Laine Johnson

We need clearer accounting for photo radar revenues

Video of Laine asking questions about Red Light Camera and ASE revenues

 

Recent media reports have highlighted the Ottawa Auditor General’s findings that describe the redirection of red-light camera revenue since 2019 to the City’s general revenues and to the Ottawa Police Service.

I have to say I’m feeling disappointed that we repeated this same decision-making, despite my best efforts, even as recently as four months ago.

I spoke out during the 2025 budget deliberations in December because we voted again to redirect revenue from road safety measures, this time from automated speed enforcement (ASE) revenues, collected now and moving forward.

That’s right. This isn’t just a 2019 decision under the last term of Council: this Council voted to make the same decision in 2024!

Transportation Master Plan: Mapping Ottawa's Future

On March 31, 2025 the City of Ottawa launched the consultation on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Capital Infrastructure Plan, and we want to hear from you! Have your say on the future of transportation in Ottawa and share your input by completing the online surveys available on the Transportation Master Plan project page.

The draft Capital Infrastructure Plan identifies the transit and road projects that are needed to accommodate planned growth to the year 2046 and achieve the City’s mobility objectives. It also identifies a subset of projects that should be prioritized for implementation. This phase of TMP consultation also includes prioritization of the active transportation projects that were approved by Council in April 2023.

Ottawa has grown into a city of one million residents. Over the next two decades, Ottawa will gain approximately 400,000 new residents and 160,000 new jobs. With that kind of growth, we need to plan for a flexible, dependable, safe and efficient transportation network. 

Get involved!

• Complete the surveys on the recommended road and transit projects, the prioritized list of active transportation projects, and other components of the Capital Infrastructure Plan
• Attend a public engagement session – virtual and in-person events will run from April 8 to May 6
• Sign up for updates and stay informed on the TMP process

Surveys will be open until May 12. To participate and learn more, visit the Transportation Master Plan project page.

Your input matters! Transportation decisions impact everyone, no matter how you move through the city.

Proposed pedestrian projects in College Ward

Proposed cycling projects in College Ward

Nazi symbols ban

On March 26, 2025, I will table a motion at Council which calls on the federal government to ban Nazi symbols.  

College Ward is home to Ottawa’s largest Jewish community and we have seen a sharp rise in antisemitism here. Groups and individuals now brashly displaying this terrible symbol of hate on their vehicles, clothing, and signs.  

18 countries have banned this symbol and I believe it is time for Canadians to do so as well. 

I have been working with B'nai Brith Canada, who currently have a campaign to encourage the federal government to ban Nazi symbols such as the Nazi hooked cross (Hakenkreuz). It is sometimes called a swastika, which is a Sanskrit word we're not using out of respect to the Hindu community, where this has been an ancient holy symbol for hundreds of years. 

My motion, which Mayor Sutcliffe has kindly seconded, calls on Council to write to the federal government in support of B'nai Brith Canada's campaign. It also calls on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (where I'm a member of the National Board of Directors) to consider a similar motion. 

I expect the motion to be debated and voted on at the following Council meeting on April 16, 2025.

 

Motion to ban Nazi symbols

Press release

Countries where Nazi symbols are banned

Non-governmental organizations that support the ban

Canadian jurisdictions that have endorsed the B’nai Brith Canada campaign to ban Nazi symbols

Province of Saskatchewan

Region of Durham

City of Pickering

Town of Whitby