Ottawa City Council is back in full swing, which means the Municipal Panel is here to provide our colour commentary.This week we cover:

* the Integrity Commissioner’s report on Councillor Plante’s social media postings (0:15)

* the City’s decision that all staff will return to office full time in January (11:18)

* the 2026 budget directions, and specifically what it means for transit (22:38)

* a potential pay increase for Councillors (40:15)

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

Break’s over, and the Better Ottawa Municipal Panel is back!

If you appreciate the work of the Panel, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.

This week, Joanne, Jon and Neil cover:

* What to expect for the 2026 City of Ottawa budget (0:40)

* Why beaches don’t stay open in late season heatwaves (18:40)

* Delays to the release of the City’s new long-range financial plan (24:48)

* NCC and Senators agree to a LeBreton Flats land sale (35:47)

* Follow-up to our popular Lansdowne ParkPod (45:27)

We’ll be back next week to cover the upcoming City Council meeting (including the Integrity Commissioner’s report on Councillor Plante’s social media postings).

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

We did an extended summer recording all about Lansdowne 2.0. The local RogersTV station filmed us on location at the Great Lawn.

We talk about finances, benefits and risks, but perhaps most importantly, our perspectives on what Lansdowne 2.0 is in really about.

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

The Municipal Panel looks at Ottawa municipal issues over the past two weeks:

* the City’s updated Transportation Master Plan clears Committee. We discuss the big issues, including mode share, Airport Parkway, Alta Vista Transportation Corridor, and a ring road to the south of the city (1:30).

* the City tries to hide its deal to lower the urban boundary review fees (26:24)

* the provincial Municipality Accountability Act consultations are coming to Ottawa next week — what will Joanne say to the Committee?* (36:42)

* with the new Queen St transitional housing for asylum seekers, why were we even considering Sprung tents? (41:40)

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

*The Parliamentary Committee hearings are open to the public and will take place on 17 July from 10:00am to 5:00pm at the Sheraton Hotel, 150 Albert Street in the Rideau Room.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

The Municipal Panel looks at the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:

* Jeff Leiper considers running for Mayor (00:50)

* Ottawa’s paramedic response improves (15:50)

* What happened last year with bylaw … and why all the talk about dogs (27:49)

* Our lightning round (34:40)

We are taking the first week of July off. We’ll be back shortly after the 9 July City Council meeting.

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s Municipal Panel looks at the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:

* Isabelle Skalski wins in Osgoode Ward by-election (00:21)

* Options for replacing the Trail Road landfill (10:31)

* Fossil fuel advertising on city properties (20:50)

* Swimming at Dow’s Lake (26:08)

* Rats in the city (28:48)

* How Council deals with a challenging fiscal situation (31:10)

* Our plans for a ParkPod this summer (33:43)

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s Municipal Panel looks at highlights from the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:

* battery energy storage systems take a step towards coming to Ottawa

* we provide our own mid-term evaluation of Council

* six weeks in how the New Ways to Bus is performing, and

* our lightning round.

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s Municipal Panel looks at highlights from the past week in Ottawa municipal issues:

* alcohol in parks is coming to Ottawa

* how the City is going to pay for its $11 billion infrastructure renewal gap

* whether there should be a referendum on Lansdowne, and

* our lightning round.

In our discussion, we reference a public delegation by Jamie Murchison with some outstanding visuals of where and when our infrastructure will need renewing. You can see that delegation at this link.

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s Municipal Panel was recorded in front of a live audience at the Ottawa People’s Summit. It was a standing room only.

Joanne, Jon and Neil discuss questions sent in :

* are new security measures at City Hall a sign of a government increasingly trying to distance itself from its residents

* what is the City doing well and what can it do better in public engagement?

* how should the City most effectively communicate with residents?

* why do public toilets in Ottawa get so little love and attention?

* what should the City be doing about “demolition by neglect” with its historic buildings?

* what are the most important issues coming forward at the City?

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe

We’re taping a live episode on 27 May and you’re invited to join us.

Get yourself a ticket to the People’s Summit to see the Municipal Panel in person. Leave a comment if there is any local issue about Ottawa you would like us to discuss at our live recording.

On this week’s Panel, Joanne, Jon and Neil discuss:

* the upcoming Osgoode by-election and our impressions from the all-candidates debate

* City Hall charges a new home owner for a previous owner’s water bill — from 8 years ago.

* another go-round on red light cameras.

And we have the lightning round.

Let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or wherever you get your podcasts, and if we see it in time, we’ll respond in our next episode.

Programming note: we’re taking next week off — so back on 27 May.

You can also find the podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to an audio version on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the613.substack.com/subscribe