Lucy van Oldenbarneveld
@lucyvanolden.bsky.social
Principal at Lucy van Oldenbarneveld Communications/ Former Host CBC Ottawa News at 6:00/Moderator/MC/Media Trainer/Stratgist
Thank you so much for that Toon! Really appreciate it. It’s amazing how fury can motivate one to focus some thoughts. It was the oped following on the heels of 1 million for private security in the market!!
December 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Thank you so much for that Toon! Really appreciate it. It’s amazing how fury can motivate one to focus some thoughts. It was the oped following on the heels of 1 million for private security in the market!!
I live in Somerset Ward and I see the crisis growing in our neighbourhood. The status quo just isn't cutting it. 21/FIN
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I live in Somerset Ward and I see the crisis growing in our neighbourhood. The status quo just isn't cutting it. 21/FIN
Instead of reflexively defending the status quo and doubling down on failed approaches, Councillor Tierney should start addressing the crises his own article refuses to even acknowledge. 20/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Instead of reflexively defending the status quo and doubling down on failed approaches, Councillor Tierney should start addressing the crises his own article refuses to even acknowledge. 20/21
His claim that not supporting ever-expanding police budgets equals not supporting community safety is false. What undermines safety is pouring more money into the same old tactics while refusing to address the real emergencies driving instability. 19/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
His claim that not supporting ever-expanding police budgets equals not supporting community safety is false. What undermines safety is pouring more money into the same old tactics while refusing to address the real emergencies driving instability. 19/
Once again, his own argument collapses under the weight of its logic. 18/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Once again, his own argument collapses under the weight of its logic. 18/21
And here’s the kicker: Tierney’s vote, the mayor’s vote, and all the like-minded councillors always have the numbers. They win. Every time.
So if their approach is always the one implemented… how are things not improving, Tim? 17/
So if their approach is always the one implemented… how are things not improving, Tim? 17/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
And here’s the kicker: Tierney’s vote, the mayor’s vote, and all the like-minded councillors always have the numbers. They win. Every time.
So if their approach is always the one implemented… how are things not improving, Tim? 17/
So if their approach is always the one implemented… how are things not improving, Tim? 17/
Likewise, my MPP Catherine McKenney has shown what real leadership looks like: thinking broadly, strategically, and compassionately—not through the narrow, myopic spectacles Tierney seems to have had glued to his face for years. 16/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Likewise, my MPP Catherine McKenney has shown what real leadership looks like: thinking broadly, strategically, and compassionately—not through the narrow, myopic spectacles Tierney seems to have had glued to his face for years. 16/
on our streets. To label them “chronic no-voters” is so mind-boggling in its facile logic that I honestly don’t know where to begin. Troster and Leiper are among the few councillors actually offering solutions. 15/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
on our streets. To label them “chronic no-voters” is so mind-boggling in its facile logic that I honestly don’t know where to begin. Troster and Leiper are among the few councillors actually offering solutions. 15/21
Tierney’s baseless attacks erase the tireless work of my city councillor Ariel Troster and the councillor in the ward next door, Jeff Leiper. They’ve both been dogged in pushing for evidence-based solutions, better housing policy, and a humane, effective response to the crises 14
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Tierney’s baseless attacks erase the tireless work of my city councillor Ariel Troster and the councillor in the ward next door, Jeff Leiper. They’ve both been dogged in pushing for evidence-based solutions, better housing policy, and a humane, effective response to the crises 14
This is not hypothetical. This is not ideological. This is documented operational success that frees police to focus on actual crime. 13/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
This is not hypothetical. This is not ideological. This is documented operational success that frees police to focus on actual crime. 13/21
-Police themselves reported they are now responding to fewer overdose calls than the year before.
-Frontline officers have stated openly that ANCHOR is a relief: “We got to a call and realized this wasn’t a crime — now we have someone who can take this on.” 12/
-Frontline officers have stated openly that ANCHOR is a relief: “We got to a call and realized this wasn’t a crime — now we have someone who can take this on.” 12/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
-Police themselves reported they are now responding to fewer overdose calls than the year before.
-Frontline officers have stated openly that ANCHOR is a relief: “We got to a call and realized this wasn’t a crime — now we have someone who can take this on.” 12/
-Frontline officers have stated openly that ANCHOR is a relief: “We got to a call and realized this wasn’t a crime — now we have someone who can take this on.” 12/
According to the official ANCHOR Year One Update:
ANCHOR responded to 4,464 calls in its first year.
-Over 92% of people in crisis contacted ANCHOR directly, not police.
-92.47% of dispatched ANCHOR calls did not require police involvement. 11/
ANCHOR responded to 4,464 calls in its first year.
-Over 92% of people in crisis contacted ANCHOR directly, not police.
-92.47% of dispatched ANCHOR calls did not require police involvement. 11/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
According to the official ANCHOR Year One Update:
ANCHOR responded to 4,464 calls in its first year.
-Over 92% of people in crisis contacted ANCHOR directly, not police.
-92.47% of dispatched ANCHOR calls did not require police involvement. 11/
ANCHOR responded to 4,464 calls in its first year.
-Over 92% of people in crisis contacted ANCHOR directly, not police.
-92.47% of dispatched ANCHOR calls did not require police involvement. 11/
police shouldn’t be tied up responding to mental health crises. But don’t take my word for it, look at the stats: 10/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
police shouldn’t be tied up responding to mental health crises. But don’t take my word for it, look at the stats: 10/21
But ANCHOR is working. We’ve seen it. They regularly deliver calm, trauma-informed support which then frees up police time. If Tierney genuinely wants officers available for criminal investigations, he should understand the simplest operational truth: 9/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
But ANCHOR is working. We’ve seen it. They regularly deliver calm, trauma-informed support which then frees up police time. If Tierney genuinely wants officers available for criminal investigations, he should understand the simplest operational truth: 9/21
collapsing, and the toxic drug supply keeps killing people. Rising need reflects the scale of the emergency, not the failure of the response. By Tierney’s logic, policing itself “doesn’t work” every time crime rises. 8/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
collapsing, and the toxic drug supply keeps killing people. Rising need reflects the scale of the emergency, not the failure of the response. By Tierney’s logic, policing itself “doesn’t work” every time crime rises. 8/
Then there’s his most simplistic piece of logic: the idea that because the city is facing more challenges, that somehow means programs like ANCHOR “don’t work.” No, Tim. The problems are getting worse because the housing crisis is worsening, mental health supports are 7/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Then there’s his most simplistic piece of logic: the idea that because the city is facing more challenges, that somehow means programs like ANCHOR “don’t work.” No, Tim. The problems are getting worse because the housing crisis is worsening, mental health supports are 7/
homelessness, addiction, or mental illness. 6/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
homelessness, addiction, or mental illness. 6/21
These aren’t side issues, they are the root causes of the disorder and suffering we’re all witnessing. After all these years on Council, Tierney should understand that his ward is not the same as the inner-urban core, and that policing does not and cannot solve 5/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
These aren’t side issues, they are the root causes of the disorder and suffering we’re all witnessing. After all these years on Council, Tierney should understand that his ward is not the same as the inner-urban core, and that policing does not and cannot solve 5/
What’s most striking in his piece is what he doesn’t mention even once:
-our city’s housing emergency,
-the growing mental health crisis, and
-the poison drug epidemic devastating families and neighbourhoods. 4/21
-our city’s housing emergency,
-the growing mental health crisis, and
-the poison drug epidemic devastating families and neighbourhoods. 4/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
What’s most striking in his piece is what he doesn’t mention even once:
-our city’s housing emergency,
-the growing mental health crisis, and
-the poison drug epidemic devastating families and neighbourhoods. 4/21
-our city’s housing emergency,
-the growing mental health crisis, and
-the poison drug epidemic devastating families and neighbourhoods. 4/21
And it certainly isn’t a politician with the guts needed to find real solutions. 3/21
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
And it certainly isn’t a politician with the guts needed to find real solutions. 3/21
Especially when it involves increasing police spending. For fifteen years he has consistently voted the way whichever mayor of the moment has told him to. That is not leadership. That is not independent judgment. 2/
December 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Especially when it involves increasing police spending. For fifteen years he has consistently voted the way whichever mayor of the moment has told him to. That is not leadership. That is not independent judgment. 2/