OTTAWA – New Democrat MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) sent the following letter to Minister of Transport John Baird regarding “Lansdowne Live”.

“Dear Minister Baird,

“It has been brought to my attention that a delegation of officials from City of Ottawa has met with you to request federal funding for the “Lansdowne Live” project.

“Yesterday I joined hundreds of community members in Ottawa as they raised their opposition to the City of Ottawa’s approach toward Lansdowne Park. The residents called on the city council to scrap its sole-source arrangement with “Lansdowne Live” and restart a design competition that would open the process to bids by other development groups.

“Given the community’s opposition to “Lansdowne Live” proposal and the city’s sole-source approach to the proposal, any federal government involvement in the current process is wrong.

“I urge you to clearly indicate to the City of Ottawa that federal support for the city’s efforts for the future of Lansdowne Park would become available upon the completion of an open and transparent process that is accepted by Ottawa’s communities.

“I look forward to your response”.