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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 8d

ATU local 279 is clear when they say: “Private transit is never the answer.” OC Transpo operators know this city better than any outside company.

The solution isn’t privatization, it's investing in public transit service in rural wards.

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 8d

Here’s what privatization actually brings:

❌ Unsafe, poorly maintained vehicles

❌ Higher fares for riders, hitting seniors, students, and low-income residents hardest

❌ Routes cut when not profitable

❌ Zero accountability to the public, only to shareholders

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 8d

Councillor Brown is promoting private transit as the solution. Privatization won’t fix rural transit, it will make it worse.

Private operators exist to turn a profit, not to serve communities. They cut unprofitable routes, charge higher fares, and lack accountability.

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 8d

Rural residents in Ottawa have long faced limited public transit. The current levy reflects that. Rural households with reduced service pay significantly less than urban areas, but also receive less service:

Transit & Para Transpo Property Tax Contributions (for every $100,000 in assessment in 2025)
Urban Area - $233
Rural, reduced service - $59
Rural, Para Transpo only - $13

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 8d

🧵- Councillor Brown is suggesting a switch to private transit in rural areas, saying that they aren't getting enough in return for their tax dollars.

Rural residents absolutely deserve better transit, but his arguments are pretty misleading when you look at the facts. ⤵️

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

This councillor says OC Transpo is failing his rural ward. Could private buses be the answer? | CBC News

Rural residents of Ottawa aren't adequately served by OC Transpo, and privatized transit may be the way to bridge the gap, according to Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown.

www.cbc.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 11d

🚨 JOINT LABOUR SOLIDARITY RALLY TODAY 🚨

🕚: 11:00 AM
📍: PMO, 80 Wellington

Join us in rallying with striking workers from CUPW, UNIFOR, and OPSEU, and other labour allies and help us take a stand for labour rights in our city and across the country!

Labour Solidarity Rally
Workers at OPSEU, Unifor, and CUPW are all currently on strike.
Labour is under attack and we need to remind our leaders that everyone deserves a fair contract and safe working conditions.
It's time to push back!
Wednesday, Oct. 1 @ 11am
Office of the PM, 80 Wellington

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 12d

Tickets are now on sale for our 5th-year anniversary celebration, Vision to Victory, on October 26th.

Don't miss your chance to purchase tickets at the early bird price, this week only!

Get yours today: www.horizonottawa.ca/vision_to_vi...

Vision to Victory

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 17d

Council’s last-minute shenanigans undermined real debate today, but hybrid work survives for now.

Ottawa workers deserve evidence-based policy, not political games. We’ll keep fighting to protect flexible, modern workplaces.

Our full statement:
www.horizonottawa.ca/rto_vote_pr

PRESS RELEASE: Council’s Last-Minute Motion Undermines Debate, But Hybrid Work Survives For Now

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 18d

We rallied to say no to RTO this morning with local union members and leaders — now its up to Council to embrace flexible work and rescind the 5-day return to office mandate for municipal workers.

Stay tuned for updates on how they vote!

www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...

Council to vote today on motion to rescind Ottawa’s return-to-office mandate

The debate over the future of hybrid work will shift to council chambers at Ottawa City Hall today, as council votes on a motion to rescind the planned return-to-office mandate for municipal employees...

www.ctvnews.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 18d

Councillor @seandevine9.bsky.social is absolutely right to point out that the feds' hate crime bill is a great reason for Ottawa to cancel its plans for a bubble by-law.

The last thing the city needs is an expensive legal battle when this is inevitably challenged.

ottawacitizen.com/news/federal...

Does a federal hate crimes bill make a bubble bylaw unnecessary? This councillor thinks so

A federal hate crimes bill might just make a proposed bubble bylaw a waste of the city's time and resources, one councillor suggests.

ottawacitizen.com

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 19d

Also — there's still time to send an email to your councillor asking them to vote to reject the RTO mandate:
www.horizonottawa.ca/cancelottawa...

Reject RTO Mandate, Embrace Flexible Work

www.horizonottawa.ca

Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 19d

On Wednesday, Council has the opportunity to cancel the RTO mandate for city workers, and we need to ensure they feel the pressure!

Join us at our rally with @psacncr-afpcrcn.bsky.social, @cape-acep.bsky.social, ATU 1760, and CIPP-IPPM at 8:00 AM: www.horizonottawa.ca/no_to_rto_ra...

Say NO to RTO Rally

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · 22d

The federal Combatting Hate Act is further evidence that Ottawa should drop its plans for a "bubble by-law".

This is outside their jurisdiction and risks massive legal costs when the city inevitably faces a Charter challenge.

Read our full statement:

The Carney government’s proposed Combatting Hate Act makes one thing crystal clear: only the federal government has the constitutional authority to legislate around speech and protest. That’s why it’s so alarming that Ottawa City Council is plowing ahead with its own Vulnerable Social Infrastructure (“Bubble”) By-law. This is an encroachment on federal jurisdiction and puts the City at enormous legal risk.
Municipalities do not have the power to create sweeping limits on Charter-protected rights like freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. By attempting to do so, Ottawa is exposing itself to costly constitutional challenges that it is almost certain to lose. The Supreme Court has already made clear that restrictions on speech and protest must come from Parliament, not city councils.
While speaking about the tabling of this federal legislation on September 19th, Liberal MP Sean Fraser said they did not include “bubble zone” provisions in this law because “it is for municipalities to regulate what behaviour may take place near a specific building”. However, the proposed by-law in Ottawa would likely go far beyond what they actually have the power to do.
The City is effectively trying to use a by-law to carve out broad “no-protest zones” around community institutions, enforced through vague standards of “intimidation” or “obstruction.” This is a backdoor attempt to regulate speech locally, in direct conflict with constitutional jurisdiction.

It is also unnecessary. Municipalities and local police already have tools to protect vulnerable communities without trampling on free expression. Courts can and do grant targeted injunctions when protests cross the line into harassment such as the anti-LGBTQIA+ demonstrations in front of schools on Broadview Ave. Police can also enforce existing Criminal Code provisions on threats, mischief, and harassment. These tools are precise, legally sound, and respect the Charter.
Ottawa should not be gambling with people’s rights and public money by pushing through unconstitutional by-laws. If the federal government chooses to legislate in this space, that is their jurisdictional responsibility, and even then, those laws will have to survive Charter scrutiny.
We are still concerned about this federal legislation, especially as similar laws in the UK have led to the arrest of many pro-Palestinian protestors. This is also being proposed as the Trump administration is threatening crackdowns on free speech in the United States. Despite these objections, the federal government is, in fact, the place where this discussion should be had. The City’s role should be promoting human rights and safety through lawful, proportionate measures, not writing unconstitutional by-laws.
We call on Mayor Sutcliffe and Ottawa City Council to step back from this overreach and focus instead on proven, lawful approaches that protect communities without silencing dissent.

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Sep 10

Next step: build momentum for embracing remote work as a city on the ground.

Join us canvassing in:
📍 Fri, Sept 12 - Hintonburg
📍 Sat, Sept 13 - Barrhaven
📍 Tues, Sept 16 - Blackburn Hamlet

Sign up to volunteer: www.horizonottawa.ca/volunteer_sh...

Volunteer Shifts

HOCD||V3__PGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNhbXBhaWduZGFzaGJvYXJkLmFwcC9ob3Jpem9ub3R0YXdhLyIgbmFtZT0iSE92b2wiIHNjcm9sbGluZz0iWWVzIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjYwMHB4IiB3aWR0aD0iMTAwJSIgc3R5bGU9ImJvcmRlcjogbm9uZTsiPjwvaWZyYW1lPg==

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Sep 10

UPDATE: @LeiperOttawa has tabled a motion to rescind the 5-day RTO mandate for municipal workers and keep WFH where reasonable.

This is a big step forward, but Council still needs to back it.

Email your councillor today: www.horizonottawa.ca/cancelottawa...

Reject RTO Mandate, Embrace Flexible Work

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Sep 8

Ottawa’s City Manager is forcing a 5-day return to office for municipal workers. This will put on a strain on traffic, childcare, and families for no good reason.

Tell Mayor Sutcliffe and Council to reject this mandate 👇
www.horizonottawa.ca/cancelottawa...

Reject RTO Mandate, Embrace Flexible Work

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Sep 2

You can fill out the survey here:
engage.ottawa.ca/vulnerable-s...

Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law Review

The City of Ottawa is considering regulations to provide for safe access to vulnerable social infrastructure like places of worship and religious centres, community centres, schools, daycares, and car...

engage.ottawa.ca

Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Sep 2

The city has launched a survey looking for feedback on a bubble by-law, something that would be disastrous for protest rights in Ottawa.

We've heard a lot of complaints about the questions they're asking, so we've put together some analysis: www.horizonottawa.ca/bubble_survey

Bubble By-law Survey Analysis

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Aug 28

Implementing a bubble by-law would be disastrous for protest rights in our city and give the cops even more power to shut down dissent they don't like.

Fill out the survey from Engage Ottawa and tell them how dangerous this is: engage.ottawa.ca/vulnerable-s...

Safe access to vulnerable social infrastructure | Engage Ottawa

engage.ottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Aug 26

Mayor Sutcliffe's decision to force all city staff back to the office will worsen congestion, burden workers, and waste taxpayer money.

Ottawa should be embracing remote work, not fighting it.

Read our full statement: www.horizonottawa.ca/returntooffi...

PRESS RELEASE: Horizon Ottawa Condemns Mayor’s Mandatory Return-to-Office Policy

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Aug 21

Mayor Sutcliffe announced today that he plans to increase the police budget by 6.5% in 2026, the most in 15 years, while neglecting improvements to services people actually rely on.

Read our full comments in our press release: www.horizonottawa.ca/2026budgetdi...

PRESS RELEASE: Horizon Ottawa slams Mayor Sutcliffe for largest police budget increase in 15 years, up to 7.5% fare hike

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Aug 18

📢 Show the Liberals and Air Canada that our city won't let them strip away labour rights and treat workers unfairly.

Join us at the rally in support of striking @cupescfp.bsky.social flight attendants!

📍Parliament Hill
🕘 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Aug 18

Despite the federal gov't trying to stop @cupescfp.bsky.social workers at Air Canada from striking, the fight for fair wages and an end to unpaid work is still on!

Show your support by joining the picket line today at Ottawa Airport (Arrivals) from 3–7pm!

✊Solidarity makes us stronger

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Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Aug 12

🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ In 2026, parts of Manor Park are slated for new sidewalks & traffic-calming, and a small but loud group are fighting against them.

Sidewalks are the most basic safety / accessibility measures, and are not optional.

Read more: www.horizonottawa.ca/we_need_side...

Tell the City: Don’t give in - we need sidewalks!

www.horizonottawa.ca

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Reposted by Horizon Ottawa

Ottawa Seniors for Climate Action Now @scan-ottawa.bsky.social · Aug 11

please sign and share with all your Ottawa contacts

Horizon Ottawa @horizonottawa.bsky.social · Aug 8

In under 24 hours, 500+ residents emailed their councillor about youth fare hikes!

Speak out and call on the city to reverse this decision by adding your voice today: www.horizonottawa.ca/save_youth_t...

Demand OC Transpo Reverse the Youth Fare Hikes

www.horizonottawa.ca

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