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New Edinburgh News
December
2004
Police Complaints Process
In June, the provincial government appointed retired judge Patrick
Lesage to review this system.
Local Police Services Boards should be responsible for the local
complaints process. That responsibility currently resides with the
Chief of Police. The Professional Standards unit of the police
service investigates complaints about the adequacy of policing or
the behaviour of individual officers. Effectively, in Ontario, we
have a system wherein complaints are handled by those against whom
the complaint is lodged.
Most people do not think that this is credible. In Ottawa, most
members of Council (including the mayor) support the idea of
removing the responsibility of dealing with complaints from the
Chief and turning it over to the Board. This could be accomplished
at no additional cost.
I have written Judge Lesage with my recommendations on the matter.
Those interested could consult the complete text of those
recommendations on their ward web site (see below).
The Ottawa Police Services Board has developed a useful conflict
resolution approach in dealing with some complaints. Nevertheless,
it does not suit all circumstances nor does it address the
fundamental credibility gap of the current system.
There is hope that judge Lesage’s review will recommend real
change and that the government’s response will go beyond the
cosmetic.
The City’s 2005 Budget – Consultations in your Ward
On December 15th, the proposed (draft) operating and capital 2005
Budget will be tabled at a meeting of City Council.
On January 13th, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., Rideau-Rockcliffe will hold
its public consultation on the draft budget. The meeting will take
place in the gymnasium of the St. Laurent Complex at 525 Côté
Street. Mr. Kent Kirkpatrick, the City Manager, will be on hand to
provide an overview. Other senior staff will also be present to
answer questions on specific topics. Generally, this is an
excellent opportunity to learn more about city services for the
coming year and to make your views known to me as your
representative. Personally, I hope that this time we would:
• Use the Official Plan as the basis for budgetary planning;
• Provide adequate resources for maintaining the City’s
infrastructure, including its sewers, parks and rolling stock;
and,
• Make budget decisions that reflect a longer perspective than a
one-year time frame.
Maybe this year will see more rational decisions. As usual, your
participation is very important.
During the week of January 24th – 28th, 2005, Council, sitting as
Committee of the Whole will hear public delegations on the draft
budget. This is quite different than previous practice. It means
that, in principle, public delegations will be able to address the
entire Council on any item of interest. There will be no
committee-by-committee hearings and debate on the budget.
Finally, the following week, February 1st – 4th, 2005, Council
will deliberate on the budget.
Acacia Update
Works have largely finished for this year. There may yet be some
small adjustments to private entrances for example. Final asphalt
layers and landscaping will wait the spring.
Season's Greetings
I take this opportunity, on behalf of my family and myself, to
extend to all Best Wishes for Health, Prosperity and Personal
Serenity in 2005.
Meilleurs vœux
Je profite de cette occasion pour vous souhaiter mes meilleurs
vœux pour une année de santé, prospérité et sérénité.
Jacques Legendre
Councillor, Rideau-Rockcliffe
You can communicate with me at (please include a telephone
number):
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 580-2483, Fax: 580-2523
E-mail:
jacques.legendre@ottawa.ca
Web Site:
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com
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