM EDT, please email i[email protected] to get the details necessary to enter the meeting. If you are a member of the public you can watch via Horizon Ottawa's Facebook Page where it will be livestreamed tomorrow.
Please ensure you enter your name and media outlet (use name/outlet) upon entering the waiting room of the zoom call.
To ask a question, please click "raise hand" and this will enter you into the queue for questions. (it can be found under the tab: participants)
For Media Inquiries:
Sam Hersh
613-663-7018
PRESS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY JUNE 23rd at 8:30 AM ET
"Community Groups Call for Strict Disciplining of Councilor Harder, Stronger Rules Around Campaign Finance Following Code of Conduct Violations"
Ecology Ottawa's Original Press Release:
June 21, 2021
OTTAWA – Ecology Ottawa is urging council to honour the Integrity Commissioner’s recommendations and restore public confidence in the Planning Committee. On Wednesday, June 23, Ottawa City Council will decide whether to accept Integrity Commissioner Robert Marleau’s recent finding and recommendation that Councillor Jan Harder breached the council code of conduct and should resign as Planning Chair.
“Public faith in council integrity and transparency is absolutely critical to action on local environmental issues,” said Robb Barnes, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. “With real or perceived conflicts of interest at the highest levels of council, how can we expect the Ottawa community to engage in good faith on major planning decisions that affect Ottawa’s environment?”
As a community-based environmental advocacy organization, Ecology Ottawa engages the Ottawa community on a wide range of environmental issues. While environmental issues are considered at several committees, none are as powerful as Planning Committee, where land use decisions can have major impacts on climate emissions, transportation planning, transit, greenspace protection and biodiversity issues.
“The integrity of the planning process matters deeply for Ottawa’s environment,” said Mr. Barnes. “We need Mayor Watson and council to do the right thing and stand up for integrity.”
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For more information or to arrange an interview:
Robb Barnes
Executive Director
Ecology Ottawa
613-276-5753 (cell)
[email protected]
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