Polling data and other research has shown that citizens across Ottawa do not agree with the plan’s heavy commercial bent. When polled on their level of support, more Ottawans rejected Landsdowne Live than accepted it. MPs and MPPs spoke out in opposition. The Federation of Citizens' Associations opposed the plan.* A majority of urban councillors voted against Lansdowne Live and, equally significant, the lack of process that allowed its submission. Community Health Centres diplomatically warned Council of their core principals, highlighting the significance of, among other points, affordable housing (coincidentally absent from the current plan). A judicial review application regarding the City’s authority to override its procurement policies has been submitted and accepted by the Superior Court of Ontario. The Ottawa Regional Society of Architects and the Ontario Association of Architects formally presented their opposition to council. And distinguished academics, professionals, and politicos (incl. Ed Broadbent, Penny Collenette, Elizabeth May, and Flora MacDonald) have spoken out to express the many financial and governance shortcomings of the Lansdowne Live proposal.
The campaign that was organized against Lansdowne Live was a great experience in grassroots campaigning. The fragmented coalition that emerged waged a strong fight. In the end, however, the communications team and high-level organization that took place in support of the megaproject won the battle. With the help of Hill and Knowlton and the Mayor, OSEG representatives and Lansdowne Live earned positive media coverage day after day. Of course, in their typical, status-quo fashion, Ottawa’s two major dailies lapped the OSEG press releases and conferences up with a spoon. Alternatively, CBC and Metro News should be applauded for offering a balanced and critical picture of the controversial plan and its implications. In addition, Councillor Clive Doucet demonstrated an iron-clad will and dedication to protect the public interest and to lead the opposition against this poorly structured deal. With almost a complete absence of initial support, Coucillor Doucet (and his dedicated staff) faced constant, unfair, untruthful, and arrogant criticism from all sides. He did not flinch nor did he back down. His choice of language and his tactical and strategic actions displayed a man who, by any measure, is a true community champion.
Ottawa is on the cusp of either turning an historic, national, admittedly somewhat decrepit, urban park into a massive shopping complex; or, depending on council’s “revisions,” possibly realizing a portion of the extreme potential that this site holds. Hopefully councillors will have the foresight and courage to do what is best for Ottawa. It can’t be easy to constantly deflect the pressures of the Mayor and OSEG but the political fallout will run deep if the current look and feel of the Lansdowne plan is not changed to respect the wishes and interests of the public.
Here are a few posts and links summarizing the opposition to Lansdowne Live:
- Friends of Lansdowne Park
- Stop Lansdowne Mall
- Councillor Clive Doucet
- Lansdowne Report
- Nanos Research
- COMPAS Research
- Citizen Op Ed (Dr. Ian Lee, et al.)
- Op Ed (Martin Canning)







