Watson promises free Sunday transit for seniors

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is promising an extra day of free transit for seniors if he's re-electedMonday.

The announcement was among his final list of campaign promises of the election,released in an emailed statementlate Thursday afternoon.

"This measure is not only a cost saving opportunity for seniors; it encourages them to leave their home and take part in social outings, helping to fight widespread loneliness and isolation affecting many seniors," Watson said in the release.

The promise would cost OC Transpo about $100,000 per year, according to Watson's campaign. Seniors already ride free on Wednesdays, which costs taxpayers about $1 million per year.

No new funding for affordable housing

Watson said his first priority if re-elected would be to secure new affordable housing developmentclose to rapid transit, buthis platform does not include any new moneyto build those units, or for homelessness prevention.

Watson said he plans to continue the city's $108-million annual investment to complete a minimum of 456 affordable and supportive housing units and create up to 380 new housing subsidies for people experiencing homelessness, among other city initiatives.

He also wants the city to enact aninclusionaryzoning policy that would require developers to put money toward affordable housing in exchange for higher-density projects.

Many housing advocates have called the lack of affordable housing in Ottawa a crisis.

Watson promised at least three affordable neighbourhood developments along the LRT corridor to address that issue. That work was already started by Coun. Catherine McKenney, who is running for re-election in Somerset ward. McKenneylaunched aworking group to develop affordable units on city lands along the LRT route.

Women's liaison

Women's rights activists have criticized Watson for his lukewarm response to instituting a women's bureauto examine city policies through a gender lens. A vote on the matter is set totake place at one of the first council meetings after the election.

He also took flak after hedeclined to participate inan election debate on gender issues.

In his announcement Thursday, Watsonpitched a women's liaison position on council with a mandate to "advocate for women's' issues." The role would presumably mimic the existing liaison roles on council, including one on homelessness and another on sports.

Watson also announced his goal of appointing an equal number women to the city's various agency boards and advisory committees.