Defending Ottawa
Technically, I’m not really from Ottawa. I was born outside of Canada, and I’ve wandered around quite a bit over time. So much so that sometimes I’m not certain whether I can say that I’m from one particular place with confidence. I live in the (symbolic) crack between countries, cities.
Yes, perhaps I have an identity crisis, but when people ask me where I’m from, I say with a small smile, I’m from Ottawa. Maybe it’s because that’s where my family resides, maybe it’s the only place that I was able to find roots.
In class during our discussion of the reading Andrew, Trying to Be World Class–Ottawa, I couldn’t defend Ottawa when I watched my classmates tore Ottawa apart. My hometown pride was stripped inside out and tossed in my face. Perhaps that was exaggerating, but when I heard everyone say that Ottawa is “boring” and “pretending to be something that it’s not”, my heart broke a little. Just a little.
I couldn’t defend Ottawa, because (I must admit with embarrassment) I don’t know Ottawa well enough myself. Yet I still call Ottawa my hometown with pride.
I couldn’t defend Ottawa, because I actually agreed with some of the cruel things my peers said about Ottawa. Ottawa is not the most exciting place to be, and there are many symbolic facades that Ottawa uses in attempt to represent itself as Canada’s National Capital.
But in Ottawa’s defense, I argue that we have an identity. It may be still a working progress, but I believe Ottawa to be the rightful Capital of Canada.
Bilingualism
Ottawa is bilingual. We have the following in our bylaws:
A citizen of Ottawa has the right to communicate in English and French in accordance with the bilingualism policy adopted by Council on May 9, 2001 and as may be amended from time to time.
A citizen of Ottawa has the right to receive available services in either English or French in accordance with the bilingualism policy adopted by Council on May 9, 2001 and as may be amended from time to time.
The implementation of the bilingualism policy shall not cause any employee of the municipality to lose his or her employment.
The implementation of the bilingualism policy shall be done in co-operation and consultation with collective bargaining groups.
The bilingualism policy in 2001 was passed by the Ottawa City Council, meaning that English and French are both recognized as having the same rights, status and privileges within Ottawa’s municipal government.
While it is true that not every single Ottawa resident knows how to speak French, the percentage of people who can comfortably speak French and English in the National Capital Region far exceeds Canadians located in most of the other cities.
First Nations
Some believe that we only use First Nations when it is for good publicity. I don’t like how that sounds — “using” First Nations. I certainly think we might be emphasizing it partly to project a positive image for Canada, but I think Ottawa does this for the good of the country.
The main objective is to educate people about the history and significance of the Indigenous People. It is not a myth that the education system in Ottawa and Gatineau places an emphasis on educating about First Nations. For example, almost all of the kids who grew up in Ottawa took field trips to the Museum of Civilization and participated in indigenous art performances. Activities like these allow young students to become aware of Canadian history.
It is true that Ottawa tries to present itself as a city that cares a lot about the First Nations community, and we may be stretching it a little sometimes, but I don’t think it is our goal to prove that we are helping the Indigenous communities. Rather, Ottawa aims to represent Canada as a nation, to acknowledge the past, develop respectful relationships, and collaborate for a better future.
Is Ottawa Boring?
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly when I heard one of my classmates say that Ottawa is boring.
Personally, I don’t think Ottawa is boring, but I think it also depends heavily on who is judging.
No, we definitely don’t have a big party scene like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver, and our downtown is nowhere near the size of other city centers, but I believe that if we don’t make an effort to find something interesting to do, anywhere can be boring.
Let’s just briefly look at one domain of interest: music.
True, not a lot of major bands come to Ottawa. While that is a fact, there is a thriving independent music scene in Ottawa, and more often than not, discovering the local indie music scene can be more thrilling than standing at the back of a large concert.
In blunt terms, if you are not proactively seeking it, you won’t find anything interesting, no matter where you are.