Election 2015: where the parties stand on Ottawa city issues

Before you mark that X, you may want to ask where the four federal parties stand on some of the big issues facing this city.

Here, for your convenience, are their answers, based largely on the party leaders' answers to mayor Jim Watson's questionnaire. 

All aboard phase 2

With construction on the Confederation Line well underway, City Hall is turning its attention to the second phase, which will stretch further south, east and west, adding 30 kilometres of light rail and 19 new stations by 2023.

The estimated cost: $3-billion. As with the first phase, the city is asking the province and the feds to pony up one third each. The city is also looking into the feasibility of a link to the Ottawa International Airport, estimated at another $155-million.

In July, the Conservatives pledged up to $1-billion towards the expansion, noting the project "will create jobs, economic growth and reduce traffic in Canada's fifth largest city."

The Liberals are promising to triple dedicated transit investments over the next four years, "to help build phase two of the Confederation Line LRT, from Baseline to Place d'Orleans," according to a recent radio ad by party leader Justin Trudeau.

(The Liberal candidate for Orleans, Andrew Leslie, recently promised to fund the eastern extension all the way to Trim Road, an add-on expected to cost $160-million.)

Both the NDP and the Green Party have promised to fund phase two, as well as the airport link. And both promise a hands-off approach, allowing city council to make its own decisions about the route, stations and other details.

"We're very pleased that all political parties have committed to phase two of LRT," said mayor Jim Watson earlier this week. "That's great news for Ottawa taxpayers. So whoever wins the election, it's positive news."

Moving the memorial

Among the most divisive issues to grip the city over the past year has been where to put a memorial to the victims of communism. Mayor Jim Watson has added his voice to the chorus demanding the federal government rethink the proposed location, next to the Supreme Court on Wellington Street.

In June the National Capital Commission unveiled a scaled-down design, but on the same disputed site. Architects and heritage experts angered by the decision filed a lawsuit.

Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar has spoken out strongly against the memorial's location, and the NDP is calling for "full, public and meaningful consultations" on such projects, "particularly when they will drastically change the streetscape of the community affected."

Similarly, Dewar's Liberal challenger Catherine McKenna has also been a vocal critic of the choice, and her party is pledging to "work with the City of Ottawa and relevant stakeholders to choose a site that everyone can support." The Green Party calls the proposed site "inappropriate," and says the memorial must be relocated.

But the Conservatives are standing fast. Ottawa MP Pierre Poilievre dismissed Ottawa City Council's formal denunciation of the location as a vote for "yet another government building full of lawyers."

The Conservatives point out the NCC approved the site more than two years ago.

A local voice on the NCC

Speaking of the NCC, the appointed body is a popular punching bag for some Ottawans, despite a recent reconciliation with the city over the future western light rail route.

The NCC's board consists mostly of members who don't live in the National Capital Region. The cities of Ottawa and Gatineau each want a spot on the board reserved for a local representative.

The Conservatives says they "always welcome suggestions for appointments" to the NCC's board, but make no promises it will include members from the two cities.

The Liberals and the NDP pledge to give Ottawa and Gatineau seats at the table, while the Green Party says it will "consider" permitting local municipalities to nominate representatives.

Spurring innovation

The first phase of Ottawa's $30-million Innovation Centre at Bayview Yards is set to open next year. The province is on board. But the city would like to get the feds involved in the project too, "to fund and enhance entrepreneurship and innovation programming" at the business incubator.

The Greens promise to collaborate with the city "to support the Innovation Centre and projects like it." 

The NDP calls the project an "excellent example" of what cities need to do to help local business and industry adapt to economic change.

The Conservatives don't directly answer the city's funding question, but point to the party's pledge to cut payroll taxes and lower the tax rate for small businesses, moves it says will support entrepreneurs.

Nor do the Liberals specifically address the Innovation Centre, but Ottawa Centre candidate Catherine McKenna has called the project "exciting."

Party time

This city is getting ready to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, and Mayor Jim Watson wants to ensure the party's a success.

Earlier this week the city secured the 2017 Juno Awards. Watson would like to complete the hat-trick with a Grey Cup and an NHL outdoor game.

He'd also like some help from the Hill. Specifically, Watson wants to make sure the city has full details of the federal government's party plans — including any funding on offer — by next March.

The Green Party promises to meet the city's deadline. The Conservatives say the department of Canadian Heritage always works collaboratively with the city on events in the capital.

Both the Liberals and the NDP promise to reveal their plans "as quickly as possible," and both call out the Conservatives for failing to consult with the city.

Party on.