City of Ottawa approves $2.9-million tax credit for Vanier Porsche dealership

A contentious debate over a $2.9-million tax credit for a luxury car dealership in Vanier, both in the community and at city hall, has ended with Ottawa city council voting to approve the grant.

At Wednesday's city council meeting Mayor Jim Watson tacked on an amendment to divert $6-million of the eventual increased tax revenue to housing.

But Gloucester-Southgate Ward City Councillor Diane Deans says tying that money to a grant for a Porsche dealership is simply wrong. She calls using the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) tax credit to assist a business such as this a “cynical, disingenuous, insincere, and a crass, politically-motivated move.”

Supporters of the grant, such as Kanata North representative Jenna Sudds, say the development does meet the requirements of the grant program.

“If this was any other business, other than a… such an elite brand name, we would not be having this conversation,” explains Sudds.

Rideau-Goulbourn Ward councillor Scott Moffatt argues that when he goes to a car dealership, he tends spends money in the area.

“Might go to the Loblaws just around the corner there as well, [or] pop into the Dollar Tree to buy a Coke.”

Nearly three hours of debate among council members included an attempt to postpone the decision and approving a review of the community improvement program which won't happen until 2023. In the end, the vote among council was 15-9 in favour.