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KANATA NORTH NEWSMarianne WilkinsonCouncillor, Kanata North

OC TRANSPO BUS ADS

There has been a lot of media attention to an ad that the Free ThoughtAssociation wanted to appear on OC Transpo buses. Some people haveaccused me of discrimination, opposing freedom of speech, lacking tolerance fordifferent viewpoints and having no right to speak out on this issue. In fact, I alsohave a right to speak and I am an avid supporter of freedom of speech. Im takingthis opportunity to explain my view on this matter and the reasons for my votes.

Councils role is to create policy while staff implement that policy. The OCTranspo policy on advertising includes the following clause:

5. Religious advertising which promotes a specific ideology, ethic, point of view,policy or action, which in the opinion of the City might be deemed prejudicial toother religious groups or offensive to users of the transit system is not permitted.Religious advertising will be permitted if the information is designed to promote aspecific meeting, gathering or event and the location, date and time of saidevent.

Staff determined that the proposed ad was not in conformity with the policy andthey rejected it. The Association then went to the Transportation Committee witha request that the staff position be overturned. That proposal failed on a tie voteand was not sent on to Council. Councillor Cullen then put forward a notice ofmotion at Council to be debated on Mar. 11.

My view of the ad was that it was somewhat offensive as it went against manyreligions without stating the belief system of the proponents. However, Irecognize that as a Council we must ensure that our policies support the Charterof Rights and Freedoms that are so important in our country. Hence I putforward the following motion That staff bring back a revised policy on AdvertisingStandards for OC Transpo that ensures that the policy conforms to the CanadianCharter of Rights and Freedoms. This motion was passed unanimously byCouncil. I then voted against the motion stating that OC Transpo be directed toaccept the ads proposed by the Free Thought Association of Canada (subject tothe usual charges). The reason that I voted no was because it was overrulingstaff on a decision that they had made in conformity to the current policy, whichwas unfair to those staff members.

Councillor Cullen had made no attempt to amend the policy on religiousadvertising when the policy was amended in 2005. At Council he stated,unconditionally, that the courts would support permitting this ad, even although

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that is not clear. Its interesting that he can state a court decision in advance! Anearlier court decision said that transit systems could not ban religious ads butsince the OC Transpo policy permitted them under specific guidelines, it did notapply in this case. Freedom of speech does not give people the right to demeanother groups and the courts have supported that as well. The benefit of this

issue is that it has people talking about religion and also about the freedomswe enjoy and thats a good thing.

TRANSIT IS BACK (ALMOST)

All bus routes are now operating, although each express route will have one ortwo fewer bus runs until additional buses are road ready. Despite requests tomaintain the relaxed traffic and parking regulations until full service is availableon all routes, OC Transpo has announced that the original restrictions are nowback in force. Some additional park and ride locations are still available, includingareas in Bayshore and at the Sensplex. Check for times of your routes and for

the restoration of traffic and parking regulations at octranspo.ca

HYDRO INSTALLATION ALONG CAMPEAU

Ive been informed that a manhole over existing Hydro Ottawa cables plustrenches with encased ducts for hydro cables will be installed in front of 2600Campeau Drive (the new City Pumping Station) later this year.

SPRING CLEANING THE CAPITAL

Kanata North had the greatest percentage of participation in Spring Cleaning the

Capital last year and I urge everyone to once again do what you can to make ourcommunity clean and beautiful. Please register at www.ottawa.ca/clean andyoull be eligible for prizes and make your participation count. You can form aneighbourhood group or register as a family or individual. Schools, Community

Associations, Churches and local businesses all participate. Thank you to all forcaring for your community.

MARK YOUR CALENDARMar. 24 Note the annual general meeting for the Kanata Food Cupboard hasbeen postponedMar. 30 7 pm, Ward Council, Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre Guest

will be Police Chief Vern White

Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make asuggestion contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.caor through www.mariannewilkinson.com.

http://www.ottawa.ca/cleanhttp://www.mariannewilkinson.com/http://www.mariannewilkinson.com/http://www.ottawa.ca/cleanhttp://www.mariannewilkinson.com/

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