RIPPLE

**RIPPLE COMMENT** According to Ottawa Citizen (recognized source, score: 80/100), the city of Ottawa has allowed its recognition program for volunteers to lapse, leaving many who dedicate their time to community service without formal acknowledgement. The direct cause of this event is the city's failure to maintain a functional recognition program. This lack of recognition can lead to decreased morale among volunteers and potentially undermine their motivation to continue contributing to the community. In the short-term, this could result in a decline in volunteer numbers as individuals become disillusioned with the lack of appreciation for their efforts. In terms of intermediate steps, the city's decision not to prioritize volunteer recognition may also reflect broader trends in civic engagement and voter participation. If volunteers feel undervalued, they may be less likely to participate in future community initiatives or encourage others to do so. This could have long-term effects on the overall health of civic engagement in Ottawa. The domains affected by this news event include civic engagement, volunteerism, and local governance. The evidence type is an opinion piece (Deachman's column), but it highlights a specific policy issue that warrants attention. It is uncertain how widespread the impact will be, as some volunteers may still choose to continue their work without formal recognition. However, if left unaddressed, this issue could lead to a decline in volunteer numbers and a negative impact on community cohesion.