Thursday November 4, 2021
What Ottawa is Talking About – 4 November 2021
▪️OC Transpo has submitted its budget, and wants an additional $21 million. The system expects that it will return to 82 per cent of its pre-pandemic passenger levels, which will result in $41 million less in fares. The system also expects $7.7 million less in Provincial gas taxes. [CBC]
▪️The Afghanistan ambassador to Canada has not spoken to the Taliban. Hassan Soroos, who was already in position as Ambassador to Canada when the Taliban took over his country, has continued to provide consular services and represent the Islamic Repubilc of Afghanistan from the Argyle Street embassy despite being cut off financially. [CBC]
▪️Air Transat refused to fly Ottawa family's dogs from Cuba because their credit card reader was broken. The family was returning from Cuba in October, with dogs in crate and paper work prepared when Air Transat refused the transport because their macine would not work. The flight itself was in 20 minutes. A friend in Cuba took the dogs, the family returned to Ottawa and because of COVID 19 quarantines, nobody can retrieve them until at least November 13. [Ottawa Citizen]
▪️Mayor Jim Watson says that he will answer if he is running again for mayor by the end of December. The next election for mayor and council will be next October. Watson also said that he would not resign over the O-Train problems. [CTV]
