Better Ottawa A Divided Council Approves Lansdowne 2.0
Nov 10, 2025
The panel discusses the recent City Council approval of Lansdowne 2.0, reflecting on the long six-hour meeting that revealed unexpected votes and political dynamics. They delve into how community sentiment shifted the focus of discussions away from just financials to more emotional concerns. There's a lively debate on whether the city should subsidize professional sports and the implications for the area's viability. The hosts also analyze public skepticism, potential election impacts, and a controversial police ruling that reinforces public expression rights.
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Council Approves Lansdowne Amid Division
- Lansdowne 2.0 passed council with a 15–10 vote after six hours of debate and visible tensions.
- Opposition focused on communication failures and long-standing council divisions over the project.
PWHL Team Shifted The Debate
- The presence and future of the PWHL Ottawa/Charge became the dominant emotional issue once the team said the deal wasn’t viable for them.
- That announcement shifted public debate from technical finances to preserving a cultural and community asset.
Staff Believe Risks Are Managed
- City staff defended due diligence on air rights, waterfalls and timelines and believe risks are manageable.
- Still, JoAnne and others say staff communication often failed to make those judgments understandable to the public.