Orleans Gets Crumbs

Ottawa-Orleans MPP Phil McNeely is getting some media attention with his remarks concerning the impact on Orleans by the relocation of some DND personnel to the west-end of the city. Specifically, McNeely sees the move as a threat to the French community of Orleans. Most people, including McNeely himself if pressed, would probably acknowledge that playing the ‘language’ card as an argument in DND’s plan to go west, is not likely to connect with anyone wanting to bring jobs to Orleans. From my perspective, his comments serve to simply underscore the growing frustrations of residents in Orleans to see and retain more employment opportunities that are above the minimum pay levels.

I have resided in Orleans for over 30 years, settling there after being transferred to Ottawa, due to its proximity to my employment. During these past three decades, the original Queenswood Heights and neighbourhood community of a few thousand residents has expanded to a city-size population of 100,000. Sure we have at least 6 Shopper’s Drug Marts, many more Tim Horton’s and countless other low paying jobs, but we seriously lack jobs at a higher salary level.

When you consider the development that has happened in Kanata over the same period and the few odd crumbs tossed in the direction of Orleans, McNeely does indeed have a right to be frustrated. DND’s move to Kanata simply takes away from Orleans, again. There are reports that the residents of Orleans are the highest users of OC Transpo. You would think that would have carried more weight in the planning for light-rail and extending it beyond Blair. And yet, we hear more about future planning for Ottawa south etc.

Sadly, until we have some political heavyweights showing more concern about developing Orleans from more than a suburban bedroom community to an urban center that can properly serve its city-size population; we will continue to receive occasional tokens of appeasement.

Orleans needs political leadership. The City of Ottawa seems to have no problem in allowing developers to build more homes and stores. That development should not be allowed to advance without other caveats that will ensure a growth that will permit many more residents to live and work in Orleans. The media can help by keeping the discussion topical.