Ottawa recently saw it’s tenth homicide. Ottawa is still a very safe city with a relatively low homicide rate for a city with a population of about one million. But, civic leadership is vital to affirm Ottawa as a safe city. Edmonton which has the nickname “Deadmonton” is an example what happens when there is a total lack of civic leadership.

Violence in Ottawa is often connected to drug or gang related activity, said Ottawa Police Chief Verne White. Mr. White elaborated that many are cases where suspects and victims knew each other.

Unfortunately, in Ottawa, we have a mayor who seems to be much more interested in ribbon-cutting ceremony photo opportunities. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson could arguably be nicknamed the “Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil” mayor, when it comes to redressing worsening social malaise in parts of Ottawa which spawns crime.