2016 budget approved by Ottawa city council, but not without dissent

Ottawa city council has approved a final budget for 2016, but for the first time since Mayor Jim Watson was elected the vote was not unanimous.

The city's 2016 budget includes a tax increase of two per cent for residential property owners, a six per cent increase to water and sewer rates, and an average 2.5 per cent transit fare hike, starting next July.

Today's budget discussion produced a candid debate in the council chamber, particularly when Coun. Diane Deans urged her colleagues to add $250,000 in extra funding to social service agencies. The request stemmed from pleas from residents to the community and protective services committee, which Deans chairs.

Deans originally proposed taking the money from a contingency fund, but Mayor Jim Watson ruled that idea out of order. Deans then proposed offsetting the cost by eliminating three full time positions.

Her motion was defeated by a vote of 18 to five.

This is your budget, not mine.- Coun. Diane Deans

Coun. Tobi Nussbaum's proposal to freeze transit fares also lost, garnering just six votes. Nussbaum argued it was unfair to saddle transit users with an increase at the same time they're about to face major service disruptions due to ongoing light rail construction.

Earlier this week, Watson called Nussbaum's proposal "great politics, but lousy public policy." 

In the end five councillors voted against the budget: Nussbaum, Deans, Jeff Leiper, Rick Chiarelli and Catherine McKenney.

Deans told Watson, "This is your budget not mine."