Can You Help Me Advocate for a Better Ottawa?

I'm opening up the option for paid subscriptions, for anyone who wants to support my writing and to expand in-real-life advocacy efforts.

Writing about a better Ottawa

Last October, I published the 613 post for the first time to about 500 readers.

Twelve months later, you’re reading my 56th post, which is now going out to almost 3,000 of you.

I’m all about holding City Hall to account. To take responsibility for its actions. To make the best use of our taxpayer dollars. To build the shining city that Ottawa has the potential to be.

Some of my favourite posts include:

The real reason this city is in a fiscal crisis.

Or how any of us can invest to protect affordable housing.

Or the climate action required by our municipal leaders.

Advocacy in IRL

This newsletter is a reflection of my in-real-life efforts to fix this city.

Such as fighting to give all of us a say on whether we spend $500 million to renovate Lansdowne. We’re up to 3,700 signatures and climbing. At 5,000 signatures, we’ll take this petition to City Hall. At 10,000, we’ll take it to Queen’s Park.

Or advocating with Councillors to implement a more effective, more dignified and less expensive solution for managing the influx of asylum seekers, than housing them in giant tents. Three councillors got in touch with me following that article.

Or stopping The Ottawa Hospital from turning the last undeveloped parcel of the historic Billings Estate into a parking lot. The hospital was racing to turn Sarah Billings Place into a parking lot, but they’ve now done a 180 and it is being restored to parkland.

Engaging the next generation

A number of concerned residents of Ottawa — including Councillors and journalists — read this newsletter.

We all care about this city and know that better is possible.

But we’re also NOT yet getting through to the next generation.

Youth care about their city. But we’re just not making the connection and providing them with the opportunity to be a part of working for a better Ottawa.

The 2024 Global Climate March in Ottawa was a reminder that people of all ages will get involved in their community when given the opportunity.

Your help to engage youth

That’s where I need your help. Breaking through to the next generation.

That means hiring a couple of students to help plug into youth networks. To use social media in new and impactful ways. To build the on ramps for young people to have a say in their city.

If you are in a position to contribute financially, I would appreciate your help bringing the next generation into building a better Ottawa.

Many of you are already generously supporting this work. Through pledges, transfers or subscribing to my sister publication, Fix Your City. Thanks for your vote of confidence.

The subscription price is $5/month or $50/year. There is also a founding member option, for those who would like to go further.

(And I know that some of you prefer other ways to support, such as with a cheque. If that is you, please just reply to this email.)

Accessible to all

While I am opening up the option for readers to support this newsletter, I will keep the 613 content available to everyone.

Expect some subscriber-only events where we bring in special guests, talk more about the larger strategy, and provide a preview of what’s to come.

But the city analysis will remain open to everyone.

Think of your subscription as helping me and others be more impactful in fighting for a better Ottawa.

Thanks to everyone who has previously pledged support. And thanks to everyone else for your consideration.

— Neil