Outgoing councillors mark last meeting

Eleven members of Ottawa's city council worked their final meeting Wednesday at city hall.

The new council will be sworn in Dec. 1 at the Shenkman Arts Centre. It will be the largest turnover of councillors since Ottawa's amalgamation in 2001.

For the outgoing councillors who spent a combined 159 years on council it was a chance to pass along some advice to the new council.Counc. Gord Hunter urged the incoming council to focus on long-term planning.

"My message to the new councillors is look forward not 15, but 50 years," said Gord Hunter.

"Hell, some of you will only be in your 70s when that horizon is finished."

Counc. Alex Cullen, who spent much of his 16 years at council locked in heated arguments, spoke about the value of debate.

"Debate is fundamental to democracy, and it means you have to listen to discordant views, views that you don't agree with, views that you might oppose, views that might provoke you," Cullen said.

Several councillors, including Counc. Glenn Brooks, spoke about the toll the job can take on family life.

"I really wasn't around when my three children were growing up, and that's the sacrifice ... if I had to make it again I wouldn't make it quite frankly."

Counc. Clive Doucet who ran unsuccessfully for mayor did not mention the controversial Lansdowne Park redevelopment in his final speech.

"Risk more than you should, care more than people think you should and dream more than people think you should," Doucet said.

"I've done that for four years, and I hope the next council will do the same."

Earlier Wednesday Doucet released a farewell video on YouTube, urging Ottawa citizens to join the legal action against the Lansdowne Park plans.