ELECTION CAMPAIGN DONATIONS KEY PART OF LOBBYING

A recent debate at City Council led to the work of lobbyists getting some attention. What was not discussed is the role that campaign donations play in the process.

Most councillors rely on campaign donations from companies or unions that do business with the City to fund a large portion of their election campaigns. In the last election, for 11 councillors, over half the contributions they received came from businesses –most of which have dealings with the City. Another four councillors received over one-third of their campaign contributions from businesses.

Only a small minority of councillors, including myself, took no money from businesses or unions that have dealings with the City.

Companies doing business with the City do expect the candidates whose campaigns they fund to automatically vote with them. The process is more subtle and much more effective.

If a company that donated to a councillor’s campaign told a councillor he/she had to vote a certain way on an issue because the councillor accepted a political donation, it would backfire badly. All of us like to do what we feel is best for the city.

Instead, campaign contributions from companies doing business with the City are being used to open doors. When someone gives $750 to help a candidate get elected it is hard not to feel grateful. People who would never think of selling their votes will feel they owe companies that donated to their campaigns a meeting. And that’s where the contributions help lobbying efforts.

The access political contributions provide companies doing business with the City gives them a chance to make their case that the average resident doesn’t have. If a councillor feels strongly about an issue, it still won’t be enough. But if a councillor does not feel strongly or has concerns that can be easily addressed, being able to get easy access to councillors will pay off.

In my time as councillor I have been lobbied by companies that have millions of dollars riding on how other councillors and I vote. Not accepting contributions from businesses and unions doing business with the City gives me a lot more confidence that my decision is based on what is best for our community.

LESSONS LEARNED IN OTHER CITIES HELP OTTAWA PREPARE FOR GREEN BIN PROGRAM

Last month, a newspaper story appeared about problems with Toronto’s green bin program. As Ottawa’s green bin program will be starting at the beginning of 2010, there was some concern that we not make the same mistakes.

Fortunately, by looking at what worked and did not work in other cities, we should be able to avoid the problems Toronto has experienced. When Ottawa’s program was designed we looked at Halifax where the green bin program is a success and problems like the ones that have occurred in Toronto were avoided.

In Toronto, because they decided to allow plastic bags and diapers to be put in green bins, the cost is higher and much of the compost is unusable. Following the example of Halifax, Ottawa’s program will not permit plastics – people will have to use paper bags to line the bins.

The result is that processing costs will be almost 30% less than Toronto’s. There will also be more uses for the compost that is produced.

Because Toronto collects yard waste and green bin waste separately, odour has been a problem. Ottawa will be collecting leaf and yard waste at the same time as waste from green bins so the two waste streams will be combined at the time of collection. Adding yard waste adds air space, which allows air circulation, and avoids conditions where methane and sulphide gases, which are the source of odour problems, are produced.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca