Laine Johnson

I had the chance to drop by local artist An Nguyen's incredible art show, titled Fortune! You can see the show in the Atrium Art Gallery at Ben Franklin Place until January 19. It's SO GOOD!
www.AnNguyenArtist.com
Facebook: @AnNguyenOttawaArtist
Tik Tok / Instagram: @An_Nguyen.Artist

In my most recent newsletter, I talked about how my professional experience supports my work serving you as your #CollegeWard City Councillor. If you missed it, you can read the whole article at www.college-ward.ca/why_my_backg...

The Town Hall is a chance to learn about ongoing city projects, share your feedback with staff, and connect with your neighbours. City staff from departments across the City will be there to answer your questions and provide information on programs and policies shaping our community.

College Ward Town Hall 2025 College Ward

Come ask questions, share your ideas, and voice your opinions on local issues at the College Ward 2025 Town Hall!

📍 Ben Franklin Place (101 Centrepointe Dr)
📅 Wednesday, Dec 3
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM

To register, visit: www.college-ward.ca/college_ward...

David Dr from Rowley to Indian will be closed from Monday, 17 November 2025 to Friday, 28 November 2025 for private construction. Both ends will be signed for Local Traffic Only.

Capital Demolition Excavation Services will be installing new water, sanitary and storm services for 45 David Dr.

And I knew it was only a matter of time before my background as a non-profit executive and my role as City Councillor collided on a file!

Hey, do you think the provincial and federal governments have seen it? They are definitely the ones we need to come to the table!

It indicates to me that we should have a more direct conversation about what city services cost, and who should be paying for them.

But you know what is the best unrestricted fund for a municipality? Taxes and fees, the existing social contract with our residents. A donation button is sort of a bougie look for a municipality, and people will see through it.

Charitable sectors have found that donor-advised programs cause problems down the line as it means that popular programs end up banking reserves while other needs remain unfunded. I would suggest we should keep donations broad and specific programs out of it, for the greatest flexibility.

But if we’re going ahead with donations, we must ask how we should manage them.

Toronto, for instance, is letting donors decide between specific programs, categories of interest, or “greatest need”.

In the philanthropic world, we call those donor-advised vs unrestricted funds.

To me, this idea moves us farther away from tax redistribution as the powerful tool for social change that it can be, and further towards cities as perpetual recipients of contributions from benefactors. Not our best look, from a social justice perspective.

In fact, the relationship between adequate taxation, individual benefits, and Canada’s GDP is well documented (Himelfarb, 2013).

I don’t think the City should invite any additional criticism about its collection of taxes or user fees to fund public services. Or reinforce unhelpful narratives around the role of government, such as the continued propaganda that low taxes equals better affordability.

1. What does it mean for a municipality to act as a soliciting charity?

2. How will the city organize the donation categories; and are specific programs appropriate?

First, I should mention that my background is in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership, so this is something I’ve studied as an academic and a professional.

Second, I don’t hate this idea, but it does raise some questions that should have been resolved before moving forward.

🧵 There’s been some attention on the City’s new “donation button”. It’s an idea we talked about last year and that we were supposed to get a report on before proceeding. Maybe I missed it...

But here we are. And I have thoughts.

Draft Budget 2026 Opportunities for participation in the budget process It’s your city, your budget, and we want to hear from you! The City of Ottawa engages with residents each year to gather ideas and feedback as it…

You can learn more about the draft budget, the timelines for considering it, and how you can provide input at engage.ottawa.ca/budget2026

It's Budget Day at City Hall, which means going through a LOT of presentations, meetings, and reading this giant binder. I'll be posting more about the investments we're getting in #CollegeWard and my thoughts about funding for transit, transportation, recreation, and more.

Reimagining Robertson Road College Ward

If you are interested in reading more about the results of the public survey, or to join the Reimagining Robertson Road newsletter to receive updates on this project as it’s underway, please visit our Reimagining Robertson Road webpage: www.college-ward.ca/reimagining_...

The survey results, along with engagement with community members from the Robertson Road Walkshop as well as our upcoming community stakeholder engagement sessions, will help shape the creation of a visual rendering that brings the community's vision for the future of Robertson Road to life.

The main takeaways from the survey results indicate that there is a strong community desire for safer spaces on Robertson Road to walk and bike, more greenery and places to gather, and a main street that feels vibrant and welcoming.

Thank you to everyone who shared your thoughts through the Reimagining Robertson Road survey! More than 300 residents and visitors participated in the survey, offering valuable ideas about ways that Robertson Road could be improved to better serve the community. www.college-ward.ca/reimagining_...

The city is installing a new water main bypass as part of the Morisset Avenue Pump Station project. There may be a minor drop in pressure but will maintain the minimum standard of 40psi. The quality of water is not impacted. November 12 for 10 hrs, and late November/early December for 10 days (TBC).

If you're not yet registered, pls follow the link to sign up for the first community meeting about the Whitmore Avenue, Cline Crescent and Sherman Drive Integrated Road, Sewer and Watermain Renewal project.

Tomorrow: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. ottawa.ca/en/city-hall...

A true Canadian soccer league final. Glad for the roof over the North Side Stands!!!!!

A most joyful and rich event celebrating the relationships that underpin the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and our local urban First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. Susan Aglukark as the keynote speaker was mind blowing.

#NotMyLansdowne #NotMyLansdowne

#NotMyLansdowne
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BP0...

During the November 7, 2025 meeting of City Council, College Ward Councillor Laine Johnson asked several questions to staff about the Lansdowne 2.0 deal. #NotMyLansdowne Questions for staff about Lansdowne 2.0

City Council is currently meeting to discuss the Lansdowne 2.0 deal. I have questions.
#NotMyLansdowne #CollegeWard

youtu.be/ajG5fm9Y4K4?...

They want to know…

      - What types of programs you or your family would like to see offered locally
      - The best time slots and days that work best for your schedule
      - Are there other unique recreational activities that we haven’t thought of yet