Maria McRae
Encyclopedia
Maria McRae is an Ottawa City Councillor. She represents the River Ward
covering some of the city's southern suburbs. Born in Sudbury, Ontario
McRae has an undergraduate degree in biology and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario
. She moved to Ottawa in 2000 working as a legal consultant and teaching at Algonquin College
. She quickly became known in the community and in the 2003 Ottawa election ran to replace the departing Wendy Stewart
. McRae, who was endorsed by Stewart, won a large victory against two opponents in the November 10 election.
On November 9, 2005, McRae did not vote in favour of a pesticide bylaw that was promoted by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). In the period leading up to the vote, McRae was implicated in email incident. It was the daughter of a woman retired federal intelligence analyst who discovered McRae's wrongdoing, when the daughter received an acknowledgement from Councillor Cullen on which the content of her pro-bylaw e-mail was changed to read the opposite. Allegedly, the daughter's predicament was not unique, as there were about 40 other e-mails that were similarly altered. Evidently, Maria McRae had been involved by having written an email whereby she impersonated Councillor Alex Cullen
by placing his name on a pro-pesticide e-mail petition conducted by a pro-pesticide website, propertyrights.ca. Alex Cullen, who in fact supports a strong pesticide bylaw, replied to McRae stating: "I must tell you that I am doubly disappointed to learn that you, a council colleague, used my name to author a message you knew did not represent my position and then, when the matter became public more than three weeks ago, you did not acknowledge your role in this matter, neither to me nor to the public."
The City of Ottawa's investigation into propertyrights.ca that implicated McRae reportedly cost the city about $1,500 in overtime. The investigation cleared McRae of any intentional wrongdoing with Chief Corporate Services Officer Greg Geddes stating that McRae's actions were nothing more than an "innocent mistake."
McRae subsequently apologized to City Council stating "I'm very sorry." Alex Cullen accepted McRae's apology and said he would now put the issue behind him.
She was the Chair of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation from 2004 until 2006 – the province of Ontario’s second largest landlord with 50,000 tenants living in more than 15,000 units of housing stock worth more than $2B. She was Vice-Chair of the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee from 2003-2006.
In February 2007, Maria McRae brought to the attention of the City Solicitor a complaint regarding a community newspaper named "Capital Xtra." The "Capital Xtra" caters to gay and lesbian lifestyles. By April 2007, the City of Ottawa's legal counsel produced a legal brief concluding that restricting distribution of the paper in city facilities was tantamount to censorship
and restricting freedom of expression—as guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Maria McRae was criticized, along with several other councillors and city staff, for the appearance of a conflict of interest
for having accepted a free corporate box seat at the 2007 Stanley Cup NHL hockey playoff game (Senators v.s. Anaheim Ducks) at Scotiabank Place from Waste Management Services—a company that the City does business with.
McRae was involved in the cause of firefighters that contracted cancer in the line of duty. Her motion passed unanimously by Ottawa City Council and led to other municipalities passing similar motions. McRae joined the firefighters as they went to Queen's Park to make their case. Subsequently, the Ontario government amended the law to provide firefighters and their families with enhanced benefits.
On September 27, 2007, the Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetland officially opened. McRae lobbied for the funding to finish this project which provides an environmental benefit by filtering out sediment and pollutants, reducing downstream erosion, and controlling flood waters during heavy rains.
The Ottawa Sun's "City Council 2007 Report Card" gave Maria McRae a D, citing among other things that "McRae has to learn that shoving her colleagues aside in the rush for the camera really isn't very becoming." Her 2008 report card grade was upgraded to B, noting her hard work on several issues. Describing McRae as a "tireless worker", her grade improved to a B+ in 2009, due in part to her improved relations with her fellow councillors.
, easily winning re-election with close to 60% of the votes.
.
She also represents Ottawa City Council as a member of the following board of directors and committees:
River Ward
River Ward is city ward located in Ottawa, Ontario. Located in the central west/south central portion of the city, the ward includes the communities of Carlington, Skyline, Parkwood Hills, Fisher Heights, Mooney's Bay, Riverside Park and Hunt Club/Uplands which are located on both sides of the...
covering some of the city's southern suburbs. Born in Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
McRae has an undergraduate degree in biology and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
. She moved to Ottawa in 2000 working as a legal consultant and teaching at Algonquin College
Algonquin College
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is a publicly funded English-language college and member of Polytechnics Canada located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The college serves the National Capital Region and the outlying areas of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec...
. She quickly became known in the community and in the 2003 Ottawa election ran to replace the departing Wendy Stewart
Wendy Stewart
Wendy Stewart is a former Ottawa City Councillor and Ottawa-Carleton Regional Councillor.Stewart was born in Ottawa, and lived in Carleton Heights since 1980, with her husband Ron Stewart, a professional football player....
. McRae, who was endorsed by Stewart, won a large victory against two opponents in the November 10 election.
First mandate
She ran on a fiscally conservative platform opposing tax hikes and voted against a tax increase the first year, but faced with the significant budget shortfall she was forced to abandon this pledge. She also was criticized for paying Stewart $4000 dollars in consulting fees.On November 9, 2005, McRae did not vote in favour of a pesticide bylaw that was promoted by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). In the period leading up to the vote, McRae was implicated in email incident. It was the daughter of a woman retired federal intelligence analyst who discovered McRae's wrongdoing, when the daughter received an acknowledgement from Councillor Cullen on which the content of her pro-bylaw e-mail was changed to read the opposite. Allegedly, the daughter's predicament was not unique, as there were about 40 other e-mails that were similarly altered. Evidently, Maria McRae had been involved by having written an email whereby she impersonated Councillor Alex Cullen
Alex Cullen
Alexander Shaun Cullen is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a former Member of Provincial Parliament in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and a former member of Ottawa City Council, representing the Bay Ward in Ottawa's west end.-Early life and city politics:Cullen was born February 18,...
by placing his name on a pro-pesticide e-mail petition conducted by a pro-pesticide website, propertyrights.ca. Alex Cullen, who in fact supports a strong pesticide bylaw, replied to McRae stating: "I must tell you that I am doubly disappointed to learn that you, a council colleague, used my name to author a message you knew did not represent my position and then, when the matter became public more than three weeks ago, you did not acknowledge your role in this matter, neither to me nor to the public."
The City of Ottawa's investigation into propertyrights.ca that implicated McRae reportedly cost the city about $1,500 in overtime. The investigation cleared McRae of any intentional wrongdoing with Chief Corporate Services Officer Greg Geddes stating that McRae's actions were nothing more than an "innocent mistake."
McRae subsequently apologized to City Council stating "I'm very sorry." Alex Cullen accepted McRae's apology and said he would now put the issue behind him.
She was the Chair of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation from 2004 until 2006 – the province of Ontario’s second largest landlord with 50,000 tenants living in more than 15,000 units of housing stock worth more than $2B. She was Vice-Chair of the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee from 2003-2006.
Second mandate
On November 13, 2006, McRae again won in the Ottawa Municipal election, garnering over 65% of the vote to remain River Ward City Councillor.In February 2007, Maria McRae brought to the attention of the City Solicitor a complaint regarding a community newspaper named "Capital Xtra." The "Capital Xtra" caters to gay and lesbian lifestyles. By April 2007, the City of Ottawa's legal counsel produced a legal brief concluding that restricting distribution of the paper in city facilities was tantamount to censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
and restricting freedom of expression—as guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Maria McRae was criticized, along with several other councillors and city staff, for the appearance of a conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
for having accepted a free corporate box seat at the 2007 Stanley Cup NHL hockey playoff game (Senators v.s. Anaheim Ducks) at Scotiabank Place from Waste Management Services—a company that the City does business with.
McRae was involved in the cause of firefighters that contracted cancer in the line of duty. Her motion passed unanimously by Ottawa City Council and led to other municipalities passing similar motions. McRae joined the firefighters as they went to Queen's Park to make their case. Subsequently, the Ontario government amended the law to provide firefighters and their families with enhanced benefits.
On September 27, 2007, the Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetland officially opened. McRae lobbied for the funding to finish this project which provides an environmental benefit by filtering out sediment and pollutants, reducing downstream erosion, and controlling flood waters during heavy rains.
The Ottawa Sun's "City Council 2007 Report Card" gave Maria McRae a D, citing among other things that "McRae has to learn that shoving her colleagues aside in the rush for the camera really isn't very becoming." Her 2008 report card grade was upgraded to B, noting her hard work on several issues. Describing McRae as a "tireless worker", her grade improved to a B+ in 2009, due in part to her improved relations with her fellow councillors.
Third mandate
McRae was a candidate for River Ward in the 2010 Municipal ElectionOttawa municipal election, 2010
The Ottawa municipal election was contested on October 25, 2010 to elect the mayor of Ottawa, Ottawa City Council and the Ottawa-Carleton Public and Catholic School Boards...
, easily winning re-election with close to 60% of the votes.
.
Committees
Maria McRae is a member of the following standing committees of Ottawa City Council:- Emergency and Protective Services Committee
- License Committee (quasi-judicial, administrative tribunal)
- Long Range Financial Plan Committee
- Transportation Committee (chair)
- Member Services Committee
- Ottawa Police Services Board
She also represents Ottawa City Council as a member of the following board of directors and committees:
- Commonwealth Games 2014 Bid Committee
- Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
- Ottawa Public Library Board
- Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority
- Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
- Rural Summit Steering Committee
- Rural Summit Task Force
Ottawa municipal election, 2003
| River Ward River Ward River Ward is city ward located in Ottawa, Ontario. Located in the central west/south central portion of the city, the ward includes the communities of Carlington, Skyline, Parkwood Hills, Fisher Heights, Mooney's Bay, Riverside Park and Hunt Club/Uplands which are located on both sides of the... (Ward 16) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Maria McRae | 5600 | 63.11 |
| Todd Mattila-Hartman | 1654 | 18.64 |
| Richard Smith | 1619 | 18.25 |
Ottawa municipal election, 2006
| River Ward River Ward River Ward is city ward located in Ottawa, Ontario. Located in the central west/south central portion of the city, the ward includes the communities of Carlington, Skyline, Parkwood Hills, Fisher Heights, Mooney's Bay, Riverside Park and Hunt Club/Uplands which are located on both sides of the... (Ward 16) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Maria McRae | 9278 | 65.51 |
| Blake Batson | 4885 | 34.49 |