Frustrated councillors left in dark over LRT delay

Several Ottawa citycouncillorsclaim they were misled by city staff about a delay inthe city's $2.1-billion Confederation Line, even after asking specific questions about the project during budget deliberations only days earlier.

Manconi, Mayor Jim Watson and city manager SteveKanellakoshad all beenaware of the delay since late November, but the rest of city council and the public were only informed on Friday.

Even transit commission chair Stephen Blais and transportation committee chair Keith Egliwere only informedWednesdayafter the 2018 budget had passed.

"It's frustrating because it seemsthe information was in their possession and it was clearly relevant to the budget," Coun. Diane Deans saidMonday.

Budget based on July 1opening

The city andRTGare still negotiating the new handover date, so It's not clear what impact the delay will have on the official opening of the line, if any.

That's a big problem, according to severalcouncillorswho say they were kept in the dark about the deadline issues and the impact that might have on the budget.

"I find it astonishing that that information did not come out during a very detailed budget discussion," Coun.TobiNussbaumsaid. "Clearly that's a problem."

The 2018 budget is based on the assumption the line will open by July 1, 2018. If thatdoesn't happen, OCTranspo's projected ridership and associated revenue could fall short.

OCTranspoalso plans to lay off bus drivers and other transit staff once the trains start running, which will meansignificant savings.

GM backtracks on penalties

During budget talks on Dec. 4, Nussbaumasked specifically about any financialimpact shouldRTGfail to meet itsdeadlines and delaythe opening.

Manconireplied that ifthat happened the city could simply withhold payment toRTGin order to recoup anylosses. Manconihas since saidthe city hasn't decided if it will levy fines or withhold payments to RTG.

"We're working through all that right now," he said Friday.

That makes somecouncillorsnervous about the city's ability to meet its budget projections.

But their questions will likely have to wait.There are no council or committee meetings at city hall until late January.Manconi promised to give councillors another update before the end of March, but would not say if RTG's new deadline willbe revealed by then.

'Concerning trend'

Asked on Friday who had beeninformed about the delay, Manconireplied, "everyone who needed to know."He said the mayor's office and the city manager have been kept up to date on every development.

"There's no secrets here," he said.

But Deans said withholding information from councillors is becoming a trend.

During budget deliberations last week the city treasurer revealed a surprise $10-million surplus. Moments later the mayor tabled a motion to spend the $10 million windfall on repairs to roads and other facilities.

The mayor's move rendered that levy unnecessary.

"It was pretty blatant and shocking to me what happened during the budget last week," Deans said.

It all points toa "new and concerning trend," Deans said.

"Council can only make good decisions if we have a complete and timely information."