Alex Cullen
@Alex_S_Cullen
Followers
2,168
Following
879
Media
218
Statuses
50,799
Progressive, childcare advocate, economist; former OBE school trustee, Ottawa City Councillor & MPP Ottawa West; triathlete; former LA to MP; opinions are mine
Ottawa ON Canada
Joined February 2013
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
Yemen
• 679195 Tweets
Michigan
• 285778 Tweets
Flamengo
• 165397 Tweets
Hillary
• 162324 Tweets
Oriana
• 142810 Tweets
Dybala
• 94389 Tweets
Lebron
• 84716 Tweets
Team USA
• 77374 Tweets
South Sudan
• 75051 Tweets
#precure
• 50030 Tweets
Criciúma
• 49117 Tweets
Gabigol
• 47868 Tweets
Polo Polo
• 39901 Tweets
#逃走中
• 39409 Tweets
O VAR
• 39246 Tweets
Ronny Jackson
• 38109 Tweets
Cruzeiro
• 33165 Tweets
#仮面ライダーガッチャード
• 25886 Tweets
#ブンブンジャー
• 23907 Tweets
#AEWCollision
• 12940 Tweets
Dudu
• 12769 Tweets
गुरु पूर्णिमा
• 11502 Tweets
@CBCAdrianH
OPS loses its black Police Chief, and its black City Councillor. Co-incidence? This does not bode well in restoring confidence in Ottawa's police.
#ottcity
#Ottawa
#ottnews
9
19
158
There is something very wrong when the personal opinion of the Legislature's Speaker of what is & is not "political" to wear deprives a duly-elected MPP of their ability to vote on public business.
#onpoli
Sarah Jama back in Question Period wearing her keffiyeh.
The Speaker interrupted the proceedings, reminded members of the dress code, finally asking Jama to leave. She did not and has remained there.
Given the warning, she’s not allowed to vote today.
#onpoli
30
7
42
108
20
145
At yesterday's Transit Commission budget meeting, when asked for $8 transit levy increase to avoid raising fares,
@TimTierney
said taxpayers were tapped out & voted no. No wonder after Council voted $419million to help out OSEG (a private for-profit sports company). Priorities!😖
9
24
140
What is Watson doing here? Special guest? His actions as Mayor were castigated by 2 public inquiries (the convoy protest fiasco & the LRT1 scandal). These are still sore points for the public.
#ottcity
Jim Watson is back inside city hall, attending a mayor’s breakfast event with the Ottawa board of trade. He’s welcomed as a special guest and gets polite applause.
5
3
7
17
14
128
@GeneralHillier
@unpubmedia
Oh cry me a river! Capital gains exemption has been around since the 70s & has ranged from 50% of profits being taxed to 75%. The latest budget moves it from 50% of profits subject to tax to 66%. Unless you think any tax is robbery (you might) this is not a major change.
#cdnpoli
7
13
128
How does giving $419 million of taxpayer $ to a private for-profit sports company (OSEG in Lansdowne 2.0) a balanced approach? How is raising transit fares & cutting bus service a balanced approach?
#ottcity
I believe in a balanced approach. The 2024 budget will help make Ottawa safer, more reliable, and more affordable. Sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on the many things we're doing to build a better city for everyone:
45
3
34
23
25
113
City cuts bus service, raise transit fares, but is willing to put over $400 million tax$ into supporting a private for-profit sports company (OSEG) at Lansdowne 2.0. Wrong priorities.
#ottcity
GREEN LIGHT: City council approves next stage of Lansdowne 2.0
3
0
1
6
31
110
@ottawacity
Who asked for plowing, salting & gritting on this bridge? No-one. The NCC pathways aren't plowed, salted or gritted and people use them all winter - the same people (skiers, snowshoers, fat tire bikers) want to use that bridge. Open it!
#ottcity
7
5
108
We don't pay property taxes to enable private businesses to make money. We pay property taxes to fix potholes, have garbage picked up, run buses, etc. There are banks who can loan businesses $.
#ottcity
#Ottawa
#ottnews
Ottawa taxpayers could provide a $13 million grant to support the construction of a 180-room hotel at the Ottawa International Airport, as part of a program to support the airport's post-pandemic rebound.
91
8
59
6
14
103
Both population & employment grew in Ottawa over the pre-pandemic period while ridership stagnated due to constant fare increases under Mayor Watson. And now an OCTranspo budget that believes ridership will return to 80% pre-pandemic (with another fare increase). THIS IS CRAZY!
OC ridership absolute - keep in mind population has grown while the chart is stagnant.
4
5
16
9
18
98
After years of losing ground, the NDP is well positioned as Throne Speech nears /via
@globeandmail
The
#NDP
's Jagmeet Singh has one quality that Trudeau does not have: Jagmeet is an authentic progressive
#cdnpoli
#childcare
#pharmacare
25
33
91
@_MarkSutcliffe
@PWHL_Ottawa
Why are we using public tax dollars to advance the interests of a private for-profit business (OSEG)? I support the PWHL by buying game tickets. I do not pay taxes to support OSEG.
#ottcity
#ottpoli
6
7
96
Developer Katasa Group withdraws controversial $300,000 donation to city The $300,000 Katasa contribution broke no laws. But Council re-writing that arrangement with Katasa has now cost the City $300,000. This is what petty jealousy does.
#ottcity
22
22
93
World has changed. To bring back transit ridership to pre-pandemic levels would require lower fares (not raising them) & better service (not cutting it). Does not City Council see value of higher transit ridership? Less $ on road maintenance, better for environment.
#OCTranspo
OC Transpo ridership hits 66 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2023
15
2
10
10
13
95
Half a billion$ to support a private for-profit sports company? Think we have other priorities for our tax dollars: fixing LRT, maintaining our roads, watermains & sewers, building affordable housing. Council must re-set its priorities here.
#ottcity
Lansdowne 2.0 cost closing in on $500 million, city auditor says
4
0
3
17
29
93
@fordnation
That is NOT the point,
#DougFord
. You are appointing political staffers to participate in the selection process for Ontario judges, thereby undermining the principle of impartiality that underlies our system of justice.
#ONpoli
5
7
86
Why is it City Council can find the $ to lend to a business when it can't find the $ to build needed affordable housing or child care centres or long term care homes? Asking for a friend ...
#ottnews
#ottcity
#Ottawa
Councillors like the idea of backstopping $40 million for sound-stage project
1
1
3
6
24
89
Lansdowne 2.0 is not revenue neutral, involves a huge public subsidy for OSEG ($90 million in property taxes to service debt, meaning taxpayers pay for city services at Lansdowne). L1 didn't deliver, why throw good money at L2?
#ottcity
18
23
91
Ugh! Windrows! The City plow came by and left windrows (snow & ice ridges) at the end of my driveway.
Did you know in the City of Toronto the city plows remove windrows from the end of driveways? Good idea for Ottawa says I.
#ottcity
39
12
91
@ColinDMello
Unbelievable that such abuse of office could be over-looked. C'mon, not only is
#DougFord
the Premier of Ontario but a millionaire as well! The name for this is extortion.
#onpoli
1
12
90
And why is our rail system not perfect? Because we entered into a P3 deal with companies who did not initially qualify, going for the lowest bid, with untried rail cars and premature opening. Thank-you Jim Watson.
#ottLRT
10
18
89
@fordnation
@CHogarthPC
@MPPKerzner
By watering down qualifications to become a police officer? No thanks!
#onpoli
2
4
86
2
1
74
Wish voters had a say in the $450 million-plus public money going into Lansdowne 2.0 to benefit a private for-profit sports company (OSEG).
#ottcity
When voters say 'no' to new stadiums, what do professional sports teams do next?
125
41
159
9
11
80
Not a good move by
#OCTranspo
: cutting service by 3.5% will lose riders; raising fares by 2.5% will lose riders. We are miles from the 2011 ridership level of 103million rides. These are the wrong measures to support ridership growth. Tell your Councillor.
#ottcity
It’s quite telling that the city would drop this memo on a Friday evening at 6:30 pm.
3
8
17
13
24
79
@MICHAELCTV
@StuntmanStu
@mikewoodottawa
100,000 people have walked or biked this, according to the NCC. Have you read the City's Transportation Master Plan lately? Promotes active transportation (walking, cycling) and public transit to mitigate car usage.
#ottcity
#ottbike
11
6
74
Message from Bay Ward Councillor Will be voting against Lansdowne 2.0: doesn't support subsidizing private for-profit corporations; believes there are better uses for $419m tax$.
#ottcity
8
23
76
Toronto Council adopted a budget with 3X the tax increase of Ottawa's but they froze transit fares and expanded transit service (and maintained clearing windrows). Amazing what political courage can do!
#ottcity
Today, City Council endorsed my 2024 budget to get our city back on track.
This budget invests in what matters. We’re standing up for renters and building more housing. We’re getting the TTC moving again. We’re charting a path to a more caring, affordable and safe city.
90
36
224
12
10
76
@JFClaudeMSM
This is untrue. There are spending limits on municipal campaigns and you don't need to beholden to developers for funds. I ran (succesfully) for City Council 5X without developer or corporate funds, relying on individual donations.
0
7
75
I just received an e-mail from Sutcliffe's campaign claiming McKenney says there is no fat to cut at City Hall. How misleading! Sutcliffe's budget plan would lead to cuts in City services (McKenney is right here) but to think Watson allowed City Hall to get fat is not credible
8
11
72
IMHO this is a mistake: people are using Gatineau Park for personal health and sanity - now is not the time to close it! It is very easy to practice social distancing here.
#cdnpoli
#GatineauPark
#ottnews
#ottcity
#Ottawa
UPDATE | To limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce risk to employees & visitors,
#GatineauPark
will be closed as of 9pm Mon, March 23, until further notice.
⛔Parking lots & day shelters closed
❄️End of winter activities for the season
More: |
#ottnews
18
65
59
11
13
71
This is coming from a charter member of the Watson club. As Chair of Transit Commission Blais oversaw above-inflation fare hikes & declines in transit ridership, despite population & employment growth.
@DadGoesRound
@cmckenney
@NDP
Sorry Chris, McKenney has experience pointing out problems not actually solving them. They’ve consistently voted for higher tax increase than the one they are promising which they also call austerity. It’s double talk plain and simple.
10
0
3
3
8
72
@jchianello
@ShawnMenard1
@JimWatsonOttawa
It is not right - he had an obligation to inform Council the winning bid had a deficient technical score, and to have City staff explain why they were recommending this bid. Instead he cut off questions about the deficient score. This was shameful & a violation of public trust.
8
25
70
Council cuts off nose to spite face.
#ottcity
Katasa pulls $300K donation to city after council decision.
5
4
6
4
6
69
@KeepCanWorking
Hello! What part of
#climatechange
do you folks not get! Burning oil produces GHG which causes climate change!
Read the news lately? Tornado in
#Ottawa
! More coming as a result of climate change!
6
6
63
And with just cause! She knew something was rotten with LRT1 but Watson stonewalled her questions. The Provincial Inquiry revealed Watson withheld vital information that should have been shared with City Council. And Watson's treatment of Deans as OPSB Chair was heinous.
#ottcity
Diane Deans had a hell of a record in politics of fighting for what she thought was right.
She stood up to Jim Watson again and again, at great cost.
6
30
116
2
13
66
@ctvottawa
Sorry - we don't pay property taxes to give free money (eg "grant") to businesses. These $ are for municipal services, like fixing potholes, cleaning up after storms, getting garbage picked up, running buses, etc.
#OttCity
1
4
64
@kinsellawarren
Love them or hate them, somebody has to do the job. My recommendation: elect better people.
12
2
64
Alex Cullen: Ottawa City Council should reject Lansdowne 2.0 To govern is to choose, and there are better choices (LRT, housing, etc.) than to spend $419 million on Lansdowne 2.0 to support a private for-profit sports company.
#ottcity
14
14
65
Reality check at
#OCTranspo
: 400, 000 less transit riders than projected in January, at 6 million (in 2019 there were 8.19 million rides), leaving $1.5 million revenue shortfall for the month.
When will Council get it that fare increases are counterproductive?
#ottcity
13
11
64
Report suggests anti-vaxxers, far-right extremists pose greater threat to Canada’s national security than religious extremists |
@PressProgress
6
28
61
This is an important point: the Lansdowne stadium is functional & expected to last to 2074. What OSEG wants is a "nice to have", not needed. There are better choices for $419 million tax$. Prudent to create a reserve fund now to pay for replacing the stadium in 2074.
#ottcity
3
28
61
@kinsellawarren
Sorry, will not work. A change in government (what protestors are asking for) will not happen; ending vaccine mandates (another protestor demand) gives in to mob rule, not science. So, what can they talk about? Even being in the same room implies the feds could move (false image)
25
1
62
Who knew? Improve transit service leads to more transit ridership. But don't tell
#OCTranspo
or
#Ottawa
City Council!
Growth in service = Growth in ridership.
GRT added 18,000 new service hours in September last year, now ridership is 20% above pre-pandemic levels.
4
38
105
4
11
60
Denley: Mark Sutcliffe's first year as mayor was a success, thanks to balanced, rational approach Disagree: supporting Lansdowne 2.0 (a huge subsidy to a private for-profit sports company) & raising OCTranspo fares & cutting bus service bad decisions.
16
11
61
Average household income of homeowners in Ottawa is $106K (2016 data), for renters is $61K, so what justifies taxing multi-res renters 40% more than homeowners? Fair? No.
City Finance & Corporate Services Committee will deal with 2024 Tax Policy on April 2.
#ottcity
9
8
59
@jchianello
What irony: this OPS Board says it can appoint a new police chief because it is "independent" of City Council. Yet the previous OPS Board tried this & Mayor Watson didn't like it & had Council fire the OPS Board Chair & replaced the Board!
#ottcity
3
10
59
Instead of dealing with the symptoms of crime, how about dealing with the causes of crime? More effective than hiring more cops.
#ottcity
I promised during the 2022 election campaign to open a new
@OttawaPolice
operations centre to serve the ByWard Market. And I'm very pleased that it's now open. Watch my video to learn more about the centre.
66
9
127
17
9
60
@CharliePinkerto
#DougFord
doesn't get it: public officials should not shake down stakeholders (here: developers) for personal benefit (here: paying for daughter's wedding).
#integrity
#onpoli
0
7
59
@MacLeodLisa
The keffiyeh by itself is not anti-semitic. It is traditional garb for many in the Middle East. This ban is arbitrary and discriminatory.
5
2
58
@OttawaCitizen
@financialpost
Sorry to see
@OttawaCitizen
publish such propaganda from the
@financialpost
. Many factors go into an investment decision and the change on how much profit from an asset sale may be taxed IMHO won't be a deal breaker for many.
7
6
57
For a City Council supposedly conscious of
#climatechange
and renewable energy, to amend Ottawa's Official Plan to prohibit wind turbines on agricultural lands (without notice or debate) is, to put it mildly, bizarre.
#ottcity
#Ottawa
#ottnews
9
10
56
@grahamctv
Cutting bus service will lead to losses in transit ridership - it is a lose-lose situation. Already it will take to 2030 to reach 2011 transit ridership levels(!). This cut in service will not help (nor will raising fares by 2.5%)
#OCTranspo
#ottcity
0
3
56
@_MarkSutcliffe
Politics is about making choices. Currently the City investment in cars (eg road infrastructure) far outweighs any other transportation mode. If you want to make the system work for "everyone" then need to invest more $ into safer bike lanes, winter sidewalk clearing.
#ottvote
0
3
56
@globalnews
So, what's his phone number? Because he needs to be set straight on immigrants.
#onpoli
47
6
54
@JonathanWilling
Think Public Health might have something to say about this, not to mention Bylaw (something about a permit).
#ottcity
#Ottawa
#ottnews
22
2
52
Excellent question! The Trillium Line (from Bayview to South Keys) has been operating for over 10 years now, with very few problems - no door issues, no wheel issues, no switch issues.
#ottLRT
#OCTranspo
#ottnews
#ottcity
#Ottawa
.
@cmckenney
asked one of the most intriguing questions during today’s emergency transit commission meeting: “Why has the city-built/operated Trillium Line been relatively problem-free whereas the P3 built/operated Confederation Line had a spate of breakdowns?”No answer.
#LRT
9
45
182
4
15
53
This is not plausible that Watson would need to "check". He is one of the most thorough people I know. It seems that he knew the deficient SNC-Lavalin score and didn't want controversy at City Council. IMHO this is a violation of public trust.
#ottnews
#ottLRT
#ottcity
#Ottawa
@ShawnMenard1
@JimWatsonOttawa
I once asked the mayor when he new the score, if he knew before the council voted on the $1.6B, and he told me he'd have to go back to "check." Difficult to believe that the mayor didn't remember when he knew the scores considering the controversial nature of the meeting
#ottnews
2
17
69
4
13
51
Not too late to tell Council to reject the proposed 2.5% fare increase and the proposed $9 million in bus service cuts. Both measures will reduce transit ridership - not a good outcome for the public.
#ottcity
Council to finalize 2024 budget and Bank of Canada makes interest rate announcement: 5 stories to watch in Ottawa this week
2
0
3
7
17
52
@JimWatsonOttawa
@jennifersalahub
@JLeiper
@cmckenney
@ShawnMenard1
Most of these were pocket knives. Do you really feel threatened by these?
#ottnews
#ottcity
#Ottawa
5
4
49
Theresa Kavanagh (
@tm_kavanagh
) has been elected in Bay Ward, CTV News projects.
#CTVOttElxn
#ottnews
4
13
32
3
6
50
Quelle supris! And no competition for the nomination, either! Will
@mattluloff
be taking a leave of absence? Ottawa ratepayers shouldn't be supporting him in his campaign for election here.
#ottcity
#cdnpoli
Ottawa Coun. Luloff named Conservative candidate for riding of Orleans. Click on the image below to read more ↓
19
1
35
11
7
52
@Charlie_Senack
@Kitchissippi
Really? Poor service at higher prices and the GM of
#OCTranspo
asks the public to be patient? What is she smoking? Not acceptable!
#ottcity
4
4
49
Accepting an
#OCTranspo
budget that raises fares & cuts services is a recipe for more declines in transit ridership (already well below 2011 peak). What are Council's priorities? Pays lip service to promoting transit but won't put $ where mouth is? Final vote next month.
#ottcity
Vote now for Transit Commission to support transit budget to go to council.
Only councillors Leiper and
@ShawnMenard1
vote no.
Budget passes 7 to 2.
3
0
5
6
14
50
Yes, I voted!
@cmckenney
for Mayor,
@tm_kavanagh
for City Councillor in Bay Ward. And it didn't even hurt!
#ottvote
#ottcity
#Ottawa
#ottnews
4
4
48
@AllanHubley_23
Excuse me? One of the City's important services - one rife with issues (LRT, ParaTranspo, bus service, impact of COVID-19, etc.) - your last meeting was in February - and there's nothing doing to justify a Transit Commission meeting in May? Unbelievable!
#OCTranspo
#ottnews
4
13
46
Accepting campaign donations from developers while voting on their planning applications is IMHO a conflict of interest.
#ottnews
#ottcity
#Ottawa
Take a look at this important survey from
@CPBH01
.
Both
@catherinekitts
and
@elect_patrick
have stated on the record that they will be and have absolutely no issue with taking money from the development industry.
#ottnews
#ottpoli
#CumberlandWard
1
8
16
4
21
47
Ten years ago today I married a lively, athletic, smart and beautiful woman - lucky me! xoxo
8
4
48
Tax dollars are scarce and are asked to fund many needs. Does it make sense to spend $428 million to prop up a private for-profit sports corporation (OSEG) when we have a housing crisis? A transit deficit? A climate change crisis? Etc.
#ottcity
What kind of city do we want to be? If we had, say, $418m to spend on something where makes the most sense? 1/
2
10
33
3
11
47
During her tenure as Minister of Health & Long Term Care during the pandemic 3,794 seniors in long term care in Ontario died from COVID. A subsequent inquiry revealed that her Ministey was unprepared & failed to enforce protocols developed during SARS.
#onhealth
#onLTC
#onpoli
This afternoon I spoke with the Premier and tendered my resignation as MPP for Kanata-Carleton and as Minister of Children, Community & Social Services, effective immediately. It has been a distinct honour to have represented the residents of Kanata-Carleton.
0
114
187
2
21
47
This in anticipation of the Brian Coburn Boulevard extension debate, which proposes (NCC opposes) to go through the Mer Bleu bog. Example of more roads for more cars.
#greenspace
#ottnews
#ottcity
#Ottawa
7
29
46
"Witholding taxpayer money into stage 3 LRT"? HAH! What money? There is none committed to LRT3 by anybody! Not going to happen before LRT2 opens (in 2026 maybe) & works! What a fabrication!
#ottcity
#ottLRT
#ottnews
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he's not willing to put taxpayer money into stage 3 LRT until issues with Stage 1 are resolved.
82
16
329
6
5
46
@_MarkSutcliffe
You say people in Ottawa want better transit service. I agree - they do! But how does raising transit fares and cutting transit service, as you do in this budget, achieve this?
#ottcity
#OCTranspo
1
3
47
This is no small uptick on project costs and should force a re-vote on L.2 by this Council. This project is too costly for taxpayers (now north of 1/2 billion$) & benefits a private for-profit sports company (OSEG).
#ottcity
Construction costs for Lansdowne 2.0 could be underestimated by $75 million, Ottawa's auditor concludes
20
11
31
6
28
47
If there is to be an NHL rink downtown at Lebreton Flats then why do we need a rink at Lansdowne 2.0?
Note that the 67s are owned by OSEG (a private for profit sports corporation).
#ottcity
Senators owner says there's 'alignment' on goal to build new NHL arena in downtown Ottawa. Click on the image below to read more ↓
18
5
32
12
7
46
@brianklaas
Actually, given the data, it is a blatant lie. Trump is using the famous "big lie" technique perfected by Hermann Goebbels.
2
6
41
@PCPressOffice
On the other hand you're the party that says yes to developers, yes to freezing nurses wages, yes to privatizing healthcare, yes to taking away education workers rights, yes to developing parts of the Greenbelt, and, OMG! yes to over-riding Charter rights, too!
#onpoli
0
4
45
Councillor voices 'major concerns' over OC Transpo bus system issues during storm via
@ottawacitizen
Well,
@TimTierney
, voting to cut
#OCTranspo
bus service in the budget won't help.
#ottcity
13
7
43
@ctvottawa
Mayor should read the City's Transportation Master Plan, which promotes active transportation (walking, cycling) and public transit over car use. Why? Because providing & maintaining roads for cars is more expensive for taxpayers & bad for the environment.
#ottcity
3
0
43
@KeepCanWorking
Why don't you tell us what will happen to the oil that is shipped out - how much GHG emissions this will cause, and how it will worsen
#climatechange
. That is the real issue,
#KeepCanadaWorking
.
#abpoli
4
1
42
OC Transpo faces $49.8 million shortfall in 2024 via
@ottawacitizen
The way to plug this fiscal hole is NOT to raise fares & cut service as proposed (that loses you riders) but to raise the transit levy: no transit riders lost here!
#ottcity
#OCTranspo
8
14
44
This is a travesty.
#OttawaPoliceServicesBoard
is a public agency funded by tax dollars and, in a free & democratic society, must be accessible to residents to express their views, not censored.
#ottawapolice
#ottcity
Ottawa’s police board adopted rules requiring speakers submit comments in-writing in advance for approval.
One Black community organizer was rejected this summer after submitting comments critical of the board chair’s remarks on police and mental health on CBC’s
@OttawaMorning
.
6
82
167
3
22
44
@btaplatt
The capital gains tax applies to profits from sales of assets over $250k. Profits still ensue. How greedy do you want to be?
0
10
42
Doing Lansdowne 2.0 right means rejecting this $419 million deal (too rich, too many other priorities), doing proper maintenance, and starting a reserve fund to replace the Northside stands in 30 years. L2 is a "nice to have", not a "need to have".
#ottcity
Deachman: Punting debate on Lansdowne 2.0 motions to next week makes time for getting it right
0
0
0
2
7
42
There is no doubt that the credibility of senior City management and Council leadership has taken quite a beating over LRT, most of it self-inflicted.
#ottLRT
#OCTranspo
#ottnews
#ottcity
#Ottawa
Plenty of Twitter talk today about the City of Ottawa and payments made/not made to Rideau Transit Maintenance following performance issues. Here is the explanation from the City Manager.
14
7
17
4
10
41
Ottawa Airport Authority announces plan to clear Hunt Club forest, saying it's all about safety via
@ottawacitizen
No it's not. It's all about $ - not fooling anyone here.
#ottcity
5
14
40
