Program cuts panned at Ottawa budget hearings

Ottawa's plans to cut a crime prevention program as well as a proposed post-secondary transit pass subsidy have earned sharp rebukes from city residents.

City council started two days of hearings with public delegations on the shaping of this year's municipal budget. The city hopes to reduce spending by $58 million this year.

Councillors are expected to pass a 3.9 per cent property tax increase, but even with the extra money, they are considering cuts to city programs, including:

• Scrapping a proposed a $3-million program, known as U-pass, which would subsidize transit passes for post-secondary students.
• Eliminating the city-funded program Crime Prevention Ottawa to recoup $500,000 in savings.
• Reducing OC Transpo service.
• Cutting the city's forestry program, including tree trimming and stump removal.

Ottawa resident Stephanie Strudwick told council on Monday she was steadfastly against budget cuts to Crime Prevention Ottawa, which she credited with improving safety in many city neighbourhoods.

Under the existing city budget, the organization gets funding for two full-time staff members and $400,000. The program, which has been running for three years, works with communities to lower crime rates throughout Ottawa.

Strudwick said dumping the program is inconceivable.

"It is, to say the least, shocking to so many of us because they have done so much work," she said.

Capital Ward Coun. Clive Doucet agreed that money spent now on crime prevention saves money down the road on crime fighting.

"I thank you for your presentation, and I'm absolutely on your side, because you're on the side of the angels. You want to reduce our long-term operating costs, not expand them," he told supporters of Crime Prevention Ottawa.

U-pass would raise revenue: supporter

Meanwhile, the former head of the Carleton University Students' Association urged councillors to reconsider cutting the U-pass program before it is even implemented.

The program, which council has considered introducing this year, would allow post-secondary students to purchase an OC Transpo pass for $145 for each semester.

"In every municipality a U-pass has been implemented, the transit ridership goes up," Shawn Menard said.

"There's nothing to suggest that wouldn't be the same in the City of Ottawa, the capital of our country. We believe a U-pass will likely bring in revenue for the municipality in its first year."

Public consultations over the budget will continue Tuesday. Councillors will start debating the 2010 budget on Wednesday.