Politics Guide

As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is a government city. Sometimes lost in all of the federal hoopla is municipal politics, which can often be more interesting — and impact more directly on our lives. Until recently, Ottawa was made up of several smaller cities. In 2001, the cities amalgamated into one municipality, governed by a mayor and 22-member city council. Another important political body is the National Capital Commission (NCC), which oversees federal buildings and parkland in the city.

Mayor Larry O'Brien
In November 2007, police charged Ottawa mayor Larry O'Brien with two offenses under the criminal code, related to influence peddling in the last municipal election. The trail starts May 3, and he's taken a leave of absense from his job for the duration of the proceedings. Here's a collection of links about the trail and O'Brien:

Ottawa Citizen: The O'Brien Trial - a comprehensive web site covering all aspects of the trail - including the latest news updates and lots of background information about the allegations against O'Brien
CBC Ottawa: The Trail of Larry O'Brien - offering a full archive of news coverage, as well as live updates during the trial. See also: Timeline of the Larry O'Brien/Kilrea case
Twitter: obrientrial - the Citizen's Glen McGregor is providing live updates from the trial
Twitter: mayortrial - the Ottawa Sun's Shane Ross is providing live updates from the trial
Ottawa Watch - journalist Mark Bourrie is covering the trial and updating his blog a couple times a day
Apartment613 - this great local blog is liveblogging the trial
MayorLarry.ca Larry O'Brien's blog
City of Ottawa: Mayor Larry O'Brien (official bio from the City of Ottawa)
Wikipedia: Larry O'Brien
YayaCanada: The O'Brien / Kilrea / Baird scandal
Zero Means Zero and City Holler! - these are two anonymously-written blogs that cover Mayor Larry and City Hall.
See also: Local Politics Blogs...

Local Government Links

National Capital Commission

Local Politics Blogs
(Blogs that frequently cover City Hall and other local politics)

18th Best Isn't Good Enough
apply liberally
Art of the Rant
A Step to the Right
City Holler! This blog, now inactive, made headlines in July 2008 after city councillor Clive Doucet mused about launching a lawsuit against the writer. "It's reducing public discourse to frat-house name-calling based on misinformation and gross distortion of facts," Mr. Doucet said. "It's becoming an issue. It looks like it's going to be more of an issue in the future, and I think we will have to find a way to deal with it." (Ottawa Citizen, July 16 2008)
City Limits
City of Orleans
Greater Ottawa by David Reevely (Ottawa Citizen)
Knitnut.net
Mayor Larry O'Brien's Blog
The Mayor of Ottawa blogs at "MayorLarry.ca" ... or at least one of his staffers does.
Miss Vicky's Offhand Remarks (hintonburg/westboro)
muniblogs.com: Ottawa
No Rezone Playfair
Urban Ottawa / Ottawa Urbain
Perspective Ottawa by Blake Batson
Sun & The City (Ottawa Sun City Hall blog)
The Hall Monitor (city hall blog)
Zero Means Zero

Politics Guide

Local Government Links

National Capital Commission

Local issues

Local politicians

Embassies

Related links