Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital

On February 25, 2009, Ottawa City Council approved the new policy on seeking cost awards recommended by Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee on February 17, with a further amendment.
 
On a motion by Councillor Doucet, seconded by Councillor Cullen, the new policy was also made applicable to individuals who act in the public interest.
 
Read the Disposition out of Council here.
 
The amendment was carried by a vote of 11 Yeas against 7 Nays.  Voting in favour of the amendment were:  Councillors Hume, Cullen, Bloess, Legendre, McRae, Leadman, Wilkinson, Monette, Deans, Feltmate and Doucet.  Voting against were Councillors El-Chantiry, Harder, Bédard, Hunter, Bellmare, Jellett and Qadri.  The vote of Councillors Chiarelli,  Thompson and Brooks was not recorded.  Mayor O'Brien and Councillors Holmes and Desroches were away.
 
The amended policy was then approved, with Councillors Hunter and Harder dissenting.
 
(In discussion, Councillor Hunter had indicated that he was prepared to support the policy as recommended by Committee, but could not abide by the extension to individuals.)
 
In extensive questioning of City Solicitor Rick O'Connor it also was established that the action against the Greenspace Alliance, which triggered the adoption of this policy, would be abandoned.
 
There was some spirited discussion at Council.  Watch, in about a week or so, the archived (and indexed) video of the proceeding on the City's web site.
 
Media coverage
 
Erwin Dreessen
26 February 2009