Watson defends taking developer donations

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said he'll continueaccepting campaign donations from developers, even though he understands it couldbe perceivedas a conflict.

"The law allows us to accept from people over the age of 18, who are Ontario residents. That's the law, I'm not making up the law," Watson told CBC'sOttawa Morning Wednesday.

New provincial rules ban corporate and union donations to municipal campaigns, but that doesn't prevent developers from donating as individuals. Individual donations are capped at $1,200.

Watson isn't the only candidate accepting donations from developers. Themajority of councillors on the city's planning committee have said they're also accepting donations from developers.

The planning committeeapprovesbillions of dollars worth ofdevelopment applications eachcouncil term.

Its members may accept donations from executives of the very companies that need the committee's approval,but the ones who do accept developer donationsinsist it has no influence on their decision making.

Watson echoed that point, saying donors aren't buying influence on council.

"It's a bit of an urban myth that city hall is controlled by people outside of city hall," he said.

"I can't think of one example where someone has given someone a campaign donation and then they flip their vote because of it."

Whether the practice represents a conflict,or merely the perception of one,is up for debate, but some residents feel strongly about the issue.

Developer donations emerged as a major issue atanall-candidates debate inAlta Vista last week.The incumbent for that ward, Jean Cloutier, who also sits on theplanning committee, earlier cancelled a developer-backed fundraiser.

Two members of the planning committee Kitchissippi's Jeff Leiper and Rideau-Rockcliffe's Tobi Nussbaum said they're making efforts to avoid knowingly accepting developer donations.

Watson's main challenger for mayor, Clive Doucet, has said if he's elected he'll barany councillor who accepts donations from developers from sitting on the planning committee.

Watson defends record

In a pitch to voters, Watson said his record speaks for itself.

"I'm proud of the fact that over the last four years we've made tremendous progress on anumber of issues that people were frustrated with."

Watson listed the opening of the Innovation Centre and the new Ottawa Art Gallery, as well as the development of the Ottawa RiverAction plan, among his achievements.

Watson said he's alsoproud of the progress the city has made on transit and the LRTproject during his time as mayor, even though the project has been delayed a number oftimes.

Once opened, Watson said the LRT system will relieve much of the traffic clout in the downtown core.

"I think Ihelped, with a lot ofpeople, to build a transit system we're proud of."

Voters goes to the polls Oct. 22. Special advanced polling runs from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7.