Rideau Rockcliffe Always Loses

 

What is it about council voting in Ottawa where King consistently votes in a losing cause.

(Ward 13) with Ottawa's first Black city Councillor, often finds himself on the losing side of key votes because he consistently aligns with a progressive/left-leaning minority on council. This group prioritizes issues like affordable housing, social equity, community-based responses to public safety, environmental protections, heritage preservation, and skepticism toward large-scale public-private developments with high taxpayer risk.Ottawa City Council (24 councillors + mayor) tends to have a centrist-to-conservative majority under recent leadership, especially on fiscal conservatism, major infrastructure projects, and development-oriented policies. Votes on controversial or high-stakes items are frequently split, but the majority bloc prevails on most big-ticket decisions.Why His Positions Often Lose

• Ideological alignment — King frequently votes with a small progressive bloc (e.g., councillors like Shawn Menard, Jeff Leiper, Ariel Troster, or others from inner-urban/central wards). This group pushes for more ambitious social investments, greater anti-racism/equity measures, opposition to debt-heavy megaprojects, and alternatives to traditional policing. These views resonate in some wards but lack broad council support.
• Committee dynamics — As a member of Finance and Corporate Services (where budgets and major projects like Lansdowne are shaped), he often votes against committee majorities on fiscal directions or partnerships, only for full council to confirm similar outcomes.
• Recorded votes are rare on routine items — Most council business passes by consensus, voice vote, or show of hands. Dissent shows up mainly on divisive files where a recorded division is requested (or media highlights it). When it does, King's "no" is often in the minority (e.g., 3-8 or 10-15 splits).
• Ward and personal priorities — Representing an inner-east ward with diverse, lower-income areas (Overbrook, Vanier influences), he emphasizes poverty reduction, anti-racism, community services, and protecting green/public spaces. These clash with city-wide pressures for growth, tax restraint, and economic development deals.

Examples of "Losing Cause" Votes (2022–2026 Term)

• Lansdowne 2.0 (multiple stages, 2023–2025): Consistently voted against the redevelopment (e.g., final Nov 2025 council vote passed 15-10; he was in the 10 "no" side). Also pushed (unsuccessfully) for 40% of air rights proceeds to affordable housing instead of lower amounts.
• Budget directions (e.g., 2026 budget process): Voted against key finance committee directions alongside Menard and Leiper; full council often adopts similar frameworks.
• ANCHOR program funding (alternative community response to crises): Proposed matching police investments dollar-for-dollar in community alternatives but saw limited traction.
• Other patterns: Opposition to certain infrastructure (e.g., Kettle Island bridge elements, via public statements aligning with community concerns), and pushes for equity-focused reallocations that don't always carry the majority.

This isn't unique to King—several councillors (especially from central/inner wards) share similar voting patterns and often end up in the minority on big development or fiscal votes. It's a reflection of council's overall composition rather than isolated stubbornness. If council dynamics shift (e.g., after the next election), these positions could gain more traction.