3 days ago
Today's letters: Ottawa City Hall really doesn't need more security
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City Coun. Laura Dudas makes the case for the new security measures at city hall based on ensuring a safe workplace for city employees and politicians. In principle, one can hardly argue against that, but it is possible to ensure that suitable protection is in place and still maintain access to a public facility taxpayers paid for.
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The current city hall was opened in 1990 as regional government headquarters, designed by noted architect Raymond Moriyama. I was one of the first regional councillors to have an office there, in 1991. The building was designed to accommodate offices in two separate office blocks, a magnificent council chamber, and a public passageway extending Cartier Street through the building from Lisgar Street to Laurier Avenue.
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Security was incorporated into the design. While frisk wands and gates to the entrances to the council chamber are a recent innovation, access to the office blocks was restricted to those with city hall ID cards, used to unlock doors. What is at issue here is the public passageway through the centre of the building.
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Here can be found two art galleries (City Hall Art Gallery and the Karsh-Masson Art Gallery); an exhibit honouring famed skater Barbara-Ann Scott; a piano for public playing; and three government service centres (municipal, provincial and federal); plus public art and plaques honouring Ottawa citizens who have contributed to our community.
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In effect, current security measures already protect city hall employees and politicians in their workplace. There have been no incidents of disturbances at city hall to warrant closing off public access from Lisgar Street to Laurier Avenue. These new security measures denying public access to this passageway are unreasonable and should be rescinded.
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As a recently retired Canadian, I qualified for the new federal Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2024. I received my dental card soon after. Fast-forward to June 5, 2025: I received note from the CDCP advising me that my wife and I are no longer eligible for the plan because our net income was above the arbitrary threshold, and to reapply next year.
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The difference in the two years was that I needed to withdraw funds from an RRSP for health issues not covered by OHIP. This was income that I had put away for retirement after working 30 years-plus.
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